Kospi opens lower following recent rally

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

Stocks opened lower Monday as investors hunted for profits following a recent rally.

The Kospi retreated 13.94 points, or 0.52 percent, to 2,666.41 in the first 15 minutes of trading.

The main index gained for two straight sessions through Friday on the U.S. central bank's dovish stance.

Market heavyweights led the negative opening.

Samsung Electronics fell 0.55 percent and SK hynix sank 3.08 percent.

LG Energy Solution dropped 0.12 percent. Hyundai Motor declined 1.19 percent.

The local currency was trading at 1,318.25 won against the dollar, down 1.55 won from the previous session's close.

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