*
KOSPI flat, foreigners net buyers
*
Korean won strengthens against dollar
*
South Korea benchmark bond yield rises
SEOUL, March 2 (Reuters) - Round-up of South Korean financial markets:
** South Korean shares gave up early gains to trade almost
flat on Thursday, as optimism around upbeat China manufacturing
data was offset by U.S. inflation concerns. The Korean won
strengthened, while the benchmark bond yield rose.
** The benchmark KOSPI was up 3.80 points, or 0.16%,
at 2,416.65, as of 0148 GMT, after rising 1.15% in early trade.
** China's manufacturing activity expanded at the fastest
pace in more than a decade in February, triggering a rally in
Asian stock markets on Wednesday, when South Korea was closed
for a holiday.
** Data released overnight signalled inflation in the United States could stay elevated for a while, dragging down its stock market.
** South Korea's exports fell in February for a fifth
straight month in annual terms, trade ministry data showed on
Wednesday, although at a slower pace than in January due mainly
to calendar effects related to national holidays.
** The local market started the session higher, pricing in
upbeat China data, but reversed its course on concerns over
rising interest rates, said Seo Sang-young, an analyst at Mirae
Asset Securities.
** Technology giant Samsung Electronics rose
0.17%, but peer SK Hynix lost 1.57%. Battery maker
LG Energy Solution gained 0.19%.
** Of the total 933 issues traded, 391 shares advanced.
** Foreigners were net buyers of shares worth 181.2 billion
won ($138.01 million).
** The won was quoted at 1,308.8 per dollar on the onshore settlement platform , 1.05% higher than its previous close at 1,322.6.
** In money and debt markets, March futures on three-year
treasury bonds fell 0.19 point to 102.90.
** The most liquid three-year Korean treasury bond yield
rose by 8.6 basis points to 3.881%, while the benchmark 10-year
yield rose by 7.0 basis points to 3.821%.
($1 = 1,312.9200 won)
(Reporting by Jihoon Lee; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu)
