Seoul Stock Market Ends Three-Day Winning Streak as Won Declines Against US Dollar.

Seoul: South Korean stocks fell slightly Thursday to end their three-day winning streak as major shares ended in mixed territory. The local currency fell against the U.S. dollar for the first time in six sessions. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) lost 1.66 points, or 0.07 percent, to close at 2,480.63. The main index had been rising since Monday.According to Yonhap News Agency, trade volume was moderate at 440.4 million shares worth 8.1 trillion won (US$5.8 billion), with decliners beating gainers 477 to 392. Foreigners dumped a net 259.5 billion won, continuing in net-selling mode for the 10th consecutive session. Individuals offloaded a net 127.3 billion won, while institutions scooped up a net 298.8 billion won.Overnight, Nvidia reported a 94 percent increase in sales and a 101 percent rise in profits for the third quarter, beating market expectations. However, its shares fell after the bell as its performance failed to meet the lofty expectations of some investors. In Seoul, sem iconductor shares ended mixed on the Nvidia results. Tech giant Samsung Electronics advanced 1.99 percent to 56,400 won, while SK hynix, one of Nvidia's largest partners, fell 1.06 percent to 168,800 won.Top carmaker Hyundai Motor dropped 1.37 percent to 215,500 won and leading shipbuilder HD Korea Shipbuilding and Offshore Engineering retreated 2.79 percent to 198,300 won. On the other hand, chemicals and builders were among the winners. LG Chem, the leading chemicals maker, rose 1.03 percent to 294,500 won and GS Engineering and Construction jumped 3.65 percent to 18,450 won. Leading retailer Lotte Shopping gained 3 percent to 58,300 won and biotech firm Celltrion climbed 1.34 percent to 173,700 won.The local currency was trading at 1,397.5 won against the greenback at 3:30 p.m., down 6.6 won from the previous session, marking the first daily drop since Nov. 13. Bond prices, which move inversely to yields, closed higher. The yield on three-year Treasurys fell 4.4 basis points to 2.829 percent, while the return on the benchmark five-year government bonds dropped 3.7 basis points to 2.883 percent.