Seoul stocks end nearly flat on cautious note

South Korean stocks closed nearly flat Wednesday as major shares ended in mixed territory. The local currency lost ground against the US dollar. Swinging between gains and losses, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 1.1 points, or 0.04 percent, to close at 2,495.38. Trade volume was slim at 384.3 million shares worth 7.51 trillion won ($5.71 billion), with winners outnumbering losers 499 to 371. Institutions scooped up a net 240.5 billion won worth of shares, while individual a

Dec. 6, 2023

[KH Explains] Banks, regulators trade blame for snowballing ELS losses

Korea is in the middle of blame-shifting, as banks face more than 3 trillion won ($2.28 billion) in losses combined in the first half of next year from the sales of equity-linked securities tied to a Hong Kong index. Financial authorities are considering creating guidelines for compensation regarding the sales of ELS products tracking the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index, seeing the possibility of banks’ misselling. The value of ELS products sold by Korea’s five major banks set to m

Dec. 6, 2023

Seoul shares open tad higher on tech, financial gains

South Korean stocks started a tad higher Wednesday led by gains in tech and financial shares. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index gained 5.65 points, or 0.23 percent, to 2,499.93 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, U.S. stocks finished mixed, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average retreating 0.2 percent and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite edging up 0.3 percent. In Seoul, chipmakers lent support to the positive opening, with No. 1 Samsung Electronics rising 0.84 percent and

Dec. 6, 2023

Seoul shares open lower on US losses

Seoul shares got off to a weak start Tuesday, tracking overnight losses on Wall Street. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index retreated 17.21 points, or 0.68 percent, to 2,497.74 in the first 15 minutes of trading. On Monday, all three major US indexes lost ground ahead of the release of key job market data later this week, including an October update on job openings. The S&P 500 gave back 0.54 percent after hitting its highest level in over a year the previous session. The Dow Jon

Dec. 5, 2023

Seoul shares end higher on Fed's rate cut hopes

South Korean stocks ended higher Monday amid speculation that the US Federal Reserve may start cutting its rates next year amid eased inflation woes. The local currency rose against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 9.94 points, or 0.4 percent, to close at 2,514.95. Trade volume was moderate at 489.9 million shares worth 8.5 trillion won ($6.5 billion), with gainers slightly outnumbering losers 458 to 411. Institutions and foreigners bought shares worth 170.7 bi

Dec. 4, 2023

Fractional art market opens up to lure new investors

Art Together, a subsidiary under major Korean art auctioneer K-Auction, announced Monday it has submitted its registration statement for fractional investments in Yayoi Kusama's 2002 artwork, “Pumpkin,” to the country’s top regulator, the Financial Supervisory Service. Art Together purchased the painting from renowned British auction house Christie’s for 1.09 billion won ($835,000) and has set the subscription price at 1.18 billion won, allowing retail investors to s

Dec. 4, 2023

[Photo News] Oodles of Noodles

Korean convenience store chain CU said Monday that it has opened a new store that specializes in ramen, in an industry first, in Mapo-gu, western Seoul. More than 200 different instant noodle products are displayed, and customers can cook and eat the ramen of their choice for an additional 900 won ($0.70) for the disposable cup. Operator BGF Retail said the new store also aims to cater to foreign travelers amid their increased interest in Korean food. (BGF Retail)

Dec. 4, 2023

Seoul shares open higher on Fed's rate pause hopes

Seoul shares opened higher Monday amid increasing hopes the US Federal Reserve is set to end its rate-hike cycle. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 14.43 points, or 0.58 percent, to 2,519.44 in the first 15 minutes of trading. On Friday, all three major US indexes rallied on growing optimism that the Federal Reserve is done raising interest rates. The S&P 500 rose 0.6 percent to hit its highest level in over a year, the Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 0.8 percent, and

Dec. 4, 2023

Consumption slows down amid high rates, inflation

South Korea's domestic consumption is expected to slow down further after local service sector output posted the lowest-level growth in 32 months in November amid high rates and high inflation, government data showed Sunday. Output in the service sector grew 0.8 percent last month compared to the same month of last year, marking the lowest on-year monthly growth since reporting a 0.8 percent decline in February 2021, according to data from Statistics Korea. Services output began to increase

Dec. 3, 2023

[KH Explains] Why foreign investors continue to be net buyers despite short selling ban

Contrary to concerns that the short selling ban would lead to an exodus of foreign funds, offshore investments have flooded into Korea over the past month backed by dovish expectations on US interest rates and a chip recovery. Last month, financial authorities in Korea announced a complete ban on short selling from Nov. 6 until the end of June 2024, in a bid to ensure a "fair playing field" for investors. While market watchers predicted that implementing a short selling ban would drive

