Won hits 2-year low, Kospi crashes past 2,500

The Korean won and the local bourse dipped to their weakest levels in months, as Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election fueled concerns on the outlook of the export-reliant South Korean economy. The Korean won closed its daytime trading against the US dollar at 1,403.5 won, marking an 8.8 won depreciation from the previous trading day. It was the first time in two years for the won-dollar currency exchange rate to close at over 1,400 won. After the daytime closing, the won

Nov. 12, 2024

Seoul shares dip to over 3-month low amid 'Trump trade,' won at 2-yr low

South Korean shares dipped to the lowest in over three months on Tuesday, as investors remained concerned due to the sliding Korean won and US policy uncertainties under the incoming Trump administration. The local currency sharply fell against the US dollar, closing above 1,400 won for the first time in two years. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index lost 49.09 points, or 1.94 percent, to close at 2,482.57, the lowest since Aug. 5, when the corresponding figure was 2,441.55. Trade vo

Nov. 12, 2024

Bitcoin hits record in Korea, even without ‘kimchi premium’

The price of the world’s biggest cryptocurrency bitcoin has surpassed 120 million won ($85,500) at local exchanges for the first time, on the back of a recent rally sparked by Donald Trump’s return to the White House. As of 5 p.m. Tuesday, bitcoin traded at 127 million won on Upbit, the nation’s largest crypto exchange. The cryptocurrency fluctuated at a similar level on other major local exchanges, including Bithumb. The surge comes shortly after the crypto hit the 110 million

Nov. 12, 2024

Seoul shares open lower amid continued 'Trump trade'

South Korean stocks opened lower Tuesday bucking continued bullish runs on Wall Street, amid lingering uncertainties over the impact of the new Trump administration's policies on the domestic industry. The Korean won also breached the psychologically important level of 1,400 won against the U.S. dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 12.62 points, or 0.5 percent, to 2,519.04 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite increased 0.06 p

Nov. 12, 2024

Seoul shares fall over 1% on chip slump amid US uncertainties

South Korean shares declined more than 1 percent Monday as Samsung Electronics fell to an over two-year low amid rising uncertainties over the new Trump administration's trade policies. The local currency sharply fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index lost 29.49 points, or 1.15 percent, to close at 2,531.66, following a 0.14 percent drop on Friday. Trade volume was heavy at 565.2 million shares worth 11.1 trillion won ($7.96 billion), with losers far out

Nov. 11, 2024

[Photo News] Bitcoin hits new high

A screen shows bitcoin trading at over $80,000 at local crypto exchange Upbit's headquarters in southern Seoul, Monday morning. The price of bitcoin hit an all-time high, marking a nearly 17 percent rise over the past week. Bitcoin traded as high as $81,784 on Upbit, as of press time. The recent surge was largely driven by US President-elect Donald Trump's victory, after he stressed his will to ease crypto-related regulations. (Lim Se-jun/The Korea Herald).

Nov. 11, 2024

Seoul shares open lower on Trump uncertainties

South Korean stocks opened lower on Monday, as investors sat on the sidelines over policy uncertainties under the incoming Trump administration. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 12.6 points, or 0.49 percent, to 2,548.55 in the first 15 minutes of trading. In Seoul, top tech giant Samsung Electronics moved down 2.11 percent, and No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix shed 1.8 percent. Top battery maker LG Energy Solution, on the other hand, increased 8.91 percent. Top steelmaker Posco Holdi

Nov. 11, 2024

Seoul shares down despite Fed's rate cut; won sharply up

South Korean stocks closed lower Friday as uncertainties over the incoming Trump administration's policies overshadowed a back-to-back rate cut by the Federal Reserve. The local currency sharply rose against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 3.48 points, or 0.14 percent, to close at 2,571.15. Trade volume was moderate at 440.7 million shares worth 9.63 trillion won ($6.94 billion), with losers outpacing winners 469 to 388. Foreigners sold a net 18.1 billion

Nov. 8, 2024

Seoul shares open sharply higher on US rate cut

South Korean stocks opened sharply higher, tracking overnight gains on Wall Street, after the US Federal Reserve lowered its benchmark interest rate by a quarter-percentage point. The Korean won also sharply gained against the greenback. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 25.57 points, or 1 percent, to 2,590.2 in the first 15 minutes of trading. The rate cut marked the second consecutive reduction following a 50-basis-point cut in September. The move came after Republican flag

Nov. 8, 2024

Seoul shares close tad higher amid Trump policy uncertainties

South Korean stocks finished slightly higher to end a two-session losing streak Thursday as investors scurry to gauge the potential impact of the upcoming President-elect Donald Trump administration's policy on key sectors like semiconductors, EV batteries and shipbuilding. The Korean won edged down against the US dollar. After opening slightly lower, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 1.12 points, or 0.04 percent, to close at 2,564.63. Trade volume was moderate at 447 mi

