South Korean stocks ended 0.3 percent lower Thursday as investors sat it out after last week’s gains, analysts said. The South Korean won lost ground against the U.S. dollar.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index fell 6.22 points to 2,054.51. Trading volume was moderate at 283.9 million shares worth 3.74 trillion won ($3.6 billion), with decliners beating gainers 457 to 353.

Analysts said the decline came as investors took a breather and locked in gains after the benchmark index set yearly records last week. The KOSPI topped the 2,090 level at one point during last week’s trading.

“The geopolitical uncertainties in Ukraine are no longer a unique or surprising situation, so this week‘s downtrend can be seen as foreign investors taking a wait-and-see approach, while institutions turned to selling mode,” said Im No-jung of I’M Investment & Securities Co. (Yonhap)