[THE INVESTOR] Fears of a potential rate hike in the US saw Korean shares sharply fall Aug. 22, with foreign investors and institutions seeking to lock in their early gains. The local currency also fell sharply against the US dollar.The benchmark KOSPI lost 14.08 points, or 0.68 percent, to close at 2,042.16. Trading volume was slim at 339.7 million shares worth some 4.03 trillion won (US$3.59 billion).The index opened slightly lower, following Wall Street losses Friday.The decline accelerated a

[DISCLOSURE] Orion (001800) announced its plans to take over Sports Toto Online, an online sports betting platform, as a wholly owned subsidiary to increase management efficiency. The stock swap ratio is 1:0, and Orion will own 100 percent stake in Sports Toto Online. There will be no change of majority shareholders post-merger. By Jung Min-kyung (mkj1105@heraldcorp.com)

[DISCLOSURE] Imagis (115610) said on Aug. 22 that it has earned a patent for technology related to short-circuit detection for touchscreen panels based on half-wave transmitter electrodes. By Jung Min-kyung (mkj1105@heraldcorp.com)

[THE INVESTOR] Foreign investors and institutions looked to lock in early gains, sending South Korean shares down 0.54 percent in late morning trade Aug. 22.The benchmark KOSPI lost 11.08 points to 2,045.16 as of 11:20 a.m.The index opened slightly low, apparently tracking losses on Wall Street last week.On Friday, the Dow Jones industrial average closed at 18,552.57, shedding 0.24 percent.The decline in the KOSPI accelerated as foreign and institutional investors turned to selling in an apparen

[THE INVESTOR] South Korean stocks were down early Aug. 22, following losses on Wall Street last week.The benchmark KOSPI shed 4.85 points, or 0.24 percent, to 2,051.39 in the first 15 minutes of trading.The decline followed Wall Street losses last week.The Dow Jones industrial average retreated 0.24 percent to close at 18,552.57 on Aug. 19, with the tech-laden NASDAQ slipping 0.03 percent to 5,238.38.Large caps traded mixed across the board in Seoul.Top cap Samsung Electronics advanced 0.36 per

[THE INVESTOR] South Korean shares a new high for the year Aug. 19, led by top cap Samsung Electronics’ continued rally. The local currency, however, fell against the US dollar.The benchmark KOSPI gained 0.77 point, or 0.04 percent, to 2,056.24.Samsung Electronics climbed 2.13 percent to a fresh record high of 1,675,000 won (US$1,500), as its Galaxy Note 7 large-size smartphone went on sale earlier in the day.The KOSPI started the day’s trade marginally higher and wavered in a tight range. Its a

[DISCLOSURE] Sungbo Chemical (003080) announced Aug. 19 that it plans to transfer its ownership of land and property worth 127 billion won (US$113.6 million) to Korea Land & Housing on expropriation for urban development. 　The deal amounts to 118.11 percent of the firm’s equity capital in 2015. By Jung Min-kyung (mkj1105@heraldcorp.com)

[DISCLOSURE] Vitzrotech (042370) announced on Aug. 19 that it has signed a contract worth 14.9 billion won (US$13.3 million) with National Fusion Research Institute to manufacture and install a KSTAR NBI-2 heating beam line system.　The deal amounts to 12.5 percent of the firm’s revenue and expires Dec. 31, 2019. By Jung Min-kyung (mkj1105@heraldcorp.com)

[THE INVESTOR] South Korean shares dropped 0.25 percent in late morning trading Aug. 19, while top market cap Samsung Electronics continued its upward trajectory.The benchmark KOSPI had lost 5.1 points to 2,050.37 as of 11:20 a.m.Foreigners and institutional investors were net-sellers, apparently seeking to lock in their recent gains, but individuals scooped up shares. Samsung Electronics gained 1.04 percent to a fresh record high of 1,657,000 won (US$1,480), as its Galaxy Note 7 large-size smar

[THE INVESTOR] Investors chose to cash in on recent gains, sending South Korean shares slightly down in early trading Aug. 19.The benchmark KOSPI fell 1.33 points, or 0.06 percent, to 2,054.14 in the first 15 minutes of trading.Large caps gained with market kingpin Samsung Electronics inching up 0.12 percent. Major chipmaker SK hynix gained 0.88 percent.  123rfAuto shares traded were mixed across the board. Top automaker Hyundai Motor remained unchanged and its affiliate Kia Motors inched down 0

