Sentiments in Financial Markets Riding High

Sentiments on financial markets in Korea are as positive, now, as they have been in a long time.
Stock prices are rising higher and higher. The value of the won against the dollar is steadily improving.
The price of the foreign exchange stabilization fund bond (FESF bond) which the Korean government issued to raise foreign capital this year is rising recently in international markets.
Experts in the finance industry are saying that the current mood is better than at any other time since the IMF bail out late last year. This is partly due to the recent lowering of interest rates by the U.S. and the robust yen and expectations that international credit rating agencies like Moody's will upgrade Korea's credit rating.
KOSPI (Korean Stock Price Index) surpassed the 450 level on November 20 for the first time in eight months.
On the day, the value of the won rose to the 1,270 won level against the U.S. dollar.
This is the highest level since August 5.
As of November 19, the spread rate of FESF bonds fell to 4.06% (five year due) and 4.18% (ten year due).
Accordingly, the yields (interest rate for U.S. treasury bonds plus spread rate) for the bonds fell to 8.69% (five year due) and 9.04% (ten year due).