Lotte Group's stock plummeted to record lows on rumors of a liquidity crisis, but experts claim these concerns are overstated and emphasize the need for better debt control. The holding company’s stock closed at 20,550 won ($14.80) on Monday, down 6.6 percent from the previous day, while Lotte Chemical saw the sharpest decline among its subsidiaries, falling 10.22 percent to 65,900 won and reducing its market capitalization to 2.82 trillion won, a 15-year low. Both stocks hit 52-week

More than half of South Koreans living alone have side jobs amid a growing cost-of-living squeeze, a report said Sunday. Among 2,000 economically active men and women aged 25 to 29 living alone in the metropolitan area, 54.8 percent of respondents said they earn extra money through a second job, according to a report by KB Financial Group's think tank. The figure significantly grew from 42 percent in 2022. Among the respondents this year, 38.8 percent said they took on a side gig to save

Shares of local banks are putting up a fight in the bearish Korean stock market, as investors are pricing in expectations that lenders could excel in the second Donald Trump administration under softened regulation and higher interest rates. The KRX Banks index, representing shares of top financial service providers such as KB, Shinhan, Woori and Hana, closed at 913.69 on Nov. 7, up 2.33 percent on-day, after Trump secured his victory in the US presidential election. It was the highest-gaining i

With Donald Trump winning the US presidential election, the “Trump trade” flowed into the South Korean stock market, with shares of defense and shipbuilding firms surging. The value of the local currency against the US dollar dropped to a two-year low. Shares of defense companies jumped, with investors anticipating robust earnings on the potential for escalated geopolitical risks. Furthermore, Korea could face renewed pressure to pay more in its defense cost-sharing arrangement with

South Korean stocks rose more than 1 percent to hit a two-week high Monday led by a sharp rebound in top-cap Samsung Electronics shares. The Korean won gained against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 29.16 points, or 1.13 percent, to 2,612.43, marking the highest closing price since Oct. 15 when the bourse finished at 2,633.45. Trade volume was slim at 327.6 million shares worth 9 trillion won ($6.5 billion), with winners outnumbering losers 615 to 271. Institu

KB Financial Group reported record third-quarter profits driven by increased interest revenues from expanded loans while announcing a plan to enhance shareholder returns linked to its financial stability. The group posted a net profit of 1.61 trillion won ($1.17 billion), a 17.5 percent on-year increase, marking its best performance for the third quarter to date. Cumulatively, the year-to-date net profit reached 4.4 trillion won, up 0.4 percent from the previous year. However, compared to the

South Korean stocks started sharply lower, tracking overnight losses on Wall Street. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index lost 29.41 points, or 1.12 percent, to 2,604.04 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, US stocks closed sharply lower due to poorer-than-expected earnings outlooks of chip equipment-maker ASML Holdings. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.75 percent, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite tumbled 1.01 percent. In Seoul, most shares opened weaker across the

Korea's first internet-only bank, K bank, is preparing for its upcoming initial public offering, with demand forecasting kicking off Thursday. According to its securities registration filing, K bank started a weeklong demand forecast from institutional investors on Thursday. This process allows investors to submit their desired purchase quantities and prices before the public offering, guiding the company in determining the final offering price. K bank's target price range is set betwe

The Korean equity market reacted to the launch of an index developed to address domestic companies' undervaluation with investors showing a preference for stocks included in the new index. Following the Korea Exchange’s unveiling of the Value-up Index, comprised 100 Korean stocks with stellar corporate value, on Tuesday, those that made the list, including Samsung Electronics and SK hynix showed a strong start in Wednesday morning trading. SK hynix and Samsung Electronics had gained

Samsung Electronics and the nation’s top five lenders have collaborated to create a 2 trillion won ($1.5 billion) fund to support small and medium-sized companies struggling to meet toughening carbon regulations at home and in overseas markets. On Tuesday, the tech giant, together with the nation’s top five financial groups and the Financial Supervisory Service, vowed to offer low-interest rates on loans to smaller businesses seeking to invest in low-emissions facilities, equipment o

The Korea Value-up Index, the key component of the government’s push to boost corporate value and address the “Korea Discount,” is to enlist 100 companies, including Samsung Electronics, Hyundai Motor and Mirae Asset Securities, according to the bourse operator Korea Exchange. On Tuesday, the Korea Exchange released the details on the value-up index, a stock index comprising "best practice" Korean companies complying with the corporate value-up program. The initiative

KB Financial Group Chairman Yang Jong-hee met with Hun Sen, president of the Cambodian Senate, on Wednesday to discuss potential collaborations aimed at advancing financial development in Southeast Asia and enhancing KB’s presence in the region. The meeting was held at the Inspire Entertainment Resort in Incheon during Hun Sen’s visit to Korea for the 25th World Knowledge Forum, where he was a speaker. During their discussion, Yang and Hun Sen agreed to strengthen cooperation to impr

South Korean stocks fell for the seventh consecutive session Wednesday led by foreign sell-off ahead of US inflation data that could influence the Federal Reserve's policy move next week. The Korean won traded higher against the US greenback. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index lost 10.06 points, or 0.4 percent, to close at 2,513.37. The main index has been in a bearish mode since Sept. 3. Trading volume was light at 294.1 million shares worth 9.4 trillion won ($7 billion), with

South Korean asset managers are eagerly introducing diverse fund products tracking the Indian stock market, seeking lucrative opportunities in its strong growth. Korea Investment Management, a big-name asset manager here, listed two active funds tracking India-domiciled companies Tuesday, the ACE India Consumer Power Active ETF and ACE India Market Representative Big5 Group Active ETF. According to the firm, Korea Investment Management is the first company in Asia to launch an actively managed f

Veterinary clinics will be required to disclose information on the cost of a wider range of treatments starting next year. After pet owners in Korea have complained about unexpectedly hefty bills from vet visits due to a lack of transparency, clinics have been required since January to disclose the costs of 12 veterinary services. This requirement will be expanded to 20 services starting Jan. 1 of next year, the government announced on Thursday. The eight new additions include computed tomograph