By Cho Mu-hyun
Shinhan Investment plans to become the undisputed gateway for domestic investors to reach out to foreign markets.
According to the financial company, after starting a service for the purchase and sale of American stocks in 2000, Shinhan has grown to become the first brokerage firm investors visit to strengthen their global portfolios, especially in the United States.
It is planning to diversify investment products, especially its overseas line-up, to continue cementing its position as a global company.
Products for foreign exchanges and derivatives are under development. The ultimate goal is to allow Koreans to buy and sell stocks from the whole world.
Shinhan has been heavily investing in developing a service for the purchase and sale of overseas shares and a home trading system since 2004 when it launched an American home trading service, which was upgraded in 2009.
It currently provides a brokerage service for American exchange trade funds (petrol oil, grains and natural gas) to give investors more choices, especially when worldwide market prices change.
Through American Depository Receipt, Shinhan opened its doors for share purchases of major firms in 42 countries. Direct investment services for 25 countries, operating 24 hours a day, are currently operating and flourishing, according to the financial company. It will open up to more countries in the future.
It was the first among competitors to start trading with Hong Kong’s equity linked warrant market through its home system.
It offers various ways to buy overseas stocks such as volume-weighted average price, time-weighted average price and algorithmic trading strategies.
All Shinhan clients can engage in business overseas through the firm’s 89 offices and affiliate company Shinhan Bank’s 800 offices across the nation. They can also trade via 14 partner companies.
To help these customers, the securities company has been publishing guidebooks called Global Market Guides since 2010 that outline markets in the United States, Hong Kong, Vietnam, China and Europe. A booklet especially for exchange trade funds across the world was released this year.
The company said it has the largest market share of 13 domestic securities companies who provide foreign share services.
It also manages stock options for investors from abroad.