South Korea’s KOSPI 200 index-tracking exchange-traded funds outpaced major global asset classes through late November, delivering an 80.76% return according to data compiled by Daishin Securities on November 27. Despite a sharp market correction in July that pushed the index down over 20% from its peak, domestic equities maintained the highest year-to-date performance among traditional and alternative investment vehicles.
Asset Class Performance Comparison for 2025
Domestic stock performance stood in stark contrast to several major international asset classes, which experienced steep pullbacks or modest gains over the same tracking period ending November 20. Crude oil secured the second-highest return among major assets tracked by Daishin Securities, with West Texas Intermediate (WTI) near-month contracts rising 67.36% amid supply shocks following geopolitical tensions in the Middle East earlier in the year.
International equities favored by South Korean retail investors—known locally as “Seohak ants”—posted much lower gains. Exchange-traded funds tracking the S&P 500 index, such as SPY, rose just 11.08% year-to-date following heavy accumulation late last year.
Precious Metals and Cryptocurrency Drawdowns
Safe-haven assets and digital currencies faced significant downward pressure during the same period. Gold prices underwent a sharp correction driven by a persistent strong-dollar regime, resulting in a negative return of -2.6%.
Cryptocurrencies experienced even heavier capital outflows. Bitcoin posted a -10.18% return as investors pulled liquidity out of digital assets in favor of higher-yielding traditional equities and commodities.
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