Seoul shares ended lower on Tuesday as investors braced for the release of the minutes from the US Federal Reserve’s latest monetary policy meeting. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index closed down by 0.65 percent to 2,724.18 points.
Trade volume was at 547.5 million shares worth 10.02 trillion won ($7.3 billion), with losers outnumbering winners. Individual investors bought a net of 501.7 billion won in local shares, while foreigners and institutions sold off shares.
Major US stock indexes closed mixed, with the Nasdaq Composite reaching a record high on a chip rally. Investors are eagerly awaiting the first-quarter earnings report from Nvidia and the Fed meeting minutes on Wednesday.
In Seoul, most big-cap shares finished in negative territory, with tech giant Samsung Electronics losing 0.63 percent. SK hynix, on the other hand, gained 1 percent.
LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI, and Posco Future M saw declines, while Posco Holdings and LG Chem also retreated. Auto shares were a mixed bag, with Hyundai Motor gaining while Kia decreased.
Samsung SDS, an IT services company, jumped by 4.99 percent.
The local currency closed at 1,363.30 won against the US dollar, marking a decrease from the previous session. The market remains cautious as investors anticipate upcoming events and data releases for further market direction.
