An analysis of the stocks held by Kiwoom Securities customers found that people in their 20s and 30s most commonly held SK hynix, while those in their 40s and older most commonly held Samsung Electronics. Among high-net-worth individuals as well, Samsung Electronics and SK hynix ranked side by side at the top, and Hyundai Motor also showed a notable rise in ranking.
As of July 25, according to Kiwoom Securities, the No. 1 holding among customers in their teens and 20s and in their 30s was SK hynix. SK hynix, which had been outside the top tier until July last year, climbed to No. 1 in both age groups. By contrast, in their 40s, 50s, and 60s and older, Samsung Electronics retained its place as the most commonly held stock.
Holdings of Hyundai Motor spread across all age groups. Last year it ranked high only among people in their 30s and 40s, but this year it placed around No. 3–4 among every group from teens and 20s to 60s and older. Samsung Electronics preferred shares also newly entered the top tier among those in their 30s to 60s and older. This is seen as reflecting growing interest in dividends.
Conversely, Kakao and Alteogen, which were among the top five stocks in some age groups last year, fell out of the top tier across all ages in July this year. Doosan Enerbility remained in the top tier for a second straight year among those in their teens and 20s and those in their 60s and older.
Among high-net-worth individuals, the share of semiconductors and autos also increased. Among customers with at least 1 billion won in deposits, the top holdings changed from Samsung Electronics, NAVER, SK hynix, Kakao, and Doosan Enerbility in July last year to Samsung Electronics, SK hynix, Hyundai Motor, Doosan Enerbility, and NAVER this year.
Among customers with at least 3 billion won, the lineup also shifted from Samsung Electronics, NAVER, Kakao, SK hynix, and Doosan Enerbility last year to Samsung Electronics, SK hynix, Hyundai Motor, Doosan Enerbility, and Samsung Electro-Mechanics this year.
A Kiwoom Securities official said, "Looking at recent investment behavior among high-net-worth individuals, people in their 20s and 30s show a marked preference for stocks with high growth expectations, while among those in their 40s and older, interest continues in stocks with market representativeness and stability."
The number of high-net-worth individuals themselves is also growing quickly. As of the end of July, Kiwoom Securities customers with deposits of at least 1 billion won increased 80.7% from a year earlier, and those with at least 3 billion won rose about 90%.
The total number of retail customers is also on the rise. As of the end of last month, Kiwoom Securities' retail customers exceeded 9.05 million, up about 920,000 (11%) from 8.13 million in the same period last year.