Derivative-linked bonds (DLB) have remained more popular than derivative-linked securities (DLS) in the first quarter of 2021 in South Korea despite a drop in sales.

Sales of DLB fell 15.5% to KRW3.8 trillion in Q1 21 quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) as issuance decreased 26.2% to 223. In the meantime, the same number of DLS was issued, totalling KRW1.5 trillion, up 40.3% QoQ, according to data from the Korea Securities Depository (KSD). Together this was a 11.3% and 4.7% drop of issuance and sales volume, respectively, QoQ. On a yearly basis, Q1 21 saw issuance dip 42.9% but maintain a stable volume. Public and private offerings accounted for 10.7% and 89.3%, resp