EN Home › Market Briefing · published Nov 7, 2026 morning (KST) · prices as of 2026-11-06 close한국어

USD/KRW 1,361 higher, KOSPI 200 plunges: Nov 7 Korea market briefing

Worries about AI regulation spread after the Democrats won a landslide in the US midterm elections. On the 6th, the KOSPI 200 plunged 6.51% and the Nikkei 225 fell 5.96%. On the same day, USD/KRW rose to 1,361.0 won per dollar and the US 10-year Treasury yield climbed to 4.860%. Over the weekend, the thing to watch is whether President Trump chooses talks or renewed airstrikes on Iran.

Yesterday's closes

Indicator	Close	Change	%
USD/KRW11-06	1,361.0	+5.5	+0.41%
Dollar Index11-06	102.20	+0.59	+0.58%
USD/JPY11-06	158.31	+0.22	+0.14%
US 10Y Yield11-06	4.860%	+2.0bp	-
Korea 3Y Yield11-06	3.613%	-5.6bp	-
KOSPI 20011-06	783.23	-54.55	-6.51%
Nasdaq 10011-06	26,989.99	+360.18	+1.35%
Nikkei 22511-06	57,434.77	-3,643.13	-5.96%
Hang Seng11-06	24,481.86	-315.12	-1.27%
DAX11-06	25,820.36	-504.65	-1.92%
WTI Crude11-05	90.52	+2.40	+2.72%
Gold11-05	4,113.50	+40.50	+0.99%
Bitcoin11-07	75,884	-156	-0.21%

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 1,361.0 won per dollar. That is 5.5 won (0.41%) higher than the previous close but 3.17% below the 100-day average of 1,405.5. The Dollar Index rose 0.58% to 102.20, above its 100-day average of 100.64, so the stronger dollar and the weaker won moved in the same direction. The US 10-year Treasury yield rose 2.0bp to 4.860%, above its 100-day average of 4.809%. The Korea 3-year yield fell 5.6bp to 3.613%, which suggests money moved into domestic bonds as stocks plunged. USD/JPY rose 0.14% to 158.31 yen per dollar, a small move.

Equities

Asian stock markets were badly shaken. The KOSPI 200 fell 54.55 points (6.51%) to close at 783.23, 27.68% below its 100-day average of 1,082.94. The Nikkei 225 dropped 5.96% to 57,434.77, and the Hang Seng fell 1.27% to 24,481.86. Germany's DAX also closed 1.92% lower at 25,820.36. By contrast, the Nasdaq 100 in the market table rose 1.35% to 26,989.99 based on the 6th's close, which runs in the opposite direction to news reports of a tech-stock crash. The gap may come from different data cut-off times, so it should be checked again against the next trading day's close.

Commodities & Crypto

WTI crude rose 2.72% to 90.52 dollars based on the 5th's close, 4.32% above its 100-day average of 86.78 dollars. Because this is the close from the day before, it does not yet reflect news that crude futures later plunged on hopes for an end to the war. Gold rose 0.99% to 4,113.50 dollars based on the 5th's close, but is still 2.91% below its 100-day average of 4,236.98 dollars. Bitcoin stood at 75,884 dollars as of 7:00 a.m., down 0.21%, a small move compared with the plunge in stocks.

News and Markets

Reports said that with the Democrats taking control of both the House and the Senate, concern grew that AI and data center regulation could tighten, and that the tech-stock selloff spread to Asian markets. The steep drops in the KOSPI 200 and the Nikkei 225 in the market table fit this pattern. There were reports that hopes for an end to the Iran war are pushing oil prices down, but the WTI figure in the market table is from the day before, so the next close is needed to confirm the link. News that eurozone inflation in October hit a three-year high ties into pressure on European interest rates and came on the same day the DAX fell. In a risk-off mood, the Dollar Index and USD/KRW both rose while the Korea 3-year yield fell.

What to Watch Today

It is Saturday, so stock markets in Korea and abroad are closed, and geopolitical news over the weekend will be the variable for next week's open. The first thing to watch is whether President Trump chooses a negotiated deal or renewed airstrikes on Iran, which feeds directly into WTI crude and risk around the Strait of Hormuz. The still-undecided Senate races in Mississippi and Alaska, and the impeachment vote on Defense Secretary Hegseth expected next week, are also indicators for gauging US political uncertainty. Progress on a 'big deal' to end the war in Ukraine and whether the Cabinet approves a plan to expand the Cheonghae Unit's mission are further variables to check. Among market indicators, check in turn the Nasdaq 100's close on the next trading day, whether USD/KRW holds around 1,361 won per dollar, and the US 10-year Treasury yield level of 4.86%.

Yesterday's key world news

After midterm defeat, Trump at a crossroads between resuming Iran war and negotiating· Geopolitics
After the Republicans' heavy defeat, Trump is weighing whether to resume airstrikes on Iran, while hopes for an end to the war sent crude futures in New York and London down more than 8%. His choice could sharply shift oil prices and security in the Strait of Hormuz.
US Democrats take both chambers of Congress, stepping up checks on Trump administration· Politics
Democrats won a landslide in the US midterms, taking control of both the House and Senate and gaining more than 40 House seats in a record 'blue wave'. With investigative powers and control over the budget, they could greatly weaken Trump's governing momentum for the rest of his term.
AI regulation fears crash New York tech stocks, Korean market plunges too· Economy & Markets
Fears of AI regulation by a Democratic Congress sent New York tech stocks tumbling, with the Nasdaq down 5.5% and 3 trillion dollars in market value wiped out overnight. The KOSPI also fell more than 5% as AI bubble concerns spread to global markets.
Trump's push to end the Ukraine war and hybrid threats aimed at Europe· Geopolitics
After losing the election, Trump is pushing a 'big deal' to end the war in Ukraine, with the US peace plan reportedly including the handover of fortified defensive lines in the Donbas. Bomb threats against 27 passenger flights have added to concerns over Russian hybrid warfare.
Eurozone inflation hits three-year high of 4.0%, oil shipping rates soar· Economy & Markets
Eurozone inflation reached 4.0% in October, the highest in three years, with energy prices up 20.8% from a year earlier. War-driven energy inflation is adding to pressure on European interest rates and to social unrest.

Full country-by-country summaries for Nov 6, 2026 (Korean) →

USD/KRW exchange rateUS 10-year Treasury yieldKOSPI 200Nasdaq 100Nikkei 225WTI crude oil priceUS midterm elections stock marketAI regulation tech stocks

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.