S.Korean stocks fall on surging COVID-19 cases, rate hike fears - NewsBreak

* KOSPI falls, foreigners net sellers * Korean won inches up against U.S. dollar * South Korea benchmark bond yield falls SEOUL, Nov 18 (Reuters) - Round-up of South Korean financial markets: ** South Korean shares fell on Thursday, tracking Wall Street's overnight drop on rate-hike fears and as the country reported a record daily jump in COVID-19 cases. The won edged higher, while the benchmark bond yield fell. ** The benchmark KOSPI fell 5.43 points, or 0.18%, to 2,956.99 by 0242 GMT, and is set for the third straight session of losses. It tumbled 1.16% on Wednesday. ** All three major U.S. indices ended Wednesday lower on worries that rising inflation could push the U.S. Federal Reserve to raise interest rates sooner than expected. ** South Korea reported a record 3,292 new COVID-19 cases for Wednesday, raising concerns and doubts about its move toward "living with COVID-19 here " that includes relaxation of some distancing curbs. ** Among the heavyweights, chip giants Samsung Elect