Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One, Periscope Analytics

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

Quantitative Analysis

<div><p>The Asia Short Interest weekly looks at moves in market wide short interest and highlights movements in stock specific short interest across Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Taiwan using the last available data published by the relevant authorities.</p></div><div><p>Hong Kong saw shorts rise on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ind-comm-bk-of-china-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1119:1" rel="noopener">ICBC (H) (1398 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-mobile-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27:1" rel="noopener">China Mobile (941 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/cnooc-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:175:1" rel="noopener">CNOOC Ltd (883 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/byd-co-ltd-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20962:1" rel="noopener">BYD (1211 HK)</a> while there was short covering on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/xiaomi-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24409:1" rel="noopener">Xiaomi Corp (1810 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/xinyi-solar-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:318:1" rel="noopener">Xinyi Solar Holdings (968 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hong-kong-exchanges-clearing" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:490:1" rel="noopener">HKEX (388 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jd-com-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29043:1" rel="noopener">JD.com (HK) (9618 HK)</a>. Shorts increased on Communication Services, Energy and Consumer Staples, and decreased on Information Technology, Financials and Consumer Discretionary.</p></div><div><p>In Japan, stocks that saw the most shorts were <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/change-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27414:1" rel="noopener">Change Inc (3962 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/advantest-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18107:1" rel="noopener">Advantest Corp (6857 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/renova-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26753:1" rel="noopener">RENOVA Inc (9519 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shimamura-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15213:1" rel="noopener">Shimamura (8227 JP)</a> while shorts decreased on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/honda-motor-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:154:1" rel="noopener">Honda Motor (7267 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kao-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12933:1" rel="noopener">Kao Corp (4452 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/canon-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1:1" rel="noopener">Canon Inc (7751 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bridgestone-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8914:1" rel="noopener">Bridgestone Corp (5108 JP)</a>. Sectorally, shorts increased on Utilities and Communication Services, while decreasing on Consumer Discretionary, Consumer Staples, Information Technology and Industrials.</p></div><div><p>In Korea, there were short positions put on in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kt-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1112:1" rel="noopener">KT Corp (030200 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/samsung-electronics-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:191:1" rel="noopener">Samsung Electronics (005930 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lg-uplus-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1113:1" rel="noopener">LG Uplus Corp (032640 KS)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kakao-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15002:1" rel="noopener">Kakao Corp (035720 KS)</a>. </p></div><div><p>Stocks in Taiwan that saw the highest increase in shorts were <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/taiwan-semiconductor-manufacturing-company" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11230:1" rel="noopener">TSMC (2330 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/largan-precision-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9126:1" rel="noopener">Largan Precision (3008 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pegatron-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12852:1" rel="noopener">Pegatron Corp (4938 TT)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/asustek-computer-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13002:1" rel="noopener">Asustek Computer (2357 TT)</a> while shorts were covered on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/evergreen-marine-corp-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15428:1" rel="noopener">Evergreen Marine Corp (2603 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/walsin-technology-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11084:1" rel="noopener">Walsin Technology (2492 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/richwave-technology-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18629:1" rel="noopener">Richwave Technology (4968 TT)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pan-jit-international-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12501:1" rel="noopener">Pan Jit International (2481 TT)</a>. </p></div>

The Asia Short Interest weekly looks at moves in market wide short interest and highlights movements in stock specific short interest across Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Taiwan using the last available data published by the relevant authorities.Hong Kong saw shorts rise on ICBC (H) (1398 HK), China Mobile (941 HK), CNOOC Ltd (883 HK) and BYD (1211 HK) while there was short covering on Xiaomi Corp (1810 HK), Xinyi Solar Holdings (968 HK), HKEX (388 HK) and JD.com (HK) (9618 HK). Shorts increased on Communication Services, Energy and Consumer Staples, and decreased on Information Technology, Financials and Consumer Discretionary.In Japan, stocks that saw the most shorts were Change Inc (3962 JP), Advantest Corp (6857 JP), RENOVA Inc (9519 JP) and Shimamura (8227 JP) while shorts decreased on Honda Motor (7267 JP), Kao Corp (4452 JP), Canon Inc (7751 JP) and Bridgestone Corp (5108 JP). Sectorally, shorts increased on Utilities and Communication Services, while decreasing on Consumer Discretionary, Consumer Staples, Information Technology and Industrials.In Korea, there were short positions put on in KT Corp (030200 KS), Samsung Electronics (005930 KS), LG Uplus Corp (032640 KS) and Kakao Corp (035720 KS). Stocks in Taiwan that saw the highest increase in shorts were TSMC (2330 TT), Largan Precision (3008 TT), Pegatron Corp (4938 TT) and Asustek Computer (2357 TT) while shorts were covered on Evergreen Marine Corp (2603 TT), Walsin Technology (2492 TT), Richwave Technology (4968 TT) and Pan Jit International (2481 TT). 

