Seoul shares open higher on Wall Street gains

SEOUL, May 11 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks started stronger Monday as investor
sentiment was lifted by Friday's rises in U.S. markets, analysts said.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) advanced 0.42 points, or
0.03 percent, to 1,412.75 in the first 15 minutes of trading.
U.S. stocks closed higher Friday as the government's assessment of the banking
industry turned better than expected. The Dow Jones industrial average rose 1.96
percent and the Nasdaq composite index gained 1.33 percent.
The local currency was trading at 1,236.8 to the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m., up
10.2 won from Friday's close.
ygkim@yna.co.kr
(END)