456 stories mentioning KOSPIUpdated 1d ago
Opened up 1.8% on the US-Iran deal and strong May export prices driven by a surge in semiconductor-linked products.
South Korea's retail sales fell 0.8% year over year in July, according to data released by the Ministry of Data and Statistics on Monday.The performance reversed the 3.9% increase in June.On a month-over-month basis, retail sales fell 2.4%, also reversing the 2.7% gain the previous month.
South Korean shares closed lower on Friday, snapping a three-day winning streak as investors sold technology heavyweights amid external uncertainties, including concerns over the Trump administration considering a new round of sweeping tariffs on semiconductors.Shares of major market movers Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930) and SK Hynix (KRX:000660) fell over 3% and 4%, respectively.The Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, decreased by 123.49 points, or 1.8%, to close at 6,788.88. The Kosdaq rose by 0.76 points, or 0.09%, to close at 838.41.In corporate news, Samsung Biologics (KRX:207940) plans to issue 2.27 million new common shares at a par value of 2,500 won per share through a general public offering of forfeited shares after shareholder allotment, bringing the total value of the allotment to 5.68 billion won.Funds raised via the issuance will be used primarily to acquire securities issued by other corporations, with 294.8 billion won allocated for facility investment, according to a Friday filing with the Korea Exchange.Shares of Samsung Biologics fell nearly 7% at market close.In other news, Kyobo Securities (KRX:030610) has increased its borrowings by 2 trillion won, according to a Thursday filing with the Korea Exchange.The securities company carried out the transaction by increasing the issuance limit of commercial paper and short-term bonds to 4 trillion won from 2 trillion won.The additional borrowings will support an increase in the company's operating funds.Shares of Kyobo Securities rose nearly 1% at market close.
The antitrust probe against the Korean arm of the US-based e-commerce company Coupang Inc. has hit a dead end after the company refused on-site inspections by the Korean Fair Trade Commission, The Korean Times reported Thursday, citing industry sources.The refusal of the inspection, planned between last week and the current week, was over allegations that the company violated the Act on Fair Transactions in Large Retail Business.The watchdog is probing whether the company shifted the cost of discounts onto its suppliers and may use other measures to advance the probe.The South Korean Fair Trade Commission did not immediately respond to a request for comment from.(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.)
South Korean shares closed over 1% higher on Thursday, lifted by stronger‑than‑expected Q2 earnings from U.S. tech giant Nvidia, even as the Bank of Korea raised interest rates for a second straight time.The Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, increased by 104.16 points, or 1.53%, to close at 6,912.37. The Kosdaq also rose by 10.78 points, or 1.3%, to close at 837.65.Nvidia reported Q2 revenue of $96.2 billion, up 18% from the previous quarter and 106% from a year earlier, while non-GAAP diluted earnings per share came in at $2.22, up 120% from $1.01 in the year-ago period.In economic news, the Bank of Korea raised its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to 3% on Thursday, broadly in line with market expectations.The Monetary Policy Board decided to lift the base interest rate from its previous level of 2.75% as inflation is projected to exceed its target level "for a considerable period."The move follows the BOK's rate hike in July, which marked its first increase in over three years.In corporate news, Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930) said it will look into all potential countermeasures, including an appeal, to a U.K. High Court's order of an $11.6 million payment in damages to Swatch Group, The Korea Times reported Thursday, citing a statement.The ruling stemmed from a damages suit over Samsung hosting smartwatch face designs copying Swatch brands on its Galaxy app store, the report said.Swatch had originally sought $170 million in damages, while Samsung said it earned only $300 from hosting the designs, the report added.Shares of the chipmaker added nearly 2% at market close.
The Bank of Korea raised its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to 3% on Thursday, broadly in line with market expectations.The Monetary Policy Board decided to lift the base interest rate from its previous level of 2.75% as inflation is projected to exceed its target level "for a considerable period."The move follows the BOK's rate hike in July, which marked its first increase in over three years.
