Seoul shares rose on Monday led by automakers such as Hyundai Motor amid a positive earnings outlook for 2010, with retail issues led by Lotte Shopping also outperforming on strong July sales. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) finished up 1.30 percent at 1,782.27 points, the highest close since early June, 2008.
South Korean exports in July grew faster than expected, easing concerns that appetite for the country's manufactured goods may be cooling. Foreign investors were buyers of a net 61 billion won ($51.61 million) worth of shares, scooping up stocks for a ninth straight session. Shares in Hyundai Motor rose 2 percent to 152,000 won, after rising to an all-time high of 153,000 won.
Advancers outnumbered decliners 432 to 338 and 101 issues ended flat. Trading volume was 328.3 million shares worth 5.7 trillion won, compared with 366.3 million shares worth 5.2 trillion won in the previous session. The KOSPI 200 September futures index ended up 3.05 points at 233.25, and the KOSPI 200 spot index rose 2.97 points to 232.22. The junior Kosdaq market ended 0.11 percent higher at 481.98.