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292 stories mentioning KOSDAQUpdated 1d ago

Rose alongside the Kospi as the US-Iran deal and strong semiconductor-driven export price data lifted South Korean investor sentiment.

International

Market Chatter: South Korea's Middle East Crude Imports Plunge 37% in April

South Korea's crude oil imports from the Middle East fell 37.3% to 4.49 million tons in April from a year earlier, amid the ongoing conflict between the U.S. and Iran, which has raised geopolitical tensions in the region, Yonhap News reported Sunday, citing data compiled by the Korea International Trade Association (KITA).Imports from the Middle East accounted for 53.1% of the country's total imports in the month. Total crude imports fell 22.8% to 8.46 million tons in April from a year earlier, the report said.Imports from South Korea's key supplier, Saudi Arabia, shed 37.6% on-year to 2.14 million tons in April, while combined U.S. crude imports added 13.4% to 2.14 million tons, it said.(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

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Asia

Market Chatter: Dutch Ambassador Emphasizes Broader Chip Cooperation With South Korea Beyond ASML

The Netherlands-based chip equipment giant ASML supplies extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines to Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930) and SK Hynix (KRX:000660), however, the Netherlands' semiconductor ties with South Korea extend far beyond a single company, Peter van der Vliet, the Dutch ambassador in Seoul, told Nikkei Asia on Sunday.Dutch firms ASM International, BE Semiconductor Industries, and the research organization TNO are active partners of South Korean chipmakers, the report said.Vliet said that the two countries could deepen cooperation in next-generation chip manufacturing technologies, particularly in photonics, which uses light instead of electronics to process and transmit data in semiconductors, it said.(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

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Asia

Market Chatter: South Korean Government to Supply 90,000 Youth Rental Homes in Greater Seoul Area by 2027

South Korea plans to supply about 90,000 rental housing units for young people in the greater Seoul area by 2027 in a bid to ease housing shortages and enhance living conditions, Yonhap News reported Friday, citing Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol.Out of the total, 66,000 units will be situated in regulated zones. The government will focus on non-apartment housing that can be supplied at a faster pace. These will comprise multifamily homes and compact studio units, the report said.The government also plans to expand modular construction methods to shorten project timelines and lower financial burdens on developers, it said.(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

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Asia

South Korean Shares Rise Marginally on US-Iran Deal Optimism; Samsung Electronics Shares Decline Over 2%

South Korean stocks closed marginally higher on Friday, extending gains for a second straight session amid growing optimism over a potential resolution between the US and Iran.The Korea Composite Stock Price Index or Kospi edged up by 32.12 points, or 0.4%, to end at 7,847.71. The Kosdaq also increased by 55.16 points, or 5%, to close at 1,161.13.In economic news, South Korea's composite consumer sentiment index rose to 106.1 in May from 99.2 in April, according to data released by the Bank of Korea on Friday. A reading above 100 indicates an improved outlook, while a reading below 100 suggests pessimism.Sentiment toward current living standards rose two points to 93, while sentiment on the future outlook gained five points to 97.The outlook for future household income was up two points to 100, while the sentiment for future household spending also rose by two points to 110.In other economic news, newly issued household loans per borrower in South Korea were up by 990,000 won to hit 35.42 million won in the first quarter from the previous quarter, while average mortgage loans increased by 16.53 million won to 229.39 million won, the Bank of Korea said in a Friday release.Loan growth was particularly notable among borrowers in their 30s, residents of the Seoul metropolitan area, borrowers taking loans from non-bank financial institutions, and mortgage loan holders.In corporate news, Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930) struck a last-minute deal with its labor union, and as a result of the agreement, it will distribute about 40 trillion won among its 78,000 employees in the semiconductors division.Under the proposed terms, Samsung employees could receive average bonuses of about 513 million won, the news agency reported, based on its calculations using the projected 2026 operating profit.The company reported average employee pay of 158 million won last year.Under the tentative deal, which still requires labor union approval, the chipmaker will distribute 10.5% of profit as stock bonuses and an additional 1.5% in cash. The bonus program will run annually for 10 years, given that profit targets are achieved. Analysts estimate Samsung's operating profit could surge sevenfold to around 333 trillion won in 2026.Shares of Samsung Electronics fell more than 2% at market close.

