Seoul: South Korean stocks pared earlier losses late Wednesday morning, led by gains in energy and bank shares. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) shed 4.64 points, or 0.15 percent, to 3,193.36 as of 11:20 a.m. after opening the session 0.5 percent lower.
According to Yonhap News Agency, overnight U.S. stocks closed in negative territory as recent economic data raised concerns that the world's largest economy may be affected by President Donald Trump's tariff policies. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.14 percent, and the Nasdaq Composite lost 0.65 percent.
In Seoul, large-cap shares were mixed. Market bellwether Samsung Electronics dropped 1.29 percent, and its chipmaking rival SK hynix retreated 1.8 percent. HD Korea Shipbuilding and Offshore Engineering skidded 1.26 percent, and Hanwha Ocean declined 1.64 percent.
However, state-run Korea Electric Power Corp. jumped 6.66 percent, and leading oil refinery SK Innovation added 1.88 percent. Hana Financial Group advanced 0.47 percent, and KB Financial Group increased 1.07 percent.
The local currency was trading at 1,388.8 won against the U.S. dollar at 11:20 a.m., down 0.6 won from the previous session.