*
KOSPI rises, foreigners net buyers
*
Korean won weakens against dollar
*
South Korea benchmark bond yield rises
*
For the midday report, please click SEOUL, May 2 (Reuters) - Round-up of South Korean financial markets:
** South Korean shares rose for a third consecutive session
on Tuesday, led by stocks with robust earnings outlook and the
sale of First Republic Bank's assets to JPMorgan Chase &
Co .
** It was the first trading day for South Korean stocks
after a markets holiday on Monday.
** There was some caution among investors ahead of the U.S.
Federal Reserve's policy meeting later this week, but traders
said there was little sign of serious concerns.
** The won weakened, while bond yields rose as local markets
generally shrugged off data showing the country's inflation in
April eased to a 14-month low on an annual basis, as it was in
line with expectations.
** The benchmark KOSPI closed up 22.86 points, or
0.91%, at 2,524.39.
** Technology giant Samsung Electronics Co Ltd rose 0.31% and peer SK Hynix Inc gained 0.78%, while
battery maker LG Energy Solution Ltd advanced 1.72%.
** Of the total 930 issues traded, 642 shares gained.
** Foreigners were net buyers of shares worth 341.8 billion
won ($254.8 million).
** The won ended onshore trade at 1,342.1 per dollar, 0.33% lower than its previous close at 1,337.7.
** In offshore trading, the won was quoted at 1,341.4
per dollar, up 0.1% on the day, while in non-deliverable forward
trading, its one-month contract was quoted at
1,338.7.
** The KOSPI has risen 12.88% so far this year, and gained
4.4% in the previous 30 trading sessions.
** The won has lost 5.8% against the dollar so far this
year.
** In money and debt markets, June futures on three-year
treasury bonds fell 0.12 points to 104.76.
** The most liquid three-year Korean treasury bond yield
rose by 5.0 basis point (bps) to 3.339%, while the benchmark
10-year yield rose by 2.3 bps to 3.378%.
($1 = 1,341.4700 won)
(Reporting by Choonsik Yoo; Editing by Sonia Cheema)
