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Seoul shares spike to almost 4-year high amid Israel-Iran ceasefire; won sharply up
South Korean stocks sharply rebounded to an almost four-year high Tuesday over eased tensions in the Middle East after US President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Iran have agreed on a ceasefire to end their conflict. The local currency climbed sharply against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 89.17 points, or 2.96 percent, to close at 3,103.64, surpassing the 3,100 threshold for the first time in three years and nine months. Trade volume was heavy at 5
June 24, 2025 -
Kospi soars over 3,100 amid waning geopolitical fears
South Korea’s benchmark stock index soared past 3,100 points to a new yearly high Tuesday, amid easing fears over conflict in the Middle East. The Korean won also strengthened against the US dollar. Following US President Donald Trump’s announcement that Iran and Israel had agreed to a ceasefire, the Kospi posted solid gains, surpassing the 3,100-point threshold for the first time since September 2021. The index closed at 3,103.64, up 89.17 points or 2.96 percent from the previous session. The K
June 24, 2025 -
Seoul shares open 2% higher amid Israel-Iran ceasefire
South Korean stocks opened 2 percent higher Tuesday over eased regional tensions in the Middle East after US President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Iran have agreed on a ceasefire to end their conflict. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index jumped 60.32 points, or 2 percent, to 3,074.79 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Trump made the announcement after Iran fired short- and medium-range ballistic missiles at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar -- the largest US military installatio
June 24, 2025 -
Seoul shares snap 5-day rally following US strike on Iran; won at 1-month low
South Korean stocks ended lower Monday to snap a five-day winning streak, over heightened Middle Eastern uncertainties following the United States' bombing attacks on key Iranian nuclear facilities over the weekend. The local currency was trading sharply lower against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index slid 7.37 points, or 0.24 percent, to close at 3,014.47, after dipping to an intraday low of 2,971.36. Trade volume was heavy at 619.8.7 million shares worth 17.76 tril
June 23, 2025 -
Korea on high alert as Middle East tensions fuel oil spike, won devaluation
South Korea’s market authorities are on high alert amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East, as surging oil prices threaten the local economy, which relies heavily on energy imports. Iran’s threat to shut down the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping lane for global oil and gas, has triggered concerns over oil prices, renewing inflationary pressure on Korea. Considering Korea's heavy dependence on inbound shipments of energy, inflation could quickly rebound if global oil prices rise. “Followi
June 23, 2025 -
Seoul shares open over 1% lower following US strike on Iran
South Korean stocks opened over 1 percent lower Monday over heightened Middle Eastern uncertainties following the United States' bombing attacks on key Iranian nuclear facilities over the weekend. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index dropped 38.17 points, or 1.26 percent, to 2,983.67 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Engaging itself in the Israel-Iran conflict, the US used B-2 bombers to launch air strikes on three key nuclear sites in Iran on Saturday, with President Donald Trump d
June 23, 2025 -
Kospi closes above 3,020 for first time in 3 1/2 years
The Kospi did not just return — it roared back. On Friday, South Korea’s benchmark index surged past the long-awaited 3,000 mark and kept climbing, closing at 3,021.84, up 1.48 percent from the previous session. It was the first time the Kospi ended above 3,020 since Dec. 28, 2021. The rally seemed modest at the start, with the index opening just 0.29 percent higher at 2,986.52. Retail investors led early gains with net buying, while foreigners and institutions sold into strength, keeping the be
June 20, 2025 -
Foreign accessibility to Korean equity market still constrained: MSCI
South Korea has taken a series of measures to improve foreign accessibility to its equity and currency markets, but such access still remains limited, global index provider Morgan Stanley Capital International said Friday. In its 2025 market accessibility review report, MSCI said the South Korean market has implemented a series of foreign exchange market reforms, such as the extension of trading hours and the allowance of foreign players to participate in the onshore forex market. The global ind
June 20, 2025 -
Seoul shares up for 4th day amid Israel-Iran conflict; won at 1-month low
South Korean stocks rose for the fourth consecutive day Thursday as investors were trying to digest recent developments in the Israel-Iran military conflict and the US Federal Reserve's rate freeze. The local currency was trading sharply lower against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 5.55 points, or 0.19 percent, to close at 2,977.74, continuing its winning streak since Monday. Trade volume was moderate at 427.3 million shares worth 13.5 trillion won ($9.8 bil
June 19, 2025 -
Seoul shares open tad lower on Fed rate freeze, Middle East uncertainties
South Korean stocks opened slightly lower as investors were trying to digest the US Federal Reserve's rate freeze and developments in the Middle East. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 4.16 points, or 0.14 percent, to 2,968.03 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, Wall Street closed mixed after the Fed decided to hold its benchmark interest rate steady at the 4.25-4.50 percent range. The Dow Jones Industrial Average went down 0.1 percent and the S&P 500 fell 0.03 perc
June 19, 2025 -
Seoul shares up for 3rd day on top-cap, IT gains
South Korean stocks closed higher for the third consecutive session Wednesday, led by big gains in market heavyweight Samsung Electronics and IT shares. The local currency was trading lower against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 21.89 points, or 0.74 percent, to end at 2,972.19. Trade volume was moderate at 568.6 million shares worth 14.4 trillion won ($10.5 billion), with losers outnumbering winners 457 to 425. Foreigners net purchased 272 billion won worth
June 18, 2025 -
Seoul shares open nearly flat amid Middle East uncertainties
South Korean stocks opened almost flat Wednesday on heightened uncertainties in the Middle East amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 0.89 point, or 0.03 percent, to 2,951.19 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, Wall Street lost ground on news US President Donald Trump called for Iran's "unconditional surrender" and warned people in Tehran to evacuate immediately. Iran has been engaging in a military conflict with Israel
June 18, 2025 -
Seoul shares open sharply higher amid hope for eased tension in Middle East
South Korean stocks opened sharply higher Tuesday, tracking overnight gains on Wall Street amid hopes for a de-escalation of tensions in the Middle East. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 29.4 points, or 1 percent, to 2,976.06 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, major US indexes gained ground on hopes Israel and Iran will not go into a full-scale war on news Tehran wants to resume talks over its nuclear program, as well as a strong performance of tech shares suppor
June 17, 2025 -
Seoul shares spike 1.8% on bargain hunting in defense, energy, IT sectors
South Korean stocks closed sharply higher Monday, driven by bargain hunting and big gains in the defense, energy and IT sectors. The local currency rose against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index jumped 52.04 points, or 1.8 percent, to close at 2,946.66. Trade volume was heavy at 718.1 million shares worth 14.3 trillion won ($10.5 billion), with winners outnumbering losers 619 to 278. Retail investors and institutions net purchased 45.4 billion won and 252.9 billion w
June 16, 2025 -
Korean defense stocks jump on Israel-Iran conflict
Shares of South Korean arms makers rose sharply after Israel's attack on Iran, buoyed by the outlook that their exports could increase, even propelling the benchmark stock index Kospi to reach its over three-year high. Hanwha Systems, a major defense affiliate of Hanwha Group, closed daytime trading at 64,200 won ($47), up 18 percent from the previous session. Earlier in the day, the stock surged as high as 65,000 won, hitting the highest level since its listing on the Kospi in November 2019. Ot
June 16, 2025