Dec. 3, 2023

Seoul shares sink over 1% on tech, battery losses

South Korean stocks tumbled more than 1 percent Friday as semiconductor and battery shares took a cue from overnight losses in US heavyweights, like Nvidia and Tesla. The local currency sharply fell against the US greenback. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index lost 30.28 points, or 1.19 percent, to close at 2,505.01. Trading volume was moderate at 504 million shares worth 8.6 trillion won (US$6.59 million), with losers outpacing winners 489 to 386. Institutions and foreigners led the

Dec. 1, 2023

Seoul shares start lower on tech, battery losses

South Korean stocks opened sharply lower Friday led by losses from chip and battery shares, bucking overnight gains on Wall Street. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index lost 24.49 points, or 0.97 percent, to fall to 2,510.8 in the first 15 minutes of trading. The US stocks continued their November rally on optimism that the Federal Reserve is set to end its hawkish mode. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 1.5 percent, and the S&P 500 gained 0.4 percent. In Seoul, market bellw

Dec. 1, 2023

[Global Finance Awards] KB grows strength by leaps and bounds

KB Financial Group has solidified its status as a leading banking conglomerate by diversifying its revenue streams and strengthening its business portfolio beyond traditional lending activities. For two consecutive years, the group achieved net profits exceeding 4 trillion won ($3.1 billion) since 2021. It regained its title as the country's leading financial group in 2017, when its net profit surpassed 3 trillion won for the first time in its history. Its stellar performance stemmed from

Nov. 30, 2023

[Global Finance Awards] Hana Financial paves way for future female leaders

Hana Financial Group has strengthened its unwavering support to keep promising women on the road to success via Hana Waves, an annual in-house program that has nurtured nearly 100 future female leaders since its establishment in 2021. Under the slogan “Women’s Actions, Voice, Emotion,” Hana launched Hana Waves with an aim to boost the group's gender diversity efforts at the senior executive level. The members were recommended by CEOs of Hana affiliates as potential femal

Nov. 30, 2023

[Global Finance Awards] Mirae Asset ETF taps into Chinese market

Mirae Asset Global Investments has tapped into mainland China’s exchange-traded fund market, becoming the first Korean asset manager to do so. The Global X Hang Seng Tech ETF is the first eligible ETF under Mirae Asset to participate in the Hong Kong-China ETF Connect. The Global X Hang Seng Tech ETF is operated by the asset manager’s ETF arm Global X based in Hong Kong. Tracking the Hang Seng Tech index, the investments are concentrated in the 30 largest companies that are active in

Nov. 30, 2023

Seoul shares open lower ahead of BOK's rate decision

South Korean stocks started lower Thursday, as investors are waiting for the central bank's key rate decision later in the day. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index lost 7.98 points, or 0.32 percent, to 2,511.83 in the first 15 minutes of trading. In a rate-setting meeting, the Bank of Korea is widely expected to keep the rate unchanged at 3.5 percent. Major shares went south, with market bellwether Samsung Electronics falling 0.28 percent and LG Energy Solution, the second-bigge

Nov. 30, 2023

Seoul shares close tad lower ahead of BOK's rate decision

South Korean stocks finished slightly lower Wednesday as investors remained cautious ahead of the central bank's rate-setting meeting this week. The local currency gained ground against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index declined 1.95 points, or 0.08 percent, to close at 2,519.81. Trading volume was moderate at 571.6 million shares worth 9.27 trillion won ($7.19 billion), with losers beating winners 598 to 272. Institutions sold a net 140.9 billion won worth of l

Nov. 29, 2023

Seoul shares start lower ahead of key rate decision

South Korean stocks opened a tad lower Wednesday ahead of the central bank's rate-setting meeting. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (Kospi) lost 11.02 points, or 0.44 percent, to 2,510.74 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight on Wall Street, US stocks climbed modestly on a dovish comment by a Federal Reserve official, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average edging up 0.24 percent and the Nasdaq Composite adding 0.29 percent. The Bank of Korea is set to decide on its pol

Nov. 29, 2023

Seoul shares close more than 1% higher on extended Israel-Hamas truce

South Korean stocks ended more than 1 percent higher Tuesday, as investors were buoyed by the latest news on an extended cease-fire in the Middle East. The local currency rose sharply against the US greenback. The benchmark Kospi jumped 26.1 points, or 1.05 percent, to close at 2,521.76. Trading volume was slim at 435.8 million shares worth 8.59 trillion won ($6.64 billion), with gainers slightly outnumbering decliners 457 to 417. Individual investors led the rally, purchasing a net 572.6 billio

Nov. 28, 2023

HiteJinro soju seeks bigger footing in UK

South Korean liquor giant HiteJinro said Tuesday it is expanding its distribution network of soju products in the UK as part of efforts to strengthen its market presence in Europe. Since last week, HiteJinro has started selling its Jinro Green Grape Soju and Jinro Peach Soju at 88 Sainsbury's stores and via online shopping portals, including Sainsbury's Online and Ocado, the company said. According to HiteJinro, the company's distilled spirit exports to the UK have been increasing

Nov. 28, 2023