Top 1% Elite Investors in Korea: What They’re Buying and Selling Right Now

 In the ever-shifting landscape of the Korean stock market, few things attract as much curiosity as the behavior of the so-called “super investors.” These are individuals whose monthly returns place them in the top one percent of all investors — people who seem to have an almost intuitive sense of where the market is heading next.

According to Mirae Asset Securities, data collected over the past month revealed fascinating insights into the trading patterns of these elite players. Their most aggressively bought and sold stocks paint a clear picture of confidence, caution, and calculated strategy amid a market that’s both volatile and opportunity-rich.

What Are the Top 1% Buying?

The report shows that Korea’s elite traders have recently been favoring Samsung Electronics, Douzone Bizon, Doosan, and Hanmi Pharmaceutical as their top net-buy picks.

1. Samsung Electronics — The Tech Titan Still Rules

It’s no surprise that Samsung Electronics (005930) remains the most heavily purchased stock among high-return investors. At 9:30 AM on the day of analysis, Samsung’s stock was trading at ₩100,200 — up 1.01% from the previous day.

The company made headlines last month when its share price surged past ₩100,000 for the first time ever, a historic milestone that captured global attention. In just a few trading sessions, the price even soared above ₩110,000 before experiencing a mild correction.

Despite short-term fluctuations, top investors seem to view this dip as a buying opportunity. Their conviction reflects long-term confidence in Samsung’s leadership in semiconductors, AI-related chips, and next-generation displays.

For many elite investors, Samsung remains not just a stock — but a core portfolio anchor symbolizing Korean innovation and global dominance in technology.

2. Douzone Bizon — A Strategic Play on Digital Transformation

Coming in second on the elite investors’ buy list is Douzone Bizon (012510), a major enterprise software provider known for its cloud-based accounting and ERP solutions.

Interestingly, the buying spree occurred just as news broke that company founder and largest shareholder Kim Yong-woo, along with several Shinhan Financial Group affiliates, agreed to sell part of their stake to EQT Partners, Europe’s largest private equity fund.

Following the announcement, Douzone Bizon’s share price fell over 6%, sparking short-term market uncertainty. Yet, to the top 1%, the sell-off appears to have been interpreted as a value opportunity.

By purchasing during the dip, these elite traders demonstrated a typical contrarian mindset — buying quality tech companies during moments of temporary pessimism. Their bet likely reflects optimism that EQT’s global network could help accelerate Douzone Bizon’s international expansion in digital finance and SaaS services.

3. Doosan — A Re-Emerging Industrial Powerhouse

Another favorite among Korea’s most successful investors is Doosan (000150).

The Doosan Group has undergone an impressive transformation over the past few years, refocusing its operations on clean energy, heavy equipment, and hydrogen-related technologies.

The company’s ability to adapt — shifting from traditional power generation toward sustainable industrial solutions — has caught the eye of many investors who see long-term potential in green infrastructure and government-backed energy initiatives.

Elite investors’ buying activity suggests they anticipate steady growth as Doosan continues restructuring and tapping into future-oriented markets.

4. Hanmi Pharmaceutical — Betting on Biotech Innovation

Finally, Hanmi Pharmaceutical (128940) rounds out the list of top net buys. The company is known for its research-driven approach and partnerships with global pharmaceutical giants.

Hanmi’s long history of developing innovative drug delivery systems and metabolic treatments has built a loyal following among investors who believe in the future of Korean biotech.

With continued progress in new drug pipelines and global licensing deals, Hanmi’s inclusion in the top 1% buy list highlights ongoing confidence in Korea’s pharmaceutical growth story.

What Are the Top 1% Selling?

While knowing what elite investors are buying can be insightful, understanding what they’re selling can be equally valuable. The same Mirae Asset data shows that the top 1% have been actively offloading Alteogen, Doosan Enerbility, Naver, Ildong Pharmaceutical, and Shinhan Financial Group.

1. Alteogen — Locking In Gains After a Strong Rally

The most heavily sold stock among elite investors was Alteogen (196170), a major biotech company specializing in biobetter and biosimilar drugs.

As of 9:30 AM, the stock was trading at ₩545,000 — down 0.4% from the previous day.

Given the company’s sharp rise in recent months, many analysts believe top investors are simply taking profits. The biotech sector has seen intense volatility recently, and for high-return traders, securing gains at a peak is often a sign of disciplined risk management rather than pessimism.

2. Doosan Enerbility — A Shift in Sentiment

It’s noteworthy that while some top investors are buying the Doosan parent company, others are selling Doosan Enerbility (034020).

This indicates a nuanced strategy — distinguishing between Doosan’s industrial restructuring play and Doosan Enerbility’s exposure to more cyclical sectors like traditional power generation.

Profit-taking and rotation into newer growth stories may explain this divergence.

