Individual Investors Withdraw 2.06 Trillion Won from South Korean Mid-Cap Stocks, Shift to Leveraged ETFs in 1.5 Months

According to Financial News, KOSDAQ margin account balances declined from 9.856 trillion won on May 27 to 7.796 trillion won as of July 9, marking a 20.9% drop over 1.5 months. The withdrawal accelerated in recent weeks, with June 10 balances of 8.966 trillion won falling to 7.796 trillion won by July 9, a 13% decrease.

During the same period, individual investors accumulated net purchases of 22.6 trillion won in ETF markets, with heavy concentration in Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix single-stock leveraged ETFs following their May 27 listing. Data from the Korea Exchange shows individuals accounted for the largest transaction volumes in leveraged ETF trading.