Seoul:South Korean stocks ended slightly higher on Friday as investors purchased major technology stocks at lower prices, counterbalancing worries about rising interest rates and oil prices. The Korean won also strengthened against the U.S. dollar.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) increased by 32.39 points, or 0.45 percent, closing at 7,003.74 after an initial decline.
The modest rise in U.S. stocks overnight, with easing benchmark Treasury yields despite rising crude oil prices, influenced the market. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 0.04 percent, the S&P 500 gained 0.19 percent, and the Nasdaq composite added 0.04 percent.
The Korean won was valued at 1,350.6 against the U.S. dollar by 330 p.m., marking an increase of 7.86 won from the previous trading session's close.