Samsung Asset Management

What Samsung Asset Management does

Samsung Asset Management (삼성자산운용) is a South Korea-based asset management firm founded in 1998 (under the prior name Samsung Life Insurance Investment Trust) and rebranded to its current name in April 2010; it operates as a subsidiary of Samsung Group and is headquartered in Seoul. The firm runs two principal product franchises: the KODEX ETF platform, Korea's largest and first ETF brand (established 2002) controlling approximately 40% domestic market share with 100+ listings, and a traditional mutual fund business distributed under the 삼성펀드 brand. As of December 2025 the firm manages approximately 428 trillion KRW in total assets, of which 170+ trillion KRW sits in KODEX ETFs and 4.2 trillion KRW in Target Date Funds (TDFs).

The product stack is built on a vertically integrated ETF platform with proprietary infrastructure including the KODEX brand, the FunETF mobile/web consumer platform, and a distinctive single-stock leverage structure based on spot holdings rather than futures, reducing rollover costs. The portfolio spans core index ETFs (KOSPI 200, US S&P 500, NASDAQ 100, bonds), thematic equity ETFs (semiconductors, AI, robotics, humanoid robotics, space, optical communications, China AI, solid-state battery, Hyundai robotics value chain), covered call and single-stock leverage structures, and pension/retirement vehicles (TDF, DC/IRP/ISA-eligible hybrids). The single-stock 2x leveraged ETFs on Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix launched in May 2026, attracting 2.4 trillion KRW at debut — the largest ETF launch in Korean history.

Revenue is generated through three core streams: ETF management fees on AUM (recurring, scale-driven), traditional fund management services (TDF, bond, sector funds), and pension/corporate mandates including a 1,500 billion KRW Samsung Electronics retirement pension reserve mandate in 2026. Distribution runs through all major Korean securities firms and banks, the firm's own digital channels (FunETF app, samsungfund.com), institutional direct sales, and cross-border subsidiaries in Hong Kong (2007) and Singapore (2008). Strategic international partnerships with BlackRock, Capital Group, Rothschild, IFM Investors, and a 2022 strategic stake in US-based Amplify ETFs extend the platform's product and distribution reach.

Name

Samsung Asset Management

Legal name

삼성자산운용 주식회사 (Samsung Asset Management Co., Ltd.)

Website

https://samsungfund.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Samsung Asset Management is a Seoul-based subsidiary of Samsung Group and Korea's largest ETF provider, managing 428 trillion KRW in assets across the KODEX ETF brand (40% domestic market share), traditional mutual funds, and pension/retirement vehicles for retail and institutional clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Asset Management

NAICS

Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (523940), Open-End Investment Funds (525910), Other Investment Pools and Funds (5259)

SIC

Investment Advice (6282), Security & Commodity Brokers, Dealers, Exchanges & Services (6200)

akta.pro primary industry

Institutional Consulting RIAs (OCIO/Endowments/Foundations/Pensions) (FSAAACAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Managed Account Platforms (Separately Managed Accounts / Customized Portfolios) (FSAHAKAC), Digital Assets / Crypto Fund of Funds (FSAHAKAL), Active Crypto Asset Managers (Discretionary) (FSADAHAA)

Keywords

• Exchange-traded funds
• Asset management services
• Target date funds
• Pension fund management
• Investment fund products

Headquarters

HQ city

Seocho

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. ETF Management Fees: Revenue generated from managing Exchange-Traded Funds, charging management fees based on AUM. KODEX ETF brand controls approximately 40% of domestic ETF market with net assets exceeding 170 trillion won as of April 2026.
2. Fund Management Services: Revenue from managing various fund products including TDF (Target Date Funds), active ETFs, bond ETFs, and sector-specific ETFs for retail and institutional investors.
3. Pension Fund Management: Managing retirement pension reserves for Samsung Electronics, with KRW 1,500 billion entrusted between May and July 2026.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Samsung Asset Management manages investment funds — primarily the KODEX ETF brand (Korea's largest ETF platform with 100+ listings and ~40% domestic market share) — alongside mutual funds, Target Date Funds, thematic sector funds, and pension mandates. It serves both retail and institutional investors with 428 trillion KRW in total AUM, distributing products through the proprietary FunETF digital platform, Korean securities firms, banks, and the Korea Exchange.

