Central bank cuts economic growth rate for 2024, considering slowdown in Chinese economy

The Bank of Korea on Thursday kept its policy rate unchanged at 3.5 percent, holding it for the fifth consecutive time since February. Recent economic indicators show inflation could rebound within this year as the base effect from last year’s dip in international oil prices wears off. Oil prices have been on the rise recently, too, adding to the growing inflationary pressure on the Korean economy, which heavily dependent on energy imports. Chinese deflation and default risks from its real

Seoul shares opened more than 1 percent higher Thursday, tracking overnight tech gains on Wall Street, amid expectations the Bank of Korea is likely to freeze its policy rate later in the day. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 27.09 points, or 1.08 percent, to 2,532.59 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Wall Street finished higher Wednesday, with the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite rallying 1.59 percent ahead of the release of Nvidia's earnings results. The Dow Jones Industr

Seoul shares ended lower Wednesday as investors await US chip giant Nvidia Corp.'s earnings results and comments from the US Federal Reserve on its monetary policy. The Korean won fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index declined 10.24 points, or 0.41 percent, to close at 2,505.50. Trading volume was moderate at 535.96 million shares worth 8.35 trillion won ($6.2 billion), with losers outnumbering gainers 503 to 367. Overnight, US stocks ended mixed, with

South Korea's business sentiment fell to the lowest level in six months in August amid continued uncertainties over the economy and monetary tightening here and abroad, a central bank poll showed Wednesday. Manufacturers' business sentiment index for August came to 67, down from 72 tallied for the previous month, according to the survey by the Bank of Korea. The index marks the lowest since February this year, when the comparable reading was 63. The index measures corporate prospects f

Corporate direct financing in South Korea contracted 32.8 percent in July from the previous month, data showed Wednesday. Local companies raised a combined 16.07 trillion won ($12.03 billion) by selling stocks and bonds last month, down 7.85 trillion won from June, according to the Financial Supervisory Service. Direct financing refers to raising funds directly from the stock and bond markets without borrowing from banks and other financial institutions. Stock sales shot up 58.6 percent on-month

Seoul shares opened lower Wednesday as investors await US chipmaking giant Nvidia Corp.'s earnings results. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 5.0 points, or 0.2 percent, to 2,510.74 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, Wall Street closed mixed, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling 0.51 percent but the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite inching up 0.06 percent. Nvidia's earnings results will likely have broader implications for stock markets as the tech st

Foreigners seeking to make real estate investments in South Korea are now obligated to hire a local entrusted manager if they don’t have a permanent residential address here, officials said Tuesday. Foreign investors who have resided in Korea for more than 90 days -- considered long-term residents -- must also submit detailed documents backing up their home address here. The latest changes in the nation’s real estate laws are part of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport

South Korean stocks closed slightly higher Tuesday but spent most of the session giving back their early tech gains. The Korean won went up against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 6.94 points, or 0.28 percent, to close at 2,515.74. Trading volume was slim at 462.1 million shares worth 9.05 trillion won ($6.77 billion), with losers outnumbering gainers 498 to 373. Offshore investors and institutions bought a net combined 46.92 billion won worth of shares, whil

South Korean stocks opened sharply higher Tuesday on tech gains. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 17.3 points, or 0.69 percent, to 2,526.1 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, Wall Street closed mixed, with the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite rallying 1.56 percent and the S&P 500 rising 0.69 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 0.11 percent. US chipmaker Nvidia, which has spurred the artificial intelligence boom this year, sharply rose 8.3 percent ahe

South Korean shares broke six consecutive days of losses Monday, as China's interest rate cut helped ease market jitters over the country's financial sector and its overall economy. The local currency fell to the lowest level against the US dollar in almost nine months. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index gained 4.3 points, or 0.17 percent, to finish at 2,508.8. Trading volume was slim at 393.37 million shares worth 8.39 trillion won ($6.24 billion), with gainers slightly o

South Korean stocks opened higher Monday amid fears of a US rate hike and China's economic concerns. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 9.6 points, or 0.38 percent, to 2,514.1 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Investor sentiment has been weighed down after China's heavily indebted property developer Evergrande Group filed for bankruptcy protection in the United States last week. Concerns are also lingering over a possible rate hike push by the US Federal Reserve, w

South Korea's exports fell 16.5 percent on-year in the first 20 days of August due to sluggish shipments of chips and petroleum products, data showed Monday. The country's outbound shipments reached $27.9 billion in the Aug. 1-20 period, compared with $33.3 billion tallied a year earlier, according to the data from the Korea Customs Service. Imports fell 27.9 percent on-year to $31.4 billion during the period, resulting in a trade deficit of $3.6 billion. South Korea's exports fel

No immediate turnaround in slowing exports despite efforts to derisk from China

South Korean stocks fell for the sixth consecutive session Friday to a three-month low on concerns about the Federal Reserve's continued push for aggressive monetary tightening and risks in the Chinese property sector and the broader economy. The local currency rose against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index shed 15.35 points, or 0.61 percent, to close at 2,504.50. It was the lowest level since May 18, when the Kospi ended at 2,515.4. Trading volume was moderate