The volume represents a 28.1-percent rise from 403.9 trillion won posted a year earlier. (image: KobizMedia/ Korea Bizwire)
SEOUL, Feb. 6 (Korea Bizwire) – The total value of South Korean stocks under foreign ownership has exceeded 500 trillion won (US$440 billion) for the first time on indications of a global economic recovery and improved earnings by some local giants, data showed Monday.
Foreign investors owned 501.9 trillion won worth of shares here as of the end of January, 32 percent of the combined market capitalization of all companies listed on the nation’s bourse, according to the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS).
The volume represents a 28.1-percent rise from 403.9 trillion won posted a year earlier.
They purchased a net 1.78 trillion won of listed stocks and a net 1.66 trillion won of listed bonds last month alone. It marks the first time in six months that foreigners net bought bonds.
American traders held 206.5 trillion won of shares here, accounting for 41.1 percent of total foreign holdings.
Market watchers said foreigners appear to have increased their holdings of South Korean stocks, encouraged by an improvement in the earnings of Samsung Electronics Co. and some other large-cap firms.
(Yonhap)
