BLBG:South Korea Stocks: Hana Financial, Korea Zinc, Poongsan, Victek
Shares of the following companies had unusual moves in South Korea trading. Stock symbols are in parentheses and prices are as of 9:45 a.m. in Seoul. The Kospi Index (KOSPI) rose 1.4 percent to 1,834.13, taking its six-day advance to 10 percent.
Defense-related shares: Speco Co. (013810 KS), a defense equipment manufacturer, jumped by the daily limit of 15 percent to 1,865 won. Victek Co. (065450 KS), which makes electronic warfare equipment, rallied 14 percent, while Huneed Technologies (005870) (005870 KS), a military communication equipment manufacturer, gained 8 percent. The companies advanced after Yonhap News reported the nation’s military has stepped up its combat readiness after detecting unusual movement by North Korea’s armed forces.
Metals-related companies: Korea Zinc Co. (010130 KS), which produces gold and silver, climbed 7.2 percent to 320,500 won. Poongsan Corp. (103140 KS), a copper-products maker, advanced 5.3 percent to 32,650 won. Copper futures yesterday rose to a two-week high amid investor optimism that Europe will contain its sovereign debt crisis. Gold futures advanced to a two-week high.
Hana Financial Group Inc. (086790) (086790 KS) added 5 percent to 38,050 won. The stock gained on speculation that its purchase of Korea Exchange Bank from Lone Star Funds may accelerate, according to Hong Hun Pio, an analyst at KTB Investment & Securities Co.
“Investors seem to be betting that Lone Star won’t file an appeal by today’s deadline against its Oct. 6 stock-price conviction from the Seoul High Court, which will close the legal dispute,” Hong said. Jed Repko, a spokesman for Lone Star, declined to comment on whether the fund will file an appeal in an e-mailed reply to Bloomberg questions.
To contact the reporter on this story: Saeromi Shin in Seoul at sshin15@bloomberg.net
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Shiyin Chen at schen37@bloomberg.net