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Seoul stocks soar to record high, breaching 4,200 mark for 1st time
South Korean shares surged nearly 2.8 percent Monday to again set an all-time high, led by sharp gains in big-cap chip and defense shares. The local currency lost ground against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index skyrocketed 114.37 points, or 2.78 percent, to 4,221.87. It marked the first time in history the KOSPI surpassed the 4,200 mark. The achievement was made just a session after the index breached the 4,100 mark for the first time Friday. Trade volume was heavy
Nov. 3, 2025 -
Seoul stocks open higher on defense, shipbuilding gains
South Korean shares opened higher Monday as big-cap defense and shipbuilding shares kicked off strong ahead of their planned earnings release. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 50.35 points, or 1.23 percent, to 4,157.85 in the first 15 minutes of trading. On Friday, major US indexes closed higher, led by sharp gains in Amazon Web Services and Tesla. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.09 percent, the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite increased 0.61 percent, and the S&P 500 adde
Nov. 3, 2025 -
Seoul shares breach 4,100-mark on Nvidia
South Korean stocks closed up for the third consecutive day to set a fresh record high Friday, fueled by investors' optimism over US tech giant Nvidia's artificial intelligence chip supplies to Korean companies. The local currency was trading higher against the US dollar. After a choppy session, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 20.61 points, or 0.5 percent, to close at 4,107.5. Trade volume was moderate at 386.2 million shares worth 20.8 trillion won ($14.6 billion), with lo
Oct. 31, 2025 -
Seoul stocks open lower as US techs tumble
South Korean shares opened lower Friday, tracking a slump in major US techs overnight. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 8.65 points, or 0.21 percent, to 4,078.24 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite fell 1.57 percent and the S&P 500 shed 0.99 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.23 percent. Major US tech firms, including Microsoft and Meta, fell amid woes over their financial burden on artificial intelligence investment. N
Oct. 31, 2025 -
Kospi hits record close after topping 4,100
Seoul’s benchmark Kospi pierced the 4,100 mark for the first time Thursday, hitting a fresh intraday record before trimming gains to still finish at an all-time high closing, as mixed signals from trade developments sent the market on a volatile ride. The Kospi ended at 4,086.89, up 0.14 percent from the previous day, extending its record-setting streak for a second straight session. The rally was initially fueled by optimism over Wednesday’s US-Korea trade deal, which propelled the index to ope
Oct. 30, 2025 -
S. Korean stocks close nearly flat after US-China summit
Seoul stocks shed earlier gains and closed almost flat Thursday as the outcome of a highly anticipated US-China summit was unable to ease trade uncertainties. The local currency rose against the greenback. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index gained 5.74 points, or 0.14 percent, to close at 4,086.89. Trade volume was heavy at 562.3 million shares worth 23.9 trillion won ($16.7 billion). Losers outnumbered gainers 704 to 190. After opening sharply higher, the KOSPI shed earlier gains a
Oct. 30, 2025 -
S. Korean stocks open higher after breakthrough in trade talks with US
Seoul stocks opened sharply higher Thursday as market sentiment revived after Seoul finalized its tariff deal with Washington the previous day, while the US Federal Reserve cut its key rate for the second time this year. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 42.89 points, or 1.05 percent, to 4,124.04 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, major US stock indexes closed mixed as Fed Chair Jerome Powell signaled that the central bank might not cut interest rates again this ye
Oct. 30, 2025 -
Gist of $350b Korea-US investment package
Below is a summary of key outcomes from the $350b South Korea–US trade deal, finalized at Wednesday’s summit between South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and US President Donald Trump, in Gyeongju, South Korea. -- Ed. Total Investment: $350b -$200b cash investment (capped at $20b/year) -$150b for shipbuildingcooperation -Flexible payments to reduce FX volatility, focused only on commercially viable, guaranteed-return projects Trade benefits: - US tariffs on Korean cars cut 25% → 15% - MFN status
Oct. 29, 2025 -
Kospi hits record high on Korea–US summit optimism
South Korea’s benchmark Kospi surged to a new record high Wednesday, as the Korea–US summit fueled anticipation of a potential trade deal between Seoul and Washington. The Kospi closed at 4,081.15, up 70.74 points, or 1.76 percent, from the previous session, marking its highest-ever finish. The index opened at 4,061.54 but soon retreated to as low as 4,014.84, dragged down by profit-taking. It returned to positive territory around 2 p.m. and climbed to its record intraday high of 4,084.09 before
Oct. 29, 2025 -
Seoul shares set fresh record high on hopes for Seoul-Washington summit, Nvidia deal
South Korean stocks set a fresh record high Wednesday on hopes for the Seoul-Washington summit and a potential supply deal with Nvidia. The local currency was trading higher against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 70.74 points, or 1.76 percent, to close at 4,081.15. Trade volume was high at 461 million shares worth 21 trillion won (US$14.6 billion), with losers beating gainers 564 to 304. Foreigners sold a net 227.3 billion won worth of local shares, and indi
Oct. 29, 2025 -
K-food diplomacy in action at APEC
From bottled water at negotiation tables and liquor served at leaders’ banquets to snacks offered to journalists at the media center, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, doubles as a global showcase for Korean food. A variety of local food and dining companies are supporting the APEC summit in Gyeongju as official sponsors to promote the global competitiveness and brand value of the K-food industry. Out of the 66 official sponsors, food-related co
Oct. 29, 2025 -
Seoul stocks open higher on Wall Street rally
South Korean shares opened higher Wednesday, tracking gains on Wall Street amid the growing optimism over the artificial intelligence sector. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 0.48 percent, or 19.16 points, to 4,029.57 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, the three major US indexes closed at record highs, with the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite rising 0.8 percent and the S&P 500 advancing 0.23 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.3 percent. In Seoul, top te
Oct. 29, 2025 -
Irish investors join global rush into Korean equities
Irish investors emerged as surprise heavyweights in Korea’s stock market upswing, becoming the second-largest net buyers with 4 trillion won ($2.8 billion) in purchases over the past four months, regulatory data showed Tuesday. According to the Financial Supervisory Service, Irish traders bought a net 4.2 trillion won of Korean equities between early June and late September, trailing only US investors, who topped the list with net purchases of 8.2 trillion won during the same period. The surge m
Oct. 28, 2025 -
Seoul stocks retreat from record-breaking streak ahead of major events
South Korean stocks took a breather on Tuesday after enjoying a stellar performance over the past weeks, as investors cashed in part of jaw-dropping gains ahead of major events, such as the Trump-Xi meeting and the Federal Reserve's rate decision. The local currency fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index slid 32.42 points, or 0.8 percent, to close at 4,010.41. The index has been on a bull run since late September as investors snatched up major stocks such as
Oct. 28, 2025 -
S. Korean stocks open lower ahead of Trump-Xi summit, Fed rate decision
Seoul stocks opened lower Tuesday, bucking overnight gains on Wall Street, as investors await a high-stakes meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping this week. The benchmark Korea Composite Stocks Price Index fell 29.15 points, or 0.72 percent, to 4,013.68 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, Wall Street's major stock indexes finished up, amid promising hopes for a trade deal between the world's two largest economies. Trump and Xi are scheduled to meet
Oct. 28, 2025