South Korean stocks extended their winning streak to five consecutive sessions on Tuesday as investor sentiment remained upbeat from an extended Greek bailout program and eased U.S. rate hike concerns, analysts said. The local currency lost ground against the U.S. greenback.
  

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 7.73 points, or 0.39 percent, to 1,976.12. Trading volume was moderate at 302.7 million shares worth 4.1 trillion won ($3.7 billion), with gainers far outnumbering decliners 490 to 290.
  

"External factors have improved since the Lunar New Year holiday last week," said analyst Lee Jae-hun from Mirae Asset Securities Co. "The European Union and Greece agreed to extend the country's financial rescue program for four months. It doesn't mean that they've found the best solution, but they could avoid the worst-case scenario."
  

The Federal Open Market Committee's January minutes indicated that the U.S. central bank has become more dovish about raising the key rate later in the year.
  

"Investors turned to betting on riskier assets as the Fed will keep the rate at zero for a while longer," Lee said. "Emerging markets as well as South Korea will enjoy the foreign inflows."
  

Foreigners scooped up a net 100.2 billion won worth of local shares, while retail investors offloaded a net 121 billion won.
  

The tech-heavy KOSDAQ finished at 621.31 points, up 5.79 points, or 0.94 percent, from the previous session, piercing the 620-point ceiling for the first time in nearly seven years.
  

Samsung Group shares led the rally, with Samsung SDS, the group's tech solution unit, rising 4.28 percent to 268,000 won, and battery manufacturer Samsung SDI leaping 3.49 percent to 133,500 won.
  

Leading cosmetics firm Amore Pacific jumped 3.44 percent to 2,973,000 won and runner-up LG Household & Health Care advanced 2.65 percent to 700,000 won.
  

Retailers finished strong, with Lotte Shopping adding 2.07 percent to 247,000 won and Shinsegae going up 1.21 percent to 167,500 won.
  

The local currency ended at 1,109.9 won against the U.S. dollar, down 1.2 won from Monday's close. (Yonhap)