3. Naver — From Core Holding to Profit Source

Korea’s internet giant Naver (035420) also appeared among the most sold stocks by elite investors.

Despite being one of the country’s strongest tech names, Naver’s share price has been under pressure amid slower advertising growth and heightened competition in AI and content platforms.

For top traders, selling Naver might not signal a loss of faith but rather a tactical reallocation — trimming large-cap exposure in favor of more undervalued or fast-growing mid-cap stocks.

4. Ildong Pharmaceutical — A Rotation Within Biotech

Another major sell target was Ildong Pharmaceutical (249420). The company saw strong momentum earlier this year on the back of vaccine-related developments and healthcare product sales.

However, as valuations stretched, elite traders seem to have shifted attention to companies like Hanmi Pharmaceutical — which they view as offering better R&D scalability and global partnership prospects.

This rotation within the biotech sector underscores how selective and disciplined top investors can be.

5. Shinhan Financial Group — Defensive to Dynamic

The final name on the top-sell list is Shinhan Financial Group (055550), one of Korea’s largest banks.

With interest-rate uncertainty persisting both domestically and abroad, many investors have been reducing their exposure to traditional financials.

For the top 1%, this appears to be part of a defensive-to-dynamic shift, reallocating funds from stable dividend plays into more growth-oriented sectors like semiconductors and software.

Reading Between the Lines: What the Elite Strategies Reveal

Looking at both sides of the ledger — the stocks being bought and sold — several clear patterns emerge.

1. Tech and Innovation Lead the Way

Samsung Electronics and Douzone Bizon dominate the buying list, signaling ongoing belief in Korea’s tech competitiveness.

Even with short-term volatility, these stocks represent exposure to structural trends: semiconductors, cloud computing, and automation — all of which align with global investment themes for 2025.

2. Biotech Remains a Core Battlefield

Hanmi Pharmaceutical’s inclusion and Alteogen’s sell-off highlight a more mature phase in Korea’s biotech investing environment.

Rather than treating all biopharma companies equally, top investors are differentiating between those with proven commercial pipelines and those still in speculative phases.

3. Financials Out, Industrials In

With Shinhan Financial Group appearing among the top sales and Doosan among the top buys, the data suggests a rotation away from interest-rate-sensitive sectors and toward industrial transformation plays — especially those tied to clean energy, AI manufacturing, and infrastructure renewal.

Why This Matters to Everyday Investors

For the average retail investor, watching the behavior of the top 1% isn’t about blindly copying trades — it’s about understanding the logic behind their decisions.

These elite traders often combine data analytics, market sentiment, and technical indicators with years of experience. Their actions can act as early signals for broader market shifts.

For example:

  • Heavy buying in Samsung Electronics could indicate a rebound in global semiconductor demand.

  • Buying Douzone Bizon during a sell-off might signal confidence in Korea’s digital transformation sector.

  • Selling Naver could reflect expectations of slowing ad revenue across big tech.

By analyzing these moves contextually, smaller investors can better position themselves for medium-term trends rather than short-term noise.

Market Psychology: How the Top 1% Think Differently

The behavioral patterns of top investors often differ sharply from the general crowd:

  • They buy fear and sell euphoria.
    When news headlines turn negative — as in Douzone Bizon’s recent dip — they view it as an entry point.

  • They prefer conviction over diversification.
    Rather than spreading too thin, many top traders focus their capital on a handful of high-confidence ideas.

  • They react to data, not emotion.
    Profit-taking in Alteogen or Naver isn’t a panic move — it’s calculated rotation.

In essence, the elite operate with a long-term vision even when trading short-term volatility.

Looking Ahead: What Could Come Next

As 2025 unfolds, several themes are likely to shape where Korea’s elite investors move next:

  1. AI & Semiconductor Expansion — Samsung’s leadership in high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips keeps it at the forefront of AI infrastructure.

  2. Green Industry Transformation — Companies like Doosan could benefit from hydrogen and renewable energy growth.

  3. Healthcare and Biotech Recovery — Selective biotech investments like Hanmi may outperform as global partnerships resume.

  4. Fintech and SaaS Growth — Douzone Bizon’s future under EQT’s influence may open new global pathways.

For now, the market remains dynamic — but the direction of the top 1% offers a valuable compass.

Final Thoughts

The behavior of Korea’s highest-return investors reveals one powerful truth: success in the market isn’t about luck — it’s about perspective.

While ordinary investors might chase momentum or react emotionally to headlines, the top performers anticipate the story before it breaks.

Their current focus on Samsung Electronics, Douzone Bizon, Doosan, and Hanmi Pharmaceutical — and simultaneous profit-taking from Alteogen, Naver, and Shinhan Financial — paints a clear narrative of confidence in innovation and prudence in profit management.

In a market where billions shift in milliseconds, following the footprints of these elite investors doesn’t guarantee identical success — but it can help illuminate where the smart money believes the future is heading.

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