{
  "id": 8131535,
  "title": "Seoul stocks open sharply higher on eased inflation woes",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/seoul-stocks-open-sharply-higher-on-eased-inflation-woes",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-09-18T00:32:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/economy/20260918/seoul-stocks-open-sharply-higher-on-eased-inflation-woes"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Seoul's stock market experienced a significant surge on Friday, as falling oil prices and a reduced Federal Reserve interest rate helped alleviate inflation concerns. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) climbed 150.53 points, or 2.24 percent, bringing the benchmark index to 6,865.94 at 9:15 a.m. The previous evening, Wall Street also saw gains, with investor sentiment improving due to the decline in oil prices and easing inflation pressures from the U.S. bond market. The S&P 500 rose by 1.14 percent, and the tech-focused Nasdaq gained 1.69 percent. Brent Crude, a key oil benchmark, fell nearly 1 percent, settling near US$104 per barrel. The decrease in oil prices contributed to lower bond yields. The Federal Reserve increased its benchmark rate by 0.25 percent for the first time in over three years, aimed at curbing inflation. Among the major companies, Samsung Electronics rose 2.87 percent, SK hynix climbed 4.53 percent, LG Energy Solution increased 0.41 percent, Hyundai Motor gained 1.52 percent, while KB Financial experienced a 1.45 percent decline. The Korean won strengthened to 1,381.4 won per U.S. dollar, up from the prior session's close.",
  "summary": "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) opened up 170.29 points, or 2.54 percent, to 6,885.7. Overnight, stocks on Wall Street closed higher as investor sentiment improved on falling oil prices and easing pressures from…",
  "key_points": [
    "Seoul stocks surged 2.24% to 6,865.94, easing inflation worries",
    "KOSPI rose 150.53 points, Wall Street gained 1.14% and Nasdaq 1.69%",
    "Brent Crude fell 1%, oil prices and bond yields declined"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Eased inflation concerns, fueled by falling oil prices and a measured US interest rate hike, lift Seoul stocks and suggest a brighter outlook for risk assets in the region.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yonhap News",
        "title": "(URGENT) Seoul stocks open sharply higher on eased inflation woes",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/urgent-seoul-stocks-open-sharply-higher-on-eased-inflation-woes",
        "published": "2026-09-18T00:01:26.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Seoul stocks open sharply higher on eased inflation woes",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/seoul-stocks-open-sharply-higher-on-eased-inflation-woes-8133700",
        "published": "2026-09-18T00:42:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}