(URGENT) Seoul shares tumble 4 pct on renewed U.S.-Iran tensions
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South Korean stocks dropped more than 3% on Wednesday, driven by rising bond yields amid escalating tensions between the US and Iran, according to wire reports. The KOSPI index fell 214.27 points, or 3.13%, to 6,621.53. US stocks also declined on Tuesday as a global bond selloff intensified and oil prices surged due to fears over the conflict.
The US conducted airstrikes against Iran, leading to retaliation and heightening the crisis. Analyst Han Ji-young of Kiwoom Securities noted heightened sensitivity to macroeconomic factors like oil prices and bond yields. South Korean consumer inflation rose in August, though below forecasts, while key companies in the KOSPI suffered heavy losses.
Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, LG Energy Solution, Hyundai Motor, Kia Corp, POSCO Holdings, and Samsung BioLogics all saw significant declines. Foreign investors sold shares worth $649.8 million. The Korean won strengthened slightly against the dollar at 1,370.2 per dollar. In bond markets, September futures for three-year treasury bonds fell 0.14 point to 102.99, with yields climbing.
Written by urgent.news from Business Recorder's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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