^KOSDAQ

South Korean Shares Open Higher Despite US-Iran Tension

South Korean shares opened higher on Monday despite the ongoing U.S.-Iran tensions, with no definitive solution to the U.S. blockade of the key Strait of Hormuz and Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian telling Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif that Tehran will not negotiate with the U.S. under siege, threats, or pressure.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, gained 0.9%, or 57.97 points, to open at 6,533.60. The Kosdaq gained 9.29 points to open at 1,213.13.Amid the regional tensions, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Monday, with talks expected to focus on the U.S.-Iran ceasefire, regional tensions, and broader negotiations involving the US and Israel.Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia's envoy to international organisations in Vienna, said Monday that the U.S. must leave behind "blackmailing" and "ultimatums" in its negotiations with Iran if talks are to move forward.Market movers Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930) and SK Hynix (KRX:000660) added 1.82% and 5.24% in Monday morning trade.

South Korean Shares Open Slightly Higher on Three-Week Israel-Lebanon Ceasefire Extension

South Korean shares opened slightly higher on Friday, owing to a ceasefire extension of three weeks between Israel and Lebanon. The decision came after talks held between the two parties at the White House on Thursday.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, gained marginally to open at 6,496.10. The Kosdaq added 0.2%, or 2.11 points, to open at 1,176.42.The talks marked the first direct diplomatic engagement between Israel and Lebanon in decades, signaling a major breakthrough as the two countries have officially remained at war since 1948.On the Iran front, US President Donald Trump said that he did not want to rush himself when it came to making a deal with the Middle Eastern country. He said he was under no pressure to end the conflict and is focused on making the best possible deal with Iran.Trump claimed the US had total control of the Strait of Hormuz and said access would be allowed once Iran comes to an agreement. He also said that he wants to limit Tehran's oil revenues during the ceasefire.Trump warned that if Iran refuses to negotiate, the US could escalate the situation militarily.

Tech Rally, US-Iran's Ceasefire Extension Push Kospi to New High

South Korean shares closed at a new high on Thursday, just shying away from touching the 6,500 level, as investor optimism rose after the US and Iran extended their ceasefire indefinitely. In addition, SK Hynix's (KRX:000660) stellar first-quarter earnings also buoyed sentiment.The Korea Composite Stock Price Index or Kospi rose 57.88 points, or 0.9%, to end at 6,475.81. The Kosdaq, however, decreased by 6.81 points, or 0.6%, to close at 1,174.31.Technology stocks such as Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930) and LG Corporation (KRX:003550) also drove gains, as investors focused on their upcoming first-quarter earnings releases. Shares of Samsung Electronics added over 3% while those of LG Corp. added nearly 2% at market close.In economic news, South Korea's real gross domestic product increased 3.6% in the first quarter of 2026 from the same period last year, following a 1.6% annual expansion in the prior quarter, an advance estimate by the Bank of Korea indicated on Thursday.According to a median forecast of economists polled by Reuters, the country's real GDP was expected to grow 2.7%.On a quarterly basis, the economy grew by 1.7% in Q1, which also surpassed the Reuters estimate of 1%.Meanwhile, gross domestic income increased 12.3% on an on-year basis and 7.5% on an on-quarter basis in Q1In corporate news, Tovis (KOSDAQ:051360) posted first-quarter net income attributable to shareholders of 16.05 billion won, up 77% from 9.07 billion won a year earlier, according to a Thursday filing with the Korea Exchange.The South Korean display models manufacturer's sales jumped 10.4% year over year to 169.8 billion won from 153.8 billion won.Shares of Tovis rose more than 4% at market close.

South Korea's Economy Grows in Q1 Amid Rising Chip Demand

South Korea's first-quarter economy expanded amid the growing popularity of artificial intelligence and global chips.The gross domestic product rose 1.7% from the previous quarter, the Bank of Korea said Thursday, beating Reuters' estimate of a 1% growth.The increase in GDP can be mainly attributed to exports of information technology (IT) products, including semiconductors, which jumped 5.1%. The imports of these items were up 3% due to increases in machinery and equipment and in motor vehicles.Major Korean chipmakers have been making huge profits due to the growing demand for AI. SK Hynix (KRX:000660) recorded a 398% year-on-year surge in its first-quarter net income attributable to shareholders to 40.3 trillion won. The company's sales during the period soared 198% year over year to 52.6 trillion won.Meanwhile, facilities investment climbed 4.8% amid increases in machinery and transportation equipment, the BoK said.Construction investment inched 2.8% higher, while government consumption rose by 0.1%.Min Joo Kang, ING's senior economist for South Korea and Japan, said chip exports are expected to gain momentum over the coming months, offsetting the disruptions caused by the Middle East conflict. Total exports climbed 50% year on year, with chip exports soaring 182%, she said, citing April export data. However, South Korea's economy is still facing risks such as higher inflation caused by oil price hikes and energy disruptions."The Korean government implemented a temporary export ban on Naphtha, and Korean companies increased oil and gas imports from outside the Middle East," Kang said. "Despite these measures, manufacturing activity still cannot be sustained at full capacity."Kang said chip exports may begin to slow down in the second half of the year.Krystal Tan, ANZ's Asia economist, also believes the semiconductor industry could help cushion the shock brought by the war in Iran, but growth may also weaken in the coming quarters as the impact of the conflict starts to sink in and the imbalances between supply and demand remain."Importantly, large-scale new memory manufacturing capacity is only expected to begin materializing from the second half of 2027, suggesting the current cycle still has room to run," Tan said. "Continued strength in semiconductor exports would in turn provide Korea with a degree of insulation from external shocks that many other energy-importing economies lack,"

