KOSPI jumps 2.7% as chips rally on lower oil, yields SEOUL, September 18 (AJP) - South Korean stocks jumped nearly 3 percent Friday as falling oil prices and U.S. Treasury yields eased inflation concerns. Samsung Electronics and SK hynix led the broad rebound as foreign investors returned after uncertainties over rate decisions by the U.S. and Japanese central banks were removed. The benchmark KOSPI closed at 6,894.23, up 2.66 percent from the previous session. The index opened 2.54 percent higher at around 6,885 and climbed as h September 18, 2026

Seoul markets take Japan's 31-year high rate in stride SEOUL, September 18 (AJP) -South Korean capital markets responded coolly to the Bank of Japan's rate hike to a 31-year high Friday, with the widely expected move causing little ripple as the global tightening cycle had largely been priced in. The Bank of Japan (BOJ) raised its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to 1.25 percent in a 7-2 vote at the end of its two-day monetary policy meeting, resuming tightening after a three-month pause. The increase took the policy rate September 18, 2026

KOSPI gains 1.8% as foreign buying lift market SEOUL, September 18 (AJP) - South Korean stocks rebounded Friday morning as falling U.S. Treasury yields and oil prices lifted technology shares, with foreign investors leading the chip buying spree. As of 10:30 a.m., the benchmark KOSPI stood at 6,835.12, up 1.8 percent. The index opened sharply higher and climbed as high as 6,885.70 before trimming gains. Foreign investors bought a net 151.5 billion won ($109 million) of KOSPI shares, reversing course after eight consecu September 18, 2026

Foreign investors return to South Korean stocks after months of selling SEOUL, September 18 (AJP) - Foreign investors turned net buyers of South Korean stocks in August, ending seven months of selling, while sharply reducing their bond holdings, according to data released by the Financial Supervisory Service on Friday. They bought 344 billion won (US$249 million) worth of listed South Korean stocks in August, marking their first monthly net purchase since December last year. Most of the purchases were made on the main board, with foreign investors September 18, 2026

Fed weakens won, flattens curve before BOJ decision SEOUL, Sept. 17 (AJP) — A Federal Reserve rate hike sent the won sharply lower and flattened South Korea's bond curve Thursday, leaving Friday's widely expected Bank of Japan rate increase — and its guidance on further tightening — as the next test for Korean markets. The won closed down 13.6 won at 1,382.2 per dollar from Wednesday's 1,368.6 after the Fed raised its benchmark rate by 25 basis points to 3.75-4.00 percent and signaled scope for another i September 17, 2026

Fed hike stalls KOSPI as shipbuilders outrun chipmakers SEOUL, Sept. 17 (AJP) — Investors in Seoul rotated out of chipmakers and into shipbuilders on Thursday after the U.S. Federal Reserve raised interest rates for the first time since 2023, leaving the KOSPI flat as foreigners sold for a seventh straight session. Foreign investors dumped a net 2.3 trillion won ($1.6 billion) of shares, lifting their seven-session total above 13 trillion won, as SK hynix and Samsung Electronics slipped and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries jumped 6.6 September 17, 2026

Won emerges as standout Q3 gainer as KOSPI rally takes back seat SEOUL, Sept. 17 (AJP) — The South Korean won emerged as a standout winner against the U.S. dollar in the third quarter to date, reversing its trend and place with the KOSPI that dominated the first half. The dollar stood at 1,359.4 won on Sept. 15, leaving the Korean currency 4.8 percent stronger than the end-July level of 1,424.0 won and 8.6 percent stronger than its first-half average of 1,486.79 won, showed the Bank of Korea (BOK) third-quarter market report Thursday. T September 17, 2026

KOSPI climbs as market absorbs Fed hike SEOUL, September 17 (AJP) - South Korean stocks extended gains Thursday morning despite the U.S. Federal Reserve's first interest rate hike in more than three years, as easing oil prices and strength in defense and shipbuilding shares offset continued foreign selling. As of 10:30 a.m., the benchmark KOSPI stood at 6,756.11, up 0.6 percent. The index had climbed as high as 6,795.53 after opening sharply higher, before giving back part of the advance. It touched a session low September 17, 2026

Korean markets shrug off FOMC, turn to Tokyo and London SEOUL, September 17 (AJP) - South Korean capital markets on Thursday largely brushed aside the U.S. Federal Reserve’s widely expected overnight rate hike, with authorities forecasting limited immediate impact while keeping watch on elevated borrowing costs. The KOSPI rose 0.7 percent to 6,765.65 while the benchmark 10-year government bond yield fell 2.5 basis points to 4.528 percent as of 10:20 a.m. The dollar gained 2.4 won to 1,379.9 won, indicating modest weakness in th September 17, 2026

AI voice technology firm set to debut on KOSDAQ next week SEOUL, September 16 (AJP) - Neosapience, a generative artificial intelligence (AI) and AI voice technology company will be listed on the KOSDAQ next week, according to its report filed with the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) on Wednesday. Some 23.21 percent of its shares will be available for trading starting from next Monday, down from an earlier estimate of 28.66 percent. The smaller number of shares available for trading comes after institutional investors agreed to lock September 16, 2026