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International

South Korean Household, Mortgage Loans Increase in Q1

Newly issued household loans per borrower in South Korea were up by 990,000 won to hit 35.42 million won in the first quarter from the previous quarter, while average mortgage loans increased by 16.53 million won to 229.39 million won, the Bank of Korea said in a Friday release.Loan growth was particularly notable among borrowers in their 30s, residents of the Seoul metropolitan area, borrowers taking loans from non-bank financial institutions, and mortgage loan holders, the release said.As of March-end, the average household loan balance per borrower was 97.40 million won, while average mortgage balances rose by 1.79 million won to 160.06 million won in Q1 from the same period last year.

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International

South Korea Consumer Confidence Bounces Back to Optimism

South Korea's composite consumer sentiment index rose to 106.1 in May from 99.2 in April, according to data released by the Bank of Korea on Friday.A reading above 100 indicates an improved outlook, while a reading below 100 suggests pessimism.Sentiment toward current living standards rose two points to 93, while sentiment on the future outlook gained five points to 97.The outlook for future household income was up two points to 100, while the sentiment for future household spending also rose by two points to 110.Optimism regarding current local economic conditions increased by 15 points to 83, and the reading for future domestic economic conditions was 14 points higher at 93.

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Asia

South Korean Shares Open Higher on Overnight Wall Street Gains, Middle East Conflict End Optimism

South Korean stocks opened higher on Friday, extending the previous session's strong rally due to technology stock gains and tracking overnight advances on Wall Street amid increasing hopes for a resolution between the U.S. and Iran.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, rose 0.7%, or 57.53 points, to open at 7,873.12. The Kosdaq also increased 1.2%, or 13.46 points, to open at 1,119.43.Despite the optimism, U.S. crude futures rose more than $1 in early Friday trading as investors somewhat remained skeptical about the possibilities of a breakthrough in the ongoing peace talks. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude climbed as high as $98 a barrel and was last up $1.20, or 1.3%, at $97.55 as of 22:28 GMT, after declining about 2% in the previous session to its lowest close in nearly two weeks.U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said there were "some good signs" emerging from mediated peace talks with Iran, but warned that President Donald Trump has made clear the U.S. has "other options" if negotiations fail. An undisclosed "senior Iranian source" told Reuters that no peace agreement has been reached with the U.S., but the differences have definitely been narrowed.Meanwhile, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said 31 ships passed through the Strait of Hormuz over the past 24 hours under its coordination.

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International

Market Chatter: Seoul Apartment Prices Mark Fastest Increase Since January-End Ahead of Bank of Korea Policy Meet

Apartment prices in Seoul increased 0.31% in the week through May 18, marking the fastest weekly increase since Jan. 26, ahead of the Bank of Korea's next rate-setting meeting on May 28, Bloomberg reported Thursday, citing data released Thursday by the Korea Real Estate Board (KREB).Governor Shin Hyun Song will chair the meeting, which is his first rate policy meeting since taking office in April, the report said.Gains in the week through May 18 marked the 68th straight week of gains. Apartment prices across the country also edged up at a marginally faster rate of 0.07%, the report said.Buyer wait-and-see sentiment was higher across some districts, but the cost-driving factor across other areas of Seoul was the strong demand for redevelopment projects and apartments with strong residential conditions, the report said, citing the KREB.(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

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Asia

South Korean Shares Surge on Optimism Over US-Iran Peace Deal, Samsung-Union Agreement

