▲ This photo, taken July 15, 2026, shows the dealing room of Hana Bank in Seoul during morning trading hours. (Yonhap)

SEOUL, July 15 (Yonhap) -- Seoul shares ended more than 6 percent higher Wednesday, led by gains in technology heavyweights, although persistent tensions in the Middle East remained a key concern for investors. The Korean won strengthened against the U.S. dollar.

After opening 3.3 percent higher, the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) extended its gains to close at 7,284.41, up 427.58 points, or 6.24 percent from a session earlier.

Local stocks advanced after cooler-than-expected U.S. inflation data lifted Wall Street overnight and eased concerns over near-term interest-rate hikes by the Federal Reserve.

Overnight, the Dow Jones Industrial Average edged up 0.02 percent, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite gained 0.9 percent.

Institutional and foreign investors bought a net 182.68 billion won (US$123 million) and 2.32 trillion won worth of shares, respectively, while retail investors sold a net 2.47 trillion won.

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