South Korean Shares Open at New High on US-Iran Ceasefire Extension

South Korean shares opened at a fresh high on Thursday, as investor optimism rose after the U.S.-Iran ceasefire was extended indefinitely, while SK Hynix's (KRX:000660) stellar first-quarter earnings buoyed sentiment.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, gained 1.1%, or 70.9 points, to open at 6,488.83. The Kosdaq, on the other hand, declined marginally, opening at 1,189.10.Shares of SK Hynix were up nearly 1% in Thursday morning trade after the company posted Q1 net income attributable to shareholders of 40.330 trillion won, up 398% from 8.107 trillion won a year earlier.The South Korean chipmaker's sales jumped 198% year over year to 52.576 trillion won from 17.639 trillion won.

South Korea's Consumer Sentiment Weakens in April

South Korea's composite consumer sentiment index fell to 99.2 in April from 107 in March, according to data released by the Bank of Korea on Thursday.A reading above 100 indicates an improvement in outlook, while a reading under 100 suggests pessimism.Sentiment toward current living standards was down three points to 91, while sentiment on the future outlook shed five points to 92.The outlook for future household income was down three points to 98, while the sentiment for future household spending also shed three points to 108.Optimism regarding current local economic conditions declined by 18 points to 68, and the reading for future domestic economic conditions was 10 points lower at 79.

South Korea's Real GDP Rises 3.6% in Q1, Tops Estimates

South Korea's real gross domestic product increased 3.6% in the first quarter of 2026 from the same period last year, following a 1.6% annual expansion in the prior quarter, an advance estimate by the Bank of Korea indicated on Thursday.According to a median forecast of economists polled by Reuters, the country's real GDP was expected to grow 2.7%.On a quarterly basis, the economy grew by 1.7% in Q1, which also surpassed the Reuters estimate of 1%.Meanwhile, gross domestic income increased 12.3% on an on-year basis and 7.5% on an on-quarter basis in Q1, the release said.

South Korea's GDP Growth Accelerates to 3.6% in Q1

South Korea's Kospi Closes at Fresh High, Crosses 6,400 Points as Investors Eye Q1 Earnings

South Korean shares closed higher on Wednesday, with the country's primary index Kospi closing at a fresh high of over 6,400 points. Investors eyed the upcoming first-quarter corporate earnings despite the uncertainty over US-Iran talks.The Korea Composite Stock Price Index or Kospi rose 29.46 points, or 0.5%, to end at 6,417.93. The Kosdaq also increased by 2.09 points, or 0.2%, to close at 1,181.12.Shares had opened nearly flat in the day after US President Donald Trump announced an indefinite extension to the ceasefire until Iran came up with a unified proposal on a possible agreement.The White House said JD Vance has not yet left for Pakistan and remains in Washington for further policy meetings, Reuters reported. Meanwhile, Iran said it would engage in talks only after the US ends its naval blockade.Iran's envoy Amir Saeid Iravani, in an interview with Rudlaw News Network at the UN HQ, said talks with the US depend on Washington ending alleged ceasefire violations, including a naval blockade.Iravani added that negotiations could resume in Istanbul once the blockade is lifted, stressing Iran is open to dialogue but also prepared for escalation if necessary.In economic news, producer prices in South Korea increased 4.1% in March from a year earlier, the fastest increase since ​February 2023, according to preliminary data from the Bank of Korea on Wednesday.The year-on-year gains were driven by higher costs across all categories except electric power, gas, water and waste, which declined 1.1% in the month.Producer prices across agricultural, forestry & marine products, manufacturing, and services increased 0.5%, 5.9%, and 3.1%, respectively.In corporate news, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (KRX:009540) secured an order for an ice-breaking vessel from the Swedish Maritime Administration.The deal is valued at 514.8 billion won. The shipbuilder will deliver the vessel by Aug. 28, 2029, according to a Wednesday filing with the Korean Exchange.Shares of HD Korea Shipbuilding jumped more than 8% at market close.

