Seoul shares rose 0.4 percent to their highest close in five years on Tuesday, after the central bank left interest rates unchanged at a record low and pointed to signs of a mild recovery in domestic consumption. Blue chips led the market higher, with Hyundai Motor Co, South Korea's top carmaker, ending up 1.06 percent at 57,100 won. "Recent economic data is showing that consumer demand is showing some signs of a recovery, and that constrained the BOK's ability to cut rates," said Kim Sung-ki, a fund manager at Chohung Investment Trust Management.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 0.42 percent to 968.88, its highest close since ending at 976.05 on February 9, 2000.
South Korea's central bank kept interest rates unchanged at a record low of 3.25 percent for the third consecutive month amid tentative signs of a pickup in domestic demand.
Shares in KT Corp, the nation's top fixed-line provider, rose 0.97 percent to end at 41,550 won.
Samsung Electronics Co Ltd, the world's top maker of memory chips, closed 0.39 percent higher at 519,000 won amid hopes earnings in the chip sector would bottom out in the first quarter.
Trade volume reached 548 million shares worth 3.4 trillion won ($3.31 billion) compared to 536 million shares worth 3.5 trillion won on Monday. Gainers edged out losers by 458 to 289 with 66 titles ending flat.
Foreign investors bought a net of 99.7 billion won in shares on the main bourse, while retail investors bought a net of 11.6 billion won. Institutional investors sold a net of 153.4 billion won.
The March KOSPI 200 futures index rose 0.65 point to 125.25 and the underlying KOSPI 200 spot index gained 0.54 point to 125.48.
The over-the-counter Kosdaq rose 0.96 percent to finish at 508.09, its highest since ending at 522.2 on July 16, 2003.
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