Last month, interest among domestic investors in U.S. exchange-traded funds (ETFs) related to semiconductors surged. Leverage (long) and inverse (short) products ranked high simultaneously, reflecting conflicting market outlooks concerning the semiconductor industry.
Kakao Pay Securities analyzed the average revenue and top purchase items of users who traded U.S. stocks through its platform on the 8th, reporting that the overall user average revenue recorded minus (-) 2.1%. This is a slight improvement compared to the previous month (-2.8%).
The top purchased item was the 'SOXL (Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X ETF),' which tracks the daily revenue of the 'ICE Semiconductor Index' by three times. As concerns over semiconductor tariffs, which had been raised by recent Trump administration policies, were partially alleviated, it is interpreted that investment sentiment has recovered.
The 'SOXS (Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bear 3X ETF)' that tracks semiconductor declines ranked fourth, showing contrasting outlooks on the semiconductor sector.
Tesla continued to maintain a high-ranking position in purchases. Specifically, although it had shown a downward trend until March of this year, it reached a turning point in April, leading to continued buying momentum. Tesla's revenue rebounded to the 9% range, and the ETF 'TSLL,' which tracks Tesla's stock price by two times, also rose by the 8% range. In contrast, 'TSLQ' and 'TSLZ,' which benefit when Tesla's stock price declines, recorded significant losses with revenue at minus 40% range.
Examining investment tendencies by age group, users in their 20s to 30s had an average revenue of -2.4%, lower than the overall average (-2.1%). These individuals showed aggressive investments in high-risk derivative products such as SOXL, SOXS, TSLL, and TQQQ, employing strategies that utilized market volatility.
Those in their 40s to 50s, who have shown a relatively conservative investment tendency, also increased their purchases of derivative products like SOXL, SOXS, and TQQQ. Additionally, they showed continued buying momentum for individual tech stocks such as Tesla, NVIDIA, Palantir, and IonQ. Their average revenue was -1.6%, performing the best among all age groups.
A Kakao Pay Securities official noted, "April saw the semiconductor sector emerge as a key investment target, resulting in a 'sector shift.' The fact that SOXL and SOXS both ranked high reflects an increase in investors employing diversification strategies in a volatile market rather than having conviction in market direction."