369 stories mentioning KOSDAQUpdated 17h ago
Rose alongside the Kospi as the US-Iran deal and strong semiconductor-driven export price data lifted South Korean investor sentiment.
South Korea's official foreign reserve assets stood at $427.4 billion at the end of June, compared with $427.0 billion in the previous month, according to data released by Bank of Korea on Friday.The amount consists of $380.3 billion in securities, $22.3 billion in deposits, $4.3 billion in International Monetary Fund reserve position, $15.6 billion in special drawing rights, and $4.8 billion in gold.
South Korean shares closed sharply higher on Friday as investors took to bargain-hunting after Thursday's 8% plunge in the country's primary index. Major market bigwigs Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930), SK Hynix (KRX:000660), and LG Energy Solution (KRX:373220) added 8%, 11%, and over 2%, respectively, at market close.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, rose by 5.8%, or 440.25 points, to close at 8,088.34. The Kosdaq, also increased by 0.2%, or 1.69 points, to end at 868.41.In economic news, South Korea's economy is expected to accelerate to 2.6% in 2026 from 1% in 2025, supported by consumption, fiscal stimulus, and strong chip exports, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) said in a Thursday release.Inflation is projected to rise to 2.6% in 2026 from 2.1% in 2025, due to higher energy prices before easing to 2.2% in 2027.Strong chip exports supported South Korea's growth despite Middle East-related setbacks, while fiscal and monetary stimulus boosted consumption. The OECD said strengthening the fiscal framework, including further pension reform and rules-based expenditure, will help ensure long-term sustainability, according to the release.On the corporate front, Celltrion (KRX:068270) posted second-quarter sales of 1.3 trillion won, up 35% from 961.5 billion won a year earlier, according to a Friday filing with the Korea Exchange.The South Korean biopharmaceutical company's operating income jumped 77% year over year to 430 billion won from 242.5 billion won, the filing said.Shares of Celltrion rose nearly 4% at market close.
South Korea's economy is expected to accelerate to 2.6% in 2026 from 1% in 2025, supported by consumption, fiscal stimulus, and strong chip exports, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) said in a Thursday release.Inflation is projected to rise to 2.6% in 2026 from 2.1% in 2025, due to higher energy prices before easing to 2.2% in 2027.Strong chip exports supported South Korea's growth despite Middle East-related setbacks, while fiscal and monetary stimulus boosted consumption. The OECD said strengthening the fiscal framework, including further pension reform and rules-based expenditure, will help ensure long-term sustainability.
South Korean shares closed in the red on Thursday despite positive progress made during the US and Iran dialogue in Doha.In an official post on X, Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed the two parties agreeing to continue discussions following the funeral procession of the former Iranian Supreme Leader.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, fell by 8%, or 655.32 points, to close at 7,648.09. The Kosdaq, fell by 7.7%, or 62.63 points, to end at 866.72.On the corporate front, Hanwha Ocean (KRX:042660) said it was named the preferred bidder for the design and lead ship construction of the KDDX commissioned by South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration.The Korea Destroyer Next Generation (KDDX) program aims to build six next-generation Navy destroyers using locally developed technologies. The project is estimated to be worth 7.8 trillion won, or $5.1 billion, according to a The Korea Times report.
South Korea Exchange Chairman Chung Eun-bo said the bourse is looking to implement measures to restrict the market to promote fairness and transparency, Yonhap News reported Wednesday.The operator is looking to revamp its existing measures to strengthen transparency, the report added.Meanwhile, there are also plans to divide KOSDAQ into two markets, based on industry heavyweights and promising players, the report noted.(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.)
Six automakers have decided to recall more than 146,000 vehicles in South Korea to fix defective components, according to the Korean transport ministry on Thursday.Hyundai Motor Co., BYD Korea, Mercedes-Benz Korea and three other automakers will be recalling 146,505 vehicles across 38 models.
South Korea's economic growth could cross 4% in 2026, based on projections made by several domestic and international institutions, Pulse reported on Wednesday.This comes after UK-based global macroeconomic firm Capital Economics raised Korea's real GDP growth to 4%, attributing it to surging demand related to AI, the report said.Of the 42 domestic and overseas institutions, 11 projected the country's growth at 3% or higher in 2026, the report noted.(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.)
