Asia
South Korean Shares Close Sharply Lower on Escalated US-Iran Military Conflict, Oil Price Jump
South Korean shares broke a three-day winning streak to close sharply lower on Friday, amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.The U.S. carried out a 13th straight night of strikes on Iran on Thursday, targeting military sites and commercial establishments, while Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels said they attacked two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea. In addition, these escalations led to oil prices climbing above $100 a barrel.The Korea Composite Stock Price Index, or Kospi, decreased by 406.27 points, or 5.7%, to end at 6,690.62. The Kosdaq also fell by 42.06 points, or 5.3%, to close at 748.22.In corporate news, Samsung Electronics' (KRX:005930) decision to award bonuses of over $400,000 to some of its employees has led to labor protests across major firms in South Korea, Bloomberg News reported Friday.Assembly-line workers at automaker Hyundai Motor (KRX:005380) plan to carry out a three-day partial strike next week to demand bonuses of up to 30% of consolidated profit, while unions at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (KRX:329180) and LG Uplus (KRX:032640) are seeking payouts equal to at least 30% of operating profit, the report said.Employees at Hanwha Aerospace (KRX:012450) and HD Hyundai Electric (KRX:267260) seek bonus limitations removed, while workers at internet giant Kakao Corporation (KRX:035720) are demanding up to 15% of operating profit for bonuses, and technology firm Naver's (KRX:035420) union is establishing a coalition with affiliate unions to boost negotiations, Bloomberg News said.Kakao Corporation could not be reached, while Hyundai Motor, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, LG Uplus, Hanwha Aerospace, HD Hyundai Electric, and Naver did not immediately respond to' request for comment.Shares of Samsung Electronics fell nearly 8%, those of Hyundai Motor and HD Hyundai Electric declined 7%, while shares of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries fell nearly 3% at market close. Shares of Hanwha Aerospace added over 2%, while shares of Kakao and Naver declined 3% and 6%, respectively.In other news, KB Financial Group (KRX:105560) posted a 3.2% year-over-year decline in profit attributable to owners of the parent to 1.124 trillion won from 1.161 trillion won for the second quarter, according to a Friday filing with the Korea Exchange.Net sales fell 17% to 11.8 trillion won from 14.2 trillion won for the three months ended June 30.Shares of KB Financial slipped 3% at market close.
^KOSDAQKOSPIKRX:005380KRX:005930KRX:012450KRX:032640KRX:035420KRX:035720KRX:267260KRX:329180
