* KOSPI climbs to near one-year intraday high
* Carmakers lead gains on strong U.S. sales in July
* Samsung SDI up on BMW battery news
(Updates to mid-morning)
By Jungyoun Park
SEOUL, Aug 4 (Reuters) - Seoul shares rose on Tuesday to a
near one-year intraday high, helped by positive U.S. factory data
and gains in carmakers including Hyundai Motor (005380.KS) on the
back of their solid U.S. sales.
The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) was up
0.84 percent at 1,578.20 points as of 0138 GMT, after climbing as
high as 1,586.12 points earlier in the session, the highest level
seen since August 12, 2008.
"Shares are trading positive as the latest batch of economic
data are fueling hopes of a recovery," said Kim Young-june, a
market analyst at SK Securities.
U.S. data on the manufacturing sector, which underscored
optimism that the economy was recovering, further booosted
sentiment.
Hyundai Motor (005380.KS) and Kia Motors (000270.KS) led
gains after their U.S. sales in July came out solid, fueling
hopes for their performance in the U.S. markets.
Hyundai Motor posted a nearly 12 percent rise in U.S. sales
for July, extending a run of gains. Combined with affiliate Kia
Motors, the carmaker has a larger share of the U.S. vehicle
market than Nissan (7201.T) at just over 7 percent.
[ID:nN03530480]
Kia Motor posted a 4.7 percent year-on-year rise in U.S.
vehicle sales in July. [ID:nN03504957]
"Their market share gains -- despite the difficulties felt by
other carmakers in the U.S. market -- come as a positive signal
about future performance in the United States," said Kevin Lee,
an analyst at Goodmorning Shinhan Securities.
Hyundai Motor was up 4.1 percent and Kia Motors advanced 2.19
percent.
Samsung SDI (006400.KS) rose 1.82 percent after news that a
joint venture between Bosch [ROBG.UL] and Samsung SDI would
supply lithium-ion cells for BMW's (BMWG.DE) Megacity project, an
electric vehicle due in the first half of the next decade.
[ID:nL3141522]
"The news is positive as [the supply deal] proves ... Samsung
SDI's technological advancement," Woori Investment & Securities
said in a report on Tuesday.
A 3 percent overnight gain in crude prices CLc1 helped lift
crude refining issues on hopes demand for crude products are
picking up.
SK Energy (096770.KS), South Korea's top crude refiner,
advanced 2.34 percent. GS Holdings (078930.KS), the holding
company of South Korea's No.2 refiner GS Caltex climbed 2.54
percent.
(Editing by Chris Lewis)
