Weak won set to persist with US intent on more rate hikes

The South Korean won could further depreciate against the US dollar in months to come as long as the US backs aggressive monetary tightening to fight raging inflation, analysts said, as the Korean currency weakened to a 13-year low of 1,326.1 won per US dollar Friday. The breach of the 1,300 won psychological threshold -- prompted by rising US rates luring investors and soaring demand for the safe-haven asset amid global economic uncertainty -- is the latest indication that policymakers in Seou

July 17, 2022

‘Myeongdong to recover from pandemic woes’

The empty, desolate streets of Seoul’s Myeong-dong shopping district have become a real estate nightmare for its landlords and inhabitants since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. But hope is not lost, according to Robert Wilkinson, managing director of Colliers’ Korea, the local branch of the Canadian commercial real estate firm. He said the area -- which had once been a tourist hotspot -- is slowly coming back to life and its recovery will gain speed once China eases trave

July 17, 2022

Seoul shares end higher on auto, tech gains; Korean won at over 13-yr low

Seoul shares ended higher Friday as investors scooped up auto and tech stocks on bargain hunting amid concerns over further rate hikes to tackle inflation and a global recession. The Korean won sharply fell to the lowest level in over 13 years against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 8.66 points, or 0.37 percent, to close at 2,330.98 points. Trading volume was moderate at about 310.56 million shares worth some 7.25 trillion won ($5.5 billion), with decl

July 15, 2022

Seoul shares open lower amid recession woes; Korean won sharply down

Seoul shares opened lower Friday amid concerns over more aggressive interest rate hikes by central banks to tackle inflation and a global economic slowdown. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 7.96 points, or 0.34 percent, to trade at 2,314.36 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Institutions and foreigners sold a combined 109 billion won ($82 million) worth of stocks, exceeding individuals' stock purchases valued at 101.7 billion won. Foreigners offloaded some risky assets

July 15, 2022

Seoul shares retreat amid rate hike woes

South Korean stocks retreated Thursday after a choppy session amid jitters about high inflation at home and in major economies. The Korean won fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index declined 6.29 points, or 0.27 percent, to close at 2,322.32 points. Trading volume was relatively low at about 344 million shares worth some 6.4 trillion won ($4.9 billion), with gainers outnumbering losers 433 to 418. Institutions sold a net 534 billion won, while foreigners boug

July 14, 2022

S. Korea to actively deal with herd behavior in financial market: official

South Korea plans to actively tackle herd behavior in the financial market as market volatility has increased amid monetary tightening drives at home and abroad, a senior government official said Thursday. The government plans to step up its monitoring of the market, as the country's financial market has "sensitively" reacted to concerns about high inflation and global recession fears, according to First Vice Finance Minister Bang Ki-sun. "The government plans to actively deal wit

July 14, 2022

Seoul shares open lower on Wall Street losses

South Korean stocks opened lower Thursday, tracking overnight losses on Wall Street amid concerns about fast-growing inflation. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 7.77 points, or 0.33 percent, to trade at 2,320.84 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, US stocks dropped as the estimate-beating consumer price index for June fanned worries that the Federal Reserve can accelerate its rate hike moves. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 0.67 percent, and the tech-heav

July 14, 2022

[Market Eye] Short selling ban back in focus as stocks slide

South Korea’s top financial policymaker on Monday hinted at banning short selling again to prevent a jumpy stock market, but some market analysts say the plan should be reexamined since its effect on long-term market stability is still debatable.　 The ban -- which was temporarily put on the benchmark Kospi and junior Kosdaq in March 2020 over pandemic-induced volatility -- was partially lifted in May 2021, when the bearish investment practice was allowed on the Kospi 200 and the Kosdaq 15

July 13, 2022

Seoul shares rebound on eased rate hike uncertainties

South Korean stocks rebounded Wednesday on eased uncertainties about the central bank's rate decision. The Korean won rose against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) added 10.85 points, or 0.47 percent, to close at 2,328.61 points. Trading volume was relatively small at about 303 million shares worth some 5.9 trillion won (US$4.5 billion), with gainers outnumbering losers 550 to 298. Institutions bought a net 357 billion won, while foreigners sold 101 bil

July 13, 2022

Seoul shares open higher ahead of BOK's rate decision

South Korean stocks opened higher Wednesday ahead of the central bank's rate decision. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 7.88 points, or 0.34 percent, to trade at 2,325.64 in the first 15 minutes of trading. The key stock index rebounded after a two-day loss since Monday, despite an overnight US stock fall. The Bank of Korea (BOK) will announce the results of its monetary policy meeting later in the morning. Investors are wondering if the BOK will take a "big step&qu

