Seoul - Ending this week's roller coaster ride on a high note, shares surged 4.5 per cent Friday on the Seoul stock exchange following overnight gains on Wall Street and signs that US authorities might take new measures to help the troubled financial sector.

The benchmark Kospi index soared 63.36 points, or 4.6 per cent, to close at 1,455.78.

Declining issues outnumbered advancers 707 to 135.

The main index of the technology-heavy Kosdaq market gained 12.70 points to close at 446.46.

On currency markets, the US dollar was quoted at 1,139.70 Korean won, after 1,153.30 won on Thursday. (dpa)