Korean stocks are projected to move in a narrow range this week, with a global oil price hike and a weak yen to remain as wary factors that may weigh on the key index, analysts said. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index shed 0.80 percent to close at 2,018.30 last week from a week earlier, as investor sentiment was dampened by China’s lower growth target at 7.5 percent for this year. The KOSPI had dropped as much as to the 1,970 range after the private creditors in Greece were reported

Samsung targets Asian markets; KB seeks growth at homeSamsung Life and KB Financial Group may seek to form a strategic alliance if ING Group’s Asia-Pacific unit goes up for sale, market observers said.Analysts have said the two financial companies are not competitors as Samsung and KB target different units ― overseas and local, respectively.ING Group’s project to sell its Asia-Pacific operations coincides with Samsung Life Insurance’s strategies for global expansion.Under the reported instructi

The small cars premiering at the Geneva Motor Show last week were not the boxy fuel-savers of yesteryear.European automakers have downsized SUVs and put all the luxury they can into premium subcompacts as they seek to dazzle consumers back into confidence after years of crisis.European manufacturers are facing one of their toughest seasons yet. Unemployment and austerity measures have made consumers in Europe skittish, factories are idle, and yet there is little automakers can do to close plants

Mercedes-Benz unveiled a radical redesign of its A-Class vehicles on Tuesday, the first in a series of facelifts for the German luxury automaker’s fleet. The sleek, sporty look of the new A-Class contrasts sharply with its dowdy predecessor, favored by the over-50s since it was launched more than a decade ago. “We’re looking for younger and more female customers,” said Dr Dieter Zetsche, the chief executive officer of Mercedes’ parent company Daimler. The customer reaction so far had been positi

The value of securities held by Samsung Electronics chairman Lee Kun-hee has exceeded the 10 trillion won ($8.9 billion) mark for the first time, setting a new record in Korea’s stock market.According to Chaebul.com on Sunday, stakes held by the nation’s richest entrepreneur came in at 10.1 trillion

Police said Saturday they have questioned an employee of Samsung C&T Corp. for allegedly conducting an illegal surveillance on the chief of CJ Group, amid a growing feud over the family inheritance fight over Samsung, South Korea's biggest conglomerate. The summons came as CJ Group sued the 42-year-

Seoul police said Saturday they questioned an employee of Samsung Construction and Trading (C&T) over allegations of tailing the CJ Group Chairman, who is in an inheritance legal battle with his younger brother, Samsung Group Chairman Lee Kun-hee.The summons came as CJ Group sued the 42-year-old Sam

Prosecutors have secured witnesses that Hyundai Motor Group bribed eight former lawmakers of then ruling liberal party in 2006 while its chairman was on trial over bribery charges, according to prosecution sources Saturday.The special investigation team delving into the savings bank scandal said Kim

South Korean stocks closed 0.88 percent higher Friday, as Greece finally settled on its long-pending debt swap plan to restructure its troubled fiscal health, analysts said. The local currency rose against the U.S. dollar.The benchmark gained 17.54 points to finish at 2,018.30. Trading volume was moderate at 406.4 million shares worth 5.31 trillion won ($4.76 billion) with gainers outpacing decliners 442 to 349. “Since the Greece deal has made a breakthrough, there’s no particular external facto

Hansol EME, an affiliate of Hansol Group, said Friday that it inked an acquisition deal with industrial boiler technology firm SeenTec Co. to dive into the power plant business and secure a new growth engine.The company, specializing in integrated plant projects, signed an agreement with SeenTec this week to acquire a 34.17 percent stake, taking over 3.3 million of its shares worth $33 million in total, according to its officials.The event takes place as the power plant business is projected to

Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Motors Corp. were named the most fuel efficient and environmentally-friendly carmakers by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, outperforming rivals such as Toyota Motor Corp.In the EPA’s annual report “Light-Duty Automotive Technology, Carbon Dioxide Emissions and Fuel Economy Trends,” Hyundai and Kia cars for the model year 2010 showed the highest average fuel economy of 27 miles per gallon, or 11.5 kilometers per liter.The two Korean automakers were tied for firs