South Korean shares closed higher on Thursday after investors went on a stock purchasing spree amid growing optimism over a possible U.S.-Iran peace agreement and Samsung Electronics' (KRX:005930) tentative wage deal with its labor union.The Korea Composite Stock Price Index or Kospi jumped by 606.64 points, or 8.4%, to end at 7,815.59. The Kosdaq also increased by 49.9 points, or 4.7%, to close at 1,105.97.The strong gains earlier in the day had led the Korea Exchange to activate a five-minute buy-side sidecar on the country's primary and secondary stock to prevent market overheating.In economic news, producer prices in South Korea increased 6.9% in April from a year earlier, accelerating from 4.1% in March and marking the strongest increase since October 2022, according to preliminary data from the Bank of Korea on Thursday.In corporate developments, Samsung and its largest labor union appeared to agree on a proposed wage agreement, which suspended plans for a strike scheduled from May 21 to June 7.Under the proposal, Samsung Electronics will introduce a special performance bonus program for semiconductor employees tied to profitability. The 10-year scheme sets annual profit targets of 200 trillion won from 2026 to 2028 and 100 trillion won from 2029 to 2035, the report said.Shares of the chipmaker jumped nearly 9% at market close on Thursday.

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South Korea Producer Prices Rise 6.9% in April on Surge in Petroleum Prices
US Markets

South Korea Producer Prices Rise 6.9% in April on Surge in Petroleum Prices

South Korean producer prices jumped in April to their highest yearly level since October 2022 on a surge in coal and petroleum products stemming from the crisis in the Middle East.Producer prices rose 6.9% during the month, up from a rise of 4.1% in March, according to preliminary data from the Bank of Korea released Thursday.The reading is also the eighth straight month of increase, Yonhap News Agency reported separately the same day.Coal and petroleum producer prices surged 73.9% year-over-year during the month.The figure comes as the country remains vulnerable to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East as it is heavily reliant on crude oil imports from the region, according to a Fitch Ratings report released May 15.Chemical producer prices grew 15.6% year over year, faster than the 7.7% rise in the preceding month.Producer prices in the manufacturing sector jumped 11.3% year over year in April, higher than the 6.1% rise in March.Transportation producer prices inched up 3.2% in April, faster than the 1.7% increase recorded in March.Agricultural, forestry, and marine products saw a 1% growth during the period compared with a marginal 0.5% rise in the preceding month.Producer prices in the service sector increased 1.8%, led by a 26.2% growth in financial and insurance activities prices, the BoK said.On a monthly basis, producer prices grew 2.5%, led by a 4.4% jump in manufacturing producer prices and a 31.9% rise in coal and petroleum producer prices.The producer price index is among the indicators the central bank is closely watching, as they indicate future inflation trends and influence prices businesses charge consumers, Yonhap said.

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Asia

Korea Exchange Halts Kosdaq Trading for Five Minutes After Strong Buy

The Korea Exchange activated a five-minute buy-side sidecar on the country's secondary stock market on Thursday morning amid strong purchases as investors were optimistic over a resolution in the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict.The Korea Exchange announced the order at 9:27 am after the KOSDAQ150 futures added 109.70 points, or 6.2%, to trade at 1,876.40, and the KOSDAQ150 added 102.95 points, or 5.8%, to trade at 1,876.41.U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Washington is prepared to carry out further strikes on Tehran if Iran does not agree to a peace deal, though he indicated the U.S. may wait several days to "get the right answers."Trump said the situation was "right on the borderline" and warned of the risk of rapid escalation.

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Asia

South Korean Shares Open Higher on Potential US-Iran Deal, Samsung-Union Tentative Wage Deal

South Korean stocks opened sharply higher on Thursday, owing to gains made by technology stocks, amid growing optimism over a possible U.S.-Iran peace agreement and Samsung Electronics' (KRX:005930) tentative wage deal with its labor union.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, rose 3.8%, or 277.42 points, to open at 7,486.37. The Kosdaq also increased 2.8%, or 29.23 points, to open at 1,085.30.U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Washington was ready to launch further attacks on Tehran if Iran failed to agree to a peace agreement, though he suggested the U.S. could wait a few days to "get the right answers."Trump described the situation as being "right on the borderline" and warned it could rapidly escalate. Six weeks after pausing Operation Epic Fury under a ceasefire, negotiations have made little progress, while increasing gasoline prices have weighed on Trump's approval ratings.Meanwhile, shares of Samsung Electronics gained more than 6% in Thursday morning trade after the labor union and management appeared to agree on a proposed wage agreement, which suspended plans for a strike scheduled to take place from May 21 to June 7.Under the proposal, Samsung Electronics will introduce a special performance bonus program for semiconductor employees tied to profitability. The 10-year scheme sets annual profit targets of 200 trillion won from 2026 to 2028 and 100 trillion won from 2029 to 2035.Union members will vote on the proposed 2026 wage agreement from May 23 through May 28.

