South Korean stocks traded higher late Thursday morning, led by auto and financial companies.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 4.37 points, or 0.16 percent, to 2,710.54 as of 11:20 a.m.
Automakers enjoyed brisk trading, with industry leaders Hyundai Motor and Kia adding 2.01 percent and 1.27 percent, respectively.
Financial shares also continued to advance after gains in the past two sessions. Shinhan Financial added 3.47 percent, and Hana Financial rose 3.45 percent.
Tech behemoth Samsung Electronics also advanced 0.40 percent, and home appliance maker LG Electronics jumped 1.23 percent.
Secondary battery makers, however, lost ground following a plunge in U.S. electric vehicle maker Tesla overnight. LG Energy Solution fell 2.27 percent, and Samsung SDI shed 2.39 percent.
The local currency was trading at 1,316.40 won against the U.S. dollar, down 1.90 won from the previous session’s close.
Source: Yonhap News Agency