[THE INVESTOR] Fears of a potential rate hike in the US saw Korean shares sharply fall Aug. 22, with foreign investors and institutions seeking to lock in their early gains. The local currency also fell sharply against the US dollar.The benchmark KOSPI lost 14.08 points, or 0.68 percent, to close at 2,042.16. Trading volume was slim at 339.7 million shares worth some 4.03 trillion won (US$3.59 billion).The index opened slightly lower, following Wall Street losses Friday.The decline accelerated a

[DISCLOSURE] Orion (001800) announced its plans to take over Sports Toto Online, an online sports betting platform, as a wholly owned subsidiary to increase management efficiency. The stock swap ratio is 1:0, and Orion will own 100 percent stake in Sports Toto Online. There will be no change of majority shareholders post-merger. By Jung Min-kyung (mkj1105@heraldcorp.com)

[DISCLOSURE] Imagis (115610) said on Aug. 22 that it has earned a patent for technology related to short-circuit detection for touchscreen panels based on half-wave transmitter electrodes. By Jung Min-kyung (mkj1105@heraldcorp.com)

[THE INVESTOR] Foreign investors and institutions looked to lock in early gains, sending South Korean shares down 0.54 percent in late morning trade Aug. 22.The benchmark KOSPI lost 11.08 points to 2,045.16 as of 11:20 a.m.The index opened slightly low, apparently tracking losses on Wall Street last week.On Friday, the Dow Jones industrial average closed at 18,552.57, shedding 0.24 percent.The decline in the KOSPI accelerated as foreign and institutional investors turned to selling in an apparen

[DISCLOSURE] Sungbo Chemical (003080) announced Aug. 19 that it plans to transfer its ownership of land and property worth 127 billion won (US$113.6 million) to Korea Land & Housing on expropriation for urban development. 　The deal amounts to 118.11 percent of the firm’s equity capital in 2015. By Jung Min-kyung (mkj1105@heraldcorp.com)

[DISCLOSURE] Vitzrotech (042370) announced on Aug. 19 that it has signed a contract worth 14.9 billion won (US$13.3 million) with National Fusion Research Institute to manufacture and install a KSTAR NBI-2 heating beam line system.　The deal amounts to 12.5 percent of the firm’s revenue and expires Dec. 31, 2019. By Jung Min-kyung (mkj1105@heraldcorp.com)

[THE INVESTOR] South Korean shares dropped 0.25 percent in late morning trading Aug. 19, while top market cap Samsung Electronics continued its upward trajectory.The benchmark KOSPI had lost 5.1 points to 2,050.37 as of 11:20 a.m.Foreigners and institutional investors were net-sellers, apparently seeking to lock in their recent gains, but individuals scooped up shares. Samsung Electronics gained 1.04 percent to a fresh record high of 1,657,000 won (US$1,480), as its Galaxy Note 7 large-size smar

[THE INVESTOR] South Korean shares gained slightly in late morning trade Aug. 18 on eased worries about a possible US rate hike and a rebound in Samsung Electronics. The benchmark KOSPI gained 4.01 points, or 0.2 percent, to 2,047.76 as of 11:20 a.m.The rise followed overnight gains on Wall Street.The Dow Jones industrial average gained 0.12 percent, with the tech-heavy NASDAQ composite index climbing 0.03 percent.Large-cap stocks were mixed across the board. Market bellwether Samsung Electronic

[THE INVESTOR] South Korean stocks slid for a second consecutive session on Aug. 17, due largely to growing expectations of the US Federal Reserve raising interest rates. The Korean won also fell against the US dollar. The benchmark KOSPI fell 4.01 points, or 0.2 percent, to close at 2,043.75. Trade volume was light at 388 million shares for 4.31 trillion won (US$3.89 billion), with losers outnumbering gainers 540 to 281.On Tuesday, Fed officials fueled speculation of an interest rate hike this

[THE INVESTOR] South Korean stock losses continued in the late morning on Aug. 17, as institutions shed over 36 billion won (US$32.7 million) in shares amid concerns on a possible rate hike for the United States.The benchmark KOSPI lost 8.87 points, or 0.43 percent, to sit at 2,038.89 as of 11:20 a.m.Retail investors also off-loaded a net 1.2 billion won. But foreigners were net buyers of local stocks to the tune of 15 billion won.The decline followed overnight losses on Wall Street.The Dow Jone