Seoul shares down 1.27 pct in late morning

SEOUL, Feb. 19 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks dropped 1.27 percent late Thursday
morning as investor sentiment was dampened by worries about the global economy
and banks in Eastern Europe, analysts said.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 14.16 points to
1,098.03 as of 11:20 a.m.
Samsung Electronics, top automaker Hyundai Motor and other large caps were hit
hard by sell-offs by foreign investors and institutions, according to analysts.
The local currency was trading at 1,474.9 won to the U.S. dollar as of 11:20
a.m., down 6.9 won from Wednesday's close.
ygkim@yna.co.kr
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