Markets

Won hits 5-week high, Asia FX steady on Jackson Hole caution

Published August 18, 2014 Updated August 18, 2014 12:34pm

SINGAPORE: The South Korean won hit a five-week high on Monday, while most emerging Asian currencies barely changed amid caution ahead of a top central bankers' meeting at the Federal Reserve's annual Jackson Hole symposium this week.

The won rose as much as 0.6 percent to 1,015.5 per dollar, its strongest since July 11, on demand from exporters for settlements and catch-up plays.

Financial markets in South Korea were closed on Friday when most regional currencies rose.

Thailand's baht turned weaker on sustained doubt over how robustly the economy can recover after the army stepped in to end political unrest and seek to shore it up.

Earlier, the baht gained as much as 0.2 percent to 31.78 per dollar, its strongest since July 29, after data showed the country avoided a technical recession.