FINWIRES · TerminalLIVE
FINWIRES

KOSPI

KOSPI
IndexIndex

345 stories mentioning KOSPIUpdated 2h ago

Opened up 1.8% on the US-Iran deal and strong May export prices driven by a surge in semiconductor-linked products.

International

South Korea's Producer Inflation Remains at 8.6% in June

South Korea's producer price index (PPI) increased 8.6% year over year in June, according to preliminary data from the Bank of Korea released on Wednesday.The reading remained unchanged from the previous month but exceeded Trading Economics' forecast of 8.2%.PPI inflation across agricultural, forestry and marine products, and services was unchanged in June from May, while that of manufacturing products slowed.Out of all the primary sectors, only utilities posted an acceleration in producer price growth.On a month-over-month basis, South Korea's PPI was flat after rising for nine straight months.

^KOSDAQKOSPI
Asia

South Korean Shares Rebound as Bargain Hunting Pushes Tech Stocks Higher

South Korean shares stopped their two-day losing streak and closed sharply higher on Tuesday, after investors took to bargain-hunting, with a particular focus on technology stocks.The Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, increased by 231.68 points, or 3.6%, to end at 6,747.95. The Kosdaq also rose by 3.7 points, or 0.5%, to close at 753.34.In corporate news, Samsung Electronics' (KRX:005930) US unit, Samsung Electronics America, launched its first credit card called the Galaxy Card in the U.S., according to a Tuesday release.The Samsung Galaxy Card, issued by Barclays US Consumer Bank on the Visa network, will take applications from Wednesday, July 22, the release said.Shoppers can also apply for the card at Samsung retail stores and receive an extra $200 cash bonus after spending $2,000 within the first 90 days of opening the account.Shares of Samsung Electronics added over 6% at market close.In other news, Fitch affirmed KB Financial Group (KRX:105560) subsidiary Kookmin Bank's long-term issuer default rating (IDR) at A and short-term IDR at F1+ with a stable outlook.The ratings agency on Monday also affirmed the Korean bank's government support rating (GSR) and viability rating (VR) at a.Fitch expects the bank's underlying profitability to remain above 2% over the next two years, aided by moderate loan growth, cost discipline and a stabilizing net interest margin. In addition, the bank's strong domestic banking franchise, along with its diverse products and solutions, is expected to raise business volumes and lead to resilient near-term earnings.Shares of KB Financial Group added over 3% at market close.

^KOSDAQKOSPIKRX:005930
Asia

Market Chatter: Coupang Logistics Fire Forces Evacuations After 52-Hour Blaze

A fire at Coupang's Incheon fulfilment center raged for over two days, prompting evacuations of nearby businesses due to structural collapse risks, Reuters reported on Monday, citing authorities.The blaze started early Saturday on the sixth floor and spread upward to the seventh, the news wire said.Authorities continue to monitor the site as concerns over building stability persist, the publication said.Coupang did not immediately respond to' request for comment.(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.)

KOSPI
Asia

Blackstone-Backed Private Equity Funds Agree to Invest in South Korea's Futronic

Private equity funds affiliated with Blackstone signed a definitive agreement with Futronic to make a considerable investment in the latter, the South Korean manufacturer of high-precision actuators and motion control solutions, the US-based alternative asset manager said in a Monday release.The definitive agreement is being made in partnership with Futronic founder Jin-ho Ko, who will remain chairman and chief executive officer and work with Blackstone. Founded in 1993, Futronic has primary operations in South Korea and the U.S.The value of the investment remains undisclosed.

