South Korean stocks closed almost flat Friday due mainly to the fact investors sat on the sidelines amid weak consumers' sentiment from home and abroad, analysts said. The local currency gained against the U.S. dollar. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) shed 0.9 points, or 0.04 percent, to 2,044.87. Trading volume was low at 240.7 million shares worth 3.37 trillion won (US$3.18 billion) with gainers outpacing losers 402 to 379.