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Data from FMP. Forecasts by Sigmanomics Forecast Engine.
South KoreaSouth Korea Imports YoY climbed to 26.0% in September 2026
FMPMonthlyReleased October 2026
South Korea Imports YoY climbed to 26.0% in September 2026, released October 2026, up 3.6% from August's 22.4% reading. The print exceeded the 21.5% consensus by 4.5%. The print is running well above the 12-month average of 12.01%. Over the past 3 months, Imports YoY averaged 24.5%, vs 18.75% in the prior 3-month window. The reading is in the 96th percentile of the trailing 24-month range.
Latest Release
26
Actual
21.5
Consensus
22.4
Previous
Median Absolute Error
±1.33 percentage points
across last 12 releases
Last Call
Oct 2026
Predicted: 20.93
Actual: 26
Error: -5.07
Sigmacast Σ-direction model: consensus + ½ × mean(surprise, trailing 90d).
CORRELATED SYMBOLS— markets that historically move with this indicator
| Symbol | Direction | Correlation | Asset Class | Co-movement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KOSPI | ▲ Direct | +0.60 | INDEX | Moves with | → View |
| Nikkei 225 | ▲ Direct | +0.51 | INDEX | Moves with | → View |
| XAU/USD | ▲ Direct | +0.31 | COMMODITIES | Moves with | → View |
| USD/KRW | ▼ Inverse | −0.26 | FOREX | Moves against | → View |
Correlation based on 12-month rolling window. Click any symbol to view its Sigmanomics forecast page.
THE RELEASE
Imports YoY (South Korea) was reported at 26% in October 2026. This beat the market consensus of 21.5% by 4.5%. The reading rose from the previous value of 22.4%. Trailing 12-month context per ETL data through October 2026. Over the past 12 months, the indicator has averaged 10.11%, ranging from -1.5% to 26.5% across 15 releases.
WHY IT MATTERS
The trailing three releases averaged 25%, up from the prior three at 13.83%. Volatility over the past year (σ 9.35%) is higher than the prior year (σ 4.65%). In October readings over the past 3 years, Imports YoY has averaged 11.15%.
THE MODEL'S TAKE
Historically, this indicator is positively correlated with KOSPI (Bullish KOSPI). A secondary relationship exists with Nikkei 225, positively correlated (Bullish Nikkei 225). Over the last 12 releases, the Sigmacast model's median absolute error is 1.33%.
WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
The next release is scheduled for November 1, 2026. Same-country events in the next 14 days include Exports YoY (Nov 1) and S&P Global Manufacturing PMI (Nov 2).
Auto-generated from current model state · Refreshes on each release · Last update October 2026.
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Imports YoY - KR
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About Imports YoY — South Korea
DEFINITION
Imports YoY is a financial indicator that measures the year-over-year change in the total value of goods and services imported into a country. It provides valuable insights into a country's economic health and its trade relationships with other nations. A positive Imports YoY indicates an increase in imports, which can stimulate economic growth and consumer demand. On the other hand, a negative Imports YoY may suggest a decline in economic activity and potential trade imbalances. This indicator is closely monitored by investors, policymakers, and businesses to make informed decisions and assess the overall health of a country's economy.
WHY THIS INDICATOR MATTERS
Trade-balance and tariff data inform exchange-rate fundamentals and feed directly into GDP via the net-exports channel. The release is more useful as part of a longer-run signal than as a single-print catalyst. Released monthly.
WHAT CHANGED THIS MONTH
Latest reading (Sep 2026): actual 26 %, consensus 21.5 %. Prior reading (Aug 2026): 22.5 %. Before that (Jul 2026): 26.5 %.
WHAT'S NEXT
Sigmacast's 1-month forecast points to a higher reading versus the latest print, with the 3-month outlook reinforcing that direction. Both horizons are aligned bullish for this indicator, suggesting a consistent trend signal. Trend-driven dynamics are the primary tailwind in the current projection. This indicator correlates most strongly with KOSPI (Bullish KOSPI, r=0.60) — a useful reference for index-focused traders.
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Economic Calendar - KR Events
| Sunday, November 1, 2026 | Actual | Previous | Consensus | Sigmanomics Rolling-Surprise Forecast | Impact | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00:00 | KR | Balance of Trade | 49.97 | 37.24 | 37.61 | Low | |
| 00:00 | KR | Imports YoY | 26 | 39.9 | 39.85 | Low | |
| 00:00 | KR | Exports YoY | 83.7 | 93.2 | 95.10 | Medium | |
| Monday, November 2, 2026 | Actual | Previous | Consensus | Sigmanomics Rolling-Surprise Forecast | Impact | ||
| 00:30 | KR | S&P Global Manufacturing PMI | 53.9 | 54.2 | 54.50 | Medium | |