Retail traders bet on US markets as KOSPI rally continues SEOUL, Jan. 7 (AJP) - While the KOSPI continues its record-breaking rally on Wednesday, breaching the 4,600-level for the first time in history, the unwavering appetite of South Korean retail investors for U.S. equities remains a dominant market force. According to data from Koscom ETF CHECK, the most net-purchased ETFs by retail investors over the past week were the TIGER US S&P 500 and KODEX US S&P 500. Individual traders poured nearly 350 billion Korean won (US$241.7 mill January 7, 2026

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 mi January 7, 2026

KOSPI unfazed in upward march as Asian markets turn subdued SEOUL, January 7 (AJP) - South Korean stocks surged Wednesday while most Asian markets traded lower, as renewed foreign buying and strength in artificial intelligence-related shares propelled the benchmark to fresh highs. In Seoul, the KOSPI rose 1.0 percent to 4,572.50 as of 11:00 a.m., extending its year-to-date rally and marking another record level. The advance followed a rotation in investor leadership, with foreign investors taking the baton from retail traders after Tuesday&# January 7, 2026

Hot Stock: HD Hyundai Heavy Industries gains over 6% on LNG carrier order SEOUL, January 06 (AJP) - Shares of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries surged more than 6 percent on Tuesday after its parent secured a major LNG carrier order, reinforcing expectations for a strong orderbook this year. The stock closed up 6.2 percent at 545,000 won, after climbing as high as 550,000 won during intraday trading. Buying interest intensified following news that HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) had landed a 1.5 trillion won ($1.02 billion) contract t January 6, 2026

Seoul's all-out defense of the won takes heavy toll on FX reserves Dec SEOUL, January 06 (AJP) - South Korea’s foreign-exchange reserves fell by nearly $3 billion in December, marking the largest monthly decline among major reserve-holding economies and underscoring the cost of aggressive market intervention to defend the won. According to data released Tuesday by the Bank of Korea, the country’s FX reserves stood at $428.05 billion at end-December 2025, down $2.6 billion from the previous month. While the headline figure remains substant January 6, 2026

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, January 6, 2026

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 br January 6, 2026

KOSPI takes breather while Asian markets stay broadly strong SEOUL, January 06 (AJP) - South Korean stocks took a pause on Tuesday after a relentless rally since year-end, while broader Asian markets largely maintained upward momentum following overnight gains on Wall Street, despite lingering geopolitical jitters tied to Venezuela. In Seoul, the benchmark KOSPI edged down 0.1 percent to 4,451.94 as of 11:00 a.m., as institutional investors locked in profits after the index recently scaled fresh record highs. The tech-heavy KOSDAQ also slip January 6, 2026

Korea's FX reserves recede by near $3 billion Dec amid won defense efforts FX rates displayed at a currency exchange shop in Seoul’s Myeong-dong on Jan. 5, 2026. AJP You Na-hyun SEOUL, January 06 (AJP) -South Korea’s foreign exchange reserves fell by $2.6 billion in December from the previous month — the first decline in seven months — signaling stepped-up dollar-selling intervention to shore up the won, which had hovered near crisis-era lows. According to a report released Tuesday by the Bank of Korea, the country’s foreign ex January 6, 2026

Asian markets surge to record highs as CES week kicks off SEOUL, January 05 (AJP) - Asian equity markets rallied in a synchronized surge on Monday as investor focus shifted to major technology players ahead of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026 in Las Vegas. Benchmarks in Seoul and Taipei led the advance, with both markets scaling fresh record highs. South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI jumped 3.43 percent to close at 4,457.52, marking its sharpest daily gain this year and pushing the index to the doorstep of the 4,500 level after s January 5, 2026