Kospi opens lower as market heavyweights sink

A screen in Hana Bank's trading room in central Seoul shows the stock market price as it opens on Monday. [YONHAP]

Stocks started lower Monday as investors sought profits after a recent rally.

The Kospi retreated 15.89 points, or 0.6 percent, to 2,651.81 in the first 15 minutes of trading.

The main index rose for two straight sessions at the end of last week on the back of Nvidia-led gains in semiconductor shares.

Market heavyweights led the negative opening.

Samsung Electronics fell 0.27 percent. SK Innovation slid 1.62 percent.

Hyundai Motor decreased 2.66 percent, and its auto parts affiliate Hyundai Mobis sank 3.04 percent.

LG Energy Solution rose 0.75 percent. Posco Holdings added 0.8 percent.

The local currency was trading at 1,331.05 won against the dollar, down 0.05 won from the previous session's close.

BY LEE SOO-JUNG, YONHAP [lee.soojung1@joongang.co.kr]