*
KOSPI falls, foreigners net sellers
*
Korean won weakens against dollar
*
South Korea benchmark bond yield rises
SEOUL, Feb 10 (Reuters) - Round-up of South Korean
financial markets:
** South Korean shares drifted lower on Friday, with the
main index set for a second weekly loss as investors assessed
fears that tighter monetary policy by the U.S. Federal Reserve
and other central banks would lead to a recession.
** The benchmark KOSPI was down 13.75 points, or
0.55%, at 2,467.77 in a largely tepid trade, as of 0200 GMT.
** Heavyweight technology sector led losses in the index,
with Samsung Electronics down 0.32% and peer SK
Hynix losing 0.11%. Battery maker LG Energy Solution declined 1.27%.
** Of the total 933 issues traded, only 208 shares gained.
** Foreigners were net sellers of shares worth 49.5 billion
won ($39.18 million).
** Adding to the cautious mood this week, Fed officials said more interest rate rises are on the cards as the U.S. central bank moves ahead with efforts to control inflation. None hinted though that January's strong jobs report could drive more aggressive policy actions.
** "Remarks by the U.S. Fed officials implying their support for higher interest rates gave an impact. Still, there is buying interest flowing into the market consistently from mostly retail investors," said Choi Yoo-june, an analyst with Shinhan Securities.
** South Korean entertainment company HYBE jumped more than 6% after announcing early in the day a plan to acquire shares in a rival firm to strengthen its position in the K-pop industry.
** The won was quoted at 1,263.7 per dollar on the onshore
settlement platform , 0.26% lower than its previous
close at 1,260.4.
** In offshore trading, the won was quoted at 1,263.8
per dollar, up 0.1% on the day, while in non-deliverable forward
trading its one-month contract was quoted at
1,262.3.
** The KOSPI has risen 10.35% so far this year, and gained
7.1% in the previous 30 trading sessions.
** The won strengthened 0.1% against the dollar so far this
year.
** In money and debt markets, March futures on three-year
treasury bonds fell 0.10 points to 104.34.
** The most liquid three-year Korean treasury bond yield
rose 4.4 basis points to 3.444%, while the benchmark 10-year
yield rose 2.9 basis points to 3.391%.
($1 = 1,263.3800 won) (Reporting by Choonsik Yoo; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips)
