What were the Korean won and KOSPI levels during Friday's trading session?

The won was quoted at 1,418.3 won per dollar at 3:30 p.m., after opening at 1,414.9 and touching 1,411.8 in afternoon trading. The KOSPI rose 2.42 percent to finish at 6,977.94.

How much foreign stock buying helped support the Korean won?

Foreigners bought a net 3.38 trillion won of local stocks in the latest session. That buying came alongside a broad rise in Seoul shares, which also supported the currency.

Korean won gains slightly after soft US inflation data

Q: Why did the Korean won rise against the U.S. dollar on Friday?

The won gained after better-than-expected U.S. inflation data reduced market expectations of a Federal Reserve rate hike. The softer data made dollar trading less aggressive, helping the won edge higher.

Listen

Summary

The Korean won gained slightly against the U.S. dollar Friday after better-than-expected U.S. inflation data eased expectations of a Federal Reserve rate hike. The won was quoted at 1,418.3 won per dollar at 3:30 p.m., up 1.1 won from the previous day. It briefly rose to 1,411.8 won in afternoon trading and stayed around the strongest level since early October last year. Foreigners bought a net 3.38 trillion won of local stocks, while the KOSPI rose 2.42 percent.

Key Facts

The U.S. Producer Price Index rose 4.7 percent year on year in July, down from a 5.5 percent increase in June.
The won opened at 1,414.9 won per dollar and climbed to as high as 1,411.8 won during afternoon trading.
The exchange rate held near its strongest level since early October last year for the sixth consecutive trading session.
Foreigners bought a net 3.38 trillion won worth of local stocks in the latest trading session.
The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 2.42 percent to close at 6,977.94.

By Yonhap

Published Aug 14, 2026 4:44 pm KST

A financial data screen in the dealing room of Hana Bank in Seoul, Friday / Yonhap

The Korean won made slight gains against the U.S. dollar Friday, after better-than-expected U.S. inflation data reduced market expectations of a rate hike by the Federal Reserve.

The won was quoted at 1,418.3 won per dollar at 3:30 p.m., up 1.1 won from the close of stock trading the previous day.

The won opened at 1,414.9 won per dollar and rose to as high as 1,411.8 won in afternoon trading.

For the sixth consecutive trading session, the won has traded in a range of some 1,140 per dollar, marking the strongest level since early October last year.

The U.S. Producer Price Index gained 4.7 percent on year in July, down from a 5.5 percent rise in June.

Foreigners bought a net 3.38 trillion won ($2.4 billion) worth of local stocks during the latest trading session, with the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index rising 2.42 percent to close at 6,977.94.

Explore More