8 out of 10 Office Workers Invest in Stocks... Spending an Average of 59.02 Million Won

[Asia Economy Reporter Bu Aeri] A survey found that 8 out of 10 office workers are investing in stocks.

According to the business app Remember, a survey conducted from the 2nd to the 4th among 975 people in the 'Remember Community' showed that 83% answered "Yes" to the question "Are you currently investing in stocks?"

10% said, "I am not investing yet, but I plan to," and 7% responded that they "do not plan to invest in the future."

Office workers' preference for stocks has increased since the outbreak of COVID-19. 87% of respondents said their preference had risen. The reasons cited included "the domestic and international stock markets have risen sharply (57%)," "bank interest rates have fallen (54%)," and "more acquaintances around me have made money through stocks (23%)." Some also answered that their favorability toward stocks increased due to the rise in real estate prices.

According to Remember, office workers who invested an average of 59.02 million KRW achieved an 18.1% return this year. This figure is somewhat below the 26% increase of the KOSPI this year. Among respondents, 30% reported losing money, with losses under 5%. The expected annual return rate among office workers was 49%.

Investment amounts were highest among employees at small and medium-sized enterprises at 70.85 million KRW, followed by large companies (68.68 million KRW), mid-sized companies (52.08 million KRW), and public institutions (39.89 million KRW).

Office workers invested larger amounts as their rank increased. Managers to executives invested 108.03 million KRW, assistant managers to deputy general managers invested 66.62 million KRW, and staff to assistant managers invested 18.66 million KRW.

The highest investment returns were seen in medical professionals such as doctors, veterinarians, and pharmacists, with a 31% return. Finance (28%), IT and internet (23%), and distribution and trade (21%) followed. The lowest returns were in design (3%), production and manufacturing (7%), broadcasting and media (11%), and professors, teachers, and instructors (12%).

Regarding the secret to achieving high returns, 41% answered "I was lucky," 29% cited "analysis of the appropriate value of invested companies," 13% said "studying macroeconomics," and 12% mentioned "chart analysis."

The biggest difficulty office workers experienced while investing in stocks was "lack of knowledge" (36%). 32% said "lack of funds," and 26% said "lack of time" was the biggest challenge.

Meanwhile, Remember is a comprehensive business app used by 3 million office workers. It offers services such as business card management, the talent scouting service Remember Career, and the office workers' knowledge exchange space Remember Community.