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  Asian markets diverge as investors navigate ex-dividend effects SEOUL, December 29 (AJP) - Major Asian equity markets moved in different directions in the final week of December, as investors digested ex-dividend adjustments alongside shifting policy and sector-specific signals. South Korea’s stock market extended its rally despite the ex-dividend cutoff, while Japan slipped under selling pressure tied to dividend adjustments and inflation concerns. The benchmark KOSPI rose 1.45 percent to 4,190 as of 10 a.m. Monday, posting a second December 29, 2025
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  South Korea weighs expanding tax-free 'repatriation' accounts to include bonds and cash SEOUL, December 28 (AJP) - The South Korean government is actively reviewing a plan to expand the scope of its proposed tax-exempt "Return-to-Domestic-Market Accounts" (RIA) to include bond exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and cash holdings, officials said Sunday, a move designed to accelerate capital repatriation and stabilize the currency. This follows the government's announcement on December 24 that it would waive capital gains taxes on overseas stocks for investors December 28, 2025
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  FX volatility spurs interest in dollar-denominated insurance in Korea SEOUL, December 27 (AJP) -The dollar-won exchange rate has retreated sharply following strong verbal warnings by authorities against excessive volatility, combined with year-end dollar-selling demand and a broader weakening of the U.S. currency. Still, growing belief that the exchange rate may settle into a new “mid-1,400 won” range has renewed interest in foreign-currency–linked financial products, including dollar-denominated insurance. Sales of dollar December 27, 2025
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  Korean, Japanese stocks and currencies hold ground on foreign buying in chip shares SEOUL, December 26 (AJP) - South Korean and Japanese markets held ground Friday, supported by foreign inflows into semiconductor stocks and a recovery in currencies that had been among the year’s weakest performers. In Seoul, the benchmark KOSPI closed at 4,129.68, up 0.5 percent, while the tech-heavy KOSDAQ also edged up 0.5 percent to 919.67. Chip heavyweights led the market. Samsung Electronics surged 5.3 percent to 117,000 won ($81), while SK hynix rose 1.9 percent to 5 December 26, 2025
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  Korean won revisits 1,430 versus dollar for the first time since Nov SEOUL, December 26 (AJP) -The Korean won strengthened more than 1 percent on Friday, extending its 1.3 percent jump in the previous session on Wednesday, as the U.S. dollar broadly weakened against major East Asian currencies, including the Japanese yen and the Chinese yuan. The dollar opened at 1,449.9 won after the Christmas break and slid as low as 1,429.5, marking its first dip below the 1,430 level since Nov. 4 — a move that signaled a possible shift in market positioni December 26, 2025
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  Asian stocks rise following record close for S&P 500 SEOUL, December 26 (AJP) - Asian stock markets climbed on Friday, following a rally on Wall Street after U.S. economic data showed stronger-than-expected third-quarter growth earlier in the week. In Seoul, the benchmark KOSPI rose 0.6 percent to 4,132.65 as of 10:14 a.m., and the KOSDAQ gained 0.2 percent to 916.70. The regional advance followed a Wednesday close in which the S&P 500 rose 0.3 percent to an all-time high of 6,932.05. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.6 December 26, 2025
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  Bank of Korea signals cautious policy stance for 2026 on FX volatility SEOUL, December 25 (AJP) -The Bank of Korea plans to take a cautious and data-dependent approach to monetary policy in 2026, as financial markets showed heightened volatility in December and capital flows continued to shift overseas, according to its latest policy statement and financial stability report. In its Monetary Policy for 2026 report released Thursday, the central bank said it will decide “whether and when” to implement further base-rate cuts after compreh December 25, 2025
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  Santa largely skips Asian markets as gains stay modest SEOUL, December 24 (AJP) - Santa Claus largely skipped Asian markets this season, with gains modest across the region and year-end positioning overshadowing any holiday cheer. South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI finished 0.21 percent lower at 4,108.62 on Tuesday, pressured by retail investors liquidating holdings ahead of a tax deadline, even as foreign and institutional investors maintained a more constructive stance. Retail investors net sold 717.5 billion won ($490.7 million December 24, 2025
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  Seoul offers tax incentives to induce capital "reshoring" to prop up local won SEOUL, December 24 (AJP) - South Koreans who shift funds from overseas stocks back into domestic equities over the next year will be exempted from capital-gains taxes, under a new government initiative aimed at correcting capital outflows that have contributed to the structurally weak won. The tax incentive, unveiled Wednesday by the Ministry of Economy and Finance, offers a full exemption on capital gains from overseas stock sales if the proceeds are converted into won and reinve December 24, 2025
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  Asian shares opens higher as Christmas Eve boosts sentiment SEOUL, December 24 (AJP) - South Korean and Japanese stocks opened higher on Wednesday, buoyed by the Christmas Eve spirit, while markets in China and Hong Kong stayed flat. In Seoul, the benchmark KOSPI rose 0.3 percent to 4,129.06 and tech-heavy KOSDAQ added 0.31 points to 919.87. Samsung Electronics fell 50 Korean won to 111,450 won ($76.2), while SK hynix gained 0.9 percent to 589,500 won. LG Energy Solution rose 0.6 percent to 390,500 won. Samsung Biologics declined 1.2 perc December 24, 2025