The Korea Composite Stock Price Index was displayed on an electronic board at the Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul as South Korean shares began slightly higher on Friday, following overnight gains on Wall Street. The benchmark index, Kospi, rose by 4.72 points, or 0.17 percent, in the first 15 minutes of trading. This marked the third consecutive session of gains for the Kospi, mirroring the record highs of US stock indexes driven by a slowdown in inflation. The Nasdaq and S&P 500 reached new highs on Thursday, partly due to renewed optimism for the commencement of US rate cuts within the year. In Seoul, major stocks had mixed performances, with Samsung Electronics and Hyundai Motor making gains, while SK hynix, LG Energy Solution, and Samsung SDS experienced slight declines. The local currency was trading at 1,376.55 won against the US dollar, down 2.65 won from the previous session's close. At the Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul, an electronic board displayed the Korea Composite Stock Price Index, which opened slightly higher on Friday, in line with the overnight gains on Wall Street. The benchmark index, Kospi, increased by 4.72 points, or 0.17 percent, in the initial 15 minutes of trading, marking the third consecutive session of gains as it followed the record highs of US stock indexes due to a slowdown in inflation. The Nasdaq and S&P 500 reached new highs on Thursday, partly due to renewed optimism for the commencement of US rate cuts within the year. In Seoul, major stocks had mixed performances, with Samsung Electronics and Hyundai Motor making gains, while SK hynix, LG Energy Solution, and Samsung SDS experienced slight declines. The local currency was trading at 1,376.55 won against the US dollar, down 2.65 won from the previous session's close.