Seoul: Stocks end the day lower

[SEOUL] South Korean shares ended lower on Friday as investors refrained from making big bets after Chinese markets returned from holiday and ahead of the key US jobs data due later in the day.

The Kospi closed 3.16 points, or 0.11 per cent, lower at 2,956.30, following a 1.76 per cent gain on Thursday. It fell 2.08 per cent on a weekly basis, extending the declines to a third straight week.

Tech heavyweights drove the benchmark decline, with chip giants Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix falling 0.14 per cent and 1.78 per cent, respectively. Platform company Naver also fell 1.27 per cent.

Foreigners were net sellers of US$40.75 million worth of shares on the main board.

REUTERS