18 of the Top 50 Overseas Securities Purchased by Korean Retail Investors Were U.S.-Listed ETFs

Press Release

London, 2 October 2026 – ETFGI, a leading independent research and consultancy firm covering trends in the global ETFs ecosystem through subscription research, consulting services, industry events and ETF TV, reports that 18 of the top 50 overseas securities purchased by Korean retail investors in September 2026 were U.S.-listed ETFs.

The number of ETFs among the top 50 overseas purchases increased from 17 in August 2026, but declined from 21 in July 2026 and 22 in June 2026. Korean retail investors purchased US$6.48 billion and sold US$6.32 billion of these top overseas ETFs during September.

The peak month for overseas ETF purchases by Korean retail investors remains October 2025, when purchases reached a record US$15.85 billion.

“Korean retail investors continue to demonstrate a strong preference for accessing global markets through ETFs, particularly U.S.-listed products. While purchases have moderated from the record levels seen in 2025, ETFs remain a significant component of overseas investment activity. The continued popularity of leveraged and thematic ETFs highlights investors’ willingness to seek targeted exposure to high-conviction market themes, especially within technology and semiconductors,” said Deborah Fuhr, Managing Partner, Founder and Owner of ETFGI.

Key Highlights for September 2026

  • Korean retail investors purchased US$6.48 billion and sold US$6.32 billion in the top overseas ETFs.
  • 18 of the top 50 overseas securities purchased were U.S.-listed ETFs.
  • Six of the 18 ETFs provided leveraged or inverse exposure.
  • The largest ETF purchase was US$3.68 billion of the Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X Shares ETF.
  • The largest ETF sale was US$4.77 billion of the Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X Shares ETF.

 

Total Amount of top overseas ETFs purchased by Korean retail investors by month 

               Source: Korea Securities Depository

Total Amount of top overseas ETFs sold by Korean retail investors by month

               Source: Korea Securities Depository

 

Top 10 overseas ETFs purchased in September      Top 10 overseas ETFs sold in September


 

Top 10 overseas ETFs net purchase settlements in September

Source: Korea Securities Depository

 

About ETFGI

ETFGI is an independent research and consultancy firm specialising in providing subscription research, consulting services, industry events and ETF TV focused on trends in the global ETFs ecosystem. ETFGI monitors developments across the ETF, ETP and related investment product industries and provides insights to asset managers, exchanges, regulators, institutional investors and other market participants worldwide.

For further information, please visit ETFGI or contact deborah.fuhr@etfgi.com


 

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The summit is designed as an educational event for financial advisors and institutional investors in the UK, Europe and across Africa. The event includes a full day of thought leadership and networking with senior industry leaders from issuers, regulators, investors, exchanges and trading firms, discussing the forces transforming ETFs, from active ETFs and tokenisation to virtual assets, market structure and emerging innovations.

The virtual day will discuss the ETF landscape and outlook in:
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Register now to join us to meet, network with and hear from industry leaders across the region.

SPEAKERS WILL INCLUDE:

  • Tiaan Bazuin, Chief Executive Officer, Namibia Securities Exchange
  • Aniruddha Chatterjee, CEO - NSE Indices, Data and Cogencis, NSE Indices Limited 
  • James Cullinane, Managing Associate, Simmons & Simmons LLP
  • Hazel Doyle, Partner, K&L Gates 
  • Bradley Duke, Managing Director, Head of Europe, Bitwise
  • Catharine Dwyer, Firm Authorisations Manager and Advisory Unit Lead, Capital Markets & Funds Division, Central Bank of Ireland
  • Deborah Fuhr, Managing Partner & Founder, ETFGI
  • James Hodgson, Senior Associate, Asset Management and Investment Funds Group, Arthur Cox LLP
  • Mhairi Jackson, Asset Management Policy Manager, FCA
  • Anita Mo, CEO and Head of Client Management, Hang Seng Indexes Company  
  • Fotios Kassianidis, PhD, Head of Indexed Investments & Solutions (IIS), MSCI
  • Tony O’Brien, Chief Commercial Officer, Ireland, U.S. Bank
  • Steve Palmer, Head of ETF Solutions, Royal London Asset Management
  • Chris Püllen, CEO & Co-Founder, NaroIQ
  • Miranda Seath, Director, Market Insight & Fund Sectors, The Investment Association
  • Ashutosh Singh, MD & CEO, BSE Indices

EVENT DETAILS:
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📋View the agenda, speakers, and topics from last year's successful annual ETFGI Global ETFs Insights Summit - Europe & Africa here.

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ETFGI is a leading independent research and consultancy firm with 14 years of experience, recognized for its expertise in subscription research, consulting services, 6 annual regional in person ETFGI Global ETFs Insights Summit events that cover all ETFs listed global on 81 exchanges in 63 countries, and ETF TV, covering global ETF industry trends. Interested in subscribing to ETFGI’s research email: contact@etfgi.com

ETF TV (www.ETFtv.net) is an on-demand program that highlights newly launched exchange-traded funds, products, and notes, while exploring the most pressing topics shaping the ETF landscape. Each episode brings together leading voices from across the industry—including issuers, investors, benchmark providers, and traders—to discuss the trends and developments influencing the use and management of exchange-traded products.

Every show features insightful interviews with key market participants, offering expert perspectives on the issues that matter most to the ETF community. ETF TV also offers the opportunity to create sponsored episodes, allowing partners to collaborate with us in producing custom content tailored to their brand and messaging.

If you’re interested in sponsoring or speaking at one of our upcoming ETFGI Global ETFs Insights Summits, subscribing to any of ETFGI’s annual research services (www.ETFGI.com), sponsoring an episode of ETF TV (www.ETFtv.net), exploring our consulting offerings, or if you have any questions, please reach out to us at  deborah.fuhr@etfgi.com and margareta.hricova@etfgi.com.

Contact: 
Deborah Fuhr 
Managing Partner, Founder 
ETFGI 
Mobile: +44 777 5823 111 
Email: deborah.fuhr@etfgi.com 
Web: www.etfgi.com 

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This press release is published by, and remains the copyright of, ETFGI LLP ("ETFGI") or its licensors. The information and data in this press release is for information purposes only. ETFGI makes no warranties or representations regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information contained on this press release.

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