Seoul shares close lower ahead of key US inflation data, holiday

South Korean stocks closed lower Thursday as investors sat on the sidelines ahead of the release of some key US inflation data and the holiday this week. The local currency gained against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index shed 9.93 points, or 0.37 percent, to 2,642.36. Trade volume was moderate at 484 million shares worth 12.5 trillion won (US$9.44 billion), with losers outpacing gainers 545 to 341. Institutions were net sellers by offloading 507.3 billion won, while

Feb. 29, 2024

Bitcoin soars to record high in Korea

The price of bitcoin traded in Korea climbed to its highest ever Thursday, fueled by a global rally initiated from spot exchange-traded funds and an impending halving. Bitcoin, the world’s biggest cryptocurrency, traded in Korea at up to 90 million won ($67,490) on the country’s largest crypto exchange, Upbit, at 3:47 p.m. On the previous day, it broke its previous high of 82.7 million won at around 6 p.m. for the first time since November 2021. After peaking at 90 million won, bitco

Feb. 29, 2024

Seoul shares open lower tracking Wall Street losses

South Korean stocks started lower Thursday tracking overnight losses from Wall Street, as the US' fourth-quarter economic growth was slower than earlier estimated. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 20.49 points, or 0.77 percent, to 2,631.8 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, the US stock market closed weaker, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling 0.06 percent and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite losing 0.55 percent. The US economy expanded 3.2 percent in

Feb. 29, 2024

Seoul shares end over 1% higher ahead of key US data

South Korean stocks ended higher Wednesday as investors closely awaited key data from the United States later this week. The local currency fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 27.24 points, or 1.04 percent, to 2,652.29. Trade volume was moderate at 409.7 million shares worth 10 trillion won ($7.4 billion), with gainers outpacing losers 559 to 302. Individuals were net sellers by offloading 539.2 billion won, while foreigners scooped up a net 458 bill

Feb. 28, 2024

Seoul shares open nearly flat ahead of key US data

South Korean stocks started nearly flat Wednesday as investors took a wait-and-see approach ahead of key economic indicators set to be released in the United States this week. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index edged up 0.78 points, or 0.03 percent, to 2,625.83 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, the US stock market closed mixed, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling 0.25 percent while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite added 0.37 percent. The US is set to announce t

Feb. 28, 2024

Seoul shares end lower ahead of US economic data

South Korean stocks ended more than 0.8 percent lower Tuesday as investors were in cautious mode ahead of the release of major US economic data later this week. The local currency gained ground against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index retreated 22.03 points, or 0.83 percent, to 2,625.05. Trade volume was slightly heavy at 567.4 million shares worth 12.4 trillion won ($9.3 billion), with decliners sharply beating gainers 745 to 149. Institutions led the decline by un

Feb. 27, 2024

Seoul shares open lower ahead of key US economic data

South Korean stocks started lower Tuesday as investors took a cautious mode ahead of major US economic data releases later this week, including the Federal Reserve's preferred measure of inflation. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index dropped 4.77 points, or 0.18 percent, to 2,642.31 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, the US stock market closed lower on profit-taking following a rally last week. Investors were also taking a wait-and-see mode ahead of the release of th

Feb. 27, 2024

Seoul shares down on disappointing 'value-up' program

South Korean stocks closed lower Monday as investors dumped local shares on the government's weaker-than-expected plans to boost corporate value. The Korean won edged down against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 20.62 points, or 0.77 percent, to close at 2,647.08, ending a two-day winning streak. Trade volume was heavy at 519.6 million shares worth 10.8 trillion won ($8.1 billion), with decliners sharply beating gainers 657 to 231. Institutions and individuals

Feb. 26, 2024

Seoul shares open lower on profit-taking

South Korean stocks started lower Monday as investors sought profits after a recent rally. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index retreated 15.89 points, or 0.6 percent, to 2,651.81 in the first 15 minutes of trading. The main index rose for two straight sessions at the end of last week on the back of Nvidia-led gains in semiconductor shares. Market heavyweights led the negative opening. Top-cap Samsung Electronics fell 0.27 percent, and leading oil refinery SK Innovation slid 1.62 perc

Feb. 26, 2024

Seoul shares end higher for 2nd day on Nvidia earnings

South Korean stocks finished slightly higher Friday as foreign investors bet on local tech shares following AI chip giant Nvidia's strong earnings results. The Korean won lost against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index gained 3.43 points, or 0.13 percent, to close at 2,667.7, extending its winning streak to two straight sessions. Trade volume was moderate at 409.4 million shares worth 10.1 trillion won ($7.59 billion), with decliners beating gainers 514 to 341. F

