Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

Equity Capital Markets

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In this insight, we provide an update on the Krafton IPO, including its 2020 financials. It has been reported in the local media that the Krafton IPO could value the company at about <a href="https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-01-19-ipo-plans-value-krafton-at-up-to-27bn" target="_blank" rel="noopener">20 trillion won</a> ($18 billion) to 30 trillion won ($27 billion). 
If Krafton is valued at about 30 trillion won, it would be close to the combined market caps of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ncsoft-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5169:1" rel="noopener">NCSOFT Corp (036570 KS)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/netmarble-corporation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22839:1" rel="noopener">Netmarble Corporation (251270 KS) </a>which are 29.5 trillion won right now. The current<a href="http://www.ipo38.co.kr/forum/?code=259960" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> gray market value</a> of Krafton is 24.5 trillion won ($21.9 billion). 
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In this insight, we provide an update on the Krafton IPO, including its 2020 financials. It has been reported in the local media that the Krafton IPO could value the company at about 20 trillion won ($18 billion) to 30 trillion won ($27 billion). 
If Krafton is valued at about 30 trillion won, it would be close to the combined market caps of NCSOFT Corp (036570 KS) and Netmarble Corporation (251270 KS) which are 29.5 trillion won right now. The current gray market value of Krafton is 24.5 trillion won ($21.9 billion). 


An Update on the Krafton IPO - The Largest Game Company in Korea

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

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

Index Rebalance

The Korea Exchange (KRX) will announce the results of the June 2021 review of the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/korea-stock-exchange-kospi-200-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26021:1" rel="noopener">Korea Stock Exchange Kospi 200 Index (KOSPI2 INDEX)</a> in May with the changes becoming effective after the close of trading on 10 June.We currently see <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/taihan-electric-wire-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11551:1" rel="noopener">Taihan Electric Wire (001440 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/dongwon-industries-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1783:1" rel="noopener">Dongwon Industries (006040 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hyosung-advanced-materials-c" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27751:1" rel="noopener">Hyosung Advanced Materials C (298050 KS)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hyosung-tnc-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27749:1" rel="noopener">Hyosung TNC Co Ltd (298020 KS)</a> as potential inclusions in the index, with <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/taeyoung-engineering-construction-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18740:1" rel="noopener">Taeyoung Engineering &amp; Construction (009410 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/namsun-aluminum-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:17514:1" rel="noopener">Namsun Aluminum (008350 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hanil-hyundai-cement-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14406:1" rel="noopener">Hanil Hyundai Cement (006390 KS)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/binggrae-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16424:1" rel="noopener">Binggrae Co Ltd (005180 KS)</a> as the corresponding exclusions.<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sk-bioscience-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31484:1" rel="noopener">SK Bioscience (302440 KS)</a> is expected to list on the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/korea-stock-exchange-kospi-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22911:1" rel="noopener">Korea Stock Exchange Kospi Index (KOSPI INDEX)</a> market in March and there is a possibility that the stock gets Fast Entry into the index. That could see <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sebang-global-battery-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9618:1" rel="noopener">Sebang Global Battery (004490 KS)</a> being deleted from the index.<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/krafton-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28956:1" rel="noopener"> Krafton Inc (1486402D KS)</a> is another possible Fast Entry into the index though there are few details available on when the stock is expected to list.The short sell ban in Korea has been extended to 2 May. Stocks that are constituents of the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/korea-stock-exchange-kospi-200-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26021:1" rel="noopener">Korea Stock Exchange Kospi 200 Index (KOSPI2 INDEX)</a> and <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> can be short sold from 3 May. The commencement of short selling on these stocks prior to the announcement of the June review changes could result in the expected inclusions outperforming the expected exclusions and opening up other interesting trading strategies.

