KOSPI Trading Value Hits 2026 Low, Reflecting Deepening Investor Caution
Trading value and volume on South Korea's KOSPI market have fallen to their lowest levels of the year, signaling a sharp slowdown in stock market activity. Investor sentiment has weakened as retail investors who bought shares near market highs remain trapped in losing positions, while growing doubts
South Korea's KOSPI market has experienced a sharp slowdown in trading activity, with trading value and volume hitting their lowest levels of the year, according to BusinessKorea on Oct. 26. Investor sentiment has weakened as retail investors who bought shares near market highs remain trapped in losing positions, and growing doubts over the profitability of AI investments add to market uncertainty.
The benchmark index fell to 5,469.47, its lowest level in seven months, and daily turnover fell below 200 million shares for the first time this year. The slowdown is attributed to a supply-demand imbalance and new regulations on single-stock leveraged ETFs, as well as waning enthusiasm for AI investments and sharp declines in major semiconductor stocks.
The prolonged market downturn is also weighing on brokerage earnings, with forecasts predicting a significant decline in net profit for major financial firms.
Brief written by urgent.news from BusinessKorea's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
