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KOSPI drops, foreigners net sellers
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Korean won weakens against dollar
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South Korea benchmark bond yield falls
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For the midday report, please click SEOUL, April 6 (Reuters) - Round-up of South Korean financial markets:
** South Korean shares ended more than 1% lower on Thursday,
after weak economic indicators intensified recession worries.
The Korean won weakened, while the benchmark bond yield fell.
** The benchmark KOSPI closed down 35.98 points, or
1.44%, at 2,459.23, retreating from its 7-1/2-month peak hit a
day before.
** The U.S. services sector slowed more than expected in
March, a survey showed overnight. Other data also showed private
payrolls growth slowed considerably last month.
** The euro zone's recovery picked up pace last month, but
the upturn was uneven across industries and countries, according
to a survey that showed price pressures remained elevated in the
region.
** "The market started to worry about recession, rather than
monetary policy tightening, after recent bank-related risks,"
said analyst Seo Sang-young at Mirae Asset Securities.
** Technology giant Samsung Electronics fell
2.50%, peer SK Hynix lost 0.95%, and battery maker
LG Energy Solution dropped 1.36%.
** Online platform operators Naver and Kakao slumped more than 3% each, while automakers Hyundai
Motor and Kia Corp ended down 0.86% and
0.37%, respectively.
** Among index heavyweights, only biopharmaceutical stocks
gained, with Samsung Biologics and Celltrion up 2.16% and 0.57%, respectively.
** Of the total 931 issues traded, 192 shares rose.
** Foreigners were net sellers of shares worth 480.1 billion
won ($364.13 million).
** The won ended onshore trade at 1,319.1 per dollar, 0.65% lower than its previous close at 1,310.5.
** In money and debt markets, June futures on three-year
treasury bonds rose 0.13 point to 105.14.
** The most liquid three-year Korean treasury bond yield
fell by 5.3 basis points to 3.219%, while the benchmark 10-year
yield fell by 4.9 basis points to 3.278%.
($1 = 1,318.4900 won)
(Reporting by Jihoon Lee; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu)
