Korean Investors Favor Samsung and U.S. Tech Stocks in Year-End Share Gifting (Image supported by ChatGPT)
SEOUL, Dec. 26 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korean investors turned to familiar blue chips and high-flying U.S. technology stocks when gifting shares this year, with Samsung Electronics emerging as the most popular choice, according to data released by KB Securities.
An analysis of KB Securities’ stock-gifting service, covering transactions through Dec. 22, showed that shares of Samsung Electronics accounted for 9 percent of all domestic stock gift transactions, making it the most frequently gifted Korean stock in 2025.
Shares of LG CNS ranked second with 4 percent, followed by Samsung Electronics’ preferred shares at 2.4 percent. Other commonly gifted names included Myungin Pharm, Doosan Enerbility, Kakao and Daehan Shipbuilding.
Combined, Samsung Electronics’ common and preferred shares made up more than 10 percent of all domestic stock gifts. Analysts attributed the trend to the company’s relatively low share price compared with other large semiconductor stocks, easing the financial burden of gifting, as well as expectations of further upside amid a global rally in chip-related shares.
KB Securities noted that Samsung Electronics is trading at a price-to-book ratio of about 1.5, roughly 44 percent below the average of its competitors, making it one of the cheapest-valued DRAM makers globally and reinforcing investor confidence in its long-term potential.
Overseas, U.S. technology stocks dominated gifting activity, reflecting sustained enthusiasm for artificial intelligence–driven growth. Tesla was the single most gifted foreign stock, accounting for 10 percent of overseas stock gift transactions, followed closely by Nvidia at about 9 percent. Palantir, Alphabet, Apple and IonQ also ranked high on the list.
Leveraged and income-focused exchange-traded funds tied to Tesla, including Direxion Daily TSLA Bull 2X Shares and YieldMax TSLA Option Income Strategy, also made the top 10, underscoring investors’ appetite for amplified exposure to the electric-vehicle maker.
Stock gifting services, which allow investors to send shares directly to recipients via mobile or online trading platforms, have gained traction in South Korea as an alternative to traditional holiday gifts, particularly during Christmas and year-end celebrations.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
