Seoul shares open lower despite US gains

South Korean stocks started lower Friday despite overnight US gains as investors await the Bank of Korea's rate decision later in the day. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index dropped 16.61 points, or 0.61 percent, to 2,690.35 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, the Nasdaq Composite jumped 1.7 percent and the S&P 500 rose 0.7 percent on a tech rally, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average was almost flat. Apple soared 4.3 percent, Nvidia surged 4.1 percent, and Amazon c

April 12, 2024

Seoul shares close almost flat despite higher US inflation; won sharply down

South Korean stocks ended almost flat Thursday thanks to gains in techs and autos despite higher-than-expected US inflation that dimmed hopes for the Federal Reserve's early rate cuts. The Korean won sharply fell to the lowest point in 17 months against the US dollar. After starting 1.45 percent lower, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index pared earlier losses by rising 1.8 points, or 0.07 percent, to close at 2,706.96. Trade volume was moderate at 522.4 million shares worth 12.5

April 11, 2024

Seoul shares open sharply lower on higher US inflation

South Korean stocks started sharply lower Thursday as higher-than-expected US inflation data poured cold water on investors' hopes for early rate cuts. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index plunged 39.34 points, or 1.45 percent, to 2,665.82 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, major US indexes lost ground as the release of a key measure of inflation dashed investors' hopes that the Federal Reserve may start cutting its rates soon. The US' consumer price index f

April 11, 2024

Seoul shares close lower ahead of parliamentary elections, US inflation data

South Korean stocks ended lower Tuesday as investors grew more cautious ahead of parliamentary elections and the release of key US inflation data later this week. The Korean won fell against the US dollar. After starting higher, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index lost 12.49 points, or 0.46 percent, to close at 2,705.16. Trade volume was moderate at 458.4 million shares worth 9.48 trillion won ($6.99 billion), with decliners outpacing gainers 489 to 370. Institutions bought stocks wo

April 9, 2024

Seoul shares open higher ahead of parliamentary elections, US inflation data

South Korean stocks started higher Tuesday ahead of parliamentary elections and the release of key US inflation data later this week. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index gained 18.76 points, or 0.69 percent, to 2,736.41 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, major US indexes were almost flat as investors awaited the March consumer price index report, a key measure of inflation, to be released later this week. Investors' eyes are also on the results of South Korea's

April 9, 2024

Foreigners' stock investment hits record high in Q1

Foreign investors sustained a five-month buying streak in the South Korean stock market, resulting in an unprecedented quarterly volume. The Financial Supervisory Service disclosed Monday that foreign investors amassed a total of 15.8 trillion won ($11.67 billion) worth of local shares in the first quarter of this year, marking the highest recorded amount since the agency started compiling data in 1998. In March, approximately 5.1 trillion won streamed into the domestic stock market from oversea

April 8, 2024

Seoul shares end tad higher on auto, battery stocks

South Korean stocks ended slightly higher Monday on the back of autos and batteries following stronger-than-expected US jobs data. The Korean won fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index gained 3.44 points, or 0.13 percent, to 2,717.65. Trade volume was moderate at 611.2 million shares worth 10.36 trillion won ($7.6 billion), with decliners outpacing gainers 590 to 277. Foreigners bought 207.6 billion won worth of local shares, while retail investors and instit

April 8, 2024

Seoul shares open lower despite US gains

South Korean stocks opened lower Monday despite Wall Street gains backed by stronger-than-expected US jobs data. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index dropped 6.29 points, or 0.23 percent, to 2,707.92 in the first 15 minutes of trading. On Friday, data showed that the US posted the biggest job growth in almost a year in March, indicating a strong economy. Even though the strong labor market may mean interest rates may stay elevated for longer, Wall Street closed higher on the belief th

April 8, 2024

[Graphic News] Most Chinese e-commerce platform users in S. Korea dissatisfied: poll

Most South Korean users of recently burgeoning Chinese e-commerce platforms were dissatisfied with various aspects of their services despite their competitive pricing, a poll showed. In the poll conducted by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry recently on 800 consumers with experience using either AliExpress, Temu or Shein in the past year, 80.9 percent said they have experienced dissatisfaction with the services. Delayed delivery was cited as the biggest reason for dissatisfaction, at

April 8, 2024

Seoul shares dip 1% on dashed rate-cut hopes

Seoul shares dipped 1 percent Friday as investors were disappointed with hawkish comments by Federal Reserve officials ahead of US jobs data. The Korean won fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 27.79 points, or 1.01 percent, to close at 2,714.21. The main index has fallen 1.2 percent this week. Trade volume was moderate at 615.09 million shares worth 11.16 trillion won ($8.2 billion), with decliners outpacing gainers 633 to 244. Institutions and foreig

