Korea’s base rate kept for over 18 months, setting record for longest freeze ever

South Korea's exports jumped 33.8 percent on-year in the first 10 days of July on strong global demand for semiconductors, data showed Thursday. Outbound shipments reached $17.75 billion in the July 1-10 period, compared with $13.26 billion tallied a year earlier, according to the data from the Korea Customs Service. Per-day exports also gained 10.2 percent on-year to $2.09 billion. Imports grew 26.7 percent on-year to $19.7 billion during the period, resulting in a trade deficit of $2 bill

Seoul shares opened higher Thursday as Wall Street rallied after Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said the central bank will not wait until inflation "gets all the way down to 2 percent" for a rate cut. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index jumped 27.35 points, or 0.95 percent, to 2,895.29 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite and the S&P 500 rose to record highs. The Dow Jones Industrial Average also increased 1.09 percent.

Seoul shares closed nearly flat Wednesday as investors sat on the sidelines ahead of the release of the latest US inflation data that may give more clues on future rate directions. The local currency fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index inched up 0.61 points, or 0.02 percent, to 2,867.99. Trade volume was moderate at 459 million shares worth 11.2 trillion won ($8 billion), with losers outnumbering gainers 432 to 423. Foreigners sold a net 599 billion won, w

Nuveen, the investment manager of the US Teachers Insurance Annuity Association with $1.2 trillion in assets under management, is seeking to broaden its investor base in the Korean market from big institutions to retail investors by launching funds to invest in unlisted medium-sized companies. Retail investors are now seeking unconventional opportunities in the alternative market to expand their portfolios beyond their typical investment vehicles, such as stocks and bonds. Chang Jae-ho, Nuveen&#

Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok said Wednesday that the government will devise measures to increase housing supply if needed, as South Korea has seen growing volatility in the real estate market. "Volatility has risen in the real estate market as housing prices have gone up in Seoul and some adjacent regions, though overall industry indices remain stable," Choi said during a meeting of economy-related ministers in Seoul on the day. "The government will enhance the monitoring of the

Seoul shares opened lower Wednesday, as investors sat on the sidelines after Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell fell short of offering more details on the path of the Fed's rate policy. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 5.96 points, or 0.21 percent, to 2,861.42 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite and the S&P 500 rose to record highs, although the Dow Jones Industrial Average edged down 0.13 percent. During his congression

Seoul shares closed slightly higher Tuesday as investors awaited a congressional testimony by Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell this week. The local currency gained against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 9.62 points, or 0.34 percent, to 2,867.38. Trade volume was moderate at 443.2 million shares worth 10.8 trillion won ($7.83 billion), with gainers outnumbering losers 453 to 406. Foreigners bought a net 313 billion won, while individuals offloaded a net

Revival of Trump's “America First” economic policies would drag Korean stocks down, weaken won, says expert

South Korea's trade ministry announced Tuesday that it has launched the first round of negotiations with Thailand to seek an Economic Partnership Agreement aimed at bolstering bilateral trade and investment. The South Korean delegation, led by Deputy Minister for FTA Negotiations Roh Keon-ki, plans to discuss related matters with his counterpart, Chotima Iemsawasdikul, in Bangkok through Thursday, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. An EPA is intended to establish a mut

Seoul shares opened higher Tuesday, tracking overnight gains on Wall Street buoyed by technology shares. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index gained 10 points, or 0.35 percent, to 2,867.76 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite and the S&P 500 rose to hit record highs as investors scooped up technology shares, including Apple and Nvidia. Investors have been waiting for Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell's congressional testimony and

More than 90% of surveyed firms say they plan to maintain or expand investment plans

Seoul shares closed lower to snap their three-day rise Monday as investors moved to lock in profits. The local currency fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 4.47 points, or 0.16 percent, to 2,857.76. Trade volume was moderate at 420.2 million shares worth 9.8 trillion won ($7.1 billion), with gainers outnumbering losers 518 to 344. The Kospi declined as retail investors and institutions sold shares worth 184.2 billion won and 347.6 billion won, respect

Korea International Trade Association Chairman Yoon Jin-sik (right) receives a proclamation award celebrating the opening of KITA's new office in Dallas from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott during a business luncheon in Seoul on Monday. During the event, Yoon highlighted Korean companies’ contributions to the Texan economy in various areas, including steel, energy and semiconductors. Abbott called for close collaboration between Korean businesses and the US state for mutually beneficial econ

LG Energy Solution Ltd., South Korea's leading battery maker, said Monday its second-quarter operating profit plunged 58 percent from a year earlier due to slowing sales of electric vehicles. Operating profit for the three months ended in June is estimated to have plummeted to 195.3 billion won ($142 million) from 460.6 billion won in the same period of last year, LGES said in a statement. "Decreased lithium and other metal prices weighed on EV battery prices, and lower demand from aut