Seoul stocks open higher on earnings hopes

SEOUL, July 20 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks got off to a strong start Monday
as upbeat earnings hopes buoyed investor confidence, analysts said.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) climbed 17.19 points, or
1.19 percent, to trade at 1,457.29 in the first 15 minutes of trading.
Solid buying by foreign and institutional investors boosted the key index, with
electronics shares leading the upswing.
Major companies including Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics and Hyundai Motor
are scheduled to make their quarterly earnings reports this week.
The local currency was trading at 1,258.05 won versus the U.S. dollar as of 9:15
a.m., up 1.45 won from Friday's close.
pbr@yna.co.kr
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