Seoul shares open higher on Wall Street gains

SEOUL, July 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks started stronger Thursday, taking a
cue from overnight gains in U.S. markets, analysts said.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) added 0.89 points, or
0.06 percent, to 1,412.55 in the first 15 minutes of trading.
U.S. markets rose Wednesday as investors took comfort from improving
manufacturing and housing data. The Dow Jones industrial average added 0.68
percent and the tech-laden Nasdaq composite index rose 0.58 percent.
The local currency was trading at 1,259.3 won to the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m.,
up 8.4 won from Wednesday's close.
sooyeon@yna.co.kr
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