Seoul stocks ended their four-day losing streak on Tuesday as investors scooped up oversold stocks ahead of the Fed's policy meeting later this week. The Korean won rose against the US dollar.
After opening higher, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) stayed in positive terrain, closing at 2,367.85, up 12.19 points, or 0.52 percent.
Trading volume was light at 407.9 million shares worth 6.9 trillion won ($4.96 billion) with decliners outnumbering gainers 654 to 198.
"Tuesday's rebound came as investors took a cue from overnight gains on Wall Street, but they seemed to have kept a wait-and-see stance ahead of the FOMC meeting this week," said analyst Kim Dae-jun of Korea Investment & Securities.
Foreigners and retail investors went on a selling mode, offloading 77 billion won and 224.9 billion won worth of shares, respectively. Institutional investors scooped up a net 283.3 billion won.
In Seoul, most large-cap shares ended lower, led by a decline in chip stocks.
Market bellwether Samsung Electronics inched down 1.06 percent to 55,800, while rival SK hynix dipped 2.2 percent to a market close of 88,000 won.
Battery maker LG Energy Solutions added 1.26 percent to 483,500 won, while LG Chem slid 0.79 percent to close at 630,000 won.
Airlines ended higher after US President Joe Biden said the COVID-19 pandemic is over. Top national flag carrier Korean Air shares added 3.19 percent to 25,850 won, while Asiana Air advanced 3.55 percent to end at 14,600 won.
The local currency ended at 1,389.5 won against the US dollar, up 4.1 won from Monday session's close. (Yonhap)
