SEOUL, Aug. 18 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean won rose slightly against the U.S. dollar Tuesday due to subdued expectations of a rate hike by the Federal Reserve after better-than-expected U.S. economic data.

The won was quoted at 1,411.8 won per dollar at 3:30 p.m., up 1.2 won from the close of the previous stock trading day. It marked the strongest level since Oct. 2 last year.

The won opened at 1,417 won per dollar and rose to as high as 1,408 won in afternoon trading.

The won has held firm as the dollar remained weak in the wake of soft U.S. inflation data that reduced the chances of the Federal Reserve adjusting rates in September.

Foreigners bought a net 91.4 billion won (US$64.8 million) worth of local stocks during the latest trading session, with the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index falling 1.55 percent to close at 6,869.83.

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