Seoul: Won ends at 1-wk low on weaker Singdollar; stocks at 19-wk high

[SEOUL] The South Korean won retreated to a one-week low at the end of Thursday's trade after Singapore's central bank unexpectedly eased its monetary policy, putting the local currency under pressure.

The won was quoted at 1,156.7 to the dollar at the conclusion of onshore trade, down 1.0 per cent from Tuesday's close of 1,145.8.

South Korean stocks, however, posted their highest close since early December as foreign investors bought shares, thanks to solid China trade data.

The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) closed up 1.8 per cent at 2,015.93.

Foreigners were net buyers, purchasing 552.5 billion won (S$653 million) worth of shares.

REUTERS