Seoul– South Korean stocks fell for a second straight session to retreat more than 1.5 percent Monday, Yonhap reported. The local currency fell against the U.S. dollar.
The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) closed down 1.76 percent, or 47.58 points, to 2,657.13. Trading volume was heavy at 988.3 million shares with decliners far outpacing gainers 761 to 142.
Foreigners unloaded a net 733.7 billion won (US$586.1 million) worth of local equities, with institutions selling off a net 348 billion won. Retail investors scooped up a net 1.06 trillion won.
Market behemoth Samsung Electronics slid 1.04 percent to 66,300 won, and chip giant SK hynix lost 2.26 percent to 108,000 won.
Other tech blue-chips also lost ground, with top Internet portal operator Naver falling 3.83 percent to 288,500 won and its rival Kakao dipping 2.5 percent to 89,700 won.
Top automaker Hyundai Motor pared earlier losses and closed the session 1.11 percent higher to 182,000 won, after it reported the largest first-quarter operating profit in nearly eight years.
The local currency ended at 1,249.90 won against the U.S. dollar, down 10.8 won from Friday’s close.
Source: Saudi Press Agency