[THE INVESTOR] South Korean stocks opened higher Aug. 5 led by gains in tech heavyweights. The benchmark KOSPI added 8.23 points, or 0.41 percent, to 2,008.19 in the first 15 minutes of trading.Tech shares were among the top gainers. Samsung Electronics increased 0.86 percent, and chip giant SK hynix advanced 1.63 percent. Cosmetic shares, which heavily rely on exports to China, were down as Seoul’s relations with Beijing have soured over the deployment of the advanced US anti-missile system on

Aug. 5, 2016

[THE INVESTOR] South Korean stocks opened higher on Aug. 4 as crude oil rebounded after US inventories data showed a drop in gasoline stockpiles.The benchmark KOSPI scored 7.37 points, or 0.37 percent, to 2,002.16 in the first 15 minutes of trading.Chemical shares led the gains after West Texas Intermediate crude jumped 3.3 percent to settle at $40.83 a barrel on Aug. 3, after declining 5 percent over the previous two sessions. SK Innovation, the nation’s largest refiner, jumped 3.17 percent, an

Aug. 4, 2016

[THE INVESTOR] South Korean share prices took a hit on Aug.3 on declining crude oil prices, with the benchmark KOSPI ending below the 2,000 point mark.The Korean won weakened against the US dollar, closing at 1,117.6 won against the US dollar, down 7.6 won from Aug. 2.123rfThe benchmark KOSPI shed 1.2 percent, to 1,994.79. Trade volume was at 476.05 million shares worth 4.24 trillion won (US$3.82 billion), with losers far outnumbering gainers 556 to 253.The tech-heavy KOSDAQ ended 0.37 percent l

Aug. 3, 2016

[THE INVESTOR] South Korean stocks opened lower on Aug. 3 on plummeting crude oil prices. The benchmark KOSPI dropped 20.17 points, or 1.0 percent, to 1,998.86 in the first 15 minutes of trading.Most shares across the board were trading bearish.Top market capSamsung Electronics fell 0.68 percent, and SK Innovation, the nation’s largest refiner, dropped 2.05 percent.Auto shares dipped as a stronger local currency fueled concerns over its competitiveness in the overseas market.Leading automaker Hy

Aug. 3, 2016

[THE INVESTOR] South Korean shares closed lower on Aug. 2 as falling oil prices dampened investprs’ appetite. The Korean won fell against the US dollar, snapping a five-day winning streak. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index lost 10.58 points, or 0.52 percent, to 2,019.03. Trade volume was moderate at 406.73 million shares worth 4.27 trillion won (US$3.84 billion), with losers outnumbering gainers 468 to 348.Local equities slipped from this year’s highest as crude oil fell below $40

Aug. 2, 2016

[THE INVESTOR] South Korean stocks opened lower on Aug. 2 as falling oil prices dented chemical stocks. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index shed 6.3 points, or 0.31 percent, to 2,023.31 in the first 15 minutes of trading.Petrochemical shares fell as US crude on Aug. 1 fell below $40 per barrel for the first time since April on concerns over a supply glut. Top refiner SK Innovation decreased 1.33 percent, and No. 3 S-Oil slipped 1.41 percent. Cosmetics shares rebounded following heavy

Aug. 2, 2016

[THE INVESTOR] South Korean shares closed higher on Aug. 1, as foreigners scooped up market heavyweights after lackluster US economic data abated expectations for an interest rate hike in the coming months. The Korean won rose to the highest level since June 2015 against the greenback. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 13.09 points, or 0.67 percent, to 2,029.61. Trade volume was moderate at 341.3 million shares worth 4.66 trillion won (US$4.20 billion), with losers outnumberi

Aug. 1, 2016

[THE INVESTOR] South Korean share prices opened higher on Aug. 1 following gains on Wall Street.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 10.32 points, or 0.51 percent, to 2,026.51 in the first 15 minutes of trading.Tech shares led the gains. Samsung Electronics surged 2.14 percent, continuing its rally after posting robust second-quarter earnings, and chip giant SK hynix advanced 1.74 percent.Auto shares were also in the positive. Hyundai Motor increased 1.14 percent, and its sister

Aug. 1, 2016