South Korea equity margin balances for financed stock purchases fell to 33.4 tln
won (about $22.6bn) as of July 16, the Korea Financial Investment Association
(KFIA) said — the lowest level since April 15 and down 13% from an end-June peak
of 38.6 tln won. The KFIA also reported investor deposits fell to 108.1 tln won
on July 16 from a June 4 high of 139.7 tln won, suggesting retail appetite for
equities may be cooling.
