South Korean stocks closed 0.61 percent higher Friday as investor sentiment was lifted by upbeat U.S. data ahead of a key U.S. Federal Reserve event, analysts said. The local currency gained ground against the U.S. greenback.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 12.49 points to close at 2,056.70, a rebound from a 1.19 percent fall Thursday sparked by hints of an early rate hike in the United States. Trading volume was slim at 273 million shares worth 3.45 trillion won (US$3.37 billion), with gainers beating losers 464 to 333.