S. Korean shares end up on institutional buying

SEOUL, June 23 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks ended higher Friday as institutions remained net buyers. The Korean won rose against the U.S. dollar.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 8.23 points, or 0.35 percent, to 2,378.60. Trade volume was moderate at 247.36 million shares worth 5.32 trillion won (US$4.7 billion), with gainers outnumbering losers 539 to 259.

Institutional investors continued to buy stocks for a second straight session, helping the main index end in positive territory. They bought shares worth 46.3 billion won after purchasing 47 billion won stocks a session earlier.

Foreigners and individuals dumped a combined 54.9 billion won stocks.

Large-cap stocks were mixed across the board.

Market bellwether Samsung Electronics fell 0.71 percent to 2,381,000 won, and major chipmaker SK hynix remained unchanged at 65,000 won. No. 1 carmaker Hyundai Motor rose 1.55 percent to 164,000 won.

The local currency closed at 1,138.80 won against the U.S. dollar, up 2.10 won from the previous session's close.

entropy@yna.co.kr
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