^KOSDAQKOSPINYSE:BX
International

Asia Week Ahead: Bank Indonesia Decision, Japan Inflation, Korea GDP

Several key economic releases are due across Asia this week, including central bank decisions, inflation data, gross domestic product figures and flash purchasing managers' index reports.The week begins with China's benchmark lending rates on Monday, followed by Taiwan's June export orders on Tuesday.Indonesia's central bank will announce its interest rate decision on Wednesday. On Thursday, South Korea will report second-quarter gross domestic product, and Singapore will publish June inflation figures.The week wraps up with July flash PMI data from India and Japan on Friday. Japan will also release inflation numbers.Here's what to watch in the week ahead.MONDAY, July 20The People's Bank of China left its benchmark lending rates unchanged for the 14th consecutive month, matching the consensus forecast tracked by Investing.com.The one-year loan prime rate, which serves as the benchmark for most corporate and household loans, was held at 3%. Meanwhile, the five-year LPR, the reference rate for residential mortgages, was maintained at 3.5%.Elsewhere, Malaysia's trade surplus narrowed to 14.9 billion ringgit in June from 39.9 billion ringgit in May.Total exports grew 45.4% year over year to 177.9 billion ringgit, while imports rose 43.9% to a record 163 billion ringgit.India's infrastructure output for June is also expected later today.TUESDAY, July 21Taiwan will report June export orders, with ING economists forecasting a 43.9% increase, slower than the 47.2% rise in May.WEDNESDAY, July 22Bank Indonesia is expected to hike rates by 25 basis points to 6%, according to a forecast by ING, adding that the increase underscores the central bank's commitment to foreign exchange stability by attracting foreign inflows and stabilizing the local currency.The hike is anticipated to be the last of the cycle, according to DBS economists.South Korea's producer prices are forecast to have risen 8.2% year over year in June, slowing from 8.5% in the previous month, according to Trading Economics.Elsewhere, Japan may see a trade deficit of 120 billion yen in June, narrowing from the 378.7 billion yen recorded in May, according to consensus estimates.Exports and imports are expected to climb 18.6% and 21% year over year, respectively.THURSDAY, July 23South Korea will release its Q2 GDP. ING said the economy likely grew 4.2% year over year in the April to June period, up from 3.8% in the first quarter, driven by positive net exports.Singapore will publish inflation data for June, with ING economists forecasting core inflation at 1.7%, and Trading Economics at 1.6%. This compares to 1.4% in May.FRIDAY, July 24Japan will release inflation figures for June. Trading Economics expects the nation's core consumer price index, which excludes volatile fresh food prices, to be 1.5%, slightly higher than May's 1.4%.Flash PMI reports for Japan and India are also due on Friday.Lastly, Singapore will post industrial production numbers, with Trading Economics forecasting a 9% year-over-year boost in June, slowing from May's 13% growth.

ASX 200^BSEHang SengKOSPINikkei 225Nifty 50^PSEI^SETShanghai Composite^STI^SZSETaiwan Weighted
Asia

Market Chatter: South Korea's Per Capita GDP Expected to Rise 7.6% in 2026

The per capita gross domestic product of South Korea is expected to rise 7.6% year on year to about $39,164 in 2026, the strongest annual growth in the last five years, Yonhap News reported Sunday, citing data from local Korean analysts.The projected per capita GDP is expected to reach $39,164 this year, up $2,750, which will be the biggest year-over-year jump since the 11.5% recorded in 2021, according to projections reported.The estimates, based on the government's revised forecast of 12.3% nominal GDP growth, project South Korea's nominal GDP at 3,005.9 trillion won in 2026 from 2,676.7 trillion won in 2025.(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.)

^KOSDAQKOSPI
International

South Korea Unveils Roadmap to Make Won Freely Exchangeable Globally

The South Korean government on Sunday unveiled the won internationalization roadmap designed to transition the won from a heavily regulated asset into a freely convertible currency.The plan includes building infrastructure for around-the-clock, location-free trading, according to a statement by the finance ministry on Monday.Authorities also pledged to maintain balanced risk management measures alongside the gradual push for internationalization.The joint effort involves the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Financial Services Commission, the Bank of Korea, the Financial Supervisory Service, and the Korea Securities Depository.

