Korean Investors Buy 10.7 Trillion Won in US Stocks Amid KOSPI Volatility

Korean retail investors purchased a net 10.7 trillion won of US stocks over seven trading days from the 1st to the 9th of this month. Korea Securities Depository data released on the 10th confirmed the figure. The surge follows a period of reduced US market activity after the introduction of the Return to Domestic Market Account (RIA) system. Recent extreme volatility in the KOSPI index has driven fatigue and anxiety among individual investors, prompting a renewed shift toward US equities.

Korean Investors Net Purchase 10.7 Trillion Won in US Stocks Over Seven Days

According to the Korea Securities Depository's SEIBro portal, individual investors purchased a net 10.7 trillion won of US stocks during the seven trading days from the 1st to the 9th of this month (query date). Daily net purchases were: 1.2 trillion won on the 1st, 1.3 trillion won on the 2nd, 1.6 trillion won on the 3rd, 1.8 trillion won on the 4th, 1.5 trillion won on the 7th, 1.7 trillion won on the 8th, and 1.6 trillion won on the 9th. The data reflects a consistent buying pattern throughout the period.

The renewed investment activity marks a reversal from late last month, when the RIA system's introduction temporarily cooled enthusiasm for US equities. The RIA system allows investors to transfer overseas stock holdings back to domestic accounts under certain conditions. Despite this policy shift, the recent turbulence in South Korea's KOSPI—characterized by sharp intraday swings—has reignited demand for US market exposure.

Tesla, NVIDIA, and Amazon Lead Individual Purchases

During the same seven-day period, Tesla topped the list of most-purchased US stocks by Korean retail investors, followed by NVIDIA and Amazon. The three companies accounted for a significant portion of total net purchases. The data indicates sustained interest in major US technology and consumer stocks despite broader market uncertainties.

The Korea Securities Depository did not provide additional details on sector-specific allocations or the total number of active accounts during the period.

FAQ

What did Korean retail investors do from the 1st to the 9th of this month?
Korean retail investors purchased a net 10.7 trillion won of US stocks over seven trading days from the 1st to the 9th of this month, according to Korea Securities Depository data released on the 10th.

Why did Korean investors increase US stock purchases?
Recent extreme volatility in the KOSPI index has driven fatigue and anxiety among individual investors, prompting a renewed shift toward US equities after a brief pause following the introduction of the Return to Domestic Market Account (RIA) system.

Which US stocks did Korean investors buy the most?
Tesla, NVIDIA, and Amazon were the top three most-purchased US stocks by Korean retail investors during the seven-day period from the 1st to the 9th of this month.