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Asia

Market Chatter: South Korea Plans to Crack Down on Speculative FX Trading Amid Weakening Currency

South Korea plans to crack down on speculative foreign-exchange trading, with regulators set to carry out on-site inspections and investigations into suspected market-disruptive activities, Bloomberg reported Wednesday, citing Moon Jisung, deputy finance minister for international affairs.The move comes as the country intensifies its efforts to defend its currency after the won slid to its weakest level since 2009 in the week ended June 6, the report said.The Korean won gained 1.2% to 1,509.50 per dollar on Tuesday, extending its 2% gain on Monday, after the government reaffirmed its commitment to support the currency and investigate speculative trading. Despite the revival, the won remains one of Asia's weakest-performing currencies in 2026, down 5.3%, outperforming only the Indonesian rupiah and Indian rupee, 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 Slide at Open on Renewed US-Iran Tensions

South Korean shares opened sharply lower on Wednesday on renewed US-Iran tensions.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, fell 2.4%, or 197.16 points, to open at 7,899.77. The Kosdaq also declined 0.95%, or 9.22 points, to open at 958.58.Sentiment turned cautious after the US military's Central Command (CENTCOM) said it carried out self-defense strikes against Iran after Iranian forces allegedly shot down a U.S. attack helicopter over the Strait of Hormuz on Monday.Major heavyweight stocks led the losses in early trading, with Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930) shares declining over 4% and SK Hynix (KRX:000660) shares falling nearly 4%.

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Asia

South Korean Markets Rebound Sharply as Tech Giants Lead Recovery

South Korean stocks closed sharply higher on Tuesday, marking a rebound from the previous session's 8.3% plunge, thanks to strong gains made by technology stocks. Market heavyweights Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930) and SK Hynix (KRX:000660) added nearly 9% and 16%, respectively, at market close.The Korea Composite Stock Price Index or Kospi rose 612.52 points, or 8.2%, to end at 8,096.93. The Kosdaq also increased by 56.42 points, or 6.2%, to close at 967.81.The volatility prompted the Korea Exchange to deploy "sidecar" mechanisms. It activated a five-minute buy-side sidecar on the country's primary and secondary stock markets on Tuesday morning.A buy-side sidecar was activated for the KOSPI market at 9:12 a.m. after KOSPI200 Futures rose 5.2%. A similar measure was triggered for the KOSDAQ at 9:28 a.m. following a 6.62% jump in KOSDAQ150 Futures.A buy-side sidecar is activated when the KOSPI200 Futures index or the KOSDAQ150 futures rise 5% or more for at least one minute.In corporate news, chipmaker SK Hynix placed an order with Hanmi Semiconductor (KRX:042700) for TC Bonder 4.5 Griffin equipment for HBM4 manufacturing, according to a Monday filing with the Korea Exchange.The contract, worth 44.2 billion won, is valid until Sept. 2.Shares of Hanmi Semiconductor added over 9% at market close.In other news, Xi S&D (KRX:317400) secured a contract worth 141.1 billion won to build an apartment complex and neighborhood commercial facilities in Busan, according to a Tuesday filing with the Korea Exchange.The project comprises the construction of six basement levels and 45 above-ground floors on a site located at Busan's 1394-335 Jung-dong, Haeundae-gu, the filing said.The construction is expected to take 48 months.Shares of Xi S&D, which engages in construction, housing development, and home solution businesses, rose over 3% at market close.

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Asia

Market Chatter: South Korea's President Vows to Raise Investment in Future Growth Sectors

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung announced plans to use excess tax revenues from the semiconductor sector to fund new growth industries, Bloomberg News reported Monday, citing a press conference marking Lee's first anniversary as president.The goal is to reduce the country's long-term reliance on microchips and build global competitiveness across other technology sectors, the report said.Highlighting this economic shift, President Lee nominated Han Seong-sook, the current Minister of SMEs and Startups and former CEO of internet company Naver (KRX:035420), as the country's next Prime Minister, according to the report.(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

Korea Exchange Halts Kospi, Kosdaq Trading for Five Minutes After Strong Purchasing Spree

The Korea Exchange activated a five-minute buy-side sidecar on the country's primary and secondary stock market on Tuesday morning after investors rushed to purchase stocks amid a rebound in technology stocks and U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement on Truth Social of a ceasefire between Israel and Iran.The Korea Exchange announced the order at 9:12 am after the KOSPI200 Futures added 60.80 points, or 5.2%, to trade at 1,239.05.The five-minute buy-side sidecar on Kosdaq was activated at 9:28 am after the KOSDAQ150 Futures also rose by 104.10 points, or 6.62%, to trade at 1,676.30.A buy-side sidecar is activated when the KOSPI200 Futures index or the KOSDAQ150 futures rise 5% or more for at least one minute.

