South Korean shares snap seven-day rally as chip, automakers fall

SEOUL, Feb 20 (Reuters) - Round-up of South Korean financial markets:

South Korean shares snapped a seven-session rally on Thursday, as exporters of chips, automobiles and biopharmaceuticals fell amid uncertainty over U.S. tariffs.

The benchmark KOSPI .KS11 closed down 17.46 points, or 0.65%, at 2,654.06. On Wednesday, the index hit its highest point since late September 2024.

U.S. President Donald Trump said he will announce tariffs related to lumber, cars, semiconductors and pharmaceuticals "over the next month or sooner".

"There was profit-taking after recent gains as uncertainty remained over various issues including tariffs," said Seo Sang-young, an analyst at Mirae Asset Securities.

Chipmaker Samsung Electronics 005930.KS fell 0.51%, while peer SK Hynix 000660.KS lost 2.97%.

Hyundai Motor 005380.KS shed 0.49% and sister automaker Kia Corp 000270.KS lost 0.53%, while Samsung Biologics 207940.KS and biopharmaceutical peer Celltrion 068270.KS ended down 0.61% and 0.11%, respectively.

Among other index heavyweights, battery manufacturers and steel producers rose, while e-commerce firms were mixed.

Of the total 941 traded issues, 452 shares advanced, while 417 declined.

Foreigners were net sellers of shares worth 271.9 billion won ($189.09 million).

The won was quoted at 1,437.9 per dollar on the onshore settlement platform KRW=KFTC, 0.24% higher than its previous close at 1,441.4.

In money and debt markets, March futures on three-year treasury bonds KTBc1 rose 0.01 point to 106.64.

The most liquid three-year Korean treasury bond yield KR3YT=RR rose by 0.4 basis points to 2.627%, while the benchmark 10-year yield KR10YT=RR rose by 2.4 bps to 2.893%.

($1 = 1,437.9600 won)