Seoul shares closed lower Wednesday on ex-dividend date and profit-taking amid lingering concerns over the economic implications of the omicron strain. The local currency rose against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (Kospi) fell 26.95 points, or 0.89 percent, to 2,993.29 points. Trading volume was moderate at about 536.6 million shares worth some 10.8 trillion won (about $9 billion), with decliners outnumbering gainers 439 to 438. Institutions and foreigners sol

South Korean shares opened lower Wednesday as institutional and foreign investors dumped shares on the ex-dividend date. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (Kospi) fell 17.81 points, or 0.59 percent, to 3,002.43 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, Wall Street showed mixed results amid persistent concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.26 percent to 36,398.21, but the tech-focused Nasdaq composite index fell 0.56 percent to 15,781.72

South Korean shares could recede early next year but will gradually pick up speed in robust rebound on upbeat corporate earnings and consumer sentiment, while the home price rise will slow but with room for a moderate hike, market experts here said. 　 The benchmark Kospi -- which hit a record high on July 6 this year at 3,305 amid ample liquidity and pandemic recovery hopes -- could reach as high as 3,480 next year, though it could also dive down as low as 2,710, according to analysts citi

Seoul shares closed higher on Tuesday as foreign and institutional investors scooped up market heavyweights following overnight US gains. The local currency fell against the US dollar. After a choppy session, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (Kospi) went up 20.69 points, or 0.69 percent, to 3,020.24 points. Trading volume was moderate at about 593 million shares worth some 11.9 trillion won ($10.1 billion), with gainers outnumbering losers 524 to 333. Individuals sold a net 1.9

South Korean shares opened lower Tuesday, bucking the overnight advance on Wall Street amid concerns over the spread of the omicron variant. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 5.20 points, or 0.17 percent, to 2,994.35 points in the first 15 minutes of trading. US shares advanced on optimism that the global economy can ride out the COVID-19 pandemic and tightening monetary policy. Overnight, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.98 percent to 36,302.38 and the tech

Seoul shares closed lower Monday on profit taking amid lingering concerns over the spread of the omicron variant. The local currency fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 12.88 points, or 0.43 percent, to 2,999.55 points. Trading volume was moderate at about 462.9 million shares worth some 8.13 trillion won ($6.8 billion), with gainers outnumbering losers 446 to 405. Individuals sold a net 523 billion won worth of stocks, exceeding instituti

Seoul shares opened lower Monday on profit taking amid lingering concerns over the impact of the omicron variant. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 3.62 points, or 0.12 percent, to 3,008.81 points in the first 15 minutes of trading. Individuals and foreigners' stock selling worth a combined 48 billion won ($40 million) exceeded institutions' stock purchases valued at 43 billion won.  Tech and airline stocks were lead decliners.  Market bellwether Samsun

The public and private financial sectors have recently appointed more women for leadership amid their drive to adopt environmental, social and governance values, but the field remains overwhelmingly male. The watchdog Financial Supervisory Service on Wednesday appointed its first “inside” female executive, a turn from its previous moves to hire women for the position from outside institutions including universities. This marked the first of such move in the FSS’ 22-year histo

The Bank of Korea said Friday that it would adjust its monetary policy next year in an announcement seen as preparing for a rate hike to dampen inflation. The BOK, which raised the rate to 1 percent after two rate hikes in August and November this year to prop up the pandemic-hit economy, is expected to lift the rate in January when the bank’s seven-member board meets. BOK Gov. Lee Ju-yeol said he would not rule out a hike in the first quarter. “The financial imbalances -- manifes

The South Korean stock market continued its winning streak to a fourth session Friday amid eased concerns over the impact of the omicron variant on the global economy. The local currency gained ground against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (Kospi) rose 14.26 points, or 0.48 percent, to 3,012.43 points. Trading volume was moderate at about 530 million shares worth some 8.4 trillion won ($7.7 billion), with gainers outnumbering losers 602 to 228. Foreigners bough

Seoul shares opened higher Friday, tracking overnight gains on Wall Street amid eased concerns over global economic growth next year despite the outbreak of omicron virus strain. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (Kospi) rose 26.46 points, or 0.88 percent, to 3,024.63 points in the first 15 minutes of trading. Investor sentiment was buoyed as the omicron variant is highly infectious but less likely to lead to hospitalization. Most stocks advanced across the board. Market bellwe

South Korea’s benchmark Kospi faces a long transition to a bullish rally, during which investors will have to navigate uncertainties complicated by supply bottlenecks, a rate hike and a presidential election, according to Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley. Goldman Sachs cut the Kospi target to 3,350 from 3,700, changing its view on Korean shares from “overweight” to “marketweight,” saying it would be hard to expect market-beating corporate earnings again next year.

The South Korean stock market extended its winning streak to a third session Thursday, buoyed by advances by tech and auto issues. The Korean won rose against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (Kospi) advanced 13.69 points, or 0.46 percent, to close at 2,998.17 points. Trading volume was moderate at about 476 million shares worth some 9.2 trillion won ($7.7 billion), with gainers outnumbering losers 477 to 358. Foreigners bought a net 224 billion won and instituti

South Korean stocks opened slightly higher Thursday, led by advances of auto and chemical heavyweights. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (Kospi) edged up 2.58 points, or 0.09 percent, to trade at 2,987.06 points in the first 15 minutes of trading. Top carmaker Hyundai Motor moved up 1.58 percent and its smaller affiliate Kia added 0.36 percent. Chemical giant LG Chem advanced 0.8 percent, and steelmaker Posco climbed 0.71 percent. Market bellwether Samsung Electronics traded fl

Turnover of South Korea's main bourse plumbed a 19-month low in December as retail investors flee stocks for higher returns, data showed Thursday. The average daily turnover of the KOSPI market stood at slightly over 10 trillion won ($8.39 billion) for 16 trading sessions till Wednesday, according to the data from the Korea Stock Exchange. It was the lowest tally since May 2020, when the daily turnover came to 9.9 trillion won. The figure was also down 15 percent from November and nearly half