Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

Douglas Research Advisory

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>One of the big thematic events on the Korean stock market has been the expectation that China could lift ban on Korean popular culture (Hallyu) as early as May 2025. </li>
<li>China's President Xi recently stated <em>"Cultural exchanges are a valuable part of our bilateral relations [between China and Korea]. We should avoid any problems occurring in handling such matters.” </em>
</li>
<li>We provide a list of 40 stocks in Korea that could most benefit from the end of lifting ban of Korean popular culture. </li>
</ul>


One of the big thematic events on the Korean stock market has been the expectation that China could lift ban on Korean popular culture (Hallyu) as early as May 2025. 
China's President Xi recently stated "Cultural exchanges are a valuable part of our bilateral relations [between China and Korea]. We should avoid any problems occurring in handling such matters.” 

We provide a list of 40 stocks in Korea that could most benefit from the end of lifting ban of Korean popular culture. 


China Could Lift Ban on Korean Popular Culture (Hallyu) As Early As May 2025

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One, Periscope Analytics

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

Periscope Analytics

Periscope Analytics focuses on event-driven trades across Asia Pacific and provides comprehensive, timely and systematic coverage of index changes to major Asia Pacific indices in a structured manner.

The analysis includes forecasted inclusions and exclusions to all major Asian indices that have significant amount of tracking assets, including estimates of passive buy/sell flow on the stocks. The service also provides commentary and impact of market consultations, ground rule changes, and other events (IPOs, spin-offs, M&A) that could lead to index changes and passive flow.

Periscope Analytics works with multi-strategy hedge funds, proprietary trading firms, stat arb trading groups and long-only investors that invest and trade in the Asia Pacific region with the data being used to trade index rebalances, avoid pre-positioning and passive flow, and to time entry into and exit from stocks.

Event-Driven Trades Across Asia Pacific

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lg-cns-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:35945:1" rel="noopener">LG CNS (LGCNSZ KS)</a> is looking to raise up to KRW 1,199bn (US$830m), valuing the company at KRW 6 trillion (US$4.15bn) at the top end of the IPO price range.</li>
<li>As a member of the IT sector, inclusion in the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/korea-stock-exchange-kospi-200" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26021:1" rel="noopener">KOSPI200 Index</a> will only take place via Fast Entry (near impossible) or as a large-scale company.</li>
<li>Inclusion in global indices could commence in September 2025 and will be easier if the identity of the pre-IPO minority shareholders is disclosed or if the strategic investors sell.</li>
</ul>



LG CNS (LGCNSZ KS) is looking to raise up to KRW 1,199bn (US$830m), valuing the company at KRW 6 trillion (US$4.15bn) at the top end of the IPO price range.
As a member of the IT sector, inclusion in the KOSPI200 Index will only take place via Fast Entry (near impossible) or as a large-scale company.
Inclusion in global indices could commence in September 2025 and will be easier if the identity of the pre-IPO minority shareholders is disclosed or if the strategic investors sell.


LG CNS IPO: Limited Float Pushes Back Passive Buying

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 foreign holdings of KRX stocks as of Nov 22nd which has an aggregated holding worth USD491.7bn.</li>
<li>We estimate that foreign flows to be outflows of USD772mln. We tabulate the league table for top changes by value for 1W/4W/1Y and top stocks held by foreign institutions.</li>
<li>We highlight changes of foreign holdings in Naver, SK Hynix, Samsung Electronics.</li>
</ul>


We analyzed the changes in foreign holdings of KRX stocks as of Nov 22nd which has an aggregated holding worth USD491.7bn.
We estimate that foreign flows to be outflows of USD772mln. We tabulate the league table for top changes by value for 1W/4W/1Y and top stocks held by foreign institutions.
We highlight changes of foreign holdings in Naver, SK Hynix, Samsung Electronics.


KRX Foreign Holding Weekly (Nov 22nd): Naver, SK Hynix, Samsung Electronics

Korea / Special Situations, Clepsydra Capital

Sanghyun Park

Korea / Special Situations

Korea / Special Sits, Pairs, Index Rebalancing

Clepsydra Capital

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

<ul>
<li>Since Choi and his affiliates can’t buy shares directly, his only play is to recruit more white knights to boost his stake.</li>
<li>He needs at least 6% from the 23% free float, costing over ₩800 billion. This hefty price tag is why the stock hasn't moved much from the tender offer price.</li>
<li>The market isn’t ruling out Hyundai getting aggressive to secure Korea Zinc’s nickel, making this a hot trading point during the tender offer.</li>
</ul>


Since Choi and his affiliates can’t buy shares directly, his only play is to recruit more white knights to boost his stake.
He needs at least 6% from the 23% free float, costing over ₩800 billion. This hefty price tag is why the stock hasn't moved much from the tender offer price.
The market isn’t ruling out Hyundai getting aggressive to secure Korea Zinc’s nickel, making this a hot trading point during the tender offer.


Clearing up Legal Confusion on Counter Offers and Getting a Clear Read on the Korea Zinc Tender

<ul>
<li>We analyzed the changes in short interest of KRX stocks as of Aug 16th which has an aggregated short interest worth USD5.3bn.</li>
<li>We tabulate league table 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 Sk Hynix (000660 KS).</li>
</ul>


We analyzed the changes in short interest of KRX stocks as of Aug 16th which has an aggregated short interest worth USD5.3bn.
We tabulate league table 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 Sk Hynix (000660 KS).


KRX Short Interest Weekly (Aug 16th): Sk Hynix

South Korea

HYBE Co., Ltd. operates as an entertainment company. The Company provides music production, album distribution, entertainers management, publicity, planning, training, and other services. HYBE also makes television shows.

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

HYBE (352820 KS)

China Could Lift Ban on Korean Popular Culture (Hallyu) As Early As May 2025

One of the big thematic events that have impacted the Korean stock market this week has been the expectation that China could lift ban on Korean...

Douglas Kim

LG CNS IPO: Limited Float Pushes Back Passive Buying

The subscription period runs from 21-22 January. Shares will reportedly be offered at KRW 61900, the top end of the IPO range. Demand was said to...

Brian Freitas

KRX Foreign Holding Weekly (Nov 22nd): Naver, SK Hynix, Samsung Electronics

We analyzed KRX foreign holding data for the past week and highlighted foreign holding changes in Naver, SK Hynix, Samsung Electronics.

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

Clearing up Legal Confusion on Counter Offers and Getting a Clear Read on the Korea Zinc Tender

This post clarifies legal misunderstandings about counter offers in the Korea Zinc tender and a precise understanding of the current situation.

Sanghyun Park

KRX Short Interest Weekly (Aug 16th): Sk Hynix

We analyzed KRX short interest report for the past week and highlighted short interest changes in Sk Hynix (ticker: 000660 KS).

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)