South Korean stocks got off to a strong start Thursday on hopes for the US Federal Reserve's possible rate cut after slower-than-expected inflation in the world's largest economy. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index gained 35.69 points, or 1.31 percent, to 2,766.03 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, the US stock market closed at record highs, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average rising 0.88 percent and the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite jumping 1.4 percent. The la

By Steve Brice From a very young age, we are taught that if you want to get better at something, then you need to expend time and effort to learn the necessary skills. We are also taught that you should focus on areas that you are going to make the biggest impact. When it comes to maximizing your financial position in life, the best way is to focus on your career and adopt a simple approach to investing i.e. regularly invest into a diversified portfolio regardless of what videos you see on TikTo

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (fourth from left, front row) greets a Korean business delegation at his office in Tokyo on Monday. The meeting was held ahead of the 56th Korea-Japan Business Conference, hosted by the Korea-Japan Economic Association, where some 210 business leaders from the two countries discussed measures to expand bilateral economic ties and promote mutual exchanges. From left in the front row are Hyosung Group Chairman Cho Hyun-joon, Korean Ambassador to Japan Yoon Deo

South Korean stocks ended slightly higher Tuesday as investors took a wait-and-see stance ahead of US inflation data expected to affect the US Federal Reserve's rate-setting decision. The Korean won dropped against the US greenback. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index went up 3.13 points, or 0.11 percent, to 2,730.34. Trade volume was slim at 436.6 million shares worth 9.3 trillion won ($6.79 billion), with gainers outpacing decliners 526 to 342. Foreign investors and institutio

South Korean stocks opened almost flat Tuesday as investors awaited a key US inflation report set to be released later this week. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index gained 0.51 point, or 0.02 percent, to 2,727.72 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, the S&P 500 closed almost flat, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.2 percent. The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite gained 0.3 percent. Investors' eyes are on the US Consumer Price Index data for April due out Wed

South Korea's import prices rose for a fourth consecutive month in April due to an increase in oil prices and the Korean won's decline against the US dollar, central bank data showed Tuesday. The import price index rose 3.9 percent last month from a month earlier following a 0.5 percent on-month gain the previous month, according to the preliminary data from the Bank of Korea. From a year earlier, prices also rose 2.9 percent last month following a 0.5 percent on-year decline the previ

South Korean stocks ended almost flat Monday as investors were cautious ahead of the release of US inflation data set to be released later this week. The Korean won fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 0.42 point, or 0.02 percent, to 2,727.21. Trade volume was slightly heavy at 614.2 million shares worth 12.9 trillion won ($9.4 billion), with losers outpacing winners 481 to 380. Last week, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained ground for the fourth c

South Korean stocks opened higher Monday while investors remained watchful over mixed signals for the US Federal Reserve's future monetary policy. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 9.42 points, or 0.35 percent, to 2,737.05 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Last week, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained ground for the fourth consecutive week, and the S&P 500 and the tech-heavy Nasdaq posted increases for the third straight week. But on Friday, Wall Street closed

The reliance on bank loans among self-employed South Koreans has surged considerably since the onset of the pandemic, with the overall loan volume and the default rate rising steeply in the past four years. According to data from the nation's major credit ratings firm Nice, provided to Rep. Yang Kyung-sook of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, the outstanding loans to self-employed individuals from local financial institutions totaled 1,112.74 trillion won ($811 billion) as of t

Seoul shares ended higher Friday after the latest jobs data supported the case for US rate cuts this year. The Korean won rose against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 15.49 points, or 0.57 percent, to close at 2,727.63. The main index has risen 1.9 percent this week. Trading volume was moderate at 568.36 million shares worth 11.07 trillion won ($8.09 billion), with gainers outpacing losers 489 to 365. The number of US unemployment claims jumped last week to th

Seoul shares opened higher Friday, tracking gains on Wall Street, after weekly US jobless claims data offered fresh hope for the Federal Reserve's rate cuts this year. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 28.15 points, or 1.04 percent, to 2,740.29 in the first 15 minutes of trading. The number of US jobless claims jumped last week to the highest level in more than eight months, renewing hopes for the Fed's rate cuts. Overnight, the Dow Jones Industrial Average increased

South Korea's chief financial regulator, Financial Supervisory Service Governor Lee Bok-hyun, said the agency plans to conclude its ongoing investigation into illegal short selling by the end of the year. He made the statement during a meeting with a group of reporters on Thursday. "We've completed investigations into some companies and made significant progress with three others. About five companies remain, and, if possible, our goal is to wrap up the investigation by the end of

South Korean shares declined by more than 1 percent Thursday as investors remained concerned over the future course of the US key rates ahead of the release of inflation data next week. The local currency fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 32.91 points, or 1.2 percent, to close at 2,712.14. Trading volume was moderate at 413 million shares worth 10.9 trillion won ($7.95 billion), with losers outpacing gainers 531 to 355. Foreign investors offloaded a

President Yoon Suk Yeol on Thursday expressed a strong willingness to rescind the introduction of capital gains taxes on financial investment incomes, asserting the legislation would bring massive outflow of funds from the country’s capital market. “Not only is the understanding of 14 million retail investors at stake, but if the capital market collapses and fails to function properly, it will have a significant impact on the real economy,” Yoon said during a press conference m

South Korean shares opened nearly flat Thursday as investors sat on the sidelines ahead of the release of the U.S. consumer price index next week. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index edged down 1.9 points, or 0.07 percent, to 2,743.15 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Investors remained cautious ahead of the release of the U.S. inflation data amid a mixed forecast over the future course of the Federal Reserve's key rates. Federal Reserve Bank of Boston President Susan Collins