0118 GMT [Dow Jones] Korea trade balance in deficit for 4th straight month in March on high oil, raw material prices, but gap much narrower than expected, signaling economy not much affected yet by U.S. slowdown; deficit $668 million with exports +19.1% on-year at $36.20 billion, imports +25.9% at $36.87 billion, vs $1.6 billion gap expected, $1.25 billion in February. Daewoo Securities' Go You-Sunsays strong export figure indicates "the U.S.-led economic setback is not having a direct impact on Korea"; adds BOK won't likely find good excuse to cut rates in near term, but will eventually ease in 2Q. (KKA JJA)
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(END) Dow Jones Newswires
March 31, 2008 21:18 ET (01:18 GMT) | 