Product overview

Samsung Asset Management operates the KODEX ETF brand as Korea's largest ETF provider with 40% market share, managing approximately 428 trillion won in assets. The product portfolio includes: (1) Core KODEX ETFs spanning KOSPI 200, US indices (S&P 500, NASDAQ 100), bonds, and specialty themes; (2) Thematic ETFs covering AI semiconductors, robotics, space/aerospace, optical communications, solid-state batteries, and China AI; (3) Innovative products including Korea's first single-stock leveraged ETFs for Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix; (4) Pension solutions including Target Date Funds (TDF) and hybrid bond-stock products for pension accounts; (5) FunETF mobile platform for personalized ETF investing with themed portfolios. The offerings are distributed through pension accounts, ISA, and general brokerage channels.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• KODEX: Samsung Asset Management's ETF brand, the largest ETF provider in Korea with 40% market share.
• 삼성펀드
• FunETF

Products and services

• KODEX ETF Brand Korea's largest ETF brand, comprising 100+ ETF listings covering domestic equity indices (KOSPI 200), international indices (US S&P 500, NASDAQ 100), bonds, sector/thematic baskets (AI semiconductors, robotics, space, solid-state batteries, China AI), leverage/inverse products, and hybrid bond-equity products. Holds approximately 40% domestic ETF market share and 170+ trillion KRW in net assets.
• KODEX Samsung Electronics Single-Stock Leverage ETF Single-stock 2x daily leveraged ETF tracking Samsung Electronics, structured mainly on spot holdings (not futures) to reduce rollover costs and generate dividend income. Individual investors comprise 92% of holdings.
• KODEX SK Hynix Single-Stock Leverage ETF Single-stock 2x daily leveraged ETF tracking SK Hynix, using the same spot-holdings-based structure as the Samsung Electronics counterpart.
• KODEX Semiconductor Target Weekly Covered Call ETF Passive covered call ETF on the semiconductor sector providing monthly distributions via option premium collection, with tax-exempt treatment of option premiums in Korea.
• KODEX Samsung Electronics / SK Hynix Bond Hybrid 50 ETF Mixed-asset ETF pairing equal-weight Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix equity exposure with 50% government bonds, eligible for full pension account investment due to its safety-asset classification.
• KODEX Financial Bond 1-2yr (AA- or higher) PLUS Active ETF Actively managed ETF focused on high-grade (AA- or higher) Korean financial institution bonds with short (1-2 year) duration, designed for pension and ISA tax-advantaged accounts.
• KODEX China AI Semiconductor TOP10 ETF Thematic ETF providing exposure to ten Chinese AI semiconductor companies, aligned with the China AI+ industrial policy theme.
• KODEX US AI Optical Communications Network ETF Thematic ETF providing exposure to US optical communication companies that supply AI data center infrastructure.
• KODEX US Space and Aerospace ETF Thematic ETF providing exposure to US-listed space and aerospace companies, with a dedicated allocation strategy tied to the SpaceX IPO.
• KODEX AI Semiconductor TOP2 Plus ETF AI semiconductor ETF providing balanced exposure across leading Korean semiconductor manufacturers and the upstream materials/components/equipment value chain.
• KODEX Solid-State Battery ESS TOP2 Plus ETF Thematic ETF focused on Korean solid-state battery and energy storage system (ESS) leaders and the broader ESS ecosystem.
• KODEX Hyundai Motor Robotics Value Chain TOP3 Plus ETF Thematic ETF providing exposure to the Hyundai Motor Group's robotics value chain, with special allocation for Boston Dynamics.
• KODEX 200 ETF Flagship KODEX ETF tracking the KOSPI 200 Index, providing broad exposure to the Korean large-cap equity market. Total expense ratio 0.1615%.
• KODEX US S&P 500 ETF US S&P 500 index ETF providing exposure to 500 large-cap US companies for Korean investors.
• KODEX US NASDAQ 100 ETF US NASDAQ 100 index ETF providing exposure to the 100 largest non-financial US companies.
• Samsung Korean Type Target Date Fund (TDF) Series Target Date Fund series co-developed with Capital Group (since October 2015) for Korean pension, DC, and IRP accounts. Manages age-based lifecycle asset allocation; TDF AUM reached 4.2 trillion KRW as of December 2025.
• Samsung Global EMP Qualified TDF (삼성글로벌EMP적격TDF) Global equity Target Date Fund designed for pension accounts (DC/IRP), offering a lifecycle-based investment strategy with target retirement dates such as 2060.
• Samsung Korea EMP Qualified TDF (삼성코리아EMP적격TDF) Domestic-equity TDF tailored to Korean life-cycle investing, available for pension accounts with target retirement dates such as 2060.
• Samsung Global Active TDF (삼성글로벌액티브적격TDF) Active Target Date Fund positioning itself as a pension solution for Korean retirement savers (e.g., 2050 target retirement date).
• Samsung Global Semiconductor Equity Fund UH (삼성글로벌반도체증권자투자신탁UH) Global semiconductor equity fund investing in leading global semiconductor companies across memory, logic, and foundry.
• Samsung Global ChatAI Equity Fund H (삼성글로벌ChatAI증권자투자신탁H) Global AI-focused equity fund investing in artificial intelligence companies worldwide.
• Samsung Pictet Robotics Equity Fund H (삼성픽테로보틱스증권자투자신탁H) Robotics sector equity fund investing in global robotics companies.
• Samsung Global Humanoid Robot Equity Fund H (삼성글로벌휴머노이드로봇증권투자신탁H) Humanoid robotics-focused equity fund targeting the Physical AI and humanoid robot value chain.
• SamsungActive KoAct Global Quantum Computing Active ETF Active ETF providing exposure to global quantum computing companies for Korean and Asia-Pacific institutional investors.
• KODEX Robot Active ETF Active ETF focused on robotics equities, recognized as Korea's largest robotics ETF with 1.57 trillion KRW in AUM and 310% cumulative returns since November 2022.
• Pension Fund Mandate Services (incl. Samsung Electronics retirement pension reserve management) Discretionary asset management mandates for pension reserves and institutional clients. Entrusted with KRW 1,500 billion for Samsung Electronics retirement pension reserves between May and July 2026.
• Pension Fund Public Growth Fund No. 1 (Pension Fund National Growth Fund) Government policy-type investment vehicle co-developed with Korea Growth Investment Corporation (K-Growth) that channels pension and public institution capital into domestic innovative and strategic-industry companies.
• FunETF Mobile and Web Platform Proprietary digital investment platform offering ETF investment information, themed portfolios (e.g., Portrabit monthly dividend portfolios), social features, and personalized investment recommendations via mobile app and web.

