Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Korea Ratings (034950 KS) is the 12th company in our Korea Small Cap Gems series. Korea Ratings is one of the leading players in the credit ratings industry in Korea.</li>
<li>Korea Ratings has a combination of excellent business moat, stable 5-8% annual sales growth, 20% ROE, and 35%+ operating margins, and high dividend payout of 65%</li>
<li>For the long-term investors (2-3+ years horizon) that seek consistent 20%+ total annual compound returns with low volatility, Korea Ratings is an excellent pick in our view.</li>
</ul>


Korea Ratings (034950 KS) is the 12th company in our Korea Small Cap Gems series. Korea Ratings is one of the leading players in the credit ratings industry in Korea.
Korea Ratings has a combination of excellent business moat, stable 5-8% annual sales growth, 20% ROE, and 35%+ operating margins, and high dividend payout of 65%
For the long-term investors (2-3+ years horizon) that seek consistent 20%+ total annual compound returns with low volatility, Korea Ratings is an excellent pick in our view.


GS Engineering & Construction / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>We argue that the top 20 listed construction companies in Korea are likely to underperform KOSPI in 2024 mainly due to the excessive risks in the housing/commercial real estate sectors.</li>
<li>We expect the share prices of these 20 domestic construction companies to fall by at least 15%-20%+ on average in the next 6-12 months. </li>
<li>On 2 January 2024, Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) announced that there will be new reporting requirements for PF loans of Korean construction companies starting 2023 annual reports.</li>
</ul>


We argue that the top 20 listed construction companies in Korea are likely to underperform KOSPI in 2024 mainly due to the excessive risks in the housing/commercial real estate sectors.
We expect the share prices of these 20 domestic construction companies to fall by at least 15%-20%+ on average in the next 6-12 months. 
On 2 January 2024, Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) announced that there will be new reporting requirements for PF loans of Korean construction companies starting 2023 annual reports.


Top 20 Korean Construction Companies: Off-Balance Sheet Contingent Liabilities To Drive Lower Prices

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

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

Event-Driven

<p>The KRX has announced the list of inclusions and exclusions to the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kosdaq-150-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31077:1" rel="noopener">KOSDAQ 150 Index (KOSDQ150 INDEX)</a> today. The rebalance is effective after the close of trading on 10 June.</p><p>There are 16 inclusions into and exclusions from the index at the June review with an estimated one-way turnover of 7.04%.</p><table class="table table-striped">
<colgroup>
<col>
<col>
<col>
<col>
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" style="text-align: center; width: 233pt;"><h3>Inclusions</h3></td>
<td colspan="2" style="text-align: center; width: 242pt;"><h3>Exclusions</h3></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Code</strong></td>
<td><strong>Name</strong></td>
<td><strong>Code</strong></td>
<td><strong>Name</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>015750.KQ</td>
<td>Sungwoo Hitech Co Ltd</td>
<td>018290.KQ</td>
<td>VT GMP Co Ltd</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>018000.KQ</td>
<td>Unison Co Ltd</td>
<td>034950.KQ</td>
<td>Korea Ratings Corp</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>027360.KQ</td>
<td>AJu IB Investment Co Ltd</td>
<td>035810.KQ</td>
<td>Easy Holdings Co Ltd</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>036810.KQ</td>
<td>Fine Semitech Corp</td>
<td>052020.KQ</td>
<td>STCube Inc</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>041190.KQ</td>
<td>Woori Technology Investment Co Ltd</td>
<td>052260.KQ</td>
<td>Hyundai BioLand Co Ltd</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>053030.KQ</td>
<td>Binex Co Ltd</td>
<td>060570.KQ</td>
<td>Dream Us Co</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>082270.KQ</td>
<td>GemVax &amp; KAEL Co Ltd</td>
<td>065660.KQ</td>
<td>Anterogen Co Ltd</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>100090.KQ</td>
<td>Samkang M&amp;T Co Ltd</td>
<td>082920.KQ</td>
<td>Vitzrocell Co Ltd</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>131290.KQ</td>
<td>TSE Co Ltd</td>
<td>092730.KQ</td>
<td>NeoPharm Co Ltd</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>131970.KQ</td>
<td>Tesna Inc</td>
<td>143240.KQ</td>
<td>Saramin HR Co Ltd</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>140860.KQ</td>
<td>Park Systems Corp</td>
<td>194700.KQ</td>
<td>Novarex Co Ltd</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>166090.KQ</td>
<td>Hana Materials Inc</td>
<td>214370.KQ</td>
<td>Caregen Co Ltd</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>175250.KQ</td>
<td>Icure Pharmaceutical Inc</td>
<td>215000.KQ</td>
<td>Golfzon Co Ltd</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>194480.KQ</td>
<td>Devsisters Corp</td>
<td>237880.KQ</td>
<td>Clio Cosmetics Co Ltd</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>222800.KQ</td>
<td>Simmtech Co Ltd</td>
<td>239610.KQ</td>
<td>HL Science Co Ltd</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>323990.KQ</td>
<td>Vaxcell Bio Therapeutics</td>
<td>243840.KQ</td>
<td>Shin Heung Energy &amp; Electronics Co Ltd</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table><p>There are 12 trading days to implementation of the changes and there are a lot of additions and deletions that have over 2 days of ADV to trade. There will be a lot of action in the next few days on the names with higher ADV to trade.</p><p>With short selling limited to the constituents of the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kosdaq-150-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31077:1" rel="noopener">KOSDAQ 150 Index (KOSDQ150 INDEX)</a>, shorting the inclusions will be tough while selling/shorting the deletions is a lot easier since they are current index constituents. The inclusions could outperform the deletions till a couple of days before implementation date, while there could be a high risk/reward reverse trade if the outperformance is significant.</p>