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South Korea's First-Quarter GDP Rises 3.8% Year Over Year on Chip Surge
US Markets

South Korea's First-Quarter GDP Rises 3.8% Year Over Year on Chip Surge

South Korea's economy expanded 3.8% in the first quarter from a year earlier, according to data released Tuesday by the Bank of Korea.The latest print accelerated from 1.6% growth in the fourth quarter of 2025, beating the consensus forecast of 3.6% tracked by Investing.com.On a quarter-over-quarter basis, the Bank of Korea revised its advance estimate upward by 0.1 percentage point to 1.8%, rebounding from a 0.1% contraction in the previous quarter. The quarterly figure also topped the consensus forecast of 1.7%.The latest data confirmed a semiconductor-led surge that the Bank of Korea reported in its advance estimate in April. Major players in the semiconductor field include Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930) and SK Hynix (KRX:000660).Exports of goods and services rose 11.8% year over year in the first quarter, significantly faster than the 4.6% jump in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to the latest data.Imports of goods and services likewise jumped 8.5% from a year earlier in Q1, also accelerating from the 3.9% increase in Q4 2025.Elsewhere, manufacturing output climbed 7.2% year over year, versus the 2.4% increase in Q4 2025. The agriculture, forestry and fishing sector rose 3.5% in Q1 from a year earlier, reversing the 0.5% dip in Q4 2025.Output from the electricity, gas and water supply sector contracted for the fourth straight quarter in Q1, dropping 5% after the 4.4% slide in Q4 2025.On the expenditure side, private consumption rose 2.7% year over year in Q1 after growing 2.4% in Q4 2025, while government spending jumped 3.1%, slowing from the 3.6% expansion previously.ING Think Senior Economist for South Korea, Min Joo Kang, wrote in an April 23 note that growth is expected to slow in the second quarter."We expect strong chip momentum to continue, but also a slowdown in 2Q26 growth as energy disruptions affect activity across petrochemicals and other manufacturing sectors.""The Korean government implemented a temporary export ban on Naphtha, and Korean companies increased oil and gas imports from outside the Middle East. Despite these measures, manufacturing activity still cannot be sustained at full capacity," Min added.Meanwhile, Stephen Lee, an economist at Meritz Securities in Seoul, expects stronger export momentum in the third quarter and export growth of around 50% for the full year."It is truly an unprecedented pace, raising market expectations again and again and ​exceeding them again and again," Lee was quoted by Reuters as saying last week.The Bank of Korea recently raised its economic growth forecast for the country to 2.6% this year from its previous 2% growth outlook, citing the semiconductor boom.BOK Governor Shin Hyun-song expects strong exports to contribute 0.7 percentage points to the country's GDP growth in 2026, Yonhap reported May 28, citing a press conference.

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Asia

South Korean Shares Jump at Open on Tech Stock Revival, Israel-Iran Ceasefire

South Korean stocks opened higher on Tuesday amid a rebound in technology stocks and US President Donald Trump's announcement on Truth Social of a ceasefire between Israel and Iran.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, rose 2.85%, or 213.35 points, to open at 7,697.76. The Kosdaq also added 2.88%, or 26.3 points, to open at 937.69.Major heavyweight stocks led the gains in early trading, with Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930) adding over 4%, SK Hynix (KRX:000660) adding more than 6%, and Hyundai Motor (KRX:005380) and Kia (KRX:000270) adding more than 3% and 7%, respectively.

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International

South Korea's Q1 GDP Rises 3.8% Year Over Year

South Korea's GDP grew 3.8% year over year in the first quarter, according to preliminary data released by the Bank of Korea on Tuesday.The pace of growth was faster than the 1.6% expansion recorded in the previous quarter, exceeding the consensus forecast for a 3.6% growth, according to Investing.com.On a quarter-over-quarter basis, the economy expanded 1.8%, rebounding from the 0.1% contraction in the previous quarter. It also topped the consensus forecast of 1.7%.

