[THE INVESTOR] South Korean stocks traded slightly higher late morning on Sept. 23, extending gains through six consecutive sessions, as the US Federal Reserve has decided to freeze its key rate.

The benchmark KOSPI gained 3.57 points, or 0.17 percent, to 2,053.27 as of 11:20 a.m.

The Fed on Sept. 21 maintained its target range for the federal funds rate unchanged at 0.25 percent to 0.5 percent.

Large-cap stocks traded mixed across the board.

Market bellwether Samsung Electronics lost 1.67 percent after gaining for 10 sessions in a row.

Top automaker Hyundai Motor, meanwhile, gained 2.45 percent, and its smaller affiliate Kia Motors traded 0.14 percent higher.

The local currency was trading at 1,104.60 won against the US dollar, down 1.30 won from the previous session’s close.

(theinvestor@heraldcorp.com)