Asian stocks mostly in the positive on chip and robotics expectations SEOUL, Jan. 9 (AJP) —Asian stocks kept to the positive despite profit-taking offensive Friday on halo effect from regional chip and robotics strengths. The KOSPI swung back and forth the positive and negative as foreigners took profits. As of11;30, the KOSPI was 0.4 percent higher at 4,571.36 and the KOSDAQ nearly flat at 944.75. Retail investors were net buyers of about 615.1 billion won ($458 million), while institutions bought roughly 277.5 billion won. Foreign investors, however, sold around 928.4 billion won, weighing on the broader market. Among major stocks, Samsung Electronics fell 1.1 percent to 137,200 won, while SK hynix slid 1.0 percent to 739,000 won, reflecting profit-taking after their recent rally. LG Electronics sank 4 percent after it reported its first quarterly operating loss in the fourth quarter of 2025. By contrast, defense shares extended gains. Hanwha Aerospace jumped 6.7 percent to 1,163,000 won ($870) on sustained buying tied to expectations of increased global defense outlays. Hyundai Motor rose 0.6 percent to 348,000 won, bucking the broader market weakness. Hanwha Ocean gained 0.7 percent to 130,900 won, while Doosan Enerbility climbed 0.4 percent to 84,300 won. In internet and industrial names, NAVER added 0.2 percent to 254,500 won, and Samsung Heavy Industries rose 0.4 percent to 27,900 won. Entertainment stocks moved lower as investors reassessed near-term expectations following recent volatility linked to China-related policy signals. HYBE fell 1.5 percent to 330,500 won, while JYP Entertainment slid 2.5 percent to 69,600 won. SM Entertainment dropped 1.7 percent to 115,900 won, and YG Entertainment declined 0.4 percent to 67,900 won. Elsewhere in Asia, Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 0.7 percent in morning trade, rebounding from the previous session as buying interest returned to large-cap exporters. China’s Shanghai Composite was marginally higher, while Hong Kong shares also traded firmer in early dealings. 2026-01-09 11:45:57

South Korean street-food chain captivates Singaporean palates with tailored approach SEOUL, January 8 (AJP) - Snack-food chain Ssada Gimbap has achieved 4 billion won ($3 million) in annual sales in Singapore in just three years since making its entry into the Southeast Asian country. According to the affordable street-food chain, the key to its success lies in its deliberate strategy of gradually opening outlets in key locations. Starting with its first outlet in Bukit Timah, home to one of the largest South Korean communities there, in June 2023, the chain gradually opened additional outlets to lay the foundation for promoting the brand through word of mouth among South Korean expats. Its second outlet, opened just a year later, is located at Great World City, a large shopping mall near the posh River Valley area, home to many foreign expatriates and high-income locals. The chain then opened its third outlet in a newly built shopping mall in Lentor, a residential area with a large population, in a bid to attract more customers. QR code-based ordering also enhances convenience for customers while reflecting local dining trends in the tech-savvy country in Asia. Another key driver of sales growth also appears to be its carefully selected menu, which caters to local tastes. Stew made with soft tofu, in particular, has become especially popular among Chinese Singaporean customers, who make up the majority of the population. Its spicy yet rich flavor captivated many local diners, making it one of the brand's signature dishes. A couple of cold noodle dishes, with some variations, have also delighted many locals’ palates due to Singapore's hot and humid climate, as more and more customers want to try them. The popularity of its dishes has also prompted more Singaporeans to travel to Seoul to taste the authentic versions. "The success of Ssada Gimbap in Singapore demonstrates that Korean food has a competitive edge in one of the world's pickiest markets and other foreign countries, if it comes with strategies tailored to local tastes rather than simply serving food," said one market insider. Ssada Gimbap plans to further expand its market presence across Singapore while also exploring other countries like Malaysia. 2026-01-08 17:48:03

