Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

Event-Driven

Daelim Industrial's BOD and shareholders agreed to spin-off the company into <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/dl-e-c-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31375:1" rel="noopener">DL E&amp;C Co Ltd (375500 KS)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/daelim-industrial-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18095:1" rel="noopener">DL Co Ltd (000210 KS)</a> in December 2020. DL E&amp;C and DL Corp shares started trading again on 25 January 2021. DL E&amp;C and DL Corp's market caps are 2.45 trillion won and 1.08 trillion won, respectively as of 26 January 2021. The combined market caps of the two companies are 3.53 trillion won, up more than 20% from the pre-spin off levels. DL E&amp;C makes some of the best apartments in Korea and this is their bread and butter business. <div>Hyundai E&amp;C, GS E&amp;C, HDC Hyundai Development, and Daewoo E&amp;C are the most appropriate comps to DL E&amp;C. These four comps are currently trading at P/E (2021E) ratios 11.8x, 6.1x, 5.6x, and 6.9x, respectively, using the consensus earnings estimates. The average P/E ratio of these four companies is 7.6x. If we apply 7.6x P/E on the estimated net profit of 660 billion won, this would suggest an implied market cap of 5.0 trillion won, which would be nearly 100% upside from the current market cap of 2.4 trillion won. If we use the lowest P/E multiple of the comps (5.6x) and apply to the estimated net profit of 660 billion won, this would suggest a market cap of 3.7 trillion won, which would be 51% higher than its current market cap. </div>

Daelim Industrial's BOD and shareholders agreed to spin-off the company into DL E&amp;C Co Ltd (375500 KS) and DL Co Ltd (000210 KS) in December 2020. DL E&amp;C and DL Corp shares started trading again on 25 January 2021. DL E&amp;C and DL Corp's market caps are 2.45 trillion won and 1.08 trillion won, respectively as of 26 January 2021. The combined market caps of the two companies are 3.53 trillion won, up more than 20% from the pre-spin off levels. DL E&amp;C makes some of the best apartments in Korea and this is their bread and butter business. Hyundai E&amp;C, GS E&amp;C, HDC Hyundai Development, and Daewoo E&amp;C are the most appropriate comps to DL E&amp;C. These four comps are currently trading at P/E (2021E) ratios 11.8x, 6.1x, 5.6x, and 6.9x, respectively, using the consensus earnings estimates. The average P/E ratio of these four companies is 7.6x. If we apply 7.6x P/E on the estimated net profit of 660 billion won, this would suggest an implied market cap of 5.0 trillion won, which would be nearly 100% upside from the current market cap of 2.4 trillion won. If we use the lowest P/E multiple of the comps (5.6x) and apply to the estimated net profit of 660 billion won, this would suggest a market cap of 3.7 trillion won, which would be 51% higher than its current market cap. 

Newly Spun-Off DL E&C and DL Corp Create Higher Value

Global Special Situations & Strategy, SR Services Ltd

David Lepper

Global Special Situations & Strategy

SR Services Ltd

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Strategic Knowledge and Solutions

Cross Asset Strategy

Whilst Q4's list posted strong price performance it was a case that a rising tide floated most boats. As in the previous few quarters, we are on the watch for the risk of deteriorating credit metrics, but in particular during H1 2021. In Q1, the Altman Z score is at a market-cap-weighted 1.03 times, a significant decrease on the 1.52 in Q4. This deterioration needs to be monitored since earnings continue to be adjusted by analysts and their limited visibility of any bottoming. 25 stocks appear in our Q1 2021 screen, versus 15 in Q4 2020.

Whilst Q4's list posted strong price performance it was a case that a rising tide floated most boats. As in the previous few quarters, we are on the watch for the risk of deteriorating credit metrics, but in particular during H1 2021. In Q1, the Altman Z score is at a market-cap-weighted 1.03 times, a significant decrease on the 1.52 in Q4. This deterioration needs to be monitored since earnings continue to be adjusted by analysts and their limited visibility of any bottoming. 25 stocks appear in our Q1 2021 screen, versus 15 in Q4 2020.

