South Korean stocks finished almost unchanged Monday amid woes that Donald Trump's pledge to impose sweeping tariffs soon may trigger a global tariff war. The local currency fell against the US dollar.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index lost 0.65 point, or 0.03 percent, to close at 2,521.27.
Trade volume was moderate at 386.81 million shares worth 10.38 trillion won ($7.15 billion), with losers outnumbering winners 454 to 414.
Foreigners and retail investors sold a net 277.24 billion won and 74 billion won worth of local shares, respectively, while institutions bought a net 266.91 billion won worth of shares.
The index opened markedly lower and had moved in and out of positive terrain on news that Trump will soon announce a new 25 percent tariff on all steel and aluminum imports into the United States, as well as reciprocal tariffs to take effect almost immediately.
"New tariff policies by the US government have long been anticipated, though short-term volatility is expected as eyes are also on the US' consumer inflation," Han Ji-young, an expert from Kiwoom Securities, said.
Top-cap shares ended mixed.
Market bellwether Samsung Electronics surged 3.54 percent to 55,600 won, while chip giant SK hynix dipped 2.41 percent to 198,100 won.
Leading electric vehicle battery maker LG Energy Solution jumped 3.12 percent to 346,500 won, and major chemicals manufacturer LG Chem advanced 1.81 percent to 221,000 won.
But top steelmaker POSCO Holdings decreased 0.84 percent to 237,000 won and Hyundai Steel dived 2.03 percent to 21,700 won.
Carmakers finished lower. Top automaker Hyundai Motor lost 0.55 percent to 199,400 won, and its sister affiliate Kia dropped 1.97 percent to 94,600 won.
Major bio shares lost ground. Samsung Biologics sank 2.59 percent to 1,130,000 won, and Celltrion slid 0.33 percent to 179,000 won.
Kakao, the operator of the country's top mobile messenger dipped 4.49 percent to 42,500 won, while No. 1 portal operator Naver rose 0.89 percent to 227,500 won.
The local currency was quoted at 1,451.2 won against the greenback at 3:30 p.m., down 3.4 won from the previous session. (Yonhap)
