0034 GMT - South Korea's benchmark Kospi rises 0.6% to 2504.56 in early trade, as battery, shipbuilding and biotech stocks advance. Retail investors are net buyers. Electric-vehicle battery maker LG Energy Solution rises 2.8%, regaining ground after three straight sessions of losses. Biosimilar company Samsung Biologics gains 2.2% after securing a $1.41 billion contract from a pharmaceutical firm in Europe. Shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean adds 3.8%, staying on course for a seven-session winning streak. USD/KRW is 0.5% lower at 1,463.85, compared with the prior session's Seoul onshore trading close. South Korea's 10-year government bond yield is up 3.4 bps at 2.871%.(kwanwoo.jun@wsj.com)
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
January 13, 2025 19:35 ET (00:35 GMT)
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