KOSPI opens higher, briefly surpasses 4,600 mark SEOUL, January 8 (AJP) – The South Korean stock market opened higher on Thursday, with the benchmark KOSPI surpassing the 4,600 mark for the first time, as major chipmakers extended gains and retail investors poured into large-cap shares. About an hour after the market opened, the KOSPI soared 1.4 percent from the previous session to 4,615.70, while the tech-heavy KOSDAQ slipped 0.1 percent to 946.46. Investors showed a clear divergence in early trade as retail investors bought a net 2.23 trillion won ($1.65 billion), while foreign and institutional investors sold roughly 0.15 trillion won and 2.71 trillion won. Among blue-chip stocks, Samsung Electronics slipped 0.7 percent to 140,000 won ($105) after hitting a fresh 52-week high of 144,400 won the previous day. However, it remains in a strong upward trend, rising roughly 176 percent from its previous low of 50,800 won in February last year and more than doubling over the past year. SK hynix rose 0.5 percent to 746,000 won ($561), recovering from early losses and hovering near its recent record high, as strong demand for high-bandwidth memory continued to support the stock. The outlook was further bolstered by comments from Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, who said demand for advanced memory remains overwhelming and highlighted close cooperation with suppliers on next-generation HBM4. Hana Securities said semiconductors are expected to account for roughly 47 percent of KOSPI's net profit over the next 12 months, led by strong earnings growth at Samsung Electronics and SK hynix, while the sector’s forward valuation remains relatively low despite the recent rally. Hyundai Motor fell 1.6 percent to 345,000 won ($259), giving back part of the previous session’s sharp gains, which had been driven by optimism over its AI and robotics strategy unveiled at this year's CES currently underway in Las Vegas. The drop was widely seen as profit-taking following the recent surge, rather than a change in the underlying outlook. Meanwhile, Japan's Nikkei 225 fell 0.7 percent to 51,577.20, while China's Shanghai Composite edged up 0.1 percent to 4,085.77. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index was largely flat in Hong Kong, with Hang Seng Bank steady at 153.80 HKD ($19.7), as investors took a cautious stance ahead of upcoming policy and earnings announcements. 2026-01-08 11:44:12

KOSPI remains regional winner, Hyundai Motor gains on CES momentum SEOUL, January 7 (AJP) — South Korean stocks remained the regional standout on Wednesday, extending their record-setting rally despite a broadly subdued mood across Asian markets. The benchmark KOSPI rose 0.6 percent to close at a fresh all-time high of 4,551.06. Foreign investors were the primary drivers, snapping up a net 1.25 trillion Korean won (US$930 million), while retail investors and institutions sold roughly 294 billion won ($219 million) and 940 billion won ($700 million), respectively. Among large-cap stocks, Hyundai Motor surged 13.8 percent to 350,500 won ($262), leading the market higher. The rally followed Chairman Chung Eui-sun's high-profile appearances at CES 2026, as well as reports of deeper cooperation with Nvidia and other global technology firms. Investors have increasingly focused on Hyundai’s push into robotics and its broader "physical AI" strategy. Samsung Electronics rose 1.5 percent to 141,000 won ($105), while SK hynix gained 2.2 percent to 742,000 won ($556), supported by sustained optimism over AI-driven memory demand and recent target-price upgrades from global investment banks. Analysts said momentum tied to CES-related headlines could cool in the near term, but added that Hyundai's longer-term robotics push and software-defined manufacturing strategy are likely to remain structural drivers for the stock. The tech-heavy KOSDAQ underperformed, falling 0.9 percent to 947.39. Elsewhere in Asia, Japan's Nikkei 225 slid 1.06 percent to 51,962.0, while China's Shanghai Composite was flat in late trade. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index fell about 1.2 percent. 2026-01-07 16:48:36

KOSPI blasts through 4,500, stealing the spotlight in a solid Asian session SEOUL, Jan. 6 (AJP) — Asian markets were broadly in the green on Tuesday, but one market didn’t just rise — it showed off. South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI smashed through the long-watched 4,500 level, capping a blistering start to the year that has already rewritten the index’s record book. The rally has been fast, loud and unapologetic: more than 13 percent in under two weeks, with 4,300 and 4,400 barely registering as speed bumps. Retail investors, who sat out much of last year’s grind, are back with conviction. They snapped up a net 597.6 billion won worth of shares, emboldened by a growing chorus of forecasts calling for a run toward 5,000. Heavyweights did the heavy lifting. Samsung Electronics climbed to 138,900 won, while SK hynix surged to 726,000 won, extending the AI-driven chip rally. Hyundai Motor advanced to 308,000 won, and Celltrion rose to 213,000 won. Not everything joined the party. LG Energy Solution traded lower, while NAVER edged higher in subdued fashion. The tech-heavy KOSDAQ lagged behind the headline-grabbing rally, slipping 0.16 percent to 955.97, as institutions and foreign investors locked in profits after recent gains. The tone there was cautious rather than euphoric — a reminder that this rally has been selective. In currency markets, the dollar strengthened slightly, rising 1.7 won to 1,445.5, but the move failed to dent equity momentum. Across the region, markets were steady rather than spectacular. Japan’s Nikkei hovered near record territory above 52,500, while China’s Shanghai Composite and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng traded higher in afternoon sessions. For now, investors appear willing to look past valuation worries, betting that earnings momentum — especially tied to AI and large-cap exporters — can keep the rally alive. Attention is shifting toward upcoming U.S. economic data and policy signals, but until those turn hostile, Korea’s market looks intent on enjoying its moment above 4,500. 2026-01-06 17:31:12

