▲ Financial data is displayed on a screen inside the dealing room of Hana Bank in central Seoul on Sept. 18, 2026. (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Sept. 18 (Yonhap) -- Seoul stocks advanced by more than 2 percent on Friday on eased inflation woes. The local currency rose against the greenback.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) closed up 178.82 points, or 2.66 percent, at 6,894.23.

"The KOSPI has brushed off macro concerns, while foreigners returned to the local market, powered by artificial intelligence (AI) momentum," Lee Kyoung-min, an analyst from Daishin Securities, said.

The analyst was referring to the recent drop in oil prices and easing concerns over inflation following the Federal Reserve's decision to hike the base rate by a quarter percentage point for the first time in over three years.

Foreign investors, in particular, turned to net buyers after extending their selling binge to a seventh day, Lee added.

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