(LEAD) Seoul shares end higher as tech gains

(ATTN: ADDS bond yields at bottom, image)

SEOUL, May 21 (Yonhap) -- Seoul shares ended higher Monday as gains in technology stocks helped offset declines in other major stocks. The won fell against the dollar.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 4.92 points, or 0.20 percent, to 2,465.57. Trade volume was moderate at 570.42 million shares worth 5.97 trillion won (US$5.5 billion), with decliners outnumbering advancers 415 to 412.

Technology shares led gains, with market bellwether Samsung Electronics Co. rising 1.01 percent to 50,000 won and No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix Inc. climbing 1.37 percent at 89,100 won.

Among other gainers, leading steelmaker POSCO rose 0.14 percent to 361,000 won and top refiner SK Innovation Co. was up 0.49 percent to 207,000 won.

But top carmaker Hyundai Motor Co. fell 0.67 percent to 149,000 won, No. 1 chemical firm LG Chem Ltd. declined 1.60 percent to 338,500 won and utility firm Korea Electric Power Corp. was down 1.38 percent to 35,700 won.

The local currency closed at 1,085.40 won against the U.S. dollar, down 7.80 won from the previous session.

Bond prices, which move inversely to yields, ended lower. The yield on three-year Treasurys rose 2.0 basis points to 2.251 percent, and the return on benchmark five-year government bonds also advanced 1.8 basis points to 2.532 percent.

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