South Korean stocks got off to a weak start Friday amid concerns over the US Federal Reserve's additional rate hikes and Samsung Electronics' poor earnings guidance. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index dropped 23.55 points, or 0.92 percent, to 2,532.74 in the first 15 minutes of trading. All US stock indexes finished lower Thursday with investors' concerns over the Fed's potential additional rate hikes following stronger-than-expected US employment data. In Seoul,

South Korean stocks closed down for a third straight day Thursday as investors gauged potential impacts after China said it plans to restrict exports of some key metals used in semiconductors and the US central bank reaffirmed more interest rate hikes ahead. The local currency inched down against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index retreated 22.71 points, or 0.88 percent, to finish at 2,556.29. Trading volume was high at 524.7 million shares worth 10.2 trillion won ($7

South Korean stocks got off to a weak start Thursday, dragged down by the fall in tech blue chips as China's export restrictions of metals used in semiconductors and others sapped investor sentiment. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index dropped 17.26 points, or 0.67 percent, to 2,561.74 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Tech heavyweight Samsung Electronics, the world's largest manufacturer of smartphones and memory chips, fell 0.4 percent. Chip giant SK hynix slid 1.6 perc

South Korean stocks closed lower Wednesday with investors waiting for the release of the minutes of the US Federal Open Market Committee's June meeting this week. The local currency rose against the US dollar. After starting marginally higher, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index sank 14.31 points, or 0.55 percent, to close at 2,579.00. Trading volume was moderate at 589.2 million shares worth 10.05 trillion won ($7.7 billion), with decliners outnumbering gainers 632 to 243. Fore

KCCI report suggests rise of ‘Altasia’ to replace China in global supply chain

South Korean stocks turned a tad lower after starting marginally higher on Wednesday ahead of the release of China's purchasing managers' index. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 2.17 points, or 0.08 percent, to 2,591.14 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Wall Street was closed Tuesday for the Independence Day holiday. Later in the day, China is set to release the Caixin purchasing managers' index. In Seoul, most large-cap shares opened in negative terrain. Mar

South Korean stocks closed lower Tuesday as investors sought to cash in recent gains. The local currency rose against the US dollar. After choppy trading, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index sank 9.16 points, or 0.35 percent, to close at 2,593.31. Trading volume was moderate at 662.9 million shares worth 9.02 trillion won ($6.93 billion), with decliners outnumbering gainers 586 to 292. Foreigners and institutions sold off a net 345.4 billion won worth of stocks, while retail investor

South Korean stocks opened a tad higher Tuesday, driven by tech heavyweights and signs of easing inflation. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index advanced 4.13 points, or 0.16 percent, to 2,606.6 in the first 15 minutes of trading. All US stock indexes finished higher Monday ahead of a one-day close for the Independence Day holiday amid signs of moderating inflation. Tesla Inc. advanced 6.9 percent on record quarterly sales. South Korea also saw its consumer price growth slow for the

South Korean stocks rallied Monday, boosted by strong tech companies that tracked US peers and signs of inflation cooling in the US economy. The local currency rose against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index gained 38.19 points, or 1.49 percent, to close at 2,602.47. Trading volume was moderate at 607.3 million shares worth 8.86 trillion won ($6.77 billion), with gainers outnumbering decliners 606 to 269. "The fact that the University of Michigan consumer senti

South Korean stocks got off to a strong start Monday, driven by tech heavyweights and signs of inflation easing in the US economy. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index advanced 22.61 points, or 0.88 percent, to 2,586.89 in the first 15 minutes of trading. The US personal consumption expenditures index, a reading on inflation, rose 3.8 percent in May, a marked drop from a 4.3 percent rise in April, the US Commerce Department data showed, in a sign that inflation is cooling. The core PC

Hana Financial Group Chairperson Ham Young-joo (third from left) and employees pose for photos to promote “cool biz” fashion at the group’s headquarters in Seoul on Friday, as part of an energy-saving campaign challenge. Last month, Ham was nominated by Kolon Vice Chairperson Ahn Byung-duk to join the campaign. On the day, he nominated SC Bank Korea CEO Park Jong-bok and Genesis BBQ Chairperson Yoon Hong-geun as the next participants. (Hana Financial Group)

Mirae Asset Securities announced Friday that it received a grade A for its sustainable management by local ESG ratings agency Sustinvest, becoming the only securities firm to earn the top ranking. The latest recognition comes as the company has ramped up sustainability efforts since it started releasing its own sustainable management report in 2006. The company said establishing medium and long-term goals for ESG criteria and taking systematic steps to fulfill the goals with sub-level tasks cont

Hana Financial Group Chairperson Ham Young-joo (third from left) and employees pose for photos to promote “cool biz” fashion at the group’s headquarters in Seoul on Friday, as part of an energy-saving campaign challenge. Last month, Ham was nominated by Kolon Vice Chairperson Ahn Byung-duk to join the campaign. On the day, he nominated SC Bank Korea CEO Park Jong-bok and Genesis BBQ Chairperson Yoon Hong-geun as the next participants.

South Korean stocks closed higher Friday after the country's economic data showed improvement in industrial output, private spending and facility investment. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index climbed 14.26 points, or 0.56 percent, to 2,564.28. Trading volume was moderate at 498.9 million shares worth 8.04 trillion won ($6.1 billion) with gainers outstripping decliners 612 to 260. The index opened lower on losses of large-cap tech stocks and investors' woes over expectatio

South Korean stocks turned lower after starting marginally higher Friday, driven by a decline in big tech companies. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index lost 7.9 points, or 0.31 percent, to 2,542.12 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, major US stock indexes ended mixed as major banks cleared the Federal Reserve's annual stress test, while stronger-than-expected economic data bolstered expectations of an additional rate hike by the Fed. The Dow Jones Industrial Average