Foreigners turn net sellers of Korean shares in 2015

Foreign investors turned net sellers of South Korean stocks this year, snapping their three-year buying streak, data showed Monday.

Offshore traders sold a net $154 million on the main KOSPI market during the first 11 months of the year, according to the data compiled by the Korea Exchange. From Dec. 1 until last Friday, they offloaded $2.53 billion.

It is the first time since 2011 that foreigners shunned local stocks. They picked up a net $5.89 billion worth of shares last year, $5.09 billion in 2013 and $15.78 billion in 2012, according to the KRX.

"The 'Sell Korea' sentiment is attributed to the strong dollar and sliding oil prices, which prompted Middle East investors to leave the Korean market," Hyundai Securities expert Nah Joong-hyuk said.

"Foreigners also appear to be wary of the slow growth in the economy amid weak exports and unfavorable external conditions," he added.

Foreigners, however, were net buyers in Asia, excluding the Chinese and Japanese bourses, by purchasing $552 million combined, extending their buying streak to a fourth straight year.

Taiwan was favored the most as foreigners scooped up a net $4.17 billion through the end of November, followed by India with $3.24 billion, the KRX data showed.

As of last Thursday, the KOSPI index had risen 3.3 percent this year, trailing the 10.9 percent for Japan, the 10.7 percent for China and the 5.8 percent for Vietnam, according to the KRX. (Yonhap)