(Updates headline and fourth paragraph to add statement from Google)South Korea's Fair Trade Commission is probing Google over concerns that its Games/Google Velocity Program prevents game developers from entering competing app markets.The US-based tech giant is alleged to have abused its dominant market position and its practice in the Android app market has led to lost revenue worth 14.16 trillion won, according to an FTC release on Wednesday.The trade watchdog's examiner has suggested a corrective order and a fine."Google Play competes fairly with other app stores and delivers numerous benefits to developers and consumers in Korea. We have cooperated diligently with the KFTC's investigation, and we will continue to show the Commissioners that there has been no violation of the law," a Google spokesperson toldin response to a request for comment.
South Korea's Fair Trade Commission is probing Google over concerns that its Games/Google Velocity Program prevents game developers from entering competing app markets.The US-based tech giant is alleged to have abused its dominant market position and its practice in the Android app market has led to lost revenue worth 14.16 trillion won, according to an FTC release on Wednesday.The trade watchdog's examiner has suggested a corrective order and a fine.Google did not immediately respond to' request for comment.
South Korean shares closed lower on Wednesday after Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Tehran's nuclear rights and red lines were non-negotiable and that it would not go ahead with negotiations with the U.S. until commitments under their agreement were fulfilled.Ghalibaf added that Iran's nuclear program remained within the framework of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, fell by 2%, or 173.07 points, to close at 8,303.41. The Kosdaq, rose by 1.4%, or 13.17 points, to end at 929.35.On the corporate front, LG Electronics (KRX:066570) established a robotics business center, which will focus on future business based on physical AI, the electronics products maker said in a Wednesday release.The new facility aims to integrate core capabilities required for commercialization, from business development to supply chain and manufacturing operations, by using physical AI. The company plans to operate the newly established facility as an independent business unit with integrated business development, sales, and operations functions, the release said.Shares of LG Electronics fell nearly 5% at market close.In other news, HL D&I Halla (KRX:014790) secured a construction order for Section 1 of the Jecheon-Yeongwol Expressway from the Korea Expressway Corp., according to a Wednesday filing with the Korea Exchange.The contract, valued at 155.1 billion won, is valid till Apr. 18, 2032, the filing said.Shares of HL D&I Halla jumped over 8% at market close.
Fitch Ratings said institutional investors across Asia are increasingly focused on risks related to artificial intelligence, private credit and sovereign credit, according to a Tuesday press release.The ratings agency said investors are closely monitoring rising spending on AI infrastructure, execution risks and pricing pressure.It warned that rapid adoption of artificial intelligence could displace workers and erode tax bases, particularly in developed markets.Fitch said investors also remain concerned about intensifying competition and limited transparency in private credit, particularly in the U.S. middle-market lending sector.However, it does not expect the asset class to pose a systemic risk on its own.On sovereigns, Fitch said investors are assessing Indonesia's policy credibility, fiscal transparency and the role of its new sovereign wealth fund, Danantara, while continuing to view Japan and South Korea as relatively resilient despite longer-term fiscal and structural challenges.The agency added that geopolitical tensions in the Gulf continue to pose downside risks, although the direct credit impact has so far been modest.
South Korean shares closed higher on Tuesday, in line with overnight gains on Wall Street after the US and Iran agreed to cease attacks in and around the Strait of Hormuz and are expected to hold talks in Qatar.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, rose by 1%, or 81.83 points, to close at 8,476.48. The Kosdaq, however, fell by 0.5%, or 4.39 points, to end at 916.18.Wall Street rebounded on Monday amid a rally of technology stocks. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.59% to close at a record high, while the Nasdaq Composite rose 2.07%, and the S&P 500 increased 1.18%.U.S. President Donald Trump said U.S. and Iranian officials will meet in Qatar on Tuesday after Tehran "requested" talks following days of reciprocal attacks that strained their interim agreement, according to AL Jazeera.However, Iran's Foreign Ministry denied any scheduled meeting with the US but said that it will send a special delegation to Doha to secure the release of frozen assets.On the corporate front, Samsung Group and SK Group announced investment plans totaling 2,655 trillion won and 1,100 trillion won, respectively, to build regional semiconductor hubs and nationwide AI infrastructure, according to statements from the firms on Monday.Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930) plans to invest 2,030 trillion won in semiconductor clusters, which comprise the Pyeongtaek Campus and Yongin National Industrial Complex, while allocating 625 trillion won to projects in the Honam, Chungcheong and Yeongnam regions. These will focus on AI chips, robots, batteries, and IT components.Of that regional allocation, 425 trillion won will be concentrated in the Honam region, where Samsung Electronics will deploy 400 trillion won to build a new semiconductor fabrication plant and a digital-twin-based innovation hub in Gwangju.Meanwhile, chipmaker SK Hynix (KRX:000660) will invest 1,100 trillion won to build an AI memory production network across Yongin, Cheongju and southwestern Korea. The company aims to complete the fourth fab at its Yongin Semiconductor Cluster by 2033, 12 years ahead of schedule, with total investment in the semiconductor cluster expected to hit 600 trillion won.Alongside these corporate investments, South Korea unveiled a 550 trillion won joint private-public initiative involving internet firm Naver (KRX:035420) to build 8.4 gigawatts of AI data center capacity by 2029.Naver did not immediately respond to' request for comment.Shares of Samsung Electronics added 4% at market close, those of SK Hynix added 2%, while those of Naver fell over 2%.In other news, Samsung Electro-Mechanics (KRX:009150) secured a supply agreement for multi-layer ceramic capacitors (MLCC) from an undisclosed client, according to a Monday filing with the Korea Exchange.The contract, valued at 454 billion won, is valid till Dec. 31, 2027.Shares of Samsung Electro-Mechanics rose nearly 8% at market close.
