April 26, 2024

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[THE INVESTOR] Korean stocks advanced on Dec. 19 on the back of institutional buying, with investors setting eyes on the upcoming results from the U.S. Federal Reserve‘s rate-setting meeting, analysts said. The Korean won firmed against the US dollar.

The benchmark KOSPI rose 16.73 points, or 0.81 percent, to 2,078.84. Trading volume was moderate at 412.55 million shares worth 5.02 trillion won (US$4.46 billion), with winners overwhelming losers 531 to 292.

Institutions and foreigners bought a net 245 billion won and 19.9 billion worth of local stocks, respectively, while retail investors sold a net 255.46 billion won.

The local currency closed at 1,123.5 won against the US dollar, up 6.1 won from the previous session.

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