The South Korea stock market has ticked higher in back-to-back sessions, collecting nearly a dozen points or 0.5 percent along the way. The KOSPI now rests just beneath the 2,400-point plateau it may open higher again on Tuesday.
The global forecast for the Asian markets is cautiously optimistic, with upward momentum from last week's U.S. jobs report likely capped by a decline in crude oil prices. The European markets were mixed and flat, while the U.S. bourses were slightly higher - and the Asian markets figure to split the difference.
The KOSPI finished slightly higher on Monday as gains from the financials and steel producers were offset by weakness from the automobile producers and technology stocks.
For the day, the index picked up 3.30 points or 0.14 percent to finish at 2,398.75 after trading between 2,395.74 and 2,412.13. Volume was 240 million shares worth 4.3 trillion won. There were 458 gainers and 338 decliners.
Among the actives, Shinhan Financial climbed 1.47 percent, while Woori Bank was unchanged, POSCO spiked 2.40 percent, Hyundai Steel jumped 1.28 percent, S-Oil lost 1.69 percent, Samsung Electronics shed 0.25 percent, LG Electronics fell 0.28 percent, LG Display skidded 1.97 percent, SK hynix added 0.16 percent, Hyundai Motor dropped 1.33 percent and Kia Motors tumbled 1.46 percent.
The lead from Wall Street is cautiously optimistic as stocks moved slightly higher on Monday, allowing the Dow to hit a fresh record high close for the ninth straight session.
The NASDAQ climbed 32.21 points or 0.5 percent to 6,383.77, while the Dow added 25.61 points or 0.1 percent to 22,118.42 and the S&P 500 rose 4.08 points or 0.2 percent to 2,480.91.
The modest strength reflected ongoing positive sentiment following last Friday's upbeat monthly jobs report - although the stronger than expected job growth also raised concerns about the outlook for interest rates.
Oil service stocks were substantially lower on Monday, dragging the Philadelphia Oil Service Index down 2.6 percent as crude for September delivery fell $0.19 to $49.39 a barrel.
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