Domestic investors in South Korea are increasingly favoring Palantir, an artificial intelligence (AI) software company, over tech giant Apple, as evidenced by recent investment trends. According to the Korea Securities Depository, as of April 30, 2025, domestic investors' holdings of Palantir shares reached approximately $42.6 billion (about 6 trillion won), surpassing Apple's holdings of $41 billion (approximately 5.8 trillion won).
This significant shift in investor preference is notable, especially considering that at the beginning of 2025, Palantir and Apple had holdings of $23 billion and $48 billion, respectively, with Apple holding more than double Palantir's amount. However, starting from April 25, 2025, Palantir's stock holdings began to overtake those of Apple.
In 2025 alone, domestic investors have net purchased $5.2 billion (approximately 7.3 trillion won) worth of Palantir shares, making it the seventh most popular stock among domestic investors, following Tesla and semiconductor leveraged exchange-traded funds (ETFs). In stark contrast, Apple has seen only a net purchase of $2.33 million (approximately 3.3 billion won) this year.
Palantir has emerged as a leading stock in the defense industry's AI sector, with its stock price soaring by 340% last year. It has continued its upward trajectory in 2025, increasing by 53.6% since the year's start. Despite a sharp decline in February 2025, when news broke about potential cuts to the U.S. defense budget, the stock price has rebounded, nearing its previous high due to a resurgence in tech stock investment sentiment.
Kim Soo-jin, a researcher at Mirae Asset Securities, noted in a recent report that while it is challenging to predict robust performance due to macroeconomic uncertainties and U.S. sanctions, Palantir undoubtedly plays a core role in the current AI industry. This perspective has likely contributed to the growing interest among investors.
Furthermore, the domestic Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) market reflects this trend. According to Koscom ETF Check, there are currently 73 listed products that include Palantir, with total investments through ETFs amounting to approximately 530 billion won. Notable products with a high proportion of Palantir include the 'SOL Palantir US Covered Call Blend' (30.62%), 'SOL Palantir Covered Call OTM Blend' (28.49%), and 'KODEX US AI Software TOP10'.
This shift in investment patterns highlights a growing confidence in AI technology and its applications, particularly in the defense sector, which is increasingly viewed as a critical area for future growth. As Palantir continues to expand its influence in both government and corporate markets, it remains to be seen how this will affect its stock performance and investor sentiment in the coming months.
In summary, the recent developments in the investment landscape indicate a significant pivot towards Palantir among South Korean investors, reflecting broader trends in technology and defense sectors. The ongoing success of Palantir's stock may inspire further investments and interest in AI-driven companies, as they are recognized for their potential to shape the future of various industries.
