KOSPI swings as investors weigh Wall Street momentum and shifting Iran peace hopes

Korean stocks extended losses late Tuesday morning as big chip shares sharply lost ground, tracking an overnight slump in U.S. techs. After opening 0.34 percent lower, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) shed 389.16 points, or 4.27 percent, to 8,725.39 as of 11:20 a.m. Overnight, U.S. Vice President JD Vance said a "very good foundation" had been established for negotiations toward a final agreement with Iran, while mediators also reported progress in the talks. However, U.S. stocks closed mixed, with the tech-heavy Nasdaq declining 1.3 percent amid concerns about major technology companies. In Seoul, blue-chip tech shares slid. Semiconductor heavyweights SK hynix and Samsung Electronics shot down 5.34 percent and 4.95 percent, respectively. Samsung Electro-Mechanics, an electronic components manufacturing affiliate of Samsung Electronics, fell 8.57 percent. Automobile shares were also among the losers. Top automaker Hyundai Motor went down 8.43 percent, and its smaller affiliate Kia declined 6.41 percent. The Korean won was trading at 1.533.7 won against the U.S. dollar a

Korean stocks opened slightly lower Tuesday, tracking overnight losses on Wall Street as a decline in U.S. tech firms outweighed optimism over progress in peace talks between the United States and Iran. After starting 0.34 percent lower, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) went down 3.17 points, or 0.03 percent, to 9,111.38 as of 9:15 a.m. Overnight, U.S. Vice President JD Vance said a "very good foundation" had been established for negotiations toward a final agreement with Iran, while mediators also reported progress in the talks. However, U.S. stocks closed mixed, with the tech-heavy Nasdaq declining 1.3 percent amid concerns about major technology companies. Investor sentiment was also weighed down by reports that Elon Musk's rocket company, SpaceX, is selling bonds as part of what is expected to be a major fundraising effort to support its artificial intelligence initiatives. SpaceX plummeted 16.4 percent for its third straight decline after a record IPO last week. In Seoul, major market heavyweights opened lower. Market bellwether SK hynix lost 0.45 percent, while

Korean stocks traded higher late Monday morning as an extended rally in semiconductor shares offset concerns over U.S.-Iran negotiations to end their monthslong war. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) gained 93.37 points, or 1.03 percent, to 9,145.79 as of 11:20 a.m. The index opened 1.08 percent lower as investor sentiment was weighed down by overnight news reports that Washington-Tehran talks in Switzerland were halted after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to strike Iran amid ongoing clashes between Israel and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group. However, strong gains in semiconductor-related shares supported the turnaround. Market top cap Samsung Electronics rose 0.71 percent, and its chipmaking rival SK hynix jumped 4.67 percent. SK Square, the parent of SK hynix, soared 8.48 percent, and LG Electronics surged 11.82 percent. However, flag air carrier Korean Air dropped 2.86 percent, and internet giant Naver fell 1.74 percent. The Korean won was trading at 1,538.3 won against the U.S. dollar as of 11:20 a.m., down 10.8 won from the previous session.

Korean stocks opened lower Monday as uncertainty over U.S.-Iran peace negotiations intensified following U.S. President Donald Trump's continued threats on Tehran. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 124.2 points, or 1.37 percent, to 8,928.2 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, the United States and Iran started negotiations in Switzerland, but soon Iran halted talks after Trump threatened strikes on Iran if Hezbollah keeps attacking Israel. Tehran earlier said it will close the Strait of Hormuz over Israel's ongoing military campaign in Lebanon against the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group, citing the interim 60-day deal that stops conflict on all fronts. In Seoul, major market heavyweights led the weak opening. Market bellwether Samsung Electronics sank 2.68 percent and its chipmaking rival SK hynix declined 0.07 percent. Top carmaker Hyundai Motor retreated 3.92 percent and Hanwha Ocean, a major shipbuilder, tumbled 7.87 percent. Samsung Electro-Mechanics, an electronic components manufacturing affiliate of Samsung Electronics, fell 0.93 percent.

The KOSPI ended lower Friday after briefly topping 9,300 to set a fresh all-time high, as uncertainty over U.S.-Iran talks aimed at ending the conflict appeared to weigh on investor sentiment. According to the Korea Exchange, the benchmark index closed at 9,052.42, down 0.13 percent from the previous session, after rising as high as 9,385.59 in intraday trading. However, sentiment weakened in the afternoon after the White House announced that Vice President JD Vance’s planned visit to Switzerland for follow-up working-level talks on nuclear negotiations with Iran had been postponed. Profit-taking pressure and fatigue from the market’s rapid semiconductor-led rally also contributed to the day’s decline, analysts said. Volatility was high, with the gap between KOSPI’s intraday high and low exceeding 553 points. Foreign and institutional investors sold a net 388.4 billion won ($254.5 million) and 1.23 trillion won worth of shares, respectively. Retail investors, meanwhile, stepped in to provide support, net buying 1.68 trillion won. “The domestic stock market opened higher on the d

Seoul stocks traded sharply higher late Friday morning, buoyed by chips and other tech heavyweights, after topping the historic 9,000 landmark the previous session. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 200.67 points, or 2.21 percent, to 9,264.51, as of 11:20 a.m., after peaking above 9,300 at one point. The index followed gains on Wall Street overnight, lead by major chipmakers, including Intel. The U.S. semiconductor company jumped after President Donald Trump said the firm had agreed to a deal with Apple to design and manufacture chips in the United States. In Seoul, market top-cap Samsung Electronics rose 1.38 percent, while its industry rival SK hynix jumped 5.92 percent. Top carmaker Hyundai Motor moved up 1.33 percent, battery maker LG Energy Solution climbed 1.88 percent, while nuclear power plant builder Doosan Enerbility retreated 2.41 percent. The Korean won was quoted at 1,538.1 won against the U.S. dollar, as of 11:23 a.m., down 11 won from the previous session.