South Korean stocks plunged nearly 2.5 percent Wednesday on dampened hopes that the Federal Reserve will start cutting its rates soon and uncertainties over the Chinese economy. The local currency sharply fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index dropped 61.69 points, or 2.47 percent, to 2,435.90. Trading volume was heavy at 950.6 million shares worth 11.01 trillion won ($8.2 billion), with losers far outpacing winners 850 to 70. Foreigners and institutions dump

South Korean stocks got off to a weak start Wednesday, tracking overnight losses on Wall Street amid dampened hopes for the Federal Reserve's early rate cuts. After starting marginally higher, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index dropped 14.13 points, or 0.57 percent, to 2,483.46 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, all three major US indexes lost ground as Fed Gov. Christopher Waller's comments cooled bets on the Fed's early rate cuts. A slide in Apple and Bo

South Korean stocks slid more than 1 percent Tuesday as escalating geopolitical tensions surrounding the Korean Peninsula weakened investors' appetite for risky assets. The local currency sharply fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index lost 28.4 points, or 1.12 percent, to 2,497.59. Trading volume was slightly heavy at 641.9 million shares worth 8.5 trillion won ($6.4 billion), with losers outpacing winners 647 to 230. Institutions and foreigners led the

LG Chem Vice Chairman and CEO Shin Hak-cheol has been named a member of the International Business Council, part of the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, the Korean chemicals firm said Monday. The WEF, also known as the Davos Forum, kicked off in Switzerland on Monday and goes through Friday. It brings together thousands of leaders from business, government and various other sectors. LG Chem said that WEF Chairman Klaus Schwab invited Shin to be a member of the I

South Korean stocks opened higher Monday as chip and bio shares gained ground. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 5.86 points, or 0.23 percent, to 2,530.91 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Market bellwether Samsung Electronics climbed 1.09 percent, and No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix rose 0.75 percent. Samsung Biologics also added 0.67 percent, and Celltrion climbed 0.66 percent. Auto shares also started in positive terrain, with Hyundai Motor up 0.22 percent and its smaller affil

South Korean stocks opened higher Tuesday, tracking overnight gains on Wall Street. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 18.64 points, or 0.73 percent, to 2,586.46 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed up 0.58 percent, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq jumped 2.2 percent. In Seoul, most large caps were trading higher across the board. Market bellwether Samsung Electronics gained 0.26 percent, with No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix surging 1.76 p

South Korean stocks opened higher Monday as big-cap technology shares gained ground. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index gained 9.90 points, or 0.38 percent, to 2,587.98 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Market bellwether Samsung Electronics climbed 0.91 percent, while No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix fell 0.51 percent. Leading battery maker LG Energy Solution added 0.48 percent, while its smaller rival Samsung SDI shed 0.56 percent. IT stocks were bullish, with internet portal operator Na

LG Chem said Friday it has signed an agreement with Boston-based Rhythm Pharmaceuticals to transfer the development and sales rights of a new anti-obesity drug candidate named LB54640. The deal amounts to $305 million, which includes upfront payments worth $100 million and milestone payments worth $205 million for the development and commercialization of the drug. Under the agreement, LG Chem will receive royalties depending on product sales from Rhythm Pharmaceuticals each year. Rare forms of o

Seoul shares opened lower Thursday, following an overnight slump in US stocks, after the latest Fed minutes indicated interest rates will remain at high levels for some time. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 10.97 points, or 0.42 percent, to 2,596.34 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.8 percent to 37,430.19, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq declined 1.2 percent to 14,592.21. Fed minutes from its December meeting indicated rates cou

South Korean stocks dropped by more than 2 percent Wednesday as investors sought to cash in recent gains ahead of the release of the Federal Reserve's latest minutes. The Korean won fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index lost 62.50 points, or 2.34 percent, to close at 2,607.31, ending its four-day winning streak. Trade volume was moderate at 455.9 million shares worth 9.99 trillion won ($7.65 billion), with losers outpacing winners 610 to 279. Foreigners

South Korean stocks finished moderately higher Wednesday on foreign and individual purchases. The local currency rose slightly against the US dollar. Swinging between gains and losses, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index gained 10.91 points, or 0.42 percent, to close at 2,613.5. Trade volume was higher at 345.9 million shares worth 10.3 trillion won ($7.6 billion), but decliners outnumbered gainers 591 to 300. Foreigners scooped up a net 231.1 billion won worth of local shares and in

South Korean stocks opened nearly unchanged on Tuesday as major shares traded in mixed territory. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index edged down 0.48 point, or 0.02 percent, to 2,599.03 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Market heavyweights were mixed, with tech giant Samsung Electronics remaining flat and its chipmaking rival SK hynix gaining 0.36 percent. Leading battery maker LG Energy Solution dropped 0.24 percent, but its chemicals-making unit LG Chem rose 1.22 percent. Top aut

South Korean stocks finished lower Thursday as investors took profit following a five-session winning streak and overnight US losses. The local currency fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index dropped 14.28 points, or 0.55 percent, to close at 2,600.02. Trade volume was moderate at 569.4 million shares worth 9.31 trillion won ($7.14 billion), with losers outpacing winners 616 to 257. On Wednesday, the Kospi rose 1.78 percent to close at 2,614.30, its highest p

LG Chem said Wednesday it broke ground to build a cathode materials manufacturing plant in the US state of Tennessee that is to be the largest production facility in the all-important electric vehicle market. LG Chem Vice President Shin Hak-cheol, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Stuart McWhorter, commissioner at the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, Cho Hyun-dong, South Korean ambassador to the US, and other company executives and government officials participated in the groun

South Korean stocks got off to a bullish start Wednesday in line with overnight gains on Wall Street. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index climbed 18.84 points, or 0.73 percent, to 2,587.39 in the first 15 minutes of trading. US stock indexes gained ground overnight, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average rising 0.68 percent and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite edging up 0.66 percent, as last week's dovish policy pivot by the Federal Reserve continued to stoke upward market momentu