South Korean stocks opened slightly lower Monday, dented by poor U.S. consumer spending data reflecting a slow economic recovery, analysts said.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) lost 1.15 points, or 0.06 percent, to 1,999.90 in the first 15 minutes of trading.

Shipping lines and financial firms drove down the shares.

Leading player Hanjin Shipping fell more than 2 percent, with No. 1 brokerage house Samsung Securities slipping 1.2 percent.

U.S. consumer spending posted the first decline in 11 months, casting a dark cloud over its economy, amid lingering worries that the Federal Reserve may rein in monetary easing.

The local currency was trading at 1,128.30 won against the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m., up 1.4 won from Friday's close. (Yonhap News)