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South Korea's Inflation Accelerates to 2.6% in April

South Korea's inflation climbed 2.6% year on year in April, accelerating from a 2.2% rise in March amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, data from the country's Ministry of Data and Statistics showed on Wednesday.The headline print was in accordance with the median estimate of 2.6% in a Bloomberg survey.The increase was driven by higher costs across all categories, with transport gaining the highest at 9.7%, according to the data.Meanwhile, core inflation, which measures prices of goods excluding food and energy, remained steady at 2.2% in April.On a monthly basis, core inflation rose to 0.3% from 0.1% in the preceding month, while headline inflation rose to 0.5% from 0.3%.

South Korea's Inflation Rises to 2.6% in April; Core Inflation Steady at 2.2%

South Korean Shares Close at New High, Lifted by Semiconductor Stocks

South Korean stocks surged more than 5% on Monday to close at a record high, with the Kospi nearing 7,000 points, as strong buying in semiconductor shares boosted the market while investors kept a close eye on developments in the U.S.-Iran peace talks front.The Korea Composite Stock Price Index or Kospi increased 338.12 points, or 5.1%, to end at 6,936.99. The Kosdaq also rose by 21.39 points, or 1.8%, to close at 1,213.74.On Sunday, President Donald Trump said the U.S. would help countries with ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz. The US military support will comprise guided-missile destroyers, over 100 land and sea-based aircraft, multi-domain unmanned platforms, and 15,000 service members. However, the naval mission is being seen as a violation of the ceasefire by Iran, top Iranian lawmaker Ebrahim Azizi said.In economic news, South Korea's manufacturing sector continued to expand in April, with the seasonally adjusted headline S&P Global South Korea Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index increasing to 53.6 last month from 52.6 in March, S&P Global said in a Monday report.A reading above 50 indicates an overall increase compared with the previous month, and below 50 indicates a decline.April's expansion in the country's manufacturing sector was the strongest since February 2022.In corporate news, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (KRX:009540) secured an order worth 504.8 billion won for three very large gas carriers from South Korean shipper KSS Shipping.Shares of HD Korea Shipbuilding rose nearly 2% at market close.

Market Chatter: Bank of Korea Deputy Chief Says Time to Consider Rate Hike

Bank of Korea's senior deputy governor Sang-dai said Sunday that it was time to stop rate cuts and start thinking about rate hikes, taking into account persistent inflationary pressures despite measures such as nationwide fuel price caps, Reuters reported Monday.Since April, expectations suggest economic growth will remain close to 2%, while inflation is likely to surpass 2.2%, Ryoo said, backing his claim for rate hikes ahead.In April, the South Korean central bank kept interest rates steady amid increasing uncertainty from Middle East tensions and its possible effect on growth and inflation. Ryoo's remarks followed the country recording its fastest growth in nearly six years in the first quarter, driven by better-than-expected chip exports, the report 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.)

South Korea's Manufacturing Sector Continues to Expand in April

South Korea's manufacturing sector continued to expand in April, with the seasonally adjusted headline S&P Global South Korea Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index increasing to 53.6 last month from 52.6 in March, S&P Global said in a Monday report.A reading above 50 indicates an overall increase compared with the previous month, and below 50 indicates a decline.April's expansion in the country's manufacturing sector was the strongest since February 2022.The ongoing tensions in the Middle East took a toll on manufacturing, with higher cost burdens being prevalent from the beginning of the second quarter. A surge in oil and fuel prices translated to higher raw material prices, which increased costs for end customers. Delivery delays and supply shortages were rampant during the month.In addition, average lead times for input deliveries also increased to the greatest extent since June 2022, due to higher raw material prices.Looking ahead, optimism was at its lowest in five months, amid the uncertainty over the length of the Middle East conflict and its effect on the supply chain and prices.

South Korea's Kospi Opens at New High as Middle East Tensions Ease

South Korean shares opened at a new high on Monday as investor tensions appeared to ease after US President Donald Trump said Sunday that the US would help countries with ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, naming it Project Freedom.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, rose by 184.06 points to open at 6,782.93. The Kosdaq marginally gained to open at 1,212.28.The blockade of Iranian ports continues and does not represent a continuation of the US-Iran conflict, Trump said.The US military support under Project Freedom will comprise guided-missile destroyers, over 100 land and sea-based aircraft, multi-domain unmanned platforms, and 15,000 service members.However, the naval mission is being seen as a violation of the ceasefire by Iran, top Iranian lawmaker Ebrahim Azizi said.

