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Seoul shares open lower after 5-day record-breaking rally
South Korean stocks opened lower Wednesday, following a five-day streak of record-setting gains. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index went down 8.66 points, or 0.23 percent, to 3,815.18 in the first 15 minutes of choppy trading. US shares ended mixed Tuesday. The S&P 500 inched up less than 0.01 percent and the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 218 points, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite slipped 0.16 percent. In Seoul, large-cap shares traded mixed. Chip giant Samsung Electroni
Oct. 22, 2025 -
Seoul shares extend winning-streak to 5th day at fresh record high
South Korean stocks extended their winning streak to a fifth day to close at a fresh record high Tuesday, aided by gains in autos and shipbuilders. The Korean won fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index went up 9.15 points, or 0.24 percent, to close at 3,823.84 Trade volume was heavy at 522.5 million shares worth 19.3 trillion won ($13.5 billion), with losers beating winners 497 to 367. Institutional investors were net buyers, purchasing 211.6 billion won wort
Oct. 21, 2025 -
Korea's stock market on rightful path: Lee
Fueled by strong gains in SK hynix and other chipmakers, the South Korean benchmark Kospi soared to a new high Tuesday, briefly approaching the 3,900 mark during trading. The Kospi hit record highs in both closing price and intraday trading. It ended at 3,823.84, up 9.15 points, or 0.24 percent, from the previous session, after having reached an intraday peak of 3,893.06. Commenting on the rally, President Lee Jae Myung said the Korean stock market is returning to normalcy. “The Kospi broke the
Oct. 21, 2025 -
Seoul shares open sharply higher, head toward fresh record high
South Korean stocks opened sharply higher Tuesday led by gains in major tech shares to set another record high, following a four-day rally. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index increased 57.28 points, or 1.5 percent, to 3,871.97 in the first 15 minutes of trading. US shares ended higher Monday (local time) on tech gains. The S&P 500 rose 1.2 percent, the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite climbed 1.5 percent, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 507 points. In Seoul, large-cap shares t
Oct. 21, 2025 -
Seoul shares hit fresh record high on hopes for US-China trade deal
South Korean stocks closed at a fresh record high for the fourth consecutive session Monday, buoyed by optimism over easing trade tensions between the United States and China. The Korean won was trading higher against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 65.8 points, or 1.76 percent, to close at 3,814.69, following record rallies last week. Trade volume was moderate at 404.82 million shares worth 14.1 trillion won ($9.9 billion). Gainers outnumbered decliners by 59
Oct. 20, 2025 -
Kospi tops 3,800 for 1st time
South Korea's benchmark Kospi broke past the 3,800 milestone for the first time Monday, lifted by expectations of an improvement in the global trade environment. The Kospi closed at 3,814.69, rising by 65.8 points or 1.76 percent from the previous session. After opening at 3,775.4, extending Friday’s rally, the index soon fell to as low as 3,728.38. It rose into positive territory at around noon and quickly surpassed the 3,800 mark, closing at the record high of 3,814.69. It was the first time t
Oct. 20, 2025 -
Seoul shares open lower following last week's sharp gains
Seoul shares opened slightly lower Monday despite strong gains on Wall Street last week and a record-setting performance in the local market. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index edged down 5.56 points, or 0.15 percent, to 3,743.33 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Last week, the KOSPI hit new record highs, rising 3.8 percent overall. US shares also ended higher Friday, as investors assessed US President Donald Trump's latest remarks on China. The S&P 500 rose 0.5 percent, the tech-
Oct. 20, 2025 -
Kospi volatility intensifies to 4-year peak amid trade talks
South Korea’s benchmark Kospi is swinging wildly even as it hits record highs, with market volatility climbing to its highest level in more than four years amid lingering economic uncertainty. The Kospi’s average intraday volatility from Oct. 1 to 17 reached 1.81 percent, according to data from the country's bourse operator Korea Exchange. The figure is the highest recorded since February 2021, when it reached 2.03 percent. Intraday volatility indicates the ratio of a day’s price range to the av
Oct. 19, 2025 -
Seoul shares take breather amid trade deal hopes
Seoul shares took a breather Friday following sharp gains this week amid hopes for a possible trade deal with the United States. The Korean won fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 0.52 point, or 0.01 percent, to close at 3,748.89. The Kospi has posted new record highs for three consecutive sessions and gained 3.8 percent this week. Trade volume was moderate at 414.13 million shares worth 17.13 trillion won ($12.05 billion). Decliners outnumbered gaine
Oct. 17, 2025 -
Seoul shares open lower on US losses
Seoul shares opened lower Friday, tracking overnight losses on Wall Street amid lingering concerns over the fallout from escalating US-China trade tensions. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 19.87 points, or 0.53 percent, to 3,728.50 in the first 15 minutes of trading. The Kospi jumped 2.49 percent to close at a fresh all-time high of 3,748.37 points on Thursday. Overnight, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.65 percent while the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite declined 0.47 p
Oct. 17, 2025 -
Seoul shares soar to record high on optimism over trade deal with US
South Korean stocks hit a fresh all-time high Thursday, driven by rallies in technology and automobile shares, amid optimism over a possible trade deal with the United States. The Korean won rose against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index jumped 91.09 points, or 2.49 percent, to close at 3,748.37, marking the first time it has climbed past the 3,700 mark. Trade volume was moderate at 487.77 million shares worth 17.37 trillion won ($12.2 billion). Gainers outnumbered d
Oct. 16, 2025 -
Gold frenzy drives record ‘kimchi premium’
Gold prices in South Korea have surged past global levels, reviving the “kimchi premium” as investors rush to snap up the safe-haven metal amid surging demand and tight supply. The spot price of a 1-kilogram gold bullion closed at 227,000 won ($160) per gram on Wednesday on the KRX Gold Market. The Korea Exchange, the country's bourse operator, manages the gold bourse, where the precious metal is traded like an equity. According to data provided by the KRX, the international gold price stood at
Oct. 16, 2025 -
Kospi breaks through 3,700
Kospi reached a historic high on Thursday, breaking past 3,700 points for the first time, buoyed by strong earnings and optimism that Seoul and Washington are nearing a deal in their trade negotiations. Seoul’s benchmark index closed at a record 3,748.37, up 91.09 points, or 2.49 percent. It opened 0.51 percent higher at 3,675.82, immediately surpassing the previous intraday record of 3,659.91 set a day earlier. The index crossed 3,700 within 15 minutes of trading and continued to climb through
Oct. 16, 2025 -
Seoul shares open higher on tech, auto gains
Seoul shares opened higher Thursday, led by gains in technology and automobile stocks, set to head toward a fresh record high, despite lingering concerns over the potential fallout from escalating US-China trade tensions. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 35.17 points, or 0.96 percent, to 3,692.45 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, US stocks ended mixed. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.04 percent while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite rose 0.66 percent. In S
Oct. 16, 2025 -
Kospi market cap tops W3,000tr as market hits new high
The South Korean benchmark stock index, Kospi, climbed to a new all-time high Wednesday, surpassing the 3,650 milestone for the first time, while its total market capitalization topped 3,000 trillion won ($2.11 trillion). The Kospi closed at 3,657.28, up 95.47 points, or 2.68 percent, from the previous session, breaking its earlier record close of 3,610.6 set on Friday — in just three trading days. During intraday trading, the index hit 3,659.91, exceeding Tuesday’s intraday record of 3,646.77 a
Oct. 15, 2025