The Korea Exchange (KRX) will announce the results of the June 2021 review of the Korea Stock Exchange Kospi 200 Index (KOSPI2 INDEX) in May with the changes becoming effective after the close of trading on 10 June.We currently see Taihan Electric Wire (001440 KS), Dongwon Industries (006040 KS), Hyosung Advanced Materials C (298050 KS) and Hyosung TNC Co Ltd (298020 KS) as potential inclusions in the index, with Taeyoung Engineering &amp; Construction (009410 KS), Namsun Aluminum (008350 KS), Hanil Hyundai Cement (006390 KS) and Binggrae Co Ltd (005180 KS) as the corresponding exclusions.SK Bioscience (302440 KS) is expected to list on the Korea Stock Exchange Kospi Index (KOSPI INDEX) market in March and there is a possibility that the stock gets Fast Entry into the index. That could see Sebang Global Battery (004490 KS) being deleted from the index. Krafton Inc (1486402D KS) is another possible Fast Entry into the index though there are few details available on when the stock is expected to list.The short sell ban in Korea has been extended to 2 May. Stocks that are constituents of the Korea Stock Exchange Kospi 200 Index (KOSPI2 INDEX) and KOSDAQ 150 Index (KOSDQ150 INDEX) can be short sold from 3 May. The commencement of short selling on these stocks prior to the announcement of the June review changes could result in the expected inclusions outperforming the expected exclusions and opening up other interesting trading strategies.

KOSPI200 Index Rebalance Preview: Increasing Number of Potential Changes

Julie Lee

Equity Bottom-Up

Nexon had announced in-line 3Q20 results and lackluster guidance for 4Q20 as expected. Its 4Q20 results may not be strong as its mobile game ranking has declined in Korea during 4Q20, though it can be partially offset by potentially better than expected game industry sales in Korea amid worsening COVID. However, we believe Nexon still has long-term investment value to be unlocked and a few positives may outweigh its near term weak earnings;  1) new games from Embark Studios, and 2) increasing possibility of DNF mobile launch and introduction of two new DNF IP based games. We will examine the details of these positives below.

Nexon had announced in-line 3Q20 results and lackluster guidance for 4Q20 as expected. Its 4Q20 results may not be strong as its mobile game ranking has declined in Korea during 4Q20, though it can be partially offset by potentially better than expected game industry sales in Korea amid worsening COVID. However, we believe Nexon still has long-term investment value to be unlocked and a few positives may outweigh its near term weak earnings;  1) new games from Embark Studios, and 2) increasing possibility of DNF mobile launch and introduction of two new DNF IP based games. We will examine the details of these positives below. 

Nexon (3659.T): Games from Embark Studios and Improving Chance of DNF Launch

The Korea Exchange (KRX) will announce the results of the June 2021 review of the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/korea-stock-exchange-kospi-200-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26021:1" rel="noopener">Korea Stock Exchange Kospi 200 Index (KOSPI2 INDEX)</a> in May with the changes becoming effective after the close of trading on 10 June.Currently, we see <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/taihan-electric-wire-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11551:1" rel="noopener">Taihan Electric Wire (001440 KS)</a> being included in the index and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/taeyoung-engineering-construction-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18740:1" rel="noopener">Taeyoung Engineering &amp; Construction (009410 KS)</a> being deleted, with a few stocks as close adds/ deletes. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/taeyoung-engineering-construction-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18740:1" rel="noopener">Taeyoung Engineering &amp; Construction (009410 KS)</a>'s expected deletion is a result of the demerger of TY Holdings (363280 KS) in September which has significantly lowered its market cap.<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/krafton-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28956:1" rel="noopener">Krafton Inc (1486402D KS)</a>'s estimated market cap of US$26-30bn would see it included in the index as a Fast Entry if it lists before the end of April which would put <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sebang-global-battery-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9618:1" rel="noopener">Sebang Global Battery (004490 KS)</a> at risk of deletion. If Krafton lists by end January/ beginning February (seems unlikely at this point in time), it could be included in the KOSPI 200 in March. If it lists after mid Feb but before end April, Krafton could be included in the index at the June review.<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/taihan-electric-wire-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11551:1" rel="noopener">Taihan Electric Wire (001440 KS)</a> has increased in price sharply over the last month and we would wait for the price to stabilize a bit before buying into the stock.

