Seoul: South Korean individual investors have set a new record for overseas stock purchases in the first half of November, highlighting their aggressive investment strategies. Local investors purchased a net total of US$3.63 billion in foreign stocks during the first 14 days of the month, more than doubling the $1.77 billion recorded in the same period last month.

According to Yonhap News Agency, data from the Korea Securities Depository and the Korea Center for International Finance shows that U.S. stocks were the primary focus of these purchases. Retail investors also acquired $180 million in European shares, $170 million in Hong Kong shares, and $150 million in Chinese shares. Conversely, they net sold $350 million worth of Japanese stocks.

A significant portion of the investment, totaling $560 million, was directed towards Meta Platforms Inc. Investors are betting on a rebound after a sharp decline in the stock's value, with prices nearing the $600 mark this month.

The increase in overseas investments coincides with foreign investors selling off domestic stocks. According to the Korea Exchange, foreign investors have been engaging in extensive profit-taking in the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) market, with cumulative net sales amounting to 9.12 trillion won.