Head of Research, IPOs & Placements, Aequitas Research

Sumeet Singh

Head of Research, IPOs & Placements

IPOs and Placements coverage across Asia Pacific

Aequitas Research

We cover all listing across the Asia Pacific along with follow-up placements. As of Dec 2020, our team had covered 539 IPOs with a hit rate of 73.5% and 685 placements with a hit rate of 66.8%.

We combine fundamental bottom-up views with our proprietary quantitative framework to provide a holistic coverage across new listings and placements. Our coverage includes pre-IPO notes before the deal is launched, follow-up analysis once the deal is live and post-listing trading analysis as well.

Equity Capital Markets

<div><p>Kakao Pay (KP), one of South Korea’s largest payment and financial services apps, aims to raise up to US$1.3bn in its South Korean IPO. Kakao held a 55% stake prior to listing, with Ant Financial holding the balance 45% stake.</p></div><div></div><div>
<p>We have covered most aspects of the deal in our earlier notes:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/kakao-pay-ipo-guided-by-ant-financial-to-be-a-mini-ant" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kakao Pay IPO - Guided by Ant Financial to be a mini Ant, </a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/kakao-pay-ipo-peer-comparison-local-and-international" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kakao Pay IPO - Peer comparison - local and international, and</a></li>
</ul>
</div><ul><li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/kakao-pay-ipo-valuation-and-likely-impact-of-latest-announcement" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kakao Pay IPO - Valuation and Likely Impact of Latest Announcement</a></li></ul><div><p>As the company is slated to be in front of investors again and finally launch its bookbuilding next week, in this note we will talk about the updates from the refiled prospectus and have a relook at valuations.</p></div>

Kakao Pay (KP), one of South Korea’s largest payment and financial services apps, aims to raise up to US$1.3bn in its South Korean IPO. Kakao held a 55% stake prior to listing, with Ant Financial holding the balance 45% stake.
We have covered most aspects of the deal in our earlier notes:

Kakao Pay IPO - Guided by Ant Financial to be a mini Ant, 
Kakao Pay IPO - Peer comparison - local and international, and

Kakao Pay IPO - Valuation and Likely Impact of Latest AnnouncementAs the company is slated to be in front of investors again and finally launch its bookbuilding next week, in this note we will talk about the updates from the refiled prospectus and have a relook at valuations.

Kakao Pay IPO - Low-End Still Appear Reasonable but Stock Will More Likely Be Driven by Sentiment

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

<p>DearU is another very interesting small cap IPO in Korea. DearU has enjoyed phenomenal sales growth rate and this company has figured out a way to monetize the huge popularity of K-Pop around the world. </p><p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/dearu-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:34381:1" rel="noopener">DearU (376300 KS)</a> is getting ready to complete its IPO in Korea in the next several weeks. The IPO price of DearU is from 18,000 won to 24,000 won. The IPO base deal size is from $51 million to $68 million. According to the bankers' valuation, the expected market cap of the IPO is from 396 billion won to 528 billion won. The book building for the institutional investors starts on 25 October 2021. </p><p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/dearu-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:34381:1" rel="noopener">DearU (376300 KS) </a>is a global fan messenger platform. The company's core platform is called DearU bubble which is a global fan messenger platform that has enhanced the communications among stars/artists and their fans. The company plans to capitalize on its strong global user base and IPO proceeds to expand into the metaverse platform, increase brand awareness, expand abroad, and include more top artists in the platform. </p><p><strong>Shareholding structure</strong> - The controlling shareholder of DearU is <a href="http://dart.fss.or.kr/dsaf001/main.do?rcpNo=20210817001014" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SM Studios</a> which own a 40.2% stake in the company. SM Studios is a subsidiary of SM Entertainment, the label which includes some of the top K-pop artists including Red Velvet, EXO, NCT, Girls Generation, TVXQ, and Super Junior. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/s-m-entertainment-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3500:1" rel="noopener">S.M.Entertainment Co (041510 KS)</a> owns a 100% stake in SM Studios.</p>

