Seoul stocks closed more than 1 percent higher Wednesday on tech gains, as investors were hopeful that the US Federal Reserve could ease the pace of rate increases. The Korean won rose against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index climbed 33.31 points, or 1.39 percent, to 2.428.57. Trading volume was moderate at 539.8 million shares worth 6.57 trillion won ($5.4 billion), with gainers outnumbering decliners 526 to 325. Institutional and foreign investors were net buyers

Private equity funds Unison Capital Korea and MBK Partners have joined hands to take over Osstem Implant, the nation’s largest dental manufacturer, according to the companies on Wednesday. Osstem Implant announced that UCK and MBK Partners will go for a tender offer through special purpose company Dentistry Investment, buying off a sizeable stake in the company for the next month at 190,000 won ($154) per share, up almost 17 percent from 162,500 won from the previous trading day. UCK is a

Seoul stocks got off to a strong start Wednesday as investors bet the US Federal Reserve will go easy on its aggressive monetary tightening. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 28.09 points, or 1.17 percent, to 2423.35 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Major indexes on Wall Street closed mixed overnight, while chipmakers, such as AMD and Qualcomm, sharply rose on hope for better business performance down the road. Investors are also keeping a close watch on the Fed's nex

South Korean stocks opened marginally higher Friday as gains in tech blue-chips offset concerns over a recession overshadowing the US markets. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 5.23 points, or 0.22 percent, to 2,385.57 in the first 15 minutes of trading. The local stock market opened higher, bucking a decline on Wall Street amid uncertainty over the direction of the Federal Reserve for interest rate hikes in the coming months. In Seoul, market bellwether Samsung Electronics ga

South Korean stocks snapped the two-day losing streak to close higher Thursday as foreigners went into buying mode despite worries over a recession reignited by weak US economic data, analysts said. The local currency rose against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index advanced 12.02 points, or 0.51 percent, to close at 2,380.34. Trading volume was moderate at 364 million shares worth 5.36 trillion won ($4.34 billion) with gainers outnumbering decliners 473 to 362. "

South Korean stocks got off to a weak start Thursday, as the latest US economic data reignited fears of a recession. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index lost 2.89 points, or 0.12 percent, to 2,365.43 in the first 15 minutes of trading. US retail sales and wholesale prices fell more than expected in December, according to its government data released Wednesday Production at factories also slid more than expected, sending major US stock indexes sharply lower. Market sentiment was hurt

South Korean stocks closed lower for the second straight day Wednesday, as investors were cautious to make risky bets ahead of the earnings season set to kick off next week. The local currency inched up against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index lost 11.07 points, or 0.47 percent, to 2,368.32. Trading volume was moderate at 528.3 million shares worth 5.43 trillion won ($4.38 billion) with decliners outpacing gainers 548 to 296. "Anticipation over the fourth-quart

South Korean stocks opened lower Wednesday, as concerns over corporate earnings, set to be released starting next week, weighed on investor sentiment. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index lost 15.37 points, or 0.65 percent, to trade at 2,364.02 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Companies are expected to announce their fourth-quarter earnings results beginning next week, with the market consensus leaning toward lackluster performances in some sectors. Tech heavyweights and financial

South Korean stocks snapped their nine-day winning streak Tuesday, as investors took a breather from recent rallies and went on a profit-taking dive, analysts said. The local currency fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index retreated 20.47 points, or 0.85 percent, to finish at 2,379.39. Trading volume was moderate at 529.4 million shares worth 6.2 trillion won ($5.04 billion), with decliners outnumbering gainers 618 to 250. "Investors opted to make a prof

South Korean stocks opened marginally higher Tuesday, as investors took a breather from recent rallies ahead of the earnings reports. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index gained 3.22 points, or 0.13 percent, to trade at 2,403.08 in the first 15 minutes of trading. After opening higher, the main index had briefly turned lower before reverting to the green, in line with analysts' prediction that trading will likely remain choppy for the day. Large-cap tech and auto stocks gathered

South Korean stocks closed 0.58 percent higher Monday, extending their rally to a ninth session, as eased US inflation outlook boosted investor appetite for risky assets ahead of the earnings season. The local currency rose against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index advanced 13.77 points to close at 2,399.86. Trading volume was moderate at 509.6 million shares worth 6.46 trillion won ($5.23 billion), with gainers outpacing decliners 499 to 350. "US stocks closed

South Korean stocks opened higher Monday, following the gains on Wall Street last week amid eased inflation in the United States that raised hopes for the Federal Reserve to slow its interest rate hikes. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index advanced 7.36 points, or 0.31 percent, to 2,393.45 in the first 15 minutes of trading. All major US stock indexes closed higher Friday, with the S&P 500 and tech-rich Nasdaq hitting the highest level in a month, buoyed by expectations the Fed c

Seoul shares opened higher Friday as investors await a rate hike decision by the Bank of Korea later in the morning. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index had added 15.47 points, or 0.65 percent, to 2,380.57 as of 9:15 a.m. The central bank is widely expected to raise its policy rate by 25 basis points to 3.5 percent as part of efforts to tame inflation. In Seoul, most large cap shares got off to a solid start. Market bellwether Samsung Electronics inched up 0.33 percent, while SK hyni

South Korean stocks extended their winning streak to a seventh session on Thursday, largely on anticipation of slower inflation in the United States. The Korean won rose against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index closed up 5.57 points, or 0.24 percent, at 2,365.1 points. Trading volume was moderate at about 570 million shares worth some 7.7 trillion won ($6.2 billion), with gainers outnumbering losers 494 to 365. Foreigners bought a net 484 billion won, while institut

Saudi Arabia’s state fund decided to join in 1.2 trillion won ($964 million) investment in Kakao Entertainment, doubling down on its aggressive bet on the burgeoning Korean content industry. The company, the entertainment arm of Kakao Corp., said it has raised 600 billion won in financing by issuing new shares through third-party allotment each to two global state funds -- Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation. The capital inject