South Korea Logs Second Straight Month of Over $20 Billion Trade Surplus

South Korea recorded a trade surplus of $23.8 billion in April, which was the second straight month of more than $20 billion in trade surplus for the first time, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said in a Friday release.Exports in the month increased 48% to $85.9 billion from the year-ago period, while imports rose 16.7% to $62.1 billion, the release said.Eight of the top 15 export categories recorded growth in the month, with outbound shipments led by semiconductors, petrochemicals, and petroleum products, while other sectors, including computers, ships, wireless communication devices, display panels, and steel, also recorded higher exports, according to the trade ministry.Semiconductor exports gained 173.5% to $31.9 billion, while automobile exports declined 5.5% to $6.17 billion from April 2025, the release said.

South Korean Shares Fall on FOMC's Rate Decision, Oil Price Surge

South Korean shares closed lower on Thursday despite opening at a record high in the day, following the US Federal Reserve's decision to keep the benchmark interest rates unchanged in the range of 3.50% to 3.75%.This hawkish interpretation of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) took into account the ongoing Middle East conflict and high energy prices, which led to rates being held steady at Jerome Powell's final policy announcement before his term as Fed chief ended on May 15.In addition, increasing global oil prices also took a toll on investor sentiment, with Brent crude hitting an intraday high of $126.41 per barrel--its highest since June 2022-- while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) briefly surpassed $110.The Korea Composite Stock Price Index or Kospi fell 92.03 points, or 1.4%, to end at 6,598.87. The Kosdaq also declined by 27.91 points, or 2.3%, to close at 1,192.35.In economic news, South Korea's overall industrial output increased 0.3% month-on-month in March, decelerating sharply from a 5.3% monthly rise in February, according to data from Statistics Korea released Thursday.The construction and public administration indices fell by 7.3% and 3.3%, respectively, in March from the prior month, while the index for the service, mining and manufacturing industries added 1.4% and 0.3%, respectively.Total industrial production increased by 3.6% in March from the same month in 2025, after a 2.3% yearly decline in February.In corporate news, Hyundai Motor Group, the parent of Hyundai Motor (KRX:005380) and Kia (KRX:000270), entered a multi-year partnership with the Georgia Institute of Technology to jointly develop hydrogen mobility solutions, according to a Thursday release.The agreement is expected to advance hydrogen-powered transportation, boost applied research, and hasten the use of zero-emissions vehicles in Georgia, it said.Shares of Hyundai Motor fell nearly 5% at market close, while those of Kia fell over 3%.

ADB Cuts Economic Growth Projections for Developing Asia Amid Middle East Crisis

The Asian Development Bank sharply downgraded its economic growth forecasts for developing Asia and the Pacific while raising inflation projections, citing prolonged disruptions from the Middle East conflict that are driving up energy prices and tightening financial conditions.The bank now expects regional growth of 4.7% in 2026 and 4.8% in 2027, down from its earlier forecast of 5.1% for both years. Meanwhile, inflation is projected to accelerate to 5.2% this year before slowing to 4.1% in 2027, according to the latest ADB report.ADB said the revisions reflect sustained pressure on oil and gas prices, with crude expected to average about $96 per barrel in 2026, significantly higher than pre-conflict levels, weighing on fuel-importing economies.Under a more severe scenario, growth could ease further to 4.2% this year and 4% next year, while inflation may spike to 7.4% in 2026, the bank added, urging targeted fiscal support and measured monetary responses.

South Korea's Monthly Industrial Production Growth Decelerates Sharply in March

South Korea's overall industrial output increased 0.3% month-on-month in March, decelerating sharply from a 5.3% monthly rise in February, according to data from Statistics Korea released Thursday.The construction and public administration indices fell by 7.3% and 3.3%, respectively, in March from the prior month, while the index for the service, mining and manufacturing industries added 1.4% and 0.3%, respectively.Total industrial production increased by 3.6% in March from the same month in 2025, after a 2.3% yearly decline in February.