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International

Asia Week Ahead: Inflation Prints; GDP Estimates; and Trade Balance

For the week ahead in Asia, inflation, trade and growth data will be in focus as investors assess the region's economic momentum.The week opens with Japan's revised first-quarter GDP figures, followed by trade data from China and Taiwan on Tuesday.Mid-week, China's consumer and producer inflation reports will dominate headlines, while Japan will release producer price data.Thursday will be led by unemployment figures from South Korea and Malaysia, before Friday brings India's inflation report.Here's what to watch in the week ahead.MONDAY, June 8The week was off to a relatively light, but notable start with Japan's first-quarter GDP growth rate.Japan's economy expanded at an annualized rate of 1.8% in the first quarter, according to final data released by the Cabinet Office. The reading was revised down from the preliminary estimate of 2.1% growth, but exceeded the market consensus forecast for a 1.3% increase, according to Trading Economics.The data comes as attention turns to the Bank of Japan's June 15-16 policy meeting, where policymakers are expected to consider another interest-rate increase. The growth figures are unlikely to derail expectations for further policy tightening.TUESDAY, June 9Data readouts will pick up Tuesday, starting with China's trade figures for May.Economists at ING said they expect China's exports to rise 19.5% year-on year and imports to gain 36.4% for a trade surplus of $86.5 billion. The surplus would be an increase from the $84.8 billion recorded in April, thanks in part to higher tech prices, which are boosting both export and import prices, ING said.Taiwan will similarly report trade figures, with ING expecting the island nation's trade surplus to rise to $15.5 billion from $14.4 billion in April. "Strong export orders from previous months suggest external demand remains robust amid the AI boom," ING said in a preview.Markets will be watching for any revisions to South Korea's first-quarter GDP growth rate when the Bank of Korea releases its final estimate on Tuesday.The central bank's advance estimate indicated that South Korea's real GDP increased 3.6% annually and 1.7% on a quarterly basis.In Australia, a pair of reports will capture business and consumer sentiment, while in the Philippines, unemployment stats will be due.Other key data scheduled for the day include Japan's machine tool orders.WEDNESDAY, June 10China's consumer and producer price inflation will dominate headlines Wednesday.Consumer prices are expected to show an uptick of 1.3% year on year in May from 1.2% a month prior, reflecting higher manufacturers' input and output prices due to the Middle East conflict, the Wall Street Journal reported.Japan will similarly report its May producer prices, with analysts expecting the PPI to accelerate to 5.5% year on year from 4.9% in April, according to a Trading Economics consensus.Indonesia will release its May consumer confidence report on the same day.THURSDAY, June 11Unemployment data from South Korea and Malaysia will be the highlight of the day.According to Trading Economics, South Korea's unemployment rate could remain unchanged at 2.80% in May. The platform similarly forecasted that Malaysia's unemployment would remain steady at 2.90%, a level it has held since November 2025.A forward-looking report on consumer inflation expectations will be due in Australia. According to Trading Economics, consumer inflation expectations could rise to 6.5% for June from the 5.6% estimated in May.Meanwhile, Indonesia will report its retail sales stats for April.FRIDAY, June 12India's May inflation data will be in the news Friday.Economists at ING said they expect consumer prices to pick up to 3.9% year on year from the 3.48% recorded in the month prior due to a rise in gasoline prices. Still, the figure would be below the Reserve Bank of India's 4% target."The key risk to the outlook lies in potential second-round effects on food inflation. Fertiliser shortages, alongside the rising probability of an El Niño event, could exert upward pressure on food prices in the coming months and warrant close monitoring," ING said in a preview.Friday will also feature industrial production reports from Japan, Malaysia, and Hong Kong, with Malaysia additionally reporting its retail sales stats for April.In Thailand, the consumer confidence report for May will be due.On the activity front, the Business NZ manufacturing purchasing managers' index report will be due in New Zealand. CommBank said it expects manufacturing activity in May to stabilize, or even lift somewhat, given a decline in fuel prices over late April and May.The Business NZ PMI previously dropped to 50.5 in April from 52.8 in March.

