Most South Korean retail investors report gains in the stock market

Seven out of ten Korean investors who sold stocks from January to November 2025 profited, particularly from the surge in the KOSPI index throughout the year. The rise in profits followed substantial withdrawals of funds by foreign investors earlier in November. 

According to Shinhan Securities data for January to November 2025, 67% of individual investors in South Korea who sold stocks achieved gains averaging 9.12 million Korean Won ($6,165), while 33% incurred losses averaging 6.85 million Korean Won ($4,630). The figures represent roughly seven out of ten Korean individuals who achieved profitability. 

13.3% of profitable South Korean investors exceed $6,750 in profits

Based on Shinhan Securities data cited in the local media daily report, 54.4% of profitable investors earned 1 million Korean Won or less ($676), 32.3% of them gained 1-10 million South Korean Won ($675-$6,750), and 13.3% exceeded 10 million Won. In contrast, among the investors who incurred losses, 58.1% recorded losses of less than 1 million Korean Won, 30.1% fell within the range of 1-10 million Korean Won, and 12.9% recorded losses of over 10 million Korean Won. 

Samsung Electronics stock recorded the most polarized results, with 81.4% of sellers profiting an average of 2.5 million Won ($1,690) while 18.6% lost an average of 1 million Won ($675). According to Shinhan Securities data, profitable exits concentrated between 70,000 and 80,000 Korean Won, representing 35% of the sellers. 34.2% of the fell in the 50,000-60,000 Korean Won range, and 90,000 South Korean Won or higher represented 30.9%, with only 0.5% of them selling above 110,000 South Korean Won, a peak recorded on November 3, 2025. 

Among the losers, 53.3% of them bought Samsung Electronics stock at a range of 50,000 to 60,000 South Korean Won. Meanwhile, Samsung Electronics’ stock has recorded 101.5% year-to-date growth. At the time of publication, Samsung Electronics Co Ltd stock was trading at 107,600 Korean Won ($72.73), down approximately 0.3% on the daily chart. 

The KOSPI index yielded profit for 71.3% of Korean individuals, while the KOSDAQ index benefited 52.8% of individuals. Top performers, who supported the KOSPI surge, included Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, and Doosan Enerbility. For losers, stocks in Kakao and Naver contributed significantly. The KOSDAQ index was driven by contributions from EcoPro, Robotis, and Rainboe Robotics, while EcoPro BM and Hyulim Robot contributed to the losses. 

KOSPI index records 66.51% YTD, boosted by Samsung stock surge

The KOSPI index has recorded a 66.51% YTD growth as of now, trading at 3,994, which represents a 1.5% drop on the daily chart. KOSDAQ index, on the other hand, has recorded a 32% YTD. 

According to a recent report by Cryptopolitan, foreign funds withdrew over $10.18 billion in November from seven Asian markets, including South Korea, Taiwan, and India. The outflow reversed October’s recorded net inflows of $2.28 billion according to LSEG data. The South Korean market registered the largest share of outflows, recording $5.05 billion, offsetting October’s $4.21 billion in inflows. 

Most of the profits recorded this year have been attributed mainly to the AI-related stocks boom, mirroring a global trend in Japan and U.S. markets. The MSCI Asia Pacific ex Japan index reached a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.66 by the end of November, which is the highest since June 2021. 

Despite foreign markets pulling profits from the Korean market, individual investors sustained profitability towards the end of the year. Shinhan Securities noted that the results varied greatly by index, stock selection, and timing. 

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