Seoul shares end up 1.7 percent

Seoul shares ended up 1.7 percent on Friday on solid gains in technology and auto issues including Hynix Semiconductor and Hyundai Motor, but sharp falls in oil refiners such as SK Innovation weighed. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index finished up 1.7 percent or 34.95 points at 2,090.81 points. Foreign investors were buyers of a net 53.2 billion Korean won ($49.2 million) worth of stocks, snapping two straight days of selling.
Rallies in technology issues and automakers gave market support. Shares in Samsung Electronics rose 2.5 percent and Hynix Semiconductor jumped 5.9 percent. Automakers advanced, with Hyundai Motor up 3.6 percent and Kia Motors rising 4 percent. Korean Air Line, South Korea's top air carrier, rose 4.3 percent and Asiana Airlines advanced 3.1 percent.
Banks also rose amid expectations lower oil prices would boost the domestic economy, underpinning the outlook for lenders, said Ku Yong-uk, an analyst at Daewoo Securities. Shares in KB Financial Group rose 3.2 percent and Shinhan Financial Group climbed 1.6 percent. KOSPI 200 September futures ended up 5.65 points at 275.95 points and the KOSPI 200 spot index rose 4.97 points to 274.31. The junior Kosdaq market ended up 1.95 percent at 473.66.