Feb. 23, 2024

Seoul shares start higher on Wall Street rally

South Korean stocks got off to a strong start Friday following an overnight rally on Wall Street. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index gained 20.45 points, or 0.77 percent, to 2,684.72 in the first 15 minutes of trading. In the United States, Nvidia's surprising earnings result pushed up the indexes to new highs, as the S&P 500 jumped 2.11 percent and the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.18 percent. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite also vaulted 2.96 percent. In Seoul, semic

Feb. 23, 2024

[Graphic News] Soju exports surpass $100m for 1st time in 10 years

Exports of soju, distilled Korean liquor, topped $100 million for the first time in 10 years in 2023, data showed. According to the Korea Customs Service, outbound shipments of soju reached $101.4 million in 2023, an increase of 8.7 percent from 2022. The last time soju exports surpassed $100 million was in 2013. Soju is a distilled liquor made of ethyl alcohol and water, with the addition of sweeteners. An industry source said soju sold overseas had been mostly consumed by South Korean resident

Feb. 23, 2024

Seoul shares end higher on strong chip stocks

South Korean stocks snapped a two-day losing streak Thursday on strong performance by chip heavyweights after Nvidia's better-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings. The local currency rose against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index gained 10.96 points, or 0.41 percent, to close at 2,664.27. Trade volume was moderate at 445.3 million shares worth 10.1 trillion won ($7.6 billion), with decliners beating gainers 509 to 348. Foreigners and institutions scooped up loc

Feb. 22, 2024

Korean 'crypto king' likely to be extradited to US

A court in Montenegro has ruled for the extradition of cryptocurrency entrepreneur Kwon Do-hyung, widely known as "crypto king" Do Kwon, to the United States, according to The Wall Street Journal. Despite Kwon's defense advocating for transfer to his home country of South Korea, the Montenegro court has rejected the plea. Both the US and South Korea have sought his extradition. Kwon's legal team now has a three-day window to challenge the decision, according to the court on Wednesday.

Feb. 22, 2024

Seoul shares open higher on strong Nvidia results

South Korean stocks started a tad higher Thursday as chipmakers traded in positive territory on a strong earnings report from Nvidia overnight. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index gained 8.21 points, or 0.31 percent, to 2,661.52 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Wall Street stocks were mixed last night as the US central bank's minutes hinted at slower interest rate cuts. The Dow Jones Industrial Average finished 0.1 percent higher, but the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index fell

Feb. 22, 2024

[Graphic News] Streamers’ total income surpasses 1 trillion won

The annual income declared by single-person media creators, such as YouTubers and internet broadcast hosts (BJs), was found to have exceeded 1 trillion won ($7.5 million) in South Korea. A total of 39,366 individuals reported their annual income as single-person media creators in 2022, with the total amount reaching 1.14 trillion won, according to the National Tax Service. The total income of 393 single-person media creators who were in the top 1 percent, was 333.3 billion won, accounting for 29

Feb. 22, 2024

Seoul shares close lower ahead of FOMC minutes release

South Korean stocks finished lower Wednesday with investors waiting for the release of the minutes of the US Federal Open Market Committee's January meeting. The local currency rose against the US dollar. After starting marginally higher, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index lost 4.48 points, or 0.17 percent, to close at 2,653.31. Trade volume was moderate at 551.7 million shares worth 8.9 trillion won ($6.7 billion), with losers outnumbering winners 553 to 313. Foreigners and re

Feb. 21, 2024

Toss Bank taps ex-DGB CFO as new CEO

Toss Bank, the internet-only banking arm of fintech firm Viva Republica, said Wednesday it has appointed Rhee Eun-mi, former chief financial officer of DGB Daegu Bank, as its new CEO. The bank’s CEO recommendation committee picked Rhee as the sole candidate for the next top leadership position in recognition of her deep understanding of the banking industry and excellence in making strategic decisions. “Rhee's achievements, organizational management capabilities, and insight b

Feb. 21, 2024

Seoul shares open higher despite US losses

South Korean stocks started higher Wednesday on foreign and institutional buying despite overnight losses on Wall Street. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index climbed 11.49 points, or 0.43 percent, to 2,669.28 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, the U.S. stock market lost ground on investors' profit-taking ahead of the earnings release of artificial intelligence chip leader Nvidia. Nvidia is expected to release strong fourth-quarter results later Wednesday thanks to co

Feb. 21, 2024

Seoul shares close lower on profit-taking

South Korean stocks finished sharply lower Tuesday as investors locked in gains after a recent rally. The local currency also fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index lost 22.47 points, or 0.84 percent, to close at 2,657.79, ending a two-day winning streak. On Monday, the index finished at 2,680.26, the highest closing price since May 31, 2022, when it was 2,685.9. Trade volume was heavy at 596.3 million shares worth 9.7 trillion won ($7.2 billion), with losers

Feb. 20, 2024