July 13, 2022

Seoul shares down for 2nd day on earnings, virus concerns

South Korean stocks retreated for a second straight session Tuesday, weighed by concerns about corporate earnings and a surge in new coronavirus outbreaks. The Korean won fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) decreased 22.51 points, or 0.96 percent, to close at 2,317.76 points. Trading volume was relatively small at about 374 million shares worth some 6.3 trillion won ($4.8 billion), with losers outnumbering gainers 772 to 129. Institutions sold a ne

July 12, 2022

New FSC chief vows to stabilize markets, ease rules

Kim Joo-hyun, the new chief of the Financial Services Commission, said Monday that he would use all resources and cooperate with authorities for market stability at his inauguration, which took place after a divided National Assembly failed to hold a confirmation hearing.  Kim underscored mounting concerns that aggressive rate hikes by the US Federal Reserve would further dampen investor optimism here. “Rapid inflation is eating into the economy. Economic and political factors,

July 11, 2022

Seoul stocks snap 2-day winning streak on recession, corporate earnings woes

South Korean shares snapped a two-day winning streak Monday as investors took to the sidelines amid woes about a recession and possibly lackluster corporate earnings. The Korean won fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) retreated 10.34 points, or 0.44 percent, to close at 2,340.27 points. Trading volume was relatively small at about 369 million shares worth some 6.1 trillion won ($4.7 billion), with losers outnumbering gainers 569 to 295. Institution

July 11, 2022

Bond sales in S. Korea fall in June amid high interest rates

Bond issuance in South Korea dipped in June from the previous month amid increasing interest rates at home and abroad, industry data showed Monday. The value of bonds sold in Asia's fourth-largest economy came to 71.4 trillion won ($54.9 billion) last month, down 4.4 trillion won from a month earlier, according to the data from the Korea Financial Investment Association. Sales of corporate bonds were similar to the previous month's level, but those of state, special and financial bonds

July 11, 2022

Seoul stocks open slightly higher on tech, auto gains

South Korean shares opened a tad higher Monday, buoyed by strong advances in tech and auto heavyweights. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) had added 4.92 points, or 0.21 percent, to trade at 2,355.53 points as of 9:15 a.m. KOSPI's top cap Samsung Electronics moved up 1.02 percent, and No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix increased 0.53 percent. The country's largest automaker Hyundai Motor advanced 1.69 percent, with its smaller affiliate Kia jumping 3.52 percent. The local c

July 11, 2022

Korea Exchange denies Kyobo Life's IPO application

　 The Korea Exchange (KRX) on Friday disapproved an initial public offering by Kyobo Life Insurance Co., citing discord among major shareholders. 　 　After reviewing the insurer‘s second application filed in December, the bourse operator declined to approve its IPO before its management is stabilized. 　 　Kyobo Life had been seeking to complete an IPO within the first half of this year to diversify its funding sources in preparation for the introduction of a new accounting rule for insuranc

July 8, 2022

KRX to unveil rules for corporate sustainability disclosures

Korea Exchange CEO Sohn Byung-doo said Thursday that the bourse operator will set out guidelines on the way listed companies should report their progress on environmental, social and governance issues. The sustainability disclosures become mandatory as early as 2025. “The ESG initiative is one of the four goals we plan to see take place. We will refer to the global guidelines,” Sohn said at a forum, held to discuss the ways Korean companies can better navigate the low-carbon transit

July 8, 2022

Seoul shares rebound nearly 2% on eased recession woes; Korean won gains ground

South Korean stocks bounced back Thursday from the previous day's 20-month low as the US Federal Reserve's minutes indicated cautious optimism over the economy's long-term prospects, despite impeding rate hikes. The Korean won gained ground against the US dollar. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 42.26 points, or 1.84 percent, to close at 2,334.27. Trading volume was moderate at 333 million shares worth 7.54 trillion won ($5.89 billion) with gainers outstripping d

July 7, 2022

Seoul shares open higher after Fed minutes; Korean won losing ground

South Korean stocks opened higher Thursday, tracking overnight gains on Wall Street as the US Federal Reserve's latest minutes reaffirming its intent to rein in inflation through big rate hikes removed uncertainty for investors. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 23.04 points, or 1.01 percent, to 2,315.05 in the first 15 minutes of trading. The Fed minutes of its June policy meeting, released Wednesday (US time), showed that the Fed needs to raise the interest rate by anothe

July 7, 2022

Seoul stocks dip to 20-month low on recession fears; Korean won at 13 yr low

South Korean stocks dipped to a 20-month low Wednesday, as bleak data from Europe and a sharp fall in oil prices underscore worries over a global economic recession. The Korean won fell sharply against the US dollar. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) retreated 49.77 points, or 2.13 percent, to close at 2,292.01, coming below the 2,300 mark for the first time since Oct. 30, 2020. Trading volume was moderate at 400.3 million shares worth 8.53 trillion won ($6.53 billion) with decliners

July 6, 2022