Publicly placed stock funds have suffered a massive capital outflow, totaling 24 trillion won ($21.9 billion) over almost four years, as investors' appetites for risky assets declined amid a tepid local stock market and increased uncertainties, industry data showed on Wednesday.

According to the data compiled by the Korea Financial Investment Association (KOFIA), the outstanding deposit for publicly placed stock funds stood at 63.6 trillion won as of end-August, compared to 87.5 trillion won at the end of 2012.

In contrast, bond funds and money market funds have received 25.8 trillion won and 45.5 trillion won, respectively, over the cited period, the data showed.

The association said the local stock market has been stuck in a tight trading range for the past few years, which drove investors away from betting on risky assets.

So far this year, stock funds have suffered an average decline of 1.94 percent, while bond funds have posted a return of 1.91 percent over the cited period. (Yonhap)