South Korean shares end marginally higher with focus on tariff talks

Kakao

21/04/2025 08:45

KOSPI rises, foreigners net sellers

Korean won strengthens against dollar

South Korea benchmark bond yield falls

For the midday report, please click nL1N3QZ03T

SEOUL, April 21 (Reuters) - Round-up of South Korean financial markets:

** South Korean shares ended slightly higher on Monday, as the country's leading presidential candidate vowed efforts to boost the market, but gains were capped on caution ahead of more imminent tariff negotiations with the United States.

** The benchmark KOSPI .KS11 closed up 5.00 points, or 0.20%, at 2,488.42.

** South Korea's leading presidential candidate, Lee Jae-myung, pledged to revive legislation to curb abuses by controlling shareholders as part of a plan to boost the stock market and eliminate the so-called "Korea Discount", a tendency of lower valuations compared with global peers.

** South Korea's acting President Han Duck-soo said he expected trade talks with the United States this week in Washington to be the start of meaningful cooperation, but added that negotiations may not be easy.

** South Korea's exports for the first 20 days of April fell 5.2% from a year earlier, dragged down by U.S.-bound shipments amid President Donald Trump's sweeping tariff policies.

** Among index heavyweights, chipmaker Samsung Electronics 005930.KS rose 0.18% and peer SK Hynix 000660.KS gained 0.91%, while battery maker LG Energy Solution 373220.KS slid 1.63%.

** Hyundai Motor 005380.KS added 0.05%, while sister automaker Kia Corp 000270.KS gained 0.80%.

** Of the total 934 traded issues, 500 shares advanced, while 373 declined.

** Foreigners were net sellers of shares worth 288.7 billion won ($203.8 million).

** The won was quoted at 1,417.8 per dollar on the onshore settlement platform KRW=KFTC, 0.41% higher than its previous close at 1,423.6.

** The most liquid three-year Korean treasury bond yield KR3YT=RR fell by 3.5 basis points to 2.330%, while the benchmark 10-year yield KR10YT=RR fell by 2.2 basis points to 2.601%.

($1 = 1,416.5200 won)

 (Reporting by Jihoon Lee; Editing by Mrigank Dhaniwala)

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