Seoul Shares Decline Amid Extended Tech Losses.

Seoul: Seoul shares ended lower Monday, bucking gains on Wall Street due to extended tech losses. The Korean won also fell against the U.S. dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) dropped 1.43 points, or 0.06 percent, closing at 2,454.48.According to Yonhap News Agency, the main index ended in negative territory after a promising start, which saw a sharp rise of 23.63 points, or nearly 1 percent, within the first 15 minutes of trading, driven by gains in the U.S. markets. On Friday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 0.42 percent to reach 44,910.65 points, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite climbed 0.83 percent to 19,218.17.Analysts indicated that the lack of major upside momentum in the market, coupled with foreign and retail selling, weighed heavily on the stock market. This was amidst concerns over potential trade disputes between the United States and China. A combined total of 452.66 billion won worth of stocks were sold by foreigners and individuals, surpassing institutional purchases valued at 391.7 billion won.The day's trade volume remained relatively light, with 323.35 million shares valued at 7.47 trillion won (approximately US$5.3 billion) being exchanged. There were significantly more losers than winners, with 675 stocks declining compared to 216 advancing.Tech stocks led the decline, with market bellwether Samsung Electronics falling 1.11 percent to 53,600 won and SK hynix, the second-largest chipmaker, dipping 0.69 percent to 158,800 won. Leading home appliance maker LG Electronics dropped 1.67 percent to 88,200 won, while top carmaker Hyundai Motor shed 1.14 percent to 216,000 won.Among the gainers, LG Energy Solution, a leading battery maker, surged 2.62 percent to 391,500 won, with its local rival Samsung SDI climbing 1.77 percent to 259,000 won. Korea Electric Power Corp., a state-run utilities firm, advanced 0.84 percent to 24,100 won, and Korea Aerospace Industries, the nation's sole aircraft manufacturer, soared 2.05 percent to 59,600 won.The local currency was trading at 1,401.3 won against the U.S. dollar at 3:30 p.m., marking a decrease of 6.6 won from the previous session.