EN Home › Market Briefing · published Oct 31, 2026 morning (KST) · prices as of 2026-10-30 close한국어

USD/KRW 1,334 lower, US 10Y 4.94%: Oct 31 Korea market briefing

In yesterday's markets, USD/KRW fell to 1,334.3 won per dollar and the US 10-year Treasury yield also eased to 4.940%, but the KOSPI 200 (-3.86%) and the Nasdaq 100 (-3.46%) dropped sharply. Strong US third-quarter growth data and growing talk of a December rate hike stirred tightening concerns that weighed on stocks. Over the weekend, it is worth checking reports on Iran ahead of the US midterm elections and tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.

Yesterday's closes

Indicator	Close	Change	%
USD/KRW10-30	1,334.3	-5.2	-0.39%
Dollar Index10-30	101.94	-0.10	-0.10%
USD/JPY10-30	157.27	-0.56	-0.35%
US 10Y Yield10-30	4.940%	-4.0bp	-
Korea 3Y Yield10-30	3.731%	-3.5bp	-
KOSPI 20010-30	899.78	-36.09	-3.86%
Nasdaq 10010-30	28,384.85	-1,017.66	-3.46%
Nikkei 22510-30	63,290.11	-1,369.36	-2.12%
Hang Seng10-30	23,294.42	+335.77	+1.46%
DAX10-30	25,818.21	-221.47	-0.85%
WTI Crude10-29	102.00	-0.78	-0.76%
Gold10-29	4,031.40	-20.20	-0.50%
Bitcoin10-31	76,662	-1,293	-1.66%

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 closed at 1,334.3 won per dollar, down 5.2 won (0.39%) from the previous day and 5.64% below its 100-day average of 1,414.1. The Dollar Index fell 0.10% to 101.94, and USD/JPY also declined 0.35% to 157.27 yen per dollar. The US 10-year Treasury yield dropped 4.0bp to 4.940% but remains above its 100-day average of 4.790%. The Korea 3-year yield also fell 3.5bp to 3.731%, below its 100-day average of 3.854%. It is worth keeping in mind that long-term US yields actually fell yesterday even as talk of a rate hike grew.

Equities

The KOSPI 200 fell 36.09 points (3.86%) to 899.78, the largest decline among the major indices, and stands 18.36% below its 100-day average. The Nasdaq 100 also dropped 3.46% to 28,384.85, while the Nikkei 225 fell 2.12% and Germany's DAX lost 0.85%. By contrast, the Hang Seng rose 1.46% to 23,294.42, the only major index to gain. In Korea, Samsung Electronics shares reportedly fell despite record earnings, on disappointment that its shareholder return plan lacked specifics. Among US tech stocks, concerns about the profitability of artificial intelligence were also cited.

Commodities & Crypto

WTI crude fell 0.76% to 102.00 dollars per barrel as of the October 29 close, but remained 18.14% above its 100-day average of 86.34 dollars. Gold declined 0.50% to 4,031.40 dollars per ounce, 5.10% below its 100-day average. Because oil and gold prices are October 29 closes, they may not yet reflect yesterday's news. Bitcoin stood at 76,662 dollars as of 7:00 a.m., down 1.66% from the previous day, moving in the same direction as the broader weakness in risk assets.

News and Markets

US third-quarter growth came in at its highest in a year and personal consumption expenditures inflation stayed elevated, lending weight to expectations of a December rate hike. Alongside this news, New York stocks fell, and the Nasdaq 100 and KOSPI 200 also dropped sharply. Disappointment over Samsung Electronics' shareholder returns added further pressure on the Korean market. Reports that the US is preparing renewed strikes on Iran are a variable that could connect to oil prices through tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. However, since WTI prices are as of October 29, they may not yet reflect these reports. It is not confirmed what direct effect, if any, the deadlock in Israel's election or the purge of top military leaders at China's Fifth Plenum had on yesterday's prices.

What to Watch Today

Today is Saturday, so stock and bond markets are closed, and Bitcoin prices can be used to gauge weekend risk appetite. With the US midterm elections a few days away, and following reports that renewed strikes on Iran are being considered after the election as well as Vice President Vance's letter proposing negotiations, Middle East news is a variable to watch for oil prices. With talk of a December US rate hike growing, the movements of the US 10-year Treasury yield and the Dollar Index are indicators to check. News on US-North Korea dialogue ahead of next month's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen, China, is also worth watching. The announcement of European Central Bank President Lagarde's early resignation is another variable to check in Germany's DAX and broader European market trends.

Yesterday's key world news

Israel's election ends in deadlock as neither bloc wins a majority· Geopolitics
Neither of Israel's two main blocs secured the 61-seat majority, while Arab parties won 19 seats and now hold the casting vote in forming a coalition. The coalition vacuum and election fraud disputes are unsettling the direction of policy on Iran and the West Bank.
US prepares renewed strikes on Iran as Vice President Vance sends negotiation letter· Geopolitics
The US military is reportedly ready to launch large-scale renewed strikes on Iran after the midterm elections, while Vice President Vance sent a letter to Iran's Secretary Rezaei proposing a direct meeting. Renewed tension in the Strait of Hormuz would shake oil prices and energy markets.
High-speed train collision near Toledo, Spain kills 69· Society
Two high-speed trains collided near Toledo, Spain, killing 69 people; the cause was a control center wrongly ordering service to resume. The disaster is adding to the political burden on the Sánchez government ahead of the November 29 general election.
Chinese Communist Party's Fifth Plenum closes with sweeping purge of top military leaders including Zhang Youxia· Politics
The Fifth Plenum closed after adopting a decision on comprehensive strict party governance, expelling 33 senior figures including former Central Military Commission vice chairman Zhang Youxia. The military purge accelerates Xi Jinping's power reshuffle ahead of the 2027 Party Congress.
US third-quarter growth hits 3.4%, a one-year high, fueling rate hike talk· Economy & Markets
US third-quarter GDP grew at an annualized 3.4%, the highest in a year, and personal consumption expenditures prices rose 3.6%, strengthening expectations of a December rate hike. New York stocks fell and the KOSPI dropped below 6,000 as tightening concerns spread.

Full country-by-country summaries for Oct 30, 2026 (Korean) →

USD/KRW exchange rateUS 10-year Treasury yieldKOSPI 200Nasdaq 100WTI crude oil priceUS third-quarter GDP growthDecember rate hikeBitcoin 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.