SOUTH KOREA EXPORTS RISE 9.5%; TRADE SURPLUS AT $2.71B IN FEBRUARY

South Korea's exports rose 9.5 percent in February from a year earlier to extend their gains for the fourth consecutive month on robust shipments of chips, autos and other key products, data showed, Kang Yoon-seung reported for Yonhap News Agency.

Exports reached $44.8 billion last month, compared with $40.9 billion a year earlier, according to the data compiled by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. Imports rose 13.9 percent to $42.1 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $2.71 billion. It marked the 10th consecutive month for the country to post a trade surplus.

The latest figure slightly exceeded market expectations. According to a poll by Yonhap Infomax, the financial arm of Yonhap News Agency, the country's February exports were expected to have risen 8.9 percent on-year.

In January, exports expanded 11.4 percent, also on the back of chips and automobiles. Experts say the global COVID-19 vaccination programs are expected to speed up the recovery of exports this year. South Korea also started its inoculation campaign Friday.

WEEKLY FEATURE : BONNER DYTOC SHOWS THE WAY IN STOCK PLAY