-- South Korean shares closed flat on Friday as investor sentiment remained muted amid little progress in the U.S.-Iran conflict resolution.
President Donald Trump said the US had total control of the Strait of Hormuz and had ordered the U.S. Navy to shoot and kill boats laying mines in the strait, while Iran has also reportedly reactivated its air defense systems.
The Korea Composite Stock Price Index or Kospi fell 0.18 points to end at 6,475.63. The Kosdaq increased by 29.53 points, or 2.5%, to close at 1,203.84.
Investors particularly purchased shipbuilding stocks such as HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (KRX:009540) and Samsung Heavy Industries (KRX:010140), which offset the declines by major technology and automotive stocks such as Samsung Electronics (KRX:005930), Hyundai Motor (KRX:005380), and Kia (KRX:000270).
In corporate news, Hana Financial Group (KRX:086790) plans to retire about 1.8 million treasury shares, valued at 200 billion won, according to a Friday filing with the Korea Exchange. Shares of the group rose 2% at market close.
In other news, GigaVis (KOSDAQ:420770) secured a contract to supply semiconductor substrate inspection and repair equipment to domestic chip substrate manufacturers, according to a Friday filing with the Korean Exchange. Shares of the industrial machinery and electronic parts manufacturer jumped more than 9% at market close.