South Korean shares rose to their highest close in nine weeks on Tuesday as chip makers such as Hynix Semiconductor climbed on hopes of an earnings turnaround, while auto makers gained after reporting higher sales last month.
Shares rose for a ninth consecutive session, marking the longest winning streak since the main KOSPI climbed for 11 consecutive sessions between May to June 1999. The day's gains were driven by foreign investors, who bought a net 486.2 billion won ($501 million) in shares, data at 0620 GMT showed, bringing their total purchases over the past three sessions to 843.3 billion won.
Expectations for a strong earnings recovery at exporters in the second half of the year and bullish global markets have improved the mood among investors, marking a turnaround for a KOSPI index that fell 1.4 percent in the first quarter.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 0.43 percent to end at 1,385.64, its highest finish since ending at 1,399.83 on January 31.
Chip makers gained after the spot prices for 2-gigabit NAND flash memory chip rebounded on Monday, according to analysts, signalling a tentative turnaround in a sector that has suffered from a drop in prices throughout the first quarter.
Samsung Electronics Co Ltd, the world's biggest maker of memory chips, rose 1.08 percent to 653,000 won, while second-ranked Hynix Semiconductor Inc gained 4.22 percent to 30,850 won.
Auto makers gained a day after reporting a combined 24 percent rise in March sales, helped by the introduction of new models.
South Korea's junior and tech heavy Kosdaq market rose 0.45 percent to finish at 680.35, marking its fifth consecutive session of gains and its highest close since ending at 682.36 on February 28.
Kookmin Bank fell 1.04 percent to 85,500 won after hitting a record 87,900 won on Monday after shares surged following its agreement to buy a smaller rival last month.
Trade volume reached 388.1 million shares worth 4.3 trillion won, data at 0620 GMT showed, compared to 347.1 million shares worth 3.9 trillion won on Monday. Gainers edged out decliners by 379 to 371 with 63 titles ending flat.
Retail investors sold a net 225.6 billion won on the main bourse, while institutional investors sold a net 269 billion won.
The June KOSPI 200 futures index rose 1.35 points to 180.15, while the underlying KOSPI 200 spot index added 0.88 point to 179.77.