[THE INVESTOR] South Korean shares traded 0.39 percent down in late morning on Aug. 2, with chemical shares leading the way.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index lost 7.91 points to 2,022.07 as of 11:20 a.m.

Shares across the board traded bearish as institutions dumped local shares.

Petrochemical shares slid as US crude on Aug. 1 fell below $40 per barrel for the first time since April on concerns over a supply glut.

Top refiner SK Innovation decreased 2.33 percent, and No. 3 S-Oil retreated 1.41 percent.

Tech shares were in the negative territory.

Top market cap Samsung Electronics edged down 0.26 percent, and chip giant SK hynix dropped 2.44 percent.

The local currency was changing hands at 1,111.3 won against the US dollar, down 3.3 won from the previous session’s close.


(theinvestor@heraldcorp.com)