Seoul stocks take breather after 6-day rise on profit-taking

Seoul stocks took a breather Friday after enjoying a surge for the past six consecutive days, as investors cashed out their gains built on an artificial intelligence boom amid revived Iran uncertainties.

After choppy trading, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 11.42 points, or 0.13 percent, to 9,052.42 after rising as high as 9,385.59.

Trade volume was heavy at 511.1 million shares worth 65.3 trillion won ($42.7 billion).

Losers outnumbered winners 115 to 784.

Retail investors ...