S. Korean shares open lower on blue-chip loss

SEOUL, March 9 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks started lower on Wednesday as drop in oil prices and weak Chinese economic data dented investor sentiment.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) shed 5.51 points, or 0.28 percent, to 1,940.61 in the first 15 minutes of trading.

Market heavyweights across the board retreated as oil prices Tuesday pulled back from recent rally on profit-taking and Chinese export data showed another hefty slump.

Market kingpin Samsung Electronics fell 1.09 percent, and leading automaker Hyundai Motor declined 0.34 percent.

S-Oil, the nation's third-largest refiner, edged down 0.35 percent.

The local currency was trading at 1,213.0 won against the U.S. dollar, down 6.3 won from the previous session's close.

ejkim@yna.co.kr
(END)