KODEX Nasdaq 100 ETF Hits 10 Trillion Won in Record Time

A New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) trader at work The first exchange-traded fund (ETF) listed in South Korea tracking the U.S. Nasdaq 100 Index has surpassed 10 trillion won, or approximately $7.41 billion, in net assets. The milestone reflects sustained demand from long-term investors seeking exposure to U.S. growth stocks. Samsung Asset Management announced on Oct. 15 that the net assets of its KODEX U.S. Nasdaq 100 ETF had reached 10.15 trillion won. The fund achieved the milestone approximately five years and six months after its listing in April 2021, making it the fastest among domestically listed ETFs tracking the same index to surpass 10 trillion won. A key driver of the fund’s growth has been strong buying by individual investors. Net purchases by retail investors have reached 3.3 trillion won so far this year, the highest among domestic Nasdaq-100-tracking products. Its appeal as a low-cost vehicle for diversified investment in global innovators has helped establish it as a core holding for long-term investors using regular investment plans and pension accounts. The underlying Nasdaq-100 Index comprises 100 leading companies at the forefront of global artificial intelligence (AI) and technology, including Nvidia, Apple, Microsoft, Broadcom, Amazon and Google. The fund allows investors to participate in the broader growth of U.S. technology stocks without having to select individual stocks themselves. The fund has also delivered solid returns. Its year-to-date return stands at 11.78%, while its two-year return is 50.04% and its three-year return is approximately 102.18%. It has maintained returns among the top performers in its peer group over longer periods while keeping tracking error — a key measure of ETF performance — low. Samsung Asset Management attributed the fund’s growth to investor confidence built through rigorous tracking-error management and strong long-term performance. Im Tae-hyeok, head of the company’s ETF Management Division, said the 10 trillion won milestone reflected clients’ trust in the firm’s investment management capabilities, adding that it would continue to manage the fund stably and efficiently.