(LEAD) stocks-open

▲ Financial data is displayed on a screen at Hana Bank's dealing room in central Seoul on Sept. 21, 2026. (Yonhap)

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SEOUL, Sept. 21 (Yonhap) -- Seoul stocks opened higher Monday, led by gains in tech heavyweights, though elevated oil prices and lingering tensions in the Middle East kept investors cautious.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) was up 64.09 points, or 0.93 percent, to 6,958.32 as of 9:15 a.m.

Overnight, stocks on Wall Street closed higher as investor sentiment improved on falling oil prices and easing pressures from

On Friday, Seoul stocks advanced 2.66 percent as easing inflation concerns lifted investor sentiment.

U.S. semiconductor shares rallied Friday, providing a positive cue for major Korean chipmakers.

The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index jumped 2.78 percent, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq gained 0.39 percent and the S&P 500 edged up 0.17 percent.

Elevated crude oil prices remained a concern amid persistent inflationary and geopolitical risks in the Middle East. Brent crude traded at around US$104.68 a barrel.

Market heavyweights were mixed.

Top market cap Samsung Electronics rose 3.26 percent, and chip giant SK hynix gained 0.22 percent.

In contrast, leading automaker Hyundai Motor fell 0.96 percent, while battery maker LG Energy Solution shed 2.75 percent.

The Korean won was trading at 1,386.2 won against the U.S. dollar, down 0.7 won from the close of the previous stock trading session.

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