South Korean stocks finished lower Wednesday with investors waiting for the release of the minutes of the US Federal Open Market Committee's January meeting. The local currency rose against the US dollar. After starting marginally higher, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index lost 4.48 points, or 0.17 percent, to close at 2,653.31. Trade volume was moderate at 551.7 million shares worth 8.9 trillion wo.
EcoPro Materials stock price soared during Tuesday s trading session, following its new addition to the MSCI Korea Index, which was announced earlier in the day.
Korean stocks are expected to remain range-bound after the long Lunar New Year weekend that runs from Feb. 9 to 12, as investors will be cautious about buying more shares until the government’s plans to boost undervalued stocks materialize, according to analysts.
South Korean stocks closed lower Wednesday ahead of the release of earnings reports by major firms. The Korean won fell against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 8.92 points, or 0.36 percent, to 2,469.69. Trading volume was low at 381.6 million shares worth 7.17 trillion won ($5.36 billion), with losers far outpacing gainers 608 to 271. Foreigners sold shares worth 24.1 billion won, .
South Korean stocks closed higher Tuesday as investors scooped up undervalued shares after US stock indexes closed at an all-time high overnight. The Korean won rose against the US dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 14.26 points, or 0.58 percent, to 2,464.35. Trading volume was moderate at 461 million shares worth 7.87 trillion won ($5.89 billion), with gainers outpacing losers 482 to 379. .