The benchmark KOSPI rose by 0.22% to around 4,108 on Monday, extending gains for another session as investors await this week’s US Federal Reserve policy decision. Optimism grew ahead of the Fed’s expected 0.25% rate cut at Tuesday’s two-day meeting. Large-cap stocks were mixed, with Samsung Electronics (0.37%), LG Energy Solution (2.82%), and Hanwha Aerospace (2.35%) leading the gains. In contrast, SK Hynix (-1.47%), Doosan Enerbility (-4.17%), KB Financial (-1.91%), and Shinhan Financial (-2.49%) recorded losses. LG Energy Solution shares advanced after announcing a seven-year, KRW 2.06 trillion supply deal with Mercedes-Benz AG. Samsung Electronics shares also firmed after market data indicated the company is set to regain global DRAM sales leadership in Q4. In contrast, financial shares declined amid expectations of lower interest income this year, projected to fall 4% to a combined KRW 101.47 trillion, marking the first annual drop for major lenders in five years.
