South Korean shares fall on profit taking; BOK in focus

HYUNDAI MOTOR

Today 02:50

KOSPI falls, foreigners net buyers
Korean won weakens against dollar
South Korea benchmark bond yield falls
SEOUL, Oct 22 (Reuters) - Round-up of South Korean financial markets:

** South Korean shares fell more than 1% on Thursday on profit-taking pressure in the chip sector, while investors' focus was on the Bank of Korea's policy meeting for clues on the growth and policy outlook. 
** The benchmark KOSPI .KS11 was down 66.34 points, or 1.16%, at 5,669.32 as of 0126 GMT. 
** On Wednesday, the index rose 3.3%, marking the biggest daily gain in six weeks on a rebound in chipmakers.
** "The market is seen in volatile trading on profit-taking pressure after the previous session's sharp gains," said Han Ji-young, an analyst at Kiwoom Securities. 
** The Bank of Korea left its benchmark interest rate unchanged, pausing after back-to-back quarter-point hikes in July and August, although strong chip-driven growth and above-target inflation keep the option of further tightening open. 
** Investors await Bank of Korea Governor Shin Hyun Song's press conference due to be held at 0210 GMT for clues on further increases in interest rates and the outlook for chip-led economic growth.
** Chipmaker Samsung Electronics 005930.KS fell 1.34%, while peer SK Hynix 000660.KS lost 1.93%.
** Among other index heavyweights, battery maker LG Energy Solution 373220.KS slid 3.77%, while Hyundai Motor 005380.KS and sister automaker Kia Corp 000270.KS were down 2.58% and 1.18%, respectively.
** Of the total 910 traded issues, 322 shares advanced, while 528 declined.
** Foreigners were net buyers of shares worth 107.4 billion won ($80.97 million).
** The won was quoted at 1,326.2 per dollar on the onshore settlement platform KRW=KFTC, 0.02% lower than its previous close at 1,326.0.
** In money and debt markets, December futures on three-year treasury bonds KTBc1 gained 0.05 point to 103.19.
** The most liquid three-year Korean treasury bond yield KR3YT=RR fell by 3.3 basis points to 3.799%, while the benchmark 10-year yield KR10YT=RR fell by 3.1 basis points to 4.136%.

($1 = 1,326.4000 won)

 (Reporting by Jihoon Lee; Editing by Ronojoy Mazumdar)
 ((jihoon.lee@thomsonreuters.com;))