South Korean retail investors sharply increased bets on falling oil prices even as international crude benchmarks surged, purchasing a combined ₩80.8 billion, or about $59.9 million, of two inverse products during the month through Oct. 10. Individuals net bought ₩49 billion of the KODEX WTI Crude Oil Futures Inverse (H) ETF and ₩31.8 billion of the Samsung Bloomberg Inverse 2X WTI Crude Oil Futures ETN B. The products target -1x and -2x daily exposure to WTI futures, respectively, and benefit from declines in crude prices. Brent for November delivery rose 3.36% to $101.21 per barrel, while October WTI gained 3.25% to $96.05. Oil-linked products tracking higher prices posted double-digit gains, while refiners and petrochemical shares benefited from expectations for stronger refining margins and airlines faced higher fuel costs. President Donald Trump said high oil prices could persist until the U.S. midterm elections but predicted a sharp decline afterward as wars end. The contrarian positions therefore appear focused on a near-term correction, although their outcome will depend on geopolitical developments and the durability of the oil rally.