Kospi Recorded 23-month High at 860

Kospi on the 15th closed at 860.36 increased by 3.50 point (0.41 percent) from yesterday. It is the second highest index to 870.17 point on April 10th, 2000. The bourse started at 847.57 decreased by 9.29 points due to bearish New York stock market, but investment trust companies and individuals` massive buying raise the index to 868.02.

Deposit money (13th) reached highest 12 trillion and 734.9 billion won increased by 340.7 billion won from yesterday, and with funds converging on beneficiary certificates investing in stocks, investment trust companies bought for 185.8 billion won yielding upturn. Foreign investors unloaded shares like Samsung Electronics amounting at 208.4 billion won giving no impact on rising mood.

Kosdaq index rose by 1.86 points (2.13 percent) closing at 89.35, which is the highest since October 10th, 2000(93.04). The shares exchanged at main bourse and Kosdaq numbered 1,213.73 million, and money this year`s most 8 trillion and 29.7 billion won.

Chan-Sun Hong hcs@donga.com