South Korean stocks closed sharply higher Wednesday, thanks to overnight gains on Wall Street in response to softer-than-expected U.S. inflation data.
U.S. consumer prices declined by a seasonally adjusted 0.4% in June, the largest monthly decline since April 2020. This brought annual inflation to 3.5% from the broader market expectation of 3.8%. Core inflation was unchanged from May, with the annual rate easing to 2.6%, below forecasts of 2.9%.
The Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, increased by 427.58 points, or 6.2%, to end at 7,284.41. The Kosdaq also rose by 45.45 points, or 5.8%, to close at 829.43.
The Korea Exchange activated a five-minute buy-side sidecar on the country's primary and secondary stock markets on Wednesday morning after investors rushed to buy semiconductor stocks amid an upbeat AI sector outlook despite tensions in the Middle East.
The Korea Exchange announced the order at 9:06 am after the KOSPI200 Futures added 71.50 points, or 6.5%, to trade at 1,170.60, and at 9:17 am after the KOSDAQ150 Futures index added 83 points, or 6.1%, to trade at 1,439.50.
In economic news, the average shipping charge for a 40-foot container from South Korea to the Middle East, as reported by exporters, rose for a fifth straight month in June, according to data from the Korea Customs Service.
Container shipping costs increased 15.1% in June to 7.78 million won from May.
Freight rates to the U.S. West Coast surged 45.5% to 7.86 million won, while rates to the East Coast jumped 26.6% to 7.11 million won last month from May. Shipping costs to the European Union added 17.4% to 4.24 million won in June.
In corporate news, Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930) denied a report that claimed it was exploring a U.S. offering of American depositary receipts, Reuters reported Tuesday, citing a company statement.
Bloomberg News reported on Tuesday, citing people with knowledge of the matter, that the company had carried out initial discussions with banks for a US IPO.
Samsung told Reuters that it is "not reviewing the possibility" of issuing ADRs.
Samsung did not immediately respond to' request for comment.
Shares of the chipmaker added over 6% at market close.