[THE INVESTOR] Increased buying from outside the country and by pension funds saw South Korean shares end higher Aug. 18. The Korean won also advanced against the US dollar. The benchmark KOSPI gained 11.72 points, or 0.57 percent, to 2,055.47.The rise followed overnight gains on Wall Street. The Dow Jones industrial average gained 0.12 percent, with the tech-heavy NASDAQ composite index climbing 0.03 percent.“Robust earnings of Samsung Electronics Co. also helped the main index, and eased conce

[THE INVESTOR] South Korean shares gained slightly in late morning trade Aug. 18 on eased worries about a possible US rate hike and a rebound in Samsung Electronics. The benchmark KOSPI gained 4.01 points, or 0.2 percent, to 2,047.76 as of 11:20 a.m.The rise followed overnight gains on Wall Street.The Dow Jones industrial average gained 0.12 percent, with the tech-heavy NASDAQ composite index climbing 0.03 percent.Large-cap stocks were mixed across the board. Market bellwether Samsung Electronic

[THE INVESTOR] Stocks in South Korea were spurred by overnight gains in Wall Street, opening high early Aug. 18.The benchmark KOSPI gained 2.59 points, or 0.13 percent, to 2,046.34 in the first 15 minutes of trading.The rise followed overnight gains on Wall Street.The Dow Jones industrial average gained 0.12 percent, with the tech-heavy NASDAQ composite index climbing 0.03 percent.Large-cap stocks were mixed across the board. Market bellwether Samsung Electronics gained 0.13 percent ad global ch

[THE INVESTOR] South Korean stocks slid for a second consecutive session on Aug. 17, due largely to growing expectations of the US Federal Reserve raising interest rates. The Korean won also fell against the US dollar. The benchmark KOSPI fell 4.01 points, or 0.2 percent, to close at 2,043.75. Trade volume was light at 388 million shares for 4.31 trillion won (US$3.89 billion), with losers outnumbering gainers 540 to 281.On Tuesday, Fed officials fueled speculation of an interest rate hike this

[THE INVESTOR] South Korean stock losses continued in the late morning on Aug. 17, as institutions shed over 36 billion won (US$32.7 million) in shares amid concerns on a possible rate hike for the United States.The benchmark KOSPI lost 8.87 points, or 0.43 percent, to sit at 2,038.89 as of 11:20 a.m.Retail investors also off-loaded a net 1.2 billion won. But foreigners were net buyers of local stocks to the tune of 15 billion won.The decline followed overnight losses on Wall Street.The Dow Jone

[DISCLOSURE] Namhae Chemistry (025860) said on Aug. 17 that it has acquired a money market trust worth 18 billion won (US$16.4 million) from its affiliate NH Investment & Securities (005940) to better manage operations and enhance profitability. The firm put 10 billion won in a fixed deposit account and 8 billion won in a money market deposit account. The maturity dates are Nov. 16 and Aug. 23, respectively.

[THE INVESTOR] Tracking overnight losses on Wall Street, stocks in South Korea opened the day low on Aug. 17.The benchmark KOSPI lost 0.38 points, or 0.02 percent, to drop to 2,047.38 in the first 15 minutes of trading.The decline followed overnight losses on Wall Street.The Dow Jones industrial average lost 0.45 percent, with the tech-heavy NASDAQ declining 0.66 percent.Large-cap stocks were mixed across the board. Market bellwether Samsung Electronics lost 0.32 percent.Top automaker Hyundai Mo

[THE INVESTOR] The South Korean market shed early gains on less foreign buying and poor-performing Chinese stocks, ending flat for the day. The Korean won, however, strengthened against the US dollar.The benchmark KOSPI fell 2.71 points, or 0.13 percent, to 2,047.76.The main index fell after marking a 1.61 percent increase for the whole of last week. On Aug. 12, it closed at 2,050.47 points, hitting fresh yearly highs.Kim Ye-eun, an analyst at LIG Investment & Securities, said the local stocks f

[THE INVESTOR] Stocks in Seoul slightly trimmed early morning gains later in the morning on Aug. 16 after responding to gains on Wall Street helped by positive US economic data and a rebound in global oil prices.The benchmark KOSPI rose 1.73 points, or 0.08 percent, to 2,052.20 as of 11:20 a.m. The main index continued to gain after marking a 1.61 percent increase for the whole of last week. On Aug. 12, it closed at 2,050.47 points, hitting fresh yearly highs.Investors will closely watch the min

[DISCLOSURE] LG Chem (051910) announced on Aug. 16 that it has decided not to bid for US-based lightweight materials manufacturer Continental Structural Plastics.The firm participated in the preliminary bidding and submitted a letter of intent with co-bidder and affiliate LG Hausys (108670), but decided to pull out after final review, it explained.