[THE INVESTOR]  South Korean stocks opened higher on Sept. 8 on speculation that an interest rate hike in the US may be delayed.The benchmark KOSPI rose 7.4 points, or 0.36 percent, to 2,069.28 in the first 15 minutes of trading. US stocks closed mixed on Sept. 7, with the tech-laden NASDAQ Composite reaching a new record high, while the Dow Jones industrial average edged down. Most large caps traded mixed with market kingpin Samsung Electronics rising 0.49 percent.Top automaker Hyundai Motor sh

[THE INVESTOR] South Korean stocks shed 0.23 percent paring earlier gains, as investors sought to lock in recent gains, analysts said. The Korean won rose sharply against the US dollar.The benchmark KOSPI fell 4.65 points to close at 2,061.88. Trade volume was moderate at 678 million shares worth 4.98 trillion won (US$4.57 billion), with losers outnumbering gainers 494 to 304.The local stock market opened higher as weaker than expected economic data reduced the chance of the US Federal Reserve b

[THE INVESTOR] South Korean shares advanced late morning on Sept. 7, as weaker than expected economic data in the US diminished the chance of an imminent rate hike.The benchmark KOSPI rose 6.81 points, or 0.33 percent, to 2,073.34 as of 11:20 a.m.US stocks rose slightly on Sept. 6, with the tech-laden NASDAQ Composite reaching a record high, as latest economic data cemented views that the Fed may hold off its much-awaited decision.Samsung Electronics rose 0.43 percent, and major chipmaker SK hyn

[THE INVESTOR] South Korean stocks remained almost flat late morning on Sept. 6, as investors took to the sidelines after the US stock market was closed for a holiday the day before.The benchmark KOSPI rose 0.29 point, or 0.01 percent, to 2,060.37 as of 11:20 a.m.Top market cap Samsung Electronics rose 0.75 percent, and major chipmaker SK hynix was up 0.53 percent.Naver, the country’s top portal operator, advanced 0.35 percent.Hyundai Motor, the country’s top automaker, shed 0.36 percent and its

[DISCLOSURE] Hengsheng (900270) said on Sept. 5 that it plans to pay 15 percent of this year’s net profit as cash dividends for 2016 fiscal year. The base date will be Dec. 31. By Jung Min-kyung (mkj1105@heraldcorp.com)

[THE INVESTOR] South Korean stocks advanced late morning on Sept. 5, led by gains in techs and autos, on eased concerns over an imminent rate hike in the United States.The benchmark KOSPI rose 18.58 points, or 0.91 percent, to 2,056.89 as of 11:20 a.m.Data by the US Labor Department showed that US payrolls climbed by 151,000 last month following a 275,000 gain in July, lower than an expected addition of some 180,000 jobs, sapping speculations that the US Fed may raise its interest rates soon any

[THE INVESTOR] South Korean stocks ended marginally higher on Sept. 2, helped by foreigners’ buying, hours before the release of key US jobs data. The local currency rose against the US dollar.The benchmark KOSPI edged up 5.59 points, or 0.28 percent, to 2,038.31. Trade volume came to 340.27 million shares worth 3.88 trillion won (US$3.48 billion), with advancers outnumbering decliners 497 to 323.Foreigners net-purchased 217.3 billion won worth of stocks, while institutions and individuals sold

[THE INVESTOR] South Korean stocks were almost flat late morning on Sept. 2.The benchmark KOSPI slipped 0.93 point, or 0.05 percent, to 2,031.79 as of 11:20 a.m.Institutions offloaded shares, while foreigners and individuals were net-buyers.This week, the KOSPI already declined for the two consecutive days amid uncertainty over the timing of the US interest-rate hike.Traders will closely watch the US payrolls report for August to be issued at night (Seoul time) for clues to the Fed’s decision in

[THE INVESTOR] South Korean stocks edged down late morning on Sept. 1, as both foreigners and institutions offloaded shares a day before the release of key US job data.The benchmark KOSPI dropped 9.14 points, or 0.45 percent, to 2,025.51 as of 11:20 a.m.Individuals were scooping up stocks, while foreigners and institutional traders were net sellers.The market is awaiting the US employment data for August to be issued on Sept. 2 for a further hint of how soon the Federal Reserve will raise the ke