Disappointed by Samsung Electronics' shareholder returns? KOSPI closes down more than 1%

KOSPI plunges after Samsung Electronics earnings announcement
KOSDAQ also closes down more than 2%

The KOSPI closed in the 5,900 range after falling more than 1%. After Samsung Electronics released its earnings, the index, which had been slightly higher, turned lower and ultimately fell below the 6,000 mark.

On Oct. 29, the KOSPI closed at 5,937.66, down 1.24% from the previous session. Individual investors bought a net KRW 635.7 billion, while foreign investors and institutions sold a net KRW 305.9 billion and KRW 577.6 billion, respectively.

A display showing the domestic stock market is seen at the Hana Bank dealing room in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the 29th, as the KOSPI traded nearly flat around the 6,000 mark early in the session. The KOSPI opened up 4.78 points (0.08%) at 6,017.22, while the KOSDAQ opened down 3.50 points (0.45%) at 767.78. 2026.10.29 Photo by Kim Hyunmin

The KOSPI was up 1% early in the session, but slid to the 5,800 range after Samsung Electronics announced its earnings. Lee Kyung-min, a researcher at Daishin Securities, said, "Samsung Electronics' total shareholder returns for 2026 are expected to amount to KRW 90 trillion to KRW 110 trillion. Of this, KRW 35 trillion has already been planned or fully executed, while the remaining KRW 55 trillion to KRW 75 trillion is expected to consist of share buybacks and cancellations, and cash dividends. However, details have not been disclosed." He added, "Samsung Electronics' share price plunged, weighing on the index."

Samsung Electronics rose to KRW 249,000 during the session before reversing course and closing at KRW 232,000, down 4.1% from the previous session. Most of the stocks with the largest market capitalizations also fell, including Samsung Electro-Mechanics, down 1.1%; LG Energy Solution, down 8.6%; Samsung Biologics, down 0.6%; Hyundai Motor, down 1.3%; Samsung Life Insurance, down 0.1%; and Samsung C&T, down 0.9%. SK hynix rose 2.2%, SK Square gained 3.1%, and KB Financial Group advanced 1.6%.

Sector performances were mixed. Construction fell 5.75%, machinery and equipment dropped 5.28%, entertainment and culture declined 3.61%, chemicals lost 3.04%, IT services fell 2.79%, metals slipped 2.34%, transportation equipment and parts declined 2.03%, and general services fell 1.73%. Meanwhile, financials rose 1.39%, securities gained 1.33%, and insurance advanced 0.95%.

The KOSDAQ also closed lower, falling 2.34% from the previous session to 753.23. Individual investors were net buyers of KRW 254.7 billion, while foreign investors and institutions were net sellers of KRW 164.9 billion and KRW 79.9 billion, respectively.

All of the top stocks by market capitalization fell, including Alteogen, down 1.3%; EcoPro, down 4.4%; EcoPro BM, down 5.6%; Jusung Engineering, down 4.5%; Rainbow Robotics, down 6.5%; HLB, down 2.3%; EO Technics, down 0.8%; Simmtech, down 3.2%; Wonik IPS, down 3.6%; and Leeno Industrial, down 2.8%.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.