South Korean shares neared a two-month high as chipmakers recovered

Overview of the South Korean Financial Markets: ** South Korean shares rose to their highest level in almost two months on Monday as chipmakers lifted optimism about demand.

** The benchmark KOSPI rose 65.37 points, or 1.58%, to 4,195.05 as of 0135 GMT, hitting its highest level since November 4.** ‌Chipmaker Samsung Electronics rose 1.88% to a record high, while peer SK Hynix rose 5.51% to the highest level since November 12.

** “South Korea’s December exports, to be reported on Thursday, are likely to show semiconductor-led growth, which could fuel a New Year’s rally,” said Han Ji-young, an analyst at Kiwoom Securities.

** Tuesday will be the last trading day of 2025 before the domestic market reopens on Friday.

**The KOSPI is up 75% so far this year, making it the best performer in the world. ** Among other heavyweights in the index, battery maker LG Energy Solution fell 1.83%, while Hyundai Motor and sister automaker Kia Corp rose 1.57% and 0.33% respectively.

** Steelmaker POSCO Holdings added 1.62%, while drugmaker Samsung BioLogics rose 0.24%.

** Of the total 927 issues traded, 287 shares rose, while 606 fell.

** Foreigners were net buyers of shares worth ‍76.3 billion won ($53.21 ⁠ million).

** The won⁠was quoted at 1,434.6 per dollar on the onshore settlement platform, up 0.53% from the previous close of 1,442.2.

** On the money and debt markets, three-year government bond futures rose 0.09 point to 105.50 in March.

** The most liquid three-year Korean government bond yield fell 2.4 basis points to 2.935%, while the benchmark 10-year yield fell 2.6 basis points to 3.345%. ($1 = 1,433,9000 won) (Reporting by Jihoon Lee; Editing by Rashmi Aich)