Seoul stocks opened lower Friday on mounting fears that a global recession may further deepen amid aggressive monetary tightening drives around the globe. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index dropped 10.39 points, or 0.45 percent, to 2,321.92 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, US stocks fell again amid fears that recent rate hikes from central banks around the world could tip the economy into a recession. Central banks in major economies, such as Britain, raised rates as t

South Korean stocks closed down on Thursday, as investors were spooked by growing worries over a global economic recession following the US Federal Reserve's sharp rate hike decision. The Korean won fell to a 13-year low against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) lost 14.9 points, or 0.63 percent, and closed at 2,332.31. Trading volume was light at 436.1 million shares worth 7.3 trillion won, with decliners outnumbering gainers 579 to 299. After starting

SEJONG -- The Korean currency dropped to the 1,400 won range per dollar on Thursday in the wake of another “giant step” rate hike of 75 basis points from the US Federal Reserve. In addition, foreign and institutional investors turned to net sellers on the nation’s main bourse, pulling down the Kospi. The local currency, which started at 1,398 won per US dollar during the Thursday trading session, closed at 1,409.7 won. The Korean currency became cheaper by more than

A Seoul court on Thursday ordered Namyang Dairy Products shareholders to sell off its controlling shares to local buyout firm Hahn ＆ Co., brushing off the troubled dairy company’s claims that its stock transfer deal with the private equity fund had been “rigged.” The Seoul Central District Court sided with Hahn ＆ Co. after the buyout firm last year filed a lawsuit against Namyang shareholders, including its Chairman Hong Won-sik for failing to abide by a binding contract to se

South Korean stocks opened more than 1 percent lower on Thursday as worries over a global recession mounted after the US Federal Reserve delivered another sharp rate hike to tame runaway inflation. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) dropped 26.75 points, or 1.14 percent, to 2,320.46 as of 9:15 a.m. Overnight, the Fed raised its benchmark federal funds rate by 0.75 percentage point for a third consecutive time, and its chair Jerome Powell voiced strong resolution to continue

South Korean stocks slipped back into negative territory again Wednesday, as investors took to the sidelines ahead of a widely expected sharp rate hike by the Federal Reserve. The Korean won fell against the dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) lost 20.64 points, or 0.87 percent, to close at 2,347.21. Trading volume was light at 367.1 million shares worth 6.2 trillion won ($4.4 billion), with losers outpacing gainers 580 to 279. "Today's losses came as invest

South Korean stocks opened lower Wednesday, tracking an overnight loss on Wall Street, as investors bet that the Federal Reserve will deliver another sharp rate hike this week. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) inched down 8.04 points, or 0.34 percent, to 2,359.81 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, US stocks slumped as investors fret that the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) would opt to push the US benchmark rate by 75 basis points, which could further acce

SCI Information Service and CrePASS Solution signed a new partnership on Friday to boost business cooperation and create a new credit rating model for the financially marginalized. Under the partnership, the two South Korean credit rating agencies will seek synergy by combining SCI Information Services’ accumulated credit information and CrePASS Solution’s alternative information methodologies. Their new planned credit rating model, in particular, aims to help people who have difficu

Seoul stocks ended their four-day losing streak on Tuesday as investors scooped up oversold stocks ahead of the Fed's policy meeting later this week. The Korean won rose against the US dollar. After opening higher, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) stayed in positive terrain, closing at 2,367.85, up 12.19 points, or 0.52 percent. Trading volume was light at 407.9 million shares worth 6.9 trillion won ($4.96 billion) with decliners outnumbering gainers 654 to 198. "

The Upbit Developer Conference, the nation's largest blockchain developer conference, will be back in person this year after two years of pandemic disruptions. According to Dunamu, the operator of South Korean crypto exchange Upbit, on Tuesday, the 2022 UDC will be held in Busan from Sept. 22 to 23, with 50 speakers and over 3,000 attendees set to join the event. Launched in 2018, the annual gathering has attracted more than 617 companies and 15,100 visitors. This year’s event will cove

South Korean stocks opened higher Tuesday as investors picked up oversold issues ahead of the highly anticipated US Federal Reserve's rate-setting meeting. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 24.61 points, or 1.04 percent, to 2,380.27 in the first 15 minutes of trading. The market has been roiled amid worries that the Fed could raise its base interest rate by at least another 75 basis points in its two-day policy meeting that will kick off on Tuesday (US time). Some market wa

South Korean stocks dipped by more than 1 percent on Monday to extend their losing streak to a fourth day as market sentiment was dampened by the prospect of another sharp rate hike this week by the US Fed. The Korean won fell sharply against the US dollar. After opening higher, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price index (KOSPI) shed 27.12 points, or 1.14 percent, to 2,355.66, marking the lowest since July 12 when the corresponding reading was 2,330.98. Trading volume was light at 395.3 mil

South Korean stocks opened lower Monday as investors continued to remain cautious ahead of the US Federal Reserve's policy meeting later this week. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 8.43 points, or 0.35 percent, to 2,374.35 in the first 15 minutes of trading. The country's stock market has been roiled by expectations that the Fed could raise the base rate at least by another 75 basis points in its upcoming policy meeting slated for Sept. 20-21. In Seoul, market heavywe

Some 10,000 unionized financial workers held their first strike in six years on Friday, but the rally may have backfired on them, as their absence at work had minimal impact on customer services, sources said Sunday. The Korean Financial Industry Union affiliated with the Federation of Korean Trade Unions, one of the country’s two umbrella unions, carried out a one-day general strike and demonstration at Gwanghwamun Square, central Seoul, calling for a 5.2 percent wage hike and the adopti

South Korean stocks retreated 0.79 percent Friday, extending a losing streak to a third straight day, as the latest US economic data supported the view that the Federal Reserve will deliver another steep interest rate hike in next week's policy meeting. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) lost 19.05 points to 2,382.78. Trading volume was moderate at 432.5 million shares worth 8.4 trillion won ($6.04 billion) with decliners outnumbering gainers 687 to 193. "The after