South Korean shares slightly higher as central bank holds rates

Kakao

17/04/2025 02:14

KOSPI rises; foreigners net sellers

Korean won weakens against dollar

South Korea benchmark bond yield falls

SEOUL, April 17 (Reuters) - Round-up of South Korean financial markets:

** South Korean shares traded slightly higher on Thursday, as the central bank held interest rates steady, in line with market expectations.

** The won cut losses slightly to 1,418.9 soon after the central bank's rate announcement.

** The benchmark KOSPI .KS11 was up 8.98 points, or 0.37%, at 2,456.41 as of 0053 GMT.

** The Bank of Korea left its policy interest rate unchanged, a move markets see as aiding a wobbly won as Washington's attempts to reorder global trade threaten to severely hurt economic growth.

** Investor focus is on U.S. tariff policies, which are also likely to be a main topic at Bank of Korea Governor Rhee Chang-yong's press conference due to be held at 0210 GMT.

** Most index heavyweights rose, including chipmakers, automakers, biopharmaceutical manufacturers and steel producers.

** Out of the total 928 traded issues, 531 shares advanced, while 334 declined.

** Foreigners were net sellers of shares worth 101.1 billion won ($71.12 million).

** The won was quoted at 1,420.1 per dollar on the onshore settlement platform KRW=KFTC, 0.30% lower than its previous close at 1,415.8.

** In money and debt markets, June futures on three-year treasury bonds KTBc1 fell 0.01 point to 107.61.

** The most liquid three-year Korean treasury bond yield KR3YT=RR rose by 0.1 basis points to 2.344%, while the benchmark 10-year yield KR10YT=RR fell by 0.3 basis points to 2.631%.

($1 = 1,421.4500 won)

 (Reporting by Jihoon Lee; Editing by Alan Barona)

 ((jihoon.lee@thomsonreuters.com))