South Korea has announced plans to build semiconductor facilities and artificial intelligence (AI) data centers, enlisting chipmaker SK Hynix (KRX:000660), Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930) and internet firm Naver (KRX:035420).As part of the national strategy, a 550 trillion won project will be launched in cooperation with the government, SK, conglomerate GS Group and Naver to build an initial 8.4 gigawatt AI data center capacity by 2029.The government plans to expand this framework to 15GW by 2035 as part of its Phase 2 project with SK.SK Group announced its own 1,100 trillion won investment to establish a semiconductor production belt linking the cities of Yongin and Cheongju with the country's southwestern region, while its broader AI infrastructure push is projected to drive an additional 1,000 trillion won in investment.These initiatives align with SK's ongoing project in Ulsan, where it is building an AI data center in partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS) that is slated to begin operations in 2027. Another next-generation AI data center is also planned in collaboration with Nvidia.Meanwhile, Samsung plans to invest 2,655 trillion won to develop advanced semiconductor clusters. These will be located at its Pyeongtaek Campus and the Yongin National Industrial Complex, as well as across the Honam, Chungcheong, and Yeongnam regions.Within the Honam region, Gwangju is being considered as a prime candidate for one of Samsung's major semiconductor hubs outside of the Seoul metropolitan area as the city offers attractive incentives.Samsung also plans to build a digital twin-based innovation hub factory for smart home appliances in Gwangju. Additionally, the company will invest 56 trillion won to build high-bandwidth memory fabs in Cheonan and Onyang.The plans are part of the government's goal for South Korea to become a global leader in physical AI by 2030. The government seeks to establish a comprehensive data management system, considering the next three years as a "golden time" to determine the trajectory of the country in the physical AI industry.
Confidence in Asia-Pacific (APAC) capital markets reached a record high, with 66% of financial firms planning regional expansion over the next three years, according to the 2026 edition released Tuesday by the Asia Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (ASIFMA) in collaboration with KPMG.However, there was intense competition among APAC jurisdictions in terms of capital and investment.Companies are becoming more stringent in allocating their resources, with expansion plans shifting across markets as they prioritize more attractive individual APAC economies, the release said.Singapore remained the top-ranked Asia-Pacific market for ease of doing business, while Hong Kong remained at second place. India and mainland China improved their rankings, rebounding from last year's declines.The most attractive markets were those with open capital accounts, internationalized talent pools, predictable regulatory frameworks, and active two-way industry dialogue, it said.
South Korean shares closed slightly lower on Monday on losses made by heavyweight technology stocks Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930) and SK Hynix (KRX:000660), shares of which fell by nearly 5% and 2%, respectively, at market close.Rising oil prices also put a strain on investor optimism amid the continued hostilities between the U.S. and Iran. Brent crude for August delivery traded at $73.21 a barrel as of 03:30 GMT, rising $1.27 higher from its level before the U.S. and Israel launched military action against Iran on Feb. 28.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, marginally declined by 0.2%, or 16.56 points, to close at 8,394.65. The Kosdaq, however, rose by 8.1%, or 69.2 points, to end at 920.57.On the corporate front, the labor union of Samsung Biologics (KRX:207940) on Sunday voted to exit the Samsung Group federation, with an aim to alter the union's organizational structure, Pulse News reported Monday.The union conducted a vote from June 24 to June 28, with 2,392 of 2,479 participating members, or 96.5%, backing the proposal to quit the group federation. The proposal required a majority turnout and approval from at least two-thirds of participating members to pass, according to the report.Responding to, Samsung Biologics said the union's withdrawal from the super‑union is expected to have minimal impact, adding discussions on scheduling proposals remain ongoing, and it remains committed to operational stability and minimizing any effect on client projects.Shares of the company jumped nearly 8% at market close.In other news, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (KRX:009540) won an order for two liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carriers from an Asia-based shipper, according to a Monday filing with the Korean Exchange.The deal is valued at 366 billion won. The shipbuilder will deliver the vessels by Dec. 31, 2029.Shares of HD Korea Shipbuilding rose over 6% at market close.