DearU is another very interesting small cap IPO in Korea. DearU has enjoyed phenomenal sales growth rate and this company has figured out a way to monetize the huge popularity of K-Pop around the world. DearU (376300 KS) is getting ready to complete its IPO in Korea in the next several weeks. The IPO price of DearU is from 18,000 won to 24,000 won. The IPO base deal size is from $51 million to $68 million. According to the bankers' valuation, the expected market cap of the IPO is from 396 billion won to 528 billion won. The book building for the institutional investors starts on 25 October 2021. DearU (376300 KS) is a global fan messenger platform. The company's core platform is called DearU bubble which is a global fan messenger platform that has enhanced the communications among stars/artists and their fans. The company plans to capitalize on its strong global user base and IPO proceeds to expand into the metaverse platform, increase brand awareness, expand abroad, and include more top artists in the platform. Shareholding structure - The controlling shareholder of DearU is SM Studios which own a 40.2% stake in the company. SM Studios is a subsidiary of SM Entertainment, the label which includes some of the top K-pop artists including Red Velvet, EXO, NCT, Girls Generation, TVXQ, and Super Junior. S.M.Entertainment Co (041510 KS) owns a 100% stake in SM Studios.

Korea / Special Situations, Clepsydra Capital

Sanghyun Park

Korea / Special Situations

Korea / Special Sits, Pairs, Index Rebalancing

Clepsydra Capital

Investigate special situations, pairs, and index rebalancing trades in Korea.

<h2>Key revisions</h2><p>Kakao Pay submitted a revised registration statement (prospectus) on Friday afternoon. It plans to start bookbuilding on October 20-21 and subscription on the 25th. It then plans to go public in early November (tentatively November 3rd). However, Kakao Pay did not change the offering price.</p><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/231/611/original/2.png?1632487425" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="231611"></figure></section><p>The grace period for the registration statement to take effect is 15 business days. During this period, the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) will undergo a final review. An issuer cannot do marketing during the grace period. After 15 business days from today (September 24th), it becomes October 20th. So, the start date of bookbuilding was decided on October 20th.</p><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/231/612/original/1.png?1632487478" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="231612"></figure></section><p>Contrary to expectations, Kakao Pay maintained its offering price at 60,000-90,000 won as before. The market capitalization based on the top of the indicative price band is 11.73 trillion won. The institutional allocation rate remains the same at 55-75%.</p><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/231/613/original/3.png?1632487969" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="231613"></figure></section><p>Kakao Pay added government regulatory risk to this revised report. It stated that it had suspended those services that violated the Financial Consumer Protection Act (the services concluded as financial product brokerage, not advertising).</p><p>However, Kakao Pay explained that the portion of sales of the discontinued services was only 1.2% of the total sales. Therefore, Kakao Pay said it did not feel the need to change its IPO valuation (the offering price).</p><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/231/614/original/4.png?1632488385" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="231614"></figure></section>

Key revisionsKakao Pay submitted a revised registration statement (prospectus) on Friday afternoon. It plans to start bookbuilding on October 20-21 and subscription on the 25th. It then plans to go public in early November (tentatively November 3rd). However, Kakao Pay did not change the offering price.The grace period for the registration statement to take effect is 15 business days. During this period, the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) will undergo a final review. An issuer cannot do marketing during the grace period. After 15 business days from today (September 24th), it becomes October 20th. So, the start date of bookbuilding was decided on October 20th.Contrary to expectations, Kakao Pay maintained its offering price at 60,000-90,000 won as before. The market capitalization based on the top of the indicative price band is 11.73 trillion won. The institutional allocation rate remains the same at 55-75%.Kakao Pay added government regulatory risk to this revised report. It stated that it had suspended those services that violated the Financial Consumer Protection Act (the services concluded as financial product brokerage, not advertising).However, Kakao Pay explained that the portion of sales of the discontinued services was only 1.2% of the total sales. Therefore, Kakao Pay said it did not feel the need to change its IPO valuation (the offering price).

