Asia
South Korea's Kospi Closes at Fresh High, Crosses 6,400 Points as Investors Eye Q1 Earnings
South Korean shares closed higher on Wednesday, with the country's primary index Kospi closing at a fresh high of over 6,400 points. Investors eyed the upcoming first-quarter corporate earnings despite the uncertainty over US-Iran talks.The Korea Composite Stock Price Index or Kospi rose 29.46 points, or 0.5%, to end at 6,417.93. The Kosdaq also increased by 2.09 points, or 0.2%, to close at 1,181.12.Shares had opened nearly flat in the day after US President Donald Trump announced an indefinite extension to the ceasefire until Iran came up with a unified proposal on a possible agreement.The White House said JD Vance has not yet left for Pakistan and remains in Washington for further policy meetings, Reuters reported. Meanwhile, Iran said it would engage in talks only after the US ends its naval blockade.Iran's envoy Amir Saeid Iravani, in an interview with Rudlaw News Network at the UN HQ, said talks with the US depend on Washington ending alleged ceasefire violations, including a naval blockade.Iravani added that negotiations could resume in Istanbul once the blockade is lifted, stressing Iran is open to dialogue but also prepared for escalation if necessary.In economic news, producer prices in South Korea increased 4.1% in March from a year earlier, the fastest increase since February 2023, according to preliminary data from the Bank of Korea on Wednesday.The year-on-year gains were driven by higher costs across all categories except electric power, gas, water and waste, which declined 1.1% in the month.Producer prices across agricultural, forestry & marine products, manufacturing, and services increased 0.5%, 5.9%, and 3.1%, respectively.In corporate news, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (KRX:009540) secured an order for an ice-breaking vessel from the Swedish Maritime Administration.The deal is valued at 514.8 billion won. The shipbuilder will deliver the vessel by Aug. 28, 2029, according to a Wednesday filing with the Korean Exchange.Shares of HD Korea Shipbuilding jumped more than 8% at market close.
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