Seoul: Shares, won close up ahead of US payrolls

[SEOUL] The South Korean won trimmed earlier gains on Friday afternoon, as investors grew cautious ahead of US jobs data which could provide clues on the timing or pace of the Federal Reserve's interest rate rises.

The won ended local trade up 0.4 per cent at 1,197.4 against the dollar. On a weekly basis, the won skidded 0.1 per cent.

Seoul shares inched up in subdued trading ahead of the Lunar New Year break.

The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) closed up 0.1 per cent at 1,917.79 points. For the week, stocks rose 0.3 per cent.

Foreigners were initially net sellers, but then turned net buyers, purchasing 8 billion won (S$9.36 million) worth of shares, preliminary data showed.

REUTERS