Why did Seoul stocks open sharply higher on Friday?

Seoul stocks rose after overnight gains on Wall Street, supported by falling oil prices and reduced inflation worries. The weaker oil market also helped pull down bond yields, improving investor sentiment.

How much did the KOSPI, Samsung Electronics and SK hynix rise in early Friday trading?

The KOSPI was up 150.53 points, or 2.24 percent, to 6,865.94 at 9:15 a.m. Samsung Electronics gained 2.87 percent and SK hynix advanced 4.53 percent.

Seoul stocks open sharply higher on eased inflation woes

Q: What happened to oil prices, the Fed rate, and the won in the market update?

Brent crude fell almost 1 percent to around US$104 per barrel, and the Federal Reserve had raised its benchmark rate by a quarter percentage point for the first time in over three years. The won traded at 1,381.4 per dollar, up 0.1 won from the previous close.

Listen

Summary

Seoul stocks opened sharply higher Friday as eased inflation worries lifted sentiment in Seoul. The benchmark KOSPI rose 150.53 points, or 2.24 percent, to 6,865.94 at 9:15 a.m. The gain tracked overnight strength on Wall Street, where oil prices fell and the S&P 500 and Nasdaq advanced. The won traded at 1,381.4 per dollar, up 0.1 won from the previous session.

Key Facts

The S&P 500 rose 1.14 percent and the tech-heavy Nasdaq gained 1.69 percent overnight.
Brent crude slid almost 1 percent to around US$104 per barrel.
The Federal Reserve raised its benchmark rate by a quarter percentage point for the first time in over three years to combat inflation.
Samsung Electronics rose 2.87 percent, SK hynix climbed 4.53 percent, LG Energy Solution edged up 0.41 percent, and Hyundai Motor added 1.52 percent.
KB Financial fell 1.45 percent in morning trading.

By Yonhap

Published Sep 18, 2026 9:23 am KST
Updated Sep 18, 2026 9:32 am KST

Financial data is displayed inside the dealing room of Hana Bank in central Seoul, Friday. Yonhap

Seoul stocks opened sharply higher Friday, tracking overnight gains on Wall Street as falling oil prices and the Federal Reserve's rate hike eased inflation woes.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) was up 150.53 points, or 2.24 percent, to 6,865.94 as of 9:15 a.m.

Overnight, stocks on Wall Street closed higher as investor sentiment improved on falling oil prices and easing pressures from the U.S. bond market.

The S&P 500 added 1.14 percent and the tech-heavy Nasdaq strengthened 1.69 percent.

The benchmark Brent Crude slid almost 1 percent, to settle at around US$104 per barrel. The drop in oil prices also helped pull down yields in the bond market.

The Fed raised its benchmark rate by a quarter percentage point for the first time in over three years to combat inflation.

In Seoul, most market heavyweight were trading higher.

Top-cap Samsung Electronics added 2.87 percent, while rival SK hynix strengthened 4.53 percent.

Battery maker LG Energy Solution inched up 0.41 percent, carmaker Hyundai Motor added 1.52 percent, and major financial firm KB Financial shed 1.45 percent.

The Korean won was trading at 1,381.4 won against the U.S. dollar, up 0.1 won from the close of the previous stock trading session.

Explore More