Seoul shares start tad lower on profit taking

South Korean stocks started a tad lower Friday following the previous day's rally amid hopes for a US rate cut. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index shed 6.19 points, or 0.22 percent, to 2,746.81 in the first 15 minutes of trading. On Wall Street, major stock indices closed lower Thursday after their record high on the previous day on data showing a slowdown in inflation. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.1 percent, and the Nasdaq Composite lost 0.26 percent. In Seoul, most

May 17, 2024

Seoul shares up for 2nd day on revived rate-cut hopes; won soars to near 2-month high

South Korean stocks finished nearly 1 percent up Thursday as hopes for a possible US rate cut boosted investor sentiment here. The local currency sharply rose to an almost two-month high against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 22.66 points, or 0.83 percent, to 2,753, after reaching an intraday high of 2,773.46 points. Trade volume was moderate at 510.3 million shares worth 13 trillion won ($9.66 billion), with gainers outpacing decliners 531 to 345. Foreign i

May 16, 2024

[Herald Interview] For US overnight stockbroker Blue Ocean, golden hour falls on Sunday 8 p.m.

For Blue Ocean ATS, a broker platform that facilitates overnight trading for the US stock market, Sunday night is the peak trading hour as South Korean investors flock to execute orders before the US day trading begins. “Sunday night is our biggest night when it is Monday morning for the Asian investors and Korean investors. They start trading at 8 p.m. when traditional exchanges here in the US do not open until 9:30 a.m. on Monday,” Brian Hyndman, president and CEO at Blue Ocean Tec

May 16, 2024

Seoul shares start sharply higher on hopes for US rate cut

South Korean stocks got off to a strong start Thursday on hopes for the US Federal Reserve's possible rate cut after slower-than-expected inflation in the world's largest economy. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index gained 35.69 points, or 1.31 percent, to 2,766.03 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, the US stock market closed at record highs, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average rising 0.88 percent and the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite jumping 1.4 percent. The la

May 16, 2024

[Contribution] Where to invest your time -- career or investing

By Steve Brice From a very young age, we are taught that if you want to get better at something, then you need to expend time and effort to learn the necessary skills. We are also taught that you should focus on areas that you are going to make the biggest impact. When it comes to maximizing your financial position in life, the best way is to focus on your career and adopt a simple approach to investing i.e. regularly invest into a diversified portfolio regardless of what videos you see on TikTo

May 15, 2024

Seoul shares end tad higher ahead of US inflation data

South Korean stocks ended slightly higher Tuesday as investors took a wait-and-see stance ahead of US inflation data expected to affect the US Federal Reserve's rate-setting decision. The Korean won dropped against the US greenback. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index went up 3.13 points, or 0.11 percent, to 2,730.34. Trade volume was slim at 436.6 million shares worth 9.3 trillion won ($6.79 billion), with gainers outpacing decliners 526 to 342. Foreign investors and institutio

May 14, 2024

Seoul shares open almost flat ahead of US inflation data

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

May 14, 2024

Seoul shares almost flat ahead of US inflation data

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

May 13, 2024

Seoul shares open higher amid mixed signals for US rate cut

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

May 13, 2024

Seoul shares end higher on rate-cut hopes after jobs data

Seoul shares ended higher Friday after the latest jobs data supported the case for US rate cuts this year. The Korean won rose against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 15.49 points, or 0.57 percent, to close at 2,727.63. The main index has risen 1.9 percent this week. Trading volume was moderate at 568.36 million shares worth 11.07 trillion won ($8.09 billion), with gainers outpacing losers 489 to 365. The number of US unemployment claims jumped last week to th

May 10, 2024

Seoul shares open higher on Fed's rate-cut hopes

Seoul shares opened higher Friday, tracking gains on Wall Street, after weekly US jobless claims data offered fresh hope for the Federal Reserve's rate cuts this year. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 28.15 points, or 1.04 percent, to 2,740.29 in the first 15 minutes of trading. The number of US jobless claims jumped last week to the highest level in more than eight months, renewing hopes for the Fed's rate cuts. Overnight, the Dow Jones Industrial Average increased