The Korea Exchange (KRX) will announce the results of the June 2021 review of the Korea Stock Exchange Kospi 200 Index (KOSPI2 INDEX) in May with the changes becoming effective after the close of trading on 10 June.Currently, we see Taihan Electric Wire (001440 KS) being included in the index and Taeyoung Engineering &amp; Construction (009410 KS) being deleted, with a few stocks as close adds/ deletes. Taeyoung Engineering &amp; Construction (009410 KS)'s expected deletion is a result of the demerger of TY Holdings (363280 KS) in September which has significantly lowered its market cap.Krafton Inc (1486402D KS)'s estimated market cap of US$26-30bn would see it included in the index as a Fast Entry if it lists before the end of April which would put Sebang Global Battery (004490 KS) at risk of deletion. If Krafton lists by end January/ beginning February (seems unlikely at this point in time), it could be included in the KOSPI 200 in March. If it lists after mid Feb but before end April, Krafton could be included in the index at the June review.Taihan Electric Wire (001440 KS) has increased in price sharply over the last month and we would wait for the price to stabilize a bit before buying into the stock.

KOSPI200 Index Rebalance Preview: IPO Fast Entry & End of Short Sell Ban Will Shake Things Up

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With only three weeks remaining in 2020, we now look forward to the major IPOs in Korea in 2021. This is our 6th "Annual Edition of the Major Korean IPOs Pipeline Preview" already at Smartkarma! In this report, we have identified 50 companies that are expected to complete their IPOs in the Korean Stock Market in 2021. This year has been a big year for IPOs in Korea with many IPOs that have done really well including <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sk-biopharmaceuticals-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28966:1" rel="noopener">SK Biopharmaceuticals (326030 KS)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kakao-games-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26730:1" rel="noopener">Kakao Games (293490 KS)</a>.  
In 2020, there were only three IPOs in Korea that were more than US$1 billion in market cap including SK Biopharm, Kakao Games, and Big Hit Entertainment. However, in 2021, we believe there could be more than 10 IPOs in Korea that are more than US$1 billion in market cap including the following:
<ol>
<li>LG Energy Solutions</li>
<li>Krafton</li>
<li>SK Bioscience</li>
<li>Kakao Bank</li>
<li>Kakao Page</li>
<li>Kakao Pay</li>
<li>SK IET</li>
<li>One Store</li>
<li>HK inno.N </li>
<li>Coupang</li>
</ol>
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With only three weeks remaining in 2020, we now look forward to the major IPOs in Korea in 2021. This is our 6th "Annual Edition of the Major Korean IPOs Pipeline Preview" already at Smartkarma! In this report, we have identified 50 companies that are expected to complete their IPOs in the Korean Stock Market in 2021. This year has been a big year for IPOs in Korea with many IPOs that have done really well including SK Biopharmaceuticals (326030 KS) and Kakao Games (293490 KS).  
In 2020, there were only three IPOs in Korea that were more than US$1 billion in market cap including SK Biopharm, Kakao Games, and Big Hit Entertainment. However, in 2021, we believe there could be more than 10 IPOs in Korea that are more than US$1 billion in market cap including the following:

LG Energy Solutions
Krafton
SK Bioscience
Kakao Bank
Kakao Page
Kakao Pay
SK IET
One Store
HK inno.N 
Coupang



South Korea

Krafton, Inc. operates as a game development company. The Company develops console games, mobile games, computer games, and other related products. Krafton markets its products throughout South Korea.

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Krafton (259960 KS)

An Update on the Krafton IPO - The Largest Game Company in Korea

In this insight, we provide an update on the Krafton IPO. It has been reported in the local media that the Krafton could be valued at about 20...

Douglas Kim

KOSPI200 Index Rebalance Preview: Increasing Number of Potential Changes

We see 4 potential changes to the KOSPI200 index at the June review (up from 1 change in Nov). With the short sell ban expiring on 2 May for...

Brian Freitas

Nexon (3659.T): Games from Embark Studios and Improving Chance of DNF Launch

Nexon still has investment value to be unlocked. A few positives may outweigh near term weakness; 1) new games from Embark Studios, and 2) DNF...

Julie Lee

KOSPI200 Index Rebalance Preview: IPO Fast Entry & End of Short Sell Ban Will Shake Things Up

We just just one addition and deletion to the KOSPI200 index in the June 2021 review. The end of the short sell ban in March will bring a lot more...

Brian Freitas

2021 Major IPOs Pipeline in Korea

This is our 6th "Annual Edition of the Major Korean IPOs Pipeline Preview" already at Smartkarma! In this report, we have identified 50 companies...

Douglas Kim

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