Seoul stocks close 1.36 pct higher on U.S. gains

(ATTN: ADDS bond yields at bottom)
SEOUL, Jan. 19 (Yonhap) -- South Korean shares finished 1.36 percent higher
Monday as foreign investors scooped up big caps following a Wall Street rally in
the previous session, analysts said. The local currency fell against the U.S.
dollar.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) added 15.45 points to
1,150.65, rising for a second session. Volume was moderate at 364.80 million
shares worth 4.43 trillion won (US$3.25 billion), with winners outpacing losers
546 to 273.
"Foreign investors were major buyers, emboldened by the U.S. government's
measures to boost the world's largest economy and overnight gains on Wall
Street," said Kim Hak-kyun, an analyst at Korea Investment and Securities.
The Dow Jones industrial average climbed 0.84 percent after U.S. equities and
commodity prices rose on Friday, with the tech-heavy Nasdaq gaining 1.16 percent.

Market bellwether Samsung Electronics rose 1.28 percent to 475,000 won, with LG
Electronics gaining 1.16 percent to close at 78,400 won.
Tech blue chips also gained ground on institutional buying. Chipmaker Hynix
Semiconductor rose 12.81 percent to 7,840 won and flat panel giant LG Display
surged 7.88 percent to 26,000 won.
Automakers finished stronger as their sales figures are forecast to improve down
the road. Hyundai Motor, the biggest carmaker, jumped 6.81 percent to 44,050 won
and its affiliate Kia Motors added 2.45 percent to 7,120 won.
The local currency finished at 1,362.5 won to the dollar, down 4.5 won from
Friday's close, as foreign investors increased holdings of the won to purchase
local shares, dealers said.
Bond prices, which move inversely to yields, closed higher. The return on
three-year Treasuries shed 0.19 percentage point to 3.42 percent and the
benchmark yield on five-year government bonds also fell 0.16 percentage point to
4.06 percent.
ygkim@yna.co.kr
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