Technology / Semiconductor / Internet Research

Nicolas Baratte

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>1Q25 better than Consensus by a good margin, guided Operating Profit KRW 6.6tn versus Consensus 5.3tn. Better Smartphone and Memory price. Risk of demand boosted ahead of US tariffs. </li>
<li>Consensus expects sequential growth from 1Q to 4Q25 on better memory prices and HBM3E contribution (late, small, but finally). </li>
<li>The stock is cheap and outperforming, flat YTD and flat since the market correction started mid-Feb-25. Also outperforming SK Hynix. Main risk is AI demand outlook.</li>
</ul>


1Q25 better than Consensus by a good margin, guided Operating Profit KRW 6.6tn versus Consensus 5.3tn. Better Smartphone and Memory price. Risk of demand boosted ahead of US tariffs. 
Consensus expects sequential growth from 1Q to 4Q25 on better memory prices and HBM3E contribution (late, small, but finally). 
The stock is cheap and outperforming, flat YTD and flat since the market correction started mid-Feb-25. Also outperforming SK Hynix. Main risk is AI demand outlook.


Samsung Elec Better 1Q25 on Smartphone. 2-4Q25 Upside Due to Memory Price Recovery

Korea / Special Sits, Pairs, Index Rebalancing, Clepsydra Capital

Sanghyun Park

Korea / Special Sits, Pairs, Index Rebalancing

Clepsydra Capital

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

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>The FSS will review the subsidiary approval, with final approval expected from the FSC by early April. Market signals suggest a near-100% chance of Samsung Life getting the green light.</li>
<li>Samsung’s moves post-Lee Jae-yong’s Feb 3rd ruling signal a major pivot, setting up aggressive value-up plays across Samsung Life, Samsung Electronics, and Samsung C&amp;T.</li>
<li>Shoring up Samsung Life’s finances triggers a domino effect, positioning Samsung Electronics and Samsung C&amp;T to follow with their own shareholder-friendly moves.</li>
</ul>


The FSS will review the subsidiary approval, with final approval expected from the FSC by early April. Market signals suggest a near-100% chance of Samsung Life getting the green light.
Samsung’s moves post-Lee Jae-yong’s Feb 3rd ruling signal a major pivot, setting up aggressive value-up plays across Samsung Life, Samsung Electronics, and Samsung C&amp;T.
Shoring up Samsung Life’s finances triggers a domino effect, positioning Samsung Electronics and Samsung C&amp;T to follow with their own shareholder-friendly moves.


Samsung Life’s Official Move to Make Fire a Subsidiary: A Value-Up Play for Samsung's Big Three

Samsung Electronics Pref Shares / Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Chosun reports that some Samsung affiliates are exploring tax-free dividends at the operational level, with execs reportedly briefed on the idea.</li>
<li>Surprisingly, regulators and politicians haven't objected to tax-free dividends, which ironically align with the value-up policy. The delay in Samsung's value-up announcements may be due to this decision.</li>
<li>It’s unclear if Samsung Electronics and Life will drop tax-free dividends, but if regulators approve, they could introduce it suddenly in their value-up updates, especially with Lee Jae-yong’s cash crunch.</li>
</ul>


Chosun reports that some Samsung affiliates are exploring tax-free dividends at the operational level, with execs reportedly briefed on the idea.
Surprisingly, regulators and politicians haven't objected to tax-free dividends, which ironically align with the value-up policy. The delay in Samsung's value-up announcements may be due to this decision.
It’s unclear if Samsung Electronics and Life will drop tax-free dividends, but if regulators approve, they could introduce it suddenly in their value-up updates, especially with Lee Jae-yong’s cash crunch.


The Hot Chatter in the Local Market: Tax-Free Dividends – Is Samsung In?

Equity Analyst, Investory

Devi Subhakesan

Equity Analyst

ASIA CONSUMER: INSIGHTS AND INVESTMENT IDEAS

Investory

Investory is a Singapore-based boutique independent equity research firm founded in January 2017 with a primary focus on consumption themes across Asia-Pacific.

We aim to generate investible ideas based on consumption trends and outlook. We screen our ideas on several parameters - product potential, long-term growth and management commitment being the most critical.  We follow a fundamental analysis approach in our stock selection process and are not restricted by market cap.

We aspire to grow into a leading source of unbiased research, free of conflict of interest, for investors yearning for independent and disciplined analysis. 

We also undertake bespoke research mandates to support our Institutional clients’ investment needs.

Our team comprises of professionals with extensive experience in the Asian equity markets, in areas ranging from research, servicing institutional clients and investment management.

