Seoul stocks swing as investors weigh tech rebound and Iran peace hopes

Seoul shares turned lower late Friday morning as renewed geopolitical tensions in the Middle East weighed on investor sentiment. After opening 1.09 percent higher, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) traded down 36.07 points, or 0.57 percent, to 6,260.31 as of 11:20 a.m. The index plunged 4.58 percent in the previous session, dragged down mainly by losses in technology stocks. Overnight, U.S. stocks declined. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.85 percent, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite declined 0.06 percent amid a lack of clarity over a possible agreement between the United States and Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Iran reportedly plans to deny U.S. and Israeli ships access to the strategic waterway and require compensation from countries it considers hostile before allowing them passage. Institutions bought a net 423.3 billion won ($298 million) worth of stocks, while foreigners and individuals sold a net 179.5 billion won and 223.1 billion won, respectively. In Seoul, large-cap stocks were mixed. Chip giant SK hynix fell 4.01 percent, top carmaker Hyund

Seoul shares opened higher Friday, led by gains in technology stocks despite renewed geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) opened 68.69 points, or 1.09 percent, higher at 6,365.07. The index plunged 4.58 percent in the previous session, dragged down mainly by losses in technology stocks. Overnight, U.S. stocks declined. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.85 percent, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite climbed 0.06 percent amid a lack of clarity over a possible agreement between the United States and Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Iran reportedly plans to deny U.S. and Israeli ships access to the strategic waterway and require compensation from countries it considers hostile before allowing them passage. In Seoul, tech shares led the gains. Market bellwether Samsung Electronics rose 2.49 percent, and its chipmaking rival SK hynix climbed 0.6 percent. Leading steelmaker POSCO Holdings gained 2.51 percent, and Korea Aerospace Industries advanced 4.6 percent. Among decliners, top carmaker Hyundai Motor fell 1.94 percent, and

Korean stocks fell sharply late Thursday morning as investors dumped large-cap tech shares following a rise in the previous sessions. After opening 1.81 percent lower, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) extended losses, falling 298.38 points, or 4.52 percent, to 6,299.88 as of 11:20 a.m. The index had risen 1.62 percent and 3.76 percent on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, driven by eased concerns over artificial intelligence (AI) profitability. As the index suffered a sharp loss, the Korea Exchange (KRX) activated a sell-side sidecar for the KOSPI for five minutes at 10:18 a.m., halting program trading for KOSPI-listed shares. Overnight on Wall Street, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite lost 0.83 percent, its first decline in five sessions, as tech heavyweights, including Alphabet and Advanced Micro Devices, lost ground. The Dow Jones Industrial Average extended its winning streak amid news reports that Iran and Oman have agreed on a route for ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz. In Seoul, tech shares led the decline. Market bellwether Samsung Electronics sank 5.89 p

Korean stocks opened sharply lower Thursday, driven by losses in some big technology companies on Wall Street amid signs of progress on the Strait of Hormuz. After opening 1.81 percent lower, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) shed 105.95 points, or 1.61 percent, to 6,492.31 as of 9:15 a.m. Overnight, U.S. stocks finished mixed. While the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.49 percent, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite lost 0.83 percent, weighed down by big technology companies losing ground, including Alphabet, Google's parent company, and Advanced Micro Devices. News outlets reported that Iran and Oman have agreed on a route for ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, with Tehran exercising control of the crucial waterway. In Seoul, tech shares led the decline. Market bellwether Samsung Electronics fell 1.52 percent and its chipmaking rival SK hynix slumped 5.22 percent. Internet giants Naver and Kakao declined 1.31 percent and 1.05 percent, respectively. However, top carmaker Hyundai Motor rose 0.49 percent and leading shipbuilder HD Hyundai Heavy Industries gained 1.38

Korea's two main stock markets rallied in tandem Wednesday, as renewed optimism over artificial intelligence (AI) investment lifted the KOSPI and continued retail buying fueled the Kosdaq's advance. The benchmark KOSPI closed at 6,598.26, up 3.76 percent from the previous session. The index opened 3.85 percent higher and soon triggered a buy-side sidecar, marking the 22nd such activation this year. Institutional and retail investors were net sellers of 280.2 billion won ($196.6 million) and 1.18 trillion won worth of shares, respectively. Foreign investors were net buyers of 1.45 trillion won. SK hynix rose 5.77 percent to close at 1,668,000 won, while Samsung Electronics gained 2.5 percent to finish at 246,000 won. The two market heavyweights posted strong gains as investor confidence in the semiconductor sector remained firm. Hyperscalers continued to ramp up AI spending while demonstrating tangible returns on those investments. Sentiment was further boosted by reports that the world's three major memory chipmakers have already sold out their 2027 DRAM and high-bandwidth memory producti

Seoul shares extended gains late Wednesday morning as easing concerns over artificial intelligence (AI) profitability and hopes for an interim agreement between the United States and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz lifted investor sentiment. After opening 3.85 percent higher, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) traded up 249.33 points, or 3.92 percent, to 6,608.28 as of 11:20 a.m. The index rose 1.62 percent Tuesday after plunging 5.12 percent the previous day. The Korea Exchange (KRX) activated a buy-side sidecar for the KOSPI for five minutes at 9:25 a.m. after the index surged on gains in technology stocks. Overnight, U.S. stocks advanced as investors bet that a possible agreement to reopen the crucial shipping route could extend the recent decline in oil prices and ease inflationary pressures. Strong quarterly earnings from major companies, including enterprise software firm Palantir Technologies, also helped ease concerns over heavy investment in the AI sector by major technology companies. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.71 percent to 54,085.88, while the t