Client Deposits Reach ₩117 Trillion, Short-Term Funds ₩114 Trillion Amid Surge in Leveraged Investing

Large-scale funds are pouring into the domestic stock market through investor deposits and securities firms' short-term funding methods like repurchase agreements (RPs), fueling a growing trend of 'leveraged betting' – investing with borrowed money. Following the KOSPI index's recovery above the 6000 mark, funds available for market investment have also increased. As of the 14th, total funds surrounding the stock market surpassed 295 trillion won, a rise of approximately 62 trillion won since the start of the year.

The inflow of funds was led by investor deposits and repurchase agreements (RPs). Investor deposits grew to 117.6724 trillion won (a 33.98% increase), and RPs to 114.4181 trillion won (a 14.11% increase), expanding the market's capacity for further buying. Leveraged funds also expanded concurrently, demonstrating active market investment sentiment. Deposits for derivatives trading surged by 67.68% to 28.9224 trillion won, while outstanding margin trading balances increased by 21.97% to 33.2824 trillion won.

Kang Jin-hyuk, a senior researcher at Shinhan Investment & Securities, stated that the KOSPI's surpassing of the 6000 mark is attributed to expectations of easing geopolitical risks. Kim Dong-won, head of KB Securities' research division, diagnosed that the 'Korean-style money move,' with about 140 trillion won flowing into the stock market primarily from individual investors, is in full swing, and an expansion of foreign buying is also anticipated from the second quarter. Lee Seong-hoon, a researcher at Kiwoom Securities, added that a portfolio strategy focused on earnings stocks remains effective as the global stock market's focus shifts to the earnings season.