Seoul stocks finished marginally higher Thursday on overnight U.S. stock gains amid a decline in international oil prices. The local currency fell against the U.S. dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index edged up 0.19 percent, or 4.8 points, to 2,599.16. Trading volume was heavy at 603 million shares worth 13.48 trillion won (US$9.99 billion), with gainers outpacing losers at 442 to 423. Institutions sold a net 299.6 billion won, while foreign and retail investors together bought a net 280.4 billion won. Overnight, U.S. stocks extended their gains thanks to a decline in global oil prices and gains in artificial intelligence-related tech stocks. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.03 percent, the S and P 500 gained 0.71 percent, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite added 0.6 percent. This photo shows a dealing room at Hana Bank in central Seoul on Oct. 10, 2024. (Yonhap) This photo shows a dealing room at Hana Bank in central Seoul on Oct. 10, 2024. (Yonhap) Han Ji-young, an analyst a t Kiwoom Securities, said "Although uncertainty in the semiconductor cycle remains, the industry cycle involving artificial intelligence sectors appears to remain the realm of optimism." Bio and internet portal shares advanced, with Celltrion rising 1.62 percent to 194,300 won and top portal operator Naver gaining 3.73 percent to end at 172,400 won. Refiners and financial shares also gained ground. Leading refiner SK Innovation jumped 3.89 percent to 123,000 won, and Shinhan Financial added 2.53 percent to end at 56,800 won. No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix soared 4.89 percent to 186,700 won, but larger industry rival Samsung Electronics fell 2.32 percent to 58,900 won. Leading battery company LG Energy Solution also shed 2.18 percent to 427,000 won. The local currency was trading at 1,350.2 won against the U.S. dollar at 3:30 p.m., down 0.5 won from the previous session. Bond prices, which move inversely to yields, fell. The yield on three-year Treasurys rose 3 basis points to 2.962 percent, and the return on t he benchmark five-year government bonds gained 1.6 basis points to 3.014 percent. Source: Yonhap News Agency