South Korea's KOSPI index, the world's best-performing stock market in 2026 with nearly 50% gains by February, fell sharply by 19% in March. This decline was driven by rising energy prices and a reassessment of major semiconductor stocks, causing international investors to pull back and retail investors to reduce leverage. The drop puts the KOSPI on the verge of a bear market, signaling increased volatility and uncertainty ahead. The iShares MSCI South Korea ETF also saw a significant decline, reflecting broader market weakness.
SK Hynix, South Korea's second most valuable company, debuted on the Nasdaq on July 10, 2026, with its shares rising about 14% on the first day. This listing allows U.S. investors direct access to the chipmaker, which supplies memory chips to major t...
The iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (EWY) has entered a bear market, largely due to its heavy concentration in Samsung and SK hynix, making it sensitive to AI hardware sector volatility. Despite recent reforms and increased index weight, South Korea's m...
