[THE INVESTOR] South Korean shares dropped slightly in late morning on Oct. 5, amid uncertainty over the US monetary policy.The benchmark KOSPI ticked down 0.88 point, or 0.04 percent, to 2,053.98 as of 11:20 a.m.Local shares were weak on early trade as both foreign and institutions fretted about the prospect of a Federal Reserve interest rate hike in coming months, following hawkish comments from one of the Fed officials. Top automaker Hyundai Motor retreated 0.36 percent and steelmaker POSCO d

[THE INVESTOR] South Korean shares ended higher on Oct. 4, as foreign investors turned their interest toward market giants. The Korean won fell against the US greenback.The benchmark KOSPI added 11.23 points, or 0.55 percent, to close at 2,054.86. Trade volume was slim at 314.79 million shares worth 4.83 trillion won (US$4.36 billion), with gainers outnumbering losers 505 to 300.Analysts said an upbeat US manufacturing survey eased concerns about the health of the world’s largest economy and bol

[THE INVESTOR] Viromed announced on Oct. 4 that it has obtained approval from the US Food and Drug Administration to enter phase 2 clinical trials of VM202, its amyotrophic lateral sclerosis treatment. The gene therapy developed by the South Korean pharmaceutical company has been classified as an orphan drug by the USFDA during phase 1 clinical trials due to the effectiveness it displayed with ALS patients. The phase 2 trial is expected to last 9 months with 84 patients participating in the proc

[THE INVESTOR] South Korean shares opened higher on Oct. 4, amid rise in tech and auto shares. The benchmark KOSPI scored 8.1 points, or 0.4 percent, to 2,051.73 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Top market cap Samsung Electronics rose 1.19 percent ahead of its third-quarter earnings guidance release on Thursday, and leading automaker Hyundai Motor advanced 2.58 percent.Bio stocks dropped sharply following heavy losses in the previous session. Hanmi Pharmaceutical, the No. 1 player, tumbled 13

[THE INVESTOR]  South Korean stocks ended lower on Sept. 30, as investors were concerned by the unstable financial state of Deutsche Bank. The Korean won fell against the US greenback.The benchmark KOSPI declined 25.09 points, or 1.21 percent, to close at 2,043.63. Trade volume was moderate at 317 million shares worth 5.6 trillion won (US$5.10 billion), with losers outnumbering gainers 654 to 169.The local stock market opened lower following a sharp decline on Wall Street. Worries mounted over t

[THE INVESTOR] South Korean stocks closed at the highest rate of the year on Sept. 29, as investors reacted positively to OPEC’s decision on oil output. The Korean won fell against the US greenback. The benchmark KOSPI rose 15.66 points, or 0.76 percent, to close at 2,068.72. Trade volume was moderate at 411 million shares worth 4.3 trillion won (US$3.91 billion), with gainers outnumbering losers 470 to 332.The local stock market opened higher after OPEC members reached a surprise agreement to c

[THE INVESTOR] The government launched a nationwide shopping event on Sept. 29, with planned promotions, cultural and entertainment events.The massive shopping campaign called “Korea Sale Festa” runs until Oct. 9, involving major retailers, manufacturers and traditional markets, while cultural and entertainment programs for foreign travelers will be held throughout October.  Samsung Electronics promotes its products for Korea Sale Festa. Samsung ElectronicsThe shopping festival is jointly hosted

[THE INVESTOR] South Korean shares rose during late morning trading on Sept. 29, bolstered by energy-related stocks gaining strength on OPEC’s decision to reduce oil output.  OPEC headquarters in Vienna, Austria. OPEC　The benchmark KOSPI rose 15.85 points, or 0.77 percent, to 2,068.91 as of 11:20 a.m.Large caps traded mixed with market kingpin Samsung Electronics adding 2.11 percent, and global chipmaker SK hynix down 2.31 percent.SK Innovation, the nation’s No. 1 oil refiner, jumped 6.51 percen