South Korean shares closed higher for a second day on Wednesday, lifted by buybacks at SK Hynix (KRX:000660) and Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930) and firmer external sentiment as investors awaited Nvidia's earnings.The Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, increased by 65.47 points, or 0.97%, to close at 6,808.21. The Kosdaq, however, fell by 0.28 points, or 0.03%, to close at 826.87..Shares of SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics added nearly 1% and 2% at market close.In economic news, the Composite Business Survey Index (CBSI) for South Korean enterprises increased by 1.1 points to 99.6 in August, according to data from the Bank of Korea on Wednesday.A print above 100 indicates optimism, while a reading below suggests negative sentiment. The latest reading compared with 98.5 points recorded in the previous month.Within the manufacturing sector, the index edged up 0.6 points to 103.8, while the index for the non-manufacturing sector rose 1.5 points to 96.7. Meanwhile, the Economic Sentiment Index, which combines the CBSI and the Consumer Survey Index (CSI), rose 1.5 points to 99.4.In corporate news, Development Advance Solution (KRX:058730) was named preferred bidder for EPC and O&M contracts for the Sinan Mitra 1 & 2 and Horus solar projects, with value to equal at least 5% of latest revenue of 273.2 billion won. Shares surged over 9% at the close.
The Composite Business Survey Index (CBSI) for South Korean enterprises increased by 1.1 points to 99.6 in August, according to data from the Bank of Korea on Wednesday.A print above 100 indicates optimism, while a reading below suggests negative sentiment. The latest reading compared with 98.5 points recorded in the previous month.Within the manufacturing sector, the index edged up 0.6 points to 103.8, while the index for the non-manufacturing sector rose 1.5 points to 96.7.Meanwhile, the Economic Sentiment Index, which combines the CBSI and the Consumer Survey Index (CSI), rose 1.5 points to 99.4.
South Korean shares closed higher on Tuesday, recovering from earlier losses as investors awaited key corporate earnings due this week, including results from California-based chip giant Nvidia.The Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, increased by 45.78 points, or 0.7%, to close at 6,742.74. The Kosdaq rose by 13.82 points, or 1.7%, to close at 827.15.In economic news, South Korea's consumer sentiment fell in August, with the Composite Consumer Sentiment Index dropping 2.3 points to 104.5, according to data from the Bank of Korea on Tuesday.The reading compared with the 106.8 level recorded in the previous month. A reading above 100 indicates optimism, while a reading below suggests a deteriorating outlook.Meanwhile, inflation expectations for the upcoming 12 months were unchanged from the previous month at 2.7%.In corporate news, the management and the 400,000-member labor union of Hyundai Motor (KRX:005380) reached a possible wage agreement early on Tuesday after the union staged 60 hours of strikes this year that led to production disruptions and significant sales losses, Yonhap News reported the same day.The strikes caused about 120 hours of production disruptions and are estimated to have lowered output by 55,200 vehicles, with lost sales surpassing 2.3 trillion won, the report said.Under the deal, monthly base pay will increase by 100,000 won, while workers will receive a performance bonus of over 400% of monthly salary and an additional 12.5 million won payment. The parties also agreed to extend the retirement age from 60 to 65 if relevant laws are revised, it said.The agreement will be subject to a union vote on Aug. 31, the report said.Shares of the automaker added nearly 2% at market close.
The South Korean government has dismissed a recent local report that the U.S. has proposed that Seoul acquire a stake in U.S. nuclear company Westinghouse Electric.The Korea Economic Daily, citing unidentified government officials, reported on Aug. 24 that the U.S. proposed that South Korea invest in Westinghouse via a special purpose vehicle, with KEPCO as the acquiring entity using a $200 billion investment fund.However, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy has dismissed the report as inaccurate and urged caution in reporting, according to a statement on Tuesday.