Screening the Silk Road: Q1 2021 High Risk Names to Avoid

Hyundai Construction Equipment / Event-Driven

It was announced on 10 December that Hyundai Heavy Industries Group has been selected as the <a href="https://finance.naver.com/news/news_read.nhn?article_id=0004805146&amp;office_id=018&amp;mode=LSS2D&amp;type=0&amp;section_id=101&amp;section_id2=258&amp;section_id3=&amp;date=20201210&amp;page=2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">preferred bidder</a> to acquire the 35.4% controlling stake of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/doosan-infracore-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3982:1" rel="noopener">Doosan Infracore (042670 KS), </a>held by <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/doosan-heavy-industries-construction" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7389:1" rel="noopener">Doosan Heavy Industries &amp; Construction (034020 KS)</a>. Doosan Infracore currently has a market cap of 1.9 trillion won. Hence, a 35.4% stake in the company would be worth 663 billion won. It has been reported that the consortium led by Hyundai Heavy Industries and KDB Investment bid about 900 billion won for Doosan Infracore. Hence, the potential acquisition price would be about 36% premium to current price of Doosan Infracore (8,670 won). The final acquisition price is not yet determined so this is subject to change. <div class="content-highlight">In our view, there may be a bigger positive impact on Hyundai Construction Equipment if the HHI Group ends up acquiring Doosan Infracore. There are two major reasons. First, there are expected to some synergies between Doosan Infracore and Hyundai Construction Equipment that could have a bigger positive impact on Hyundai Construction Equipment. Second, the valuation gap between Doosan Infracore and Hyundai Construction Equipment may be reduced.</div>

It was announced on 10 December that Hyundai Heavy Industries Group has been selected as the preferred bidder to acquire the 35.4% controlling stake of Doosan Infracore (042670 KS), held by Doosan Heavy Industries &amp; Construction (034020 KS). Doosan Infracore currently has a market cap of 1.9 trillion won. Hence, a 35.4% stake in the company would be worth 663 billion won. It has been reported that the consortium led by Hyundai Heavy Industries and KDB Investment bid about 900 billion won for Doosan Infracore. Hence, the potential acquisition price would be about 36% premium to current price of Doosan Infracore (8,670 won). The final acquisition price is not yet determined so this is subject to change. In our view, there may be a bigger positive impact on Hyundai Construction Equipment if the HHI Group ends up acquiring Doosan Infracore. There are two major reasons. First, there are expected to some synergies between Doosan Infracore and Hyundai Construction Equipment that could have a bigger positive impact on Hyundai Construction Equipment. Second, the valuation gap between Doosan Infracore and Hyundai Construction Equipment may be reduced.

Korea M&A Spotlight: HHI Group Selected As Preferred Bidder for Doosan Infracore

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/daelim-industrial-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18095:1" rel="noopener">Daelim Industrial (000210 KS)</a> first announced its decision to form a holding company structure on 10 September 2020. Since then, Daelim Industrial's share price is down 9.2% in this period, underperforming KOSPI which is up 9.2% in the same period. On 4 December, Daelim Industrial's shareholders vote on this deal. We think the shareholders will confirm this formation of Holdco/spin-off. Over the years of following the Korean stock market, we have found that the shareholders sometimes do not like the initial spin-off story which knocks the price downwards but later on the share price makes a positive turnaround. In our view, Daelim Industrial could be one of these spin-off related turnaround plays that could outperform the market over the next 6 to 12 months.  Daelim Industrial is one of the largest construction companies in Korea. It makes some of the finest apartments in Korea. The housing business (mostly apartments construction) accounted for 54% of total sales and 78% of the total operating profit of the company in 1Q-3Q 2020. The company has one of the most profitable and best E&amp;C business (especially housing/apartments construction) in Korea.What are the appropriate comps for DL E&amp;C? Hyundai E&amp;C, GS E&amp;C, and Daewoo E&amp;C are the most appropriate comps to DL E&amp;C. These three comps are currently trading at P/E ratios of 11.5x, 6.7x, and 7.6x, respectively. The average of these three multiples would be 8.6x. If we take a more conservative view and take just the lowest P/E of the comps (6.7x) and use this multiple to apply to the estimated annual net profit of 660 billion for the E&amp;C business, it would result in an implied market cap of 4.4 trillion won, which would exceed Daelim Industrial's current market cap of 2.9 trillion won. So essentially, you would be getting the other businesses for free.

