Crypto-related stocks plunge amid liquidity crisis

South Korea’s cryptocurrency-related stocks have been nosediving in recent weeks, weighed down by the growing liquidity crisis in the global virtual currency market, data showed Tuesday. According to the nation’s sole bourse operator Korea Exchange, Vidente, the largest shareholder of Bithumb Holdings and the company behind one of top crypto exchanges here, nearly halved from the beginning of the year to close at 8,910 won ($6.89) on the secondary bourse Kosdaq on Tuesday. It traded

June 21, 2022

Seoul shares open slightly higher after Monday's rout

Seoul shares opened slightly higher Tuesday, after the market slipped by more than 2 percent the previous day on concerns that a recession in the global economy may come amid faster-than-expected monetary tightening in major economies. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 2.62 points, or 0.11 percent, to 2,393.65 points in the first 15 minutes of trading. On Monday, the index slumped 2.04 percent to close at a fresh 19-month low of 2,391.03, weighed by tech heavyweights, including

June 21, 2022

Socially responsible investment bonds surpass W200tr in value

The aggregate value of Socially Responsible Investment bonds issued surpassed 200 trillion won for the first time, the Korea Exchange said. The total value of SRI bonds listed on the market stood at 200.2 trillion won as of June 10, marking a 154-fold increase from 1.3 trillion won in 2018 when an SRI bond was first listed. Also known as environmental, social and governance bonds, thematic and social contribution bonds or green, social and sustainable bonds, SRI bonds are used to fund eco-frie

June 20, 2022

Seoul shares open sharply lower on recession woes

Seoul shares opened sharply lower Monday, as investors still were gripped by fears that a recession in the global economy may come amid faster-than-expected monetary tightening in major economies. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) lost 24.44 points, or 1 percent, to 2,416.49 points as of 9:20 a.m. Most local heavyweights dropped, still bracing for the impact of the US Fed's key rate hike last week, the largest increase since 1994. In Seoul, market bellwether Samsung Electronics

June 20, 2022

Samsung Electronics shares plummet to 52-week low

Samsung Electronics shares, which account for some 18 percent of South Korea’s benchmark Kospi’s market capitalization, closed at a 52-week low on Friday hit by the prolonged global memory chip supply shortage coupled with concerns of an economic slowdown. The market bellwether closed at its lowest price since Nov. 4, 2020 and 1.81 percent lower from the previous day’s trading at 59,800 won ($46.30). This also marks the first time it closed below the 60,000-won threshold sin

June 17, 2022

Kospi slumps to sub-2,400 points in 19 months on US inflation woes

South Korea’s key stock index plunged below the 2,400-point threshold for the first time in 19 months on Friday, weighed down by risks stemming from the US Federal Reserve’s boldest rate hike in nearly two decades. The benchmark Kospi opened 1.7 percent lower from its previous closing of 2,409.72, but fell to 2,396.47 at one point in early morning trade. This marked the first time the index fell below the 2,400-point threshold since Nov. 5, 2020. Early in the morning, foreign in

June 17, 2022

Seoul shares open sharply lower on recession worries

Seoul shares opened sharply lower Friday, tracking big losses on Wall Street, as investors worried that the US Federal Reserve's aggressive monetary tightening could cause a global economic recession. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) lost 39.79 points, or 1.62 percent, to 2,411.62 points in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, US shares tumbled, following rallies the previous session, on concerns over the possible impact of the Fed's monetary tightening on global ec

June 17, 2022

Seoul stocks snap 7-day losing streak on eased Fed policy uncertainty

South Korean stocks rebounded slightly Thursday, ending their seven-day losing streak, as uncertainty over the future course by the US Federal Reserve eased somewhat after its sharpest rate hike in almost three decades. The local currency rose against the US dollar. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) added 4.03 points, or 0.16 percent, to close at 2,451.41, after erasing most of its earlier gains. The index hit an intraday high of 2,500.36. Trading volume was moderate at 567.50 millio

June 16, 2022

Korean retail investors’ fears grow on stock, crypto meltdown

Retail investors who enjoyed record-low borrowing costs and abundant market liquidity during the COVID-19 pandemic have quickly come to face growing risks from plummeting stock and crypto markets hit by 40-year high inflation in the US and the rapid rate hikes that have followed. The benchmark Kospi on Thursday closed at 2,451.41, 0.16 percent higher from the previous close, when it dipped to its lowest closing price in 19 months at 2,447.38. The secondary, tech-heavy Kosdaq closed 0.34 percen

June 16, 2022

Seoul shares open sharply higher as Fed's rate hike comes within market estimate

Seoul shares got off to a strong start Thursday, tracking overnight rallies on Wall Street, after the US Federal Reserve delivered a rate hike that met market expectations. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 45.43 points, or 1.86 percent, to 2,492.81 points in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, US shares closed higher after the Fed hiked the key rates by 0.75 percentage point, the largest increase since 1994, to tame high-flying inflation. There had been worries that t

