'KODEX 200 Covered Call Active' Surpasses KRW 500 Billion in Net Assets Just 1 Month After Listing

Individual Net Purchases Reach KRW 465.2 Billion After Listing
No. 1 in Monthly Individual Net Purchases Among Covered Call ETFs

Samsung Asset Management announced on August 13 that the 'KODEX 200 Covered Call Active' exchange-traded fund (ETF) surpassed KRW 500 billion in net assets, reaching KRW 536.4 billion, approximately one month after its listing on July 14.

Following its listing, this ETF has consistently attracted funds from individual investors. To date, net purchases by individuals have reached KRW 465.2 billion. Over the past month, it ranked first among covered call ETFs in terms of individual net purchases and third among all ETFs.

This influx of individual investor capital is attributed to the ETF's demonstrated track record of monthly dividend performance through its first distribution. At the end of last month, KODEX 200 Covered Call Active distributed its first monthly dividend of KRW 153 per share (a monthly distribution rate of approximately 2.1%). Following the payout at the end of July, the ETF plans to distribute a second monthly dividend at the end of August.

KODEX 200 Covered Call Active is based on the KOSPI 200 component stocks, but actively increases its allocation to leading domestic industries and key companies, such as semiconductors and IT hardware, as well as shareholder return stocks, compared to its benchmark index.

Additionally, it combines a covered call strategy that adjusts the proportion of options sold depending on market conditions. When a rising market is anticipated, the ETF lowers its proportion of options sales to increase participation in stock price gains, while in bearish or sideways markets, it maximizes option premiums to provide investors with stable cash flow.

The ETF is also advantageous from a tax perspective. No taxes are imposed on domestic option premium income or capital gains from domestic stock trading, while a 15.4% dividend income tax applies only to income from stock dividends. Investment is accessible not only through regular accounts but also through retirement pension accounts, such as pension savings, IRP, and DC retirement pension plans.

Ahhyun Song, manager at Samsung Asset Management, commented, "Although the Korean stock market remains undervalued relative to earnings, volatility is high. We are seeing continued demand from individual investors looking for products that offer stable monthly cash flow irrespective of market direction, while investing in market-leading and shareholder-return stocks rather than pursuing directional investments."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.