Seoul shares open higher on tech, auto gains

SEOUL, Dec. 7 (Yonhap) -- Seoul shares opened higher Friday as investors mainly bought tech and auto stocks on bargain hunting after recent falls.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 17.07 points, or 0.83 percent, to 2,085.76 in the first 15 minutes of trading.

The main index is not likely to rebound sharply as investors remain wary, with U.S.-China trade talks scheduled in the next three months, analysts said.

Tech and auto stocks led gains, with market bellwether Samsung Electronics Co. rising 1.73 percent and top carmaker Hyundai Motor Co. gaining 0.45 percent.

Among decliners, No. 1 wireless services provider SK Telecom Co. fell 0.87 percent, and leading steelmaker POSCO shed 0.40 percent.

The local currency was trading at 1,117.50 won against the U.S. dollar, up 2.80 from the previous session's close.
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