[THE INVESTOR]  South Korean shares dropped sharply lower late morning on Oct. 11, while Samsung Electronics suffered a severe blow on its decision to end global sales of its Galaxy Note 7 smartphone.The benchmark KOSPI lost 14.92 points, or 0.73 percent, to 2,041.90 as of 11:20 a.m.Samsung Electronics plunged 5.54 percent, marking a second consecutive session of drop after reaching a record high of 1,706,000 won (US$1,529) on Oct. 7.The tech-giant earlier announced its decision to halt global s

Oct. 11, 2016

[THE INVESTOR] South Korean shares opened lower on Oct. 11 on announcement by Samsung Electronics that it will halt global sales of its Galaxy Note 7 smartphone.The benchmark KOSPI slipped 0.81 point, or 0.04 percent, to 2,056.01 in the first 15 minutes of trading.Most large caps were in positive terrain with leading automaker Hyundai Motor advancing 1.50 percent and top portal operator Naver 1.61 percent.Samsung Electronics, on the other hand, plunged 3.99 percent, retreating for a second conse

Oct. 11, 2016

[THE INVESTOR] South Korean shares closed slightly higher on Oct. 10, amid mounting expectations of favorable third-quarter earnings, analysts said. The Korean won also gained against the US dollar.The benchmark KOSPI closed at 2,056.82, adding 0.15 percent or 3.02 points. Trading volume was slim at 309 million shares, worth 4.56 trillion won (US$4.11 billion) with gainers outnumbering losers 451 to 357.Institutional investors were sole net purchasers, scooping up 333.5 billion won worth of loca

Oct. 10, 2016

[THE INVESTOR] South Korean shares rose slightly higher late morning on Oct. 10.The benchmark KOSPI added 0.02 percent, or 0.50 point, to 2,054.30 as of 11:20 a.m.The index opened sharply lower but pared earlier losses on institutional buying.Samsung Electronics plunged 3.63 percent as investors apparently sought to cash in early gains.On Oct. 7, Samsung shares closed at a record high of 1,706,000 won, adding 0.89 percent from the previous session’s close.An earlier report that Samsung has tempo

Oct. 10, 2016

[THE INVESTOR] South Korean shares fell sharp on Oct. 10, as investors prepared to cash in early gains.The benchmark KOSPI lost 11.13 points, or 0.54 percent, to 2,042.67 in the first 15 minutes of trading.The weak start followed losses on Wall Street last week.On Oct. 7, Dow Jones industrial average shed 0.15 percent to 18,240.49, with the tech-laden NASDAQ slipping 0.27 percent to 5,292.40.Large market caps traded mixed, while Samsung Electronics plunged 4.10 percent with investors moving to l

Oct. 10, 2016

[THE INVESTOR] South Korean stocks retreated on Oct. 7, as investors took a step back to observe US Federal Reserve’s decision on interest rate hike. The Korean won fell against the greenback.The benchmark KOSPI shed 11.5 points, or 0.56 percent, to close at 2,053.8. Trade volume was moderate at 417.85 million shares worth 5.14 trillion won (US$4.61 billion), with decliners far beating gainers 611 to 199.Investors remained cautious ahead of US nonfarm payroll report due later in the day, which a

Oct. 7, 2016

[THE INVESTOR] South Korean shares traded a tad lower late morning on Oct. 7 as investors eyed a closely US jobs report for an interest rate hike. The benchmark KOSPI lost 5.25 points to 2,060.05 as of 11:20 a.m.Most market heavyweights traded weak, while Samsung affiliates were bullish after US hedge fund Elliott Management urged Samsung Electronics to streamline its corporate structure and increase returns to shareholders. Market kingpin Samsung Electronics rose 0.53 percent after posting upbe

Oct. 7, 2016

[THE INVESTOR]  South Korean shares opened slightly lower on Oct. 7 as investors continued to speculate on a possible interest rate hike. The benchmark KOSPI shed 1.9 points, or 0.09 percent, to 2,063.4 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Investors remained cautious ahead of US non-farm payroll report later in the day to get clues on whether the Federal Reserve will raise rates before the end of this year.Most market heavyweights traded weak, while Samsung affiliates were bullish after US hedge

Oct. 7, 2016

[THE INVESTOR] South Korean stocks rose on Oct. 6 after Samsung Electronics received a nudge from US hedge fund Elliot Management. The Korean won strengthened against the US greenback.The benchmark KOSPI added 12.3 points, or 0.6 percent, to close at 2,065.3. Trade volume was moderate at 332.83 million shares worth 5.23 trillion won (US$4.70 billion), with decliners outnumbering gainers 448 to 348.Shares of Samsung Group affiliates rallied after Elliott Management urged the crown jewel of South

Oct. 6, 2016

[DISCLOSURE] KG Inicis (035600) said on Oct. 6 that it decided on a dividend of 250 won (US$0.22) per share for stocks worth 6.6 billion won (US$5.9 million). The ex-dividend date is to be confirmed within one month following a shareholders meeting. By Jung Min-kyung (mkj1105@heraldcorp.com)

Oct. 6, 2016

[THE INVESTOR] South Korean shares traded 0.27 percent higher late morning on Oct. 6, on gains in Samsung Group affiliates amid US-based hedge fund Elliot Management’s interest in the firm’s corporate governance. The benchmark KOSPI advanced 5.48 points to 2,058.48 as of 11:20 a.m.Market kingpin Samsung Electronics increased 3.52 percent after Elliott Management urged the tech giant to split itself into a holding firm and called for a special dividend.Its shares briefly surpassed the record-high

Oct. 6, 2016

[DISCLOSURE] Namhae Chemistry (025860) said on Oct. 6 that it has decided to sign a trust contract with NH Investment & Securities to purchase valuable securities worth 19 billion won (US$17.10 million) to manage assets and improve profitability. The interest rate will follow the open market rate and the maturity date is Oct. 12.By Jung Min-kyung (mkj1105@heraldcorp.com)

Oct. 6, 2016

[THE INVESTOR] South Korean shares closed slightly lower on Oct. 5, on tension surrounding interest rate hike in the US and the European Central Bank’s bond buying program. The Korean won fell against the US greenback.The benchmark KOSPI lost 1.86 points, or 0.09 percent, to close at 2,053. Trade volume was slim at 289.99 million shares worth 4.22 trillion won (US3.78 billion), with losers outnumbering gainers 446 to 347.Local shares started off on a weak note as investors fretted about the pros

Oct. 5, 2016