April 5, 2024

Seoul shares open lower on dashed hopes for early rate cut

Seoul shares opened lower Friday as investors were disappointed with hawkish comments by Federal Reserve officials. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 23.64 points, or 0.86 percent, to 2,718.36 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.35 percent to 38,596.98 points and the tech-heavy Nasdaq declined 1.4 percent to 16,049.08. Fed officials said the US central bank needs time to be confident on inflation before starting to cut rates a

April 5, 2024

Seoul shares rebound on tech gains, revived rate-cut hopes

Seoul shares rebounded sharply Thursday from the previous session's dip on tech, auto gains and revived optimism for the US Federal Reserve to cut rates this year. The Korean won rose against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 35.03 points, or 1.29 percent, to close at 2,742.00. Trade volume was moderate at 468.06 million shares worth 11.64 trillion won ($8.6 billion), with decliners outpacing gainers 465 to 416. Foreigners bought a net 588 billion won worth

April 4, 2024

Seoul shares open sharply higher on revived rate-cut hopes

Seoul shares opened higher Thursday as US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell reaffirmed rate cuts this year. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 31.45 points, or 1.16 percent, to 2,738.42 in the first 15 minutes of trading. The US central bank reiterated it will take a wait-and-see approach before cutting rates this year. But Powell's view that inflation figures did not materially change the Fed's overall picture gave a boost to risk assets. In Seoul, tech, auto and e

April 4, 2024

Seoul shares snap 3-day rise as early rate-cut optimism fades

Seoul shares ended lower Wednesday to snap their three-day winning streak, as robust economic data in the United States spurred speculation that the US Federal Reserve will keep interest rates higher for longer. The Korean won rose against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 46.19 points, or 1.68 percent, to close at 2,706.97. Trade volume was heavy at 628.41 million shares worth 12.74 trillion won ($9.4 billion), with decliners outpacing gainers 632 to 246. Insti

April 3, 2024

Seoul shares open lower on faded hopes for early rate cut by Fed

Seoul shares opened lower Wednesday, tracking overnight losses on Wall Street, after robust US manufacturing activity spurred speculation that the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates higher for the time being. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 32.21 points, or 1.17 percent, to 2,720.95 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1 percent to 39,170.24 and the tech-heavy Nasdaq shed 0.95 percent to 16,240.45. In Seoul, large-cap sto

April 3, 2024

Seoul shares up for 3rd day on tech gains; won at 5-month low

Seoul shares closed higher Tuesday to extend their winning streak to a third day on strong gains in techs amid speculation that strong US data may prod the Federal Reserve to push back its rate-cut timetable. The Korean won tumbled to the lowest in over five months to the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 5.30 points, or 0.19 percent, to close at 2,753.16. Trade volume was heavy at 618.07 million shares worth 12.9 trillion won ($9.5 billion), with decliners outpacin

April 2, 2024

Seoul shares open lower on strong US data

Seoul shares opened lower Tuesday on speculation that stronger than expected data may prod the Federal Reserve to push back its rate-cut timetable. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 10.12 points, or 0.4 percent, to 2,737.74 in the first 15 minutes of trading. The Institute for Supply Management's manufacturing purchasing managers' index released overnight stayed at 50.3 last month, the highest since September 2022 despite a prolonged tightening mode by the Fed. The F

April 2, 2024

Seoul shares up for 2nd day amid revived hopes for US rate cuts

Seoul shares closed higher Monday as US inflation data was in line with market expectations raising hopes that the Federal Reserve may start cutting rates in June at the earliest. The Korean won fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 1.23 points, or 0.04 percent, to close at 2,747.86. Trade volume was slim at 391.77 million shares worth 9.9 trillion won ($7.3 billion), with gainers outpacing losers 573 to 295. Institutions and foreigners bought a combine

April 1, 2024

Seoul shares open higher after US inflation data

Seoul shares opened higher Monday as the US Federal Reserve is expected to await more evidence that inflation is under control before cutting rates this year. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 8.11 points, or 0.3 percent, to 2,754.74 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Fresh inflation data released Friday was in line with the US central bank's expectations. Fed Chair Jerome Powell said it would not be appropriate to cut rates until officials are sure inflation is on track

April 1, 2024

Foreign investors net purchase record amount of S. Korean stocks in Q1

Foreigners net purchased over 15 trillion won worth of local shares in the first three months of the year, breaching the 15 trillion-won mark for the first time in history, data showed Saturday. Foreign investors scooped up a net 15.77 trillion won ($11.7 billion) worth of shares in the first quarter, the highest quarterly figure since the country's main stock exchange KRX began compiling such data in 1998. The previous record was 14.79 trillion won tallied in the third quarter of 2009, acc

March 30, 2024