[THE INVESTOR] The US dollar ended lower at 1,134.2 won on July 27, down 0.7 won from the previous closing of 1,134.9 won.

[DISCLOSURE] Exicon (092870) said on July 27 that it plans to acquire 820,000 shares worth 933.49 million won (US$822,819) of Hong Kong-based semiconductor manufacturer Memorfi. This amount to an 82 percent stake in the company. The purchase will be made through equity offering.

[DISCLOSURE] Korea Petrochemical (006650) announced on July 27 that its second-quarter operating profit increased 11.85 percent on-year to 98.47 billion won (US$86.83 million). Its sales fell 10.32 percent to 404.65 billion won, while net profit spiked 11.28 percent to 76.35 billion won on-year.

[DISCLOSURE] Hanmi Semiconductor (042700) announced on July 27 that it will issue convertible bonds worth 37.5 billion won (US$33.05 million). The conversion price is 15,000 won and the maturity date is Sept. 23, 2022. The firm added that it will also sell off 2,500,000 shares worth 37.5 billion won to issue convertible bonds available in exchange for treasury stocks. The price per share is 15,000 won.

[DISCLOSURE] Kyungin Synthetics (012610) said on July 27 that it will sell off 40,000 shares worth 170.8 million won (US$150,551), following the exercise of a stock option.

[THE INVESTOR] South Korean shares traded almost unchanged late morning on July 27 as investors took a cautious stance ahead of this week’s Federal Open Market Committee meeting.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index inched down 2,46 points, or 0.12 percent, to 2,024.58 as of 11:20 a.m.Large caps traded mixed with market kingpin Samsung Electronics inching down 0.33 percent and major chipmaker SK hynix adding 3.12 percent.Top automaker Hyundai Motor shed 0.57 percent and its smaller aff

[DISCLOSURE] KEPCO Engineering & Construction (052690) announced on July 27 that its second-quarter operating profit jumped 265 percent to 25.5 billion won (US$22.40 million) on-year. Net profit increased 128 percent to 23.4 billion won and sales fell 15 percent to 128 billion won.

[DISCLOSURE] BHI (083650) said on July 27 that it has signed a 16.5 billion won (US$14.5 million) contract with Taiwan’s Formosa Plastics to supply combustion turbine power generators. The deal amounts to 4.64 percent of its revenue and expires July 26, 2018.

[DISCLOSURE] Daebong LS (078140) reported on July 27 that its operating profit jumped 32.9 percent to 3.01 billion won (US$2.99 million). Sales rose 21.9 percent to 19.08 billion won and net profit increased 33.2 percent to 2.88 billion won.

[DISCLOSURE] S&T Motiv (064960) announced on July 27 that its second-quarter operating profit dropped 43 percent to 19.6 billion won (US$17.25 million) on-year. Its net profit plunged 48 percent to 14.9 billion won and sales fell 12 percent to 275.8 billion won.

[THE INVESTOR] South Korean shares opened flat on July 27 ahead of a policy statement from the latest US Federal Reserve meeting scheduled to come out later today. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index declined 0.01 percent to 2,027.09 in the first 15 minutes of trading.Samsung Electronics was down 0.59 percent, and Hyundai Motor fell 0.74 percent. Global chipmaker SK hynix rose 2.65 percent. The local currency was trading at 1,134.70 won against the US dollar, up 0.20 won from the pre

[THE INVESTOR] The euro opened lower at 1,248.46 won on July 27, up 7.05 won from the previous closing of 1,255.51 won.

[THE INVESTOR] The Japanese yen opened lower at 1,081.96 won on July 27, down 6.11 won from the previous closing of 1,088.07 won.

[THE INVESTOR] The US dollar opened higher at 1,136.3 won on July 27, up 1.4 won from the previous closing of 1,134.9 won.

[THE INVESTOR] KOSDAQ opened higher at 707.27, up 1.87 points(0.27%) on July 27.　

[THE INVESTOR] KOSPI opened lower at 2,027.07, down 0.27 points(0.01%) on July 27.　

[DISCLOSURE] Hyundai Development Company (012630) reported on July 26 that its second quarter operating profit jumped 59.6 percent to 160.76 billion won (US$141.45 million) on-year. Sales declined 2.6 percent to 1.21 trillion won and net profit increased 53.7 percent to 120 billion won.

[DISCLOSURE] KPX Holdings (092230) announced on July 26 that it plans to pay interim dividends on common stocks. The dividend will be 600 won (US$0.53) per share, with the total amount reaching 2.4 billion won.

[THE INVESTOR] South Korean shares closed at their highest level this year on July 26 as investors snapped up major tech shares. The Korean won fell against the US dollar.The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index gained 15.02 points, or 0.75 percent, to close at 2,027.34. Trade volume was slim at 332.2 million shares worth 3.92 trillion won (US$3.45 billion), with winners outnumbering losers 474 to 320.Market analysts say the KOSPI has hovered above the 2,000-mark since July 13 on the back

[DISCLOSURE] Hyundai Motor (005380) announced on July 26 that it will pay interim dividends on both common and preferred shares. The dividend will be 1,000 won (US$0.88) per share, with the total amount reaching 268.65 billion won. The rate stands at 0.7 percent and the record date is June 30.