South Korean stocks finished lower Friday, led by tech losses, as investors took a breather following recent rallies. The Korean won fell against the US dollar.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index lost 16.06 points, or 0.46 percent, to close at 3,445.24, a day after hitting a record high of 3,461.30.
Trade volume was moderate at 339.5 million shares worth 14.18 trillion won ($10.15 billion), with losers outnumbering winners 635 to 242.
The index opened in negative terrain, despite overnight gains on Wall Street, and moved in a narrow range before sliding further.
Foreigners and institutions sold a net 307.89 billion won and 335.68 billion won worth of shares, respectively, while retail investors bought a net 535.02 billion won.
"Optimism and caution coexist in the stock market now. The recent rally demonstrates the market momentum comparable to the surge seen during the COVID-19 pandemic era, but investors also want to take profits from recent sharp gains," said Han Ji-young, an analyst from Kiwoom Securities.
The key stock index surged 3.02 percent from a week ago amid expectations for the Federal Reserve's interest rate cut and the Seoul government's decision to scrap a plan to lower the threshold of major shareholders subject to the capital gains tax.
Losses of tech shares dragged down the index.
Market bellwether Samsung Electronics lost 0.99 percent to 79,700 won, while SK hynix remained unchanged at 353,000 won.
Leading battery maker LG Energy Solution retreated 1.41 percent to 349,500 won, and major chemical firm LG Chem dipped 3.32 percent to 291,000 won.
Major bio company Samsung Biologics fell 0.49 percent to 1,024,000 won, and No. 1 financial firm KB Financial Group decreased 0.77 percent to 116,500 won.
Top automaker Hyundai Motor tumbled 2.06 percent to 214,000 won, and its sister affiliate Kia went down 0.49 percent to 101,600 won.
Shipbuilders closed mixed. HD Hyundai Heavy shed 1.3 percent to 493,000 won, but Hanwha Ocean rose 0.63 percent to 111,700 won.
Among gainers, power plant manufacturer Doosan Enerbility went up 0.33 percent to 60,800 won, and Kakao, the operator of the country's top mobile messenger, soared 3.55 percent to 67,000 won on reports that it will announce a new artificial intelligence service.
The local currency was trading at 1,393.6 won against the greenback at 3:30 p.m., down 5.8 won from the previous session. (Yonhap)
