EN Home › Market Briefing · published Oct 28, 2026 morning (KST) · prices as of 2026-10-27 close한국어

US 10Y 4.99%, KOSPI 200 surges: Oct 28 Korea market briefing

Yesterday, Anthropic's filing for a Nasdaq listing revived expectations around AI, and risk assets were broadly strong, with the KOSPI 200 closing 3.47% higher at 881.07. The US 10-year Treasury yield fell 1.0bp to 4.99%. Today, it is worth watching how reports that the US is preparing airstrikes on Iran and the results of Israel's general election affect oil prices and exchange rates.

Yesterday's closes

Indicator	Close	Change	%
USD/KRW10-26	1,326.0	-0.2	-0.02%
Dollar Index10-27	102.20	+0.22	+0.21%
USD/JPY10-27	157.74	+0.24	+0.15%
US 10Y Yield10-27	4.990%	-1.0bp	-
Korea 3Y Yield10-27	3.758%	-3.1bp	-
KOSPI 20010-27	881.07	+29.56	+3.47%
Nasdaq 10010-27	29,651.44	+378.03	+1.29%
Nikkei 22510-27	63,268.37	+1,078.72	+1.73%
Hang Seng10-27	23,041.32	-170.49	-0.73%
DAX10-27	25,590.77	+179.93	+0.71%
WTI Crude10-26	101.76	-1.51	-1.46%
Gold10-26	4,038.40	+30.50	+0.76%
Bitcoin10-28	80,902	+787	+0.98%

The date next to each indicator is the trading day of that close. Bitcoin is the spot price at publication (7am KST). Yield changes are in bp (0.01 pp).

FX & Rates

USD/KRW stood at 1,326.0 won per dollar at the previous trading day's close, down 0.2 won from the day before and effectively flat. That is 6.73% below its 100-day average of 1,421.7. The global dollar, by contrast, firmed slightly: the Dollar Index rose 0.21% to 102.20, and USD/JPY rose 0.15% to 157.74 yen per dollar. The US 10-year Treasury yield closed 1.0bp lower at 4.99%, but it is still above its 100-day average of 4.776%. The Korea 3-year yield fell 3.1bp to 3.758%.

Equities

The KOSPI 200 jumped 29.56 points, or 3.47%, to 881.07, the largest gain among the major indexes. However, it remains 21.06% below its 100-day average of 1,116.18, so it is too early to call this a recovery phase. The Nasdaq 100 rose 1.29% to 29,651.44, the Nikkei 225 gained 1.73% to 63,268.37, and Germany's DAX closed 0.71% higher at 25,590.77. Only the Hang Seng fell, down 0.73% to 23,041.32, leaving the picture mixed.

Commodities & Crypto

WTI crude fell 1.46% to 101.76 dollars per barrel at the previous trading day's close, but prices remain elevated at 18.27% above the 100-day average of 86.04 dollars. Gold closed 0.76% higher at 4,038.40 dollars per ounce. Bitcoin was at 80,902 dollars as of 7:00 a.m. KST, up 0.98% from the previous day. Note that the oil and gold prices are closing prices from one day earlier than those of the other assets.

News and Markets

Anthropic's filing of a registration statement with the SEC and the start of its Nasdaq listing process revived AI expectations, and all the major New York stock indexes rose. The Nasdaq 100's 1.29% gain is directly linked to this news. The report that the US military has completed preparations for large-scale airstrikes on Iran on short notice feeds into oil prices through risk around the Strait of Hormuz. However, WTI fell yesterday, so this has not yet been clearly reflected in prices. Israel's general election and the US midterm elections add to uncertainty over the Middle East situation and US policy, but no direct causal link to yesterday's prices has been confirmed.

What to Watch Today

Exit polls from Israel's general election are due early this morning, and if neither bloc secures a majority, a coalition deadlock could heighten uncertainty in the Middle East. Variables to watch include whether reports of US airstrikes on Iran continue and whether WTI crude moves further away from its 100-day average again. North Korea's forward deployment of self-propelled artillery near the Military Demarcation Line is also a geopolitical factor that could affect the won and the Korean stock market. With the Dollar Index firm, indicators to check include whether USD/KRW holds in the 1,326 won range and whether the US 10-year Treasury yield stays below 5%. It is also worth watching whether the KOSPI 200 extends its gains after its sharp jump.

Yesterday's key world news

Israel holds first general election since Oct. 7, a referendum on Netanyahu· Politics
Israel held its first general election since the Oct. 7 attack amid calls to hold Netanyahu accountable, with Eisenkot's bloc projected at about 56 seats and Netanyahu's at about 50. Falling short of the 61-seat majority could lead to coalition deadlock and greater Middle East uncertainty.
US ready to strike Iran within 96 hours as Hormuz tensions rise· Geopolitics
Reports say the US military has completed preparations for large-scale airstrikes on Iran within 96 hours, with timing after next week's US midterm elections being mentioned. Risks around the Strait of Hormuz are raising concerns about higher oil prices and a wider Middle East conflict.
Brazil's Lula wins fourth term with come-from-behind runoff victory· Politics
Lula came from behind to win the presidential runoff 51.79% to 48.21%, securing a fourth term, while Bolsonaro's camp signaled it would not accept the result. Conflicts with a right-leaning Congress and the US are increasing policy uncertainty in Brazil.
US midterms one week away: last-ditch push with Democrats ahead· Politics
With a week to go before the US midterm elections, expectations of a Democratic advantage are growing, as Trump's approval rating stands at 38% and even the Senate race in Republican-leaning Kansas is close. A Democratic takeover of the House would put a brake on Trump's policy agenda.
Anthropic files for record-breaking Nasdaq listing· Economy & Markets
Anthropic filed a registration statement with the SEC and began the Nasdaq listing process, at a valuation of up to 2 trillion dollars, in what is expected to be the largest IPO in US stock market history. Renewed AI expectations lifted all three major New York indexes.

Full country-by-country summaries for Oct 27, 2026 (Korean) →

USD/KRW exchange rateUS 10-year Treasury yieldKOSPI 200Nasdaq 100WTI crude oil priceAnthropic IPOIran airstrikeBitcoin price

This briefing is an automated summary of public market data and news-broadcast summaries from several countries, for information only — not investment advice. Figures follow the table's source data; markets may have moved since publication.