Seoul shares snap 6-day winning streak on profit-taking; won sharply down - UPI.comTrending[Wu-Tang Clan][Hillary Clinton][License plate][Medicaid payments][Larry Summers][Oldest horse][Uranus detail][ISIS camp][Pool player]Feb. 27, 2026 / 4:07 AMThis photo taken on Friday shows the trading room of Hana Bank in central Seoul, with the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index down 1 percent to close at 6,244.13. Photo by YonhapSeoul shares closed lower Friday, snapping a six-session winning streak as inve ...

Market Volatility and Currency Intervention - The People's Bank of China (PBOC) has reduced shorting costs to halt the Yuan's recent rally, which reached its strongest levels since mid-2023, potentially threatening the export-led recovery [2] - Analysts believe Beijing is trying to create a "slow bull" market to avoid historical boom-bust cycles in Chinese equities [2] Regional Performance and Record Highs - The Hang Seng Index (HSI) is facing its steepest monthly decline since October, down 3.2% in February, driven by concerns over AI disruption affecting traditional sectors [3][9] - Malaysia's FBM KLCI index fell over 1% to 1,722.34 points, its lowest since late January, but remains nearly 10% higher than a year ago due to growth in financial services and utilities [4] - Hyundai Motor (HYMTF) shares surged over 6% to a record high, driven by a 60 trillion won proposal for hydrogen fuel cell infrastructure in Canada and optimism surrounding its robotics division [5][9] Geopolitics and Domestic Policy - Russia has warned Britain against deploying troops to Ukraine, stating it could lead to a large-scale military confrontation [6] - A meeting between President Trump and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani focused on a proposal for 12,000 housing units at Sunnyside Yards, indicating potential federal-local cooperation on urban development [7] Commodities and Corporate Trends - Copper prices are rising, supported by positive global demand and industrial growth prospects, as Chinese firms seek foreign expertise for global expansion [10]

The major U.S. index futures are currently pointing to a roughly flat open on Thursday, with stocks likely to show a lack of direction after moving notably higher over the two previous sessions.A mixed reaction to earnings news from Dow components Nvidia (NVDA) and Salesforce (CRM) may lead to choppy trading on Wall Street.Shares of Nvidia are jumping by 1.0 percent in pre-market trading after the AI leader reported better than expected fiscal fourth quarter results and provided upbeat guidance."Despite al ...

Asian stocks advanced on Thursday as Nvidia's earnings results quelled fears over massive AI spending and AI-driven disruption. The AI bellwether posted record Q4 results with total revenue of $68 billion, led by a record data-center quarter of $62 billion, driven by the Blackwell and Blackwell Ultra ramp.The dollar edged lower in Asian trade, while gold advanced on safe-haven demand and oil prices hovered near seven-month highs as investors waited for any news on the third round of nuclear talks between t ...

The major U.S. index futures are currently pointing to a higher open on Wednesday, with stocks poised to add to the strong gains posted in the previous session.The may continue to benefit from strength in the tech sector amid optimism ahead of the release of earnings news from AI chipmaker and market leader Nvidia (NVDA).Nvidia, which is due to release its fourth quarter financial results after the close of today's trading, is climbing by 0.8 percent in pre-market trading.Software giants Salesforce (CRM) a ...

Market Overview - Asian stocks experienced a rally, with Japanese and South Korean shares reaching record highs, driven by strong stock performance [1] - The dollar weakened in Asian trade, contributing to a surge in gold prices towards $5,200 per ounce, while oil prices approached seven-month highs amid geopolitical tensions [2] Japan's Market Dynamics - The Nikkei average increased by 2.20 percent to 58,583.12, supported by strong performances in chip and AI sectors, as the government nominated dovish candidates to the Bank of Japan's board, reducing rate hike expectations [3] - Nippon Steel shares fell by 5.5 percent after raising ¥600 billion ($3.9 billion) through an upsized convertible bond sale [4] South Korea's Market Performance - Seoul's Kospi index surged 1.91 percent to 6,083.86, marking a new record, as concerns over AI's disruptive effects eased ahead of Nvidia Corp's earnings report [4] - Hyundai Motor's shares rose by 9.2 percent following news of a potential IPO for its U.S. affiliate Boston Dynamics, while Kia Corp's shares skyrocketed by 12.7 percent [5] Australian Market Highlights - Australian shares reached a record high, with the S&P/ASX 200 closing 1.17 percent higher at 9,128.30, driven by strong inflation data and speculation of further rate hikes [6] - Woolworths shares surged by 13 percent to a 17-month high after reporting a strong half-year profit and raising full-year guidance [6] Technology Sector Developments - WiseTech Global's shares jumped over 11 percent following the announcement of a significant AI overhaul and plans to lay off about 2,000 employees over the next two years [7] - The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite rose by 1 percent, bolstered by AMD's major supply deal with Meta [8]

