(2nd LD) Seoul stocks end higher for 3rd day on Nvidia earnings

Seoul stocks closed 1.53 percent higher Thursday, marking the third consecutive day of gains, driven by Nvidia's stronger-than-anticipated earnings, despite the Bank of Korea's consecutive interest rate hike. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) finished at 6,912.37, up 104.16 points. The Korean won strengthened against the U.S. dollar, while trade volume was relatively light at 265.5 million shares worth 22.5 trillion won.

Retail investors were net sellers, offloading 1.91 trillion won, while foreign and institutional investors bought a combined net 318.2 billion won. Despite the BOK's rate increase to 3 percent, the South Korean economy remains robust due to strong semiconductor exports. Samsung Electronics and SK hynix both saw gains, while Bio shares declined on profit-taking.

The Korean won ended the session at 1,380.9 won against the U.S. dollar, up 3.9 won from the prior session.