S. Korean shares end 0.1 pct down

SEOUL, May 26 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks ended marginally lower Thursday amid a mix of higher oil prices and unrelenting global uncertainties.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 3.49 points, or 0.18 percent, to 1,957.02. The local currency rose against the U.S. dollar.

Trading volume came to 551 million shares worth 4.9 trillion won (US$4.2 billion), with losers outnumbering gainers 444 to 361.

Institutional investors net-purchased 75.3 billion won worth of stocks, while foreigners sold a net 3.9 billion won worth of shares.

The KOSPI opened higher, led by surging oil prices and overnight gains on Wall Street.

The upbeat mood gave way to uncertainties, including the possibility of a U.S. rate hike and Brexit, the possible withdrawal of Britain from the European Union.

"Market participants' investment sentiment has shifted on strong U.S. new-home sales data," Bookook Securities analyst Kim Sung-hwan said. "But (investors) need to maintain a conservative view in the uncertain situation over risk from a U.S. rate hike."

Market leader Samsung Electronics added 0.08 percent to 1,296,000 won, and top carmaker Hyundai Motor remained flat at 135,000 won. The state-run Korea Electric Power Corp. rose 0.64 percent to 62,200 won, and leading steelmaker POSCO was unchanged at 207,000 won.

South Korea's won closed at 1,180.45 won against the U.S. dollar, up 2.05 won from the previous session.

lcd@yna.co.kr
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