The margin trading balance, an indicator of leveraged investing known as "debt-to-invest," has continued its upward trend for nine consecutive trading sessions.

According to the Korea Financial Investment Association today (the 31st), the margin trading balance was tallied at KRW 33.3379 trillion as of the 28th.

This marks an upward trend for nine consecutive trading sessions since the 18th.

However, the increase was modest, rising by KRW 8.9 billion compared to the previous session.

In the KOSPI market, the balance decreased by KRW 92.8 billion from the previous session to KRW 26.386 trillion, while the KOSDAQ market saw an increase of KRW 101.7 billion.

Margin balances typically increase when the stock market rises. On the 28th, the KOSPI fell 1.79% from the previous session, whereas the KOSDAQ closed 0.76% higher.

Investor deposits, which are waiting funds for the stock market that had dropped to the KRW 96 trillion range, are approaching the KRW 100 trillion mark once again.

As of the 28th, investor deposits stood at KRW 99.8138 trillion.

This is an increase of KRW 3.1047 trillion from the previous day.

Individual investors net-bought KRW 424.4 billion and KRW 980 billion in the KOSPI and KOSDAQ markets, respectively, while investor deposits surged significantly.

This is interpreted as being driven by the return of subscription funds for Skylab, a digital healthcare company that held a public offering for retail investors on the 26th and 27th.

Ultra-short-term unsettled margin trades dropped back below the KRW 1 trillion mark to KRW 930.3 billion, and stocks forcibly liquidated due to unpaid margins plummeted sharply to KRW 4.7 billion compared to the previous session (KRW 24.8 billion).

The ratio of forced liquidation to unsettled margin accounts also dropped to 0.5%.

(Photo: Yonhap News)