Seoul shares rise

South Korean shares rose slightly on Thursday, as steel maker POSCO hit a record high on brighter earnings prospects, but broader advances were capped amid worries about the impact of a stronger won on exporters' profits.
Shares were seen stuck in a limited range for the remainder of the month, with investors not expected to make big bets until they can gauge the extent of the impact of a strong won on first quarter results due out in April.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 0.15 percent to end at 1,335.98, after earlier rising as much as 0.99 percent.
"The market is not confident about first quarter results, so that means there's no momentum," said Kim Yung-min, an equity strategist at Korea Investment Trust Management.
Shares in POSCO Co Ltd, the world's fifth-biggest steel maker, hit a record high for the second time this week on optimism that a strong local currency would cut raw material imports and that global steel prices would recover.
Investors also bet POSCO might pay more dividends or aggressively buy back shares in order to guard against possible take-over attempts, with some also optimistic about upcoming iron ore negotiation with global miners.
POSCO shares ended up 2.07 percent at 246,000 won, after earlier hitting an all-time high of 249,500 won.
Samsung Electronics Co Ltd rose 0.48 percent to 632,000 won, as some investors were attracted to its valuations. Shares in the world's biggest maker of memory chips have fallen 15 percent since hitting a record 743,000 won on February 1.
LG Electronics Inc fell 0.38 percent to 77,800 won, with investors additionally worried about mobile phone margins in the current quarter. Kookmin Bank fell 0.4 percent to 74,100 won.
Trade volume reached 311.1 million shares worth 3.1 trillion won as of 0720 GMT, compared to 356.1 million shares worth 3.4 trillion won on Wednesday. Decliners edged out gainers by 402 to 331 with 72 titles ending flat.
Foreign investors bought a net 116 billion won in shares on the main bourse, while institutional investors bought a net 64.9 billion won. Retail investors sold a net 204.3 billion won.
The June KOSPI 200 futures index gained 0.40 point to 173.00, while the underlying KOSPI 200 spot index rose 0.38 point to 172.66. South Korea's junior and tech heavy Kosdaq market fell 1.19 percent to finish at 655.73.