CME Group executive says market focus has been shifting from gold to battery metals in Korea

Seoul shares closed higher Monday despite investor concerns over possible US rate hikes to tame high inflation. The Korean won rose against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 0.86 percent, or 21.35 points, to close at 2,491.20. Trade volume was moderate at 319.84 million shares worth 6.5 trillion won ($5.03 billion), with gainers outnumbering losers 648 to 229. The Kospi opened nearly flat amid concerns of an additional US rate hike. The US Federal Reserve has be

Seoul shares opened almost flat Monday amid investor concerns over a continued US rate hike due to high inflation. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 6.92 points, or 0.3 percent, to 2,476.77 in the first 15 minutes of trading. On Friday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average inched up 0.01 percent to 34,947.28, and the tech-heavy NASDAQ gained 0.08 percent to 14,125.48. The US Federal Reserve has been expected to end its hiking cycle, but San Francisco Federal Reserve President Mary

The controversy surrounding fabless startup Fadu’s initial public offering has led the Korea Exchange, the country’s sole bourse operator, to implement tighter regulations on its listing track for tech firms. Fadu, established in 2015, went public on the tech-heavy Kosdaq in early August through the KRX’ special technology-growth track, which provides relaxed IPO rules for tech firms. The company’s corporate value at the time of the listing was believed to be around 1.5 t

South Korean shares closed lower Friday to end their three-day winning streak amid speculation that the Federal Reserve may end its aggressive rate hike campaign on eased inflation woes. The local currency closed unchanged against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 18.33 points, or 0.74 percent, to close at 2,469.85. Trade volume was slim at 382.7 million shares worth 7.9 trillion won ($6.13 billion), with losers outnumbering gainers 614 to 269. Foreigners sold a

South Korean stocks opened lower Friday as investors sat on the sidelines as data cautiously raised speculation that the US economy is cooling. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 17.12 points, or 0.69 percent, to 2,471.06 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.13 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite edged up 0.07 percent. Data showed that the unemployment benefit claims in the world's largest economy have reached the highest l

South Korean shares closed nearly flat Thursday amid signs of cooling US inflation. The local currency gained ground against the US dollar. After choppy trading, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 1.51 points, or 0.06 percent, to close at 2,488.18. Trade volume was slim at 401.6 million shares worth 6.61 trillion won ($5.09 billion), with gainers outnumbering loser 546 to 311. Foreigners purchased a net 458 billion won worth of local shares while institutions offloaded a net 6

NPS’ increasing exposure to overseas assets presents opportunities for foreign firms

South Korean stocks opened almost flat Thursday following overnight gains on Wall Street buoyed by cooler-than-expected inflation data. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index gained 0.8 point, or 0.01 percent, to 2,487.47 in the first 15 minutes of trading. The local market opened an hour later, along with the government and all major institutions, including private businesses, to make room for the once-a-year national college entrance exam. US stocks closed higher overnight following r

South Korean shares closed higher Wednesday after US reports showed softer inflation data that raised hopes of an end to US rate hikes. The local currency sharply gained ground against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index gained 53.42 points, or 2.2 percent, to close at 2,486.67. Trading volume was moderate at 413.1 million shares worth 9.22 trillion won ($7.08 billion), with gainers outnumbering losers 752 to 140. Foreigners scooped up a net 542.3 billion won worth of

South Korean stocks opened higher Wednesday tracking overnight gains on Wall Street helped by lower-than-expected US inflation data. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 35.21 points, or 1.45 percent, to 2,468.46 in the first 15 minutes of trading. US stocks closed higher overnight following reports that the US consumer price index, a key inflation measure, rose at the slowest pace in October since 2021. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 1.43 percent, while the Nasdaq Compo

South Korean stocks finished higher Tuesday on gains in technology and chemical shares, while investors awaited the US inflation data slated to be announced this week. The local currency fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index advanced 29.49 points, or 1.3 percent, to close at 2,433.25. Trading volume was slim at 300 million shares worth 6.27 trillion won ($4.71 billion), with gainers outnumbering losers 709 to 108. Foreigners offloaded a net 93.5 billion won

South Korean stocks opened higher Tuesday on advances in tech shares amid growing concerns that the United States may face a government shutdown. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 25.87 points, or 1.08 percent, to 2,429.63 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Investors have been closely monitoring the possibility that the US may face a government shutdown should Congress fail to pass a spending plan by Friday. Overnight, US shares closed mixed, with the Dow Jones Industrial Av

Sales of smartphones continued to shrink globally in the recently-ended quarter as consumers watched their spending, market tracker Counterpoint reported. Smartphone sales fell 8 percent, marking the ninth consecutive quarter of decline in year-over-year comparisons, according to research by Counterpoint's Market Pulse service. The decline was “largely due to slower-than-expected recovery in consumer demand,” the group said in its findings. Samsung continued to lead the smartpho

South Korean stocks finished lower Monday amid concerns of a potential US government shutdown following a cut in Moody's rating outlook for the United States. The local currency fell against the US dollar. After choppy trading, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index slipped 5.90 points, or 0.24 percent, to close at 2,403.76. Trading volume was slim at 299.3 million shares worth 5.8 trillion won ($4.37 billion). Losers outnumbered gainers 592 to 283. Institutions net purchased 35.5