South Korean stocks finished sharply lower Tuesday as investors locked in gains after a recent rally. The local currency also fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index lost 22.47 points, or 0.84 percent, to close at 2,657.79, ending a two-day winning streak. On Monday, the index finished at 2,680.26, the highest closing price since May 31, 2022, when it was 2,685.9. Trade volume was heavy at 596.3 million shares worth 9.7 trillion won ($7.2 billion), with losers

South Korean stocks started lower Tuesday as investors hunted for profits following a recent rally. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index retreated 9.74 points, or 0.36 percent, to 2,670.52 in the first 15 minutes of trading. The main bourse soared more than 1 percent Friday and Monday on the back of strong foreign buying. Market heavyweights traded in negative territory across the board. No. 1 memory chipmaker Samsung Electronics fell 0.41 percent, and leading battery maker LG Energy

South Korean stocks rose more than 1 percent higher for the second straight session Monday on the back of a foreign buying spree. The local currency slightly increased against the US greenback. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 31.5 points, or 1.19 percent, to close at 2,680.26, following a 1.34 percent jump Friday. Trade volume was slim at 413.7 million shares worth 9.6 trillion won ($7.2 billion), with gainers beating decliners 617 to 261. Foreigners were net buyers with 60

Transaction volume in commercial real estate falls amid high rates

South Korean stocks got off to a strong start Monday led by gains from tech and auto shares. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index moved up 26.98 points, or 1.02 percent, to 2,675.74 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Market bellwether Samsung Electronics rose 0.82 percent, and major chipmaker SK hynix added 0.07 percent. Kia, the country's No. 2 carmaker, increased 1.73 percent, and its auto parts affiliate Hyundai Mobis jumped 3.25 percent. Top oil refiner SK Innovations climbe

Big five financial firms brace for W20tr in risks stemming from overseas real estate investments

The Financial Supervisory Service announced Sunday an updated plan aimed at providing foreign investors with more English information on financial disclosures, as part of efforts to facilitate foreign investment in Korean companies. The initiative to provide English services commenced in January 2023 following a decision by three of the nation’s financial organizations -- the Financial Services Commission, the FSS and the Korea Exchange. As part of this initiative, the FSS began updating

Seoul shares closed higher Friday, as investors placed their bets on a possible rate cut by the US Federal Reserve and US retail sales fell by a wider margin than expected. The Korean won fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Kospi added 34.96 points, or 1.34 percent, to close at 2,648.76. Trade volume was moderate at 584.7 million shares worth 10 trillion won ($7.5 billion), with decliners outnumbering gainers 627 to 249. Foreign investors were net buyers to the tune of 558.4 billion won, w

Seoul shares opened higher Friday, tracking overnight gains on Wall Street after the US retail sales fell by a wider margin than expected, reviving hopes over the Federal Reserve's rate cuts. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index gained 15.78 points, or 0.6 percent, to 2,629.58 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, the Dow Jones Industrial Average move up 0.91 percent, with the tech-heavy Nasdaq climbing 0.3 percent. The rise came after the US retail sales for January fel

Industry watchers view leveled playing field, government initiatives to uplift activist environment here

Seoul shares closed lower Thursday as investors attempted to cash in recent gains. The Korean won gained against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 6.62 points, or 0.25 percent, to close at 2,613.80. Trade volume was moderate at 607.8 million shares worth 10.25 trillion won ($7.68 billion), with decliners outnumbering gainers 539 to 330. Foreigners and institutions sold stocks worth 14.8 billion won and 49.3 billion won, respectively, while individuals purchased

Shinhan Financial Group Chairman Jin Ok-dong believes that undervalued Korean stocks including his banking group’s shares could gain impetus with the government’s strong drive with its upcoming market revamp program aimed at creating a new investment wave. With the Korean financial authorities set to put forward detailed schemes to iron out deep-seated low valuation of Korean stocks this month, listed companies and investors are paying keen attention to what would be included in th

Seoul shares opened higher Thursday, tracking overnight gains on Wall Street. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index gained 14.7 points, or 0.56 percent, to 2,635.12 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, the US stock market gained ground after a sharp decline the previous day sparked by hotter-than-expected inflation data. Investors have been expecting the US Federal Reserve to start cutting interest rates this year amid hope for eased inflation. But January's consumer pri

Seoul shares snapped a three-session winning streak Wednesday as hotter-than-expected US inflation data for January cooled investor sentiment. The Korean won fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 29.22 points, or 1.1 percent, to close at 2,620.42. Trade volume was moderate at 534.17 million shares worth 9.93 trillion won ($7.4 billion), with decliners outnumbering gainers 509 to 378. Institutions sold a net 535.25 billion won worth of stocks, offsetting

The financial regulator said Wednesday it will unveil a set of guidelines on public disclosures for investments that commit to environmental, social and governance goals in March or April, the financial regulator said Wednesday. The new standards, however, will continue to be subject to changes until their implementation in 2026 or later, according to Kim So-young, vice chairman of the Financial Services Commission. "Considering that discussions of ESG disclosures are being delayed in other