As the domestic stock market has been setting a record high day after day, the number of active stock trading accounts has also increased significantly.
According to the Korea Financial Investment Association on the 4th, as of the 31st of the previous month, the number of active stock trading accounts was tallied at 95,333,114. Compared with 86,568,337 at the end of last year, it has increased by 8,764,777 so far this year. After surpassing 90 million on May 12, it exceeded 95 million in just over five months.
An active stock trading account refers to a discretionary trading account or securities savings account with a deposited asset of at least 100,000 won and at least one transaction over the past six months. Considering that Korea's population is about 50 million, it means each person holds roughly two stock trading accounts on average.
This is interpreted as an increase in the number of stock accounts as expectations for the "era of 5,000" have grown, with the KOSPI repeatedly setting a record high this year. The KOSPI broke through the 4,000 level for the first time on the 27th of the previous month and then, on the 3rd, surpassed the 4,200 level at the closing price, climbing steeply.
The securities industry said that, although the KOSPI may undergo a correction after a short-term surge, the upward trend is likely to continue. The research division at Shinhan Investment Securities noted in a recently published report, "During the third-quarter earnings season, strong results exceeding expectations are continuing," adding, "More than 80% of S&P 500 corporations achieved a surprise, and signs of warmth are being confirmed in Korea and China as well."
Lee Kyung-min, a researcher at Daishin Securities Co., also said, "We have entered a phase of strengthened momentum in the resumption of the U.S. rate-cut cycle and the global policy mix," and predicted, "The liquidity environment will become even stronger, and expectations for an economic recovery could flow in with a lag." He then raised the KOSPI year-end target forecast from 4,100 to 4,250.