The won-dollar exchange rate remained around 1,420 won ahead of the holiday closure of the financial markets in the United States and Europe.
On the 18th, the closing price for the weekly transaction of the won-dollar exchange rate in the Seoul foreign exchange market was recorded at 1,423.3 won, up 4.4 won from the previous trading day's closing price (as of 3:30 p.m.).
The exchange rate opened at 1,420.0 won, up 1.1 won, then rose slightly due to remittance demand following dividends from Samsung Electronics. However, on the 18th (local time), fluctuations were not large as the financial markets of major countries, including the United States and Europe, were closed for 'Good Friday' ahead of Easter.
The dollar is still maintaining its weakness. According to Investing.com, the dollar index, which shows the value of the dollar against major currencies from six countries, was recorded at 99.38 as of 4:15 p.m.
At the same time, the dollar-yen (yen per dollar) was trading in the 142 yen range, and the euro-dollar (dollar per euro) was at $1.14. The yen-won exchange rate was trading at 996.16 won per 100 yen, and the won-yuan exchange rate was at 194.30 won.
The KOSPI closed at 2,483.42, up 13.01 points (0.53%) from the previous trading day. The KOSDAQ index closed at 717.77, up 6.02 points (0.85%). Foreign investors sold a net 1.124 trillion won in the KOSPI market and 513 billion won in the KOSDAQ market.
Wijae-hyeon, an economist at NH Futures, noted, "Recently, there has been a lack of overall direction in the foreign exchange market," adding that "there is a likelihood that global capital movements related to all risk assets, excluding gold, may be limited."