Seoul: The net asset value of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) has exceeded the 200 trillion-won (US$143 billion) milestone, driven by strong investor demand, data revealed Thursday. The Korea Exchange, the bourse operator, reported that the net asset value of listed ETFs stood at 201.28 trillion won (US$141.62 billion) as of Wednesday, marking an increase of 2.1 trillion won from the previous day.
According to Yonhap News Agency, this figure is the highest recorded since ETFs were introduced to the local stock market in 2002. The net asset value had previously surpassed the 190 trillion-won mark in February and reached 100 trillion won in June 2023.
ETFs are investment funds traded on stock exchanges that invest in a mix of stocks, commodities, and bonds, tracking an index. The rapid expansion of the ETF market can be attributed to a steady capital inflow, as investors take advantage of low brokerage fees and stable returns.
Currently, there are 984 ETFs listed on the local stock market.