Asia Short Interest: China Mobile, CNOOC, Xiaomi, JD, Change, KT, Samsung, TSMC, Largan

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

Private Capital Markets

<div class="content-highlight"><p><strong>According to <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-01-06/softbank-s-son-is-poised-for-another-ipo-windfall-in-2021" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bloomberg, </a>it reported that Coupang, the largest e-commerce company in Korea, is getting ready to complete its IPO as soon as 2Q 2021.</strong> The estimated valuation of Coupang could be at least $30 billion. Softbank invested $2.7 billion in Coupang and <a href="https://biz.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2021/01/07/2021010702121.html?utm_source=naver&amp;utm_medium=original&amp;utm_campaign=biz" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Softbank (Vision Fund)</a> currently has a 37% stake in the company. If Mr. Market is willing to place a $30 billion valuation on Coupang, Softbank would reap a cool $8 billion+ gain on its investments in Coupang.</p></div>

According to Bloomberg, it reported that Coupang, the largest e-commerce company in Korea, is getting ready to complete its IPO as soon as 2Q 2021. The estimated valuation of Coupang could be at least $30 billion. Softbank invested $2.7 billion in Coupang and Softbank (Vision Fund) currently has a 37% stake in the company. If Mr. Market is willing to place a $30 billion valuation on Coupang, Softbank would reap a cool $8 billion+ gain on its investments in Coupang.

Initial Thoughts on the Coupang IPO & Impact on SK Telecom (11st) Vs. Naver

Equity Capital Markets

<div class="content-highlight">
<p>With only three weeks remaining in 2020, we now look forward to the major IPOs in Korea in 2021. This is our <em><strong>6th "Annual Edition of the Major Korean IPOs Pipeline Preview"</strong></em> already at Smartkarma! In this report, we have identified 50 companies that are expected to complete their IPOs in the Korean Stock Market in 2021. This year has been a big year for IPOs in Korea with many IPOs that have done really well including <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sk-biopharmaceuticals-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28966:1" rel="noopener">SK Biopharmaceuticals (326030 KS)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kakao-games-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26730:1" rel="noopener">Kakao Games (293490 KS)</a>.  </p>
<p>In 2020, there were only three IPOs in Korea that were more than US$1 billion in market cap including SK Biopharm, Kakao Games, and Big Hit Entertainment. However, in 2021, we believe there could be more than 10 IPOs in Korea that are more than US$1 billion in market cap including the following:</p>
<ol>
<li><strong>LG Energy Solutions</strong></li>
<li><strong>Krafton</strong></li>
<li><strong>SK Bioscience</strong></li>
<li><strong>Kakao Bank</strong></li>
<li><strong>Kakao Page</strong></li>
<li><strong>Kakao Pay</strong></li>
<li><strong>SK IET</strong></li>
<li><strong>One Store</strong></li>
<li><strong>HK inno.N </strong></li>
<li><strong>Coupang</strong></li>
</ol>
</div>


With only three weeks remaining in 2020, we now look forward to the major IPOs in Korea in 2021. This is our 6th "Annual Edition of the Major Korean IPOs Pipeline Preview" already at Smartkarma! In this report, we have identified 50 companies that are expected to complete their IPOs in the Korean Stock Market in 2021. This year has been a big year for IPOs in Korea with many IPOs that have done really well including SK Biopharmaceuticals (326030 KS) and Kakao Games (293490 KS).  
In 2020, there were only three IPOs in Korea that were more than US$1 billion in market cap including SK Biopharm, Kakao Games, and Big Hit Entertainment. However, in 2021, we believe there could be more than 10 IPOs in Korea that are more than US$1 billion in market cap including the following:

LG Energy Solutions
Krafton
SK Bioscience
Kakao Bank
Kakao Page
Kakao Pay
SK IET
One Store
HK inno.N 
Coupang



Founder/CEO of ROK Advisory, ROK Advisory LLC

Ken S. Kim

Founder/CEO of ROK Advisory

ROK Advisory LLC

ROK is an independent research advisory firm. We guide you to minimize the information gap between foreign and local investors in Northeast Asia with a focus in Korea, Taiwan and Japan.

