Korea Investment Trust Management said on Feb. 26 that net assets of its ACE 200 exchange-traded fund (ETF) have topped 1.5 trillion won.

The Korea Exchange said net assets of the ACE 200 ETF stood at 1.52 trillion won as of the previous day. It was the first time the ETF has exceeded 1.5 trillion won in net assets since it was listed in 2008.

Net assets of the ACE 200 ETF were estimated to have risen more than 100 percent so far this year. At the end of last year, net assets of the ETF stood at 708.1 billion won.

Sustained strength in South Korean stocks since the start of the year has led to inflows into the ETF. Inflows into the ACE 200 ETF totalled 382.1 billion won this year, according to ETF CHECK.

The ACE 200 ETF has posted a return of 49.20 percent so far this year. Its cumulative returns over the past 1 year and 3 years were calculated at 165.58 percent and 201.24 percent. Its return since listing in 2008 stands at 528.66 percent.

Nam Yong-soo (남용수), head of ETF management at Korea Investment Trust Management, said he expects South Korean stocks to continue rising this year, supported by policies aimed at resolving undervaluation in the local market and an influx of foreign buying.