Pan-Asia Tactical Market Calls (Quant-Driven), MRM Research

Nico Rosti

Pan-Asia Tactical Market Calls (Quant-Driven)

MRM Research

Quantitative Research

Equity Derivatives

Korea Stock Exchange KOSPI 200 / Equity Derivatives

Korea Stock Exchange KOSPI 200 (KOSPI2 INDEX EQUITY)

<ul>
<li>In just three weeks, on June 3rd, South Korea will hold an early presidential election.</li>
<li>The <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/korea-stock-exchange-kospi-200" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26021:1" rel="noopener">KOSPI 200 INDEX</a> on Tuesday closed at 347.17,  <strong>entering deeply overbought territory based on our time and price quantitative models</strong>. </li>
<li>Whether the index rallies into the election and then declines, or starts selling off ahead of the vote,<strong> our tactical stance is unchanged: we recommend short exposure or appropriate hedging.</strong>
</li>
</ul>


In just three weeks, on June 3rd, South Korea will hold an early presidential election.
The KOSPI 200 INDEX on Tuesday closed at 347.17,  entering deeply overbought territory based on our time and price quantitative models. 
Whether the index rallies into the election and then declines, or starts selling off ahead of the vote, our tactical stance is unchanged: we recommend short exposure or appropriate hedging.



KOSPI 200 Tactical Outlook: Waiting for the June Elections

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

Douglas Research Advisory

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>“In the next 50 years... we won’t give a thought to selling those [Japanese trading companies].... Japan’s record has been extraordinary.” (Warren Buffett)</li>
<li>In this insight, we provide detailed comparisons of the five major Japanese trading companies and five major Korean holdcos/trading companies. </li>
<li>Japanese trading companies have higher points for market cap, ROE, DPS increase, and shares cancellation. Korean holdcos have higher points for dividend yield, debt/equity ratio, ROIC, and valuations. </li>
</ul>


“In the next 50 years... we won’t give a thought to selling those [Japanese trading companies].... Japan’s record has been extraordinary.” (Warren Buffett)
In this insight, we provide detailed comparisons of the five major Japanese trading companies and five major Korean holdcos/trading companies. 
Japanese trading companies have higher points for market cap, ROE, DPS increase, and shares cancellation. Korean holdcos have higher points for dividend yield, debt/equity ratio, ROIC, and valuations. 


Shareholder Returns of Japanese Trading Companies Invested By Buffett Vs Top Korean Trading/Holdcos

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>In this insight, we discuss about SK Inc (034730 KS) which is considering on selling the controlling stake of SK Siltron.</li>
<li>If SK is successful in selling 70.6% stake in SK Siltron for about 5 trillion won, it could result in more than 3 trillion won cash inflow for SK Inc. </li>
<li>Our base case valuation of SK Inc is NAV of 13.9 trillion won (NAV per share of 192,217 won), representing a 61% upside from current levels.</li>
</ul>


In this insight, we discuss about SK Inc (034730 KS) which is considering on selling the controlling stake of SK Siltron.
If SK is successful in selling 70.6% stake in SK Siltron for about 5 trillion won, it could result in more than 3 trillion won cash inflow for SK Inc. 
Our base case valuation of SK Inc is NAV of 13.9 trillion won (NAV per share of 192,217 won), representing a 61% upside from current levels.


Potential Sale of a Controlling Stake in SK Siltron to Hahn & Co

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

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

Periscope Analytics

Periscope Analytics focuses on event-driven trades across Asia Pacific and provides comprehensive, timely and systematic coverage of index changes to major Asia Pacific indices in a structured manner.

The analysis includes forecasted inclusions and exclusions to all major Asian indices that have significant amount of tracking assets, including estimates of passive buy/sell flow on the stocks. The service also provides commentary and impact of market consultations, ground rule changes, and other events (IPOs, spin-offs, M&A) that could lead to index changes and passive flow.