South Korean Shares Open at New High on Samsung Electronics, US Big Tech's Stellar Q1 Earnings

South Korean shares opened higher on Thursday, starting the trading at a new high after market mover Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930) reported strong first-quarter sales and operating income.In addition, strong Q1 earnings by top US firms such as Alphabet, Amazon.com, Meta Platforms, and Microsoft also boosted sentiment. The strong results also restored investor confidence in the AI sector boom.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, rose by 48.49 points, to open at 6,739.39. The Kosdaq marginally gained to open at 1,224.75.Samsung Electronics posted first-quarter operating income of 57.2 trillion won, up 756% from 6.69 trillion won a year earlier. The South Korean chipmaker's sales jumped 69% year over year to 133.9 trillion won from 79.1 trillion won.The company said that its highest-ever quarterly revenue and operating profit were achieved via AI technology innovation and proactive market response. Favorable currency movements, particularly a stronger greenback, raised operating profit by about 1.8 trillion won on-quarter in Q1, primarily driven by the company's parts business.

South Korea's Retail Sales Rise in March

Retail sales in South Korea, a gauge of private spending, rose 1.8% in March from the previous month, after a 0.3% decline in February, according to data from Statistics Korea on Thursday.On an annual basis, retail sales increased 5% in March, following a rise of 4.3% in the preceding month.

South Korean Hits Record High as AI Optimism Overcomes OpenAI Growth Concerns

South Korean shares closed at a new high on Wednesday, with technology stocks posting strong gains as investors expected chip demand to remain robust due to the AI sector.The country's primary index, Kospi, opened lower in the day, tracking losses on Wall Street due to ChatGPT founder OpenAI missing internal revenue and user targets in the first quarter. However, local appetite for chipmakers and hardware providers quickly offset the negative sentiment surrounding U.S. software startups.The Korea Composite Stock Price Index or Kospi rose 49.88 points, or 0.8%, to end at 6,690.9. The Kosdaq also increased by 4.68 points, or 0.4%, to close at 1,220.26.In economic news, South Korea's bank deposit rates declined in March while borrowing costs also continued to decrease, the Bank of Korea said Tuesday.The average interest rate on new deposits fell one basis point to 2.82% from the previous month, while rates on outstanding deposits also shed one basis point to 2.00%.New loan rates declined six basis points from the previous month to 4.20%, and the average rate on outstanding loans was unchanged at 4.27% at the end of March.In corporate news, Hanwha Engine (KRX:082740) posted first-quarter net income attributable to shareholders of 52.9 billion won, up 172% from 19.4 billion won a year earlier, according to a Wednesday filing with the Korea Exchange.The South Korean marine engine producer's sales rose 8.5% year over year to 345.2 billion won from 318.2 billion won.Shares of Hanwha Engine added over 8% at market close.

South Korea's Deposit Rates Decline in March

South Korea's bank deposit rates declined in March while borrowing costs also continued to decrease, the Bank of Korea said Tuesday.The average interest rate on new deposits fell one basis point to 2.82% from the previous month, while rates on outstanding deposits also shed one basis point to 2%.New loan rates declined six basis points from the previous month to 4.20%, and the average rate on outstanding loans was unchanged at 4.27% at the end of March.

South Korean Shares Open Lower on AI Concerns as OpenAI Growth Falters

South Korean shares opened lower on Wednesday, tracking Wall Street, as concerns over the AI sector re-emerged after OpenAI's missed internal revenue and user targets.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, fell by 22.02 points, to open at 6,619. The Kosdaq marginally gained to open at 1,213.28.OpenAi's growth potential stumbled as its chief financial officer raised concerns that the company may not be able to pay future contracts if revenue fails to increase fast enough, according to a Wall Street Journal report.The report has sent other AI stocks and tech companies' equities plummeting.Meanwhile, Israel launched fresh attacks on southern Lebanon on Tuesday despite a ceasefire, adding to the oil shock brought by the UAE's departure from the OPEC.

