[THE INVESTOR] South Korean shares got off to a strong start on Sept. 5 on speculation that the US Federal Reserve may delay its much-awaited rate hike.

The benchmark KOSPI advanced 15.97 points, or 0.78 percent, to 2,054.28 in the first 15 minutes of trading.

US stocks ended higher on Sept. 2 after weaker than expected job data for August eased concerns over an imminent rate hike in the world‘s largest economy.



Most large caps traded mixed with market kingpin Samsung Electronics rising 0.13 percent.

Top automaker Hyundai Motor gained 1.85 percent, and top steelmaker POSCO rose 1.95 percent.

Naver, the operator of the country’s top internet portal, advanced 1.68 percent.

The local currency was trading at 1,110.55 won against the US dollar, up 6.65 won from the previous session’s close.

(theinvestor@heraldcorp.com)