South Korean stocks traded nearly flat late Friday morning as investors awaited key U.S. inflation data due later in the day. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) had decreased 0.3 point, or 0.01 percent, to 2,745.52 as of 11:20 a.m. Semiconductor shares were in positive territory as industry leader Samsung Electronics added 1.61 percent and SK hynix climbed 1.35 percent. Top air carrier Korean Air Lines rose 0.23 percent, and leading pharmaceutical firm Celltrion jumped 3.05 percent. But No. 1 carmaker Hyundai Motor dropped 1.48 percent, and battery maker LG Energy Solution retreated 1.49 percent. The local currency was trading at 1,348.7 won against the U.S. dollar, down 2.5 won from the previous session's close. Source: Yonhap News Agency