The KRX has announced the list of inclusions and exclusions to the KOSDAQ 150 Index (KOSDQ150 INDEX) today. The rebalance is effective after the close of trading on 10 June.There are 16 inclusions into and exclusions from the index at the June review with an estimated one-way turnover of 7.04%.








Inclusions
Exclusions


Code
Name
Code
Name


015750.KQ
Sungwoo Hitech Co Ltd
018290.KQ
VT GMP Co Ltd


018000.KQ
Unison Co Ltd
034950.KQ
Korea Ratings Corp


027360.KQ
AJu IB Investment Co Ltd
035810.KQ
Easy Holdings Co Ltd


036810.KQ
Fine Semitech Corp
052020.KQ
STCube Inc


041190.KQ
Woori Technology Investment Co Ltd
052260.KQ
Hyundai BioLand Co Ltd


053030.KQ
Binex Co Ltd
060570.KQ
Dream Us Co


082270.KQ
GemVax &amp; KAEL Co Ltd
065660.KQ
Anterogen Co Ltd


100090.KQ
Samkang M&amp;T Co Ltd
082920.KQ
Vitzrocell Co Ltd


131290.KQ
TSE Co Ltd
092730.KQ
NeoPharm Co Ltd


131970.KQ
Tesna Inc
143240.KQ
Saramin HR Co Ltd


140860.KQ
Park Systems Corp
194700.KQ
Novarex Co Ltd


166090.KQ
Hana Materials Inc
214370.KQ
Caregen Co Ltd


175250.KQ
Icure Pharmaceutical Inc
215000.KQ
Golfzon Co Ltd


194480.KQ
Devsisters Corp
237880.KQ
Clio Cosmetics Co Ltd


222800.KQ
Simmtech Co Ltd
239610.KQ
HL Science Co Ltd


323990.KQ
Vaxcell Bio Therapeutics
243840.KQ
Shin Heung Energy &amp; Electronics Co Ltd


There are 12 trading days to implementation of the changes and there are a lot of additions and deletions that have over 2 days of ADV to trade. There will be a lot of action in the next few days on the names with higher ADV to trade.With short selling limited to the constituents of the KOSDAQ 150 Index (KOSDQ150 INDEX), shorting the inclusions will be tough while selling/shorting the deletions is a lot easier since they are current index constituents. The inclusions could outperform the deletions till a couple of days before implementation date, while there could be a high risk/reward reverse trade if the outperformance is significant.

