South Korean shares dip; head for second weekly gain on ceasefire hopes

LG Energy Solution

17/04/2026 01:58

KOSPI falls, foreigners net sellers

Korean won strengthens against dollar

South Korea benchmark bond yield rises

SEOUL, April 17 (Reuters) - Round-up of South Korean financial markets: ** South Korean shares fell on Friday but were set to log a second weekly gain on hopes the U.S. and Iran could secure a permanent ceasefire ahead of the expiry of the truce next week. The won strengthened, while the benchmark bond yield rose. ** The benchmark KOSPI .KS11 was down 28.22 points, or 0.45%, at 6,197.83 as of 0031 GMT. For the week, the index is up 5.90% so far. ** Among index heavyweights, chipmaker Samsung Electronics 005930.KS shed 0.80%, while peer SK Hynix 000660.KS lost 1.04%. Battery maker LG Energy Solution 373220.KS climbed 0.84%.

** Iran could consider allowing ships to sail freely through the Omani side of the Strait of Hormuz without risk of attack as part of proposals it has offered in negotiations with the United States, providing a deal is clinched to prevent renewed conflict, a source briefed by Tehran said.     ** Hyundai Motor 005380.KS and sister automaker Kia Corp 000270.KS were up 1.12% and up 0.44%, respectively. Steelmaker POSCO Holdings 005490.KS added 3.38%, while drugmaker Samsung BioLogics 207940.KS fell 0.87%. ** Of the total 901 traded issues, 333 shares advanced, while 508 declined.

** South Korea's finance minister said at a policy meeting that authorities aim to spend 85% of the 10.5 trillion won ($7.10 billion) earmarked for fuel cost relief within the first half of the year, following the approval by parliament of an extra budget.      ** Foreigners were net sellers of shares worth 376.6 billion won. ** The KOSPI has risen 47.07% so far this year. ** The won has weakened 2.7% against the dollar so far this year. ** In money and debt markets, June futures on three-year treasury bonds KTBc1 lost 0.06 point to 104.26. ** The most liquid three-year Korean treasury bond yield KR3YT=RR was flat at 3.337%, while the benchmark 10-year yield KR10YT=RR rose 4.2 basis points to 3.714%.

 (Reporting by Cynthia Kim)

 ((Cynthia.Kim@thomsonreuters.com; 822 3704 5655; Reuters Messaging: cynthia.kim.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))