Seoul shares 0.80 pct up in late morning

SEOUL, April 17 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks traded 0.80 percent higher late
Friday morning as investor sentiment was boosted by overnight gains in U.S.
markets, analysts said.
Paring earlier gains, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI)
rose 10.70 points to 1,347.42 as of 11:20 a.m.
"Shares got a boost from foreign buying, though the upswing lost traction due to
selling by institutions and retail investors," said Park So-yeon, an analyst at
Korea Investment & Securities Co.
Foreigners became net buyers of Seoul stocks for the second session, helping the
local currency rise against the U.S. dollar.
The Korean currency was trading at 1,326.75 won to the U.S. dollar as of 11:20
a.m., up 5.25 won from Thursday's close.
ygkim@yna.co.kr
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