Nov. 7, 2024

'Trump trade' shakes up markets

With Donald Trump winning the US presidential election, the “Trump trade” flowed into the South Korean stock market, with shares of defense and shipbuilding firms surging. The value of the local currency against the US dollar dropped to a two-year low. Shares of defense companies jumped, with investors anticipating robust earnings on the potential for escalated geopolitical risks. Furthermore, Korea could face renewed pressure to pay more in its defense cost-sharing arrangement with

Nov. 7, 2024

Seoul shares open weak after Trump's victory

South Korean stocks opened lower Thursday on concerns over a shift in US trade and economic policies following former US President Donald Trump's comeback. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index lost 8.27 points, or 0.32 percent, to 2,555.24 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, major US indexes closed at record highs after Trump won the 2024 US presidential election as investors expected lower taxes and deregulation. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 3.5 percent, an

Nov. 7, 2024

Increased bets on Trump victory send won to 2-yr low, Seoul stocks down for 2nd day

The South Korean won dipped to a two-year low against the US dollar Wednesday on increased bets on Republican nominee Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential election. Korean stocks ended lower for the second consecutive day. The local currency was trading at 1,396.2 won against the greenback at 3:30 p.m., down 17.6 won from the previous session, the lowest since November 7, 2022, when the rate closed at 1,401.20. Investors rushed to buy US dollars as Trump's victory heralds an i

Nov. 6, 2024

Seoul shares open higher on US rally

South Korean stocks kicked off higher Wednesday tracking an overnight tech rally on Wall Street. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 9.64 points, or 0.37 percent, to 2,586.52 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, major US indexes gained ground as a report on the services industries shows that the US economy is still strong. The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 1.02 percent, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite increased 1.43 percent, and the S&P 500 went up 1.23 per

Nov. 6, 2024

Hanwha chief touts bigger global footing of asset management unit

Hanwha Group Chairman Kim Seung-youn on Tuesday visited Hanwha Asset Management to praise the asset management unit's recent progress in its ongoing efforts for global expansion. He was accompanied by Kim Dong-won, president and chief global officer at Hanwha Life Insurance, and Hanwha Asset Management CEO Kim Jong-ho. “Despite unfavorable market conditions, Hanwha Asset Management has overcome challenges and pushed innovations, and emerged as Korea’s leading asset management co

Nov. 5, 2024

Seoul shares down for 2nd day amid US election uncertainties

South Korean stocks ended lower for the second day Tuesday as investors treaded water ahead of the US presidential election. The local currency sharply lost ground against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 12.09 points, or 0.47 percent, to close at 2,576.88. Trade volume was slim at 306.1 million shares worth 7.6 trillion won ($5.5 billion), with winners outpacing losers 514 to 356. Individual investors purchased a net 388.9 billion won worth of local stocks, wh

Nov. 5, 2024

Seoul shares open lower amid US election uncertainty

South Korean stocks kicked off lower Tuesday as investors were cautious ahead of the US presidential election. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 18.47 points, or 0.71 percent, to 2,570.5 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, Wall Street closed lower as investors treaded water ahead of the US presidential election Tuesday (US time), where former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are neck and neck in the polls. Investors' eyes are also on the

Nov. 5, 2024

Seoul shares snap 3-day fall on move to scrap financial investment tax

South Korean stocks soared nearly 2 percent Monday to snap their three-day decline as the main opposition party agreed to scrap a planned tax on financial investments. The local currency sharply rose against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 46.61 points, or 1.83 percent, to close at 2,588.97. Trade volume was a little slim at 367.8 million shares worth 7.9 trillion won ($5.8 billion), with winners outnumbering losers 619 to 254. Foreigners and institutions purc

Nov. 4, 2024

Seoul shares open higher on US gains

South Korean stocks kicked off slightly higher Monday tracking tech gains on Wall Street, while investors were paying close attention to the US presidential election and the Federal Reserve's rate decision to take place later this week. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 8.6 points, or 0.34 percent, to 2,550.96 in the first 15 minutes of trading. On Friday, Wall Street finished higher, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average up 0.69 percent, the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite u

Nov. 4, 2024

More Korean unicorns race to tap US markets

Korean platform companies are increasingly setting sights on US listings as the domestic stock market loses momentum. Viva Republica, the operator of financial app Toss, recently paused its initial public offering plans in Korea to explore a US listing instead. “We are considering the US as our listing destination over Korea, but no specific plans or timeline have been set,” a Viva Republica official said Wednesday, noting that both markets remain options. Viva Republica’s pivo

Nov. 1, 2024