South Korea's Producer Prices Rise 4.1% in March

Producer prices in South Korea increased 4.1% in March from a year earlier, the fastest increase since ​February 2023, according to preliminary data from the Bank of Korea on Wednesday.The year-on-year gains were driven by higher costs across all categories except electric power, gas, water and waste, which declined 1.1% in the month.Producer prices across agricultural, forestry & marine products, manufacturing, and services increased 0.5%, 5.9%, and 3.1%, respectively, the data showed.On a month-on-month basis, producer prices increased 1.6% in March, according to the data.

South Korean Shares Open Flat Amid Uncertain US-Iran Talks, Ceasefire Extension

South Korean shares opened nearly flat on Wednesday after the US and Iran did not confirm a second round of talks anytime soon.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, marginally gained to open at 6,387.57. The Kosdaq, on the other hand, shed 0.18% to begin trading at 1,176.83.US President Donald Trump announced an extension to the ceasefire until Iran came up with a unified proposal on a possible agreement.The White House on Tuesday said that US Vice President JD Vance has not yet departed for Pakistan and remains in Washington for additional policy meetings, according to Reuters.Tehran has not yet given any formal confirmation of joining negotiations with the US in Islamabad.

Kospi Hits All-Time High on Diplomatic Hopes Resurgence

South Korea's primary stock market index Kospi closed at a new high on Tuesday as investors were hopeful about the possibility of a second round of negotiations between the US and Iran to end the conflict in the Middle East.The Korea Composite Stock Price Index or Kospi rose 169.38 points, or 2.7%, to end at 6,388.47. The Kosdaq also increased by 4.18 points, or 0.4%, to close at 1,179.03.The Bank of Korea appointed Hyun Song Shin as its new governor on Tuesday, who took over the top financial role from Rhee Chang-yong, according to a Bank of Korea press release.Hyun will lead the central bank's monetary policy and board over the next four years. He will ​chair his first policy meeting on May 28.In corporate news, SGC Energy (KRX:005090) posted first-quarter net income attributable to shareholders of 4.5 billion won, reversing the attributable net loss of 2.8 billion won a year earlier, according to a Tuesday filing with the Korea Exchange.Sales of the South Korean energy generation company were down 1% year over year to 612 billion won from 618.5 billion won.Shares of SGC Energy rose nearly 4% at market close.In other news, GMB Korea (KRX:013870) signed a contract to supply electric water pumps to Hyundai Motor (KRX:005380) and Kia (KRX:000270), according to a Tuesday filing with the Korea Exchange.The contract, valued at 128.9 billion won, is valid till Dec. 31, 2034.Shares of the motor vehicle parts and accessories company rose 2% at market close, while those of Hyundai Motor added nearly 4% and Kia gained nearly 2%.

Bank of Korea Appoints New Governor

The Bank of Korea appointed Hyun Song Shin as its new governor on Tuesday, who took over the top financial role from Rhee Chang-yong, according to a Bank of Korea press release.Hyun will lead the central bank's monetary policy and board over the next four years. He will ​chair his first policy meeting on May 28.In his inaugural address, Hyun said that the country must strive for "price stability and financial stability through cautious and flexible monetary ​policy operations," amid increased uncertainty, high inflation, and the supply shock caused ​by the Middle East war.Hyun also said that he would focus on the internationalization of the Korean won, as it was crucial to building a monetaryinfrastructure.The central bank will pursue 24-hour foreign exchange market operations and establish offshore won settlement systems. These steps will improve the accessibility and resilience of foreign exchange transactions, making them consistent with international standards. In addition, these efforts will also support won-denominated capital and trade transactions.

South Korean Shares Open Higher on Hopes of Iran Talks

South Korean shares opened sharply higher on Tuesday as signs that Iran may participate in the peace talks with the U.S. emerged.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, rose 1.34%, or added 83.45 points, to open at 6,302.54. The Kosdaq also gained slightly to begin trading at 1,186.23.Iran is planning to send a delegation to the next stage of discussions with the U.S., according to various media reports, citing unnamed sources.However, tensions remained high after U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that the naval blockade of Iranian ports will continue until a deal has been struck with Tehran. The naval blockade, which began a week ago, recently seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship near the Strait of Hormuz.

South Korean Shares Open Flat as US-Iran Tensions Continue

South Korean shares opened flat with a positive bias on Monday as tensions between the U.S. and Iran continue.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, marginally rose to open at 6,213.92. The Kosdaq also gained slightly to begin trading at 1,167.10.Iran's military command, Khatam al-Anbiya, on Monday accused the U.S. of violating a two-week ceasefire after the U.S. Navy destroyer USS Spruance intercepted an Iranian-flagged cargo vessel called Touska near the Strait of Hormuz.In a post on Truth Social on Sunday, U.S. President Donald Trump said the vessel ignored warnings and was seized by U.S. Marines, adding that the vessel was under US Treasury sanctions over alleged past "illegal activity."

