SEOUL: South Korean stocks started a tad lower Wednesday as a series of weak corporate earnings sapped investor sentiment.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) fell 1.72 points, or 0.08 percent, to 2,037.64 in the first 15 minutes of trading.
Tech shares were in negative terrain. Market bellwether Samsung Electronics retreated 0.16 percent and chip giant SK hynix sank 3.92 percent.
Auto stocks were mixed. Industry leader Hyundai Motor edged up 0.31 percent, while its corporate cousin Kia Motors shed 0.18 percent.
The local currency was trading at 1,128.3 won against the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m., up 2.7 won from Tuesday’s close.