South Korea's consumer sentiment fell in August, with the Composite Consumer Sentiment Index dropping 2.3 points to 104.5, according to data from the Bank of Korea on Tuesday.The reading compared with the 106.8 level recorded in the previous month. A reading above 100 indicates optimism, while a reading below suggests a deteriorating outlook.The sub-index for current living standards fell to 92 from 93 in July, while the consumer sentiment index for future conditions slipped to 97 from 98.Meanwhile, inflation expectations for the upcoming 12 months were unchanged from the previous month at 2.7%.
For the week ahead in Asia, a number of key releases are scheduled to be published.The highlight of the week will be the Jackson Hole Symposium, beginning Thursday and concluding Saturday.Investors will look for clues in the U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh's speech regarding potential interest rate changes.Interest rate decisions from several other countries will also be in focus this week.Investors will closely watch industrial output, trade data, and business and consumer sentiment reports for insights into the region's economic momentum.MONDAY, Aug. 24Singapore's core consumer price index (CPI) rose 2% year over year in July, with headline inflation accelerating to 2.2%.Taiwan's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained unchanged month over month at 3.33% in July.Thailand will post trade data today.TUESDAY, Aug. 25An interest rate decision by the Bank of Thailand will take center stage, with expectations of the bank holding rates steady at 1%, the Wall Street Journal reported citing ANZ's Kausani Basak.Separately, Taiwan's industrial output for July is forecast to rise 23.3% year over year, compared with a 23% growth previously, according to economists at ING.South Korea's consumer sentiment is anticipated to improve slightly, with the Composite Consumer Sentiment Index rising to 107 for August, according to a Trading Economics forecast.Hong Kong's export and import data for July will land.WEDNESDAY, Aug. 26Singapore's year-over-year industrial production growth will slow to 6.9% in July, Trading Economics said.South Korea will publish business confidence data.THURSDAY, Aug. 27An anticipated speech by Deputy Governor of Bank of Japan, Ryozo Himino, may provide insight on potential policy rate hikes in September or October, according to the WSJ.Elsewhere, analysts are on the fence regarding The Bank of Korea hiking rates or holding them steady, the WSJ reported citing Barclays economist Bum Ki Son. The bank is, however, expected to raise its growth projection.The Philippines will likely increase its policy rate to 5% from 4.75%, according to ING and the WSJ.China's industrial profit from the January to July period is forecast to grow 16%, compared with 18.7% previously, according to Trading Economics.FRIDAY, Aug. 28Japan will release a slew of data on Friday.Tokyo CPI and core CPI for August are expected to come in at 1.9% and 1.7%, respectively, according to market consensus forecast data by ING.Unemployment rate is projected to remain unchanged at 2.5% in July, according to an investing.com forecast.Japan is also scheduled to release consumer confidence data for August.Elsewhere, India's industrial production is forecast to rise 6.2% year over year in July, according to Investing.com. Manufacturing output data will also arrive the same day.Singapore will publish producer price index numbers for July.
South Korean shares closed lower on Monday, snapping a two-day winning streak after investors appeared to be disheartened over Samsung Electronics' (KRX:005930) shareholder return plans that it announced on Friday, which led to a sell-off of chip stocks.The company said last week that it expects to return about 90 trillion won to 110 trillion won to shareholders this year under its 2024-2026 shareholder return policy, conditional on changes in business performance and investment needs.The Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, decreased by 215.99 points, or 3.1%, to close at 6,696.96. The Kosdaq rose by 11.39 points, or 1.4%, to close at 813.33.In economic news, South Korean domestic banks reported a combined preliminary net income of 13.8 trillion won for the first half, down 6.4% from 14.7 trillion won a year earlier, according to the Financial Supervisory Service's statement on Monday.The latest data showed commercial and regional banks saw declines while internet-only banks posted growth.Interest income rose 8.3% year-over-year to 32.2 trillion won, while non-interest income plunged 43% to 2.9 trillion won.Loan loss expenses rose 8.6% to 3.5 trillion won, while return on assets fell to 0.65% from 0.74% and return on equity declined to 8.89% from 10.04% a year earlier.In corporate news, Samsung Electronics will contribute 78.9 billion won to a fund providing performance incentives to outstanding small and medium-sized business partners of its Device Solutions division, the company said in a filing with the Korea Exchange on Monday.The tech company will channel the funds to the Korea Foundation for Cooperation of Large & Small Business, Rural Affairs, which will distribute the incentives to eligible suppliers.Shares of Samsung fell nearly 9% at market close.
