Seoul shares opened lower Monday, bucking gains on Wall Street last week, despite expectations that the Federal Reserve may slow down its monetary tightening mode after key inflation data showed signs of easing. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 3.93 points, or 0.16 percent, to 2,472.93 in the first 15 minutes of trading. On Friday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.3 percent, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite jumped 1.7 percent The personal consumption expenditure pri

South Korean stocks ended markedly higher Friday to extend their winning streak to a fourth session as investors pinned hopes on a turnaround in the global semiconductor sector amid eased fears over the global banking turmoil. The local currency fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 23.7 points, or 0.97 percent, to close at 2,476.86. Trading volume was a bit heavy at 705.36 million shares worth 12.51 trillion won ($9.62 billion), with gainers outpacing

Despite the government’s efforts, Korea failed to join World Government Bond Index, a global benchmark that measures the performance of sovereign bonds. Financial Times Stock Exchange Russell, the index operator of WGBI, announced its Fixed Income Country Classification on Thursday. Korea will remain on the watch list, being placed on hold for its index inclusion until the next decision. Korea, which had been on the watch list, a prerequisite for its potential inclusion, since September,

South Korean stocks opened higher Friday, tracking Wall Street gains overnight, as concerns about turmoil in the global banking sector have eased. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 7.12 points, or 0.29 percent, to 2,460.28 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, US shares rose as investors await the US inflation data to be released later in the day. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.43 percent, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite grew 0.73 percent. In Seoul, top-

Mirae Asset Global Investments announced on Thursday that Global X Japan, its joint investment venture in Japan, surpassed 100 billion yen ($756 million) in assets under management, just two years after launching its first product. Global X Japan is a joint venture established in September of 2019 by Global X Management – a New York-based fund management firm acquired by Mirae Asset Global Investments in 2018 – and Japanese investment company Daiwa Asset Management. It is the only ma

Seoul shares finished higher for a third straight session Thursday, as eased market jitters about the global banking sector have boosted investor sentiment. The Korean won rose against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index advanced 9.24 points, or 0.38 percent, to close at 2,453.16. Trading volume was moderate at about 579 million shares worth some 10.3 trillion won ($7.97 billion), with gainers far outnumbering losers 594 to 276. Institutions and retail investors offl

LG Energy Solution CEO Kwon Young-soo has purchased 1,000 shares of the company’s stock, according to the firm's public disclosure on Thursday. The price for each share during the time of purchase was 572,800 won ($446), bringing the total value to 572.8 million won. The CEO in April last year purchased 1,000 company shares at 420,000 won each. “By consistently purchasing shares of our company, CEO Kwon is enhancing our shareholder value and demonstrating responsible management,

Seoul shares opened flat on Thursday amid easing anxiety about the global banking system. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index moved slightly up 0.65 point, or 0.03 percent, to 2,444.57 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, US stocks closed up, led by tech gains amid improved sentiment about the global banking sector. The S&P 500 went up 1.42 percent, the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 1 percent, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite rose 1.79 percent. In Seoul, most la

KB Financial Group announced Wednesday that it earned the title of the first and only Korean financial firm to receive the top AAA rating on the 2022 MSCI ESG Index -- an index organized by Morgan Stanley Capital International which evaluates companies based on their environmental, social and governance performance. The MSCI ESG Index measures a company’s management of long-term, financially relevant ESG risks and opportunities relative to their peers, according to MSCI. The rating categor

New measure unveiled to spur spending at home, attract 10 million tourists

After years of revamping market policies, Korea likely to join global sovereign bond index in September

Seoul shares finished higher for the second straight session Wednesday as investors' anxiety about the global banking system has eased. The Korean won fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index advanced 8.98 points, or 0.37 percent, to close at 2,443.92. Trading volume was moderate at about 487 million shares worth some 8.6 trillion won ($6.6 billion), with gainers outnumbering losers 553 to 305. Institutions and foreigners bought a net 329 billion won and 6

South Korea's inflation expectations inched down for March despite worries over rising public utility bills, a central bank survey showed Wednesday. Ordinary people expected consumer prices to rise 3.9 percent for the year ahead, down 0.1 percentage point from what was surveyed a month earlier, according to the poll conducted by the Bank of Korea. It followed two straight months of a rise. "While price increases in processed food, dining out and transportation remain high, oil prices h

Government will refrain from cash handouts, Yoon says

Seoul shares rebounded Tuesday from a two-day loss on the back of the eased banking crisis in the wake of tightening monetary policies in major economies. The Korean won rose against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index advanced 25.72 points, or 1.07 percent, to close at 2,434.94 points. Trading volume was moderate at about 516 million shares worth some 8.6 trillion won ($6.6 billion), with gainers outnumbering losers 689 to 190. Institutions bought a net 322 billion wo