S&P 500 — US Large Cap Index
FTSE 100 — UK Blue Chips
Euro Stoxx 50 — Eurozone Leaders
DAX 40 — German Equities
CAC 40 — French Market Index
Nikkei 225 — Japan Benchmark
Hang Seng — Hong Kong Index
Shanghai Composite — China Mainland
ASX 200 — Australian Market
TSX Composite — Canada Index
Nifty 50 — India Large Cap
STI Index — Singapore Market
KOSPI — South Korea Index
Bovespa — Brazil Equities
JSE Top 40 — South Africa Index
IPC Index — Mexico Market
The South Korean won strengthened to around 1,451 per dollar in late July, reaching its highest level since early May, supported by expectations for tighter monetary policy and improved domestic fundamentals. The Bank of Korea reiterated that maintaining a tightening stance remains necessary amid persistent inflation pressures, following its recent rate hike to 2.75%, while highlighting stronger exports and investment as factors supporting continued economic growth. The currency also received support from SK hynix converting proceeds from its US listing into won, boosting demand for the local currency despite foreign investors selling South Korean equities. Meanwhile, gains were limited by uncertainty surrounding the Federal Reserve’s policy outlook, with markets still weighing the possibility of higher US interest rates. Volatility in the global semiconductor market also continued to influence broader risk sentiment.