South Korean domestic banks reported a combined preliminary net income of 13.8 trillion won for the first half, down 6.4% from 14.7 trillion won a year earlier, according to the Financial Supervisory Service's statement on Monday.The latest data showed commercial and regional banks saw declines while internet-only banks posted growth.Interest income rose 8.3% year-over-year to 32.2 trillion won, while non-interest income plunged 43% to 2.9 trillion won.Loan loss expenses rose 8.6% to 3.5 trillion won, while return on assets fell to 0.65% from 0.74% and return on equity declined to 8.89% from 10.04% a year earlier.The Financial Supervisory Service said it will closely monitor financial stability and guide banks to strengthen loss-absorbing capacity amid increasing uncertainty at home and abroad.
Korean fintech Travel Wallet has signed KB Securities and NH Investment & Securities as lead underwriters for its planned 2027 Kosdaq listing, The Korea Times reported FridayTravel Wallet is also converting its financial statements to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) to ensure global comparability, the news daily said.The company is proceeding with related procedures while also pursuing global business expansion, the publication said, citing CEO Kim Hyung-woo.(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.)
South Korean shares closed higher on Friday for a second straight session as investors continued to pin high hopes on strong shareholder returns from Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930) and SK Hynix (KRX:000660).SK Hynix announced plans to repurchase about 40 trillion won in common shares, while Samsung Electronics was expected to unveil a shareholder return program worth up to 110 trillion won. Shares of Samsung Electronics added nearly 4% at market close on Friday, while those of SK Hynix added over 2%.The Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, increased by 60.37 points, or 0.9%, to close at 6,912.95. The Kosdaq fell by 38.95 points, or 4.6%, to close at 801.94.In economic news, producer prices in South Korea increased 7.7% year over year in July, according to preliminary data from the Bank of Korea released on Friday.The reading eased from the 8.5% expansion recorded in the previous month and missed the Trading Economics forecast for steady growth at 8.5%.The sustained increase in July was driven primarily by a 12.2% rise in manufacturing producer prices, where coal and petroleum output surged 50.7% year over year, while prices for computer products rose 24.2%.In corporate news, Samsung Electronics plans to introduce the new family of the Galaxy S26 series on Aug. 27, the electronics products maker said in a Thursday release.The product, the name of which remains undisclosed, is broadly expected to be the Galaxy S26 FE, according to a same-day report by Pulse News.In other news, Hyundai Motor's (KRX:005380) full-day labor strike on Friday is estimated to cause 2.3 trillion won in lost sales by halting production at its Ulsan, Jeonju, and Asan plants for 16 hours.About 39,000 union members are walking out after failing to reach a wage agreement with management. The union has staged 60 hours of strikes since May and plans additional four-hour stoppages on Monday and Tuesday.The ongoing strikes are expected to result in an estimated cumulative production loss of 55,200 vehicles.Hyundai Motor did not immediately respond to' request for comment.Shares of the company fell nearly 1% at market close.
South Korea's consumer goods exports to China rose 8.7% year over year to $3.44 billion in the first half of the year, driven by higher shipments of apparel, food, and cosmetics.To sustain export momentum, the government plans to expand live-commerce marketing, pop-up stores, regional distribution channels beyond JD.com (HKG: 9618) and Alibaba (HKG: 9988), and inland logistics hubs in cities including Chengdu and Xi'an, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said in a Friday statement following a meeting with South Korean trade officials based in China.
