Mirae Asset Securities’ headquarters building in Yeouido, Seoul. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Jan. 13 (Korea Bizwire) – A majority of affluent retail investors in South Korea expect stock markets at home and abroad to extend their gains this year, with artificial intelligence and robotics emerging as the most favored investment themes, according to a new survey by Mirae Asset Securities.
In a poll conducted by the firm’s Digital Private Banking Center, more than 70 percent of respondents said they anticipate the KOSPI to rise in 2026 from the previous year, while 73 percent forecast further gains for the U.S. S&P 500 index. The survey covered 1,220 “Kairos Members,” a group of digital premium clients with active investment and trading experience.
By market, the United States was seen as the most promising destination for investment, cited by half of respondents, followed by South Korea at 36 percent. China, India and Japan trailed behind.
Artificial intelligence dominated expectations for the year’s most attractive investment theme, selected by 56 percent of respondents, with robotics a distant second at 19 percent. Healthcare and energy each garnered 7 percent.
A financial data screen in the dealing room of Shinhan Bank in Seoul on Jan. 13, 2026, shows the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index having advanced 67.85 points, or 1.47 percent, to close at 4,692.64. South Korean stocks closed sharply higher at another record milestone, inching closer to the 4,700-point mark as defense and auto shares offset declines in semiconductor stocks. (Yonhap)
At the same time, investors identified inflation and the risk of an AI-driven asset bubble as the leading threats to market stability, reflecting what the firm described as a more balanced and risk-aware outlook amid strong enthusiasm for emerging technologies.
When asked about preferred strategies, respondents favored theme-focused investing, followed by growth and value strategies, while short-term trading attracted little interest. Mirae Asset Securities said the results suggest investors are prioritizing medium- to long-term positioning over attempts to profit from short-term volatility.
“The survey shows that our digital premium clients are highly attuned to technological change and policy developments, while also maintaining a realistic view of market risks,” said Jeon Yoon-ho, head of the firm’s digital private banking division. He added that the company plans to expand digital services and content to better support clients’ investment decisions.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
