Imported vehicle sales in South Korea fell 1.3 percent last month from a year earlier due to the end of tax cuts and lack of supplies in some brands, an industry association said Thursday. The number of newly registered imported cars came to 21,138 units in July, down from 21,423 units a year ago, the Korea Automobile Importers & Distributors Association said in a statement. The three bestselling models last month were BMW's 520 sedan, Mercedes-Benz's E 250 sedan and Lexus' ES

South Korean stocks turned lower after starting a tad higher Thursday on tech losses after the downgrading of the US credit rating. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 10.85 points, or 0.41 percent, to 2,605.62 in the first 15 minutes of trading. All three US major stock indexes finished lower Wednesday as investors took profits on monthslong gains after Fitch Ratings downgraded the US credit grade to AA+ from AAA for the first time since 2011, citing "repeated debt limit s

South Korea's foreign reserves increased for a second straight month in July as the US dollar's fall boosted the conversion value of holdings in other currencies and increased investment returns, central bank data showed Thursday. The country's foreign reserves came to $421.80 billion as of end-July, up $350 million from the previous month, according to the data from the Bank of Korea. The dollar's slide last month boosted the converted value of holdings denominated in other

Seoul shares ended sharply lower Wednesday, breaking their four-day winning streak, as the downgrade of the US credit rating stoked investors' concerns. The South Korean won declined against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index retreated 1.9 percent, or 50.6 points, to 2,616.47. Trading volume was heavy at 694.5 million shares worth 15.7 trillion won ($12.1 billion), with decliners outnumbering gainers 652 to 230. The tech-heavy Kosdaq dropped more than 3 percent.

BOK predicts inflation to rebound from August, coming in at 3 percent by year-end

South Korean stocks got off to a weak start Wednesday, tracking overnight Wall Street losses, as most big-cap shares fell across the board. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 12.05 points, or 0.45 percent, to 2,655.02 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Wall Street finished mixed Tuesday as investors took a breather from a monthslong rally ahead of earnings reports from major companies, including Apple Inc. and Amazon.com Inc., and US jobs data. The Dow Jones Industrial Average

South Korean stocks extended their winning streak to a fourth day Tuesday, thanks to advances in techs and autos. The local currency fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index advanced 1.3 percent, or 34.49 points, to 2,667.07. Trading volume was at 483.9 million shares worth 15.7 trillion won ($12.2 billion), with gainers outnumbering decliners 626 to 257. Foreign investors purchased a total of 193.9 billion won worth of shares, and institutions bought a combine

Sluggish chip sales continue to weigh down outbound shipments while car exports soar 15 percent on-year

South Korean stocks got off to a strong start Tuesday, drive by gains in tech and bio shares amid hopes of a soft landing for the US economy. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 15.09 points, or 0.57 percent, to 2,647.67 in the first 15 minutes of trading. All three major US stock indexes finished higher Monday on upbeat corporate earnings. The S&P 500 closed at a 16-month high of around 4,590. In Seoul, IT and bio shares drove up the Kospi, while tech blue chips traded mixe

South Korean stocks closed 0.93 percent higher Monday, after US data signaling cooling inflation fueled investor appetite for risky bets. The local currency rose against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index advanced 24.26 points to 2,632.58. Trading volume was at 447.5 million shares worth 15.5 trillion won ($12.2 billion), with gainers outnumbering decliners 712 to 178. "The slower-than-expected in US personal consumption expenditures price index raised hopes for

Investors suffer painful losses from rising vacancy rates, mounting debt

South Korean stocks got off to a strong start Monday, as US data pointing to a loosening of inflation boosted investor confidence. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 16.91 points, or 0.65 percent, to 2,625.23 in the first 15 minutes of trading. All three US major stock indexes finished higher Friday, after the personal consumption expenditures price index, an inflation gauge favored by the Federal Reserve, showed it rose 3 percent in June from a year earlier, the smallest rise

South Korea's exports of farm and fisheries products fell 3.8 percent on-year in the first half of the year, data showed Monday. Outbound shipments of agricultural and fisheries goods came to $5.95 billion in the January-June period, down from $6.19 billion a year earlier, according to the data by the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp. (aT). Last year's tally marked an all-time high for the first half of any year, and it was the first time that the figure surpassed the $6 bill

Despite upbeat outlook for battery sector, analysts urge caution about price volatility in battery stocks

South Korean stocks ended slightly higher Friday, led by steel shares, as investors took a breather amid concerns over aggressive monetary tightening by major economies and following sessions of great fluctuations in battery shares. The local currency rose against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 4.51 points, or 0.17 percent, to close at 2,608.32, the second consecutive gains. Trading volume was a bit heavy at 495.38 million shares worth 16.5 trillion won ($12