Foreign investors raked in 6.6 percent more stock dividend and interest income from South Korea in the first half of this year than a year earlier as local companies paid out hefty dividends on increased earnings, central bank data showed Monday.

   Foreign investors took US$8.3 billion in stock dividend and bond interest income in the January-June period, compared with $7.79 billion a year earlier, according to the Bank of Korea (BOK).

   The first-half figure is the second-highest since the central bank began to compile related data in 1980, according to the BOK.

   The amount refers to stock dividend or interest income earned by a non-Korean resident who stays here for less than six months.

   A steady increase in dividend payouts to foreigners contributed to the rise as local companies saw their earnings improve, helped by robust exports and domestic demand on the economic recovery, the BOK said.

   Their profits from investment in local securities stood at $3.57 billion in the first half, the highest in 3 years, data showed. Their profit from direct investment in local companies also surged to a record $3.76 billion, the data showed.

   Also, their increased holdings of local bonds helped boost their interest income.

   Foreigners scooped up local bonds on anticipation of a strengthening Korean won and a growing appetite for safer assets.

   Foreign ownership of local listed bond hits a fresh high of 84.2 trillion won as of end-July, or 7.2 percent of total ownership, according to data from the Financial Supervisory Service.

Source: Yonhap News (August 22, 2011)