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Asia

South Korean Shares Close Lower on Failed US-Iran Talks, Hormuz Blockade by US Navy

South Korean shares closed lower on Monday after the US and Iran failed to reach common ground after 21 hours of negotiations in Islamabad, Pakistan.Following the failed talks, US President Donald Trump on Sunday warned on Truth Social that the US Navy would immediately begin blockading all ships attempting to enter or leave the Strait of Hormuz. US forces are expected to block ​all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports at 10 am ET on Monday.The Korea Composite Stock Price Index or Kospi fell 50.25 points, or 0.9%, to end at 5,808.62. The Kosdaq increased by 6.21 points, or 0.6%, to close at 1,099.84.In economic news, South Korea's exports jumped 36.7% to $25.2 billion in the first 10 days of April from $18.4 billion a year earlier, Monday data from the Korea Customs Service showed. Imports increased 12.7% to $22.1 billion from $19.6 billion a year earlier, resulting in a $3.1 billion trade surplus.In corporate news, HD-Hyundai Marine Engine (KRX:071970) secured a ship engine supply contract from K Shipbuilding, according to a Monday filing with the Korean Exchange. The deal is valued at 85.9 billion won. The shipbuilder will deliver the engine by May 25, 2028.Shares of HD-Hyundai Marine Engine jumped more than 5% at market close.

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International

South Korean Won Weakens Amid Failed US-Iran Talks

The South Korean won weakened against the U.S. dollar on Monday after the talks between the US and Iran failed after 21 hours of negotiations in Islamabad.Following the failed negotiations, U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday warned on Truth Social that the U.S. Navy would immediately begin blockading all ships attempting to enter or leave the Strait of Hormuz.The won opened at 1,495.4 per dollar, weakening 12.9 won from the previous close, according to a Yonhap News report.According to Reuters, U.S. forces would block ​all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports at 10 am ET on Monday.

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International

South Korea's Exports Jump 37% in First 10 Days of April

South Korea's exports jumped 36.7% to $25.2 billion in the first 10 days of April from $18.4 billion a year earlier, Monday data from the Korea Customs Service showed.Imports increased 12.7% to $22.1 billion from $19.6 billion a year earlier, resulting in a $3.1 billion trade surplus.

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Asia

Market Chatter: South Korea May Secure Crude Oil from Kazakhstan Amid Middle East War

South Korea may be close to securing crude oil supplies from Kazakhstan, and may announce specific amounts and details early next ​week, Reuters reported Sunday, citing industry minister Kim Jung-kwan during his interview ​with local broadcaster KBS.Earlier in April, Kim, along with the Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik traveled to Kazakhstan to discuss securing crude oil and naphtha, Reuters reported.The negotiations came amid the ongoing Middle East war, which makes it crucial for South Korea to seek alternative oil sources. The country almost solely depends ⁠on imports for its energy, with 70% of oil supplies coming from the Middle East, 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.)

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Asia

Correction: South Korean Shares Open Lower on US-Iran Failed Talks

(Corrected to reflect the decline in the indices in the second paragraph)South Korean shares opened lower on Monday after the US and Iran failed to reach common ground after 21 hours of negotiations in Islamabad.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, fell 121.59 points or 2.07% to open at 5,737.28. The Kosdaq also decreased 16.78 points or 1.53% to start trading at 1,076.85.US Vice President JD Vance, who led the Washington delegation, said Tehran had refused to accept Washington's terms, while Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday said that it did not anticipate reaching an agreement with the US in a day.Following the failed talks, US President Donald Trump on Sunday warned on Truth Social that the US Navy would immediately begin blockading all ships attempting to enter or leave the Strait of Hormuz. The US Navy has also been instructed to "seek and interdict" every vessel in International Waters that has paid a toll to Iran.According to Reuters, US forces would block ​all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports at 10 am ET on Monday.Following the news, Brent crude surged 7.98% to $102.80 a barrel after a slight loss on Friday, while U.S. WTI jumped 8.61% to $104.88, rebounding from the previous session's decline.

