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Seoul shares end lower as Fed rate-cut hopes wane
Seoul shares closed lower Wednesday as weaker-than-expected US inflation data prompted investors to trim their bets on the Federal Reserve's rate cuts. The Korean won fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 28.9 points, or 0.9 percent, to finish at 3,186.38. Trade volume was moderate at 525.37 million shares worth 11.09 trillion won ($8 billion). Decliners outnumbered gainers 704 to 189. Institutions sold a net 552.8 billion won worth of stocks, offsettin
July 16, 2025 -
Seoul shares open lower amid tame inflation data in US
Seoul shares opened lower Wednesday after weaker-than-expected inflation data in the United States. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 29.17 points, or 0.91 percent, to 3,186.11 in the first 15 minutes of trading. US consumer prices rose 2.7 percent in June, below market expectations, even as companies began passing some tariff-related costs on to consumers, analysts said. Overnight, US stocks ended mixed, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling 0.98 percent to 44,023.29
July 16, 2025 -
Seoul shares up for 2nd day on tech gains despite tariff concerns
Seoul shares closed higher Tuesday, tracking overnight gains on Wall Street and boosted by technology stocks in the face of US President Donald Trump's latest tariff threats. The Korean won rose slightly against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 13.25 points, or 0.41 percent, to finish at 3,215.28. Trade volume was moderate at 415.06 million shares worth 11.94 trillion won ($8.6 billion). Decliners outnumbered gainers 510 to 364. Foreigners bought a net 212.29
July 15, 2025 -
Finance CEOs cash in as stocks soar on value drive
As Korean financial stocks rally on the back of value enhancement drives, top executives are emerging as key beneficiaries, with CEOs at the four major groups seeing their shareholdings rise by an average of 340 million won ($246,000). As of Monday, shares of Korea’s four major banking groups — KB Kookmin, Shinhan, Hana and Woori — have risen an average 58 percent this year. Shinhan, Hana and Woori each notched all-time highs, closing at 71,800 won, 95,600 won and 26,700 won, respectively. Hana
July 15, 2025 -
Seoul shares open lower amid tariff negotiations
Seoul shares opened lower Tuesday, bucking overnight gains on Wall Street, as investors remained cautious over US President Donald Trump's latest tariff threats. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 12.34 points, or 0.39 percent, to 3,189.69 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Trump has notified key US trading partners of new tariff rates set to take effect Aug. 1 unless they offer improved terms in ongoing negotiations. Overnight, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.2 percen
July 15, 2025 -
Seoul shares top 3,200 points for 1st time in nearly 4 yrs on stimulus hopes
South Korean stocks surpassed the 3,200-point line for the first time in nearly four years Monday on hopes for stimulus packages, including cash handouts, amid US President Donald Trump's renewed tariff threats. The local currency fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 26.26 points, or 0.83 percent, to close at 3,202.03. It is the highest closing since Sept. 6, 2021, when the index ended at 3,203.33. Trade volume was moderate at 439.6 million shares wor
July 14, 2025 -
Seoul shares start slightly higher despite tariff woes
South Korean stocks opened a tad higher Monday despite renewed tariff threats by US President Donald Trump over the weekend. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index climbed 7.15 points, or 0.23 percent, to 3,182.92 as of 11:20 a.m. On Saturday, Trump said he has sent letters to key trade partners, including the European Union and Mexico, threatening duties of 30 percent on imports and setting the negotiations deadline on Aug. 1. In Seoul, major shares started in mixed territory. Market b
July 14, 2025 -
Kospi could soar 50% in 2 years: JPMorgan
Once deemed wishful thinking, an ambitious target for 5,000 points for South Korea’s benchmark Kospi is now firmly on the radar, with JPMorgan Chase & Co. forecasting the index could climb over 50 percent from current levels within just two years — if the government follows through on its pledge to accelerate corporate governance reforms. The bullish forecast was reported by Bloomberg on Saturday, citing a note from JPMorgan strategists. “Korea remains a key overweight market in Asia and among e
July 13, 2025 -
Kospi hits 3,200 intraday milestone, closes lower amid profit-taking
South Korea’s benchmark Kospi surged past the 3,200 milestone during intraday trading Friday for the first time in nearly four years, marking a new high in its ongoing rally. The Kospi opened at 3,186.35, up 0.1 percent from the previous day’s close, extending Thursday’s gains. Shortly after the opening bell, the index jumped past 3,200 and reached as high as 3,216.69 — a new year-high. After hitting its intraday peak, the index quickly pared gains and dropped to as low as 3,170.46 during aftern
July 11, 2025 -
Kospi hits fresh year-high, crosses 3,200 in early trade
In a strong bullish trend, South Korea’s benchmark Kospi reached a fresh year-high Friday, surging past the 3,200 milestone during early trading hours. Shortly after the opening bell, the Kospi jumped as high as 3,216.69, extending its rally for the week. It marked the first time the benchmark index surpassed the 3,200 threshold since September 2021. The latest milestone came just a day after the Kospi closed at a fresh high of 3,183.23. The Kospi opened at 3,186.35, up 0.1 percent from the prev
July 11, 2025 -
Korea’s market cap tops W3,000tr for 1st time amid Kospi rally
Fueled by a rally in the benchmark Kospi, South Korea’s combined stock market capitalization sharply increased, surpassing the 3,000 trillion won ($2.18 trillion) threshold for the first time Thursday. According to data provided by the bourse operator Korea Exchange, the total market capitalization of stocks listed on the local bourse reached 3,020.8 trillion won as of Thursday’s closing. By market, the benchmark Kospi accounted for 2,603.7 trillion won, while the secondary bourse Kosdaq and Kon
July 10, 2025 -
Seoul shares reach near 4-yr high on strong chip gains
South Korean stocks rose for the fourth consecutive session Thursday to climb to a near four-year high, driven by overnight gains in US artificial intelligence chip giant Nvidia that lifted semiconductor shares. The local currency gained against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 49.49 points, or 1.58 percent, to close at 3,183.23, marking the highest closing level since Sept. 7, 2021, when the index finished at 3,187.42. The KOSPI also extended its winning stre
July 10, 2025 -
Seoul shares open higher on US gains
South Korean stocks started higher Thursday, tracking overnight gains on Wall Street. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index earned 7.2 points, or 0.23 percent, to 3,140.94 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, US stocks rallied even after President Donald Trump announced that he has sent tariff letters to seven additional countries and warned of a 50 percent duty on Brazil. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.49 percent, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq advanced 0.95 percent as N
July 10, 2025 -
Seoul shares hit near 4-year high despite Trump's renewed tariff threats
South Korean stocks closed at their highest level in nearly four years Wednesday, as investors digested US President Donald Trump's renewed tariff threats targeting copper, semiconductors and pharmaceuticals. The Korean won fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 18.79 points, or 0.60 percent, to close at 3,133.74, marking the highest closing level since Sept. 17, 2021, when the index finished at 3,140.51. Trade volume was heavy at 637.3 million shares w
July 9, 2025 -
Kospi defies global jitters, sets new 2025 high
South Korea’s benchmark Kospi climbed to a new annual high Wednesday, as optimism over market-friendly reform lifted domestic sentiment despite persistent foreign outflows amid global uncertainty. The index touched 3,137.17 around 1:30 p.m., up 0.7 percent from Tuesday’s close. It marked a fresh 2025 peak just eight days after reaching 3,131.05 on July 1, and the highest intraday level since Sept. 28, 2021, when it hit 3,134.46. Early gains were capped by heavy foreign selling, which dampened re
July 9, 2025