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International

South Korea Producer Prices Jump 6.9% in April

Producer prices in South Korea increased 6.9% in April from a year earlier, accelerating from 4.1% in March and marking the strongest increase since October 2022, according to preliminary data from the Bank of Korea on Thursday.The year-on-year gains were driven by higher costs across all categories except electric power, gas, water and waste, which declined 1.2% in the month.Producer prices across agricultural, forestry & marine products, manufacturing, and services increased 1%, 11.3%, and 3.8%, respectively, the data showed.On a month-on-month basis, producer prices increased 2.5% in April, according to the data.

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Asia

South Korean Shares Lower for Second Day on Foreign Outflows, Renewed US-Iran Tension

South Korean shares closed lower for a second day on Wednesday after foreign investors continued their sell-off of Korean equities, and fresh tensions on the U.S.-Iran front made investors pessimistic about a peace pact anytime soon.The Korea Composite Stock Price Index or Kospi decreased by 62.71 points, or 0.9%, to end at 7,208.95. The Kosdaq also declined by 28.29 points, or 2.6%, to close at 1,056.07.U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that Washington could launch new strikes on Iran as early as next week if negotiations could not resolve the conflict and if Tehran continues to refuse the considerable concessions he wants before a deal can be framed to end the war.In retaliation, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps threatened to extend a revived war beyond the Middle East if the US again began attacks against Tehran.In corporate news, Samsung Electro-Mechanics (KRX:009150) secured a supply agreement for silicon capacitors from an undisclosed client. The contract, valued at 1.56 trillion won, is valid till Dec. 31, 2028.Shares of the company jumped nearly 8% at market close.In other news, South Korea's main equity exchange, the Korea Exchange, is planning to launch weekly options on single stocks from June, expiring on Thursdays.The exchange is also gearing up to launch monthly and weekly exchange-traded fund (ETF) derivatives later in 2026, while expanding weekly options expiries for the Kospi 200 and Kosdaq 150 indexes to Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from the current schedule of Mondays and Thursdays.

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Asia

Market Chatter: Korea Exchange Plans to Launch Weekly Options on Single Stocks from June

South Korea's main equity exchange, the Korea Exchange, is planning to launch weekly options on single stocks from June, expiring on Thursdays, Bloomberg reported Wednesday.The exchange is also gearing up to launch monthly and weekly exchange trade fund (ETF) derivatives later in 2026, while expanding weekly options expiries for the Kospi 200 and Kosdaq 150 indexes to Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from the current schedule of Mondays and Thursdays, the report said.The country's main bourse Korea Composite Stock Price Index or Kospi is driven by gains made by heavyweight chipmakers Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930) and SK Hynix (KRX:000660), which led it to surge nearly 70% on a year-to-date basis. This surge has made the Kospi the world's best-performing major equity index, it said.Shares of Samsung Electronics fell nearly 3% in recent trade.(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

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Asia

South Korean Stocks Open Mixed on Overnight US Losses, Possible US-Iran Military Conflict Again

South Korean stocks opened mixed on Wednesday, tracking overnight losses on Wall Street as increasing US Treasury yields and persistent inflation concerns dampened investor sentiment.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, rose 0.7%, or 52.86 points, to open at 7,324.52. The Kosdaq decreased 0.3%, or 3.31 points, to open at 1,081.04.Overnight, the S&P 500 fell 0.7% for a third consecutive session, the Nasdaq Composite lost 0.8%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 0.6%.In addition, fresh tensions rose on the US-Iran conflict front. US President Donald Trump said Washington could launch new strikes on Iran as early as next week if negotiations could not resolve the conflict, warning that further military action may be necessary.Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded to the US threat that any renewed hostilities would bring "many more surprises," adding that Tehran was prepared to shoot down additional US aircraft.

