The number of high-net-worth clients at Kiwoom Securities (039490.KS) with at least 1 billion won ($720,000) in assets jumped more than 80% over the past year, and their stock picks shifted along with them. Among investors in their 20s and 30s, a stock that ranked outside the top five a year ago vaulted to No. 1, while other names dropped off the rankings entirely.
Kiwoom Securities said the number of individual investors reached 9.05 million as of the end of July, up about 920,000, or 11%, from 8.13 million a year earlier.
The gains were especially large among wealthy clients. The number of customers with at least 1 billion won in deposited assets rose 80.7% over the period, while those holding at least 3 billion won ($2.2 million) increased about 90%.
Their holdings shifted as well. In July last year, the top five stocks held by clients with at least 1 billion won were Samsung Electronics, Naver, SK hynix, Kakao and Doosan Enerbility, in that order. This July, SK hynix moved up to second behind Samsung Electronics, followed by Hyundai Motor, Doosan Enerbility and Naver.
A similar pattern emerged among clients holding at least 3 billion won. Last year the order was Samsung Electronics, Naver, Kakao, SK hynix and Doosan Enerbility, but this year it was reshuffled to Samsung Electronics, SK hynix, Hyundai Motor, Doosan Enerbility and Samsung Electro-Mechanics.
While Samsung Electronics held its place as the top stock among wealthy clients, SK hynix climbed sharply and Hyundai Motor and Doosan Enerbility secured spots near the top. By contrast, Kakao and Naver, which ranked highly last year, saw their presence relatively diminished.
Investment choices also differed clearly by generation. The stock most widely held last month by investors in their 20s and younger, as well as those in their 30s, was SK hynix. As recently as July last year, the stock sat outside the top ranks for both age groups, but within a year it rose to No. 1 in both.
Among investors aged 40 and older, Samsung Electronics remained the most widely held stock. Kiwoom Securities said investors in their 20s and 30s tend to favor stocks with high growth expectations, while those aged 40 and older continue to show interest in stocks that offer market representativeness and stability.
Hyundai Motor's advance also stood out. Last year it ranked highly only among investors in their 30s and 40s, but this year it placed third or fourth across all age groups, from those in their 20s and younger to those 60 and older.
Samsung Electronics preferred shares, which offer dividend appeal, newly entered the top ranks among investors in their 30s, 40s, 50s and those 60 and older. Conversely, Kakao and Alteogen, which were popular among some age groups last year, fell out of the top five holdings across all age groups this year.
"Looking at recent investment behavior among high-net-worth clients, investors in their 20s and 30s show a marked preference for stocks with high growth expectations, while those aged 40 and older continue to show interest in stocks with market representativeness and stability," a Kiwoom Securities official said.
