Business · Markets · 4 hrs ago
South Korean investors buy leveraged ETFs and US technology stocks
South Korean investors poured money into leveraged funds as the KOSPI rebounded, closing at 6,012.44 on Oct.
28.
The market had swung sharply, triggering three trading sidecars in one week, and funds designed to track market gains drew buyers.
At the same time, South Korean retail investors bought a record amount of US stocks in 11 months during October, with net purchases reaching $5.42 billion through Oct.
29.
SpaceX was their top pick, and investors also bought shares in technology companies such as Alphabet and Micron, as well as funds that magnify Nasdaq-100 returns.
Interest in SpaceX followed its first quarterly profit and speculation about a possible merger with Tesla; investors may also have been anticipating a Nasdaq listing by Anthropic, which was reported to be a major SpaceX customer.
The buying came alongside continued demand for cash-like and covered-call funds, which investors also used during the volatile week; deposits for investment and margin debt changed little overall.
South Korean investors bought leveraged exchange-traded funds after the KOSPI rebounded, while overseas-bound investors focused on US technology stocks.
From Oct. 23 to 29, the KODEX KOSDAQ 150 Leveraged ETF received 174.4 billion won and the KODEX Leverage ETF received 148.7 billion won.
South Korean investors’ net purchases of US stocks reached $5.42 billion from Oct. 1 to 29, the highest monthly total in 11 months.
SpaceX was the most-purchased US stock, while investors also bought shares in Alphabet and Micron and leveraged Nasdaq ETFs.
- Who
- South Korean investors, including those investing in US stocks.
- What
- They bought leveraged ETFs and US technology stocks. Net purchases of US stocks reached an 11-month high.
- When
- The ETF figures cover Oct. 23–29, 2026; the US stock net-purchase figures cover Oct. 1–29.
- Where
- South Korea’s ETF market and the US stock market.
- Why
- Investors appeared to expect index gains after the KOSPI rebounded. The article also links renewed US stock buying to a sharp domestic market fall and a stronger won.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The KODEX KOSDAQ 150 Leveraged ETF received 174.4 billion won, and the KODEX Leverage ETF received 148.7 billion won.
The KOSPI rose on consecutive days and closed at 6,012.44 on Oct. 28.
South Korean investors’ net purchases of US stocks totaled $5.42 billion, the highest since November 2025.
- KODEX KOSDAQ 150 Leveraged inflows
- 174.4 billion won
- KODEX Leverage inflows
- 148.7 billion won
- US stock net purchases
- $5.42268 billion from Oct. 1–29
- Top US stock purchase
- SpaceX, $221.83 million
- KOSPI close
- 6,012.44 on Oct. 28