Seoul shares snap 6-day winning streak on profit-taking

South Korean stocks closed lower Thursday, ending a six-day record-setting rally, as investors sought to cash in recent gains amid renewed concerns over global trade tensions. The Korean won fell against the US dollar. After a choppy session, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index decreased 38.12 points, or 0.98 percent, to close at 3,845.56. Trade volume was moderate at 418.6 million shares worth 16 trillion won ($11.1 billion), with losers beating winners 608 to 259. Institutions and

Oct. 23, 2025

Trump-Kim meeting rumors rekindle volatile ride of inter-Korean stocks

As South Korea’s benchmark index, Kospi, hit a record high this week, another group of stocks saw a sudden rebound. Breaking months of dormancy, shares tied to inter-Korean cooperation rallied sharply on renewed speculation that US President Donald Trump could hold talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during his upcoming Asia tour, which could lead to a potential thaw between the two Koreas. CNN reported on Oct. 18 that Trump administration officials have privately discussed a potential fo

Oct. 23, 2025

Kospi hits record intraday high above 3,900

South Korea's benchmark Kospi set another record Thursday, soaring above the 3,900 mark during intraday trading. It eventually ticked down due to overvaluation concerns and wrapped up in the 3,840 range. The Kospi closed at 3,845.56 on the day, shedding 38.12 points, or 0.98 percent, from the previous session. After opening at 3,835.79, 1.23 percent lower than the previous session, the Kospi quickly dipped to the 3,820 range, reaching the day's low at 3,822.33. Driven by bargain-hunting by retai

Oct. 23, 2025

Seoul shares open sharply lower on profit-taking after record rally

South Korean stocks opened sharply lower Thursday, tracking overnight losses on Wall Street, after a six-day streak of record gains in the local market. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index decreased 49.55 points, or 1.28 percent, to 3,834.13 in the first 15 minutes of choppy trading. All three major US stock indexes extended their losses Wednesday after disappointing earnings reports. The S&P 500 sank 0.5 percent, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 334 points, and the Nasdaq co

Oct. 23, 2025

Kospi wraps up at new high

The South Korean benchmark Kospi reached a new high as of closing Wednesday, demonstrating the strength of its upward momentum. The Kospi closed at 3,883.68, gaining 59.84 points or 1.56 percent from the previous session, setting a new closing record and surpassing the 3,823.84 level reached in the prior trading day. After opening at 3,827.23, the index quickly lost steam and fell below the 3,800 mark, dipping to the low of 3,794.52 in the early trading hours. It soon reversed course and returne

Oct. 22, 2025

Seoul shares on roll to fresh record high amid renewed US-China tension

South Korean stocks extended their winning streak to a sixth day by jumping more than 1.5 percent to close at a fresh record high Wednesday, led by gains in chipmakers and automakers despite renewed concerns over global trade tensions. The Korean won fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index increased 59.84 points, or 1.56 percent, to close at 3,883.68. Trade volume was moderate at 588.5 million shares worth 15.1 trillion won ($10.6 billion), with winners beatin

Oct. 22, 2025

Seoul shares open lower after 5-day record-breaking rally

South Korean stocks opened lower Wednesday, following a five-day streak of record-setting gains. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index went down 8.66 points, or 0.23 percent, to 3,815.18 in the first 15 minutes of choppy trading. US shares ended mixed Tuesday. The S&P 500 inched up less than 0.01 percent and the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 218 points, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite slipped 0.16 percent. In Seoul, large-cap shares traded mixed. Chip giant Samsung Electroni

Oct. 22, 2025

Seoul shares extend winning-streak to 5th day at fresh record high

South Korean stocks extended their winning streak to a fifth day to close at a fresh record high Tuesday, aided by gains in autos and shipbuilders. The Korean won fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index went up 9.15 points, or 0.24 percent, to close at 3,823.84 Trade volume was heavy at 522.5 million shares worth 19.3 trillion won ($13.5 billion), with losers beating winners 497 to 367. Institutional investors were net buyers, purchasing 211.6 billion won wort

Oct. 21, 2025

Korea's stock market on rightful path: Lee

Fueled by strong gains in SK hynix and other chipmakers, the South Korean benchmark Kospi soared to a new high Tuesday, briefly approaching the 3,900 mark during trading. The Kospi hit record highs in both closing price and intraday trading. It ended at 3,823.84, up 9.15 points, or 0.24 percent, from the previous session, after having reached an intraday peak of 3,893.06. Commenting on the rally, President Lee Jae Myung said the Korean stock market is returning to normalcy. “The Kospi broke the

Oct. 21, 2025

Seoul shares open sharply higher, head toward fresh record high

South Korean stocks opened sharply higher Tuesday led by gains in major tech shares to set another record high, following a four-day rally. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index increased 57.28 points, or 1.5 percent, to 3,871.97 in the first 15 minutes of trading. US shares ended higher Monday (local time) on tech gains. The S&P 500 rose 1.2 percent, the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite climbed 1.5 percent, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 507 points. In Seoul, large-cap shares t

Oct. 21, 2025

Seoul shares hit fresh record high on hopes for US-China trade deal

South Korean stocks closed at a fresh record high for the fourth consecutive session Monday, buoyed by optimism over easing trade tensions between the United States and China. The Korean won was trading higher against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 65.8 points, or 1.76 percent, to close at 3,814.69, following record rallies last week. Trade volume was moderate at 404.82 million shares worth 14.1 trillion won ($9.9 billion). Gainers outnumbered decliners by 59

Oct. 20, 2025

Kospi tops 3,800 for 1st time

South Korea's benchmark Kospi broke past the 3,800 milestone for the first time Monday, lifted by expectations of an improvement in the global trade environment. The Kospi closed at 3,814.69, rising by 65.8 points or 1.76 percent from the previous session. After opening at 3,775.4, extending Friday’s rally, the index soon fell to as low as 3,728.38. It rose into positive territory at around noon and quickly surpassed the 3,800 mark, closing at the record high of 3,814.69. It was the first time t

Oct. 20, 2025

Seoul shares open lower following last week's sharp gains

Seoul shares opened slightly lower Monday despite strong gains on Wall Street last week and a record-setting performance in the local market. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index edged down 5.56 points, or 0.15 percent, to 3,743.33 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Last week, the KOSPI hit new record highs, rising 3.8 percent overall. US shares also ended higher Friday, as investors assessed US President Donald Trump's latest remarks on China. The S&P 500 rose 0.5 percent, the tech-

Oct. 20, 2025

Kospi volatility intensifies to 4-year peak amid trade talks

South Korea’s benchmark Kospi is swinging wildly even as it hits record highs, with market volatility climbing to its highest level in more than four years amid lingering economic uncertainty. The Kospi’s average intraday volatility from Oct. 1 to 17 reached 1.81 percent, according to data from the country's bourse operator Korea Exchange. The figure is the highest recorded since February 2021, when it reached 2.03 percent. Intraday volatility indicates the ratio of a day’s price range to the av

Oct. 19, 2025

Seoul shares take breather amid trade deal hopes

Seoul shares took a breather Friday following sharp gains this week amid hopes for a possible trade deal with the United States. The Korean won fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 0.52 point, or 0.01 percent, to close at 3,748.89. The Kospi has posted new record highs for three consecutive sessions and gained 3.8 percent this week. Trade volume was moderate at 414.13 million shares worth 17.13 trillion won ($12.05 billion). Decliners outnumbered gaine

Oct. 17, 2025