South Korean stocks got off to a strong start Wednesday, taking a cue from overnight rallies in U.S. markets.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) jumped 24.28 points, or 2.28 percent, to 1,088.16 in the first 15 minutes of trading. But the index retreated to 1,078.3 10:30 a.m.
The tech-loaded Kosdaq market also rose 6.65 points to 376.76 as of 10:30
U.S. shares surged Tuesday on financial gains. The Dow Jones industrial average surged 3.32 percent, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite rose 3.9 percent.
The local currency was trading at 1,503.4 won to the U.S. dollar as of 9:15 a.m., up 12.9 won from Tuesday's close.