South Korean shares may gather ground next week as stimulus hopes build up ahead of impending leadership changes in the U.S. and China, analysts said Saturday.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index finished at 1918.72 last week, up 1.4 percent from a week earlier, boosted by improved consumer sentiment in the U.S.Foreign investors purchased a combined net 170 billion won ($155.7 million) worth of shares, while institutional investors purchased a net 130 billion won. Individual investors

South Korea’s total debt in the private and public sectors neared the 3,000 trillion won ($2.75 trillion) mark in the second quarter of this year, spawning concerns that high indebtedness will undercut economic growth, data showed Sunday.Combined debt held by the government, companies and households amounted to 296,2 trillion won as of end-June, accounting for 233.8 percent of the nominal gross domestic product, according to data.The ratio of such debt to the GDP stood at 231.1 percent as of the

South Korea's antitrust watchdog said Sunday it has decided to fine 20 local securities firms a combined 19.2 billion won ($17.6 million) for colluding to fix rates on some small-denomination bonds.The Fair Trade Commission also said it plans to lodge a complaint with the prosecution against six securities firms, including industry leader KDB Daewoo Securities, which are viewed as being deeply involved in the rate-fixing.Korean consumers are required to buy small bonds including national housing

Korean stocks advanced 1.07 percent Friday, cheered by improved U.S. and Chinese economic indicators, analysts said. The local currency rose against the U.S. dollar.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index climbed 20.28 points to finish at 1,918.72. Trading volume was moderate at 434.9 million shares worth 5.46 trillion won ($5 billion) with gainers outpacing losers 518 to 307.“Good economic data in the U.S. and China offset the prolonged eurozone and fiscal cliff risks, though the gain w

LG International, a South Korean trading company, said Friday that it will dispose of its remaining stake in GS Retail Co. to finance its overseas resource exploration and improve its financial health. LG plans to sell its 11.97 percent stake, or 9.21 million shares, in GS Retail, a local convenience chain operator, through a block deal after the close of the local stock market, the company said in a regulatory filing.The stake sale will lower LG’s stake in GS Retail to zero, said LG, the tradin

South Korean stocks opened higher Friday, led by gains in tech and auto shares, analysts said.   The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 19.27 points, or 1.02 percent to 1,917.71 in the first 15 minutes of trading.    Shares gathered ground across the board, with market bellwether Samsung Electronics increasing 1.31 percent and chipmaker SK hynix adding 3.14 percent.   Top auto parts maker Hyundai Mobis gained 1.67 percent and its affiliate Kia Motors added 0.67 percent.   U

South Korean stocks sank 0.71 percent Thursday as investors dumped auto shares on a dim industry outlook in addition to the recent appreciation of the local currency. The Korean won lost against the U.S. dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index retreated 13.62 points to finish at 1,898.44. Trading volume was moderate at 395.6 million shares worth 5.17 trillion won ($4.74 billion) with decliners outpacing gainers 505 to 305. “There are growing negative market prospects about auto s

South Korean stocks closed 0.66 percent higher on institutional buying on Wednesday, despite the market fretting over the U.S. presidential election next week, analysts said. The local currency gathered ground against the U.S. dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index finished up 12.50 points to 1,912.08. Trading volume was moderate at 391.7 million shares worth 3.76 trillion won ($3.44 billion) with gainers outpacing losers 562 to 257. “The new U.S. administration will most likely

South Korea’s central bank on Wednesday warned against an increase in volatility of cross-border capital movements as the prolonged economic slowdown could spark a reversal of foreign funds inflows.A series of credit rating upgrades on Korea and quantitative easing by major central banks are helping more foreign capital flow to into Asia’s fourth-largest economy, making the won appreciate more than 5 percent to the U.S. dollar so far this year.The warning came as risks of a sudden reversal of fo

More than 60,000 Koreans spent more than $20,000 overseas last year despite extended economic slowdow

South Korean stocks started higher on Wednesday, fueled by gains in blue-chip exporters, analysts said.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) increased 0.53 percent, or 10.02 points, to 1909.60 in the first 15 minutes of trading.Shares gathered ground across the board, with market bellwether Samsung Electronics rising 0.46 percent and its smaller rival LG Electronics gaining 0.4 percent. Leading automaker Hyundai Motor climbed 0.67 percent.The U.S. stock market was closed on Tue

South Korean stocks closed 0.43 percent higher Tuesday, driven by foreign and institutional buying amid widening political uncertainties over the U.S. presidential race, analysts said. The local currency rose against the U.S. dollar.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index advanced 8.06 points to finish at 1,899.58. Trading volume as light at 317.6 million shares worth 3.20 trillion won ($2.92 billion) with gainers outstripping losers 485 to 313. “Political uncertainties over how the U.S.