[THE INVESTOR] Korean stocks finished higher on Jan. 15 as investors welcomed Beijing’s plan for stimulus measures to buttress the Chinese economy and steps were made toward easing global trade disputes, experts said. The Korean won strengthened against the US dollar.

The benchmark KOSPI added 32.66 points, or 1.58 percent, to 2.097.18. Trading volume was moderate at 432.91 million shares worth 5.15 trillion won (US$4.59 billion), with gainers outnumbering losers 572 to 248.

Institutions and foreigners picked up shares worth 291.2 billion won and 121.1 billion won, respectively, while retail investors offloaded shares worth 412.1 billion won.

The local currency closed at 1,120.70 won against the US dollar, up 2.30 won from the previous session’s close.

By Song Seung-hyun and newswires (ssh@heraldcorp.com)