Kospi stays mostly flat amid eased inflation woes, U.S. political uncertainty

A screen in Hana Bank's trading room in central Seoul shows the Kospi closing at 2,797.82 points on Friday, up 0.49 percent, or 13.76 points, from the previous trading session. [YONHAP]

Shares opened a tad higher Monday amid eased woes over U.S. inflation and rising political uncertainties.

The Kospi added 0.95 points, or 0.03 percent, to reach 2,798.77 in the first 15 minutes of trading.

Last week, U.S. key inflation data of the personal consumption expenditures price index rose 0.1 percent on-month for May, meeting market expectations.

However, escalating uncertainties over the upcoming U.S. presidential election weighed heavily on the market after President Joe Biden's weak showing in his first debate.

In Seoul, large-cap shares started in mixed territory.

Samsung Electronics rose 0.61 percent, but SK hynix fell 0.42 percent.

Hyundai Motor dropped 0.68 percent, but Kia gained 0.15 percent.

LG Energy Solution climbed 0.31 percent while Posco Holdings declined 0.14 percent.

The local currency was trading at 1,383.6 won against the dollar, up 6.9 won from the previous session's close.

BY KIM JU-YEON, YONHAP [kim.juyeon2@joongang.co.kr]