The strengthening Korean Won is encouraging local investors to increase their purchases of U.S. stocks again, as the appreciation of the local currency makes dollar-denominated assets cheaper in Won terms. According to data from the Korea Securities Depository, the outstanding value of U.S. stocks held by Korean residents reached $191.84 billion as of Wednesday. This figure is higher than $171.46 billion at the end of July and $188.36 billion at the end of August, indicating a continued upward trend in September.