South Korean Shares Snap Three-Day Winning Streak Amid IRGC Threats

South Korean shares snapped a three-day winning streak on Friday to close lower as escalating threats from Tehran overshadowed US President Donald Trump's talk of an imminent peace deal.The Korea Composite Stock Price Index or Kospi fell 34.13 points, or 0.6%, to end at 6,191.92. The Kosdaq increased by 7.07 points, or 0.6%, to close at 1,170.04.In economic news, the U.S. dollar accounted for 84.2% of export settlement for South Korea in 2025, marking the East Asian country's largest export settlement currency for the year, the Bank of Korea said in a Thursday release.The euro represented 5.9%, the South Korean won took up 3.4%, and the Japanese yen represented 1.9% of the country's export settlement currencies last year, the release said.In corporate news, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (KRX:009540) secured an order for four very large gas carriers (VLGCs) from an unnamed Middle Eastern shipping company.The deal is valued at 674.7 billion won. The shipbuilder will deliver the vessels by Nov. 30, 2029, according to a Friday filing with the Korean Exchange.Shares of HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering rose nearly 3% at market close.

US Dollar South Korea's Largest Export Settlement Currency in 2025

The U.S. dollar represented 84.2% of settlement currencies for Korean exports in 2025, marking the East Asian country's largest export settlement currency for the year, the Bank of Korea said in a Thursday release.The euro represented 5.9%, the South Korean won took up 3.4%, and the Japanese yen represented 1.9% of the country's export settlement currencies last year, the release said.

South Korean Shares Open Slightly Higher on US-Iran Deal Optimism

South Korean shares opened slightly higher on Friday after U.S. President Donald Trump said that the U.S. is "very close" to striking a deal with Iran and another meeting could take place between the two countries this weekend.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, marginally rose to open at 6,227.33. The Kosdaq also gained 3.8 points to start trading at 1,166.78.Trump said Iran has agreed not to develop nuclear weapons, adding that the ongoing agreement could extend beyond two decades.Meanwhile, U.S. Central Command claimed U.S. forces forced 14 vessels to turn back within 72 hours of the naval blockade of Iranian ports.Trump also announced a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon on Thursday. He said that Israel's prime minister and Lebanon's president could have a meeting ⁠in Washington over ⁠the ⁠next week or two.

South Korean Shares Close Higher for Third Day on Possible US-Iran Deal; HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Closes 4%

South Korean shares closed higher for a third straight day on Thursday, with the primary index Kospi ending the trading session over 6,200 points as optimism grew around a possible US-Iran deal.Stocks also tracked overnight gains on Wall Street after U.S. President Donald Trump said the Iran war was "very close to over" in an interview that aired on Wednesday.The Korea Composite Stock Price Index or Kospi rose 134.66 points, or 2.2%, to end at 6,226.05. The Kosdaq also increased by 10.54 points, or 0.9%, to close at 1,162.97.In corporate news, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (KRX:009540) secured an order for two LPG carriers from an unnamed European shipowner.The deal is valued at 346.6 billion won. The shipbuilder will deliver the vessels by April 30, 2029, according to a Thursday filing with the Korean Exchange.Shares of HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering rose nearly 2% at market close.In other news, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (KRX:329180) won an order for pure car and truck carriers from a European shipping company, according to a Thursday filing with the Korean Exchange.The deal is valued at 398.5 billion won. The shipbuilder will deliver the vessels by March 31, 2029.Shares of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries rose 4% at market close.

South Korean Shares Open Higher on US-Iran Deal Optimism

South Korean shares opened higher on Thursday, tracking overnight gains in U.S. stocks as optimism around the possibility of a US-Iran deal rose.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, rose 58.09 points or 0.95% to open at 6,149.49. The Kosdaq also gained 10.57 points or 0.91% to start trading at 1,163.Reuters reported that Brent crude declined 44 cents (0.5%) to $94.49 a barrel, while U.S. WTI crude shed 70 cents (0.8%) to $90.59 a barrel on hopes of easing U.S.-Iran tensions.U.S. President Donald Trump said the Iran war is "very close to over" in an interview that aired on Wednesday, despite the leader of Iran's joint military command threatening to bring trade to a standstill in the Gulf region if the U.S. kept blocking Iranian ports.In addition, Iranian official Mohsen Rezaei warned that any U.S. invasion would lead Iran to capturing American troops as hostages and strike U.S. naval vessels enforcing the Strait of Hormuz blockade.