Seoul shares open higher after sharp drop

South Korean stocks opened higher Monday following the previous session's sharp drop. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index gained 39.57 points, or 1.17 percent, to 3,425.62 in the first 15 minutes of trading. The KOSPI tumbled 2.45 percent Friday on escalating tariff woes sparked by US President Donald Trump's remarks that South Korea's planned $350 billion investment is just "up front." Most shares started in positive territory. Market bellwether Samsung Electronics rose 0.96 percent

Sept. 29, 2025

Seoul shares dip over 2% on tariff woes, reduced Fed rate cut hopes; won at 4-month low

South Korean stocks tumbled more than 2 percent Friday, falling below the 3,400-point threshold for the first time in 10 sessions on escalating tariff woes and diminished hopes for US rate cuts. The local currency also nosedived, piercing the 1,410 won mark against the US dollar for the first time in more than four months as investors rushed to safer assets. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index lost 85.06 points, or 2.45 percent, to close at 3,386.05. It marked the first 3,300-line fi

Sept. 26, 2025

Seoul shares open lower on tariff woes, US losses

South Korean stocks started lower Friday on escalating concerns over protracted tariff negotiations with the United States. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index lost 32.73 points, or 0.94 percent, to 3,438.38 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, US President Donald Trump called South Korea's $350 billion investment commitment "up front" amid the ongoing Seoul-Washington negotiations for details of investment packages following their initial agreement in August. US stocks fel

Sept. 26, 2025

Seoul shares end nearly flat on planned US inflation data, Fed chair's remarks

South Korean stocks closed almost flat Thursday amid caution ahead of US inflation data due later this week and concerns the stock markets may be "highly valued." The Korean won was trading lower against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index lost 1.03 points, or 0.03 percent, to close at 3,471.11. Trade volume was moderate at 289 million shares worth 12.4 trillion won ($8.9 billion), with losers outnumbering winners 533 to 335. Retail investors unloaded local shares wort

Sept. 25, 2025

Won weakens to 2-month low on foreign sell-off, US uncertainty

The Korean won slumped to its weakest level against the US dollar in about two months on Thursday, amid a lull in foreign inflows into the local stock market. Lingering uncertainties surrounding US tariff negotiations and monetary policy further weighed on the currency. The won was quoted at 1,400.6 won per dollar as of daytime trading closing, losing value by 3.1 won from the previous session. The closing marked the won's weakest level in nearly two months since it wrapped up trading at 1,401.4

Sept. 25, 2025

Seoul shares open lower on chip slump, currency

South Korean stocks opened lower Thursday, led by losses in large-cap semiconductor shares, as investors remained cautious over the Korean won's weakness and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's comments on the "highly valued" stock market. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index shed 13.34 points, or 0.38 percent, to 3,458.8 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, Wall Street finished lower following recent gains, after Powell said "equity prices are fairly highly valued" and th

Sept. 25, 2025

Seoul shares close lower on profit-taking, Powell's comments

South Korean stocks closed lower Wednesday after hitting a new high as investors cashed in profits and digested the US Federal Reserve chair's comment that stock prices are overvalued. The local currency was trading lower against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 14.05 points, or 0.4 percent, to close at 3,472.14. Trade volume was moderate at 281 million shares worth 11.3 trillion won ($8.08 billion), with losers beating gainers 684 to 192. Foreigners sold a net

Sept. 24, 2025

Seoul stocks open lower on Powell's remarks on stock market

South Korean shares opened lower Wednesday as investors sat on the sidelines after U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said the recent stock prices are "fairly highly valued." The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index lost 0.27 percent, or 9.28 points, to 3,476.91 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, the Fed chair said in a speech that equity prices may be overvalued, driving major U.S. firms, including Nvidia, to plummet. The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite fell 0.95 percent, a

Sept. 24, 2025

Seoul shares set fresh high for 2nd day on chip rally

South Korean stocks climbed to a new high for the second consecutive session Tuesday as investors scooped up tech shares amid improved sentiment for the global chip industry. The local currency traded flat against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index shot up 17.54 points, or 0.51 percent, to close at 3,486.19. Trade volume was moderate at 350 million shares worth 11.9 trillion won ($8.54 billion), with losers beating gainers 598 to 269. Foreigners bought a net 303 billi

Sept. 23, 2025

Seoul stocks open higher on Wall Street rally

South Korean stocks opened higher Tuesday, tracking overnight gains on Wall Street led by tech shares following an announcement of a business partnership between Nvidia and OpenAI. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 0.38 percent, or 13.12 points, to 3,481.77 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, major US indexes closed at record high levels, with the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite advancing 0.7 percent and the S&P 500 increasing 0.44 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Aver

Sept. 23, 2025

Seoul shares renew record high on tech rally

Seoul shares closed higher Monday to set a record high as investors scooped up Samsung Electronics and other technology stocks. The Korean won rose against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 23.41 points, or 0.68 percent, to end at a fresh all-time high of 3,468.65. The previous record was 3,461.30, set Thursday. Trade volume was moderate at 280.84 million shares worth 11.84 trillion won ($8.5 billion), with losers outnumbering winners 545 to 332. Institutions an

Sept. 22, 2025

Seoul shares open higher on US gains

Seoul shares opened higher Monday, tracking Wall Street gains, as investors scooped up technology and auto stocks. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 25.41 points, or 0.74 percent, to 3,470.65 in the first 15 minutes of trading. The KOSPI has rallied in recent sessions, renewing its record highs. On Friday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.37 percent to 46,315.27, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite added 0.72 percent to 22,631.48. In Seoul, auto and tech stocks led th

Sept. 22, 2025

Seoul shares retreat from record peak on tech losses

South Korean stocks finished lower Friday, led by tech losses, as investors took a breather following recent rallies. The Korean won fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index lost 16.06 points, or 0.46 percent, to close at 3,445.24, a day after hitting a record high of 3,461.30. Trade volume was moderate at 339.5 million shares worth 14.18 trillion won ($10.15 billion), with losers outnumbering winners 635 to 242. The index opened in negative terrain, despite ov

Sept. 19, 2025

Seoul shares open tad lower on profit-taking

South Korean stocks opened slightly lower Friday, despite overnight gains on Wall Street, as investors moved to take profits from recent gains. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index shed 1.3 points, or 0.04 percent, to 3,460.0 in the first 15 minutes of trading. The Kospi rallied in recent sessions, hitting a record high of 3,461.30 on Thursday. Overnight, Wall Street closed at fresh highs after the Federal Reserve's interest rate cut and gains in Nvidia and other tech stocks. The Dow

Sept. 19, 2025

Seoul shares renew record high after Fed rate cut

Seoul shares closed nearly 1.5 percent higher Thursday to set a new record high after the Federal Reserve delivered its first interest rate cut of the year. The Korean won fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index gained 47.90 points, or 1.40 percent, to end at a fresh all-time high of 3,461.30. Trade volume was moderate at 386.81 million shares worth 12.09 trillion won ($8.7 billion), with gainers outnumbering losers 589 to 262. Institutions and foreigners boug

Sept. 18, 2025