South Korean stocks got off to a bullish start Friday in line with overnight gains on Wall Street. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index climbed 8.68 points, or 0.33 percent, to 2,608.70 in the first 15 minutes of trading. US stock indexes gained ground overnight, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average rising 0.87 percent and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite adding 1.26 percent amid continued hopes that the Federal Reserve would ease its monetary policy. In Seoul, blue chips traded highe

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

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

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

South Korean stocks opened lower Monday as investors opted to cash in recent gains amid hopes for the Federal Reserve's rate cuts next year. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 0.60 point, or 0.02 percent, to 2,562.96 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Last week, the Fed kept its rates unchanged and hinted at possible cuts for 2024. Leading tech giant Samsung Electronics fell 0.41 percent, and No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix also lost 0.50 percent. Top carmaker Hyundai Motor also

South Korean stocks closed higher Friday amid expectations the U.S. Federal Reserve will start its rate-cutting cycle in 2024. The local currency inched down against the U.S. dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index gained 19.38 points, or 0.76 percent, to close at 2,563.56. Trade volume was moderate at 458.2 million shares worth 12.7 trillion won ($9.8 billion), with winners outpacing losers 498 to 378. Foreigners bought a net 849.5 billion won, while individuals dumped a net 1.1

South Korean stocks opened higher Friday, tracking overnight gains from Wall Street, as investors remained buoyed by the Federal Reserve's possible rate cuts next year. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 20.26 points, or 0.8 percent, to 2,564.44 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 0.43 percent higher, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite added 0.19 percent. In Seoul, leading tech giant Samsung Electronics rose 0.96 percent,

South Korean stocks rose sharply Thursday as investors scooped up major tech shares while cheering the US Federal Reserve's hint over rate cuts in 2024. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index shot up 33.52 points, or 1.34 percent, to close at 2,544.18. Trade volume was high at 522.5 million shares worth 12.78 trillion won ($9.8 billion), with winners outpacing losers 463 to 418. Foreigners bought a net 624.2 billion won, while individuals dumped a net 1.33 trillion won. Institution

South Korean stocks opened sharply higher Thursday as investors cheered the US Federal Reserve's hint at possible rate cuts next year. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 36.26 points, or 1.44 percent, to 2,546.92 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, the Federal Reserve announced its decision to keep its rate between 5.25 and 5.50 percent, and hinted that its hiking campaign may be near or at an end. In Seoul, top tech giant Samsung Electronics gained 1.65 percent

South Korean stocks closed lower Wednesday as investors sat on the sidelines ahead of the release of the US Federal Reserve's meeting results, analysts said. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 24.61 points, or 0.97 percent, to close at 2,510.66 ending its three-day advance. Trade volume was low at 367 million shares worth 7.32 trillion won ($5.45 billion), with losers outpacing winners 596 to 270. Foreigners sold a net 130 billion won, while institutions bought a net 94.3