Seoul shares open higher on bargain hunting

SEOUL, Sept. 3 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks started stronger Thursday as investors picked up blue-chip bargains after two consecutive days of losses, analysts said.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) advanced 2.45 points, or
0.15 percent, to 1,615.61 in the first 15 minutes of trading.
Most financial shares gained substantial ground with KB Financial Group, the top
financial service firm by net profit, cutting recent losses.
The local currency was trading at 1,246.95 to the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m., up
2.95 won from Wednesday's close, as exporters sold the greenback.
ygkim@yna.co.kr
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