Kospi ends four-day losing streak ahead of U.S. inflation data

Stocks closed a tad higher Monday to break four straight losses as investors await key economic data announcements later in the week. The won rose against the dollar.

Screens in Hana Bank's trading room in central Seoul show the Kospi closing at 2,556.88 points on Monday, up 0.36 percent, or 9.20 points, from the previous trading session. [YONHAP]

Stocks closed a tad higher Monday to break four straight losses as investors await key economic data announcements later in the week. The won rose against the dollar.

The benchmark Kospi advanced 9.2 points, or 0.36 percent, to finish at 2,556.88. The bourse entered positive territory after trading choppy on the opening bell.

Trading volume was moderate at 406.6 million shares worth 8.21 trillion won ($6.17 billion), with gainers outpacing decliners 507 to 355.

Foreigners and institutions bought a combined net 56.2 billion won worth of local shares, while individuals dumped a net 75.6 billion won.

"Economic indices from major countries are expected to set the overall tone for the market throughout this week," Shinhan Securities analyst Noh Dong-gil said.

The U.S. consumer price index announcement is slated for Wednesday and China's industrial output data for Friday.

"U.S. inflation, expected to be affected by a recent rise in oil prices, will likely increase pressure on a rate hike."

In Seoul, major large-cap stocks traded mixed.

Samsung Electronics increased 0.7 percent to 70,800 won and SK hynix advanced 1.9 percent to 115,900 won.

Samsung Biologics grew 1.4 percent to 734,000 won and Celltrion climbed 1.2 percent to 149,300 won.

KB Financial Group rose 2 percent to 55,200 won, Shinhan Financial Group hiked 2 percent to 36,450 won and Hana Financial Group gained 1.4 percent to 40,700 won.

Among decliners, LG Energy Solution lost 0.2 percent to 508,000 won and LG Chem declined 0.5 percent to 561,000 won. Samsung SDI shed 2.7 percent to 573,000 won.

Posco Holdings sank 2.2 percent to 570,000 won and Posco Future M dropped 2.5 percent to 407,500 won.

Naver slipped 1.6 percent to 211,500 won, while Kakao remained flat at 48,250 won.

The local currency ended at 1,331.1 won against the dollar, down 2.3 won from Friday's close.

Bond prices, which move inversely to yields, closed lower. The yield on three-year government bonds rose 7.5 basis points to 3.9 percent, and the yield on the benchmark 10-year U.S. government bonds climbed 2.3 basis points to 4.3 percent.

BY SOHN DONG-JOO, YONHAP [sohn.dongjoo@joongang.co.kr]