Seoul shares start higher ahead of U.S. election

South Korean stocks opened higher on Tuesday as policy uncertainties abated ahead of the imminent U.S. presidential vote, analysts said.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) gained 3.78 points, or 0.2 percent, to trade at 1912.00 in the first 15 minutes of trading.

Carmakers led the gain, with No.1 player Hyundai Motor moving up 1.75 percent, while its smaller affiliate Kia Motors gained 1.24 percent. Top auto parts maker Hyundai Mobis climbed 1.16 percent.

U.S. stocks ended higher on Monday as investor sentiment was boosted by the presidential election, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbing 0.15 percent and the NASDAQ composite index adding 0.59 percent.

The local currency was trading at 1091.85 won against the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m., down 0.65 won from Monday's close. (Yonhap News)