Daelim Industrial (000210 KS) first announced its decision to form a holding company structure on 10 September 2020. Since then, Daelim Industrial's share price is down 9.2% in this period, underperforming KOSPI which is up 9.2% in the same period. On 4 December, Daelim Industrial's shareholders vote on this deal. We think the shareholders will confirm this formation of Holdco/spin-off. Over the years of following the Korean stock market, we have found that the shareholders sometimes do not like the initial spin-off story which knocks the price downwards but later on the share price makes a positive turnaround. In our view, Daelim Industrial could be one of these spin-off related turnaround plays that could outperform the market over the next 6 to 12 months.  Daelim Industrial is one of the largest construction companies in Korea. It makes some of the finest apartments in Korea. The housing business (mostly apartments construction) accounted for 54% of total sales and 78% of the total operating profit of the company in 1Q-3Q 2020. The company has one of the most profitable and best E&amp;C business (especially housing/apartments construction) in Korea.What are the appropriate comps for DL E&amp;C? Hyundai E&amp;C, GS E&amp;C, and Daewoo E&amp;C are the most appropriate comps to DL E&amp;C. These three comps are currently trading at P/E ratios of 11.5x, 6.7x, and 7.6x, respectively. The average of these three multiples would be 8.6x. If we take a more conservative view and take just the lowest P/E of the comps (6.7x) and use this multiple to apply to the estimated annual net profit of 660 billion for the E&amp;C business, it would result in an implied market cap of 4.4 trillion won, which would exceed Daelim Industrial's current market cap of 2.9 trillion won. So essentially, you would be getting the other businesses for free.

Daelim Industrial: Unlocking Higher Value Through A Holdco & Spin-Off (Voting on 4 December)

Q3 delivered marked underperformanceOur Q3-2020 Small-Mid Cap High-Risk list of stocks produced an average price increase of 0.3%. In comparison, the MSCI Asia Pacific Index posted an increase of 6.3% over the same period. 15 stocks appear in our Q4 2020 screen, versus 21 in Q3 2020. As we highlighted in the previous three quarters, we are specifically on the watch for the risk of deteriorating credit metrics during 2020. This screen presents names which are worthy of investigation as they present with fundamentals which are at risk.

Q3 delivered marked underperformanceOur Q3-2020 Small-Mid Cap High-Risk list of stocks produced an average price increase of 0.3%. In comparison, the MSCI Asia Pacific Index posted an increase of 6.3% over the same period. 15 stocks appear in our Q4 2020 screen, versus 21 in Q3 2020. As we highlighted in the previous three quarters, we are specifically on the watch for the risk of deteriorating credit metrics during 2020. This screen presents names which are worthy of investigation as they present with fundamentals which are at risk.

Screening the Silk Road: Q4 2020 High Risk Names to Avoid

South Korea

GS Engineering & Construction Corp. contracts civil engineering and architectural works, residential and commercial building constructions, and plant installations.  The Company also builds educational, leisure, distribution, and environmental facilities.

GS Engineering & Construction (006360 KS)

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GS Engineering & Construction (006360 KS)

Newly Spun-Off DL E&C and DL Corp Create Higher Value

The newly spun off DL E&C and DL Corp have created higher value for the shareholders in the past month.Their combined market caps are 3.5 trillion...

Douglas Kim

Screening the Silk Road: Q1 2021 High Risk Names to Avoid

As in the previous few quarters, we are on the watch for the risk of deteriorating credit metrics, but in particular during H1 2021. 25 stocks...

David Lepper

Korea M&A Spotlight: HHI Group Selected As Preferred Bidder for Doosan Infracore

It was announced on 10 December that Hyundai Heavy Industries Group has been selected as the preferred bidder to acquire the 35.4% controlling...

Douglas Kim

Daelim Industrial: Unlocking Higher Value Through A Holdco & Spin-Off (Voting on 4 December)

Daelim Industrial is one of the cheapest stocks in Korea. The company could unlock greater shareholder value through the spin-off of the...

Douglas Kim

Screening the Silk Road: Q4 2020 High Risk Names to Avoid

Our Q3 screen delivered 600bps of under performance. With volatility is set to increase as we head into H1 2020, which stocks are most at risk in...

David Lepper

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