KOSDAQ150 Index Rebalance: 16 Changes & Large Turnover

<p>The review period for the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kosdaq-150-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31077:1" rel="noopener">KOSDAQ 150 Index (KOSDQ150 INDEX)</a> June rebalance ends on 30 April. The Korea Exchange (KRX) will announce the results of the June 2021 review of the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kosdaq-150-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31077:1" rel="noopener">KOSDAQ 150 Index (KOSDQ150 INDEX)</a> in May with the changes becoming effective after the close of trading on 10 June.</p><p>We currently see 15 inclusions and 15 exclusions from the index.</p><p>The potential inclusions are Vaxcell Bio Therapeutics (323990 KS), <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/gemvax-kael-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:17026:1" rel="noopener">Gemvax &amp; Kael (082270 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/binex-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1949:1" rel="noopener">Binex Co Ltd (053030 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nanos-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16796:1" rel="noopener">Nanos Co Ltd (151910 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tesna-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8792:1" rel="noopener">Tesna Inc (131970 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/simmtech-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28871:1" rel="noopener">SIMMTECH Co Ltd (222800 KS)</a>, Park Systems Corp (140860 KS), <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sam-kang-m-t-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7263:1" rel="noopener">Sam Kang M&amp;T (100090 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hana-materials-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24088:1" rel="noopener">Hana Materials Inc (166090 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tse-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:17821:1" rel="noopener">Tse Co Ltd (131290 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/unison-co-ltd-south-korea" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18617:1" rel="noopener">Unison Co Ltd (018000 KS)</a>, AJu IB Investment (027360 KS), <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/woori-technology-inv-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2853:1" rel="noopener">Woori Technology Inv (041190 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/icure-pharm-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27142:1" rel="noopener">Icure Pharm Inc (175250 KS)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sungwoo-hitech-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3963:1" rel="noopener">Sungwoo Hitech (015750 KS)</a>. </p><p>The potential exclusions are <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hlscience-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23629:1" rel="noopener">HLscience Co. (239610 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/easy-bio-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5778:1" rel="noopener">Easy Bio Inc (035810 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/vt-gmp-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8056:1" rel="noopener">VT GMP Co Ltd (018290 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/stcube" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4872:1" rel="noopener">STCube (052020 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/iriver-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13005:1" rel="noopener">Iriver Ltd (060570 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shinheung-sec" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24426:1" rel="noopener">Shin Heung Energy &amp; Electronics Co (243840 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/saraminhr-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8494:1" rel="noopener">SaraminHR (143240 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/vitzrocell-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4885:1" rel="noopener">Vitzrocell (082920 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sangsangin-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10494:1" rel="noopener">Sangsangin Co., Ltd. (038540 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/advanced-process-systems-corporation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24087:1" rel="noopener">Advanced Process Systems (265520 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ebest-investment-securitie" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18895:1" rel="noopener">Ebest Investment &amp; Securitie (078020 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/spigen-korea-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9852:1" rel="noopener">Spigen Korea (192440 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/daea-ti-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1473:1" rel="noopener">Daea Ti Co Ltd (045390 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/korea-ratings-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20020:1" rel="noopener">Korea Ratings (034950 KS)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/caregen-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27337:1" rel="noopener">Caregen Co Ltd (214370 KS)</a>.</p><p>Limited short selling in Korea resumes on 3 May. The expected deletions could drop ahead of the announcement of the changes since <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kosdaq-150-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31077:1" rel="noopener">KOSDAQ 150 Index (KOSDQ150 INDEX)</a> constituents are short sell eligible. The stocks that are included in the index could outperform the deletions, but drop off post their inclusion in the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kosdaq-150-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31077:1" rel="noopener">KOSDAQ 150 Index (KOSDQ150 INDEX)</a>. </p>

The review period for the KOSDAQ 150 Index (KOSDQ150 INDEX) June rebalance ends on 30 April. The Korea Exchange (KRX) will announce the results of the June 2021 review of the KOSDAQ 150 Index (KOSDQ150 INDEX) in May with the changes becoming effective after the close of trading on 10 June.We currently see 15 inclusions and 15 exclusions from the index.The potential inclusions are Vaxcell Bio Therapeutics (323990 KS), Gemvax &amp; Kael (082270 KS), Binex Co Ltd (053030 KS), Nanos Co Ltd (151910 KS), Tesna Inc (131970 KS), SIMMTECH Co Ltd (222800 KS), Park Systems Corp (140860 KS), Sam Kang M&amp;T (100090 KS), Hana Materials Inc (166090 KS), Tse Co Ltd (131290 KS), Unison Co Ltd (018000 KS), AJu IB Investment (027360 KS), Woori Technology Inv (041190 KS), Icure Pharm Inc (175250 KS) and Sungwoo Hitech (015750 KS). The potential exclusions are HLscience Co. (239610 KS), Easy Bio Inc (035810 KS), VT GMP Co Ltd (018290 KS), STCube (052020 KS), Iriver Ltd (060570 KS), Shin Heung Energy &amp; Electronics Co (243840 KS), SaraminHR (143240 KS), Vitzrocell (082920 KS), Sangsangin Co., Ltd. (038540 KS), Advanced Process Systems (265520 KS), Ebest Investment &amp; Securitie (078020 KS), Spigen Korea (192440 KS), Daea Ti Co Ltd (045390 KS), Korea Ratings (034950 KS) and Caregen Co Ltd (214370 KS).Limited short selling in Korea resumes on 3 May. The expected deletions could drop ahead of the announcement of the changes since KOSDAQ 150 Index (KOSDQ150 INDEX) constituents are short sell eligible. The stocks that are included in the index could outperform the deletions, but drop off post their inclusion in the KOSDAQ 150 Index (KOSDQ150 INDEX). 

