Seoul shares closed higher Friday as investors betted on a possible rate cut by the Federal Reserve as the U.S. retail sales fell by a wider margin than expected. The Korean won fell against the U.S. dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index added 34.96 points, or 1.34 percent, to close at 2,648.76. Trade volume was moderate at 584.7 million shares worth 10 trillion won (US$7.48 billion), with decliners outnumbering gainers 627 to 249. Foreigners were net buyers with 558.4 billion won, while individuals offloaded a net 832 billion won. Institutions scooped up a net 262.1 billion won. Overnight, Wall Street shares gathered ground after the U.S. retail sales for January fell 0.8 percent on-month, sharper than the market's expectations, which rekindled hope over the Fed's rate cut. Analysts, however, noted that South Korean shares have not shown signs of a full-fledged recovery due to a lack of other events. "The South Korean stocks traded in a limited range due to lack of momentum," Kim Jee -hyun, an analyst from Kiwoom Securities, said. In Seoul, battery makers gained ground following overnight gains in Tesla, with LG Energy Solution rising 3.67 percent to 410,000 won and Samsung SDI advancing 4.79 percent to 404,500 won. Chemical firms also closed higher, with LG Chem soaring 4.24 percent to 504,000 won and leading oil refiner SK Innovation jumping 3.92 percent to 127,100 won. Financial firms were winners as well, with KB Financial rising 3.99 percent to 67,700 won. Kakao Bank, an affiliate of Kakao, which operates South Korea's top mobile messenger, added 1.01 percent to 30,100 won. Top tech giant Samsung Electronics, however, fell 0.27 percent to 72,800 won, and No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix edged down 1.28 percent to 146,800 won. The local currency closed at 1,335.40 won against the greenback, down 1.4 won from the previous session's close. Source: Yonhap News Agency Pattaya, Feb. 16 - A young man speeding in a pickup truck crashes into shops, cars and motorcycles parked on the side of the road. Damaged and 1 person was injured after being hit by a copy. CCTV captured the moment a pickup truck drove at speed. before losing control and crashing into a grocery store The car then crashed into a car parked on the side of the road and was completely damaged. This incident happened in the middle of the night. One company page On Huai Yai Road, Huai Yai Subdistrict, Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province Huai Yai Police Station inspected the pickup truck and found it completely destroyed. Lost control and crashed into a grocery store. Two Isaan restaurants were damaged and items were scattered all over the ground. And there were also motorcycles that had been crashed and were lying on the side of the road. A total of 6 cars, 1 motorcycle with a sidecar, and 3 cars, for a total of 10 cars, each car was completely damaged. and another person was injured after being hit and cru shed. Rescue workers had rushed him to the hospital earlier. As for the pickup truck driver, Mr. Chansak, 34 years old, he did not flee anywhere. Stand and raise your hands to apologize to the villagers for the incident. Ask Mr. Sermsak, 37 years old, the owner of an Isaan food shop. He said he was selling food to customers who came to buy in front of the shop when suddenly the pickup truck came driving at speed. before losing control and crashing into shops, cars, and motorcycles parked on the side of the road. before crashing into an injured person. - Thai News Agency Source: Thai News Agency