South Korean shares climb to late-February high on US-Iran deal hopes

LG Energy Solution

16/04/2026 02:54

KOSPI rises, foreigners net sellers

Korean won strengthens against dollar

South Korea benchmark bond yield rises

SEOUL, April 16 (Reuters) - Round-up of South Korean financial markets:

** South Korean shares climbed for a third consecutive session on Thursday, touching their highest levels since February 27, as traders grew optimistic over a potential deal to end the U.S.-Iran war.

** The benchmark KOSPI .KS11 was up 102.31 points, or 1.68%, at 6,193.70, as of 0135 GMT, returning to levels seen before the war broke out on February 28.

** "Risk appetite is maintained by hopes for negotiations to end the war and Nasdaq hitting a record high," said Han Ji-young, an analyst at Kiwoom Securities.

** The United States expressed optimism on Wednesday about reaching a deal to end the war with Iran, while also warning of increasing economic pressure against Tehran if it remains defiant.

** Among index heavyweights, South Korean chipmaker Samsung Electronics 005930.KS rose 2.01%, while peer SK Hynix 000660.KS gained 1.50%. Shares of battery maker LG Energy Solution 373220.KS climbed 0.37%.

** Hyundai Motor 005380.KS and sister automaker Kia Corp 000270.KS were up 5.91% and 4.42%, respectively. Steelmaker POSCO Holdings 005490.KS added 0.34%, while drugmaker Samsung BioLogics 207940.KS rose 0.44%.

** Of the total 905 traded issues, 665 shares advanced, while 206 declined.

** Foreigners were net sellers of shares worth 193.4 billion won ($131.12 million).

** The won was quoted at 1,473.6 per dollar on the onshore settlement platform KRW=KFTC, 0.13% higher than its previous close at 1,475.5.

** In money and debt markets, June futures on three-year treasury bonds KTBc1 gained 0.04 point to 104.40.

** The most liquid three-year Korean treasury bond yield KR3YT=RR fell 0.6 basis points to 3.325%, while the benchmark 10-year yield KR10YT=RR rose 0.7 basis points to 3.659%.

($1 = 1,475.0000 won)

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

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