KOSPI
South Korea Raids Montage, Renesas, Rambus in Price-Fixing Probe
Asia

South Korea Raids Montage, Renesas, Rambus in Price-Fixing Probe

South Korean prosecutors have raided the local offices of three foreign semiconductor firms as part of an antitrust investigation into alleged price-fixing of memory interface chips.The Fair Trade Investigation Division of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office conducted searches and seizures at the South Korean headquarters of China's Montage Technology (SHA:688008, HKG:6809), Japan's Renesas Electronics (TYO:6723) and U.S.-based Rambus. All three companies are suppliers of critical components to global memory companies Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930), SK Hynix (KRX:000660) and Micron Technology.Together, all three suppliers account for over 93% of the global supply for memory interface chips, according to semiconductor platform IC&PCB Union on Thursday. These components are vital for the mass production of high-speed DDR4 and DDR5 RAM, which manage and accelerate data transfer speeds between processors and memory modules.In a Hong Kong filing on Thursday, Montage Technology confirmed the on-site investigation, saying it is fully cooperating with the probe. Montage noted that its operations remain normal and no charges have been filed against the company or its employees.South Korea is a vital market for Montage, accounting for more than half, or 2.93 billion yuan, of its overall 5.46 billion yuan revenue in 2025.Alongside the disclosure, Montage issued a positive profit alert on Friday, forecasting that its group revenue for the first half of 2026 will rise 26.6% year over year to roughly 3.34 billion yuan. It also projects first-half net profit to jump between 63.9% and 81.2% to a range of 1.9 billion to 2.1 billion yuan, driven by booming global demand for AI infrastructure.To stabilize its valuation, Montage also announced that its Chairman and CEO Yang Chonghe has proposed an A-share buyback program valued between 300 million yuan and 600 million yuan.Renesas, Rambus, Samsung, and SK Hynix have not yet publicly commented on the investigation.has reached out to the companies for comment.In late-afternoon trading in Shanghai, Montage's shares fell nearly 10%, while its Hong Kong shares tumbled almost 6%. Renesas plunged nearly 8% in Tokyo.

^KOSDAQKOSPIHKG:6809KRX:000660KRX:005930SHA:688008TYO:6723
Asia

South Korean Shares Plunge as Tech Stocks Lead Losses Amid Middle East Tensions

South Korean shares fell sharply on Thursday, led by steep declines in technology stocks as escalating Middle East tensions took a toll on investor sentiment. Market heavyweights Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930) and SK Hynix (KRX:000660) led the losses with declines of nearly 9% and 12%, respectively.The Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, decreased by 463.81 points, or 6.4%, to end at 6,820.6. The Kosdaq also fell by 37.59 points, or 4.5%, to close at 791.84.In economic news, the Bank of Korea raised its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to 2.75% from 2.50%, according to a Thursday press release.This rate increase is the first by the South Korean central bank in 3.5 years.Bank of Korea data indicates that foreign investors pulled a record $30.7 billion from Korean securities, including stocks and bonds, during June. The withdrawal represented the fifth consecutive month of net portfolio outflows, dating back to February.The outflow value in June was the second largest on record, after a $36.55 billion outflow in March, and was equivalent to about 47.6 trillion won based on the end-June exchange rate of 1,548.7 won per U.S. dollar.In corporate news, DL Holdings (KRX:000210) was selected as the preferred bidder for the Pyeongtaek Godeok A-69BL and A-71BL integrated public housing project, commissioned by Korea Land and Housing Corporation, according to a Thursday filing with the Korea Exchange.The project has an estimated construction value of 216.9 billion won, including the value added tax. The estimate represents DL Holdings' 33% share of the total contract value of 657.2 billion won, the filing said.Under the project, DL Holdings will build an integrated public housing complex of 1,995 rental and for-sale apartment units, along with related amenities and welfare facilitiesShares of the company fell by 1% at market close.In other news, Hanwha Ocean (KRX:042660) secured an order for the construction of two very large crude carrier (VLCC) vessels worth 394.3 billion won from an unnamed North American shipper, according to a Wednesday filing with the Korean Exchange.Delivery is expected by March 31, 2030, with payments tied to construction milestones.Shares of Hanwha Ocean rose nearly 6% at market close.

^KOSDAQKOSPIKRX:000210KRX:000660KRX:005930KRX:042660
Asia

Market Chatter: South Korea's Financial Services ​Commission to Disclose New Rules for Single-Stock Leveraged ETFs

The Financial Services ​Commission, South Korea's top financial regulator, is expected to disclose new measures on single-stock leveraged exchange-traded funds (ETFs), Reuters reported Thursday, citing FSC Chairman Lee Eog-weon ⁠from a radio interview.The ETF is anticipated to be a high-risk product, and the FSC will "closely inspect and review" improvement measures for the ETFs, Lee 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.)

