South Korean stocks finished down Tuesday, breaking their seven-day streak of gains amid concerns over possible rate hikes in the United States. The local currency fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index shed 4.82 points, or 0.19 percent, to close at 2,571.09. Trading volume was high at 882.9 million shares worth 13.9 trillion won ($10.5 billion), with losers outnumbering gainers 577 to 309. Institutions sold a net 664 billion won worth of stocks, while foreig

Seoul shares opened lower Tuesday as investors are concerned about possible additional rate hikes by the US Federal Reserve and a possible economic slowdown. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 5.87 points, or 0.23 percent, to 2,570.04 in the first 15 minutes of trading. The Kospi bucked overnight gains on Wall Street. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.3 percent and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite also climbed 0.28 percent. This week, investors are awaiting the release of

South Korean stocks opened marginally lower Monday as investors took to the sidelines amid lingering concerns over rake hikes. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index shed 3.74 points, or 0.15 percent, to 2,567.75 in the first 15 minutes of trading. The Kospi finished higher Friday for a sixth consecutive session after softer-than-expected US economic data showed that inflation is slowing, adding to hopes the Federal Reserve will dial back its aggressive rate-hike cycle. Wall Street, how

South Korean stocks opened higher Friday as the latest US economic data raised hopes the Federal Reserve will scale back its hawkish interest rate hikes. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 11 points, or 0.43 percent, to 2,572.66 in the first 15 minutes of trading. All three major US stock indexes rallied Thursday after the producer prices slowed more than expected in March from a year earlier. Jobless claims last week rose more than expected, showing that the Fed's efforts

　Investors are buying more gold as prices rise to an all-time high. 　According to the banking industry, gold bars sold at KB Kookmin, Hana, Woori and NH Nonghyup from April 3-6 stood at 2.49 billion won ($1.89 million). 　Gold bar sales at the four major banks increased from 1.98 billion won in January to 3.29 billion won in February and 3.95 billion won in March. 　Gold prices have risen as investors kept an eye on safe assets due to instability in global financial markets.

South Korea's main stock market closed higher to extend its winning streak to a fifth day Thursday amid the US Federal Reserve's warning of a recession later this year. The local currency rose sharply against the US dollar. After choppy trading, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index gained 11.02 points, or 0.43 percent, to 2,561.66, managing to extend the winning streak for five straight sessions. Trading volume was high at 826.7 million shares worth 11.7 trillion won ($8.93

South Korea’s securities and asset management firms are racing to capture a bigger piece of the Outsourced Chief Investment Officer market as they expect that more firms and institutional funds will entrust the management of their cash reserves to them. “Institutional investors and private companies used to manage their own investment through an in-house finance team, but once they see an increased amount of cash hoarding, they tend to outsource because it requires complex and prof

Seoul stocks closed almost flat Wednesday as investors await the release of US inflation data later this week. The Korean won declined against the dollar. After choppy trading, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index closed up 2.78 points, or 0.11 percent, to 2,550.64. Institutional and retail investors were net sellers and sold off a combined 234.9 billion won ($176.9 million), while foreigners snapped up a net 212.8 billion won. The main index moved between gains and losses, as investo

South Korean stocks got off to a good start Wednesday as investors wait for the release of US inflation data that will offer them more insights into the Federal Reserve's monetary tightening policy path. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 9.12 points, or 0.36 percent, to trade at 2,556.98 in the first 15 minutes of trading. The main index closed 1.42 percent higher on Tuesday, after the Bank of Korea kept its policy rate unchanged at 3.5 percent on concerns over an economi

South Korean stocks rose by almost 1.5 percent to close up for a third consecutive session Tuesday, driven by bullish chemicals and auto shares, amid growing expectations the US Federal Reserve will go easy on its aggressive rate hikes. The local currency fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index advanced 35.78 points, or 1.42 percent, to close at 2,547.86. Trading volume was high at 756.6 million shares worth 13.9 trillion won ($10.5 billion), with gainers outs

South Korean stocks got off to a strong start Tuesday, led by chemical and steel gains, amid growing expectations the US Federal Reserve will go easy on its aggressive rate hikes. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 12.54 points, or 0.5 percent, to trade at 2,524.62 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Market watchers are increasingly betting the Fed will raise the interest rate by 0.25 basis point at the end of its policy meeting in May, following US jobs data pointing to robust

South Korean stocks hit a nearly eight-month high Monday, buoyed by strong gains in tech blue-chips and US jobs data signaling a cooling economy that raises the odds for the Federal Reserve to ease up on its monetary tightening. The local currency fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index advanced 21.67 points, or 0.87 percent, to close at 2,512.08, the highest since Aug. 17 last year. Trading volume was high at 708.8 million shares worth 13.4 trillion won ($10.

South Korean stocks opened higher Monday, as investors await the US consumer prices data due later this week that will give them a clue on the Federal Reserve's next monetary policy move. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 13.08 points, or 0.53 percent, to 2,503.49 in the first 15 minutes of trading. The March consumer price index is set be released Wednesday. Investors expect the data will offer them an idea as to whether the Fed will maintain its tough interest rate hike

Seoul stocks closed over 1 percent higher Friday on a tech and semiconductor rally following Samsung's first-quarter guidance results. The Korean won rose against the dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 31.18 points, or 1.27 percent, to close at 2,490.41. Trading volume was heavy at 578.3 million shares worth 11.1 trillion won ($8.4 billion), with gainers outnumbering decliners 433 to 419. Retail investors snapped up a net 999.4 billion won worth of shares, outpacin

Seoul shares opened higher Friday as Samsung Electronics soared after it announced a cut in its chip production in the face of a slump in its earnings. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 18.79 points, or 0.76 percent, to 2,478.2 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, US stocks ended higher as investors remained cautious ahead of job data set to be released Friday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.18 percent, and the tech-heavy NASDAQ advanced 0.76 percent. In S