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Asia

South Korean Shares Open Lower on US-Iran Failed Talks

South Korean shares opened lower on Monday after the US and Iran failed to reach common ground after 21 hours of negotiations in Islamabad.US Vice President JD Vance, who led the Washington delegation, said Tehran had refused to accept Washington's terms, while Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday said that it did not anticipate reaching an agreement with the US in a day.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, rose 121.59 points or 2.07% to open at 5,737.28. The KOSDAQ also increased 16.78 points or 1.53% to start trading at 1,076.85.Following the failed talks, US President Donald Trump on Sunday warned on Truth Social that the US Navy would immediately begin blockading all ships attempting to enter or leave the Strait of Hormuz. The US Navy has also been instructed to "seek and interdict" every vessel in International Waters that has paid a toll to Iran.According to Reuters, US forces would block ​all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports at 10 am ET on Monday.Following the news, Brent crude surged 7.98% to $102.80 a barrel after a slight loss on Friday, while U.S. WTI jumped 8.61% to $104.88, rebounding from the previous session's decline.

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Asia

Trump Declares Immediate U.S. Navy Blockade of Hormuz After Iran Talks Fail

U.S. President Donald Trump warned on social media that the U.S. Navy would immediately begin blockading all ships attempting to enter or leave the Strait of Hormuz after a failed talk with Tehran.Trump said in a Truth Social post on Sunday that while the goal is eventually to reach an "all being allowed to go in, all being allowed to go out" arrangement, Iran has prevented this by citing vague concerns about undisclosed mines."Iran has not allowed that to happen by merely saying, 'There may be a mine out there somewhere,' that nobody knows about but them," Trump wrote.Trump further directed the Navy to intercept any vessel in international waters that has paid a toll to Iran while also ordering the destruction of mines allegedly laid by Iran in the strait and warning that any Iranian attack on U.S. or peaceful vessels would result in them being "BLOWN TO HELL."Meanwhile, Reuters News, citing the U.S. Central Command, reported that the blockade of all maritime traffic to and from Iranian ports is set to begin at 10 a.m. ET on Monday.The command clarified that freedom of navigation would remain unaffected for ships transiting the strait to non-Iranian ports, with formal notices to be issued to commercial mariners beforehand, the newswire said.

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US Markets

South Korea Keeps Rate Steady at 2.50%

South Korea kept its monetary interest rates unchanged as the Middle East conflict brought more pressure on inflation and risks to economic growth.The Bank of Korea decided to leave the base rate steady at 2.50%, according to a Friday disclosure from the central bank.The decision was in line with ING's prediction that rates would be unchanged. In an April 2 note, ING analysts Lynn Song and Min Joo Kang said strong demand for chips helped offset the effect of commodity supply constraints, while government measures are mitigating the effects of the oil price shocks that could trigger inflation higher."The currently available information suggests that the global economy has continued its relatively favorable growth trend, supported by AI-related investment and fiscal expansion in major economies," the central bank said in a press release. "However, growth is expected to weaken and inflation to increase, affected by energy price hikes and supply constraints stemming from the war in the Middle East."The BoK forecasted that inflation is likely to rise to between the mid- and upper- 2% range due to global oil price hikes.Consumer price inflation in March increased to 2.2% from the previous month's 2%, while short-term inflation expectations among the general public moderately climbed to 2.7%, the BoK said.The U.S. and Iran only recently reached an 11th-hour deal to a two-week ceasefire after President Donald Trump threatened Tehran to wipe it out unless the Strait of Hormuz is reopened. The impact of the ceasefire is yet to be seen, especially since a longer-term peace treaty seemed uncertain.ANZ said that the policy messaging from BoK did not signal imminent tightening as Governor Rhee Chang-yong said it is "premature to discuss a rate hike" amid uncertainty on the duration of the war in Iran and the scale of its impact."The BoK continues to retain optionality, with any rate hike likely conditional on the price shock proving persistent and materially lifting inflation expectations," ANZ Asia Economist Krystal Tan said.ANZ maintains its stance that the BoK will add 25 basis points to its rate in the second half of the year.

