韩国基民投资理财新趋势：偏好高杠杆ETF，对中国资产关注度提升

Core Insights - The rise of retail investors, referred to as the "Ant Army," is significantly influencing the South Korean capital market, with many young investors viewing investment as a means to change their fortunes amid economic challenges [1][4]. Group 1: Investment Trends - South Korean investors are increasingly favoring high-risk leveraged products, including ETFs and derivatives, despite the potential for substantial losses [4][5]. - The introduction of leveraged ETFs in South Korea dates back to 2010, making it one of the earliest markets in Asia to adopt such products [3]. - As of October 3-9, 2023, South Korean investors invested approximately $1.2 billion in global markets, with the Direxion Daily Tesla Bull 2X ETF receiving the highest net inflow of $151 million [4]. Group 2: ETF Market Growth - The ETF market in South Korea has seen rapid growth, with the number of listed ETFs surpassing 1,000 for the first time in July 2023, reaching 1,028 by October 17, 2023 [7]. - Individual investors have net bought 21.3 trillion KRW worth of ETFs in 2023, while institutional investors have shown a net outflow during the same period [7]. Group 3: Focus on Chinese Assets - Since 2025, there has been a notable increase in South Korean investors' interest in Chinese assets, particularly in Hong Kong tech stocks, with a cumulative trading volume of $9.019 billion, making China the second-largest overseas stock market for South Korean investors [10][11]. - The net buying of Chinese assets by South Korean investors reached $393 million since 2025, with a significant focus on technology giants, AI, and electric vehicle sectors [11][12]. - The top five net bought A-shares by South Korean investors include companies like Cambricon and WuXi AppTec, while the top five Hong Kong stocks include Xiaomi and NIO [12].