Quantifiable outcome

• KODEX Robot Active achieved 310% cumulative returns since November 2022 listing
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and strategic.

• Korea Growth Investment Corporation (K-Growth)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 May 2026Samsung Asset Management collaborated with K-Growth to structure the Pension Fund Public Growth Fund No. 1, a new investment vehicle allowing government pension funds and public institutions to invest in domestic innovative companies and strategic industries aligned with government policy directions.
• BlackRockmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaunched collaborative products including iShares US Bond 3 types in October 2023, marking a significant international partnership for Samsung Asset Management.
• Capital GroupmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership established in October 2015 for Samsung Korean Type Target Date Fund and Samsung Korean Type RIF products, co-developed with US-based Capital Group.
• Rothschild GroupstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership established in Europe in April 2016 for investment strategy collaboration and market expansion.
• Reliance CapitalstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership established in India in April 2015 for overseas investment collaboration.
• IFM InvestorsstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for global infrastructure fund established in April 2017 with Australian infrastructure investor IFM.
• Ampere (Amplify ETFs)strategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerSamsung Asset Management became the second largest shareholder of US specialized ETF operator Amplify ETFs in April 2022, expanding presence in the US market.

Scale indicators20 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Mirae Asset Global Investments: Korea's other major asset manager and direct ETF competitor. Operates the Tiger ETF brand (TIGER) competing head-to-head with KODEX in domestic ETF market share, with significant overlap in retail and institutional fund offerings including thematic ETFs and pension products.
• KB Asset Management: One of Korea's top asset managers, directly competing in domestic ETF and mutual fund markets with strong pension account distribution. Comparable in product breadth, institutional client base, and Korean retail fund offerings.
• Shinhan Asset Management: Major Korean asset manager competing directly in ETF and active fund products. Recently cited in regulatory controversy with Samsung Asset Management over copied AI semiconductor ETF naming, indicating direct competitive overlap in thematic product categories.
• NH Asset Management: Korean asset manager with strong distribution through NH Financial Group and Nonghyup Bank network. Competes in domestic ETF and pension products with comparable retail and institutional offerings to Samsung Asset Management.
• Hanwha Asset Management: Top-tier Korean asset manager operating the ARIRANG ETF brand. Direct competitor in domestic ETF market with overlapping institutional and retail fund products including thematic and active ETFs.

Broad incumbents

• BlackRock: World's largest asset manager and iShares ETF provider. Both a strategic partner (collaborative iShares US Bond products launched October 2023) and a broad incumbent competing in the global ETF ecosystem where Samsung Asset Management's offshore expansion efforts are positioned.
• Vanguard: Global low-cost ETF leader (and asset manager). Competes in the international ETF landscape Samsung Asset Management is expanding into; KODEX's domestic low-fee ETF strategy (KODEX 200 at 0.1615%) mirrors Vanguard's global value proposition of low-cost passive investing.
• Capital Group: Major global active asset manager and Samsung Asset Management strategic partner since October 2015. Co-developed Samsung Korean Type Target Date Fund and RIF products, representing both a partnership and broader competitive overlap in active and pension fund categories.
• T. Rowe Price: Global asset manager with strong retirement and active fund capabilities. Comparable in institutional asset management, pension/TDF offerings, and global expansion ambitions relevant to Samsung Asset Management's institutional growth strategy.

Regional players

• Nomura Asset Management: Japan's largest asset manager and major Asian ETF provider. Comparable in scale and product breadth within the East Asian asset management ecosystem; KODEX 200 ETF was listed on Tokyo Stock Exchange in 2007, indicating direct regional market overlap.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Samsung Asset Management