ASX 200^BSEHang Seng^JKSEFTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCIKOSPINikkei 225^NSENifty 50^NZ50^PSEI^SETShanghai Composite^SZSETaiwan Weighted
Asia

South Korean Shares Plunge Amid Over AI-Led Investment Worries, Possible US Fed Rate Hikes

South Korean shares tanked on Monday as investors offloaded stocks amid renewed concerns over the profitability of AI-led investments and fears that the U.S. Federal Reserve could adopt a more hawkish monetary policy stance due to a better-than-expected U.S. jobs report for May.The Korea Composite Stock Price Index or Kospi fell 676.18 points, or 8.3%, to end at 7,484.41. The Kosdaq also decreased by 91.05 points, or 9.1%, to close at 911.39.The Korea Exchange activated a five-minute sell-side sidecar on the country's primary and secondary stock markets on Monday morning as concerns rose over the semiconductor sector, and investor sentiment was dragged down by fears of further interest rate hikes after the U.S.'s better-than-expected jobs data.A sell-side sidecar is activated when the KOSPI200 Futures index or the KOSDAQ150 futures decline 5% or more for at least one minute.In corporate news, SK Group subsidiaries SK Hynix (KRX:000660) and SK Telecom (KRX:017670) unveiled separate partnerships with U.S. chip giant Nvidia to support AI infrastructure expansion and next-generation memory development.Meanwhile, SK Hynix signed a multi-year technology partnership with Nvidia to develop next-generation memory solutions. Shares of SK Hynix fell over 7% at market close.

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Asia

Korea Exchange Halts Kospi, Kosdaq Trading for Five Minutes After Strong Sell-Off

The Korea Exchange activated a five-minute sell-side sidecar on the country's primary and secondary stock market on Monday morning as concerns rose over the semiconductor sector, and investor sentiment was dragged down by fears of further interest rate hikes after the better-than-expected May U.S. jobs report.The Korea Exchange announced the order at 9:34 am after the KOSPI200 Futures shed 81.30 points, or 6.3%, to trade at 1,216.85.The five-minute sell-side sidecar on Kosdaq was activated after the KOSDAQ150 Futures shed 140.60 points, or 7.95%, to trade at 1,625.90.A sell-side sidecar is activated when the KOSPI200 Futures index or the KOSDAQ150 futures decline 5% or more for at least one minute.

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Asia

South Korea's President Lee Proposes Former Naver Chief Han Seong-sook as New Prime Minister

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has nominated Han Seongsook, the Minister of SMEs and Startups and former chief executive of internet company ​Naver (KRX:035420), as the country's next prime minister, the presidential office said Sunday.If confirmed by parliament, Han would become the country's first female prime minister in two decades, Reuters said in a same-day report.

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Asia

South Korean Shares Open Lower

South Korean stocks opened lower Monday, tracking losses on Wall Street on Friday after a hot U.S. jobs report fueled expectations of further interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve.Major heavyweight stocks led the decline in early trading, with Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930) declining over 9% and SK Hynix (KRX:000660) falling over 8%.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, fell 1.4%, or 112.5 points, to open at 8,048.09. The Kosdaq shed 4.4%, or 42.83 points, to open at 959.61.

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Asia

Export-Import Bank of Korea Files for Singapore Listing of HK$4 Billion Bonds

Export-Import Bank of Korea filed for the listing of HK$4 billion worth of 3.324% bonds due 2029 on the Singapore bourse, according to a filing with the Singapore Exchange on Friday.The bonds will be listed and quoted in the Bonds Market on June 8, the filing added.

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Asia

South Korean Shares Plummet as Global Tech Selloff Hits Seoul Chip Giants; Samsung Loses 6%, SK Hynix Falls 9%

South Korean shares plunged at market close on Friday to end the week in red, as investors offloaded key chip stocks following overnight weakness in US semiconductor stocks.Market-moving semiconductor manufacturers Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930) and SK Hynix (KRX:000660) witnessed losses of over 6% and 9% in their stocks at the end of the trading day.The Korea Composite Stock Price Index or Kospi fell 478.82 points, or 5.5%, to end at 8,160.59. The Kosdaq also decreased by 47.29 points, or 4.5%, to close at 1,002.44.In economic news, South Korea booked a current account surplus of $28.3 billion in April, down from $37.9 billion in March, according to data from the Bank of Korea published Friday.The figure beat analysts' $11.4 billion surplus forecast, according to Trading Economics.In corporate news, TES (KOSDAQ:095610) secured a semiconductor manufacturing equipment contract from chipmaker SK Hynix, the South Korean manufacturer of chips, solar cell, and display equipment.The contract, valued at 21.2 billion won, is valid until Jan. 15, 2027. Its shares closed over 2% higher.