^KOSDAQKOSPI
Bank of Korea Raises Benchmark Rate to 2.75% in First Tightening in 3.5 Years
US Markets

Bank of Korea Raises Benchmark Rate to 2.75% in First Tightening in 3.5 Years

The Bank of Korea unanimously raised its benchmark seven-day repurchase rate by 25 basis points to 2.75% on Thursday, marking its first interest rate hike in three and a half years.The monetary policy board, led by Governor Shin Hyun-song, pivoted back to tightening to combat persistent inflationary pressures exacerbated by rising energy costs and ongoing geopolitical volatility in the Middle East.The central bank flagged that further rate hikes remain on the table as consumer price inflation, which hit 3.2% in June, is projected to stay above its 2% target.The decision aligns with market expectations as strong AI-driven semiconductor exports continue to support the domestic economy.However, the tightening cycle comes amid warnings of a significant negative interest rate buffer. In a July 10 note, ING economist Padhraic Garvey noted that South Korea's negative interest rate buffer of -1.2% and weak won exchange rates put immense pressure on the central bank to tighten policy.Following the announcement, Capital Economics senior economist Gareth Leather noted that strong export performance and housing market risks give the Bank of Korea the capacity to raise interest rates further in the coming months.

^KOSDAQKOSPIKRX:000660KRX:005930
International

Market Chatter: Foreign Investors Withdraw Record Funds From South Korean Securities in June

Foreign investors pulled out a record $30.72 billion from Korean securities in June, which comprised stocks and bonds, Pulse News reported Wednesday, citing Bank of Korea data.The pullout marked the fifth straight month of net portfolio outflows since February, according to the report.The outflow value in June was the second largest on record, after a $36.55 billion outflow in March, and was equivalent to about 47.6 trillion won based on the end-June exchange rate of 1,548.7 won per U.S. dollar, 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.)

^KOSDAQKOSPI
International

Bank of Korea Raises Interest Rates to 2.75%

The Bank of Korea raised its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to 2.75%, according to a Thursday statement.The move matched the consensus in a Reuters poll, with 36 of 37 economists forecasting a 25-basis-point increase to 2.75%.The rate hike marks the central bank's first increase in three and a half years.

^KOSDAQKOSPI
Asia

South Korea Shares Soar as Cool US Inflation Ignites Global Tech Rally

South Korean stocks closed sharply higher Wednesday, thanks to overnight gains on Wall Street in response to softer-than-expected U.S. inflation data.U.S. consumer prices declined by a seasonally adjusted 0.4% in June, the largest monthly decline since April 2020. This brought annual inflation to 3.5% from the broader market expectation of 3.8%. Core inflation was unchanged from May, with the annual rate easing to 2.6%, below forecasts of 2.9%.The Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, increased by 427.58 points, or 6.2%, to end at 7,284.41. The Kosdaq also rose by 45.45 points, or 5.8%, to close at 829.43.The Korea Exchange activated a five-minute buy-side sidecar on the country's primary and secondary stock markets on Wednesday morning after investors rushed to buy semiconductor stocks amid an upbeat AI sector outlook despite tensions in the Middle East.The Korea Exchange announced the order at 9:06 am after the KOSPI200 Futures added 71.50 points, or 6.5%, to trade at 1,170.60, and at 9:17 am after the KOSDAQ150 Futures index added 83 points, or 6.1%, to trade at 1,439.50.In economic news, the average shipping charge for a 40-foot container from South Korea to the Middle East, as reported by exporters, rose for a fifth straight month in June, according to data from the Korea Customs Service.Container shipping costs increased 15.1% in June to 7.78 million won from May.Freight rates to the U.S. West Coast surged 45.5% to 7.86 million won, while rates to the East Coast jumped 26.6% to 7.11 million won last month from May. Shipping costs to the European Union added 17.4% to 4.24 million won in June.In corporate news, Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930) denied a report that claimed it was exploring a U.S. offering of American depositary receipts, Reuters reported Tuesday, citing a company statement.Bloomberg News reported on Tuesday, citing people with knowledge of the matter, that the company had carried out initial discussions ​with banks for a US IPO.Samsung told Reuters that it is "not reviewing ​the possibility" of issuing ADRs.Samsung did not immediately respond to' request for comment.Shares of the chipmaker added over 6% at market close.

^KOSDAQKOSPIKRX:005930
International

Market Chatter: South Korea-Middle East Container Shipping Costs Rise for Fifth Straight Month in June

The average shipping charge for a 40-foot container from South Korea to the Middle East, as reported by exporters, rose for a fifth straight month in June, Yonhap News reported Wednesday, citing data from the Korea Customs Service.Container shipping costs increased 15.1% in June to 7.78 million won from May, the report said.Freight rates to the U.S. West Coast surged 45.5% to 7.86 million won, while rates to the East Coast jumped 26.6% to 7.11 million won last month from May. Shipping costs to the European Union added 17.4% to 4.24 million won in June, 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.)

