South Korean retail investors’ net purchases of U.S. shares reached $5.42268 billion from Oct. 1 through Oct. 29, 5.4 times the previous month’s total and the highest level in 11 months, or the most since November 2025. SpaceX was their largest U.S. stock purchase at $221.83 million, followed by leveraged Nasdaq products QLD and TQQQ, as well as Alphabet and Micron. Domestically, investors committed a combined 323.1 billion won ($231 million) to KODEX Kosdaq150 Leverage and KODEX Leverage after the Kospi closed above 6,000. At the same time, cash-like and defensive products attracted substantial inflows as market volatility triggered three sidecar curbs during the week. A stronger won lowered the local-currency cost of U.S. stocks, while domestic margin-loan balances declined and investor deposits were broadly stable.