Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

Douglas Research Advisory

Cross Asset Strategy

<ul>
<li>On 28 November, the Korean National Assembly reached an agreement on a tax reform plan to officially lower taxes on dividends income. </li>
<li>The decline in tax on dividends is a definite step in the right direction. Nonetheless, the top bracket dividend tax rate cut was slightly less than what market was expecting. </li>
<li>Given that about 15%-25% dividend tax rates are more common in other developed countries,  Korea's reduction of dividend taxes is likely to be welcomed highly by many global investors.</li>
</ul>


On 28 November, the Korean National Assembly reached an agreement on a tax reform plan to officially lower taxes on dividends income. 
The decline in tax on dividends is a definite step in the right direction. Nonetheless, the top bracket dividend tax rate cut was slightly less than what market was expecting. 
Given that about 15%-25% dividend tax rates are more common in other developed countries,  Korea's reduction of dividend taxes is likely to be welcomed highly by many global investors.


Top Bracket Dividend Tax Rate Lowered to 30% in Korea [Moderately Positive]

<ul>
<li>Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Hyun-jung has introduced a revised Income Tax Act that would lower the top tax rate on dividend income from 35% to 25%.</li>
<li>Given that this proposal is coming from the ruling Democratic Party, there is a fairly high probability that this could be passed into law in 3Q 2025.</li>
<li>We provide a list of 28 mid-cap/large cap stocks in Korea with more than 35% dividend payout and 3% or more dividend yield that could benefit from this new proposal.</li>
</ul>


Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Hyun-jung has introduced a revised Income Tax Act that would lower the top tax rate on dividend income from 35% to 25%.
Given that this proposal is coming from the ruling Democratic Party, there is a fairly high probability that this could be passed into law in 3Q 2025.
We provide a list of 28 mid-cap/large cap stocks in Korea with more than 35% dividend payout and 3% or more dividend yield that could benefit from this new proposal.


Separate Dividend Tax Plan in Korea: A Push for a 25% Rate for Top Bracket

<ul>
<li>In this insight, we provide the top 10 stock picks and key catalysts in the Korean stock market for the two weeks (1 to 15 August 2025).</li>
<li>Hanwha Ocean (042660 KS) is up 46% in the past two weeks. It is the top performing stock in KOSPI in this period, as one of the top Korean shipbuilders. </li>
<li>Top 10 picks in this bi-weekly include Kangwon Land, Hanil Cement, LG Uplus, Hyundai Elevator, Samsung Electronics, Hyundai Rotem, KT&amp;G, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, SM Entertainment, and LG Energy Solution. </li>
</ul>


In this insight, we provide the top 10 stock picks and key catalysts in the Korean stock market for the two weeks (1 to 15 August 2025).
Hanwha Ocean (042660 KS) is up 46% in the past two weeks. It is the top performing stock in KOSPI in this period, as one of the top Korean shipbuilders. 
Top 10 picks in this bi-weekly include Kangwon Land, Hanil Cement, LG Uplus, Hyundai Elevator, Samsung Electronics, Hyundai Rotem, KT&amp;G, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, SM Entertainment, and LG Energy Solution. 


Top 10 Korean Stock Picks and Key Catalysts Bi-Weekly (1 to 15 August 2025)

<ul>
<li>In this insight, we discuss the recent buying and selling by the Korea National Pension Service (NPS) of Korean stocks.</li>
<li>Of the 176 Korean stocks in which NPS reported changes in ownerships in 2Q 2022, NPS increased its stakes in 115 companies and reduced stakes in 61 companies.</li>
<li>NPS mostly increased stakes in aerospace, defense, construction equipment, and energy sectors while reducing stakes in telecom and tourism related stocks.</li>
</ul>


In this insight, we discuss the recent buying and selling by the Korea National Pension Service (NPS) of Korean stocks.
Of the 176 Korean stocks in which NPS reported changes in ownerships in 2Q 2022, NPS increased its stakes in 115 companies and reduced stakes in 61 companies.
NPS mostly increased stakes in aerospace, defense, construction equipment, and energy sectors while reducing stakes in telecom and tourism related stocks.


NPS Sells SK Bioscience, Naver, & LG Electronics and Buys Kakao Bank, Lotte Corp, & Samyang Foods

Asia Pac ECM and Index Rebal, Shenton Research

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

Asia Pac ECM and Index Rebal

Asia Pac IPO & Placement Research, China Biotech

DZT Research

DZT Research is an independent Asia Pacific equity specialist. Our quantitative research covers index rebalancing flows, alongside exchange data analytics accross Asia Pacific. On the equity capital markets side, we focus on Asia Pacific ECM, especially biotech and TMT. Our lead analyst is frequently cited by international media.

Quantitative Analysis

<ul>
<li>We analyzed the changes in short interest of KRX stocks as of Mar 27th. The aggregated short interest was USD14.6bn.</li>
<li>We tabulate league tables for top short by value and short as multiple of ADT, as well as weekly increases &amp; decreases in short value, short as multiple of ADT.</li>
<li>We highlight short interest changes in HDKSOE, HyundaiEng&amp;Const, Hanmi Semi, HYBE, ECOPROBM.</li>
</ul>


We analyzed the changes in short interest of KRX stocks as of Mar 27th. The aggregated short interest was USD14.6bn.
We tabulate league tables for top short by value and short as multiple of ADT, as well as weekly increases &amp; decreases in short value, short as multiple of ADT.
We highlight short interest changes in HDKSOE, HyundaiEng&amp;Const, Hanmi Semi, HYBE, ECOPROBM.


KRX Short Interest Weekly (Mar 27th): HDKSOE, HyundaiEng&Const, Hanmi Semi, HYBE, ECOPROBM

South Korea

Hanil Cement co.,Ltd. operates as a cement manufacturing company. The Company produces and sells cement, special cement, ready mixed concrete products, high solidity admixture, and other products. Hanil Cement markets its products throughout Korea.

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Hanil Cement Co Ltd/New (300720 KS)

Top Bracket Dividend Tax Rate Lowered to 30% in Korea [Moderately Positive]

On 28 November, the Korean National Assembly reached an agreement on a tax reform plan to officially lower taxes on dividends income.

Douglas Kim

Separate Dividend Tax Plan in Korea: A Push for a 25% Rate for Top Bracket

The final decision to lower top bracket dividend tax from 35% to 25% could be made in the next several days. There have been increasing local news...

Douglas Kim

Top 10 Korean Stock Picks and Key Catalysts Bi-Weekly (1 to 15 August 2025)

Top 10 picks in this bi-weekly include Kangwon Land, Hanil Cement, LG Uplus, Hyundai Elevator, Samsung Electronics, Hyundai Rotem, KT&G, HD HHI, SM...

Douglas Kim

NPS Sells SK Bioscience, Naver, & LG Electronics and Buys Kakao Bank, Lotte Corp, & Samyang Foods

NPS moves the Korean stock market more than any other investor. In this insight, we discuss the recent buying and selling by the Korea National...

Douglas Kim

KRX Short Interest Weekly (Mar 27th): HDKSOE, HyundaiEng&Const, Hanmi Semi, HYBE, ECOPROBM

We analyzed KRX short interest report for the past week and highlighted short interest changes in HDKSOE, HyundaiEng&Const, Hanmi Semi, HYBE,...

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

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52-week Range

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