We test the price momentum effect in the Korean stock markets under the momentum universe shrinkage to subuniverses of the KOSPI 200. Performance of the momentum strategy is not homogeneous with respect to change of the momentum universe. It is found that some submarkets generate the higher momentum returns than other universes do but large-size companies such as the KOSPI 50 components hinder the performance of the momentum strategy. The observation is also cross-checked with size portfolios and liquidity portfolios. Transactions by investor groups, in particular, the trading patterns by foreign investors can be a source of the momentum universe shrinkage effect in the momentum returns.

38 pages, 19 figures, submitted version