Seoul's main index opens post-Chuseok session below 7,000 SEOUL, September 28 (AJP) -The South Korean bourse reopened after last week’s Chuseok holiday in a deeply sour mood, as foreign and institutional investors engaged in a panic-selling spree mostly targeting top chip stocks amid a global bond sell-off. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 2.7 percent to close below 7,000 for the first time in four sessions. Samsung Electronics lost 5.4 percent and SK hynix 5.1 percent, and foreign investors sold a net 3.23 tri September 28, 2026

KOSPI drops below 7,000 as chip shares slide, U.S. yields stay high SEOUL, September 28 (AJP) - South Korean stocks fell more than 1 percent Monday morning, dropping below 7,000 as the market reopened after Chuseok, the traditional Korean Thanksgiving holiday, and foreign investors sold semiconductor heavyweights amid elevated U.S. Treasury yields. The benchmark KOSPI stood at 6,936.34 as of 10:56 a.m. (0156 GMT), down 2.04 percent from its pre-holiday close of 7,080.92. The index opened 0.33 percent lower at 7,057.86 before extending losses and f September 28, 2026

Newlywed debt more than doubles in South Korea as home loans rise SEOUL, September 28 (AJP) — South Korean newlyweds are taking on increasingly heavy debt early in married life amid high housing costs. The median outstanding loan balance for first-marriage couples reached 179 million won ($131,900) in 2024, more than double the 2016 level. The median balance rose 5.0 percent from a year earlier and was 130.1 percent higher than 77.78 million won in 2016, when comparable data were first compiled, according to data from the Korean Statistical September 28, 2026

Korea's single-stock leveraged ETF trading falls below one-tenth after curbs SEOUL, September 27 (AJP) — Average daily trading in South Korean single-stock leveraged and inverse ETFs fell to less than one-tenth of pre-rule levels in the month after tighter cash-deposit requirements took effect, Korea Exchange data showed Sunday. Daily trading value across 16 ETFs tracking leveraged or inverse moves in Samsung Electronics and SK hynix shares dropped to 990 billion won ($729 million) from 12.25 trillion won in the preceding period, according to data subm September 27, 2026

Korea's Q3 profit estimates rise, chip forecasts climb SEOUL, September 27 (AJP) — Third-quarter operating-profit estimates for South Korean listed companies rose over the past three months, with forecasts for chipmakers Samsung Electronics and SK hynix revised higher even as nearly half of covered firms saw cuts, FnGuide data showed Sunday. Among 232 companies with third-quarter estimates from at least three brokerages, 127, or 55 percent, had their operating-profit forecasts raised as of Sept. 21, while estimates for 105 compani September 27, 2026

Wiseplanet jumps nearly fourfold on KOSDAQ debut SEOUL, September 23 (AJP) - South Korean consumer brand company Wiseplanet Company surged more than 270 percent on its first day of trading on the KOSDAQ Wednesday, after strong demand from institutional and retail investors ahead of its listing. Shares traded at 45,150 won ($33.2) as of 4:55 p.m., up 276.25 percent from the initial public offering price of 12,000 won. The stock opened at 42,750 won and rose as high as 48,000 won during the session before paring some gains. Wisep September 23, 2026

Samsung Electronics carries Seoul stocks into Chuseok break SEOUL, September 23 (AJP)-Chip heavyweights pushed South Korea's main stock index higher on Wednesday, the last session before a four-day Chuseok autumn harvest holiday. Foreign investors turned net sellers, and retail investors cashed out 1.44 trillion won ($1.06 billion) on the way into the break. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 63.0 points, or 0.9 percent, to 7,080.9. Samsung Electronics led the gain, climbing 3.3 percent to 285,500 won ($210.14) a September 23, 2026

KOSPI rises 1.1% on chip gains, easing U.S.-Iran tensions SEOUL, September 23 (AJP) – South Korean shares extended gains for a third straight session Wednesday as institutional buying and strength in chip stocks lifted the market ahead of the Chuseok holiday. The benchmark KOSPI stood at 7,093.41 as of 9:51 a.m., up 1.08 percent from the previous session. The index had climbed as high as 7,144.02 earlier in the morning before paring its gains. Institutions bought a net 340.5 billion won of KOSPI shares, while foreign investors pur September 23, 2026

KOSPI remains above 7,000 after giving up early gains SEOUL, September 22 (AJP) - South Korean stocks ended slightly higher on Tuesday, remaining above 7,000 after giving up most of an early 2-percent gain. The market was lifted by an overnight surge in artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductor-related stocks on Wall Street, but higher oil prices and profit-taking later pared the gains. The benchmark KOSPI closed at 7,017.91, up 0.15 percent from the previous session. The index opened 2.20 percent higher at 7,161.61 and climbed September 22, 2026

KOSPI rises nearly 2% on chip gains as yields, oil ease SEOUL, September 22 (AJP) – Korean shares extended gains Tuesday on hopes that this week’s summit and United Nations meetings would bring greater clarity on U.S.-China relations and the war in Iran. The benchmark KOSPI stood at 7,135.97 as of 10:11 a.m., up 1.83 percent, after reaching 7,169.01 earlier in the session. Foreign investors bought a net 131.2 billion won ($96 million) of KOSPI shares, while institutions purchased 344.2 billion won and retail investors sold September 22, 2026