(LEAD) Seoul shares open sharply lower on U.S. losses, inflation concerns

What happened: Seoul shares opened sharply lower as losses in U.S. technology stocks weighed on sentiment ahead of major earnings reports and U.S. inflation data. Key numbers: KOSPI fell 257.59 points, or 4.03 percent, to 6,126.65 as of 9:15 a.m. after opening 3.1 percent lower. Dow rose 0.38 percent, Nasdaq fell 0.44 percent. Why it matters: Investors are awaiting the U.S. consumer price index report due Wednesday, which could offer clues about the Federal Reserve's policy outlook ahead of its October rate-setting meeting. Tech stocks led the Seoul decline.

Seoul shares opened sharply lower as losses in U.S. technology stocks weighed on sentiment ahead of major earnings reports and U.S. inflation data.

Investors are awaiting the U.S. consumer price index report due Wednesday, which could offer clues about the Federal Reserve's policy outlook ahead of its October rate-setting meeting. Tech stocks led the Seoul decline.