Seoul stocks start lower on banking losses

SEOUL, Feb. 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks got off to a weak start Monday as
bank shares lost sharp ground following losses in U.S. financials last week,
analysts said.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) dropped 7.75 points, or
0.67 percent, to 1,154.36 in the first 15 minutes of trading.
U.S. financial shares lost sharply on Friday as a bank bailout plan remained
stalled.
The local currency was trading at 1,393.5 won to the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m.,
down 14 won from Friday's close.
pbr@yna.co.kr
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