Local stocks expected to see limited ups, downs

Korean stocks are expected to rise and decline in a tight range next week amid easing concerns over global trade disputes between the United States and China, analysts said Saturday.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (Kospi) closed at 2,092.40 on Friday, slightly up from 2,086.09 the previous week. On the first day of this week, the index started lower on a heavy selling spree targeting large-cap bio shares, including Samsung BioLogics, a biopharmaceutical affiliate of Samsung Group, which tumbled more than 20 percent.

The Kospi lost ground up until Wednesday as foreigners sold large-cap shares, following overnight losses on Wall Street.

The market, however, gained ground for two consecutive sessions until Friday after media reported that China delivered a written response to the United States about trade issues. Kim Byung-yeon, an analyst at NH Investment & Securities, said investors’ hopes for easing trade friction between the world’s two largest economies could lift the Kospi index next week.

However, investors could also stay cautious due to uncertainties surrounding Italy and the strong U.S. dollar. Kim said the main stock index is likely to trade between 2,030 and 2,120 points in the coming week.

Yonhap