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Seoul stocks

finish firmer

SEOUL: The stock market closed Saturday's half-day session higher with buying centred on non-manufacturing shares, while many export-oriented manufacturing counters remained weak, brokers said.

The composite stock index advanced 5.00 points to 911.90. But losers slightly outpaced gainers by 378 to 371.

"Financials and construction companies came under the spotlight. But investors shied away from manufacturing shares on worries about the slowing economy and weakening yen," said Hwang Chang-joong of LG Securities.-Reuter