Foreign investors saw the second largest returns on record during the first half of the year, Bank of Korea data showed Monday.

According to the central bank, foreign investors’ profits for the first six months of the year rose 6.6 percent from the same period last year to come in at over $8.33 billion.

The figure is the second highest on record since the Bank of Korea began compiling related data in 1980. The data includes dividends from stocks and profits from direct investments gained by nonresidents who have stayed in Korea for less than six months.

Foreign investors’ earnings for the first half of the year rose to the highest during the relevant period of 2008 when it came to just under $10.7 billion.

Affected by the global economic downturn that followed, the figure plunged to about $6.53 billion in the first half of 2009.

The figure picked up in the corresponding period of 2010 to $7.79 billion won, and again this year to reach the second highest first half earnings on record.

Much of the rise seen this year is thought to have been caused by the increase in dividend payments to foreign investors, and the jump seen in profits gained from direct investments.

According to the data, dividend payments made to foreign investors have shown year-on-year increase for seven consecutive quarters beginning with the final three months of 2009.

Along with dividends, direct investments made by overseas parties saw a significant rise this year coming in at about $3.76 billion, which is the highest on record for the first six months of a year.

Overseas investors also saw significant profits from local stocks. According to the data, foreign investors made more than $3.57 billion from investing in the local stock market during the first six months of the year. This year’s figure is the largest recorded since the same period in 2008 when the figure came to about $4.43 billion.

By Choi He-suk (cheesuk@heraldcorp.com)