Seoul shares up 0.35 pct in late morning-trade

SEOUL, July 13 (Yonhap) -- South Korean stocks traded 0.35 percent higher late Wednesday morning, fueled by firm gains in automakers and oil refiners, analysts said.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 7.29 points to 2,117.02 as of 11:20 a.m.
Automakers led the climb, with the country's leading automaker Hyundai Motor gaining more than 2 percent. Oil refiners were also bullish, with No. 3 player S-Oil also adding more than 2 percent.
However, techs underperformed the market due mainly to losses in chip giant Hynix Semiconductor, which fell nearly 4 percent.
The local currency was changing hands at 1,063.55 won to the greenback as of 11:20 a.m., up 2.95 won from Tuesday's close.
mil@yna.co.kr
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