KOSDAQ150 Index Rebalance Preview: 15 Potential Changes; Big Impact on Deletions

Cross Asset Strategy

<p>The Korea Exchange announced its KOSDAQ150 and KRX300 indices rebalances today. There were 17 new additions and 17 deletions for KOSDAQ150. </p><p>Most of the stocks that were expected to be included in KOSDAQ 150 were officially included in the rebalance. However there were a few surprises. For example <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nanos-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16796:1" rel="noopener">Nanos Co Ltd (151910 KS),</a>which was one of the stocks that was expected to be included in KOSDAQ150, did not get included in this indext this time. On the other hand, the following stocks including <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sang-a-frontec-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20692:1" rel="noopener">Sang A Frontec (089980 KS)</a>, Novarex (194700 KS(, CIS (222080 KS), MedPacto (215980 KS), <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/koreacenter-com-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28329:1" rel="noopener">Koreacenter.com Co Ltd (290510 KS)</a>, and Soulbrain (357780 KS) which were not on the top of the lists of getting selected into the KOSDAQ150 index by the locals, were formally selected be part of the new KOSDAQ150 inclusions.  </p><p>The Korea Exchange also made changes to the KRX300 index. Although the KRX300 index is not currently as important as KOSPI200 and KOSDAQ150 indices, it is increasingly gaining in importance among the local institutional investors. The KRX300 had 33 new additions and 35 deletions. </p>

The Korea Exchange announced its KOSDAQ150 and KRX300 indices rebalances today. There were 17 new additions and 17 deletions for KOSDAQ150. Most of the stocks that were expected to be included in KOSDAQ 150 were officially included in the rebalance. However there were a few surprises. For example Nanos Co Ltd (151910 KS),which was one of the stocks that was expected to be included in KOSDAQ150, did not get included in this indext this time. On the other hand, the following stocks including Sang A Frontec (089980 KS), Novarex (194700 KS(, CIS (222080 KS), MedPacto (215980 KS), Koreacenter.com Co Ltd (290510 KS), and Soulbrain (357780 KS) which were not on the top of the lists of getting selected into the KOSDAQ150 index by the locals, were formally selected be part of the new KOSDAQ150 inclusions.  The Korea Exchange also made changes to the KRX300 index. Although the KRX300 index is not currently as important as KOSPI200 and KOSDAQ150 indices, it is increasingly gaining in importance among the local institutional investors. The KRX300 had 33 new additions and 35 deletions. 

KOSDAQ150 and KRX300 Indices Rebalances (Overlapping Additions & Deletions)

South Korea

Korea Ratings Corp. provides credit rating services to the domestic and international clients.  The Company issues ratings on corporate and government bonds, commercial papers, structured financings, and guarantee institutions. Korea Ratings also offers consulting on finance, business, and management as well as business related information services.

Korea Ratings (034950 KS)

Korea Small Cap Gem #12: Korea Ratings

For the long-term investors (2-3+ years horizon) that seek consistent 20%+ total annual compound returns with low volatility, Korea Ratings is an...

Douglas Kim

Top 20 Korean Construction Companies: Off-Balance Sheet Contingent Liabilities To Drive Lower Prices

Lotte Chemical (011170 KS)'s share price declined by 9.1% YTD. Lotte Chemical has a 44.02% stake in Lotte Construction whose PF loan balance as...

Douglas Kim

KOSDAQ150 Index Rebalance: 16 Changes & Large Turnover

There are 16 changes to the KOSDAQ150 index resulting in a one-way turnover of 7.04%. The impact on the exclusions is a lot higher than on the...

Brian Freitas

KOSDAQ150 Index Rebalance Preview: 15 Potential Changes; Big Impact on Deletions

We see 15 potential changes to the KOSDAQ150 Index at the June review. With short selling resuming on 3 May, the inclusions could outperform the...

Brian Freitas

KOSDAQ150 and KRX300 Indices Rebalances (Overlapping Additions & Deletions)

We highlight the KOSDAQ150 and KRX300 indices rebalances. There are some interesting new names, especially among those that are over lapping in...

Douglas Kim