Seoul stocks open higher on tech, steel gains

SEOUL, Aug. 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks got off to a strong start on
Monday, led by gains in tech and steel shares, analysts said.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 0.12 points, or 0.01
percent, to 1,557.41 in the first 15 minutes of trading.
Shares of tech and steel firms opened stronger, tracking Friday's gains by their
U.S. peers. Positive earnings reports and forecasts boosted the manufacturing
sector, sending the Dow Jones industrial average 0.19 percent higher.
The local currency was trading at 1,221.65 won to the U.S. dollar as of 9:15, up
6.84 won from Friday's close.
ygkim@yna.co.kr
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