Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

Douglas Research Advisory

Cross Asset Strategy

<ul>
<li>We discuss the five most important factors driving the Korean stock market this year which was the best performing among all major country equity markets in the world in 2025.</li>
<li>These five factors included the global AI boom, wars and rumors of wars, beneficiaries of MASGA, Korea Value-Up initiatives, and reduced political uncertainties with new President elected in June 2025. </li>
<li>Our best bet to diversify one's portfolio and be more cautious because staying alive will be a key in 2026 rather than FOMO, especially in 2H 2026. </li>
</ul>


We discuss the five most important factors driving the Korean stock market this year which was the best performing among all major country equity markets in the world in 2025.
These five factors included the global AI boom, wars and rumors of wars, beneficiaries of MASGA, Korea Value-Up initiatives, and reduced political uncertainties with new President elected in June 2025. 
Our best bet to diversify one's portfolio and be more cautious because staying alive will be a key in 2026 rather than FOMO, especially in 2H 2026. 


Korean Stock Market - The Best Performing Among Major Countries Indices in 2025

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

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul><li>We maintain our Overweight stance on shipbuilding. New naval vessel and LNG carrier orders could lead to a prolonged earnings up-cycle, and profit growth in the commercial vessel segment should continue.</li><li>2026 outlook: With over 1,000 naval vessels estimated to require replacement, naval vessel exports are expected to begin in earnest in 2026-27.</li><li>In addition, the US is likely to place orders for 50-100 LNG carriers; for FID-approved projects alone, LNG carrier demand totals 117 units. </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.

We maintain our Overweight stance on shipbuilding. New naval vessel and LNG carrier orders could lead to a prolonged earnings up-cycle, and profit growth in the commercial vessel segment should continue.2026 outlook: With over 1,000 naval vessels estimated to require replacement, naval vessel exports are expected to begin in earnest in 2026-27.In addition, the US is likely to place orders for 50-100 LNG carriers; for FID-approved projects alone, LNG carrier demand totals 117 units. 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.

[2026 Outlook] Defense/ShipbuildingAnother inflection point

Event-Driven

Korea Aerospace Industries / Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>In the past several months, Hanwha Group companies purchased additional shares in Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) so their combined stake is now 15.89%. </li>
<li>Hanwha Aerospace owns 9.9% stake in KAI, followed by Hanwha Systems (4.98%), and Hanwha Aerospace USA (1.01%). </li>
<li>I provide four main scenarios of the potential next moves by the Hanwha Group companies regarding Korea Aerospace Industries. </li>
</ul>


In the past several months, Hanwha Group companies purchased additional shares in Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) so their combined stake is now 15.89%. 
Hanwha Aerospace owns 9.9% stake in KAI, followed by Hanwha Systems (4.98%), and Hanwha Aerospace USA (1.01%). 
I provide four main scenarios of the potential next moves by the Hanwha Group companies regarding Korea Aerospace Industries. 


Hanwha Aerospace and Other Hanwha Affiliates Now Own 15.9% of KAI - Next Move?

<ul>
<li>On 25 November, the Democratic Party of Korea confirmed that the cancellation of treasury shares will be made into law by the end of 2025.</li>
<li>Companies that buyback their shares (as treasury shares) will be required to cancel them within one year of the buyback. </li>
<li>There may be a LOOPHOLE if the company fails to cancel the treasury shares on time. Fine per director is only 50 million won and this may be too low. </li>
</ul>


On 25 November, the Democratic Party of Korea confirmed that the cancellation of treasury shares will be made into law by the end of 2025.
Companies that buyback their shares (as treasury shares) will be required to cancel them within one year of the buyback. 
There may be a LOOPHOLE if the company fails to cancel the treasury shares on time. Fine per director is only 50 million won and this may be too low. 


Confirmation of Cancellation of Treasury Shares To Be Made Into Law by End of 2025 and a Loophole?

<ul>
<li>It was reported that the Chinese government advised its citizens to refrain from traveling to Japan, which is likely to positively benefit the Korea in-bound tourism related stocks.</li>
<li>If the political tensions between China and Japan are not quickly resolved but continues to last, this would have further negative impact on the Japanese consumer/tourism/leisure related companies. </li>
<li>On the flip side, this could have a positive impact on the Korean consumer/tourism/leisure related companies such as Lotte Tour Development, Hotel Shilla, and Paradise. </li>
</ul>


It was reported that the Chinese government advised its citizens to refrain from traveling to Japan, which is likely to positively benefit the Korea in-bound tourism related stocks.
If the political tensions between China and Japan are not quickly resolved but continues to last, this would have further negative impact on the Japanese consumer/tourism/leisure related companies. 
On the flip side, this could have a positive impact on the Korean consumer/tourism/leisure related companies such as Lotte Tour Development, Hotel Shilla, and Paradise. 


China Advices Its Citizens to Refrain from Traveling to Japan - Beneficial Impact on Korea Tourism

South Korea

Hanwha Aerospace Co., Ltd. operates as an aircraft parts manufacturing company. The Company produces and sells aircraft gas turbine engine products, aircraft compressors, low pressure turbines, and other products. Hanwha Aerospace markets its products worldwide.

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

Hanwha Aerospace (012450 KS)

Korean Stock Market - The Best Performing Among Major Countries Indices in 2025

We discuss the five most important factors driving the Korean stock market this year which was the best performing among all major country equity...

Douglas Kim

[2026 Outlook] Defense/ShipbuildingAnother inflection point

New naval vessel and LNG carrier orders could lead to a prolonged earnings up-cycle, and profit growth in the commercial vessel segment should...

Mirae Asset Securities

Hanwha Aerospace and Other Hanwha Affiliates Now Own 15.9% of KAI - Next Move?

In the past several months, Hanwha Group companies purchased additional shares in Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) so their combined stake is now...

Douglas Kim

Confirmation of Cancellation of Treasury Shares To Be Made Into Law by End of 2025 and a Loophole?

There may be a LOOPHOLE if the company fails to cancel the treasury shares on time. Fine per director is only 50 million won and this may be too low.

Douglas Kim

China Advices Its Citizens to Refrain from Traveling to Japan - Beneficial Impact on Korea Tourism

Chinese government advising against travel to Japan could boost Korean tourism stocks, while prolonged tensions could harm Japanese companies.

Douglas Kim

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Korean Stock Market - The Best Performing Among Major Countries Indices in 2025

We discuss the five most important factors driving the Korean stock market this year which was the best performing among all major country equity...

Douglas Kim

[2026 Outlook] Defense/ShipbuildingAnother inflection point

New naval vessel and LNG carrier orders could lead to a prolonged earnings up-cycle, and profit growth in the commercial vessel segment should...

Mirae Asset Securities

Hanwha Aerospace and Other Hanwha Affiliates Now Own 15.9% of KAI - Next Move?

In the past several months, Hanwha Group companies purchased additional shares in Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) so their combined stake is now...

Douglas Kim

Confirmation of Cancellation of Treasury Shares To Be Made Into Law by End of 2025 and a Loophole?

There may be a LOOPHOLE if the company fails to cancel the treasury shares on time. Fine per director is only 50 million won and this may be too low.

Douglas Kim

China Advices Its Citizens to Refrain from Traveling to Japan - Beneficial Impact on Korea Tourism

​Chinese government advising against travel to Japan could boost Korean tourism stocks, while prolonged tensions could harm Japanese companies.

Douglas Kim

Chinese government advising against travel to Japan could boost Korean tourism stocks, while prolonged tensions could harm Japanese companies.