April 20, 2024

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[THE INVESTOR] Korean stocks fell on Dec. 18 as investors remained wary over signs of global growth slowdown and ahead of the Federal Reserve’s rate-setting meeting, analysts said. The Korean won strengthened against the US dollar.

The benchmark KOSPI dropped 8.98 points, or 0.43 percent, to 2,062.1. Trading volume was moderate at 423.79 million shares worth 5.14 trillion won (US$4.55 billion), with losers outnumbering winners 542 to 294.

Foreigners and retail investors sold a net 160.86 billion and 156.1 billion won worth of local stocks, respectively, while institutions bought a net 314.72 billion won, moderating the losses.

The local currency closed at 1,129.60 won against the US dollar, up 1.70 won from the previous session.

By Song Seung-hyun and newswires (ssh@heraldcorp.com)