Seoul shares open higher on bank gains

SEOUL, July 27 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks started slightly higher Monday as
investors snapped up bank shares on prospects for solid earnings, analysts said.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) added 6.22 points, or
0.41 percent, to 1,508.81 in the first 15 minutes of trading.
No. 2 financial services company Shinhan Financial Group advanced 1.51 percent
and KB Financial Group, which controls top lender Kookmin Bank, rose 0.79
percent.
The local currency was trading at 1,248.80 won to the U.S. dollar as of 9:15
a.m., up 0.8 won from Friday's close.
sooyeon@yna.co.kr
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