Periscope Analytics works with multi-strategy hedge funds, proprietary trading firms, stat arb trading groups and long-only investors that invest and trade in the Asia Pacific region with the data being used to trade index rebalances, avoid pre-positioning and passive flow, and to time entry into and exit from stocks.

Event-Driven Trades Across Asia Pacific

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lg-cns-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:35945:1" rel="noopener">LG CNS (LGCNSZ KS)</a> is looking to raise up to KRW 1,199bn (US$830m), valuing the company at KRW 6 trillion (US$4.15bn) at the top end of the IPO price range.</li>
<li>As a member of the IT sector, inclusion in the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/korea-stock-exchange-kospi-200" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26021:1" rel="noopener">KOSPI200 Index</a> will only take place via Fast Entry (near impossible) or as a large-scale company.</li>
<li>Inclusion in global indices could commence in September 2025 and will be easier if the identity of the pre-IPO minority shareholders is disclosed or if the strategic investors sell.</li>
</ul>



LG CNS (LGCNSZ KS) is looking to raise up to KRW 1,199bn (US$830m), valuing the company at KRW 6 trillion (US$4.15bn) at the top end of the IPO price range.
As a member of the IT sector, inclusion in the KOSPI200 Index will only take place via Fast Entry (near impossible) or as a large-scale company.
Inclusion in global indices could commence in September 2025 and will be easier if the identity of the pre-IPO minority shareholders is disclosed or if the strategic investors sell.


LG CNS IPO: Limited Float Pushes Back Passive Buying

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.

Equity Capital Markets

<ul>
<li>The KRW 5T-6T valuation and 13x-16x PER look solid compared to local peers like SDS and Hyundai AutoEver, with CNS possibly getting a premium due to its smaller captive stake.</li>
<li>Instos probably won’t push hard for lock-ups but will aggressively target pricing to secure larger allotments, knowing the company is likely to stick with a market-friendly price.</li>
<li>On a separate note, I wouldn’t expect much of a NAV discount reduction for LG Corp, as LG CNS’s stake isn’t significant enough to move the needle.</li>
</ul>


The KRW 5T-6T valuation and 13x-16x PER look solid compared to local peers like SDS and Hyundai AutoEver, with CNS possibly getting a premium due to its smaller captive stake.
Instos probably won’t push hard for lock-ups but will aggressively target pricing to secure larger allotments, knowing the company is likely to stick with a market-friendly price.
On a separate note, I wouldn’t expect much of a NAV discount reduction for LG Corp, as LG CNS’s stake isn’t significant enough to move the needle.


LG CNS IPO Details Out: My Read on This IPO

South Korea

LG Corp. is a holding company, which operates subsidiaries including LG Electronics, LG Household & Health Care, LG Chem Ltd., and Dacom Corp. The Company's main business areas are electronics, chemicals, and household products manufacturing and telecommunications services.

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LG Corp (003550 KS)

KOSPI 200 Tactical Outlook: Waiting for the June Elections

The KOSPI 200 INDEX is in overbought territory ahead of SK's early presidential election on June 3rd, this insight discusses tactical...

Nico Rosti

Shareholder Returns of Japanese Trading Companies Invested By Buffett Vs Top Korean Trading/Holdcos

In this insight, we provide detailed comparisons of the five major Japanese trading companies and five major Korean holdcos/trading companies.

Douglas Kim

Potential Sale of a Controlling Stake in SK Siltron to Hahn & Co

If SK is successful in selling 70.6% stake in SK Siltron for about 5 trillion won, it could result in more than 3 trillion won cash inflow for SK Inc.

Douglas Kim

LG CNS IPO: Limited Float Pushes Back Passive Buying

The subscription period runs from 21-22 January. Shares will reportedly be offered at KRW 61900, the top end of the IPO range. Demand was said to...

Brian Freitas

LG CNS IPO Details Out: My Read on This IPO

LG CNS’s IPO pricing looks set at the top of the range (₩61,900). Word’s out late tonight in the local market. Buzz is that domestic instos went...

Sanghyun Park

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