Producer prices in South Korea increased 7.7% year over year in July, according to preliminary data from the Bank of Korea released on Friday.The reading eased from the 8.5% expansion recorded in the previous month and missed the Trading Economics forecast for steady growth at 8.5%.The sustained increase in July was driven primarily by a 12.2% rise in manufacturing producer prices, where coal and petroleum output surged 50.7% year over year, while prices for computer products rose 24.2%.
The South Korean trade watchdog plans to impose antidumping duties on solid sodium hydroxide from China and Taiwan after concluding that the imports caused injury to the domestic industry, The Korean Times reported Thursday.The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources said the Korea Trade Commission will recommend that the finance ministry impose duties ranging from 3.66% to 22.21% on products from three Chinese exporters and a 38.89% duty on one Taiwanese exporter.
South Korean shares closed sharply higher on Thursday after two consecutive days of losses, with the primary index climbing 6% after investors pinned high hopes on strong shareholder returns from Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930) and SK hynix (KRX:000660).Investor hopes came after SK Hynix on Wednesday approved a 40 trillion won share repurchase and cancellation plan. The buyback is set to begin Aug. 20 and run for about three months. Samsung Electronics' shareholder return policy is expected to be announced later in August. Shares of SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics added nearly 13% and over 9%, respectively, at market close.The Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, increased by 381.41 points, or 5.9%, to close at 6,852.58. The Kosdaq also rose by 16.43 points, or 2%, to close at 840.89.In corporate news, Kolon Corporation's (KRX:002020) subsidiary Kolon Global (KRX:003070) secured an order worth 104.8 billion won for the Pyeongtaek P5 water purification plant (Phase 3) from Samsung Electronics, according to a Thursday filing with the Korea Exchange.The project is being disclosed after an amended contract raised its value above the applicable disclosure threshold. The initial contract was signed on June 9, 2025.Shares of Kolon Corporation fell over 3% at market close, while those of Kolon Global added 2%.In other news, Kakao Corp. (KRX:035720) subsidiary and taxi-hailing and mobility platform Kakao Mobility has confidentially filed for an initial public offering in the U.S. in June and seeks to raise about $1 billion, Yonhap News reported Thursday, citing a financial market tracker.Bank of America, Morgan Stanley, and UBS are listed as underwriters for the IPO, the report said.Kakao Mobility did not immediately respond to' request for comment.Shares of Kakao Corp. added over 3% at market close.
South Korean shares closed lower on Wednesday for a second day, dragged down by sharp declines in semiconductor stocks as higher oil prices and global bond yields took a toll on investor sentiment. Shares of key chipmakers Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930) and SK Hynix (KRX:000660) declined 8% and 10%, respectively, at market close.The Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, decreased by 398.66 points, or 5.8%, to close at 6,471.17. The Kosdaq also fell by 9.74 points, or 1.2%, to close at 824.46.In economic news, Moody's has revised up its economic growth forecast for South Korea to 3.5%, driven by a boost in semiconductor activity until at least mid-2027.The rating agency expects GDP growth of 2.7% for the country in 2027.The forecast for this year is higher than the previous estimates of 2.5% in May and 1.8% in February.In corporate news, Hyundai Motor's (KRX:005380) 40,000-member labor union plans to carry out a partial strike throughout this week after failing to reach a wage agreement with the automaker's management, Yonhap News reported Tuesday.The union scheduled four-hour partial strikes on Monday and Tuesday, with plans to continue next week, according to the report.The union is seeking a 149,600-won increase in monthly base pay and a performance bonus equivalent to 30% of the net profit in 2025. The automaker has offered an 80,000-won monthly base-pay raise, a performance bonus equivalent to 350% of monthly salary plus 10 million won, along with 15 company shares, the report said.Hyundai Motor did not immediately respond to' request for comment.Shares of the automaker fell 5% at market close.
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