South Korean Shares Hit New High as Investors Eye US Q1 Tech Earnings

South Korean shares closed at a fresh new high on Tuesday, as investors looked forward to the first-quarter earnings of key US-based technology companies.The Korea Composite Stock Price Index or Kospi rose 25.99 points, or 0.4%, to end at 6,641.02. The Kosdaq decreased by 10.6 points, or 0.9%, to close at 1,215.58.In economic news, the composite business sentiment index in all industries in South Korea increased 0.8 points to 94.9 in April from 94.1 in March, while the outlook for the next month added 0.8 points to 93.9, according to data released by the Bank of Korea on Tuesday.The outlook for May marked the highest level since August 2024.Meanwhile, the economic sentiment index, a composite of the business survey and consumer survey indices, went down 2.3 points to 91.7.In corporate news, DoubleU Games (KRX:192080) will acquire all issued and outstanding American Depositary Shares (ADS) of DoubleDown Interactive at $11.25 per ADS in cash, the developer of online games and mobile games said Tuesday.The deal is valued at about $184 million. Following the transaction, DoubleDown Interactive will become a fully-owned subsidiary of DoubleU Games, according to the release.Shares of DoubleU Games jumped nearly 9% at market close.

Market Chatter: South Korea Becomes Eighth-Largest Stock Market in the World

South Korea became the eighth-largest stock market in the world after the total market capitalization of South Korean-listed companies surged over 45% in 2026 to hit $4.04 trillion, Bloomberg News reported Tuesday.South Korea surpassed the UK to take the spot, with the total market capitalization of UK-listed firms gaining about 3% to reach $3.99 trillion, the report said.The surge in Korean stock prices is a result of gains made by firms related to AI, in particular, Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930) and SK Hynix (KRX:000660). These two firms make up for more than 40% of the total market capitalization of the country's primary index, the Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, according to the report.The surge in Korean stock prices is similar to gains in Taiwan, which overtook the UK in April to become the world's seventh-largest equity market. Taiwan's rally was driven largely by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TPE:2330), which makes up about 45% of its benchmark index. Taiwan's total market value has hit $4.48 trillion, the report 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.)

South Korean Shares Open Higher Despite US-Iran Tensions

South Korean shares opened higher on Tuesday despite the ongoing tensions between the US and Iran.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, gained 0.5%, or 31.77 points, to open at 6,646.80. The Kosdaq marginally gained to open at 1,226.76.On Monday, a US official said that US President Donald Trump is dissatisfied with Iran's proposal, as it doesn't mention Tehran's nuclear program.According to Iranian sources, the proposal will not comprise nuclear talks until the conflict ends and disputes related to Gulf shipping are resolved. At the same time, Washington insists nuclear issues must be addressed right away.

South Korea's Business Sentiment Strengthens in April

The composite business sentiment index in all industries in South Korea increased 0.8 points to 94.9 in April from 94.1 in March, while the outlook for the next month added 0.8 points to 93.9, according to data released by the Bank of Korea on Tuesday.The outlook for May marked the highest level since August 2024.The seasonally adjusted composite business sentiment index for the manufacturing sector added two points to 99.1, while the outlook for the following month also added 2.1 points to 98, the central bank said.For the non-manufacturing sector, the seasonally adjusted composite business sentiment index increased 0.1 points to 92.1, while the outlook for the following month was unchanged at 91.2.Meanwhile, the economic sentiment index, a composite of the business survey and consumer survey indices, went down 2.3 points to 91.7.

South Korean Shares Close at New High on Chip, Power Equipment Gains

South Korean shares closed at a new high on Monday, with the primary index crossing the 6,600 level amid a rally led by chip stocks and power equipment manufacturers.The Korea Composite Stock Price Index or Kospi rose 139.4 points, or 2.2%, to end at 6,615.03. The Kosdaq also increased by 22.34 points, or 1.9%, to close at 1,226.18.Shares of chipmakers such as Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930) and SK Hynix (KRX:000660) added over 2% and nearly 6% at market close, while those of Kosdaq-listed Fadu (KOSDAQ:440110) jumped over 19%.Gains were also driven by shares of power equipment manufacturers LS Electric (KRX:010120) and Hyosung Heavy Industries (KRX:298040), which added nearly 13% and 11%, respectively.In corporate news, Fadu posted first-quarter net income of 10.2 billion won, rebounding from a net loss of 12.1 billion won a year earlier, according to a Monday filing with the Korea Exchange.The South Korean chipmaker's sales revenue surged 210% year over year to 59.5 billion won from 19.2 billion won.