This year, foreigners investing in the domestic stock market recorded returns reaching four times those of individual investors.
According to the Korea Exchange on the 9th, from the start of the year to the 2nd, the average revenue of the top 10 net-bought stocks by foreign investors came to 145.6%. That is three times the rise of the Kospi during the same period.
The stock foreigners bought the most this year was Samsung Electronics, with net purchases totaling 565.9 billion won. Next was SK hynix at 353.9 billion won, ranking second.
Samsung Electronics' share price climbed 67.3% from 53,200 won at the end of last year to the 89,000-won range this month. SK hynix also surged 127% over the same period.
In addition, Hanwha Aerospace, which ranked high in foreigners' net purchases, recorded a 241% rise. Korea Electric Power Corporation (77%), Hyundai Mobis (26%), Hyosung Heavy Industries (259%), Kakao (56%), ISU PETASYS (189%), Samsung Electro-Mechanics (58%), and Hyundai Rotem (355%) also posted strong share price gains.
While foreigners focused on large-cap stocks, individual investors centered their investments on NAVER and secondary battery stocks. However, returns were somewhat lower than those of foreigners. Of the top 10 net-bought stocks by individual investors, six rose this year, but four fell.
Topping the list of individual investors' net buys was Naver, with a total purchase of 2.069 trillion won. Naver's share price rose only 27.2% this year.
Samsung SDI, the second most accumulated stock, instead fell 14.8%. Hyundai Motor, in third place, rose 3.8%, while SK Telecom, in fourth, fell 1.5%. Also among the top 10 net buys, LG Electronics (-8.5%), CJ CheilJedang (-8.6%), Alteogen (52.3%), and HANMI Semiconductor (21.9%) showed relatively weak share price performance.
The average return of the top 10 net-bought stocks by individuals came to 37.0%. That is only one-fourth of foreigners'.