Story perspectives

South Koreans Plow $4.5B Into U.S. Stocks in July

8/18/2026

Summary

Story summary

South Korean retail investors bought $4.5 billion of U.S. stocks in July 2026.
$840 million went into SK Hynix ADRs, which traded 10 % above Korean shares, while leveraged ETFs, led by Direxion Semiconductor Bull 3X (SOXL), were top U.S. picks, according to Owen Lamont of Acadian Asset Management.
Margin loan balances fell to about 27 trillion won in early July 2026, down from roughly 37 trillion won at June’s end, per the Korea Financial Investment Association.

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Story summary

South Korean retail investors bought $4.5 billion of U.S. stocks in July 2026.
$840 million went into SK Hynix ADRs, which traded 10 % above Korean shares, while leveraged ETFs, led by Direxion Semiconductor Bull 3X (SOXL), were top U.S. picks, according to Owen Lamont of Acadian Asset Management.
Margin loan balances fell to about 27 trillion won in early July 2026, down from roughly 37 trillion won at June’s end, per the Korea Financial Investment Association.