Seoul stocks, Korean won in tailspin amid growing recession fears

Seoul stocks dropped to the lowest level in over two years and the Korean won also continued to tumble Monday amid growing fears of a global economic recession caused by combative monetary tightening in major economies. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell by 69.06 points, or 3.02 percent, to end at 2,220.94, the lowest since July 27, 2020. The market slid for a fourth consecutive session. Trading volume was moderate at 611.4 million shares worth 9.18 trillion won (US$6.4

Sept. 26, 2022

Mirae Asset backs out of W4.1tr IFC deal

South Korea’s Mirae Asset Global Investments is pulling out of a 4.1 trillion won ($2.86 billion) deal to acquire IFC Seoul, a landmark complex in Yeouido, western Seoul, from Canada’s Brookfield Asset Management, industry sources said Monday. In May, Mirae Asset was picked as the preferred bidder to acquire the IFC Complex, which consists of three office towers, after fierce competition with a consortium led by retail giant Shinsegae Group. “Mirae Asset has filed a dispute s

Sept. 26, 2022

Seoul shares open sharply lower on rising recession fears

Seoul stocks opened markedly lower Monday on growing concerns about a global economic recession caused by combative monetary tightening policies in major economies. The benchmark Kopsi dropped 40.27 points, or 1.76 percent, to 2,249.73 in the first 15 minutes of trading. On Friday, US stocks ended lower, with investors fleeing for safety and cashing out of the stock market on fears that aggressive rate hikes could seriously hurt the global economy. The S&P500 fell 1.7 percent, the Dow Jones Indu

Sept. 26, 2022

Citibank Korea launches 'e-Commerce Industry Seminar' for corporate clients

Citigroup’s Korean unit Citibank Korea explained the bank's foreign exchange solutions and its outlook on the e-commerce market during an e-commerce industry seminar Thursday. During the seminar, model cases of FX solutions and digital payments that used Citibank's global network, were introduced. Aman Singh Chadha, the bank's regional head of e-Commerce financial products and head of eFX Solutions for the APAC region, further illustrated the trends of the e-commerce market during the semi

Sept. 25, 2022

Fandom power might change blockchain ecosystem, experts say

BUSAN -- Blockchain industry leaders seeking to merge entertainment with technology are looking closely to the power of fandoms, believing that it could reshape the ecosystem, according to speakers at the 2022 Upbit Developer Conference on Friday. “Hybe's business model is based on fans promoting artists,” Hybe America President Jason Jaesang Lee said during the second day of this year’s conference held in Busan. “Fans becoming promoters for our artists is a powerful g

Sept. 23, 2022

Seoul shares open lower on mounting recession fears

Seoul stocks opened lower Friday on mounting fears that a global recession may further deepen amid aggressive monetary tightening drives around the globe. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index dropped 10.39 points, or 0.45 percent, to 2,321.92 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, US stocks fell again amid fears that recent rate hikes from central banks around the world could tip the economy into a recession. Central banks in major economies, such as Britain, raised rates as t

Sept. 23, 2022

Seoul's stocks down, currency dips to over 13-yr low following Fed's rate hike

South Korean stocks closed down on Thursday, as investors were spooked by growing worries over a global economic recession following the US Federal Reserve's sharp rate hike decision. The Korean won fell to a 13-year low against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) lost 14.9 points, or 0.63 percent, and closed at 2,332.31. Trading volume was light at 436.1 million shares worth 7.3 trillion won, with decliners outnumbering gainers 579 to 299. After starting

Sept. 22, 2022

Korean won hits 1,400 per dollar after giant Fed rate hike

SEJONG -- The Korean currency dropped to the 1,400 won range per dollar on Thursday in the wake of another “giant step” rate hike of 75 basis points from the US Federal Reserve. In addition, foreign and institutional investors turned to net sellers on the nation’s main bourse, pulling down the Kospi. The local currency, which started at 1,398 won per US dollar during the Thursday trading session, closed at 1,409.7 won. The Korean currency became cheaper by more than

Sept. 22, 2022

Upbit operator picks NFT venture with BTS’ Hybe as most anticipated project

BUSAN -- The chief of Dunamu, the operator of Korea’s No. 1 cryptocurrency exchange Upbit, chose the firm’s non-fungible tokens venture with the K-pop powerhouse behind boy band BTS as its most anticipated project, at this year’s Upbit Developer Conference held Thursday. “Crypto exchange operators face many restrictions when expanding blockchain businesses,” Dunamu CEO Lee Sirgoo said in a press conference held on the sidelines of the UDC in Busan. “For us,

Sept. 22, 2022

Court orders Namyang Dairy to sell controlling stake to Hahn & Co.

