Seoul shares closed nearly flat Monday after an eight-session losing streak, as cooler-than-expected US inflation data buoyed hopes for rate cuts by the Federal Reserve this year. The Korean won fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index edged up 0.94 points, or 0.04 percent, to close at 2,525.99. Trade volume was moderate at 788.29 million shares worth 8.05 trillion won ($6.09 billion), with losers outnumbering gainers 575 to 304. Institutions bought a net 89.73

The National Pension Service, the world’s third-largest pension fund managing assets of around 1,000 trillion won ($757 billion), expanded its holdings in electronic parts manufacturer Samsung Electro-Mechanics, but dumped shares of IT giant Kakao in the September-December period of 2023. The fund owns a 5 percent or greater stake in each of 283 listed companies here as of Wednesday, according to market tracker FnGuide. The shares are valued at 133.83 trillion won, up 4.16 trillion won,

South Korean stocks opened higher Monday as chip and bio shares gained ground. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 5.86 points, or 0.23 percent, to 2,530.91 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Market bellwether Samsung Electronics climbed 1.09 percent, and No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix rose 0.75 percent. Samsung Biologics also added 0.67 percent, and Celltrion climbed 0.66 percent. Auto shares also started in positive terrain, with Hyundai Motor up 0.22 percent and its smaller affil

Financial authorities in South Korea will not review the necessity of exchange-traded funds linked to the spot price of bitcoin after the United States' authorization of such ETFs, a senior official said Sunday. The US Securities and Exchange Commission approved trading of ETFs tied to the spot price of bitcoin last week, in a landmark decision for the cryptocurrency investment. The official at financial authorities said, "The direction has been arranged to see the trend without review

South Korean shares extended their losing streak to eight consecutive sessions Friday, marking the longest losing streak in more than 18 months following stronger than expected inflation in the United States. The Korean won fell slightly against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index lost 15.22 points, or 0.60 percent, to close at 2,525.05. It marked the first time since May 2022 that the Kospi had dropped for eight consecutive sessions. Trade volume was moderate at 772.4

The chief of DGB Financial Group, the holding firm of leading regional lender Daegu Bank, decided to step down from his post Friday after being acquitted of bribery and embezzlement charges tied to the group’s overseas expansion plan this week. After about five years at the helm of the company, DGB Financial Group Chairman Kim Tae-oh, expressed his intent to not to seek a third term. His current two-year term ends in March. “The group needs new leadership capable of achieving sustain

South Korean stocks opened slightly lower Friday amid a prolonged losing streak ahead of the earnings season. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index shed 3.22 points, or 0.13 percent, to 2,537.05 in the first 15 minutes of trading. The Kospi has been on a seven-day losing streak. Large caps traded mixed. Market kingpin Samsung Electronics added 0.55 percent, with No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix gaining 0.29 percent and leading cosmetics firm Amore Pacific adding 0.79 percent. Top drugmaker Cel

South Korean shares closed a tad lower Thursday, extending their losing streak to a seventh consecutive session as investors awaited important US inflation data. The local currency rose against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 1.71 points, or 0.07 percent, to close at 2,540.27. Trade volume was moderate at 740 million shares worth 10.7 trillion won ($8.15 billion), with losers outnumbering gainers 439 to 438. The Kospi had opened in positive terrain, slightly e

South Korea's new trade minister said Thursday he will make efforts to address supply chain risks of the country's key export goods, including chips and batteries. "Major countries are competitively announcing trade policies with a focus on fostering and protecting their industries amid looming protectionism around the globe," Trade Minister Cheong In-kyo said. "Along with the lingering competition between the US and China, there are many factors that disrupt the supply

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

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

E-commerce firms may return to seek better valuations