Seoul shares open higher on U.S. gains

By Lee Youkyung
SEOUL, Oct. 9 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks started higher Friday as investor
sentiment was boosted by overnight gains on Wall Street, analysts said.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) added 10.89 points, or
0.67 percent, to 1,626.35 in the first 15 minutes of trading.
U.S. markets closed up on Thursday on the better-than-expected earnings report
from aluminum maker Alcoa, which renewed recovery hopes. The Dow Jones industrial
average rose 0.63 percent and the tech-laden Nasdaq composite index climbed 0.64
percent.
The local currency was trading at 1,166.75 won to the U.S. dollar as of 9:15
a.m., up 0.25 won from Thursday's close.
ylee@yna.co.kr
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