S.Korean shares surge to record as automakers rally on US trade deal optimism

Published on 10/16/2025 at 02:51 am EDT

• KOSPI rises, foreigners net buyers
• Korean won strengthens against dollar
• South Korea benchmark bond yield rises

(Reuters) - Round-up of South Korean financial markets:
** South Korean shares surged to a record closing high on Thursday, as automakers rallied on optimism that the country might reach a trade deal with the U.S. in the near future. The won strengthened, while the benchmark bond yield rose.
** Benchmark KOSPI ended up 91.09 points, or 2.49%, at 3,748.37.
** "What led today's stock market momentum was optimism around the trade talks," said Lee Kyoung-min, an analyst at Daishin Securities.
** South Korea's chief presidential policy adviser said he was "optimistic" about ongoing talks with the U.S., in the latest remarks by officials suggesting progress in negotiations that had stalled for months.
** A promised cut in U.S. tariffs on auto imports to 15% from 25% has not been implemented for South Korea amid stalled negotiations, while rival Japan secured this last month after finalising its deal, including $550 billion investments in the U.S.
** Hyundai Motor jumped 8.28% to the highest since October 16, 2024, and sister automaker Kia Corp rose 7.23% to the highest since August 1, 2024.
** Among other index heavyweights, chipmaker Samsung Electronics rose 2.84%, while peer SK Hynix gained 7.10%. Battery maker LG Energy Solution climbed 8.80%.
** Steelmaker POSCO Holdings added 2.87%, while drugmaker Samsung BioLogics rose 0.53%.
** Of the total 931 traded issues, 492 shares advanced, while 391 declined.
** Foreigners were net buyers of shares worth 652.8 billion won ($37.25 million).
** The won was quoted at 1,417.9 per dollar on the onshore settlement platform, 0.33% higher than its previous close at 1,422.6.
** The most-liquid three-year Korean treasury bond yield rose by 3.0 basis points to 2.562%, while the benchmark 10-year yield rose by 2.8 basis points to 2.889%. ($1 = 1,417.6000 won)
 (Reporting by Jihoon Lee; Editing by Harikrishnan Nair) 

Sumber : Reuters