Seoul shares opened lower Friday, as traders took a wait-and-see stance amid persistent uncertainties over monetary tightening and global economic outlook. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index shed 6.5 points, or 0.27 percent, to 2,434.83 as of 9:15 a.m. While traders are increasingly looking to less aggressive rate hikes by the US Federal Reserve as inflation data shows signs of slowing, upward momentum in global stock markets is lacking. China's worsening COVID-19 situation is

The Bank of Korea raised its policy rate by 25 basis points Thursday, returning to its usual pace of tightening as growth and credit markets falter in the face of 24-year-high inflation running close to three times the central bank’s 2 percent target. The unanimous decision the seven-member board reached to put the current rate at 3.25 percent -- a rise of 275 basis points since August last year -- underscored the central bank’s commitment to more increases despite their impact on gr

Seoul shares opened higher Thursday as investors await a rate hike decision by the Bank of Korea later in the day. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index had added 18.14 points, or 0.75 percent, to 2,436.15 as of 9:15 a.m. The central bank is widely expected to raise its policy rate by 25 basis points to 3.25 percent, slowing its tightening pace as the economy shows signs of losing momentum. Overnight, US stocks finished higher, buoyed by a dovish stance by US Federal Reserve officials

The latest probe by the Korea Exchange into alleged market manipulation by two foreign investment banks in South Korea is creating friction between the bourse operator and global investment banks, amid Seoul’s push for recognition in the Morgan Stanley Capital International developed market index. According to sources Wednesday, the KRX is looking to fine the Seoul offices of Morgan Stanley and CLSA, a Hong Kong-based investment bank, for having failed to warn investors in advance when a r

Seoul stocks closed higher Wednesday amid expectations that the US Federal Reserve might ease aggressive monetary tightening in the coming months. The Korean won rose against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index gained 12.74 points, or 0.53 percent, to close at 2,418.01. Trading volume was moderate at 466.1 million shares worth 7.37 trillion won ($ 5.4 billion), with gainers outnumbering losers 663 to 215. Foreign investors bought a net 83.3 billion won worth of shares,

Seoul shares opened higher Wednesday, tracking overnight Wall Street gains on eased inflation concerns. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 18.58 points, or 0.77 percent, to 2,423.85 as of 9:15 a.m. Overnight, US stocks finished higher, as investors bet that the US Fed may not take aggressive monetary tightening down the road, with inflation data showing signs of peaking, while shrugging off China's recent upticks in COVID-19 cases and possibility of tightening virus restr

Seoul shares opened slightly higher Tuesday amid escalating woes over China's COVID-19 situations. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 2.86 points, or 0.12 percent, to 2,422.36 as of 9:15 a.m. Investors are paying attention to recent COVID-19 developments in China as Beijing could impose stricter antivirus restrictions, which would wreak havoc on its economy. China is South Korea's top trading partner. Overnight, US stocks fell, weighed down by interest-sensitive tech

South Korea's inflation expectations edged down on-month in November ahead of the Bank of Korea's widely-anticipated rate increase this week aimed at bringing price growth under control, a central bank survey showed Tuesday. Ordinary people predicted that consumer prices will grow 4.2 percent over the next year, down 0.1 percentage point from 4.3 percent surveyed the previous month, according to the poll the BOK conducted early this month. The figures are closely watched as their upwar

South Korea's exports fell 16.7 percent on-year in the first 20 days of November due mainly to weak outbound shipments of chips and mobile devices, data showed Monday. The country's monthly exports stood at $33.2 billion in the Nov. 1-20 period, compared with $39.8 billion a year earlier, according to the data from the Korea Customs Service. Imports also went down 5.5 percent on-year to $37.6 billion during the cited period, resulting in a trade deficit of $4.4 billion. South Korea had

Seoul shares opened lower Monday over woes that the US Federal Reserve may continue its aggressive monetary tightening. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 12.73 points, or 0.5 percent, to 2,431.75 in the first 15 minutes of trading. On Friday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.59 percent to 33,745.69, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite inched up 0.01 percent to 11,146.06. This week, investors await minutes of the most recent Federal Reserve policy meeting to take a cue o

South Korean stocks ended almost flat Friday, weighed down by lingering concerns over the United States' aggressive monetary tightening and a global economic slowdown. The Korean won fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 1.58 points, or 0.06 percent, to close at 2,444.48. Trading volume was moderate at about 579.34 million shares worth some 7.25 trillion won ($5.54 billion), with losers outnumbering gainers 543 to 316. Foreign investors bought 197.

South Korean stocks opened higher Friday, despite overnight losses on Wall Street, on investors' bargain hunting for big-cap tech shares. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index gained 13.76 points, or 0.56 percent, to 2,456.66 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, US shares went down, as St. Louis Federal Reserve President James Bullard said rate hikes so far had "only limited effects on observed inflation" and the Fed's target rate should be up to at least

South Korea plans to draw up a five-year development plan for the country's service industry in line with its efforts to foster new growth engines amid protracted economic challenges, the finance minister said Friday. "Recently, various cultural and entertainment content, such as BTS and 'Squid Game,' have gained popularity around the globe, emerging as new growth and export engines," Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho said during a meeting with economy-related ministers. &q

Brokerages, investors resist fiercely to new tax system, citing stock market losses

South Korea under greater pressure to reduce dependency on China