Kakao Pay IPO Revised Prospectus Out: Key Revisions & Talking Points

<h2>Listing schedule</h2><p>First, it was confirmed that the Financial Supervisory Service discussed the scope of correction and listing schedule with Kakao Pay during the Chuseok holiday.</p><p>The results of this discussion have not yet been leaked to the market. However, the local street's general view is that the listing schedule will not be substantially delayed. Kakao Pay's listing schedule has already been postponed once, and delaying it until next year could be a significant burden for the Financial Supervisory Service as well.</p><div class="content-highlight"><p><strong>The majority view in the local market is that Kakao Pay will submit a revised securities declaration at the end of September (likely sometime next week). </strong><strong>And the bookbuilding will begin around mid-October after the 15 business day grace period. </strong><strong>In this case, the listing date is likely to be around mid-November.</strong></p></div><h2>What changes are to be added?</h2><p>Kakao Pay has so far provided a service that recommends insurance or financial investment products that meet individual needs through the app. The FSC concluded that this was a product brokerage service, not an advertisement.</p><p>Of course, a business license is required to broker financial products in the Korean market. An insurance broker license is required to broker insurance, and a brokerage license is needed to broker financial investment products under the Capital Market Act.</p><p>Currently, Kakao Pay does not have these licenses. Instead, Kakao Pay's subsidiaries, KP Insurance Service, and Kakao Pay Securities, hold these financial product brokerage licenses. However, the FSC raised the issue, saying that this is a license owned by a subsidiary, not a license of Kakao Pay.</p><p>Therefore, the FSC requested Kakao Pay to immediately stop these services from September 25, when the guidance period of the Financial Consumer Protection Act ends. In this regard, Kakao Pay has already temporarily suspended insurance product brokerage services such as car insurance, companion animal insurance, and overseas travel insurance.</p><p>Kakao Pay has no choice but to include the newly changed regulatory environment and the resulting temporary suspension of services in the revised securities report. Then, the question is whether a lowering of the offering price is inevitable.</p><div class="content-highlight">
<p><strong>The general view of the local market is that a downward revision of the offering price is inevitable. As 32% of sales in the first half of this year were from the brokerage of financial products, future growth and sales estimates will have to be revised down.</strong></p>
<p><strong>Of course, Kakao Pay can resume these financial product brokerage services under the name of its subsidiaries or by directly obtaining a license. However, the problem is that the cost structure will be significantly different if it becomes a financial product brokerage service rather than an advertisement. That is, it is inevitable </strong><strong>to make a major revision to whether Kakao Pay can achieve the previously estimated sales/profit growth rate with this cost structure.</strong></p>
</div>

Listing scheduleFirst, it was confirmed that the Financial Supervisory Service discussed the scope of correction and listing schedule with Kakao Pay during the Chuseok holiday.The results of this discussion have not yet been leaked to the market. However, the local street's general view is that the listing schedule will not be substantially delayed. Kakao Pay's listing schedule has already been postponed once, and delaying it until next year could be a significant burden for the Financial Supervisory Service as well.The majority view in the local market is that Kakao Pay will submit a revised securities declaration at the end of September (likely sometime next week). And the bookbuilding will begin around mid-October after the 15 business day grace period. In this case, the listing date is likely to be around mid-November.What changes are to be added?Kakao Pay has so far provided a service that recommends insurance or financial investment products that meet individual needs through the app. The FSC concluded that this was a product brokerage service, not an advertisement.Of course, a business license is required to broker financial products in the Korean market. An insurance broker license is required to broker insurance, and a brokerage license is needed to broker financial investment products under the Capital Market Act.Currently, Kakao Pay does not have these licenses. Instead, Kakao Pay's subsidiaries, KP Insurance Service, and Kakao Pay Securities, hold these financial product brokerage licenses. However, the FSC raised the issue, saying that this is a license owned by a subsidiary, not a license of Kakao Pay.Therefore, the FSC requested Kakao Pay to immediately stop these services from September 25, when the guidance period of the Financial Consumer Protection Act ends. In this regard, Kakao Pay has already temporarily suspended insurance product brokerage services such as car insurance, companion animal insurance, and overseas travel insurance.Kakao Pay has no choice but to include the newly changed regulatory environment and the resulting temporary suspension of services in the revised securities report. Then, the question is whether a lowering of the offering price is inevitable.
The general view of the local market is that a downward revision of the offering price is inevitable. As 32% of sales in the first half of this year were from the brokerage of financial products, future growth and sales estimates will have to be revised down.
Of course, Kakao Pay can resume these financial product brokerage services under the name of its subsidiaries or by directly obtaining a license. However, the problem is that the cost structure will be significantly different if it becomes a financial product brokerage service rather than an advertisement. That is, it is inevitable to make a major revision to whether Kakao Pay can achieve the previously estimated sales/profit growth rate with this cost structure.


