South Korean financial markets in brief:
** South Korean stocks rose on Monday as battery and biopharmaceutical values jumped after the release of strong economic data.
** The won weakened on the first day of trading, while the yield on the benchmark bond rose.
** The benchmark KOSPI index closed up 6.49 points, or 0.23%, at 2,804.31.
** South Korea’s exports rose for a ninth straight month in June, albeit at a slower-than-expected pace, as robust demand for chips and cars supported a recovery in exports in Asia’s fourth-largest economy.
** South Korea’s industrial activity growth accelerated in June to the fastest in 26 months as new orders jumped on improving global demand, private sector survey shows .
** “Stocks that recently suffered significant losses have rebounded in rotating trades,” said Park Kwang-nam, an analyst at Mirae Asset Securities.
**Battery maker LG Energy Solution climbed 6.28%, and peer Samsung SDI gained 3.67%, while biopharmaceutical makers Samsung Biologics and Celltrion rose 4.40% and 5.62% , respectively.
** Among other heavyweights in the index, automakers fell, while chipmakers were little changed.
** Of the 930 stocks traded, 381 rose, while 495 fell.
** Foreigners were net sellers of stocks worth 64.7 billion won ($46.91 million) on the main market.
** The won was quoted at 1,379.3 per dollar on the onshore settlement platform, 0.19 percent lower than its previous close at 1,376.7.
** Won trading hours starting Monday will be 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. (0000 GMT to 1700 GMT), compared to 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (0000 GMT to 0630 GMT) previously.
** In money and debt markets, September three-year Treasury bond futures fell 0.10 points to 105.10.
** The yield on the most liquid three-year Korean Treasury bond rose 7.5 basis points to 3.218%, while the benchmark 10-year yield rose 4.5 basis points to 3.327%. ($1 = 1,379.1500 won) (Reporting by Jihoon Lee; Writing by Janane Venkatraman)
