S Korean shares rebound on economic data from China, US

South Korean shares bounced back on Tuesday from the previous session's fall as upbeat economic indicators from China and the United States rejuvenated the market sentiment. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) advanced 15.95 points, or 0.83 percent, to close at 1,941.54. Trading volume stood at 527.25 million shares worth 3.78 trillion won (3.42 billion U.S. dollars). Economic data from the world's two largest economies depicted rosy picture on the global economic recovery. China's exports jumped 9.9 percent in September, up from a 2.6 percent growth in August, while imports grew 2.4 percent last month, a slight rebound from a 2.6 percent loss in the previous month. The US retail sales showed a better-than-expected 1.1 percent increase in September, following a 1.2 percent rise in August. Retail sales outside of autos, gasoline and building materials were also up by 0.9 percent last month. Institutional investors bought shares worth 11.9 billion won. Retail investors purchased a net 33.1 billion won worth of stocks, but foreign investors sold local stocks worth 40.3 billion won, keeping their selling streak for four straight sessions. Large-cap shares ended mixed. Market bellwether Samsung Electronics advanced 2.31 percent to 1,330,000 won, and top automaker Hyundai Motor gained 0.89 percent to 227,500 won. The nation's No. 1 steelmaker POSCO rose 0.14 percent to 352,500 won, and the biggest auto parts manufacturer Hyundai Mobis increased 1. 01 percent to 300,000 won. Top life insurer Samsung Life Insurance declined 1.05 percent to 93,800 won, and the world's largest shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries retreated 0.42 percent to 235,000 won. The nation's largest wireless carrier SK Telecom fell 0.33 percent to 151,500 won. The local currency finished at 1,107.2 won against the greenback, up 3.3 won from Monday's close. Bond prices ended lower. The yield on the liquid three-year treasury notes rose 0.02 percentage point to 2.78 percent, and the return on the benchmark five-year government bonds added 0.03 percentage point to 2.85 percent.