South Korean stocks closed lower Friday as investor sentiment was dented by prolonged uncertainty over a U.S. interest rate hike and China's economic slowdown, analysts said. The local currency fell against the U.S. dollar.
  

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index  fell 0.15 percent, or 3.06 points, to 2,010.23. Trading volume was moderate at 329.75 million shares worth 4.65 trillion won ($3.98 billion), with losers outpacing gainers 422 to 380.
  

Analysts said the stock market was weighed down by concerns over the U.S. rate policy and signs of a slowing Chinese economy. A weak earnings outlook for major South Korean companies also put a damper on investor sentiment.
  

"The most fundamental cause is the weakening competitiveness of the top listed firms," said Ryu Yong-seok, an analyst at Hyundai Securities. "Although their shares are undervalued, investors are not buying them out of concern over their future performances."
  

Foreigners sold more shares than they bought at 33.76 billion won, while retail investors scooped up a net 150.6 billion won. Institutions sold a net 168.2 billion won.
  

Samsung C&T fell 5.25 percent to 52,300 won, and Cheil Industries also slid 4.66 percent to 153,500 won. Samsung C&T, the construction unit of Samsung Group, said Friday it has received requests to buy back their shares worth 670 billion won from shareholders opposing their merger.
  

Carmakers closed lower, with Hyundai Motor moving down 1.08 percent to 138,000 won and Kia Motors losing 1.3 percent to 41,900 won. Top auto parts maker Hyundai Mobis shed 0.24 percent to 206,000 won.
  

Logistics shares also finished bearish, with Hyundai Glovis decreasing 2.47 percent to 177,500 won and top carrier Korean Air falling 1.99 percent to 36,850 won. Hanjin Shipping lost 2.01 percent to 5,370 won.
  

NHN Entertainment shed 0.17 percent to 57,500 won after it posted an operating loss for the second quarter.
  

Mobile carriers closed mixed, with No. 1 SK Telecom rising 0.61 percent to 242,500 won, while LG Uplus climbed 1.32 percent to 11,550 won. KT lost 1.32 percent to 29,850 won.
  

Tech shares were some of the few gainers, with top-cap Samsung Electronics adding 1.88 percent to 1,136,000 won and chipmaker SK hynix increasing 0.28 percent to 36,200 won.
  

The local currency ended at 1,167.40 won against the greenback, down 1.2 won from the previous trading session.
  

Bond prices, which move inversely to yields, ended higher. The yield on three-year Treasurys edged down 0.3 basis point to 1.783 percent, and the return on the benchmark five-year government bonds fell 0.2 basis point to 2.039 percent. (Yonhap)