SEOUL BOURSE FORECAST TO FACE VOLATILE WEEK.

SEOUL, Nov 1 Asia Pulse - South Korean share prices may face volatility in the week ahead as investors have to digest a series of economic data at home and abroad and the U.S. presidential election, analysts said.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 0.8 percent to 834.84 on eased concerns about rising oil prices despite China's tightening measures on Friday.

"Next week's trading will remain volatile due to a series of events," said Lee Kyong-soo, an analyst at Samsung Securities. Lee pointed out the U.S. presidential election, oil prices, China's tightening measures and the weakening U.S. dollar may combine to affect the local bourse.

Should U.S. President George W. Bush be reelected, market-friendly measures are expected to continue, but geo-political risks involving North Korea's nuclear weapons program may continue. On the other hand, a win by Democratic challenger John Kerry may lead to heightened protectionist trade policies, according to Lee.

"Regardless of the results, however, it would be positive for investors to see eased uncertainties," he said.

Some analysts echoed that sentiment, saying the market may attempt to find its direction after the election on Tuesday.

Goodmorning Shinhan Securities analyst Kim hak-kyun offered a somewhat different view, forecasting the impact on the local equity market may be limited because the election is basically an evaluation of the Bush administration's foreign ...