June 16, 2022

Kospi slumps in 7-day losing streak

South Korea’s benchmark Kospi fell 45.59 points, or 1.83 percent, from a day earlier to 2447.38 Wednesday, marking a seventh straight negative session as investors dramatically raise their bets on a US Fed hike of 75 basis points on Wednesday there, steeper than the 50 basis points it had indicated. The main board slid to an intraday low of 2436.04, a new 52-week low, as foreign investors carried on a sell-off for a ninth session straight, outweighing purchases by institutional and retai

June 15, 2022

Seoul stocks dive to fresh 19-month low amid woes over Fed's rate decision

South Korean stocks sank to a fresh 19-month low Wednesday to extend their losing streak to a seventh day ahead of the US Federal Reserve's interest rate decision amid high inflation and concerns over a global recession. The local currency also fell against the US dollar. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) lost 45.59 points, or 1.83 percent, to close at 2,447.38. It is the lowest figure since Nov. 10, 2020, when the index closed at 2,452.83. Trading volume was moderate at 700.92

June 15, 2022

Money supply up in April as deposits grow amid rising rates

South Korea's money supply grew in April as rising interest rates led to an increase in deposits, central bank data showed Wednesday. The country's M2, a key gauge of the money supply, stood at 3,667.1 trillion won ($2.84 trillion) on average in April, up 8.5 trillion won, or 0.2 percent from a month earlier, according to the preliminary data from the Bank of Korea (BOK). The rise followed a 0.1 percent on-month decline in March, which marked the first contraction since September 2018.

June 15, 2022

BTS’ hiatus announcement rattles Hybe shares

Shares of Hybe, the agency behind K-pop sensation BTS, fell almost 25 percent on Wednesday, rattled by the boy band’s announcement that it will take time off from group activities to pursue solo projects. Hybe shares closed 24.87 percent lower from the previous session at 145,000 won ($112.5). It had opened at 168,000 won after closing at 193,000 won in the previous session. Within the first hour of trading, the shares plummeted to 140,000 won, over 25 percent lower from the previous c

June 15, 2022

Seoul shares open lower ahead of Fed's rate hike decision

Seoul shares opened lower Wednesday as investors remained jittery over the path that the Federal Reserve will take on monetary policy this week amid surging inflation. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 15.36 points, or 0.62 percent, to 2,477.61 points in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, US shares closed mixed ahead of the conclusion of the Fed's two-day interest rate-setting meeting on Wednesday (US time). Many expected the central bank to take the "giant st

June 15, 2022

As US Fed decision looms, Kospi sinks under 2,500

Simmering fears over a sharper-than-expected US Federal Reserve rate hike amid red-hot US inflation dragged down South Korea’s benchmark Kospi below the 2,500 mark for the first time in 19 months on Tuesday.  The main board closed at 2,492.97, after reaching an intraday low of 2,457.39. The Fed will raise interest rates on Wednesday there, with investors dramatically raising their bets on a hike of 75 basis points, steeper than the 50 basis points the Fed had indicated

June 14, 2022

Seoul stocks down for 6th day on rate hike woes; Korean won further losing ground

South Korean stocks fell to a fresh 19-month low Tuesday to extend their losing streak to a sixth day as investors were wary of a larger-than-expected interest rate hike in the US and a global economic recession. The local currency continued to slide against the US dollar. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) lost 11.54 points, or 0.46 percent, to close at 2,492.97 after falling to as low as 2,457.39 at one point. Trading volume was moderate at 661.21 million shares worth 9.80 trillion

June 14, 2022

Seoul shares open lower on rate hikes, recession woes

Seoul shares got off to a weak start Tuesday, tracking a sharp plunge on Wall Street, on concerns over more aggressive monetary tightening by the United States to tame inflation and its impact on global economic growth. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 22.72 points, or 0.91 percent, to 2,481.79 points in the first 15 minutes of trading. On Monday, the index dipped to a 19-month low amid growing woes over sharper-than-expected rate hikes Overnight, US shares plunged ahead of the

June 14, 2022

Kospi hits 19-month low as US inflation skyrockets

South Korea’s benchmark Kospi closed at 2,504.51 Monday, its lowest level since Nov. 13, 2020 when it fell to 2,493.87, as investors priced in a big US rate hike amid a record annual increase in US consumer prices in May. A month earlier, US consumer prices surged 8.6 percent on-year, the largest gain since 1981 on record-high gasoline prices and soaring food costs, fueling bets on a sharper rate hike than the half percentage point raise the US Fed had indicated. The Fed’s two-

June 13, 2022

Rate hike fears send Seoul stocks to 19-month low; Korean won sharply dips

South Korean stocks crashed to a 19-month low Monday as high inflation sparked fears of a potential aggressive monetary tightening in the US and a slowdown in global economic growth. The local currency fell sharply against the US dollar. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) lost 91.36 points, or 3.52 percent, to close at 2,504.51, extending losses for the fifth consecutive session. It is the lowest figure since November 13, 2020, when the KOSPI closed at 2,493,97 points. Trading volume

June 13, 2022