Stocks open higher before Friday's U.S. payrolls data

The Kospi added 10.86 points, or 0.45 percent, to 2,414.46 in the first 15 minutes of trading. Overnight, all three U.S. indexes slipped as investors were on edge before the monthly non-farm payrolls data to be released on Friday.

Screens in Hana Bank's trading room in central Seoul show stock and foreign exchange markets open on Friday. [NEWS1]

Stocks opened higher Friday as investors await the U.S. payrolls data, which will give clues for the U.S. Federal Reserve's future rate policy.

The Kospi added 10.86 points, or 0.45 percent, to 2,414.46 in the first 15 minutes of trading.

Overnight, all three U.S. indexes slipped as investors were on edge before the monthly non-farm payrolls data to be released on Friday.

On the Seoul bourse, top-cap shares traded mixed.

Samsung Electronics gained 0.15 percent, while SK hynix dropped 0.17 percent.

Battery shares traded in positive terrain, with LG Energy Solution advancing 0.96 percent and Samsung SDI inching up 0.1 percent.

Posco shares also gained ground.

Posco Holdings jumped 1.76 percent, and its Posco Future M added 1.05 percent.

IT and financial shares were also strong.

Naver was up 1 percent, and Kakao was up 1.47 percent.

KB Financial Group, Shinhan Financial Group and Hana Financial Group jumped 1.68 percent, 2.04 percent and 2.69 percent, respectively.

But auto shares were weak, with Hyundai Motor down 0.31 percent and Kia down 1.08 percent.

The local currency was trading at 1,345.60 won against the dollar at 9:15 a.m., down 4.9 won from Thursday's close.

BY KIM JI-YE, YONHAP [kim.jiye@joongang.co.kr]