Seoul — Foreign investors have set a new record by purchasing over 15 trillion won ($11.7 billion) worth of South Korean shares in the first quarter of the year, the highest amount since data compilation began in 1998. The Korea Exchange (KRX) reported that the net purchase of 15.77 trillion won surpassed the previous record of 14.79 trillion won set in the third quarter of 2009. Investors primarily targeted the semiconductor and auto industries, as well as stocks likely to benefit from the government's corporate value-up program.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Samsung Electronics, Hyundai Motor, and SK hynix were among the most favored stocks, with their prices rising by an average of 22.6 percent during the period. However, analysts predict a slowdown in foreign buying for the second quarter, with potential shifts in investment strategies ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve's expected rate cuts. Experts also caution that the market's outlook may hinge on Samsung Electronics' upcoming earnings guidance and its alignment with market expectations.