Asian Hedge Fund Manager, Long Short Equity, Macro

David Mudd

Cross Asset Strategy

<ul>
<li>The Asian Alpha Hedge Portfolio performance in 1Q26 was +17.83% versus its benchmark performance of +1.79% for an outperformance of 16.04%.</li>
<li>Over the last year, AAHP's Sharpe ratio is 4.39 with a mean excess annualized return of 69%.  The portfolio has a gross and net exposure of 132% and +30%, respectively.</li>
<li>The war has changed outlooks for economies and markets in the region.  Accordingly, we reduced risk in the portfolio and adjusted our long/short exposures to reflect this new reality.</li>
</ul>


The Asian Alpha Hedge Portfolio performance in 1Q26 was +17.83% versus its benchmark performance of +1.79% for an outperformance of 16.04%.
Over the last year, AAHP's Sharpe ratio is 4.39 with a mean excess annualized return of 69%.  The portfolio has a gross and net exposure of 132% and +30%, respectively.
The war has changed outlooks for economies and markets in the region.  Accordingly, we reduced risk in the portfolio and adjusted our long/short exposures to reflect this new reality.


Asian Alpha Hedge Portfolio (March, 2026)

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

Douglas Research Advisory

<ul>
<li>Hanwha Asset Management has launched the process of listing the PLUS Korea Manufacturing Core Alliance (KMCA) Index ETF on the NYSE in 1H 2026.</li>
<li>KMCA ETF will includes companies in six core sectors: 1) AI semiconductors, 2) batteries, 3) shipbuilding, 4), defense, 5) power grids and nuclear energy, and 6) robots and humanoids.</li>
<li>This is likely to attract additional foreign capital into Korean stocks in the coming months. </li>
</ul>


Hanwha Asset Management has launched the process of listing the PLUS Korea Manufacturing Core Alliance (KMCA) Index ETF on the NYSE in 1H 2026.
KMCA ETF will includes companies in six core sectors: 1) AI semiconductors, 2) batteries, 3) shipbuilding, 4), defense, 5) power grids and nuclear energy, and 6) robots and humanoids.
This is likely to attract additional foreign capital into Korean stocks in the coming months. 


Hanwha Asset Mgmt Launching the PLUS Korea Manufacturing Core Alliance Index ETF (KMCA) On NYSE

<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

<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)

Research and consultancy, Tabbush Report

Daniel Tabbush

Research and consultancy

Tabbush Report

We provide research and consultancy on Asian banks. Our focus is on what we call “Asian bank research, without the noise.” We are interested in the most critical swing-factors for banks, the NPL and credit cycle, and where we believe there is a gap between perception and reality. We often focus on the less studied components of bank financial statements.  Our research is highly thematic, sometimes examining unlisted banks and companies as a window on mainstream banks. 

Being independent allows us to look at smaller banks, often overlooked by others. Analysis of BIS bank guidelines in the context of Asia, is also a focal point, while we also analyze global banks operating in the region. We use what we believe is the most comprehensive, reliable financials database, SNL Financial. S&P Capital IQ augments our database, with corporate data and CEIC, with economics. 

Asian bank research, without the noise.

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>Daewoo Shipping &amp; Marine Engineering early in May 2023 agreed to takeover by Hanwah Group</li>
<li>Hanwah Ocean, the re-named entity, reported financial stress for years, a lumpy NPL for banks</li>
<li>C&amp;P CIQ data suggests that all four major Korean banks are creditors to Hanwah Ocean</li>
</ul>


Daewoo Shipping &amp; Marine Engineering early in May 2023 agreed to takeover by Hanwah Group
Hanwah Ocean, the re-named entity, reported financial stress for years, a lumpy NPL for banks
C&amp;P CIQ data suggests that all four major Korean banks are creditors to Hanwah Ocean


Korea's Large Banks & Hanwah Ocean - Credit Reversals or Overhang?

South Korea

Hanwha Ocean Co., Ltd. operates as a shipbuilding and offshore company. The Company provides floating structure construction, steel wire drying, commercial vessels, specialty vessels, gas carrier, tanker, containership, ro ro, bulk carrier, submarine, warship, auxiliaries, cruise ships, and ferries manufacturing services. Hanwha Ocean also offers onshore plants services.

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Hanwha Ocean (042660 KS)

Asian Alpha Hedge Portfolio (March, 2026)

While we do not believe that the Iran conflict is close to a resolution, we believe that the U.S. side needs to reach one, and that will eventually...

David Mudd

Hanwha Asset Mgmt Launching the PLUS Korea Manufacturing Core Alliance Index ETF (KMCA) On NYSE

Hanwha Asset Management has launched the process of listing the PLUS Korea Manufacturing Core Alliance (KMCA) Index ETF on the NYSE in 1H 2026.

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

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

Korea's Large Banks & Hanwah Ocean - Credit Reversals or Overhang?

News of ~USD740m placement, insight by Brian Freitas on this capital increase, it is a timely reminder of core credit metrics and concern for...

Daniel Tabbush

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Asian Alpha Hedge Portfolio (March, 2026)

While we do not believe that the Iran conflict is close to a resolution, we believe that the U.S. side needs to reach one, and that will eventually...

David Mudd

Hanwha Asset Mgmt Launching the PLUS Korea Manufacturing Core Alliance Index ETF (KMCA) On NYSE

Hanwha Asset Management has launched the process of listing the PLUS Korea Manufacturing Core Alliance (KMCA) Index ETF on the NYSE in 1H 2026.

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

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

Korea's Large Banks & Hanwah Ocean - Credit Reversals or Overhang?

News of ~USD740m placement, insight by Brian Freitas on this capital increase, it is a timely reminder of core credit metrics and concern for...

Daniel Tabbush

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