South Korean stocks traded almost flat late Monday morning as investors took a wait-and-see approach on the Federal Open Market Committee meeting scheduled this week, analysts said.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) gained 0.36 points, or 0.02 percent, to 1,889.60 as of 11:20 a.m.
Builders traded bearish, with Hyundai Engineering & Construction falling 0.83 percent and Daewoo Engineering & Construction losing 0.77 percent. Daelim Industrial moved down 1.61 percent.
In contrast, carmakers continued to gather ground, with No. 1 industry player Hyundai Motor rising 0.76 percent and its smaller affiliate Kia Motors adding 0.53 percent. Top auto parts maker Hyundai Mobis climbed 2.7 percent.
The local currency was changing hands at 1,128.05 won against the greenback as of 11:20 a.m., down 1.55 won from Friday's close. (Yonhap News)
