Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

Douglas Research Advisory

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Hyundai Motor announced a major share cancellation involving 2.51 million treasury shares [1.29 million common shares (0.6% of common shares) and 1.21 million preferred shares (2% of preferred shares)]. </li>
<li>Overall, I think there were some disappointment with the level of cancellations for common shares but not for preferred shares.</li>
<li>In my view, Hyundai Motor's preferred shares are likely to outperform the common shares in the next 6-12 months amid this treasury shares cancellation announced today. </li>
</ul>


Hyundai Motor announced a major share cancellation involving 2.51 million treasury shares [1.29 million common shares (0.6% of common shares) and 1.21 million preferred shares (2% of preferred shares)]. 
Overall, I think there were some disappointment with the level of cancellations for common shares but not for preferred shares.
In my view, Hyundai Motor's preferred shares are likely to outperform the common shares in the next 6-12 months amid this treasury shares cancellation announced today. 


Hyundai Motor Preferred Shares Likely to Outperform Common Shares Amid Treasury Shares Cancellation

Asia Pac ECM and Index Rebal, Shenton Research

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

Asia Pac ECM and Index Rebal

Asia Pac IPO & Placement Research, China Biotech

Shenton Research

Shenton Research is an independent Asia Pacific equity specialist. Our quantitative research covers index rebalancing flows, alongside exchange data analytics accross Asia Pacific. On the equity capital markets side, we focus on Asia Pacific ECM, especially biotech and TMT. Our lead analyst is frequently cited by international media.

Quantitative Analysis

<ul>
<li>We analyzed the changes in short interest of KRX stocks as of Aug 21st. The aggregated short interest was USD18.6bn.</li>
<li>We tabulate league tables for top short by value and short as multiple of ADT, as well as weekly increases &amp; decreases in short value, short as multiple of ADT.</li>
<li>We highlight short interest changes in LG Electronics, Samsung Elec (PREF), Samsung Electronics, SAMSUNG BIOLOGICS, Hanmi Semi.</li>
</ul>


We analyzed the changes in short interest of KRX stocks as of Aug 21st. The aggregated short interest was USD18.6bn.
We tabulate league tables for top short by value and short as multiple of ADT, as well as weekly increases &amp; decreases in short value, short as multiple of ADT.
We highlight short interest changes in LG Electronics, Samsung Elec (PREF), Samsung Electronics, SAMSUNG BIOLOGICS, Hanmi Semi.


KRX Short Interest Weekly (Aug 21st): LG Electronics, Samsung Elec (PREF), Samsung Electronics

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.

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/k-bank-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:36073:1" rel="noopener">K Bank (279570 KS)</a> raised around US$340m in its South Korean IPO in March 2026. The lockup on its pre-IPO investors is set to expire soon.</li>
<li>K Bank is one of three Internet-only banks in Korea. It provides a full range of commercial banking products and services.</li>
<li>In this note, we will talk about the lockup dynamics and possible placement.</li>
</ul>



K Bank (279570 KS) raised around US$340m in its South Korean IPO in March 2026. The lockup on its pre-IPO investors is set to expire soon.
K Bank is one of three Internet-only banks in Korea. It provides a full range of commercial banking products and services.
In this note, we will talk about the lockup dynamics and possible placement.


Aequitas Kbank Lockup Expiry - Most Investors Will Be Out of Lockup, as 23% of Stock Is Released

Cross Asset Strategy

<ul>
<li>FSC Chairman Kim Joo-hyun mentioned that too many companies in Korea are trading below book value and the FSC plans to implement changes to improve upon this issue. </li>
<li>According to Korea Exchange, 1,111 companies out of total listed in KOSPI and KOSDAQ in Korea (2,538) are trading at below 1x book value (PBR) (liquidation value). </li>
<li>According to the Capital Group, about 39% of companies in the TOPIX trade below book value, compared to just 5% for companies in the S&amp;P 500 Index. </li>
</ul>


FSC Chairman Kim Joo-hyun mentioned that too many companies in Korea are trading below book value and the FSC plans to implement changes to improve upon this issue. 
According to Korea Exchange, 1,111 companies out of total listed in KOSPI and KOSDAQ in Korea (2,538) are trading at below 1x book value (PBR) (liquidation value). 
According to the Capital Group, about 39% of companies in the TOPIX trade below book value, compared to just 5% for companies in the S&amp;P 500 Index. 


44% of Korean Stocks Are Trading Below Book Value - FSC Wants to Improve This (Following Japan)

Asset Allocation & Fund Positioning, Copley Fund Research

Steven Holden

Asset Allocation & Fund Positioning

Copley Fund Research

Copley Fund Research provide research and data on asset allocation among Global and Emerging Market equity funds.  The analysis details absolute and relative positioning across countries, sectors and industries together with highly granular data on single stock and single fund allocations.  The data is updated monthly with time series going back to January 2011.

Global Research - Analysis of 165 prominent Global equity funds, combined AUM $335bn
GEM Research - Analysis of 127 prominent global EM equity funds, combined AUM $250bn

Asset Allocation - Global and GEM Equity

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>Improved sentiment in Asia Ex-Japan Autos sector as sustained increases in positioning continue through 2023.</li>
<li>BYD Company most widely held but stabilizing; Li Auto sees increased buying. Sector 7th most owned, underweight by -0.85%.</li>
<li>Rising Allocations, Low Historical Positioning and Net Underweight Suggest Potential Continued Demand for Auto Stocks</li>
</ul>


Improved sentiment in Asia Ex-Japan Autos sector as sustained increases in positioning continue through 2023.
BYD Company most widely held but stabilizing; Li Auto sees increased buying. Sector 7th most owned, underweight by -0.85%.
Rising Allocations, Low Historical Positioning and Net Underweight Suggest Potential Continued Demand for Auto Stocks


Asian Autos: Increasing Exposure Reflects Rising Market Confidence

South Korea

Hyundai Motor Company manufactures, sells, and exports passenger cars, trucks, and commercial vehicles. The Company also sells various auto parts and operates auto repair service centers throughout South Korea. Hyundai Motor provides financial services through its subsidiaries.

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Hyundai Motor (005385 KS)

Hyundai Motor Preferred Shares Likely to Outperform Common Shares Amid Treasury Shares Cancellation

In my view, Hyundai Motor's preferred shares are likely to outperform the common shares in the next 6-12 months amid this treasury shares...

Douglas Kim

KRX Short Interest Weekly (Aug 21st): LG Electronics, Samsung Elec (PREF), Samsung Electronics

We analyzed KRX short interest report for the past week and highlighted short interest changes in LG Electronics, Samsung Elec (PREF), Samsung...

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

Aequitas Kbank Lockup Expiry - Most Investors Will Be Out of Lockup, as 23% of Stock Is Released

K Bank (279570 KS) raised around US$340m in its South Korean IPO in March 2026. The lockup on its pre-IPO investors is set to expire soon.

Sumeet Singh

44% of Korean Stocks Are Trading Below Book Value - FSC Wants to Improve This (Following Japan)

A 44% of Korean stocks are trading below book value. FSC wants to improve this, following Japan's "name and shame" policy.

Douglas Kim

Asian Autos: Increasing Exposure Reflects Rising Market Confidence

Improved sentiment in Asia Ex-Japan Autos sector as sustained increases in positioning from active funds continue through 2023.

Steven Holden

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