South Korean shares fall on caution ahead of Fed rate verdict; set for fourth weekly gain

Sep 17, 2025, 11:09 GMT+7
Key points:

• KOSPI falls, foreigners net sellers
• Korean won weakens against dollar
• South Korea benchmark bond yield rises

(Reuters) - Round-up of South Korean financial markets:
** South Korean shares fell on Wednesday as investors grew cautious ahead of an expected U.S. interest rate cut later in the day, but the market was set for a fourth straight weekly gain. The won weakened, while the benchmark bond yield rose.
** The benchmark KOSPIfell 32.93 points, or 0.95%, to 3,416.69, as of 03:31 GMT. For the week, the index is up 0.8%.
** Among index heavyweights, chipmaker Samsung Electronicsfell 1.39%, while peer SK Hynixlost 3.45%. Battery maker LG Energy Solutionclimbed 0.50%.
** The U.S. Federal Reserve is widely expected to cut the benchmark interest rate by a quarter-percentage-point from the current level of between 4.25% and 4.50% later in the day, the first reduction since December 2024.
** Meanwhile, President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced an agreement between the U.S. and China to keep TikTok operating in the United States, clearing path for further negotiations.
** Hyundai Motorand sister automaker Kia Corpwere up 0.23% and down 0.30%, respectively. Steelmaker POSCO Holdingsadded 0.35%, while drugmaker Samsung BioLogicsfell 0.68%.
** Of the total 929 traded issues, 261 shares advanced, while 595 declined.
** Foreigners were net sellers of shares worth 166.6 billion won ($120.73 million).
** The won was quoted at 1,380.1 per dollar on the onshore settlement platform, 0.04% lower than its previous close at 1,379.5.
** The KOSPI has risen 42.39% so far this year.
** The won has strengthened 6.7% against the dollar so far this year.
** In money and debt markets, December futures on three-year treasury bonds (KTBc1) lost 0.03 point to 107.34.
** The most liquid three-year Korean treasury bond yield (KR3YT=RR) rose 1.2 basis points to 2.423%, while the benchmark 10-year yieldadvanced 0.4 bps to 2.796%.
($1 = 1,379.9900 won)

Sumber : Reuters