Why did Seoul stocks rise even after the Fed raised rates again?

Seoul stocks opened higher on Thursday mainly because tech shares gained, even though Wall Street fell overnight after the Fed’s rate hike. Han Ji-young of Kiwoom Securities said investors were still digesting the hawkish Federal Open Market Committee meeting, which could lead to volatility.

What happened to the KOSPI and the Korean won at Thursday morning trade?

The KOSPI opened at 6,779.02, up 61.05 points or 0.91 percent, and was still at 6,724.46 at 9:14 a.m. The Korean won traded at 1,374.3 per U.S. dollar, gaining 2.7 won from the previous session.

Which stocks moved the most after the Fed rate hike news?

Among major names, Samsung Electronics added 0.3 percent and SK hynix shed 0.8 percent. LG Energy Solutions fell 0.82 percent, while KB Financial rose 1.47 percent and Hanwha Aerospace increased 1.14 percent.

Seoul stocks open higher despite first Fed rate hike in over 3 years

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Summary

Seoul stocks opened higher in Seoul on Thursday, led by gains in tech stocks, despite the Federal Reserve’s first rate hike in over three years. The benchmark KOSPI opened at 6,779.02, up 61.05 points, or 0.91 percent. The Fed raised its base rate by a quarter point to 3.75 percent to 4 percent, while Wall Street indexes fell overnight. Analyst Han Ji-young said local stocks were expected to face volatility as investors digested the hawkish meeting.

Key Facts

As of 9:14 a.m., the KOSPI was up 6.49 points, or 0.1 percent, at 6,724.46.
The Federal Reserve raised its base rate by a quarter percentage point to a range of 3.75 percent to 4 percent.
Han Ji-young, an analyst at Kiwoom Securities, said local stocks were expected to suffer volatility after the hawkish Federal Open Market Committee meeting.
Samsung Electronics rose 0.3 percent, SK hynix fell 0.8 percent, LG Energy Solutions dipped 0.82 percent, KB Financial gained 1.47 percent, and Hanwha Aerospace added 1.14 percent.
The Korean won was quoted at 1,374.3 won against the U.S. dollar, up 2.7 won from the previous session.

By Yonhap

Published Sep 17, 2026 9:20 am KST
Updated Sep 17, 2026 9:27 am KST

The benchmark KOSPI is displayed at a dealing room of Hana Bank in Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap

Seoul stocks opened higher on Thursday, led by gains in tech stocks, despite the Federal Reserve's first rate hike in over three years.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) opened up 61.05 points, or 0.91 percent, to 6,779.02.

Overnight, major stock indexes on Wall Street closed down, after the Fed delivered the first quarter-percentage point rate increase since 2023, to combat inflationary pressures.

The Fed raised its base rate by a quarter percentage point to a range of 3.75 percent and 4 percent.Seoul stocks opened higher Thursday, led by gains in tech stocks, despite the Federal Reserve's first rate hike in over three years.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) was up 6.49 points, or 0.1 percent, to 6,724.46, as of 9:14 a.m.

Overnight, major stock indexes on Wall Street closed down after the Fed delivered the first quarter-percentage point rate increase since 2023 to combat inflationary pressures.

The Fed raised its base rate by a quarter percentage point to a range of 3.75 percent and 4 percent.

"Local stocks are expected to suffer volatility, as investors digest the hawkish Federal Open Market Committee meeting," said Han Ji-young, an analyst from Kiwoom Securities.

Market top-cap Samsung Electronics added 0.3 percent, while its industry rival SK hynix shed 0.8 percent.

Battery maker LG Energy Solutions dipped 0.82 percent, while financial firm KB Financial rose 1.47 percent, and defense giant Hanwha Aerospace increased 1.14 percent.

The Korean won was quoted at 1,374.3 won against the U.S. dollar as of 9:14 a.m., up 2.7 won from the previous trading session.

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