The themes driving the stock market change each year. Four to five years ago, the focus was on electric vehicle batteries, followed by biotechnology, power and shipbuilding, and artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductors. This year, AI and semiconductors are again at the forefront. The trend is no different among the younger generation. In the first half of this year, the top stocks purchased by young investors included South Korea's leading semiconductor companies, SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics, which ranked first and second, respectively.
According to data from Hana Financial Investment and NH Investment & Securities, the top stocks bought by investors in their 20s and 30s in the first quarter of this year included Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, Hyundai Motor, Doosan Enerbility, and NAVER. In the second quarter, SK Square and Samsung Electro-Mechanics replaced Doosan Enerbility and NAVER. SK Hynix, Samsung Electronics, and Hyundai Motor maintained their positions among the top purchases in both quarters. These stocks ranked first to third in total trading volume in the market this year. Notably, Samsung Electro-Mechanics and SK Square, which entered the top purchases in the second quarter, surged by 435.95% and 263.77%, respectively, ranking first and eighth in overall returns for the quarter.
Looking at the annual performance, the investment results for the younger generation have been quite good, except for 2022. In that year, all top stocks purchased by investors in their 20s and 30s suffered losses. The top stocks included LG Energy Solution, Samsung Electronics, Il Dong Pharmaceutical, Wemade, and SK Hynix, with Wemade plummeting by 82.27%. SK Hynix (-42.75%), Samsung Electronics (-29.37%), Il Dong Pharmaceutical (-15.03%), and LG Energy Solution (-13.86%) also saw declines.
In 2023, the top purchased stocks were dominated by electric vehicle batteries, with significant improvements in investment performance compared to the previous year. Common stocks among young investors included EcoPro, L&F, POSCO Holdings, POSCO Future M, and EcoPro BM. Notably, EcoPro and EcoPro BM, benefiting from the electric vehicle battery sector, surged by 528.16% and 212.70%, respectively. POSCO Future M (99.44%) and L&F (10.03%) also showed double-digit increases. Other stocks, including POSCO Holdings (80.65%) and Samsung Electronics (41.95%), also rose significantly, as the electric vehicle battery value chain dominated the top purchases and boosted returns.
In 2024, biotechnology emerged as a new focus, with Alteogen and Yuhan Corporation joining the list of top purchases. Alteogen surged by 214.21%, while Yuhan Corporation rose by 73.69%.
Last year, the buying interest broadened across leading sectors such as semiconductors, power, shipbuilding, and biotechnology. The top purchased stocks in 2025 included SK Hynix, Samsung Electronics, NAVER, Doosan Enerbility, Hanwha Ocean, and Alteogen, with most stocks showing strong performance. Doosan Enerbility rose by 329.06%, SK Hynix by 274.35%, Hanwha Ocean by 204.15%, and Samsung Electronics by 125.38%.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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