Retail Power Surge: High-Value Investors Boost Activity in Historic KOSPI Rally
SEOUL, Nov. 3 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s benchmark KOSPI index, which recently broke the 4,000-point mark for the first time in history, has ignited a wave of participation from wealthy individual investors making large-scale trades.
According to the Korea Exchange, individual investors placed an average of 28,729 orders worth at least 100 million won ($73,000) per day in October, a 52 percent increase from 18,957 in September. It was the highest daily average since August 2021, when such orders peaked at 34,543.
The surge followed the market’s 19 percent jump last month, driven by optimism over a U.S.-Korea tariff agreement and strong gains in American tech stocks.
Samsung Electronics was the most actively traded stock among large individual orders, recording 60,243 transactions. Analysts said momentum grew after the company reported stronger-than-expected third-quarter earnings and confirmed AI chip supply deals with Nvidia, capped by a meeting between Samsung Chairman Lee Jae-yong and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang in Seoul.
Big-Money Traders Drive Market Frenzy After KOSPI Hits Record High (Yonhap)
SK hynix ranked second with 43,787 large orders, buoyed by optimism in the memory semiconductor sector and its record quarterly performance. Shares of Doosan Enerbility, Naver, Hanwha Ocean, Samsung SDI, Hanmi Semiconductor, and Hyundai Motor followed.
Analysts expect the KOSPI’s upward trend to continue into next year, supported by loose global monetary policy and government-led demand in core industries such as semiconductors and AI infrastructure.
“The liquidity-driven rally is likely to extend into 2025,” said Kang Dae-seung, analyst at SK Securities. “Semiconductors and AI-related infrastructure will remain the dominant investment themes.”
Still, some caution that U.S. policy uncertainty could inject volatility. “The rally has relied on expectations for U.S. rate cuts and AI investment cycles,” said Na Jeong-hwan of NH Investment & Securities. “If those expectations weaken, short-term corrections could follow.”
This photo, taken Oct. 29, 2025, shows the dealing room of Hana Bank in central Seoul. (Yonhap)
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
