Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

Douglas Research Advisory

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>In this insight, we discuss Dalton Investments which recently started to go activist on Kolmar Korea Holdings (024720 KS) and NAV valuation of this company.</li>
<li>Our base case valuation of Kolmar Holdings is NAV of 475 billion won or NAV per share of 13,836 won, representing a 46% upside from current levels.</li>
<li>Dalton Investments is likely to pressure Kolmar Holdings to increase share buyback and cancellations.</li>
</ul>


In this insight, we discuss Dalton Investments which recently started to go activist on Kolmar Korea Holdings (024720 KS) and NAV valuation of this company.
Our base case valuation of Kolmar Holdings is NAV of 475 billion won or NAV per share of 13,836 won, representing a 46% upside from current levels.
Dalton Investments is likely to pressure Kolmar Holdings to increase share buyback and cancellations.


Dalton Investments Going Activist on Kolmar Holdings and NAV Valuation

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>One of the big thematic events on the Korean stock market has been the expectation that China could lift ban on Korean popular culture (Hallyu) as early as May 2025. </li>
<li>China's President Xi recently stated <em>"Cultural exchanges are a valuable part of our bilateral relations [between China and Korea]. We should avoid any problems occurring in handling such matters.” </em>
</li>
<li>We provide a list of 40 stocks in Korea that could most benefit from the end of lifting ban of Korean popular culture. </li>
</ul>


One of the big thematic events on the Korean stock market has been the expectation that China could lift ban on Korean popular culture (Hallyu) as early as May 2025. 
China's President Xi recently stated "Cultural exchanges are a valuable part of our bilateral relations [between China and Korea]. We should avoid any problems occurring in handling such matters.” 

We provide a list of 40 stocks in Korea that could most benefit from the end of lifting ban of Korean popular culture. 


China Could Lift Ban on Korean Popular Culture (Hallyu) As Early As May 2025

<ul>
<li>On 4 July, NPS disclosed the details of the ownership changes for 112 listed companies in Korea, of which 87 were listed in KOSPI and 25 in KOSDAQ. </li>
<li>In 2Q 2024, the NPS reduced its investments in defense and military stocks and increased investments in cosmetics, shipbuilding, and food companies in Korea.</li>
<li>NPS reduced its capital allocation to the military &amp; defense sector. NPS reduced its stake in LIG Nex1 (-2.32%), Poongsan Corp (-2.24%), and Hanwha Aerospace (-1.02%). </li>
</ul>


On 4 July, NPS disclosed the details of the ownership changes for 112 listed companies in Korea, of which 87 were listed in KOSPI and 25 in KOSDAQ. 
In 2Q 2024, the NPS reduced its investments in defense and military stocks and increased investments in cosmetics, shipbuilding, and food companies in Korea.
NPS reduced its capital allocation to the military &amp; defense sector. NPS reduced its stake in LIG Nex1 (-2.32%), Poongsan Corp (-2.24%), and Hanwha Aerospace (-1.02%). 


What Did NPS Buy and Sell in Korean Stock Market in 2Q 2024?

IPOs and Catalysts/Events, Global Equity Research Ltd

Arun George

IPOs and Catalysts/Events

Uncompromised, Independent, Conflict-Free Research

Global Equity Research Ltd

Global Equity Research was started in 2017 by a group of experienced research professionals. It was founded on a passionate belief in the importance and the need for uncompromised, independent, conflict-free research. We aim to provide differentiated and actionable primary and bottom up fundamental research.

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/l-occitane-international-sa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6772:1" rel="noopener">L'Occitane (973 HK)</a> announced the share alternative at an exchange ratio of 10 rollover shares for each offer share, subject to a cap of 5% of outstanding shares.</li>
<li>The share alternative option will help the offer and was likely required to get Pleasant Lake Partners’ support (3.25% of outstanding shares). There is minimal vocal opposition to the offer. </li>
<li>Irrevocables/Letters of support represent 49.83% of disinterested shares. An attractive offer and the share alternative facilitate meeting the minimum acceptance condition, which requires an 80% disinterested acceptance rate (ex. irrevocables).</li>
</ul>



L'Occitane (973 HK) announced the share alternative at an exchange ratio of 10 rollover shares for each offer share, subject to a cap of 5% of outstanding shares.
The share alternative option will help the offer and was likely required to get Pleasant Lake Partners’ support (3.25% of outstanding shares). There is minimal vocal opposition to the offer. 
Irrevocables/Letters of support represent 49.83% of disinterested shares. An attractive offer and the share alternative facilitate meeting the minimum acceptance condition, which requires an 80% disinterested acceptance rate (ex. irrevocables).


