Equity Analyst - Asia Consumer Sector, Investory

Devi Subhakesan

Equity Analyst - Asia Consumer Sector

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.

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>K-Beauty ODM segment appears positioned both to ride the secular growth of Korean skincare in the U.S. and to tide over tariff turbulence given their US based manufacturing facilities.</li>
<li>By contrast to OEM/ODM players, major legacy consumer beauty brands like AmorePacific, LG Household &amp; Health Care have been slower to localise production leaving them exposed to reciprocal tariffs.</li>
<li>With American cosmetic imports from Korea hitting all-time highs, Korean ODMs with local facilities could see demand growth and profit recovery as clients onshore production to avoid tariffs.</li>
</ul>


K-Beauty ODM segment appears positioned both to ride the secular growth of Korean skincare in the U.S. and to tide over tariff turbulence given their US based manufacturing facilities.
By contrast to OEM/ODM players, major legacy consumer beauty brands like AmorePacific, LG Household &amp; Health Care have been slower to localise production leaving them exposed to reciprocal tariffs.
With American cosmetic imports from Korea hitting all-time highs, Korean ODMs with local facilities could see demand growth and profit recovery as clients onshore production to avoid tariffs.


Kolmar Korea: K-Beauty ODMs- Positioned to Ride US Demand Growth While Tiding Over Tariffs

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

Douglas Research Advisory

Equity Capital Markets

<ul>
<li>Our base case valuation is based on a P/E of 21.9x (40% premium to the comps) our estimated net profit of 58.9 billion won in 2025. </li>
<li>We believe d'Alba Global should trade at a premium valuation to the comps due to higher sales and operating profit growth, higher ROE and operating margins than the comps. </li>
<li>Our base case valuation of d'Alba Global target price of 101,609 won per share, which represents 53% higher than the high end of the IPO valuation range. </li>
</ul>


Our base case valuation is based on a P/E of 21.9x (40% premium to the comps) our estimated net profit of 58.9 billion won in 2025. 
We believe d'Alba Global should trade at a premium valuation to the comps due to higher sales and operating profit growth, higher ROE and operating margins than the comps. 
Our base case valuation of d'Alba Global target price of 101,609 won per share, which represents 53% higher than the high end of the IPO valuation range. 


<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.

Event-Driven

<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

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)

Kolmar Korea: K-Beauty ODMs- Positioned to Ride US Demand Growth While Tiding Over Tariffs

Korean Beauty OEMs seem more resilient than bigger consumer beauty brands in handling tariff impact given their US based manufacturing facilities...

Devi Subhakesan

D'Alba Global IPO Valuation Analysis

Our base case valuation of d'Alba Global target price of 101,609 won per share, which represents 53% higher than the high end of the IPO valuation...

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

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Kolmar Korea: K-Beauty ODMs- Positioned to Ride US Demand Growth While Tiding Over Tariffs

Korean Beauty OEMs seem more resilient than bigger consumer beauty brands in handling tariff impact given their US based manufacturing facilities...

Devi Subhakesan

D'Alba Global IPO Valuation Analysis

Our base case valuation of d'Alba Global target price of 101,609 won per share, which represents 53% higher than the high end of the IPO valuation...

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