Seoul shares trade 1.09 pct higher in late morning

SEOUL, March 10 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks traded 1.09 percent higher late
Tuesday morning as local financial shares gained ground following advances by
their rivals in U.S. markets, analysts said.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 11.63 points to
1,083.36 as of 11:20 a.m.
"The won's sharp gain and a buying mode by foreign investors helped the Seoul
bourse turn higher in the morning session," said Lee Sun-yup, an analyst at
Goodmorning Shinhan Securities Co. "Banking shares led the market's broader
gain."
Foreigners became net buyers of Seoul stocks for the first time in three session,
helping the local currency rise against the U.S. dollar.
The Korean currency was trading at 1,528.20 won to the U.S. dollar as of 11:20
a.m., up 20.80 won from Monday's close.
sooyeon@yna.co.kr
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