Seoul shares opened sharply higher on hopes for a second round of U.S.-Iran peace talks, tracking overnight Wall Street gains. The KOSPI added 175.80 points, or 2.95%, to 6,143.55 in the first 15 minutes of trading. It had risen 2.74% to close at 5,967.75 on Tuesday.
SEOUL, April 15 (Yonhap) -- Seoul shares opened sharply higher Wednesday, buoyed by hopes for a second round of peace talks between the United States and Iran, following overnight gains on Wall Street.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 2.91% at the open to 6,141.60 before climbing 175.80 points, or 2.95%, to 6,143.55 in the first 15 minutes of trading, according to Yonhap News Agency.
On Tuesday, the KOSPI gained 2.74% to close at 5,967.75, briefly testing the 6,000-point level for the first time since March 3, when it reached 6,180.45 following U.S. and Israeli air strikes on Iran on February 28.
The U.S. and Iran are reportedly planning a second round of talks days after the first ended without agreement. Overnight, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.66%, and the Nasdaq composite gained 1.96%.
Most large-cap stocks advanced, with Samsung Electronics up 3.75%, SK hynix jumping 5.53%, Hyundai Motor climbing 4.78%, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries gaining 0.94%, HMM rising 0.71%, and POSCO Holdings up 2.77%. Decliners included Korea Aerospace Industries, down 1.55%, and LIG Defense and Aerospace, off 3.85%.
The local currency traded at 1,473.85 won per U.S. dollar at 9:15 a.m., strengthening 7.35 won from the previous session.
