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Kospi hits yearly high on easing global trade tensions, strong exports
South Korea’s Kospi climbed to a fresh annual high Tuesday, buoyed by overnight gains on Wall Street and optimism over easing global trade tensions. The benchmark index opened 0.58 percent higher at 3,089.64 and briefly surpassed the 3,130 mark around 9:35 a.m. It extended gains to reach 3,133.52 by 10:20 a.m., up 2 percent and exceeding its previous peak of 3,129.09 set last Wednesday — the highest level in nearly four years. Buying momentum was strong Tuesday morning, with the index hovering a
July 1, 2025 -
Seoul shares open markedly higher on US gains
South Korean stocks got off to a strong start Tuesday, tracking gains on Wall Street amid hopes for progress in talks on the United States' tariff negotiations. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 43.01 points, or 1.4 percent, to 3,114.71 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, the S&P 500 and the tech-heavy Nasdaq hit all-time highs as investors welcomed signs of progress in trade talks between the US and Canada, as well as other trading partners, and held onto hopes tha
July 1, 2025 -
Seoul shares snap two-day losing streak on chemical gains, hope for tariff talks
South Korean stocks finished higher Monday, led by gains in chemical shares, as investors welcomed signs of progress in Sino-US trade talks and looked to developments in tariff negotiations between South Korea and the United States. The local currency strengthened against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 15.76 points, or 0.52 percent, to close at 3,071.7, following a two-day losing run. Trade volume was moderate at 460.56 million shares worth 13.16 trillion wo
June 30, 2025 -
BOK lifts 14-year restriction on kimchi bond investment
The South Korean central bank on Monday lifted restrictions on local institutions investing in foreign currency-denominated bonds issued for domestic use, known as kimchi bonds, in an effort to improve foreign exchange liquidity, officials said. Under the new measure, foreign exchange institutions, including foreign exchange banks, securities firms and insurance companies, are allowed to invest in kimchi bonds without limitations starting Monday, according to the Bank of Korea. The restriction w
June 30, 2025 -
Seoul shares open higher on chemical gains
South Korean stocks opened higher Monday, led by gains in major tech and chemical shares as investors looked to developments in trade talks with the United States. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 21.62 points, or 0.71 percent, to 3,077.56 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Eyes are on negotiations with the US on Washington's aggressive tariff scheme, with 10 days to go before the US' country-specific tariffs will resume. In April, US President Donald Trump decided to suspen
June 30, 2025 -
Kospi heads for biggest first-half gain in 26 years
South Korea’s benchmark Kospi surged 27 percent in the first half of 2025, its strongest performance in over two decades, as investor optimism swelled under the new administration. But with valuations stretched, analysts warn the rally may be overheating the market, raising the risk of a correction. The index jumped from 2,399.49 at the end of last year to 3,055.94 on Friday, according to Korea Exchange data. The gain is more than five times the 5.4 percent rise seen in the same period last year
June 29, 2025 -
Seoul shares end lower for 2nd day on profit-taking
South Korean stocks fell for the second-straight session Friday as investors continued to cash in recent gains. The local currency fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index dropped 23.62 points, or 0.77 percent, to close at 3,055.94. Trade volume was moderate at 377.4 million shares worth 13.8 trillion won ($10.2 billion), with losers outnumbering winners 659 to 245. Foreigners sold a net 855.4 billion won worth of local shares, while institutions and retail inv
June 27, 2025 -
Seoul shares open tad lower on battery, auto losses
South Korean stocks opened slightly lower Friday, as investors continued to cash in recent gains. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index shed 7.84 points, or 0.25 percent, to 3,071.72 in the first 15 minutes of trading. The overall losses were led by battery and automotive shares, with top battery manufacturer LG Energy Solution down 1.01 percent and leading automaker Hyundai Motor falling 0.95 percent. Internet portal operators and refiners also extended their losses. Top portal firm N
June 27, 2025 -
BOK to sell 7.2 tr won monetary stabilization bonds in July
South Korea's central bank said Thursday it will sell up to 7.2 trillion won ($5.31 billion) worth of monetary stabilization bonds in July. The planned issuance represents a 600 billion-won increase from a month earlier, according to the Bank of Korea. As policy tools devised to absorb excess liquidity in the market, MSBs are sold to financial institutions and individuals. (Yonhap)
June 26, 2025 -
Seoul shares snap 2-day rise on profit-taking
Seoul shares closed lower Thursday, snapping a two-day advance, as investors offloaded stocks to lock in recent gains. The Korean won rose against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 28.69 points, or 0.92 percent, to close at 3,079.56. Trade volume was moderate at 451.12 million shares worth 16.62 trillion won ($12.2 billion), with decliners outnumbering gainers 724 to 180. Foreigners and institutions sold a combined 843.24 billion won worth of stocks, while indiv
June 26, 2025 -
Seoul shares open lower on profit taking, mixed US results
South Korean stocks opened slightly lower Thursday following mixed overnight results on Wall Street and profit taking following the recent market rally. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index shed 14.37 points, or 0.46 percent, to 3,093.88 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, Wall Street ended mixed with no significant new catalysts following the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran. The Dow Jones Industrial Average went down 0.25 percent, and the S&P 500 closed flat wh
June 26, 2025 -
Seoul shares end tad higher on overnight US gains, rate cut hopes
South Korean stocks finished slightly higher Wednesday, tracking overnight US stocks gains boosted by eased Middle Eastern tensions and hopes of an early interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve. The local currency fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 4.61 points, or 0.15 percent, to close at 3,108.25. Trade volume was heavy at 624.7 million shares worth 18.7 trillion won ($13.7 billion), with winners outnumbering losers 466 to 420. Foreigners and inst
June 25, 2025 -
S. Korea misses MSCI market upgrade again
South Korea has failed once again to secure an upgrade in market status from Morgan Stanley Capital International, which cited the need for further improvements in foreign exchange market accessibility. "Market participants identified the limited convertibility of the Korean won in the offshore currency market as a key barrier to its reclassification to developed market status," MSCI said in its annual market classification review report. The feedback was based on consultations with global inves
June 25, 2025 -
Seoul shares open lower despite overnight Wall Street gains
South Korean stocks opened slightly lower Wednesday despite overnight US stocks gains boosted by eased Middle Eastern tensions and hopes of an early interest rate cut. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index shed 1.31 points, or 0.04 percent, to 3,102.33 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, Wall Street gained ground as investors focused on easing tensions in the Middle East following the ceasefire between Israel and Iran, and the possibility of an early interest rate cut raised
June 25, 2025 -
S. Korea remains on MSCI emerging market list
South Korea has again failed to be put on a watch list for an upgrade in market status by global index provider Morgan Stanley Capital International), the index provider said Wednesday, stressing the need for the country to work on its foreign exchange market reform and diversify investment instruments. MSCI said it decided to keep South Korea in an emerging market group as market participants have identified the limited convertibility of the Korean won in the offshore currency market as a key b
June 25, 2025