^KOSDAQKOSPI
Asia

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

The Korea Exchange activated a five-minute buy-side sidecar on the country's primary and secondary stock markets on Wednesday morning after investors rushed to buy semiconductor stocks amid an upbeat AI sector outlook despite tensions in the Middle East.The Korea Exchange announced the order at 9:06 am after the KOSPI200 Futures added 71.50 points, or 6.5%, to trade at 1,170.60, and at 9:17 am after the KOSDAQ150 Futures index added 83 points, or 6.1%, to trade at 1,439.50.A buy-side sidecar is activated when the KOSPI200 Futures index and the KOSDAQ150 Futures index rise 5% or more for at least one minute.

^KOSDAQKOSPI
International

South Korea's Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rate Shrinks to 2.7% in June

South Korea's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 2.7% in June from 2.8% in May, according to data from the Ministry of Data and Statistics released on Wednesday.The latest print was lower than the Trading Economist forecast of 2.8%.The labor force participation rate also held steady from the previous month at 65.2%, but was down from 65.4% a year earlier.The total number of employed persons rose to 29.15 million in June from 29.12 million in May, while the number of unemployed fell to 834,000 from 878,000.

^KOSDAQKOSPI
International

South Korea's Export, Import Prices Jump in June

South Korea's export prices surged 48.9% year over year in June, according to preliminary data from the Bank of Korea on Wednesday.The pace of growth accelerated from the revised 47.1% increase recorded in the previous month. It missed the Trading Economics forecast for a 52.2% jump.On a month-over-month basis, export prices were flat in June following the 0.4% expansion in May.Meanwhile, import prices rose 20.6% from a year earlier, missing the Trading Economics forecast of 23%.The reading compared with the revised 25.4% expansion in the prior month.Import prices fell 4.4% month over month in June, reversing the 0.2% increase the prior month.

^KOSDAQKOSPI
Asia

Market Chatter: South Korean Court Postpones Watchdog Ruling on Coupang's Controlling Entity

The Seoul High Court has postponed a Fair Trade Commission (FTC) ruling that names e-commerce company Coupang's founder, Kim Bom, as the controlling entity, Reuters reported on Tuesday, citing a court filing.The court suspension will last 30 days after a ruling in the main lawsuit, the report said.Both Coupang and Kim filed for the injunction against the April FTC decision, which placed the Korean-American founder as the group's "same person" instead of Coupang, according to the report.The designation requires the US-listed company to release additional disclosures, the report said.Coupang did not immediately respond to' request for comment.(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.)

^KOSDAQKOSPI
Asia

Kospi Closes Higher as Technology Gains Offset Middle East Tensions; SK Hynix, Samsung Lead

South Korean stocks closed higher on Tuesday, led by gains in technology stocks, although investor sentiment remained cautious amid renewed Middle East tensions and uncertainty over the AI sector's outlook. Shares of market heavyweights Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930) and SK Hynix (KRX:000660) closed over 3% and nearly 4% at market close.The Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, increased by 49.9 points, or 0.7%, to end at 6,856.83. The Kosdaq fell by 15.38 points, or 1.9%, to close at 783.98.In economic news, the Bank of Korea is projected to raise its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to 2.75% at its upcoming monetary policy meeting on Thursday, according to a Reuters poll of economists published on Tuesday.The move would mark the central bank's first interest rate hike in more than three years.Out of 37 economists surveyed by Reuters between July 7 and July 13, 36 forecast a rate increase this week.Driven by persistent inflation pressures that remain well above the central bank's 2% target, the majority of economists also expect policymakers to implement an additional rate hike before the end of 2026.On the corporate front, Hyundai Motor Securities (KRX:001500) will issue a derivative-linked bond worth 5 billion won, the company said in a Monday filing with the Korea Exchange.Subscriptions and payment are scheduled for Wednesday, July 15.Shares of Hyundai Motor Securities fell nearly 2% at market close.

^KOSDAQKOSPIKRX:000660KRX:001500KRX:005930

Showing 41-60 of 345

Track with the FINWIRES app suite

FolioX
FolioX
Track KOSPI in your portfolio
WheelAI
WheelAI
Analyze KOSPI options with the wheel strategy
StockInsider
StockInsider
See market sentiment on KOSPI