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Asia Markets

South Korean Shares Close Higher Ahead of US-Iran Ceasefire Talks in Islamabad

South Korean shares closed higher on Friday as Iran and the US gear up for ceasefire talks in Pakistan's Islamabad later in the day after both sides agreed to a two-week truce on Thursday.US Vice President JD Vance is headed to Islamabad, while Tehran's participation in the talks remains uncertain after Israel attacked Beirut earlier this week.The Korea Composite Stock Price Index or Kospi rose 80.86 points, or 1.4%, to end at 5,858.87. The Kosdaq also increased by 17.63 points, or 1.6%, to close at 1,093.63.In economic news, the Bank of Korea's Monetary Policy Board on Friday decided to keep the base rate steady at 2.50% for the intermeeting period, taking into account the uncertainty surrounding the recent developments in the Middle East, which could fan inflation.The central bank's decision was largely expected by all 31 economists polled ​by Reuters. Most of the 30 economists expect no rate change through this year, with only four forecasting an increase--three to 2.75% and one to 3% by year-end.Annual inflation is now projected to surpass the February forecasts of 2.2% for headline inflation and 2.1% for core inflation. However, uncertainty remains high due to oil prices, exchange rates, policy effects, and cost pass-through levels.In corporate news, HJ Shipbuilding & Construction (KRX:097230) won a redevelopment project in Busan from the Beomcheon 5 District Redevelopment Project Association, according to a Friday filing with the Korea Exchange.The contract is valued at 349.7 billion won.Shares of the shipbuilder rose more than 2% at market close.

KOSPI
Japan

South Korean Shares Open Higher Ahead of US-Iran Ceasefire Talks in Islamabad

South Korean shares started the trading day on a higher note on Friday as Iran and the US gear up for ceasefire talks in Pakistan's Islamabad later in the day.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, rose 98.11 points or 1.69% to open at 5,876.12. The KOSDAQ also increased 13.14 points or 1.22% to start trading at 1,089.14.Iran continues to tighten control over the Strait of Hormuz, requiring vessels to seek transit permission, while US President Donald Trump warned against imposing tolls on oil tankers.Tehran accused the US of breaching the ceasefire agreement by allowing Israel's attacks on Lebanon, which the White House refuted. Meanwhile, the US is planning to host talks aimed at securing a Lebanon-Israel truce.Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel seeks direct talks with Lebanon on disarming Tehran-backed Hezbollah and enforcing peace ties, adding that no ceasefire is in place. Lebanese officials said no formal invitation for talks has been received and stressed there will be "no negotiations under fire."

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Asia Markets

South Korean Shares Close Lower amid Israel's Beirut Attack, US-Iran Ceasefire Under Strain

South Korean shares closed lower on Thursday after Israel violated the US-Iran truce and attacked Lebanon's capital, Beirut, on Wednesday.Investors remained skeptical about the longevity of the ceasefire amid the recent attack, as Tehran prepares to engage in talks with the US in Islamabad from Friday. The development also clouded the potential reopening of the critical Strait of Hormuz in the near term.The Korea Composite Stock Price Index or Kospi fell 94.33 points, or 1.6%, to end at 5,778.01. The Kosdaq also decreased by 13.85 points, or 1.3%, to close at 1,076.Israel hit Beirut without warning on Wednesday, hours after the US and Iran agreed on a two-week ceasefire. The strikes killed at least 250 people and wounded 890, according to AFP.In corporate news, Hanwha Ocean (KRX:042660) secured an order for two very large crude carriers from an Oceania-based shipowner, according to a Thursday filing with the Korea Exchange. The contract, valued at 393.3 billion won, is valid till Jan. 4, 2030.Shares of Hanwha Ocean fell more than 3% at market close.

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US Markets

South Korea's Current Account Reaches Record Surplus in February on Semiconductor Exports

South Korea's balance of payments topped the $20-billion mark for the first time in February due to a surge in semiconductor shipments.The country logged a positive current account balance of $23.19 billion in January, surging from $7.23 billion a year earlier, the Bank of Korea reported Wednesday.The figure is the 34th consecutive month of current account surpluses, Bloomberg said, citing the central bank.Goods exports surged to a new all-time high of $23.36 billion in the month from $8.98 billion in the prior-year period.The figure surpassed the previous peak of $18.85 billion in December 2025, Asia Business Daily reported the same day.Exports surged nearly 30% to $70.37 billion from $54.19 billion. The increase could be attributable to a 158% surge in semiconductor exports, according to the Asia Business Daily report, citing Customs.Imports grew year over year to $47 billion from $45.2 billion.South Korea's service account deficit narrowed to $1.86 billion during the month from $3.38 billion.The central bank attributed the continuing deficit to losses in the travel and manufacturing services accounts.The primary income account logged a surplus of $2.48 billion, up from $2.41 billion, due to higher equity income, the central bank said.Secondary income deficit stayed at $790 million, unchanged from a year earlier.

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