<ul>
<li>Samsung India Electronics, a 100% subsidiary of <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>, reported a 2024 turnover of USD 12 bn, ranking it among India’s largest consumer sector companies.</li>
<li>It is a leading player in smartphones, smart TVs, and home appliances, with FY2024 revenues 4.5X that of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lg-electronics-india" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:44148:1" rel="noopener">LG Electronics India (123D IN).</a>
</li>
<li>Estimated valuations of Samsung India Electronics could represent nearly 20% to 25% of its parent’s EV, when valued using India peer group multiples.</li>
</ul>


Samsung India Electronics, a 100% subsidiary of Samsung Electronics (005930 KS), reported a 2024 turnover of USD 12 bn, ranking it among India’s largest consumer sector companies.
It is a leading player in smartphones, smart TVs, and home appliances, with FY2024 revenues 4.5X that of LG Electronics India (123D IN).

Estimated valuations of Samsung India Electronics could represent nearly 20% to 25% of its parent’s EV, when valued using India peer group multiples.


Samsung India Electronics: The Biggest Consumer Company in India. Financials & Valuation

<ul>
<li>Samsung Life needs FSC approval for a 10-year holding plan on its Samsung Electronics stake. Without it, the whole plan could fall apart, so it’s all about regulatory green lights.</li>
<li>If FSC approves Samsung Life's long-term holding, they can't sell those shares for at least 5 years—no exit strategy for the next half-decade due to regulatory rules.</li>
<li>Samsung Life will convert part of its stake into long-term holdings, signaling how future buybacks and special dividends will balance in Samsung Electronics' next shareholder return program.</li>
</ul>


Samsung Life needs FSC approval for a 10-year holding plan on its Samsung Electronics stake. Without it, the whole plan could fall apart, so it’s all about regulatory green lights.
If FSC approves Samsung Life's long-term holding, they can't sell those shares for at least 5 years—no exit strategy for the next half-decade due to regulatory rules.
Samsung Life will convert part of its stake into long-term holdings, signaling how future buybacks and special dividends will balance in Samsung Electronics' next shareholder return program.


Converting Samsung Life's Samsung Electronics Stake to Long-Term Holdings: Clearing up the Confusion

South Korea

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. manufactures a wide range of consumer and industrial electronic equipment and products such as semiconductors, personal computers, peripherals, monitors, televisions, and home appliances including air conditioners and microwave ovens. The Company also produces Internet access network systems and telecommunications equipment including mobile phones.

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Samsung Electronics (005930 KS)

Samsung Elec Better 1Q25 on Smartphone. 2-4Q25 Upside Due to Memory Price Recovery

Samsung's 1Q25 results beat consensus, guided higher operating profit. Expecting growth in 4Q25 with better memory prices. Stock cheap and...

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Samsung Life’s Official Move to Make Fire a Subsidiary: A Value-Up Play for Samsung's Big Three

Samsung Life's official application to incorporate Samsung Fire as a subsidiary: A value-up play for Samsung's top 3 companies: Samsung Life,...

Sanghyun Park

The Hot Chatter in the Local Market: Tax-Free Dividends – Is Samsung In?

This post takes a dive into the hot topic in the local market: tax-free dividends – Will Samsung go for tax-free dividends?

Sanghyun Park

Samsung India Electronics: The Biggest Consumer Company in India. Financials & Valuation

Samsung Electronics' India subsidiary valuation is estimated to range between USD 45 and 60 billion—roughly 20% to 25% of parent's EV. LG...

Devi Subhakesan

Converting Samsung Life's Samsung Electronics Stake to Long-Term Holdings: Clearing up the Confusion

Turning Samsung Life’s stake in Samsung Electronics into long-term holdings: Sorting out the noise and digging into the key moves that matter most...

Sanghyun Park

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52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

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Samsung Elec Better 1Q25 on Smartphone. 2-4Q25 Upside Due to Memory Price Recovery

​Samsung's 1Q25 results beat consensus, guided higher operating profit. Expecting growth in 4Q25 with better memory prices. Stock cheap and...

Nicolas Baratte

Samsung Life’s Official Move to Make Fire a Subsidiary: A Value-Up Play for Samsung's Big Three

Samsung Life's official application to incorporate Samsung Fire as a subsidiary: A value-up play for Samsung's top 3 companies: Samsung Life,...

Sanghyun Park

The Hot Chatter in the Local Market: Tax-Free Dividends – Is Samsung In?

This post takes a dive into the hot topic in the local market: tax-free dividends – Will Samsung go for tax-free dividends?

Sanghyun Park

Samsung India Electronics: The Biggest Consumer Company in India. Financials & Valuation

Samsung Electronics' India subsidiary valuation is estimated to range between USD 45 and 60 billion—roughly 20% to 25% of parent's EV. LG...

Devi Subhakesan

Converting Samsung Life's Samsung Electronics Stake to Long-Term Holdings: Clearing up the Confusion

Turning Samsung Life’s stake in Samsung Electronics into long-term holdings: Sorting out the noise and digging into the key moves that matter most...

Sanghyun Park

Samsung's 1Q25 results beat consensus, guided higher operating profit. Expecting growth in 4Q25 with better memory prices. Stock cheap and...