L’Occitane (973 HK): Share Alternative a Crucial Step Towards the Offer Being Declared Unconditional

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fancl-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15862:1" rel="noopener">Fancl Corp (4921 JP)</a> recommended <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kirin-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16977:1" rel="noopener">Kirin Holdings (2503 JP)</a>’s tender offer of JPY2,690, a 42.7% premium to the undisturbed price. </li>
<li>The timing looks opportunistic as Fancl's shares are down 20% YTD. The offer period is from 17 June to 29 July.</li>
<li>While the offer is attractive vs peer multiples, it is light vs historical trading ranges. Securing the required acceptance rate could prove challenging as the offer price is light. </li>
</ul>



Fancl Corp (4921 JP) recommended Kirin Holdings (2503 JP)’s tender offer of JPY2,690, a 42.7% premium to the undisturbed price. 
The timing looks opportunistic as Fancl's shares are down 20% YTD. The offer period is from 17 June to 29 July.
While the offer is attractive vs peer multiples, it is light vs historical trading ranges. Securing the required acceptance rate could prove challenging as the offer price is light. 


Fancl (4921 JP): Kirin (2503 JP)’s Light JPY2,690 Tender Offer

South Korea

Kolmar Korea Co., Ltd. manufactures and distributes personal care products. The Company produces cosmetics. Kolmar Korea also produces medicine and healthcare products.

Price Gauge
52-week Range	0.00 - 0.00
Market Cap (USDm)	0.00
P/E	0.00
Dividend (Yield)	0.00

Kolmar Korea (161890 KS)

Dalton Investments Going Activist on Kolmar Holdings and NAV Valuation

In this insight, we discuss Dalton Investments which recently started to go activist on Kolmar Korea Holdings (024720 KS) and NAV valuation of this...

Douglas Kim

China Could Lift Ban on Korean Popular Culture (Hallyu) As Early As May 2025

One of the big thematic events that have impacted the Korean stock market this week has been the expectation that China could lift ban on Korean...

Douglas Kim

What Did NPS Buy and Sell in Korean Stock Market in 2Q 2024?

In 2Q 2024, the NPS reduced its investments in defense and military stocks and increased investments in cosmetics, shipbuilding, and food companies...

Douglas Kim

Fancl (4921 JP): Kirin (2503 JP)’s Light JPY2,690 Tender Offer

The timing is opportunistic. While the offer is attractive compared to peer multiples, it is light compared to historical trading ranges. Securing...

Arun George

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Dalton Investments Going Activist on Kolmar Holdings and NAV Valuation

In this insight, we discuss Dalton Investments which recently started to go activist on Kolmar Korea Holdings (024720 KS) and NAV valuation of this...

Douglas Kim

China Could Lift Ban on Korean Popular Culture (Hallyu) As Early As May 2025

One of the big thematic events that have impacted the Korean stock market this week has been the expectation that China could lift ban on Korean...

Douglas Kim

What Did NPS Buy and Sell in Korean Stock Market in 2Q 2024?

In 2Q 2024, the NPS reduced its investments in defense and military stocks and increased investments in cosmetics, shipbuilding, and food companies...

Douglas Kim

L’Occitane (973 HK): Share Alternative a Crucial Step Towards the Offer Being Declared Unconditional

An attractive offer and the share alternative facilitate meeting the 90% minimum acceptance condition. This looks like a done deal. At the current...

Arun George

Fancl (4921 JP): Kirin (2503 JP)’s Light JPY2,690 Tender Offer

The timing is opportunistic. While the offer is attractive compared to peer multiples, it is light compared to historical trading ranges. Securing...

Arun George