South Korean shares hit fresh record as chip, pharma stocks rally

Celltrion

23/09/2025 07:53

KOSPI rises, foreigners net buyers

Korean won weakens against dollar

South Korea benchmark bond yield falls

SEOUL, Sept 23 (Reuters) - Round-up of South Korean financial markets:

** South Korean shares rose to a record high on Tuesday as chipmakers rallied on optimism ahead of U.S. peer Micron Technology's results, while drugmaker Celltrion jumped on a deal to acquire a U.S. factory to avoid tariffs.

** The benchmark KOSPI .KS11 ended up 17.54 points, or 0.51%, at 3,486.19, its highest closing level on record. During the session, it hit an all-time high at 3,494.49.

** The electric & electronic devices sector .KS41 rose 1.66% as chipmaker Samsung Electronics 005930.KS gained 1.44% and peer SK Hynix 000660.KS jumped 2.85%.

** "The semiconductor sector rose ahead of Micron's earnings, which are expected to be better than forecast," said Seo Sang-young, an analyst at Mirae Asset Securities.

** Micron Technology MU.O is scheduled to report its latest results later in the day.

** Celltrion 068270.KS rallied 8.93%, its biggest daily gain since January 2024, after the drugmaker announced that its U.S. subsidiary had acquired Imclone Systems LLC from Eli Lilly LLY.N in the U.S.

** The pharmaceutical sector .KS32 rose 2.96% as peer durgmaker Samsung BioLogics 207940.KS climbed 0.97%.

** Among other index heavyweights, battery maker LG Energy Solution 373220.KS climbed 2.29%, while Hyundai Motor 005380.KS and sister automaker Kia Corp 000270.KS were up 0.46% and 0.88%, respectively.

   ** Of the total 930 traded issues, 270 shares advanced, while 601 declined.

   ** Foreigners were net buyers of shares worth 303.3 billion won ($217.7 million).

   ** The won was quoted at 1,392.6 per dollar on the onshore settlement platform KRW=KFTC, 0.08% lower than its previous close at 1,391.5.

** The most liquid three-year Korean treasury bond yield KR3YT=RR rose by 0.9 basis point to 2.464%, while the benchmark 10-year yield KR10YT=RR fell by 0.7 basis point to 2.823%.

($1 = 1,393.2600 won)

 (Reporting by Jihoon Lee; Editing by Sonia Cheema)

 ((jihoon.lee@thomsonreuters.com;))