[THE INVESTOR] South Korean shares ended lower on Oct. 21, as Samsung Electronics fell nearly 2 percent. The local currency fell against the US greenback.

The benchmark KOSPI edged down 7.6 points, or 0.37 percent, to 2,033.00.

Trade volume came to 276 million shares worth 3.95 trillion won (US$3.48 billion), with decliners outnumbering advancers 529 to 280.



Foreigners net-bought 44.1 billion won worth of stocks, extending their buying spree into the seventh consecutive session.

Institutions also purchased a net 10.9 billion won worth of shares, while individuals net-sold 67 billion won in stocks.

Market sentiment was dampened by the outcome of the European Central Bank’s monetary policy meeting. It kept the key rate frozen, stopping short of offering a clue to its policy direction.

Market leader Samsung Electronics was off 1.91 percent to 1,589,000 won and the state-run Korea Electric Power Corp. added 1.74 percent to 52,700 won. Leading automaker Hyundai Motor and its smaller affiliate Kia Motors advanced 1.14 percent and 0.61, respectively, to 133,500 won and 41,050 won.

Steelmaking giant POSCO gained 0.84 percent to 241,500 won.

Naver, the No. 1 internet portal, declined 1.54 percent to 831,000 won on the news of its leadership change.

The South Korean currency closed at 1,134.95 won against the US dollar, down 7.45 won from the previous session’s close.

(theinvestor@heraldcorp.com)