Seoul stocks open higher on foreign buying

SEOUL, Sept. 18 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks opened higher Friday, boosted by
continued strong foreign buying, analysts said.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) gained 3.52 points, or
0.21 percent, to trade at 1,698.99 in the first 15 minutes of trading.
Overseas investors have been net buyers for the past 10 sessions as the U.S.
dollar's global downturn has driven up appetites for non-dollar assets.
The KOSPI's promotion to a developed-market status by the global index compiler
FTSE also prompted inflows of foreign funds, analysts said.
The local currency was trading at 1,207.85 won to the U.S. dollar, down 3.05 won
from Thursday's close.
pbr@yna.co.kr
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