(LEAD) Seoul shares spike 2.7 pct on expectations of slowdown in U.S. inflation

(ATTN: ADDS bond yields at bottom)

SEOUL, Sept. 13 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks rallied by nearly 3 percent Tuesday as investors were optimistic ahead of the release of the U.S. inflation data, with eyes on the Federal Reserve's rate-setting policy meeting set for next week. The local currency rose against the U.S. dollar.

The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) advanced 65.26 points, or 2.74 percent, to 2,449.54. Trading volume was moderate at 361.7 million shares worth 9.05 trillion won (US$6.58 billion) with gainers far outpacing decliners 771 to 127.

"We have optimistic sentiment for the U.S. August consumer price index, as the uptrend in energy prices has been limited, the expected inflation has slowed, and investors cheered over China's lower-than-expected August inflation data," Seo Jung-hun, an analyst at Samsung Securities Co., said.

"The expectation that the Fed will continue its aggressive monetary tightening has already been reflected in the market, as the probability of a 75 basis-point rate hike stands at 93 percent based on the interest rate futures," Seo said.

U.S. stocks rallied Monday (local time) amid hopes that the likely slowdown in the August inflation would prod the Fed to go easy on its future rate hikes if it were to stick to its third consecutive three-quarter hike this time in the monetary policy meeting slated for Sept. 20-21.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell has stressed the Fed remains "strongly committed" to curbing the decades-high inflation and will continue its job until it is done.

In Seoul, shares closed higher across the board with tech and battery stocks leading the overall market gain.

Tech heavyweight Samsung Electronics jumped 4.5 percent to 58,100 won, and chip giant SK hynix finished up 4.87 percent to 94,800 won.

Battery maker Samsung SDI soared 5.43 percent to 602,000 won. Platform operator Kakao also rose 2.94 percent to 70,000 won.

Auto stocks pared earlier losses to end higher for the day. Top player Hyundai Motor inched up 0.25 percent to 200,500 won, with its smaller affiliate Kia gaining 0.5 percent to 81,300 won.

Among the decliners were defense stocks, including Korea Aerospace Industries that slumped 4.32 percent to 53,100 won and Hanwha Aerospace that dipped 4.9 percent to 77,600 won.

The local currency ended at 1,373.60 won against the U.S. dollar, up 7.2 won from Thursday's close.

South Korean markets were closed Friday through Monday for the four-day Chuseok fall harvest holiday.

Bond prices, which move inversely to yields, closed a little higher. The yield on three-year Treasurys slipped 0.7 basis point to 3.536 percent and the return on the benchmark five-year government bonds fell 1.1 basis points to 3.596 percent.

elly@yna.co.kr
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