Seoul: Overview of South Korean financial markets:
South Korean stocks fell on Monday as e-commerce companies pulled the benchmark index back from a 26-month high while investors were cautious ahead of key economic data due to be released later this week.
The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) was down 7.40 points, or 0.27 percent, to 2,751.02 as of 0144 GMT, after hitting its highest level since April 5, 2022 the previous day.
Analysts say U.S. economic data such as retail sales will be the most closely watched market trend this week. Domestically, South Korea will release its 20th round of export data on Friday.
Search engine Naver and instant messenger Kakao fell 1.94% and 2.73%, respectively, making the services sector the biggest drop in the sub-index.
Semiconductor maker Samsung Electronics fell 1.26%, while rival SK Hynix rose 1.81% and battery maker LG Energy Solutions fell 2.15%.
Hyundai Motor rose 4.48 percent after deciding to list its Indian unit in Mumbai, while sister manufacturer Kia rose 3.26 percent.
Of the total 927 stocks traded, 382 rose and 480 fell.
Foreigners sold 87.2 billion won ($63.18 million) worth of shares on the main board.
The won was traded at 1,380.7 won per dollar on onshore payment platforms, down 0.10 percent from the previous day's closing price of 1,379.3 won.
In the financial and bond markets, June three-year government bond futures rose 0.09 points to 105.02.
South Korea's three-year government bond yield, the most liquid, fell 4.4 basis points to 3.209 percent, while the benchmark 10-year bond yield fell 3.7 basis points to 3.274 percent. – Reuters