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Asia

South Korea's KATS Leads Global Nuclear Decommissioning Standard Plan

The Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS) proposal for a global standard for decommissioning nuclear power plants was approved by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources said in a Tuesday release.The proposal had been submitted in June 2023. Nine ISO member countries, including the US, China, and Japan, have backed the proposal, the release said.South Korea will lead the development of the standard of the project, with a draft entering the review phase in May this year and final publication of the International Standard targeted for December 2027, it said.

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Asia

South Korean Stocks Close Sharply Lower; Samsung, Techwing Shares Slide

South Korean stocks closed sharply lower on Tuesday, tracking overnight declines on Wall Street driven by the sell-off of major tech stocks.The Korea Composite Stock Price Index or Kospi decreased by 244.38 points, or 3.3%, to end at 7,271.66. The Kosdaq declined by 26.73 points, or 2.4%, to close at 1,084.36.In corporate news, Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930) and its largest labor union managed to narrow some differences in their fresh talks that resumed Monday, ⁠Yonhap Infomax reported Tuesday, citing the chairman of the ​National ​Labor Relations Commission.The court granted Samsung's request to limit potential union strike actions, lowering the risk of major disruptions in chip production.The development comes after the labor union threatened an 18-day strike, scheduled to begin Thursday, if demands are unmet.Shares of Samsung Electronics fell nearly 2% at market close.In other news, Techwing (KOSDAQ:089030) secured a chip inspection equipment supply contract from Samsung valued at 9.72 billion won. Shares of Techwing fell nearly 3% at market close.

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Asia

South Korea's Kospi Opens Lower as Rising Crude Oil Prices Stoke Inflation Fears

South Korean shares opened lower on Tuesday as a Wall Street tech slump and rising crude oil prices, driven by stalled US-Iran negotiations, raised inflation fears.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, fell 1.2%, or 90.38 points, to open at 7,425.66. The Kosdaq increased marginally to open at 1,111.36.Major market movers Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930), SK Hynix (KRX:000660), and Hyundai Motor (KRX:005380) were trading 3.2%, 3%, and 8.1% lower in Tuesday morning trade.West Texas Intermediate crude futures climbed back to $107 a barrel on Monday, while Brent crude increased closer to $111, as uncertainty over US-Iran negotiations renewed concerns over its impact on supply disruptions in global energy markets.Prospects for an agreement have dimmed after reports said Iran's revised proposal fell short of US expectations. Washington considers the plan inadequate to secure a deal that would end the Middle East conflict and restore normal shipping, while Iranian officials argue US demands remain overly stringent.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.32%, while the broader S&P 500 inched down 0.07% and the tech-laden Nasdaq Composite fell 0.51%.

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Asia

South Korean Shares Rebound on Gains by Chipmakers Amid Continued US-Iran Negotiations

South Korean shares rebounded on Monday, owing to gains made by key market movers and chipmakers Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930) and SK Hynix (KRX:000660), which added nearly 4% and over 1% at market close.Negotiations continue between the US and Iran, with Pakistan as the mediator, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Monday.Oil prices rose as much as 2% on Monday after US President Donald Trump warned that the "clock is ticking" for a peace agreement with Iran. Brent crude climbed to $110.72 a barrel by 7:30 GMT, extending gains to more than 50% since the start of the US-Israel conflict involving Iran.The Korea Composite Stock Price Index or Kospi increased by 22.86 points, or 0.3%, to end at 7,516.04. The Kosdaq declined by 18.73 points, or 1.7%, to close at 1,111.09.In corporate news, Samsung Heavy Industries (KRX:010140) secured an order for three liquefied natural gas carriers from an Oceania-based shipper.The deal is valued at 1.124 trillion won. The shipbuilder will deliver the vessels by May 31, 2029, according to a Monday filing with the Korean Exchange.Shares of Samsung Heavy Industries rose nearly 1% at market close.

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