Foreign Investors Sold 4 Trillion Won in Domestic Stocks Last Month, Extending Their 'Sell Korea' Streak to Four Months

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[Financial News] Foreign investors sold more than 4 trillion won worth of domestic stocks last month, extending their net selling streak to four straight months. In contrast, they shifted back to net investment in listed bonds after increasing their buying volume.\r\nAccording to the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) on the 29th, foreigners sold a total of 4.046 trillion won in listed domestic stocks last month, keeping net selling in place for a fourth consecutive month. They sold 3.638 trillion won on the Korea Exchange Main Board and 408 billion won on the KOSDAQ market. 
\r\nAt the end of last month, foreigners' holdings of listed stocks stood at 2,121.4 trillion won, up 5.452 trillion won from the previous month. That accounted for 32.5% of total market capitalization.
\r\nBy region, the Middle East recorded net purchases of 200 billion won, while Europe (-200 billion won), the Americas (-1.6 trillion won), and Asia (-1.8 trillion won) posted net sales.
\r\nBy the size of stock holdings, the United States held the largest amount at 886.8 trillion won, followed by Europe at 669.6 trillion won, Asia at 290.4 trillion won, and the Middle East at 37.3 trillion won.
\r\nIn the bond market, however, foreigners made net purchases of 8.089 trillion won last month and received 7.647 trillion won in principal repayments, resulting in net investment of 442 billion won. 
\r\nAs a result, foreigners' holdings of listed bonds at the end of last month rose by 1.4 trillion won from the previous month to 325.2 trillion won.
\r\nBy region, net investment was seen in Europe, at 2 trillion won, and the Americas, at 700 billion won. Net withdrawals were recorded in the Middle East (-800 billion won) and Asia (-100 billion won).
\r\nBy type, government bonds saw net investment of 4.7 trillion won, while MSBs saw net withdrawals of 1.4 trillion won. 
\r\nBy remaining maturity, net investment was concentrated in bonds with maturities of less than 1 to under 5 years, at 5.7 trillion won, and 5 years or more, at 3.8 trillion won. Bonds with maturities of less than 1 year saw net withdrawals of 9.1 trillion won.
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nodelay@fnnews.com Park Ji-yeon Reporter