South Korean shares opened nearly flat Thursday as the country's central bank was set to hold a rate setting meeting later in the day. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 1.16 points, or 0.05 percent, to 2,543.14 in the first 15 minutes of trading. The Bank of Korea was scheduled to hold its monetary policy meeting later in the day, where it was widely expected to keep its key rate frozen for the eighth consecutive time. Investors are also awaiting the release of the US in

South Korean shares closed lower for the sixth consecutive session Wednesday as investors awaited US inflation data. The local currency lost ground against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index dipped 19.26 points, or 0.75 percent, to close at 2,541.98. Trade volume was moderate at 555.7 million shares worth 8.46 trillion won ($6.4 billion), with losers outnumbering gainers 536 to 338. The Kospi stayed in negative terrain throughout the day, tracking overnight losses on

South Korean shares opened lower Wednesday, tracking overnight losses on Wall Street. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index shed 4.34 points, or 0.17 percent, to 2,556.90 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, the Dow Jones industrial average lost 0.42 percent while the tech-heavy Nasdaq added 0.09 percent. In Seoul, large caps traded mixed. Market bellwether Samsung Electronics slipped 0.13 percent while No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix lost 0.87 percent. Leading drug maker Celltrion

South Korean shares closed lower Tuesday for a fifth consecutive session as institutions continued their selling spree. The local currency slightly rose against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index shed 6.58 points, or 0.26 percent, to close at 2,561.24. Trade volume was moderate at 782.4 million shares worth 8.76 trillion won ($6.66 billion), with gainers outpacing loser 573 to 288. The Kospi stayed in positive terrain throughout the session following overnight gains o

The head of the country's financial regulator insisted Tuesday that a debt workout program requires support for more than just debt payment, as creditors call for ailing builder Taeyoung to present more self-rescue measures for the start of a debt restructuring program. Lee Bok-hyun, chief of the Financial Supervisory Service, also highlighted the need for the troubled firm to do its utmost to help itself. "Considering wide support for not only the debt of a debtor but also indirect li

South Korean stocks opened higher Tuesday, tracking overnight gains on Wall Street. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 18.64 points, or 0.73 percent, to 2,586.46 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed up 0.58 percent, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq jumped 2.2 percent. In Seoul, most large caps were trading higher across the board. Market bellwether Samsung Electronics gained 0.26 percent, with No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix surging 1.76 p

South Korea logged a current account surplus for the seventh straight month in November on the back of an increased trade surplus, central bank data showed Tuesday. The country's current account surplus reached $4.06 billion in November, narrowing from the surplus of $6.8 billion the previous month, according to preliminary data from the Bank of Korea. November's surplus came as the country's trade balance has remained in the black for eight consecutive months. The country's

E-commerce firms may return to seek better valuations

Seoul shares ended lower for a fourth straight day Monday as investors sat on the sidelines ahead of the release of major US economic data, which will give clues on the Federal Reserve's monetary policy direction. The Korean won fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index lost 10.26 points, or 0.4 percent, to close at 2,567.82. Trade volume was slim at 313.6 million shares worth 6.7 trillion won ($5.1 billion), with losers outpacing winners 500 to 358. Instit

The new industry minister on Monday vowed to move "proactively" to address protectionism measures from major trade partners, as the country focuses on maintaining export recovery momentum. "We should respond proactively against trade measures from the European Union, China and the United States, and remove export-related hurdles in areas including finance, marketing and certification, to pave the way for exporters," Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun said during his inauguration

South Korean stocks opened higher Monday as big-cap technology shares gained ground. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index gained 9.90 points, or 0.38 percent, to 2,587.98 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Market bellwether Samsung Electronics climbed 0.91 percent, while No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix fell 0.51 percent. Leading battery maker LG Energy Solution added 0.48 percent, while its smaller rival Samsung SDI shed 0.56 percent. IT stocks were bullish, with internet portal operator Na

The National Pension Service is expected to have logged over 12 percent in returns in 2023, marking its highest-ever yield. According to news reports Friday, the state pension fund may have registered its highest profit since the National Pension Service Investment Management was founded in 1999. “We cannot confirm the exact figures as a regulatory filing has not been made yet. The exact numbers are to be released in late February,” an official from the NPS said. However, seeing th

Seoul shares ended lower for a third straight day Friday, after robust employment data weighed on expectations for an early rate cut by the Federal Reserve this year. The Korean won fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 8.94 points, or 0.35 percent, to close at 2,578.08. The Kospi has fallen 2.9 percent this week. Trade volume was moderate at 514.78 million shares worth 8.27 trillion won ($6.28 billion), with losers outpacing winners 515 to 343. Overnig

The government will extend intensive policy support to bring inflation down below 3 percent in the first half of 2024 as prices are projected to ease slower than expected, the finance ministry said Friday. "Inflation is expected to moderate gradually to stay around 3 percent in the first half of this year. The government will maintain the intensive price stabilization scheme involving all ministries' concerns to achieve the 2 percent level at an early date," First Vice Finance Min

Seoul shares ended lower for a second straight day Thursday, after the latest Fed minutes indicated interest rates will remain at a high level for some time. The Korean won fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 20.29 points, or 0.78 percent, to close at 2,587.02. Trade volume was moderate at 761.45 million shares worth 8.84 trillion won ($6.8 billion), with losers outpacing winners 614 to 277. Institutions sold a net 800 billion won worth of stocks, out