SEOUL: South Korean stocks traded 1.17 percent higher late Thursday morning on hopes for a delay in a much-expected rate hike in the United States, analysts said.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) jumped 22.18 points to 1,916.27 as of 11:20 a.m.
Large-cap exporters led the overall market advance, with chipmaker SK hynix vaulting 5.53 percent and cosmetics manufacturer Amore Pacific leaping 6.23 percent.
Retailers were bullish as Lotte Shopping soared 6.18 percent and Hyundai Department Store rose 2.71 percent.
The local currency was changing hands at 1,182.65 won against the greenback as of 11:20 a.m., up 3.35 won from Wednesday’s close.
