SEOUL, Feb. 29 (Yonhap) — South Korean stocks closed lower Thursday as investors sat on the sidelines ahead of the holiday this week while keeping a watchful eye on U.S. inflation trends. The local currency gained against the U.S. dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) shed 9.93 points, or 0.37 percent, to 2,642.36. Trade volume was moderate at 484 million shares worth 12.5 trillion won (US$9.44 billion), with losers outpacing gainers 545 to 341. Institutions were net sellers by offloading 507.3 billion won, while foreigners scooped up a net 175.1 billion won. Individuals bought a net 310 billion won. Seoul shares mostly traded in negative terrain tracking overnight losses on Wall Street, as the latest U.S. economic…
