Seoul stocks open sharply lower amid new Fed chair nomination

South Korean stocks opened sharply lower Monday as investors sat on the sidelines following the nomination of the new US Federal Reserve chair. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index declined 55 points, or 1.05 percent, to 5,169.36 in the first 15 minutes of trading. US stocks closed lower Friday as investors were calculating the potential impact after President Donald Trump said he has nominated Kevin Warsh as the front-runner for the new Fed chair. The former Fed governor has a hawkis

Feb. 2, 2026

5 securities firms slapped with W3b fine over misselling of HK-tied derivatives

Five securities firms have been slapped a combined 3 billion won ($2.1 million) in penalties over their mis-selling of equity-linked securities products tracking Hong Kong's H Index, the financial watchdog said Sunday. Under the measure, KB Securities was imposed a 1.7 trillion-won fine last month over violating a recording procedure and failing to notify investment risk to customers, according to a regulatory filing by the Financial Supervisory Service. NH Investment & Securities, Mirae Asset S

Feb. 1, 2026

Won's recent weakness may be driven by S. Korea's potential investment in US: report

The Korean currency's recent weakness may be affected by expectations about strong demand for US dollars linked to an investment pledge under a trade deal between Seoul and Washington, an industry report said Sunday. Song Min-ki, a researcher at the Korea Institute of Finance, said in the report that worries about a slowdown in exports amid US tariff pressures, combined with stronger demand for US dollars related to the investment package, have heightened expectations that the won will weaken fu

Feb. 1, 2026

Seoul stocks renew record high on AI confidence amid U.S. tariff woes

South Korean stocks closed a tad higher Friday to extend their winning streak to a fourth session to a new record high as investors scooped of artificial intelligence (AI) shares despite concerns over a bubble. The local currency fell against the greenback. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index inched up 3.11 points, or 0.06 percent, to close at 5,224.3, after rising as high as to 5,321.68. Trade volume was heavy at 852 million shares worth 34.7 trillion won ($24.1 billion). Losers out

Jan. 30, 2026

KT&G shares surge as BlackRock becomes major shareholder

BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, has acquired a 5 percent stake in KT&G, regulatory filings showed Friday. According to the disclosure, BlackRock purchased 68,646 shares of the tobacco and consumer goods company on Tuesday. Including its existing holdings, the US-based asset manager now owns 5.91 million KT&G shares, equivalent to a 5.01 percent stake. Under Korean regulations, investors who acquire 5 percent or more of a listed company’s shares are required to report their holdings

Jan. 30, 2026

Seoul stocks open higher on rosy outlook for chipmakers

South Korean stocks opened higher Friday as investors continued to scoop up chipmakers after they delivered strong quarterly and annual earnings, and painted a rosy picture for future performances. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 24.86 points, or 0.48 percent, to 5,246.11 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Earlier this week, the country's top two chipmakers -- Samsung Electronics and SK hynix --released record-breaking earnings while painting a rosy outlook over this year's

Jan. 30, 2026

'Why no cheap sanitary pads?' president asked. Coupang answers with $0.07 product

Just over a week after President Lee Jae Myung asked why low-priced sanitary pad prices were not available in South Korea, Coupang announced Thursday the rollout of a 99-won (7 cents) product. During a Cabinet meeting on Jan. 20, Lee pointed out limited consumer choices in the market of sanitary products, saying, “Sanitary pads in our country appear to be nearly 40 percent more expensive than those overseas. Shouldn’t cheaper options also be made and sold for lower-income households? Why aren’t

Jan. 29, 2026

Seoul stocks up for 3rd day to end at fresh high of above 5,200 on strong earnings reports

South Korean stocks closed at a fresh peak again Thursday, extending their winning streak to a third session, as investors digested a string of earnings results from major companies. The local currency fell against the greenback. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 50.44 points, or 0.98 percent, to close at 5,221.25. Trade volume was heavy at 689.9 million shares worth 35.4 trillion won ($24.8 billion). Winners outnumbered losers 577 to 286. After opening higher, the Kospi had b

Jan. 29, 2026

Seoul stocks open sharply higher on AI chip optimism

South Korean stocks opened sharply higher Thursday, set to extend their record-breaking bull run, backed by strong earnings results from the country's major chipmakers. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 55.81 points, or 1.08 percent, to 5,226.62 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Before the market opened, Samsung Electronics said its fourth-quarter operating profit nearly tripled on-year, bolstering market optimism for the artificial intelligence sector. Its rival SK hynix al

Jan. 29, 2026

No. of firms required to disclose English filings to increase starting May

The number of companies listed on the main Korea Composite Stock Price Index stock market required to file key regulatory disclosures in English will more than double starting in May, the main bourse operator said Wednesday. The move comes after the Financial Services Commission approved such changes at a regular meeting earlier in the day, according to Korea Exchange. Beginning in May, companies listed on the benchmark Kospi with at least 2 trillion won ($1.4 billion) in assets will be required

Jan. 28, 2026

Extended trading hours to face test of foreign investors

Amid an unprecedented stock market rally, South Korea is moving to lengthen stock trading hours as part of a broader push to attract more foreign investors — though questions remain over how much the change will actually move offshore capital. The Korea Exchange said Monday it will extend trading hours for the benchmark Kospi and the secondary Kosdaq starting June 29, introducing premarket and after-hours sessions that will expand daily trading to roughly 12 hours. Under the plan, premarket trad

Jan. 28, 2026

Kospi locks in 5,000 as chip shares jump

South Korea’s benchmark Kospi wrapped up above the 5,000 mark Tuesday, clinching the psychological threshold on a closing basis for the first time. The country's chip giants led the gains, with SK hynix reaching 800,000 won ($550), and Samsung Electronics hovering just below 160,000 won. The index wrapped up the session at a record high of 5,084.85 on the day, advancing 2.73 percent from the previous session. It marked the first time the index finished above the level, after touching the milesto

Jan. 27, 2026

Seoul shares end at new high, landing above 5,000, despite Trump's tariff hike threat

South Korean stocks finished at a new high Tuesday, landing above the 5,000-point mark for the first time, buoyed by recent gains in tech shares despite Trump's threat to raise tariffs on Korean imports. The Korean won fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index jumped 135.26 points, or 2.73 percent, to close at 5,084.85 The Kospi has been enjoying decent gains this year, moving above the 5,000-point threshold since Thursday last week. It marked the first time for

Jan. 27, 2026

Seoul stocks open lower after Trump vows to raise tariffs on Korean imports

Seoul stocks opened lower Tuesday after US President Donald Trump unexpectedly announced that Washington will raise tariffs on South Korean automobile and other products to 25 percent from 15 percent. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 41.39 points, or 0.84 percent, to 4,908.20 in the first 15 minutes of trading. In a social media post, Trump said the United States will raise tariffs on automobiles, lumber and pharmaceutical goods, as well as "all other" reciprocal tariffs, condemning th

Jan. 27, 2026

Seoul shares snap 3-day rise ahead of Fed rate decision; Kosdaq surges 7% to over 1,000

South Korean stocks closed lower Monday to snap three consecutive days of rise ahead of a US rate-setting meeting, with investors sitting on the sidelines amid geopolitical uncertainties in Iran. The Korean won sharply gained against the US dollar, and the tech-laden Kosdaq surged by more than 7 percent to land above 1,000 for the first time in more than four years The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 40.48 points, or 0.81 percent, to close at 4,949.59. The Kospi has been enjoyin

Jan. 26, 2026