South Korean stocks began lower Wednesday as investors were unnerved by the U.S. signaling another cut in economic stimulus, analysts said.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) retreated 14.70 points, or 0.77 percent, to 1,891.92 in the first 15 minutes of trading.
Most large caps lost ground, led by market bellwether Samsung Electronics falling 1.7 percent and leading automaker Hyundai Motor dipping 2.6 percent.
Financial blue-chips also moved downward. Shinhan Financial shed 0.12 percent, with KB Financial sliding 1.5 percent.
U.S. federal bankers in Chicago and Atlanta said on Tuesday (U.S. time), the Federal Reserve will start ramping down its bond purchase programs sometime in the second half of this year.
The local currency was trading at 1,115.35 won against the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m., up 0.15 won from Tuesday's close. (Yonhap News)
