Seoul shares reversed earlier losses to end up 0.5 percent on Monday after news of Dubai's bailout by Abu Dhabi, which boosted sentiment towards construction issues including Samsung C&T. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) ended up 0.47 percent or 7.87 points at 1,664.77.
"The Dubai news has eased worries about financial risk and the implications of Dubai's debt problems, and is boosting sentiment across the region," said Han Beom-ho, a market analyst at Shinhan Investment Corporation. But gains were limited as news of the aid was largely in line with expectations, analysts said.
"Investors have by now grasped that Dubai's problems will not likely spread to other regions, and will not prompt a financial meltdown as initially feared. That is probably why the market reaction was not as big," said Kim June-kie, a market analyst at SK Securities, adding that the main index however could rise to 1,700 points.
Shares in construction issues rallied after news that Dubai had received $10 billion in aid from fellow United Arab Emirates member Abu Dhabi to help it pay a $4.1 billion Islamic bond maturing on Monday, easing fears of a potential debt default. "Construction issues had been under pressure from the Dubai debt situation and the news of Abu Dhabi's help has lifted the gloom from the sector," said Yoon Jin-il, an analyst at IBK Securities.
"Builders that are doing business in the United Arab Emirates are riding higher as concerns have eased that orders from the region may drop." Samsung C&T rose 3.34 percent and Samsung Engineering advanced 2.22 percent. Steelmakers also gained on the back of news of a steel price increase by China's Baosteel and gains in Chinese steel prices, strengthening hopes about their earnings.
"Baosteel's price rise and the latest gains in Chinese steel prices are positive," said Chung Ji-yun, an analyst at HI Investment Securities. "They point to firm earnings growth in the first half of next year." POSCO ended up 1.88 percent at 597,000 won, after touching 601,000 won, the highest level since mid-May last year.
Korea Power Engineering Co (KOPEC) jumped nearly 44 percent on their trading debut as investors bet on a bright future for South Korea's sole nuclear power plant designer. KOPEC ended the session at 31,050 won, compared with an initial public offering price of 21,600 won, the bottom of the indicative range.
Hyundai Securities has set the company's six-month target price at 33,000 won, citing rosy earnings growth prospects and the company's unique positioning in nuclear power plant market. But memory chip issues retreated after losses in the key US semiconductor index. Hynix Semiconductor was down 0.96 percent and Samsung Electronics declined 0.76 percent.