Seoul stocks open higher on chip gains

South Korean stocks opened higher Friday as semiconductor heavyweights showed a strong performance despite overnight losses on Wall Street. After starting marginally lower, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 28.46 points, or 0.52 percent, to 5,417.23 in the first 15 minutes of trading, continuing its bullish run after hitting the 5,500-point milestone for the first time the previous day. Overnight, major US indexes closed lower as concerns over the profitability of hardware co

Feb. 13, 2026

Moody's keeps 'Aa2' rating on S. Korea

Global credit appraiser Moody's Investors Service said Thursday it has retained its credit rating on South Korea at "Aa2," with a stable outlook. Moody's has maintained the country's sovereign credit rating at "Aa2," the third-highest level on the company's table, since December 2015, when the agency upgraded it from "Aa3." "The affirmation of the rating is supported by (South) Korea's very high degree of economic diversity and competitiveness and continued institutional management around key ch

Feb. 12, 2026

Kospi jumps over 3% to end at fresh high of above 5,500-point milestone

South Korean stocks surpassed the landmark 5,500-point mark for the first time in history Thursday, boosted by sharp gains in blue-chip tech shares. The local currency gained ground against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index surged 167.78 points, or 3.13 percent, to close at an all-time high of 5,522.27. This marked the first time the Kospi breached the 5,500-point threshold. Trade volume was heavy at 739.2 million shares worth 31.8 trillion won ($22 billion), with wi

Feb. 12, 2026

KB Financial hits W60tr market cap

KB Financial Group has become the first Korean financial holding company to surpass a market capitalization of 60 trillion won ($41.55 billion), with its price-to-book ratio rising above 1 — a symbolic milestone for a banking sector long viewed as undervalued. The stock closed Wednesday at 164,500 won, up 5.79 percent from the previous session, lifting its market cap to 61.33 trillion won. It extended gains Thursday, trading at 166,000 won as of noon after touching an intraday high of 167,900 wo

Feb. 12, 2026

Seoul stocks open higher on strong US jobs report

South Korean stocks opened higher Thursday as a better-than-expected US unemployment report for January boosted prospects that the Federal Reserve may keep interest rates unchanged. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 62.74 points, or 1.17 percent, to 5,417.23 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, major US indexes closed slightly lower as investors showed a mixed reaction to the stronger-than-expected US jobs report, which raised hopes the US economy would remain solid

Feb. 12, 2026

Seoul stocks up for 3rd day on auto, financial gains

South Korean stocks ended higher Wednesday, rising for the third consecutive session, led by gains in auto and financial shares. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 52.8 points, or 1 percent, to close at 5,354.49. The local currency gained ground against the US dollar. Trade volume was moderate at 747.2 million shares worth 25.4 trillion won ($17.5 billion), with winners outnumbering losers 541 to 337. The KOSPI opened lower after weaker-than-expected US retail sales data raise

Feb. 11, 2026

Seoul stocks open lower on hawkish Fed comments

South Korean stocks kicked off lower Wednesday, tracking overnight losses on Wall Street, amid a weaker-than-expected US retail sales report and hawkish comments by Federal Reserve officials. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index lost 38.16 points, or 0.72 percent, to 5,263.53 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite closed 0.59 percent lower, and the S&P 500 lost 0.33 percent, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.1 percent. The weaker-tha

Feb. 11, 2026

Kospi ends almost flat ahead of key US economic data releases

South Korean stocks closed nearly flat Tuesday, showing limited growth as investors remained cautious ahead of the planned release of key US economic reports this week that may offer clues on the Federal Reserve's policy direction. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 3.65 points, or 0.07 percent, to close at 5,301.69. Trade volume was moderate at 705.3 million shares worth 22.9 trillion won ($15.7 billion), with winners outnumbering losers 687 to 209. Foreigners and institution

Feb. 10, 2026

Seoul stocks open higher on US gains

South Korean stocks kicked off higher Tuesday, tracking overnight gains on Wall Street led by eased artificial intelligence bubble concerns. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index climbed 39.13 points, or 0.74 percent, to 5,337.17 in the first 15 minutes of trading, rising above the landmark 5,300-point mark. Overnight, the Nasdaq composite gained 0.9 percent, and the S&P 500 added 0.47 percent as investors chipped in tech shares amid soothed concerns over AI valuation and awaited the p

Feb. 10, 2026

Seoul shares soar over 4% on eased AI bubble fears

Seoul shares rallied by more than 4 percent Monday amid renewed confidence over the artificial intelligence industry. The local currency gained against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index jumped 208.9 points, or 4.1 percent, to close at 5,298.04. Trade volume was heavy at 612.4 million shares worth 26.2 trillion won ($17.9 billion), with winners far outpacing losers 714 to 173. Foreigners bought a net 441.8 billion won while retail investors offloaded a net 3.29 trilli

Feb. 9, 2026

86 customers sold bitcoins accidentally sent by Bithumb: authorities

A total of 86 customers have sold some or all of the bitcoins accidentally sent to them by Bithumb, a South Korean crypto exchange, last week, financial authorities said Monday. On Friday, the crypto exchange accidentally gave away more than US$40 billion worth of bitcoins to its customers in a promotional event, temporary making them multi-millionaires. It had planned to give away small cash rewards totaling 620,000 won (US$423.6) to 249 customers, but instead sent 620,000 bitcoins, triggering

Feb. 9, 2026

Seoul stocks open sharply higher on bargain hunting

South Korean stocks opened sharply higher Monday as investors apparently went bargain hunting after technology shares tumbled last week on renewed concerns over the profitability of artificial intelligence firms. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index shot up 208.9 points, or 4.1 percent, to 5,298.04 in the first 15 minutes of trading. South Korean shares traded in negative territory late last week after global investors offloaded technology stocks on Wall Street amid concerns over an A

Feb. 9, 2026

Soaring gold prices reshape Korea’s rituals

Gold has long been woven into the fabric of Korean life. The precious metal has traditionally marked key rites of passage, from births and marriages to other major milestones. But soaring gold prices are reshaping customs, prompting cutbacks and substitutions in traditions once taken for granted. The spot price of gold in Korea hovered at around 245,000 won ($168) a gram as of Thursday, representing a roughly 80 percent increase from 138,000 won a year earlier, according to the Korea Exchange. B

Feb. 7, 2026

Retail absorbs shock as Kospi survives volatile week

Three program-trading halts in five sessions capped one of the most volatile weeks in recent years for South Korea's stock market, as panic selling briefly sent the Kospi below 4,900 before retail investors stepped in to keep the benchmark above 5,000 by Friday’s close. The Kospi ended daytime trading at 5,089.14, down 1.4 percent on the day, extending its slide for a second straight session but avoiding a deeper breakdown after plunging more than 5 percent in early trading. The wild swings unde

Feb. 6, 2026

Seoul shares close lower on profit-taking amid AI concerns

South Korean shares closed lower for the second consecutive session Friday as investors sought to lock in profits amid concerns over the long-term profitability of artificial intelligence companies. The local currency fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index slid 74.43 points, or 1.44 percent, to close at 5,089.14. Trade volume was heavy at 738.6 million shares worth 29.4 trillion won ($20 billion), with losers far outnumbering gainers 702 to 189. Foreigners of

Feb. 6, 2026