Kakao Pay IPO Schedule Update & Short Trading Idea on Kakao Bank

Global Emerging Market Equities, Propitious Research

Wium Malan, CFA

Global Emerging Market Equities

Independent, Fundamental Quantitative Research

Propitious Research

Fully independent, fundamental and quantitative equity research, focused on companies in the Telecommunication, Media, Technology, Internet and Healthcare sectors in the Global Emerging Markets. Idea generation focused on Quality stocks, trading below their intrinsic Value, with sound Corporate Governance.

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<p>This insight provides a summary of the key news developments impacting the largest countries and constituents of the Global Emerging Markets equity indices. </p><p><strong><em>Companies mentioned this week:</em></strong></p><p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26:1" rel="noopener">Tencent (700 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alibaba-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28434:1" rel="noopener">Alibaba Group (9988 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/huawei-technologies-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8231:1" rel="noopener">Huawei Technology (40978Z CH)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bytedance-technology" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27936:1" rel="noopener">ByteDance (1439927D CH)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/baidu-inc-a55ca720-5968-48f0-8194-ac94390d065c" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:32212:1" rel="noopener">Baidu (9888 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ant-group-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24240:1" rel="noopener">Ant Financial Services Group (6688 HK)</a>, <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/kakao-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15002:1" rel="noopener">Kakao Corp (035720 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kakao-pay-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29675:1" rel="noopener">Kakao Pay (377300 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ooredoo-q-s-c" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24199:1" rel="noopener">Ooredoo Q.S.C (ORDS QD)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ck-hutchison-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:132:1" rel="noopener">CK Hutchison Holdings (1 HK)</a></p>

This insight provides a summary of the key news developments impacting the largest countries and constituents of the Global Emerging Markets equity indices. Companies mentioned this week:Tencent (700 HK), Alibaba Group (9988 HK), Huawei Technology (40978Z CH), ByteDance (1439927D CH), Baidu (9888 HK), Ant Financial Services Group (6688 HK), TSMC (2330 TT), Kakao Corp (035720 KS), Kakao Pay (377300 KS), Ooredoo Q.S.C (ORDS QD), CK Hutchison Holdings (1 HK)

Global Emerging Markets Weekly: 17 September 2021

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)

Kakao Pay IPO - Low-End Still Appear Reasonable but Stock Will More Likely Be Driven by Sentiment

Kakao Pay aims to raise up to US$1.3bn in its South Korean IPO. In this note, we will look at the recent updates and revisit our valuation.

Sumeet Singh

DearU IPO Preview

DearU is another very interesting small cap IPO in Korea. It has enjoyed phenomenal sales growth rate and this company has figured out a way to...

Douglas Kim

Kakao Pay IPO Revised Prospectus Out: Key Revisions & Talking Points

Kakao Pay's revised prospectus is out afternoon today after the market closed. This post examines the key changes and main talking points.

Sanghyun Park

Kakao Pay IPO Schedule Update & Short Trading Idea on Kakao Bank

This post gives an update on Kakao Pay's listing situation, including the likely schedule. Then, it discusses short trading ideas involving Kakao...

Sanghyun Park

Global Emerging Markets Weekly: 17 September 2021

This insight provides a summary of the key news developments impacting the largest countries and constituents of the Global Emerging Markets equity...

Wium Malan, CFA

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