0110 GMT - South Korea's benchmark Kospi edges 0.1% higher to 2493.89 in early trade, led by biotech and shipbilding stocks. Retail investors are net buyers, with the retreat seen on Wall Street overnight limiting the gains of local stocks. Index heavyweight Samsung Electronics is up 0.9%, despite its below-consensus 4Q preliminary earnings forecast. Ship-engine maker Hanwha Engine climbs 12% after winning a new contract, biosimilar company Samsung Biologics adds 1.8% and vaccine developer SK Bioscience rises 2.2%. USD/KRW is 1.1% higher at 1,454.40, compared with the prior session's Seoul onshore trading close. South Korea's 10-year government bond yield is down 2.3 bps at 2.794%.(kwanwoo.jun@wsj.com)
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
January 07, 2025 20:10 ET (01:10 GMT)
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