South Korean stocks were almost flat late Wednesday morning, as large-caps traded mixed amid upbeat expectations on improved corporate earnings, analysts said.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) added 1.63 points, or 0.09 percent, to 1,905.78 as of 11:20 a.m.

Top-cap Samsung Electronics lost 0.3 percent, while second-largest Hyundai Motor went up 0.2 percent.

Chemical companies and shipyards were bullish but financial blue chips lost ground. No. 4 lender Shinhan Financial Group shed 0.7 percent.

The local currency was changing hands at 1,114.60 won against the greenback as of 11:20 a.m., up 2.6 won from Tuesday's close. (Yonhap News)