South Korean stocks extended their winning streak to a fourth day Tuesday, thanks to advances in techs and autos. The local currency fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index advanced 1.3 percent, or 34.49 points, to 2,667.07. Trading volume was at 483.9 million shares worth 15.7 trillion won ($12.2 billion), with gainers outnumbering decliners 626 to 257. Foreign investors purchased a total of 193.9 billion won worth of shares, and institutions bought a combine

South Korean stocks got off to a strong start Tuesday, drive by gains in tech and bio shares amid hopes of a soft landing for the US economy. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 15.09 points, or 0.57 percent, to 2,647.67 in the first 15 minutes of trading. All three major US stock indexes finished higher Monday on upbeat corporate earnings. The S&P 500 closed at a 16-month high of around 4,590. In Seoul, IT and bio shares drove up the Kospi, while tech blue chips traded mixe

South Korean stocks closed 0.93 percent higher Monday, after US data signaling cooling inflation fueled investor appetite for risky bets. The local currency rose against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index advanced 24.26 points to 2,632.58. Trading volume was at 447.5 million shares worth 15.5 trillion won ($12.2 billion), with gainers outnumbering decliners 712 to 178. "The slower-than-expected in US personal consumption expenditures price index raised hopes for

Investors suffer painful losses from rising vacancy rates, mounting debt

South Korean stocks got off to a strong start Monday, as US data pointing to a loosening of inflation boosted investor confidence. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 16.91 points, or 0.65 percent, to 2,625.23 in the first 15 minutes of trading. All three US major stock indexes finished higher Friday, after the personal consumption expenditures price index, an inflation gauge favored by the Federal Reserve, showed it rose 3 percent in June from a year earlier, the smallest rise

Despite upbeat outlook for battery sector, analysts urge caution about price volatility in battery stocks

South Korean stocks ended slightly higher Friday, led by steel shares, as investors took a breather amid concerns over aggressive monetary tightening by major economies and following sessions of great fluctuations in battery shares. The local currency rose against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 4.51 points, or 0.17 percent, to close at 2,608.32, the second consecutive gains. Trading volume was a bit heavy at 495.38 million shares worth 16.5 trillion won ($12

South Korean stocks opened lower Friday, led by declines in big-cap tech shares on profit taking after an overnight fall on Wall Street. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index lost 9.8 points, or 0.38 percent, to 2,594.01 in the first 15 minutes of trading. US stocks closed lower despite the stronger-than-expected economic growth in the second quarter. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.67 percent, snapping a 13-day winning streak, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite fell 0.55 perc

South Korean stocks ended higher Thursday, as chipmakers surged on hopes for a business turnaround and investors digested the Federal Reserve's latest interest rate hike. The local currency fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 11.45 points, or 0.44 percent, to close at 2,603.81. Trading volume was heavy at 585.77 million shares worth 23.79 trillion won ($18.62 billion), with gainers outpacing losers 729 to 174. The index moved within a tight rang

The number of trading firms in South Korea moved down 0.7 percent in 2022 from a year earlier, data showed Thursday, as economic uncertainties hampered business activities. Asia's fourth-largest economy had 251,246 trading companies last year, down 1,812 from 2021, according to the data from the Korea Customs Service. The value of their trade, however, jumped to a record high of $132 billion, advancing 10.8 percent over the period. The number of exporters moved up 0.4 percent on-year to 95,

South Korean stocks opened slightly higher Thursday, as investors digested the Federal Reserve's latest interest rate hike and corporate earnings reports. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 6.39 points, or 0.25 percent, to 2,598.75 in the first 15 minutes of trading. On Wednesday, the Fed raised interest rates by a much-anticipated quarter of a percentage point to the 5.25 percent to 5.50 percent range, the highest level in more than 22 years. Chair Jerome Powell suggeste

Mastern America, the US arm of Mastern Investment Management, said Wednesday it has joined hands with real estate platform operator BuildBlock to expand its presence in the US commercial development market. The two firms recently signed a memorandum of understanding to bolster their ties and cooperate on diverse investment projects. BuildBlock is a real estate platform operating in major cities and regions in the US, including Silicon Valley, Los Angeles, Hawaii, New York and Texas. The plat

Expectation for end of interest hikes and IPO market reform to boost slowed listing activities

South Korean stocks ended markedly lower Wednesday, led by tech losses, as investors took a breather after three days of gains, awaiting the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision. The local currency advanced against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 44.10 points, or 1.67 percent, to close at 2,592.36. Trading volume was heavy at 825.02 million shares worth 36.01 trillion won ($28.23 billion), with losers far outpacing gainers 871 to 50. The index moved w

South Korean stocks opened slightly lower Wednesday, following three days of gains, as investors are digesting corporate earnings reports and awaiting the rate-setting meeting in the United States. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index lost 4.24 points, or 0.16 percent, to 2,632.22 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, US stocks closed higher. The Dow Jones Industrial Average grew 0.08 percent, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite added 0.61 percent. The Federal Reserve began a