Retail Investors Reverse Course, Surge $450M in Samsung, SK Hynix Leverage ETF Buys on July 24 After Regulation Delay

According to Korea Exchange and Koscom, retail investors reversed course on July 24, purchasing 4.5 trillion won in single-stock leverage ETFs tracking Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix after regulators delayed a major regulatory tightening. The shift followed sharp selling pressure on July 21-23, when individual traders had sold 5 trillion won in the same products, but raced back in after financial authorities postponed the implementation of a deposit requirement increase from August 5 to July 31.

Samsung Electronics fell 7.59% and SK Hynix dropped 8.34% on the day, triggering corresponding declines of roughly 15% and 17% in their respective leverage products. Analysts attributed the buying reversal to both bargain-hunting during the market selloff and investors seeking to establish positions ahead of the stricter deposit requirements.