Lee-backed index ETFs post stellar gains

Mar 03, 2026, 09:21 am

Index-tracking exchange-traded funds (ETFs), including products reportedly held by President Lee Jae-myung, have surged more than 50 percent in just two months, outperforming the broader market amid a semiconductor-driven rally.

According to the Korea Exchange on March 2, three ETFs known to be part of Lee’s portfolio — KODEX 200, TIGER 200, and KODEX Kosdaq150 — have returned 50.21 percent, 49.96 percent and 33.38 percent, respectively, so far this year based on closing prices.

During the same period, the Kospi rose 44.89 percent and the Kosdaq gained 26.14 percent. The Kospi200-linked ETFs outperformed the benchmark by more than 5 percentage points, while the Kosdaq150 ETF exceeded the Kosdaq index’s gain by about 7 percentage points.

Market analysts attribute the outperformance to strong gains in heavyweight semiconductor and auto stocks, which carry significant weight in the Kospi200. In a market characterized by selective rallies, ETFs concentrated on the top 200 large-cap stocks benefited from the strength of industry leaders.

In the Kosdaq market, leading secondary battery and biotech stocks drove the index higher, lifting Kosdaq150 ETFs that hold a large proportion of those names.

Managed by Samsung Asset Management, KODEX 200 is Korea’s first Kospi200-tracking ETF and invests in the top 200 stocks by market capitalization. Major holdings include Samsung Electronics (32.4 percent), SK hynix (19.2 percent), Hyundai Motor (2.6 percent), SK Square (2.0 percent) and KB Financial Group (1.7 percent).

While the Kospi climbed 44.89 percent this year, KODEX 200 advanced 50.21 percent. Its net assets more than doubled from around 5 trillion won at the start of 2025 to 11 trillion won by year-end, and surpassed 19 trillion won in February.

TIGER 200, operated by Mirae Asset Global Investments, tracks the same Kospi200 index. After gaining more than 90 percent last year, it has risen 49.96 percent this year, nearly matching KODEX 200. Its net assets expanded from 1.86 trillion won at the beginning of last year to 4.53 trillion won by year-end, and have since grown to approximately 7.9 trillion won.

KODEX Kosdaq150, also managed by Samsung Asset Management, invests in 150 leading Kosdaq stocks, with heavy exposure to growth sectors such as secondary batteries and biotech. The ETF has gained 33.38 percent this year, outperforming the Kosdaq index. Notably, its net assets have surged more than 300 percent, marking the fastest inflow among the three products.

The overall ETF market is also expanding rapidly, approaching the 400 trillion won mark. Total net assets of domestic ETFs jumped from 171 trillion won at the start of 2025 to 297 trillion won by year-end, a 72.86 percent increase. They further rose from 298 trillion won in January to 387 trillion won in February this year — nearly a 90 trillion won increase in just two months.

Experts describe the ETF boom as a move to avoid stock-picking risks.

“In a market where individual stock volatility is extreme, investors are turning to index ETFs to gain stable exposure to market leaders such as Samsung Electronics and Alteogen,” an asset management official said. “With improved earnings visibility in semiconductors and biotech, the concentration in leading stocks may continue through the quarterly earnings season.”

However, the official cautioned that investors should remain mindful of potential volatility following the rapid short-term surge.

#Lee Jae-myung #KODEX 200 #TIGER 200 #KODEX Kosdaq150 #Samsung Asset Management