HOT STOCK: Hyundai Motor jumps over 4% early Tuesday on robotics timeline SEOUL, January 6 (AJP) - Shares of Hyundai Motor surged in early trading Tuesday, as investors cheered the company's newly unveiled AI and robotics roadmap at CES 2026, fueling optimism that growth engines beyond its core automotive business are taking clearer shape. As of 9:14 a.m., Hyundai Motor was trading at 317,500 won(US$235), up 13,000 won, or 4.27 percent, from the previous close of 304,500 won. The stock briefly climbed as high as 330,000 won before paring gains amid broad profit-taking. By 10:24 a.m., shares eased to 307,500 won, tracking a broader market pause after recent gains. The KOSPI slipped 0.4 percent to 4,438.4 as investors locked in profits following the index's year-end rally. The stock opened strong following Hyundai Motor Group's overnight presentation at CES in Las Vegas, where the company laid out a detailed timeline for AI-driven robotics and so-called "physical AI" technologies, underscoring its push to integrate artificial intelligence into manufacturing, mobility and industrial automation. Chung Euisun, chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, has recently described artificial intelligence as a "winnable game" for the group, citing strengths in physical manufacturing, mobility platforms and real-world data. According to industry sources, Chung has emphasized that Hyundai's ability to integrate AI across vehicles, robots and production systems gives it a structural edge over peers. At CES, the group showcased its humanoid robot Atlas, outlining plans to begin mass production in 2028 and deploy the robots at scale on U.S. assembly lines by 2030 — a timeline that analysts said helped crystallize Hyundai's commercialization strategy. Momentum was further bolstered after Hyundai's autonomous mobility robot platform MobED won the Best of Innovation Award in the robotics category at CES 2026. The accolade marked Hyundai’s first top-tier innovation award at the exhibition and was widely viewed as external validation of its robotics technology and commercialization potential. Hyundai said it plans to leverage its software-defined factory (SDF) framework to test and validate robotics technologies in live manufacturing environments before scaling them into broader industrial, commercial and daily-life applications. Analysts said the approach signals a shift from concept-driven showcases toward practical deployment and ecosystem building — improving visibility on future monetization from AI and robotics initiatives. Hyundai Motor reported on Monday that it sold 4.14 million vehicles in 2025, down 0.1 percent from 2024, with domestic sales rising 1.1 percent while overseas sales fell 0.3 percent. 2026-01-06 11:27:50

HOT STOCK: Doosan Enerbility jumps over 10% on AI-driven power demand SEOUL, January 05 (AJP) - Shares of Doosan Enerbility surged more than 10 percent on Monday, buoyed by a string of major orders spanning offshore wind and nuclear power, as rising electricity demand in the AI era fuels investor optimism toward power infrastructure plays. The stock ended at 83,200 won, up 10.64 percent. Trading volume topped 12 million shares, well above recent averages, reflecting heightened investor interest. The shares have risen more than fourfold from their closing level of 18,190 won a year earlier. The rally followed news that the company last week secured a 575 billion won ($430 million) engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract with Yawol Offshore Wind Power for the 104-megawatt Yeonggwang Yawol Offshore Wind Farm in South Jeolla Province. Under the deal, Doosan Enerbility will supply and install 13 units of its 8-megawatt offshore wind turbines and oversee the entire EPC process, with completion slated for March 2029. The project marks the first commercial deployment of the company’s domestically developed 8-megawatt-class offshore wind turbines, which have received UL certification. Analysts said the contract signals a shift from development to full-scale commercialization, improving earnings visibility through EPC revenue and planned long-term maintenance services. Investor sentiment was further supported by the company’s expanding nuclear power business. Doosan Enerbility recently won a 5.64 trillion won order to supply key equipment for the expansion of the Dukovany nuclear power plant in the Czech Republic, reinforcing its position in the global nuclear supply chain. Expectations of accelerating global investment in nuclear power and small modular reactors, driven by surging electricity demand from AI data centers — particularly in the United States — also boosted foreign investor appetite for the stock, analysts said. 2026-01-05 16:21:05