A Seoul court on Thursday ordered Namyang Dairy Products shareholders to sell off its controlling shares to local buyout firm Hahn ＆ Co., brushing off the troubled dairy company’s claims that its stock transfer deal with the private equity fund had been “rigged.” The Seoul Central District Court sided with Hahn ＆ Co. after the buyout firm last year filed a lawsuit against Namyang shareholders, including its Chairman Hong Won-sik for failing to abide by a binding contract to se

Sept. 22, 2022

2022 Upbit Developer Conference kicks off in Busan

The Upbit Developer Conference, the nation’s largest annual blockchain developer conference, will kick off Thursday, addressing the latest issues and trends in the blockchain industry, the company said Wednesday. The two-day event hosted by Dunamu, the operator of South Korean crypto exchange Upbit, will be held at the Busan Port International Exhibition ＆ Convention Center in person after two years of pandemic disruptions. The theme of this year’s gathering is “Imaging Your B

Sept. 22, 2022

Seoul's stocks open over 1% lower after Fed's sharp rate hike

South Korean stocks opened more than 1 percent lower on Thursday as worries over a global recession mounted after the US Federal Reserve delivered another sharp rate hike to tame runaway inflation. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) dropped 26.75 points, or 1.14 percent, to 2,320.46 as of 9:15 a.m. Overnight, the Fed raised its benchmark federal funds rate by 0.75 percentage point for a third consecutive time, and its chair Jerome Powell voiced strong resolution to continue

Sept. 22, 2022

Seoul stocks dip almost 1% on growing woes over Fed rate hikes

South Korean stocks slipped back into negative territory again Wednesday, as investors took to the sidelines ahead of a widely expected sharp rate hike by the Federal Reserve. The Korean won fell against the dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) lost 20.64 points, or 0.87 percent, to close at 2,347.21. Trading volume was light at 367.1 million shares worth 6.2 trillion won ($4.4 billion), with losers outpacing gainers 580 to 279. "Today's losses came as invest

Sept. 21, 2022

Seoul stocks open lower on fret over aggressive rate hikes by Fed

South Korean stocks opened lower Wednesday, tracking an overnight loss on Wall Street, as investors bet that the Federal Reserve will deliver another sharp rate hike this week. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) inched down 8.04 points, or 0.34 percent, to 2,359.81 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, US stocks slumped as investors fret that the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) would opt to push the US benchmark rate by 75 basis points, which could further acce

Sept. 21, 2022

SCI Information Service, CrePASS Solution to create new credit rating model

SCI Information Service and CrePASS Solution signed a new partnership on Friday to boost business cooperation and create a new credit rating model for the financially marginalized. Under the partnership, the two South Korean credit rating agencies will seek synergy by combining SCI Information Services’ accumulated credit information and CrePASS Solution’s alternative information methodologies. Their new planned credit rating model, in particular, aims to help people who have difficu

Sept. 20, 2022

Seoul stocks snap 4-day losing streak ahead of Fed policy meeting

Seoul stocks ended their four-day losing streak on Tuesday as investors scooped up oversold stocks ahead of the Fed's policy meeting later this week. The Korean won rose against the US dollar. After opening higher, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) stayed in positive terrain, closing at 2,367.85, up 12.19 points, or 0.52 percent. Trading volume was light at 407.9 million shares worth 6.9 trillion won ($4.96 billion) with decliners outnumbering gainers 654 to 198. "

Sept. 20, 2022

Saudi public VC funds in town in search of Korean startups

Saudi Arabia’s two major public investment funds have arrived in South Korea to look for local startups to add to their portfolios, the Seoul Metropolitan Government said Tuesday. Jada, a fund-of-funds set up by Saudi sovereign wealth fund Public Investment Fund, and fellow state-run Saudi Venture Capital will cooperate with the Seoul government to find Korean “unicorns” or startup companies with a value of over $1 billion to invest in. The investment funds arrived in Seoul on

Sept. 20, 2022

Upbit Developer Conference to return in person this week

The Upbit Developer Conference, the nation's largest blockchain developer conference, will be back in person this year after two years of pandemic disruptions. According to Dunamu, the operator of South Korean crypto exchange Upbit, on Tuesday, the 2022 UDC will be held in Busan from Sept. 22 to 23, with 50 speakers and over 3,000 attendees set to join the event. Launched in 2018, the annual gathering has attracted more than 617 companies and 15,100 visitors. This year’s event will cove

Sept. 20, 2022

Seoul stocks open higher ahead of Fed policy meeting

South Korean stocks opened higher Tuesday as investors picked up oversold issues ahead of the highly anticipated US Federal Reserve's rate-setting meeting. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 24.61 points, or 1.04 percent, to 2,380.27 in the first 15 minutes of trading. The market has been roiled amid worries that the Fed could raise its base interest rate by at least another 75 basis points in its two-day policy meeting that will kick off on Tuesday (US time). Some market wa

Sept. 20, 2022

Seoul shares hit over 2-month low on prospect of another aggressive rate hike by US Fed

South Korean stocks dipped by more than 1 percent on Monday to extend their losing streak to a fourth day as market sentiment was dampened by the prospect of another sharp rate hike this week by the US Fed. The Korean won fell sharply against the US dollar. After opening higher, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price index (KOSPI) shed 27.12 points, or 1.14 percent, to 2,355.66, marking the lowest since July 12 when the corresponding reading was 2,330.98. Trading volume was light at 395.3 mil

Sept. 19, 2022