Foreign Investors Snap Up Record $5.4 Billion of Korean Stocks in a Day

Foreign investors staged a dramatic return to South Korean equities on Friday, purchasing a record $5.4 billion worth of stocks. The inflow marks a sharp reversal after foreigners had offloaded $110 billion in 2026 before that session.

Domestic retail investors sold a record $5.5 billion, extending their selling streak to three consecutive days. Over the same period earlier in the year, retail buyers had accumulated $67 billion, including $57 billion in May and June alone.

Brokerage deposits earmarked for stock purchases have fallen $23 billion from their June peak to around $74 billion, signaling waning retail appetite. The shift suggests foreign capital is increasingly flowing back into the market.