South Korean stocks ended almost unchanged Monday as investors remained cautious after Chinese data showed the world's second-largest economy slowing further but not heading toward a hard landing. The South Korean won firmed against the U.S. dollar.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index ticked up 0.01 point to 2,030.27. Trading volume was heavy at 707.69 million shares worth 4.11 trillion won ($3.66 billion), with decliners beating gainers 453 to 350.

China said Monday its economy grew 6.9 percent on-year in the third quarter, slightly beating economists' estimates but marking the slowest gain since early 2009 thanks to relatively robust spending by Chinese consumers.

"Investor sentiment remains positive on rising speculation that the U.S. Federal Reserve may delay the much-anticipated interest rate hike, but robust corporate earnings are needed to further boost the market," Bae Sung-young, an analyst at Hyundai Securities, said.

"A batch of Chinese data on economic growth, spending and investment made investors hesitant to make big bets on equities right now."

Offshore investors bought a net 62.18 billion won, while institutions and retail investors dumped 26.19 billion won and 43.56 billion won, respectively.

Insurance stocks rose after the government said Sunday it will allow local firms to decide the premiums for their insurance policies on their own in a bid starting from next year to promote price competition in the long-slumped market.

Korean Reinsurance jumped 6.03 percent to 14,950 won, and Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance, a subsidiary of Samsung, rose 2.86 percent to 306,000 won.

S-Oil, the nation's third-largest refiner, edged up 0.43 percent to 69,800 won although it logged 46.7 billion won in net loss during the July-September period due to a slump in its cracking business.

The local currency ended at 1,121 won against the greenback, up 8.1 won from Friday's close. (Yonhap)