Sales of derivatives-linked securities in South Korea fell in the third quarter, as investor sentiment weakened on bearish markets, data showed Friday. The combined value of equity-linked securities and derivatives-linked securities issued in the quarter came to 13.2 trillion won ($10.1 billion), down 3.1 trillion won from a quarter ago, according to the data from the Financial Supervisory Service. The products are structured to track the performance of underlying assets, not guarantee the princ

South Korea's fiscal deficit is projected to rise to nearly 4 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) next year, the finance ministry said Thursday. The managed fiscal balance, a key gauge of fiscal health calculated on stricter terms, is expected to post a deficit of 91.6 trillion won ($70.19 billion) in 2024, or 3.9 percent of the country's GDP, according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance. The amount was 400 billion won smaller than what the government expected earlier, as the N

The National Assembly on Thursday passed the government budget for 2024 amounting to 656.6 trillion won ($502 billion). The final package showed a 2.8 percent gain from that of last year’s, marking the smallest on-year increase for the government budget. It was down 300 billion won from the government proposal of 656.9 trillion won submitted in September. The government's fiscal soundness will continue to face challenges next year, as the proposed tax revenue stands at 612.2 trillion

The South Korean government will raise the threshold for major shareholders' capital gains tax to those holding 5 billion won ($3.83 million) worth of stocks from the current 1 billion won, the Finance Ministry announced Thursday. The Ministry of Finance will revise the capital gains tax regulation in the Enforcement Decree of the Income Tax Act. As it falls under an enforcement ordinance, the government does not have to earn approval from the National Assembly. Korea currently levies capit

Rise of stablecoins threatens central banks; privacy concerns remain a challenge

South Korean stocks finished lower Thursday as investors took profit following a five-session winning streak and overnight US losses. The local currency fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index dropped 14.28 points, or 0.55 percent, to close at 2,600.02. Trade volume was moderate at 569.4 million shares worth 9.31 trillion won ($7.14 billion), with losers outpacing winners 616 to 257. On Wednesday, the Kospi rose 1.78 percent to close at 2,614.30, its highest p

Local banks rolled out 2 trillion won ($1.53 billion) in cash funding to relieve individuals and small businesses having trouble paying back loans or debts amid the prolonged economic downturn. The measure comes in a month since the commercial banking sector and the financial authorities put their heads together to find means to reduce the burden for small companies and share the banks' profit gained from excessive interest rate. The biggest part of the new plan is the 1.6 trillion won inte

South Korea will loosen rules on the capital gains tax for stock investors in an effort to prevent a possible year-end selling spree and the subsequent market chaos, the finance ministry said Thursday. The country currently levies the tax on shareholders who own stocks worth more than 1 billion won ($766,812), but the government decided to raise the threshold to 5 billion won, according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance. "The measure was in consideration of the recent capital market si

South Korean stocks opened lower Thursday as investors unloaded shares following the five-session winning streak and overnight Wall Street losses. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 8.02 points, or 0.31 percent, to 2,606.28 in the first 15 minutes of trading. On Wednesday, the Kospi soared 1.78 percent to close at 2,614.30, its highest point since Sept. 15. US stocks fell overnight, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipping 1.27 percent and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite

South Korean stocks closed higher for the fifth-straight session Wednesday and at the highest in over three months amid expectations that the US Federal Reserve will start its rate-cutting cycle next year. The local currency rose against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index gained 45.75 points, or 1.78 percent, to close at 2,614.30, the highest since September 15 when the comparable figure was 2,601.28. Trade volume was moderate at 559.4 million shares worth 11.02 trill

South Korean stocks got off to a bullish start Wednesday in line with overnight gains on Wall Street. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index climbed 18.84 points, or 0.73 percent, to 2,587.39 in the first 15 minutes of trading. US stock indexes gained ground overnight, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average rising 0.68 percent and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite edging up 0.66 percent, as last week's dovish policy pivot by the Federal Reserve continued to stoke upward market momentu

South Korean stocks closed slightly higher Tuesday tracking overnight Wall Street gains and on expectations the US Federal Reserve will start its rate-cutting cycle. The local currency fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index gained 1.69 points, or 0.07 percent, to close at 2,568.55. Trade volume was light at 364.2 million shares worth 8.06 trillion won ($6.16 billion). Losers, however, outpaced winners 523 to 361. Overnight, the S&P 500 gained 0.5 percent

South Korean stocks opened lower Tuesday despite overnight gains on Wall Street due to foreign and institutional sell-offs. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 9.17 points, or 0.36 percent, to 2,557.69 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, the S&P 500 gained 0.5 percent to continue its weekslong rally and the Nasdaq 100 climbed 0.6 percent to hit a record high for the second consecutive session. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed flat. In Seoul, most of the big

Balance of five major commercial lenders’ related fund products surpass W750b

Industry Minister nominee Ahn Duk-geun said Monday he will focus on securing key industrial materials to safeguard local industries from global supply chain disruptions. "I will promptly stabilize issues surrounding the supply chain and further solidify the latest signs of export recovery," Ahn told reporters, a day after President Yoon Suk Yeol announced his nomination. "I will also bolster energy security, the most critical pillar of fostering cutting-edge industries, and enhanc