May 10, 2024

Seoul shares dip over 1% amid US rate uncertainties

South Korean shares declined by more than 1 percent Thursday as investors remained concerned over the future course of the US key rates ahead of the release of inflation data next week. The local currency fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 32.91 points, or 1.2 percent, to close at 2,712.14. Trading volume was moderate at 413 million shares worth 10.9 trillion won ($7.95 billion), with losers outpacing gainers 531 to 355. Foreign investors offloaded a

May 9, 2024

Seoul shares open flat ahead of US inflation data

South Korean shares opened nearly flat Thursday as investors sat on the sidelines ahead of the release of the U.S. consumer price index next week. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index edged down 1.9 points, or 0.07 percent, to 2,743.15 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Investors remained cautious ahead of the release of the U.S. inflation data amid a mixed forecast over the future course of the Federal Reserve's key rates. Federal Reserve Bank of Boston President Susan Collins

May 9, 2024

Seoul shares up for 2nd day amid US rate cut concerns

Seoul shares ended higher Wednesday as investors remain watchful over whether the US Federal Reserve will slash key rates this year. The Korean won fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 10.69 points, or 0.39 percent, to close at 2,745.05. Trading volume was moderate at 424.75 million shares worth 10.09 trillion won ($7.4 billion), with winners outpacing losers 575 to 280. Institutions and foreigners bought a combined 434.7 billion won worth of stocks, o

May 8, 2024

Seoul shares open higher on institutional buying

Seoul shares opened higher Wednesday on institutional buying, with investors staying watchful on whether the US Federal Reserve will slash key rates this year. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 3.65 points, or 0.13 percent, to 2,738.01 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, US stocks ended nearly flat. The Dow Jones Industrial Average inched up 0.08 percent at 38,884.26, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq fell 0.1 percent to 16,332.56. Institutions and individuals bought a comb

May 8, 2024

Seoul shares soar over 2% on looming hopes for US rate cuts

South Korean shares shot up over 2 percent Tuesday as investors were buoyed by growing hopes that the U.S. Federal Reserve may carry out rate cuts this year. The local currency gained against the U.S. dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index jumped 57.73 points, or 2.16 percent, to close at 2,734.36. Trading volume was moderate at 523 million shares worth 10.9 trillion won ($8 billion), with winners outpacing losers 582 to 285. Investor sentiment was boosted by growing hope that t

May 7, 2024

Seoul shares open higher on US rate cut hopes

South Korean shares opened higher Tuesday, tracking overnight gains on Wall Street, as investors were buoyed by looming hopes that the US Federal Reserve may slash key rates this year. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 49.32 points, or 1.84 percent, to 2,725.95 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 0.46 percent higher, and the tech heavy Nasdaq rose 1.19 percent. The S&P 500 gained 1.03 percent In Seoul, top tech giant Sams

May 7, 2024

Seoul shares close lower ahead of US employment data

South Korean shares closed slightly lower Friday as investors took to the side ahead of US employment data. The local currency rebounded against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index shed 7.02 points, or 0.26 percent, to close at 2,676.63. Trading volume was slim at 329.8 million shares worth 7.7 trillion won ($5.65 billion), with losers outnumbering gainers 477 to 390. The index had opened higher, tracking overnight gains on Wall Street that followed dovish remarks from

May 3, 2024

Seoul shares open higher on Wall Street gains

South Korean shares opened higher Friday, tracking overnight gains on Wall Street. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 14.63 points, or 0.55 percent, to 2,698.28 in the first 15 minutes of trading. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 0.85 percent higher Thursday, while the Nasdaq rose 1.51 percent on dovish remarks from US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell suggesting there will unlikely be a rate hike in the near future. In Seoul, most large caps were in positive terrain.

May 3, 2024

Seoul shares snap 3-day rise after FOMC decision

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

May 2, 2024