South Korean shares hit an all-time high on Wednesday, led by exporters such as Samsung Electronics after positive US economic data and an easing won currency lifted hopes for growing sales to the key US market.
LG Electronics Inc, the world's fourth-largest mobile phone maker, also touched a record high on expectations its earnings will improve on the back of rising sales of handsets, plasma panels, and home appliances.
But SK Telecom Co fell more than 3 percent at one point after POSCO Co Ltd said it sold a 1.34 percent stake in South Korea's top mobile phone operator before the market opened on Wednesday.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 0.98 percent to end at 1,354.16, after earlier brushing a record high 1,356.39.
"Optimism about an economic recovery and improving corporate earnings seem to be offsetting worries that local shares have gained too much this year," said Yoo Seung-min, an analyst at Samsung Securities.
"Foreigners have been dumping local shares recently in favour of other emerging Asian markets such as Taiwan, but solid inflows of individuals' funds into stock savings accounts will continue to support the market."
The main KOSPI index has risen 51 percent this year, making it the best performing major market in Asia.
Samsung Electronics, the world's largest memory chip maker, rose 2.61 percent to 628,000 won, while rival Hynix Semiconductor Inc gained 2.31 percent to 31,000 won.
LG Electronics Inc rose 0.7 percent to 86,600 won, after earlier hitting a record high 88,500 won.
Top local lender Kookmin Bank surged 4.57 percent to 75,500 won, just off a record high 75,700 won hit earlier in the session, as investors bet its domestic demand-focused operations would give it an edge over local rivals next year.
However, some investors opted to lock in gains in Samsung Fire and Marine Insurance Co Ltd and other recent outperformers during the record-setting rally.
The country's biggest non-life insurer fell 2.27 percent to 129,000 won. By Tuesday's close, the stock had surged 22 percent this month compared with a 3.4 percent gain in the main index.
SK Telecom Co fell as much as 3.2 percent before ending 1.88 percent lower at 182,500 won, after POSCO, the world's fifth-largest steel maker, said it had sold 1.1 million shares in SK for about $194 million to reduce non-core assets.
Expectations the government's move to relax rules to allow some subsidies on handset purchases next year could trigger yet another costly marketing battle also weighed, analysts said.
Trade volume reached some 496 million shares worth 4.7 trillion won compared to 523 million shares worth 4.2 trillion won on Tuesday. Gainers edged out decliners 391 to 362 with 80 titles ending flat. Foreign investors sold a net 30.74 billion won worth of local shares, bringing their total over the past four sessions to 599.7 billion won.
The March KOSPI 200 futures index rose 2.00 points to 171.70, while the underlying KOSPI 200 spot index gained 1.90 points to 173.95. South Korea's junior and tech heavy Kosdaq market closed 0.53 percent higher at 722.58.
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