News

* KOSPI rises, foreigners net sellers
* Korean won weakens against U.S. dollar
* South Korea benchmark bond yield rises

SEOUL, May 3 (Reuters) – Round-up of South Korean financial
markets:

** South Korean shares gained on Monday, as investors lapped
up domestic trade data that showed exports had expanded last
month at its sharpest pace in more than a decade. The won
weakened, while the benchmark bond yield rose.

** The KOSPI was up 3.90 points, or 0.12%, at
3,151.76, as of 0213 GMT.

** South Korea’s monthly trade data, the first to be
released among major exporting economies, is a closely watched
indicator as it is considered a bellwether for global trade.
Data on Saturday showed that exports were boosted by
semiconductors, cars and petrochemical products, highlighting a
continued trade-led recovery.

** A separate data on Monday signalled that the country’s
factory activity has expanded for a seventh straight month.

** Among the heavyweights, technology giant Samsung
Electronics rose 0.61% and peer SK Hynix
climbed 2.34%. Internet giant Naver advanced 1.53%,
while Hyundai Motor jumped 3.30%.

** “Concerns about the resumption of short-selling appear to
have been groundless but volatility may continue throughout the
day … Upbeat April exports data seem to have eased valuation
worries,” Kiwoom Securities’ analyst Han Ji-young said.

** South Korea resumed stock short-selling on Monday, for
those on KOSPI 200 or KOSDAQ 150.

** Meanwhile, a series of U.S. economic data this week is
expected to show resounding strength, particularly for the ISM
manufacturing survey and April payrolls.

** Foreigners were net sellers of 205.7 billion won ($183.79
million) worth of shares on the main board.

** The won was quoted at 1,117.8 per dollar on the onshore
settlement platform , 0.49% lower than its previous
close at 1,112.3.

** In offshore trading, the won was quoted at
1,119.3, while in non-deliverable forward trading its one-month
contract was quoted at 1,119.0.

** In money and debt markets, June futures on three-year
treasury bonds fell 0.03 points to 110.77.

** The most liquid 3-year Korean treasury bond yield rose by
1.5 basis points to 1.156%.

($1=1,119.2200 won)

(Reporting by Joori Roh; Additional reporting by Jihoon Lee,
Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips)