Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

Douglas Research Advisory

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Emart and Shinsegae are facing concerns about put options of nearly 1 trillion won on private equity investors' investment in SSG.com nearly six years ago. </li>
<li>From AEP and BRV's point of views, they want to get their money back through put options since an IPO is not likely in the near term.</li>
<li>The most probable result appears to be that this is likely to be dragged on for some time, which will cause continued concerns on both Emart and Shinsegae. </li>
</ul>


Emart and Shinsegae are facing concerns about put options of nearly 1 trillion won on private equity investors' investment in SSG.com nearly six years ago. 
From AEP and BRV's point of views, they want to get their money back through put options since an IPO is not likely in the near term.
The most probable result appears to be that this is likely to be dragged on for some time, which will cause continued concerns on both Emart and Shinsegae. 


Legal Complications on Put Options on SSG.Com to Result in Ongoing Concerns for Emart and Shinsegae

Korea / Special Sits, Pairs, Index Rebalancing, Clepsydra Capital

Sanghyun Park

Korea / Special Sits, Pairs, Index Rebalancing

Clepsydra Capital

Investigate special situations, pairs, and index rebalancing trades in Korea.

<ul>
<li>The Korean government has introduced policies ahead of April's elections, with a recent notable announcement addressing the "Korea Discount" by enhancing low PBR stock valuations.</li>
<li>A leading proposal involves creating an index of low PBR companies. There are hints of listing ETFs tracking this index, with potential directives compelling pension funds to invest.</li>
<li>Identifying early inclusions is vital. High-likelihood candidates are low PBR large caps with maintained earnings, dividends/share buyback potential, including Hyundai Dept, E-Mart, Hyundai Steel, IBK, Korean Re, &amp; DL E&amp;C.</li>
</ul>


The Korean government has introduced policies ahead of April's elections, with a recent notable announcement addressing the "Korea Discount" by enhancing low PBR stock valuations.
A leading proposal involves creating an index of low PBR companies. There are hints of listing ETFs tracking this index, with potential directives compelling pension funds to invest.
Identifying early inclusions is vital. High-likelihood candidates are low PBR large caps with maintained earnings, dividends/share buyback potential, including Hyundai Dept, E-Mart, Hyundai Steel, IBK, Korean Re, &amp; DL E&amp;C.


Identifying Specific Implementation Plans for Korea's Low-PBR Improvement Policy

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>E Mart Inc (139480 KS) has been a strong outperformer this year (up 5.6% YTD) versus KOSPI which is down 5.8% in the same period. </li>
<li>We expect E Mart to outperform the market in the rest of 2024 driven by two major factors including "open on Sundays" policy and focus on low P/B stocks. </li>
<li>E Mart is trading at P/B of 0.2x versus Coupang which is trading at P/B of 8.3x. E Mart is more attractive than Coupang, especially considering the recent catalysts. </li>
</ul>


E Mart Inc (139480 KS) has been a strong outperformer this year (up 5.6% YTD) versus KOSPI which is down 5.8% in the same period. 
We expect E Mart to outperform the market in the rest of 2024 driven by two major factors including "open on Sundays" policy and focus on low P/B stocks. 
E Mart is trading at P/B of 0.2x versus Coupang which is trading at P/B of 8.3x. E Mart is more attractive than Coupang, especially considering the recent catalysts. 


Emart: Double Catalysts Of "Open on Sundays" + Focus on Low P/B Stocks

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)

Quantitative Researcher, MRM Research

Nico Rosti

Quantitative Researcher

MRM Research

Quantitative Research

Equity Derivatives

Korea Stock Exchange KOSPI 200 / Equity Derivatives

<ul>
<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> has reached a tipping point: the previous Bull run trend is cracking, there is a high chance the index will drop.</li>
<li>The current MRM WEEKLY pattern is bearish: if the index falls for more than 1 week it may tailspin into a 4-6 weeks correction in September.</li>
<li>Cover your LONG holdings, support can be found at 325 (Q2), 315 (Q3) and 297 (Inner Fence).</li>
</ul>


The KOSPI 200 INDEX has reached a tipping point: the previous Bull run trend is cracking, there is a high chance the index will drop.
The current MRM WEEKLY pattern is bearish: if the index falls for more than 1 week it may tailspin into a 4-6 weeks correction in September.
Cover your LONG holdings, support can be found at 325 (Q2), 315 (Q3) and 297 (Inner Fence).


EQD | KOSPI 200 Index's Decisive Week: New WEEKLY LONG Supports

South Korea

E-MART Inc. operates E-Mart discount stores. The Company retails food, clothing, household goods, electronics, and other items through several branch stores.

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

E Mart Inc (139480 KS)

Legal Complications on Put Options on SSG.Com to Result in Ongoing Concerns for Emart and Shinsegae

Emart and Shinsegae are facing concerns about put options of nearly 1 trillion won on private equity investors' investment in SSG.com nearly six...

Douglas Kim

Identifying Specific Implementation Plans for Korea's Low-PBR Improvement Policy

You'll find the Excel file with targeted names related to low PBR attached below in the DISCUSSION Section. I screened based on estimated consensus...

Sanghyun Park

Emart: Double Catalysts Of "Open on Sundays" + Focus on Low P/B Stocks

We expect E Mart to outperform the market in the rest of 2024 driven by two major factors including "open on Sundays" policy and focus on low P/B...

Douglas Kim

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

EQD | KOSPI 200 Index's Decisive Week: New WEEKLY LONG Supports

The KOSPI 200 Index may have reached the end of its 2023 rally: a correction is probable in September, read the MRM LONG support prices to know...

Nico Rosti

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)