South Korean listed firms’ debt ratio fell in the first nine months of this year as their current assets grew faster than liabilities, data showed Monday. The average debt ratio for 609 of 700 companies listed on the Seoul main bourse came to 78.18 percent at the end of September, down 1.87 percentage points from the end of last year, according to the data compiled by the Korea Exchange.The debt ratio measures a firm’s total debt to its total assets, representing a company’s level of financial r

South Korea’s national pension fund is expected to receive at least 930 billion won ($847 million) in dividends this year from companies that it invests in, some of which are planning to jack up dividend payouts for the year, data showed on Monday.According to financial information provider FnGuide, the National Pension Service will pocket dividends from 274 companies in which it holds a stake of more than 5 percent.Samsung Electronics Co., the country’s top market cap, is expected to deliver up

South Korea's national pension fund is expected to receive at least 930 billion won (US$847 million) in dividends this year from companies that it invests in, some of which are planning to jack up dividend payouts for the year, data showed on Monday.According to financial information provider FnGuide, the National Pension Service (NPS) will pocket dividends from 274 companies in which it holds a stake of more than 5 percent.Samsung Electronics Co., the country's top market cap, is expected to de

The South Korean chief financial regulator said Sunday that he will remove hurdles to the fast-growing financial technology (fintech) and fully support the sector to refresh the country's long-sluggish financial industry."I will change the paradigm of regulation on fintech," Financial Services Commission (FSC) Chairman Shin Je-yoon said to a group of reporters. "I will minimize pre-registering requirements, and at the same time clarify liability and maximize consumer protection and information s

South Korean stocks closed 1.71 percent higher Friday, snapping a four-session slump as Samsung Group affiliate shares rallied, analysts said. The local currency slipped against the U.S. dollar.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index soared 32.48 points to 1,929.98. Trading volume was moderate at 261.4 million shares worth 4.2 trillion won ($3.8 billion).“Given that external circumstances have not changed much, it seems that there was a Cheil Industries effect, with other Samsung shares

South Korea’s financial market has been relatively insulated from global financial instability originating in Russia compared to other emerging countries, market data showed Thursday.The benchmark KOSPI dropped 3.9 percent in the first 16 days of December, placing South Korea 11th among 35 major economies in terms of decline in stock price indices, according to the data.Russia’s stock market nosedived 37.2 percent over the cited period, as a sharp drop in oil prices coupled with crippling Wester

South Korea's financial market has been relatively insulated from global financial instability originating in Russia compared to other emerging countries, market data showed Thursday.   The benchmark KOSPI dropped 3.9 percent in the first 16 days of December, placing South Korea 11th among 35 major economies in terms of decline in stock price indices, according to the data.  Russia's stock market nosedived 37.2 percent over the cited period, as a sharp drop in oil prices coupled with crippling W

South Korean lenders are expected to lower their household loan targets for next year as growing household debt is feared to heighten credit risks, industry sources said Tuesday.   Nonghyup Bank, which saw household debt grow 6.9 percent in the first 11 months of the year, set its target for next year at 3.3 percent amid views that household debt growth will slow in 2015 amid a sagging property market and slowing economic growth.   Demand for household loans has been climbing in Asia's fourth-la

The South Korean won suffered a choppy session on Monday before advancing against the U.S. dollar.The local currency finished at 1,099.10 per dollar, up 4.0 won from the previous session’s close, moving in lockstep with the yen’s rise against the greenback. The closing price marks the highest since Nov. 27 when the comparable figure was 1,098.40 won.Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe won a landslide victory in a weekend election, which means that the Abe government may push for further monetary e