This graph shows the number of foreign entities that have invested in domestic listed companies. (CEO Score)
By Jeong Euiseok
Foreign investment in the country's major listed companies have surged nearly 30% over the past year.
CEO Score, a corporate data think tank, on July 15 said in its survey of foreign companies each with a stake of 5% or greater in Korea's top 500 listed companies by market cap as of last month showed 123 investment deals, up 29.5% from 95 year on year.
This survey was based on equity holdings by foreign funds on the country's top 500 companies by market cap and excluding preferred stocks and special-purpose entities like real estate investment trusts.
By country, investment by American companies comprised over half of the figure with 69, followed by Europe (25), Japan (10) and China (eight).
Among American investors, BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager, made the most investments in domestic listed companies.
Over the past year, BlackRock raised its stake to at least 5% in 12 more companies, emerging as a leading shareholder in 19 domestic listed companies.
Among Europe's 25 investment cases, Norges Bank, the central bank of Norway, was the most active as it bought stakes in six companies.
Japan, which invested in 10 companies, held large stakes in joint ventures mainly in technology and security.
Centered on its information and communcation technology giant Tencent, China bought shares in eight businesses in sectors like domestic gaming and entertainment.
By industry, cosmetics attracted the most foreign investment over the period. The number of equity investments of 5% or more was two in June last year but rose to nine last month.
Foreign investment in the sector was dominated by Cosmax, a specialist in the manufacturing of original equipment and design.
Semiconductor and pharmaceuticals/biotech also each saw an increase of four investments. Chips broke away from an investment trend focused on large-cap stocks to include small- and mid-cap component and equipment companies with high technological competitiveness.
Insurance and food and beverages each added three investments while financial holdings and steel and metals two each, indicating modest growth.
innocence@korea.kr
