▲ Financial data is displayed on a screen inside the dealing room in Hana Bank in central Seoul on Oct. 15, 2025. (Yonhap)

stocks-morning

Seoul stocks extend gains late Wed. morning on chips, bio

SEOUL, Oct. 15 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks extended gains late Wednesday morning, aided by gains in chips and bio shares, amid escalating trade tensions between the United States and China.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) advanced 64.05 points, or 1.8 percent, to 3,625.86, as of 11:20 a.m.

Institutional and foreign investors lifted the KOSPI as they purchased blue chip stocks in semiconductors, finance and bio sectors.

Investors are keeping an eye on escalating tariff tensions between the U.S. and China, which reignited overnight, after President Donald Trump threatened to cut off cooking oil trade with China.

Most large-cap shares were trading higher.

Samsung Electronics added 2.18 percent, and its rival SK hynix inched up 0.12 percent.

Bio shares were in positive territory, with Samsung Biologics vaulting 7.5 percent and Celltrion moving up 1.18 percent.

Carmakers, on the other hand, lost ground, with top carmaker Hyundai Motor sliding 0.45 percent and its sister company Kia inching down 0.1 percent.

The local currency was quoted at 1,424.9 won against the greenback as of 11:20 a.m., up 6.1 won from the previous session's close.

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