Asian markets mixed as investors weigh U.S. jobs data, await ECB and BOJ decisions SEOUL, December 17 (AJP) - Asian equity markets traded mixed in early Tuesday session, digesting overnight U.S. employment data while bracing for imminent rate decisions in Europe and Japan. In the United States, nonfarm payrolls rose more than expected, but the unemployment rate also came in higher than forecasts, adding uncertainty over the strength and trajectory of the U.S. economy. Investors are now focused on the European Central Bank’s policy decision on Thursday and December 17, 2025

Member-heavy KOSDAQ limps as KOSPI flies on thin venture financing SEOUL, December 16 (AJP) - There is a Korean saying that the younger is better than the elder. That adage hardly applies to the KOSDAQ, which has struggled to outperform its bigger sibling, the KOSPI, even with a steady stream of government stimulus measures. The “younger brother” showed a brief revival in the final two months of the year as foreign investors returned. Overseas investors bought a net 128.7 billion won ($93 million) worth of KOSDAQ shares as of last wee December 16, 2025

South Korea leads Asian market losses ahead of BOJ, ECB meetings SEOUL, December 16 (AJP) - Asian stock markets closed lower on Tuesday as skepticism over artificial intelligence valuations spread from Wall Street and investors braced for key interest rate decisions from the Bank of Japan (BOJ) and the European Central Bank (ECB). South Korean equities posted the steepest losses in the region. The benchmark KOSPI index tumbled 2.24 percent to 3,999.13, while the tech-heavy KOSDAQ fell 2.42 percent to 916.11. Foreign investors were net seller December 16, 2025

Korea's M2 growth quickens to 8.7% in Oct; BOK rejects FX link SEOUL, December 16 (AJP) -South Korea’s broad money supply (M2) has remained in the 8-percent growth range since August and accelerated further to 8.7 percent in October, the Bank of Korea said Tuesday, while pushing back against claims that the liquidity increase is driving the won’s weakness. According to the central bank’s monetary aggregates report, the average M2 balance stood at 4,471.6 trillion won in October, up 0.9 percent from the previous month and 8.7 percent fr December 16, 2025

Asian markets weaken early Tuesday as AI jitters and rate decisions loom SEOUL, December 16 (AJP) - Asian equities opened Tuesday broadly lower, tracking subdued U.S. market sentiment as lingering concerns over AI valuations and looming interest-rate decisions by European and Japanese central banks weighed on risk appetite. In Seoul, the KOSPI fell 1.5 percent to 4,028 as of 10:30 a.m., extending losses for a second straight session after dropping 1.8 percent on Monday. Institutional investors were net sellers of 223 billion won ($151 million), whil December 16, 2025

Seoul FX authorities extend $65 bn currency swap with NPS SEOUL, December 16 (AJP) -South Korea’s foreign exchange authorities have agreed to extend a $65 billion currency swap arrangement with the National Pension Service (NPS) through the end of 2026, as policymakers step up efforts to stabilize the won amid rising overseas investment flows and renewed market volatility. The Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Bank of Korea (BOK) in a joint statement on Monday said that the extension will help "absorb the pension fund December 16, 2025

Korea Zinc strikes strategic alliance with US for $7.4 smelter project SEOUL, December 16 (AJP) -Korea Zinc has struck a strategic alliance with the U.S. government, including defense authorities, to build a $7.4 billion critical-minerals smelter—supporting Washington’s effort to cut reliance on China while shoring up its own defenses against a hostile takeover at home. The world’s largest non-ferrous metal smelter is deepening its alignment with Washington through a large-scale U.S. expansion that places it at the center of Americ December 16, 2025

Korean won at record low signals monetary policy failure SEOUL, December 15 (AJP) - The Korean won hovering near its weakest level on record is set to ripple across the economy, from higher inflation and capital outflows to a deepening discount on Korean assets and companies. The dollar closed Monday in Seoul at 1,472.2 won, down 5.30 won, as the yen strengthened broadly on expectations of a rate hike in Japan later this week. The modest pullback offered only fleeting relief for policymakers. Authorities were alarmed enough to conven December 15, 2025

Korean and foreign brokerages chant KOSPI 5,000 for next year SEOUL, December 15 (AJP) - South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI has hovered around the 4,000 level throughout December, entering a consolidation phase after a stunning rally that lifted the index 64 percent so far this year. But after catching its breath, the market may be setting its sights on the next psychological milestone — 5,000 — in 2026, according to a growing chorus of domestic and foreign brokerages. Among 11 local brokerages that have published 2026 outlooks December 15, 2025

Asian stocks slide on AI bubble fears, Fed uncertainty SEOUL, December 15 (AJP) - Asian equity markets fell broadly on Monday, pressured by growing skepticism over artificial intelligence-driven growth and renewed uncertainty about the future path of U.S. monetary policy. The sell-off reflected concerns that investor enthusiasm for AI-related stocks may be running ahead of fundamentals. Market uncertainty was compounded by reports that the Trump administration is considering Kevin Warsh, viewed as dovish, as the next chair of the U.S. December 15, 2025