Core Viewpoint - Hyundai Motor warns that tariff pressure from the U.S. may intensify despite a recent Supreme Court ruling, urging South Korea to pass a $350 billion U.S. investment package to mitigate potential impacts [1][1]. Group 1: Tariff Impact - Hyundai and Kia have already incurred a combined financial hit of approximately $4.98 billion (7.2 trillion won) from U.S. tariffs last year [1][1]. - The company president cautioned that if tariffs are raised back to 25%, the financial impact could increase significantly this year [1][1]. - The Trump administration has threatened to escalate tariffs on sectors including autos, which could weaken the competitiveness of Korean companies [1][1]. Group 2: Legislative Urgency - Hyundai is urging the South Korean government to swiftly pass legislation related to the $350 billion U.S. investment package, which is part of a trade deal aimed at reducing tariffs from 25% to 15% [1][1]. - The South Korean government has committed to adhering to the trade deal reached last year, despite the ongoing tariff threats from the U.S. [1][1]. Group 3: Industry Challenges - The auto industry is facing a "major crisis" due to the existing U.S. tariffs, with ongoing transitions to electric vehicles and increased competition in autonomous driving [1][1]. - There are concerns that sector-specific tariffs, particularly in steel and autos, are likely to remain in place, further complicating the industry's recovery [1][1].

Skip to main content Exclusive news, data and analytics for financial market professionalsLearn more aboutRefinitiv US retail investors fuel surge in leveraged ETF trading, study shows February 24, 20265:07 AM UTCUpdated ago By Suzanne McGee The data shows that the proliferation of these exchange-traded vehicles, which allow investors to speculate on short-term moves in an underlying stock, has been almost entirely driven by their allure for these retail investors. The study also found that last year tradin ...

Group 1: Diplomatic Relations and Investment - A high-ranking aide to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited South Korea to stabilize bilateral relations amid trade tensions related to President Trump's demands for increased Korean investment in U.S. manufacturing [2][3] - The visit is seen as a "fact-finding mission" to assess if South Korea can meet legislative deadlines for a $350 billion investment package by the end of February [3] Group 2: Trade Agreement Status - South Korea's Ministry of Trade confirmed that the KORUS FTA is operational and unaffected by recent legal changes in the U.S., following a Supreme Court ruling that deemed certain tariffs unlawful [4][10] - The ruling nullified a 15% reciprocal tariff on Korean exports, but a new 10% global tariff under Section 122 of the Trade Act poses ongoing concerns [5][10] Group 3: Impact on Key Sectors - The reaffirmation of the KORUS FTA is beneficial for major companies like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, which are dealing with U.S. semiconductor subsidies and export controls [6] - The automotive sector, particularly Hyundai Motor and Kia, remains vulnerable due to the potential for a 25% auto tariff, which could significantly impact their revenue from the U.S. market [6][7] Group 4: Legislative Challenges - The U.S. delegation plans to meet with South Korean National Assembly members to address delays in passing the Strategic Investment Memorandum of Understanding, with divisions between the Democratic Party and the People's Power Party over fiscal responsibilities [8] - The U.S. State Department has indicated that legislative delays create an unfavorable mood in Washington, but the visit suggests both sides are seeking a rational resolution to avoid escalating trade barriers [9]

Trade Relations and Government Response - South Korea's government is shifting to a collaborative defense of national trade interests, planning intensive consultations with major exporters and industry associations to address private sector concerns in discussions with the U.S. [2][9] - The U.S. Supreme Court ruled the use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act for reciprocal tariffs as unlawful, but the Trump administration quickly responded with a new 10% global tariff, potentially increasing to 15% [3][9] Investment Commitments and Legislative Pressure - The South Korean government is under pressure to expedite a $350 billion investment commitment in the U.S., with delays in legislation potentially triggering higher tariffs [4][9] - The success of negotiations with U.S. trade officials will depend on South Korea's ability to fast-track investment-related legislation through the National Assembly [6] Impact on Key Industries - The Korean stock market is facing challenges, particularly for companies like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, as the tech sector prepares for the implications of new global tariffs [5] - Hyundai Motor and Kia are navigating a complex environment with existing Section 232 auto tariffs remaining in place despite recent legal victories regarding other duties [5][9]