S.Korean shares set for best week in over 17 years on US-Iran ceasefire optimism

LG Energy Solution

10/04/2026 02:55

KOSPI rises, foreigners net buyers

Korean won weakens against dollar

South Korea benchmark bond yield falls

SEOUL, April 10 (Reuters) - Round-up of South Korean financial markets:

** South Korean shares climbed 2% on Friday and were set for their biggest weekly jump in more than 17 years, as renewed optimism over Middle East peace lifted investor sentiment.

** The benchmark KOSPI .KS11 was up 118.34 points, or 2.05%, at 5,896.35, as of 0117 GMT.

** The index has climbed 9.7% so far this week, after two consecutive weekly losses. The benchmark will record its biggest weekly jump since October 2008, if the current momentum holds.

** The U.S. State Department will host a meeting next week to discuss ongoing ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Lebanon, a State Department official said late on Thursday.

** South Korea's central bank kept its policy interest rate steady on Friday, maintaining a cautious stance as the conflict in Iran threatens to heat up inflation and weigh on growth in an economy heavily dependent on Middle Eastern energy.

** Among index heavyweights, chipmaker Samsung Electronics 005930.KS rose 2.57%, while peer SK Hynix 000660.KS gained 3.81%. Battery maker LG Energy Solution 373220.KS slid 0.95%.

** Shares of Hyundai Motor 005380.KS and sister automaker Kia Corp 000270.KS were up 0.51% and 0.13%, respectively. Steelmaker POSCO Holdings 005490.KS shed 0.14%, while drugmaker Samsung BioLogics 207940.KS rose 0.32%.

** Of the total 912 traded issues, 692 shares advanced, while 179 declined.

** Foreigners were net buyers of shares worth 167.4 billion won ($113.25 million).

** The won was quoted at 1,478.9 per dollar on the onshore settlement platform KRW=KFTC, 0.28% lower than its previous close at 1,474.7.

** In money and debt markets, June futures on three-year treasury bonds KTBc1 gained 0.06 point to 104.44.

** The most liquid three-year Korean treasury bond yield KR3YT=RR fell 2.5 basis points to 3.316%, while the benchmark 10-year yield KR10YT=RR fell by 0.6 basis points to 3.654%.

($1 = 1,478.2000 won)

 (Reporting by Jihoon Lee; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips)

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