Seoul stocks open higher on U.S. gains, bargain-hunting

SEOUL, Nov. 6 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks got off to a strong start Friday, lifted by overnight U.S. gains and bargain-hunting, analysts said.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) advanced 19.25 points, or
1.24 percent, to 1,571.49 in the first 15 minutes of trading.
Wall Street shares rose sharply on Thursday after stronger economic data and
corporate earnings results bolstered investor confidence in the recovery. The Dow
Jones industrial average jumped 2.08 percent and the tech-heavy Nasdaq soared
2.42 percent.
Foreign and institutional investors turned net buyers as they hunted for bargains
after recent market tumbles here.
The local currency was trading at 1,174.85 won to the U.S. dollar as of 9:15
a.m., up 4.85 won from Thursday's close.
pbr@yna.co.kr
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