Independent Research Advisory Firm

Equity Bottom-Up

<div>While the details are scarce, local press is reporting that SKT and AMZN has been in talks for more than a year and would allow really an export/import biz on both of their channels (ie Korean products to be bought by US consumers and US products to be bought thru 11th St (SK's ecommerce portal) for Koreans. </div><div></div><div>This can't be good for the ecommerce players in Korea.  In the US, if you hear that AMZN is coming in whatever business, the whole sector falls.   Is Naver next? </div>

While the details are scarce, local press is reporting that SKT and AMZN has been in talks for more than a year and would allow really an export/import biz on both of their channels (ie Korean products to be bought by US consumers and US products to be bought thru 11th St (SK's ecommerce portal) for Koreans. This can't be good for the ecommerce players in Korea.  In the US, if you hear that AMZN is coming in whatever business, the whole sector falls.   Is Naver next? 

AMZN into Korea - "We Are Not Here to Take Part, We're Here to Take Over!"

<p>In this insight, we provide an updated valuation of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/naver-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16029:1" rel="noopener">Naver Corp (035420 KS)</a>. We believe now is the time to go Underweight on Naver Corp, which is up 51% YTD versus KOSPI which is up 16% in the same period.</p><p>There are three major reasons why we believe investors should Underweight Naver Corp now.</p><ul>
<li>
<strong>First,</strong> our valuation analysis suggests that Naver Corp shares are overvalued.</li>
<li>
<strong>Second</strong>, we believe there could be a major shift in capital allocations away from some of the biggest beneficiaries of COVID-19 this year.</li>
<li>
<strong>Third,</strong> we believe the new partnership between Amazon &amp; 11st could pose a greater competitive threat to the entire e-commerce industry, negatively impacting Naver's e-commerce business.</li>
</ul>

In this insight, we provide an updated valuation of Naver Corp (035420 KS). We believe now is the time to go Underweight on Naver Corp, which is up 51% YTD versus KOSPI which is up 16% in the same period.There are three major reasons why we believe investors should Underweight Naver Corp now.

First, our valuation analysis suggests that Naver Corp shares are overvalued.

Second, we believe there could be a major shift in capital allocations away from some of the biggest beneficiaries of COVID-19 this year.

Third, we believe the new partnership between Amazon &amp; 11st could pose a greater competitive threat to the entire e-commerce industry, negatively impacting Naver's e-commerce business.


Naver - Time to Go Underweight (Covid Recovery + Amazon)

South Korea

Kakao Corp. provides Internet portal services such as news, free e-mail, and leisure information.  The Company also offers cross-platform mobile messaging application that allows users to exchange messages.

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Kakao Corp (035720 KS)

Asia Short Interest: China Mobile, CNOOC, Xiaomi, JD, Change, KT, Samsung, TSMC, Largan

The weekly short interest report looks at large moves across HK, Japan, Korea and Taiwan stocks and helps in determining market interest that could...

Brian Freitas

Initial Thoughts on the Coupang IPO & Impact on SK Telecom (11st) Vs. Naver

According to Bloomberg, it reported that Coupang is getting ready to complete its IPO as soon as 2Q 2021. The estimated valuation of Coupang could...

Douglas Kim

2021 Major IPOs Pipeline in Korea

This is our 6th "Annual Edition of the Major Korean IPOs Pipeline Preview" already at Smartkarma! In this report, we have identified 50 companies...

Douglas Kim

AMZN into Korea - "We Are Not Here to Take Part, We're Here to Take Over!"

I guess the Koreans aren't scared of Amazon's entry into the ecommerce space! I'm a seller of Naver here on the news that Amazon will come into...

Ken S. Kim

Naver - Time to Go Underweight (Covid Recovery + Amazon)

In this insight, we provide an updated valuation of Naver Corp (035420 KS). We believe now is the time to go Underweight on Naver Corp, which is up...

Douglas Kim

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