Foreigners returned to Korean equities in force this week — and Korean banks are simultaneously slamming the door on new variable-rate mortgages.
Foreigners net bought 3.4 trillion KRW (approximately $2.35 billion USD) over three trading sessions, lifting the KOSPI to 6,797.70 — which briefly crossed 7,000 intraday. LG Innotek is positioned as a near-certain MSCI August inclusion, with approximately 313 billion KRW in passive inflows expected on August 13. IBK's suspension of variable-rate mortgages follows KB Kookmin's per-borrower cap and Woori Bank's branch limit reduction, with five major banks' household loan growth already exceeding the full-year target before August.
Sources:
Wall Street Calls KOSPI Bottom, Semiconductor Selloff Set to Stop — Seoul Economic Daily, July 22, 2026
Three Trading Days, 3.4 Trillion KRW Net Buy — Is Foreign Rebalancing Done? — Seoul Economic Daily, July 22, 2026
MSCI August Review Takes Shape: LG Innotek In, HLB and Others Out — Seoul Economic Daily, July 22, 2026
IBK Suspends Variable-Rate Mortgage Lending as Loan Shutdown Spreads — Seoul Economic Daily, July 22, 2026
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#KOSPI #KoreanStocks #ForeignInvestors #MSCI #LGInnotek #Mortgage #RetailInvestors #KoreanMarket #AIPRISM #SeoulEconomicDaily #WANIFRA
