South Korean stocks opened with a slight increase on Wednesday, driven by gains in chip and battery shares, as investors anticipated a potential rate cut by the Federal Reserve. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index climbed 7.42 points, or 0.28 percent, in the initial 15 minutes of trading. This positive momentum was influenced by the US stock market's marginal gains, which were attributed to softer-than-expected labor market data that raised expectations for an interest rate cut by the Fed. In Seoul, Samsung Electronics saw a 1.99 percent surge after reports emerged that US tech giant Nvidia was contemplating the use of the South Korean company's high bandwidth memory chips in its products. Additionally, battery shares, including LG Energy Solution and Samsung SDI, continued to rise, while auto and energy-related stocks experienced declines. The local currency was trading at 1,375.65 won against the US dollar, marking a 0.35 won increase from the previous session's close. South Korean stocks opened slightly higher on Wednesday, driven by gains in chip and battery shares amid optimism for a potential rate cut by the Federal Reserve. The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index increased by 7.42 points, or 0.28 percent, within the first 15 minutes of trading. The US stock market also closed with marginal gains, supported by weaker-than-expected labor market data that raised hopes for a Fed interest rate cut. In Seoul, Samsung Electronics experienced a 1.99 percent surge following reports that US tech giant Nvidia was considering the use of the South Korean company's high bandwidth memory chips in its products. Furthermore, battery shares, such as LG Energy Solution and Samsung SDI, continued to rise, while auto and energy-related stocks faced declines. The local currency was trading at 1,375.65 won against the US dollar, marking a 0.35 won increase from the previous session's close.