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Asia

South Korean Shares Open Lower Amid Uncertainty Around US-Iran Peace Deal

South Korean stocks opened lower on Friday as investors adopted a wait-and-see approach amid uncertainty over the U.S.-Iran peace agreement.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, fell 3.66%, or 316.21 points, to open at 8,323.2. The Kosdaq shed 14.51 points to open at 1,035.22.Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said earlier this week that "no tangible progress" had been made in the country's negotiations with the U.S. to end the war, according to CBS News.Araghchi said communication with the U.S. was ongoing but warned that any attack by Israel on Lebanon's capital, Beirut, under its campaign against Hezbollah would lead to fresh tensions in the U.S.-Iran conflict.

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International

South Korea's Current Account Surplus Falls in April

South Korea booked a current account surplus of $28.3 billion in April, down from $37.9 billion in March, according to data from the Bank of Korea published Friday.The figure beat analysts' $11.4 billion surplus forecast, according to Trading Economics.The goods account surplus declined to $33.9 billion from $35.7 billion the previous month as exports jumped 54.5% to $90.6 billion.Services account logged a larger deficit of $2.42 billion from $1.31 billion in March.

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Asia

South Korean Shares Close Nearly 2% Lower on Overnight Wall Street Losses, Fresh Middle East Tensions

South Korean shares closed nearly 2% lower on Thursday, after overnight losses on Wall Street and fresh Middle East tensions following the U.S. launching new military attacks on Iran's Qeshm Islands.The Korea Composite Stock Price Index or Kospi fell 162.08 points, or 1.8%, to end at 8,639.41. The Kosdaq increased by 23.7 points, or 2.3%, to close at 1,049.73.In economic news, South Korea's official foreign reserve assets stood at $427.0 billion at the end of May, compared with $427.9 billion in the previous month, according to Bank of Korea data published Thursday.The amount consists of $380.7 billion in securities, $21.4 billion in deposits, $4.4 billion in International Monetary Fund reserve position, $15.8 billion in special drawing rights, and $4.8 billion in gold.In corporate news, medical equipment manufacturer Plasmapp (KOSDAQ:405000) secured a supply contract for U510 and STERI700 sterilizers from Qmed Master Distribution, according to a Thursday filing with the Korea Exchange.The contract, valued at 3.53 billion won, is valid till June 1, 2027.Shares of Plasmapp fell nearly 4% at market close.

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Asia

Market Chatter: South Korea's Ruling Democratic Party Wins Local Elections

South Korea's ruling Democratic ​Party secured the majority of seats in local elections, early vote counting showed on Thursday, Reuters reported the same day.President Lee Jae Myung's party won Busan and led in 12 of 16 mayoral and provincial contests across the country, the report said.Meanwhile, incumbent Oh Se-hoon of the opposition People Power Party (PPP) held a narrow lead in the capital Seoul, where voting disruptions have been reported over a shortage of ballot papers, 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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Japan

South Korean Shares Open Lower on Overnight Wall Street Losses, Fresh US-Iran Tensions

South Korean shares opened sharply lower on Thursday, owing to overnight losses on Wall Street and fresh Middle East tensions after the U.S. launched new military attacks on Iran's Qeshm Islands.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, fell 2%, or 177.67 points, to open at 8,623.82. The Kosdaq increased 0.7%, or 6.88 points, to open at 1,032.91.The major U.S. stock indices closed lower on Wednesday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average declining 1.21%, the S&P 500 falling 0.74%, and the Nasdaq Composite shedding 0.89%.The U.S. military said it tackled multiple Iranian missiles and drone attacks in the Gulf and carried out self-defense strikes on an Iranian military ground control station on Qeshm Island. U.S. forces also shot down three Iranian attack drones that were heading toward civilian mariners in regional waters, according to the U.S. Central Command.

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