South Korea’s stock market margin balance has dropped to its lowest level since April

According to data from the Korea Financial Investment Association, as of July 16, the margin balance for financing stock purchases had fallen to 33.4 trillion Korean won (approximately US$22.6 billion), the lowest level since April 15. This figure represents a 13% decrease from the peak of 38.6 trillion Korean won at the end of June. Other data suggests that retail investors’ enthusiasm for stocks in South Korea may be cooling. According to the Korea Financial Investment Association, investor deposits fell to 108.1 trillion Korean won on July 16, down from a high of 139.7 trillion Korean won on June 4. (Jin Shi)