Seoul shares dip

Seoul shares fell 0.1 percent on Friday as a surge in oil prices hit energy cost-sensitives firms such as KEPCO, while exporters retreated on worries the won currency would strengthen against the Japanese yen. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 0.08 percent to end at 1,447.38 points.
The index rose 1.37 percent for the week, marking its third consecutive weekly gain. Foreign investors bought a net 79.7 billion won ($84.91 million) in shares on the main bourse, according to data at 0612 GMT. But retail investors sold a net 49.6 billion won, while institutional investors sold a net 79.5 billion won. Trade volume reached 270.7 million shares worth 2.8 trillion won compared to 301 million shares worth 3.6 trillion won on Thursday. Decliners edged out gainers by 396 to 366 with 78 titles ending flat.