SEOUL, July 22 (Yonhap) -- Seoul stocks ended higher for the second consecutive session Wednesday on an extended chip rally ahead of upcoming earnings releases from U.S. big tech companies.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) closed up 49.75 points, or 0.74 percent, to 6,797.7 after rising as high as 7,166.00.

After opening sharply higher, the index shed some of the early gains as retail and institutional investors sold off tech heavyweights to lock in profits.

"The KOSPI returned some of its earlier advance in the face of rising global oil prices, and as investors took a cautious stance ahead of the earnings release from Alphabet," said Lee Kyoung-min, an analyst from Daishin Securities.

The parent company of Google is expected to release its second-quarter earnings results Wednesday (U.S. time).

Financial data is shown on a screen inside the dealing room of Hana Bank in central Seoul, on July 22, 2026. (Yonhap)

fairydust@yna.co.kr
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