South Korea is looking to add around 2 gigawatts of solar capacity during the first half of the year, in line with the country's target of 100GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, according to a report by the Pulse on Monday, citing data from the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment and Korea Electric Power.Based on the data, the country has installed 1.8GW of new solar capacity in the first five months of the year, with the ministry targeting to go beyond 2GW by the end of June, the report added.The country needs to add around 11GW of new solar capacity over the next few years to meet the 100GW target, the report noted.(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.)
The Korea-U.S. Strategic Investment Corporation (KUIC), four policy finance institutions, and three Korean shipbuilders signed a memorandum of understanding to deploy $150 billion in Korea-U.S. shipbuilding investments, the trade ministry said Thursday.The four policy finance institutions are the Export-Import Bank of Korea, Korea Development Bank, Korea Trade Insurance Corporation, and Korea Ocean Business Corporation, while the three shipbuilders are HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (KRX:329180), Samsung Heavy Industries (KRX:010140), and Hanwha Ocean (KRX:042660).Under the agreement, the parties will establish a consultative body to share information, identify project opportunities, and coordinate policy financing, the release said.Shares of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and Samsung Heavy Industries fell over 3%, while those of Hanwha Ocean declined more than 7% at market close on Friday.
Rated securities firms in major Asia-Pacific markets show strength despite lingering equity market volatility, Fitch Ratings said in a recent release.Securities companies in Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and China display sufficient capital buffers, solid risk control frameworks, and adherence to strict regulatory oversight, the rating agency said.Net adjusted leverage has risen in the sector since 2025, reaching about 8x to 9x in Korea and Taiwan and 12x to 13x in Japan, due to asset expansion and stronger capital market activity, according to Fitch.Direct credit risk from margin financing and similar securities-backed lending will remain limited due to tight margin maintenance requirements and active collateral monitoring, the rating agency said.Investment books continue to account for the largest asset share for firms, making up 60% of assets in Korea, 40% to 50% in China, and 30% to 40% in Japan and Taiwan, Fitch said.
Profitability improvements among rated Korean corporates are concentrated within two chipmakers, overshadowing gains in other sectors, S&P Global Ratings said in a recent release.Notable macroeconomic dynamics will further increase the gap in operating performance among corporates, with the semiconductor industry dominating overall profit expansion, S&P said.Semiconductors and defense should further outdo other sectors over the next one to two years amid strong product demand growth, the rating agency said.Meanwhile, utilities, petrochemicals, and electric vehicle batteries are exposed to oil price movements, inflationary pressure, weakness in the won, and US policy shifts, S&P said.S&P's rating actions on Korean corporates were on a downward bias in the first half of the year, with conditions diverging for sectors and continuing to be slightly negative, credit analyst Jeremy Kim said.
South Korean shares closed lower on Friday after investors booked profits on AI and battery stocks following the previous day's strong gains. Market heavyweights Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930), SK Hynix (KRX:000660), and LG Energy Solution (KRX:373220) shed over 5%, 8% and 6%, respectively, at the end of the trading day.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, fell 5.8%, or 519.09 points, to close at 8,411.21. The Kosdaq also declined by 4.1%, or 36.44 points, to end at 851.37.In economic data, the average interest rate on new deposits in South Korea added one basis point to hit 2.93% in May from the previous month, while the average interest rate on outstanding amounts of deposits also added one basis point to 2.03% during the same period.The average interest rate on new loans in the country shed one basis point to hit 4.19% in May from the previous month, while the average interest rate on outstanding amounts of loans added one basis point to 4.31% during the same period, the Bank of Korea said Friday.On the corporate front, SK Telecom (KRX:017670) plans to invest 738.38 billion won in chipmaker SK Hynix's US-incorporated NAND unit SK Hynix NAND Product Solutions Corporation (SKHNPS) via a capital contribution commitment agreement to acquire 1,198 newly issued shares.The investment will give SK Telecom a 0.9% stake in SKHNPS, with the acquisition scheduled to close on June 25, 2030, according to a Friday filing with the Korea Exchange.Shares of SK Telecom fell nearly 1% at market close.
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