Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

Douglas Research Advisory

Cross Asset Strategy

<ul>
<li>Now that Lee Jae-Myung has become new South Korean President, the uncertainty revolving who will lead South Korea in the next five years is now over.</li>
<li>In this insight, we discuss four investment themes (related to Lee Jae-Myung becoming the new South Korean President) that could outperform the market for the remainder of 2025.</li>
<li>The four investment themes include Korean Holdcos/Quasi Holdcos, Korean Cultural Contents, Securities, and SK Group Companies.</li>
</ul>


Now that Lee Jae-Myung has become new South Korean President, the uncertainty revolving who will lead South Korea in the next five years is now over.
In this insight, we discuss four investment themes (related to Lee Jae-Myung becoming the new South Korean President) that could outperform the market for the remainder of 2025.
The four investment themes include Korean Holdcos/Quasi Holdcos, Korean Cultural Contents, Securities, and SK Group Companies.


Lee Jae-Myung Becomes the New South Korean President - Four Investment Themes That Could Outperform

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.

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-08-09/l-occitane-boss-is-said-in-advanced-talks-on-6-5-billion-buyout?in_source=embedded-checkout-banner" target="_blank" rel="noopener">According to Bloomberg</a>, <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> is set to receive a HK$35 per share privatisation offer from Reinold Geiger, the Chairman and the largest shareholder.</li>
<li>The rumoured price is attractive and represents an all-time high share price. Therefore, Acatis KVG, the shareholder with a blocking stake, would be supportive.</li>
<li>The rumoured price implies multiples at a discount to peer multiples, which explains Mr Geiger’s ambitions for a possible European listing to secure higher valuation multiples. </li>
</ul>



According to Bloomberg, L'Occitane (973 HK) is set to receive a HK$35 per share privatisation offer from Reinold Geiger, the Chairman and the largest shareholder.
The rumoured price is attractive and represents an all-time high share price. Therefore, Acatis KVG, the shareholder with a blocking stake, would be supportive.
The rumoured price implies multiples at a discount to peer multiples, which explains Mr Geiger’s ambitions for a possible European listing to secure higher valuation multiples. 


L’Occitane (973 HK): HK$35 Offer from the Controlling Shareholder?

<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> is drawing takeover interest from Reinold Geiger, the Chairman and the largest shareholder, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-07-25/l-occitane-owner-said-to-mull-buyout-of-4-billion-beauty-firm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to Bloomberg</a>. Mr Geiger has been exploring financing options for the potential deal.</li>
<li>The presence of a significant disinterested shareholder, Acatis KVG, necessitates an attractive takeover premium. Acatis KVG trimmed its stake in July 2021 at HK$30.01 per share.</li>
<li>L’Occitane released a solid <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2023/0725/2023072500263.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">1QFY2024 update</a> today with constant currency growth of 24.5% YoY. Irrespective of a bid materialising, the valuation is undemanding compared to peer multiples. </li>
</ul>



L'Occitane (973 HK) is drawing takeover interest from Reinold Geiger, the Chairman and the largest shareholder, according to Bloomberg. Mr Geiger has been exploring financing options for the potential deal.
The presence of a significant disinterested shareholder, Acatis KVG, necessitates an attractive takeover premium. Acatis KVG trimmed its stake in July 2021 at HK$30.01 per share.
L’Occitane released a solid 1QFY2024 update today with constant currency growth of 24.5% YoY. Irrespective of a bid materialising, the valuation is undemanding compared to peer multiples. 


L’Occitane (973 HK): Controlling Shareholder Mulling a Bid?

External broker reports(aggregated public sources), Mirae Asset Securities

Mirae Asset Securities

External broker reports(aggregated public sources)

Mirae Asset Securities Co.,Ltd. provides comprehensive wealth management services. The Company offers fixed income securities brokerage, securities dealing, equity underwriting, and other services. Mirae Asset Securities also deals with mergers and acquisitions, foreign currency, and financial derivatives

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul><li>For 4Q25, we expect Cosmax to post revenue of W566bn (+1% YoY) and operating profit of W38.1bn (-4% YoY), with both figures missing the consensus.</li><li>While China likely continued its rebound, other regions likely performed worse than expected.</li><li>In Korea, growth likely fell short of the company’s target, and Southeast Asian operations faced headwinds from local political conditions and an unfavorable base. </li></ul>Content is external broker report sourced from online content aggregator through publicly available sources and is displayed below for general informational purposes only. Refer full disclaimer below.

For 4Q25, we expect Cosmax to post revenue of W566bn (+1% YoY) and operating profit of W38.1bn (-4% YoY), with both figures missing the consensus.While China likely continued its rebound, other regions likely performed worse than expected.In Korea, growth likely fell short of the company’s target, and Southeast Asian operations faced headwinds from local political conditions and an unfavorable base. Content is external broker report sourced from online content aggregator through publicly available sources and is displayed below for general informational purposes only. Refer full disclaimer below.

Cosmax (192820 KS/Buy)Clearer Signs of a Margin Recovery Needed

<ul><li>For 3Q25, Cosmax reported below-consensus results, with revenue of W585.6bn (+11% YoY) and operating profit of W42.7bn (-2% YoY).</li><li>The main drag on earnings was weaker profitability in Korea, with operating leverage effects remaining constrained since 2Q25.</li><li>As for overseas operations, earnings slowed in Southeast Asia but improved in both China and the US.</li></ul>Content is external broker report sourced from online content aggregator through publicly available sources and is displayed below for general informational purposes only. Refer full disclaimer below.

For 3Q25, Cosmax reported below-consensus results, with revenue of W585.6bn (+11% YoY) and operating profit of W42.7bn (-2% YoY).The main drag on earnings was weaker profitability in Korea, with operating leverage effects remaining constrained since 2Q25.As for overseas operations, earnings slowed in Southeast Asia but improved in both China and the US.Content is external broker report sourced from online content aggregator through publicly available sources and is displayed below for general informational purposes only. Refer full disclaimer below.

Cosmax (192820 KS/Buy)Margins Disappoint Again

South Korea

Cosmax, Inc. is a cosmetics manufacturer. The Company develops and produces a variety of cosmetics for men and women, such as basic and special skin care, makeup, hair care, and other beauty products. Cosmax manufactures its products on original equipment manufacturing (OEM) basis.

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Cosmax Inc (192820 KS)

Lee Jae-Myung Becomes the New South Korean President - Four Investment Themes That Could Outperform

In this insight, we discuss four investment themes (related to Lee Jae-Myung becoming the new South Korean President) that could outperform the...

Douglas Kim

L’Occitane (973 HK): HK$35 Offer from the Controlling Shareholder?

Shares are currently in a trading halt. The rumoured offer price of HK$35 per share is attractive and represents an all-time high price. Therefore,...

Arun George

L’Occitane (973 HK): Controlling Shareholder Mulling a Bid?

The presence of a significant disinterested shareholder necessitates an attractive takeover premium. Irrespective of a bid materialising, the...

Arun George

Cosmax (192820 KS/Buy)Clearer Signs of a Margin Recovery Needed

For 4Q25, we expect Cosmax to post revenue of W566bn (+1% YoY) and operating profit of W38.1bn (-4% YoY), with both figures missing the consensus.

Mirae Asset Securities

Cosmax (192820 KS/Buy)Margins Disappoint Again

For 3Q25, Cosmax reported below-consensus results, with revenue of W585.6bn (+11% YoY) and operating profit of W42.7bn (-2% YoY).

Mirae Asset Securities

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