South Korean stocks opened almost flat Tuesday as investors awaited a key US inflation report set to be released later this week. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index gained 0.51 point, or 0.02 percent, to 2,727.72 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, the S&P 500 closed almost flat, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.2 percent. The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite gained 0.3 percent. Investors' eyes are on the US Consumer Price Index data for April due out Wed

South Korean stocks ended almost flat Monday as investors were cautious ahead of the release of US inflation data set to be released later this week. The Korean won fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 0.42 point, or 0.02 percent, to 2,727.21. Trade volume was slightly heavy at 614.2 million shares worth 12.9 trillion won ($9.4 billion), with losers outpacing winners 481 to 380. Last week, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained ground for the fourth c

South Korean financial services conglomerate Woori Financial Group is seeking to diversify its business portfolio beyond banking in an apparent move to take on its bigger rivals here. Among the nation’s top four financial groups, Woori has long remained the smallest in terms of sales. Last year, Woori was the only one to post less than 3 trillion won ($2.2 billion) in earnings, with its net profit standing at 2.51 trillion won. KB, the No. 1 financial group, recorded 4.63 trillion won in n

South Korean stocks opened higher Monday while investors remained watchful over mixed signals for the US Federal Reserve's future monetary policy. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 9.42 points, or 0.35 percent, to 2,737.05 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Last week, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained ground for the fourth consecutive week, and the S&P 500 and the tech-heavy Nasdaq posted increases for the third straight week. But on Friday, Wall Street closed

Hana Financial Group Chairman Ham Young-joo (front row; second from right) and Vice Minister of Employment and Labor Lee Sung-hee (front row; third from right) pose for a photo during the launch event of the firm's social contribution program, "Hana Power On Innovative Company Internship," held at the group's headquarters in Jung-gu, central Seoul, Thursday. Since 2018, Hana has been supporting innovative companies in hiring socially vulnerable groups, such as the disab

South Korean stocks fell slightly Thursday following the US Federal Reserve's decision to hold the key rate flat. The Korean won rebounded against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index lost 8.41 points, or 0.31 percent, to 2,683.65, ending the three-session winning streak that started last Friday. Trade volume was slim at 342.7 million shares worth 8.9 trillion won ($6.5 billion). Decliners outnumbered gainers 513 to 357. Individual and foreign investors bought a ne

Hana Financial Group Chairman Ham Young-joo (right) and Inha University President Cho Myeong-woo pose for a photo after signing a partnership agreement at the university in Incheon on Tuesday. This partnership supports youth entrepreneurship through the "Hana Social Venture University" outreach program by the financial group aimed at assisting and nurturing young students who aspire to start their own businesses. Now in its third year, the program has engaged 30 colleges nationwide, of

Korean banking groups maintained solid capital adequacy despite significant payouts for consumer compensation due to misselling equity-linked securities tracking a Hong Kong index. Industry sources reported that the average capital adequacy ratio, or Common Equity Tier 1, among five major Korean financial groups -- KB, Shinhan, Hana, Woori, and NongHyup -- was 12.8 percent in the first quarter of this year, a slight decline from 13 percent in the previous term and 12.9 percent from the same peri

The competition to acquire Lotte Insurance, South Korea's seventh-largest nonlife insurer, is intensifying, with Woori Financial Group recently joining the race. Woori Financial Group's Chief Financial Official Lee Sung-wook stated Friday that the company is reviewing the acquisition of the insurer "to fortify our competitiveness in the nonbanking sectors." The remarks came during the company's quarterly conference call. The move represents Woori's effort to reenter

Korea’s top finance firms -- KB, Shinhan, Hana, Woori and NongHhyup -- have set aside a total of nearly 1.7 trillion won ($1.2 billion) in reserve for the compensation of losses related to the misselling of equity-linked securities products tracking the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index in Hong Kong. While KB Financial Group, the top seller of the ELS products, set aside 862 billion won to cover the compensation, NongHyup and Shinhan each allocated 341.6 billion won and 274 billion won.

Hana Financial Group Chairman Ham Young-joo poses with award recipients, their families and Hana staff members at the award ceremony for the 2024 Hana Artverse, a contest for artists with developmental disabilities, at the firm's headquarters in central Seoul on Friday. The event, in its third year, aims to provide opportunities for artists with disabilities. The works of the 30 artists who were recognized at the event will be on display at the group’s open storage space, H.art1. (Han

Incheon International Airport Corp. CEO Lee Hag-jae (third from left), Hana Financial Group Chairman Ham Young-joo (fourth from left) and Hana Bank CEO Lee Seung-lyul (third from right) pose for a picture at the opening ceremony of Hana Bank's relocated branch at Incheon Airport on Monday. Hana Bank stands as the only bank to have operated continuously for 23 years at the airport since its inauguration in 2001. (Hana Bank)

South Korean stocks started lower Friday despite overnight US gains as investors await the Bank of Korea's rate decision later in the day. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index dropped 16.61 points, or 0.61 percent, to 2,690.35 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, the Nasdaq Composite jumped 1.7 percent and the S&P 500 rose 0.7 percent on a tech rally, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average was almost flat. Apple soared 4.3 percent, Nvidia surged 4.1 percent, and Amazon c

South Korean stocks started sharply lower Thursday as higher-than-expected US inflation data poured cold water on investors' hopes for early rate cuts. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index plunged 39.34 points, or 1.45 percent, to 2,665.82 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, major US indexes lost ground as the release of a key measure of inflation dashed investors' hopes that the Federal Reserve may start cutting its rates soon. The US' consumer price index f

South Korean stocks ended slightly higher Monday on the back of autos and batteries following stronger-than-expected US jobs data. The Korean won fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index gained 3.44 points, or 0.13 percent, to 2,717.65. Trade volume was moderate at 611.2 million shares worth 10.36 trillion won ($7.6 billion), with decliners outpacing gainers 590 to 277. Foreigners bought 207.6 billion won worth of local shares, while retail investors and instit