(LEAD) Seoul shares end higher on institutional buying amid AI investment concerns

This will let Google show Yonhap news articles that match or are related to your search

(ATTN: UPDATES with details in last 5 paras)

SEOUL, Oct. 19 (Yonhap) -- Seoul shares ended higher Monday, supported by institutional buying, as investors weighed concerns over whether heavy spending on artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure would generate sufficient returns.

The Korean won was trading higher against the U.S. dollar.

After opening 3.17 percent lower, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) reversed course to close up 99.96 points, or 1.76 percent, to 5,768.01, after falling as low as 5,488.41.

Institutions bought a net 574.66 billion won (US$432 million) worth of shares, while foreign investors and retail investors sold a net 37.87 billion won and 1.09 trillion won, respectively.

Investors also remained cautious ahead of earnings reports due this week from major companies, including Tesla and Meta Platforms, as well as the Nov. 3 U.S. midterm elections, amid continued uncertainty over the outlook for interest rates, analysts said.

"Some investors appear to have bought large-cap stocks in search of bargains following sharp declines in recent weeks, helping the index move into positive territory despite reservations centered on massive spending on AI infrastructure," IBK Securities said.

In Seoul, tech stocks contributed to the gains.

Market bellwether Samsung Electronics rose 1.16 percent to 218,000 won, while its chipmaking rival SK hynix climbed 0.39 percent to 1.28 million won.

Top carmaker Hyundai Motor jumped 4.49 percent to 326,000 won, defense giant Hanwha Aerospace advanced 1.91 percent to 905,000 won.

On the other hand, leading shipbuilder HD Hyundai Heavy Industries fell 1.71 percent to 345,500 won and shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean declined 1.23 percent to 64,200 won.

The Korean won was quoted at 1,330.3 won against the U.S. dollar as of 3:30 p.m., up from 1,331.4 won reached at the end of the previous stock trading session.

Financial data is shown on a screen inside the dealing room of Hana Bank in central Seoul, on Oct. 19, 2026, after the market opened. (Yonhap)

kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr (END)

(LEAD) Seoul shares end higher on institutional buying amid AI investment concerns

这将使谷歌能够向您展示与您的搜索匹配或相关的韩联社新闻文章。

（注意：最后5段有更新详情）

首尔，10月19日（韩联社）——周一，首尔股市收高，机构投资者买盘支撑了这一走势，他们正在权衡对人工智能（AI）基础设施巨额支出是否会产生足够回报的担忧。

韩元兑美元汇率走高。

韩国综合股价指数（KOSPI）开盘下跌 3.17%，随后反弹，最终收涨 99.96 点，涨幅 1.76%，报 5,768.01 点，盘中一度跌至 5,488.41 点。

机构投资者净买入价值 5746.6 亿韩元（4.32 亿美元）的股票，而外国投资者和散户投资者分别净卖出 378.7 亿韩元和 1.09 万亿韩元的股票。

分析师表示，由于利率前景持续不明朗，投资者在本周特斯拉和Meta Platforms等主要公司即将发布财报以及11月3日美国中期选举前仍保持谨慎态度。

IBK证券表示：“一些投资者似乎在最近几周股价大幅下跌后买入了大盘股，以寻求低价买入，这帮助该指数转正，尽管人们对人工智能基础设施的大规模支出仍存有疑虑。”

在首尔，科技股推动了股市上涨。

市场风向标三星电子股价上涨 1.16% 至 218,000 韩元，而其芯片制造竞争对手 SK 海力士股价上涨 0.39% 至 1280 万韩元。

韩国顶级汽车制造商现代汽车股价上涨4.49%，至326,000韩元；国防巨头韩华航空航天股价上涨1.91%，至905,000韩元。

另一方面，领先的造船企业现代重工(HD Hyundai Heavy Industries)股价下跌1.71%至345,500韩元，造船企业韩华海洋(Hanwha Ocean)股价下跌1.23%至64,200韩元。

截至下午 3:30，韩元兑美元汇率为 1,330.3 韩元，高于前一交易日收盘时的 1,331.4 韩元。

2026年10月19日，市场开盘后，首尔市中心韩亚银行交易室内的屏幕上显示着金融数据。（韩联社）

kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr (完)

（导语）首尔股市在人工智能投资担忧引发的背景下，因机构买盘而收高。