South Korean shares rise over 2% as traders gauge prospects of Iran ceasefire

LG Energy Solution

06/04/2026 03:57

KOSPI rises, foreigners net sellers

Korean won strengthens against dollar

South Korea benchmark bond yield falls

SEOUL, April 6 (Reuters) - Round-up of South Korean financial markets:

** South Korean shares climbed more than 2% on Monday as investors found comfort in reports of a potential ceasefire between the United States and Iran.

** The benchmark KOSPI .KS11 was up 116.98 points, or 2.18%, at 5,494.28, as of 0230 GMT.

** U.S. President Donald Trump's repeated threats to destroy Iran's civilian infrastructure have put global traders on edge for reciprocal attacks by Tehran on targets in the Gulf states.

** Last week, the KOSPI dropped for a second consecutive week on concerns over the domestic impact from the Middle East conflict.

** Lifting market sentiment, Axios reported on Sunday that the U.S., Iran and a group of regional mediators are discussing the terms for a potential 45-day ceasefire that could lead to a permanent end to the war.

** Trump suggested a diplomatic breakthrough may be imminent, saying a deal with Iran could be reached as soon as Monday and that negotiations with Iran were already underway, according to a Fox News report.

** Among index heavyweights, chipmaker Samsung Electronics 005930.KS rose 4.46%, while peer SK Hynix 000660.KS gained 2.63%. Shares of battery maker LG Energy Solution 373220.KS climbed 3.76%.

** Hyundai Motor 005380.KS and sister automaker Kia Corp 000270.KS were up 0.42% and 1.53%, respectively. Steelmaker POSCO Holdings 005490.KS added 1.15%, while drugmaker Samsung BioLogics 207940.KS rose 1.03%.

** Of the total 918 traded issues, 447 shares advanced, while 429 declined.

** Foreigners were net sellers of shares worth 59.0 billion won ($39.22 million).

** The won was quoted at 1,505.4 per dollar on the onshore settlement platform KRW=KFTC, 0.40% higher than its previous close at 1,511.4.

** In money and debt markets, June futures on three-year treasury bonds KTBc1 gained 0.13 point to 104.04.

** The most liquid three-year Korean treasury bond yield KR3YT=RR fell 1.0 basis point to 3.432%, while the benchmark 10-year yield KR10YT=RR slipped 1.9 basis points to 3.725%.

($1 = 1,504.5000 won)

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

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