Seoul shares gain

South Korean shares rose nearly 1 percent on Thursday as a Wall Street rally following strong US corporate profits eased worries over growth in the world's largest economy, lifting exporters such as LG.Philips LCD.
Technology shares - which account for around one-fifth of the main KOSPI's market capitalisation - led gainers, after being pulled down in the past month by concerns that higher global interest rates would slow economic growth.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 0.95 percent to end at 1,238.83.
"US earnings have come out well so far," said Jason Hwang, a strategist at Woori Investment and Securities. "That has raised optimism that going forward, higher US interest rates will not hurt US corporate profits as much."
In Seoul, export-dependent technology stocks rose, with LG.Philips LCD Co Ltd gaining 4.74 percent to 29,850 won.
Samsung Electronics Co Ltd rose 1.62 percent to 565,000 won. Other exporters also rose, with Hyundai Motor Co, the country's biggest auto maker, gaining 1.6 percent to 76,000 won.
Investors also picked up recently-hit shares, such as financials. The KOSPI had dropped 16 percent since hitting an all-time peak on May 11 as of Wednesday's close.
Kookmin Bank, the country's biggest lender, jumped 2.78 percent to 74,000 won.
SK Telecom fell 1 percent to 199,000 won, while LG Telecom dropped 14.29 percent to 10,500 won.
Foreign investors sold a net 17 billion won ($17.81 million) worth of shares, data at 0625 GMT showed. Heavy outflows of foreign money from emerging markets have contributed to the sharp declines in the KOSPI in the past month.
Trade volume reached 223.5 million shares worth 3.1 trillion won compared to 188.2 million shares worth 2.3 trillion won on Wednesday. Advances trumped decliners by 487 to 249 with 76 titles ending flat.
Retail investors sold a net 34.2 billion won, while institutional investors bought a net 44.9 billion won. The September KOSPI 200 futures index rose 2.10 points to 160.70, while the underlying KOSPI 200 spot index gained 1.57 points to 160.20.
South Korea's junior and tech heavy Kosdaq market fell 0.37 percent to finish at 564.23.