Founder/CEO of ROK Advisory, ROK Advisory LLC

Ken S. Kim

Founder/CEO of ROK Advisory

ROK Advisory LLC

ROK is an independent research advisory firm. We guide you to minimize the information gap between foreign and local investors in Northeast Asia with a focus in Korea, Taiwan and Japan.

Independent Research Advisory Firm

Equity Bottom-Up

<p>In Korea the safest way to invest is to align your interest as a minority shareholder with those of the family?  Usually the key asset of the chaebol is apparent but what about SK Group? It seems we have an opportunity to hone in what the key asset is.</p>

In Korea the safest way to invest is to align your interest as a minority shareholder with those of the family?  Usually the key asset of the chaebol is apparent but what about SK Group? It seems we have an opportunity to hone in what the key asset is.

The Chaebol Dilemma - What's the Family Jewel(S)?

Equity Analyst - Asia Consumer Sector, Investory

Devi Subhakesan

Equity Analyst - Asia Consumer Sector

ASIA CONSUMER: INSIGHTS AND INVESTMENT IDEAS

Investory

Investory is a Singapore-based boutique independent equity research firm founded in January 2017 with a primary focus on consumption themes across Asia-Pacific.

We aim to generate investible ideas based on consumption trends and outlook. We screen our ideas on several parameters - product potential, long-term growth and management commitment being the most critical.  We follow a fundamental analysis approach in our stock selection process and are not restricted by market cap.

We aspire to grow into a leading source of unbiased research, free of conflict of interest, for investors yearning for independent and disciplined analysis. 

We also undertake bespoke research mandates to support our Institutional clients’ investment needs.

Our team comprises of professionals with extensive experience in the Asian equity markets, in areas ranging from research, servicing institutional clients and investment management.

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<p><strong>Emerging Asia -</strong> notably China and India -  is witnessing a  steady expansion in the Male grooming sector as men's habits around personal care is shifting - led by a confluence of social, economic and <strong>compelling demographic factors</strong>. Expect this trend to gather more momentum as image-conscious young men adopt a wider array of personal care products. Skincare products that address specific needs/concerns of male customers will drive the early stage of segment growth; light cosmetics are picking up demand too. Companies that are quick to identify and address the demand with male-specific products/brands stand to gain from early mover advantage given male customers, reportedly, are far more brand loyal compared to female counterparts.</p>
<p><strong>What is original in this report?</strong> We discuss the social, economic and <strong>compelling demographic </strong>factors driving the shift and growth in the Male grooming sector in China and India. We look at the emerging trends across segments and in both the markets to arrive at a pecking order in terms of investment potential. We have scanned the personal care and cosmetics products landscape to shortlist brands and companies that offer a male-specific product range. A brief on select companies - private and listed -  are presented for further investment analysis and evaluation. </p>

Emerging Asia - notably China and India -  is witnessing a  steady expansion in the Male grooming sector as men's habits around personal care is shifting - led by a confluence of social, economic and compelling demographic factors. Expect this trend to gather more momentum as image-conscious young men adopt a wider array of personal care products. Skincare products that address specific needs/concerns of male customers will drive the early stage of segment growth; light cosmetics are picking up demand too. Companies that are quick to identify and address the demand with male-specific products/brands stand to gain from early mover advantage given male customers, reportedly, are far more brand loyal compared to female counterparts.
What is original in this report? We discuss the social, economic and compelling demographic factors driving the shift and growth in the Male grooming sector in China and India. We look at the emerging trends across segments and in both the markets to arrive at a pecking order in terms of investment potential. We have scanned the personal care and cosmetics products landscape to shortlist brands and companies that offer a male-specific product range. A brief on select companies - private and listed -  are presented for further investment analysis and evaluation. 

Male Grooming in Asia: Blooming Prospects. Skincare to Drive Growth

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

<div class="content-highlight"><p>While Amorepacfic spent time building one of the most beautiful headquarters building in Korea in the past several years, LG H&amp;H has become the number one cosmetics company in Korea, bypassing Amorepacific. In this insight, we discuss the key investment merits of LG H&amp;H. Regardless of the market conditions over the next 6-12 months, we believe LG H&amp;H can outperform the overall market. </p></div><h2>Key Catalysts</h2><ul>
<li><strong>Excellent performance of the cosmetics business despite worst-ever global environment for cosmetics </strong></li>
<li>
<strong>Improving overseas online sales of luxury cosmetics</strong> </li>
<li><strong>Improving operating margins of the HDB (Home Care &amp; Daily Beauty) &amp; beverages business units</strong></li>
</ul><div class="content-highlight"><p><strong>We believe that LG H&amp;H has a 30%+ upside from current levels using the relative historical P/E and P/B valuation methods. LG H&amp;H's current price is 1,600,000 won, so a 30% upside would represent 2,080,000 won over a one year period.  </strong></p></div>

While Amorepacfic spent time building one of the most beautiful headquarters building in Korea in the past several years, LG H&amp;H has become the number one cosmetics company in Korea, bypassing Amorepacific. In this insight, we discuss the key investment merits of LG H&amp;H. Regardless of the market conditions over the next 6-12 months, we believe LG H&amp;H can outperform the overall market. Key Catalysts
Excellent performance of the cosmetics business despite worst-ever global environment for cosmetics 

Improving overseas online sales of luxury cosmetics 
Improving operating margins of the HDB (Home Care &amp; Daily Beauty) &amp; beverages business units
We believe that LG H&amp;H has a 30%+ upside from current levels using the relative historical P/E and P/B valuation methods. LG H&amp;H's current price is 1,600,000 won, so a 30% upside would represent 2,080,000 won over a one year period.  

Lg H&H - Will The "Magic" Of the CEO Cha Continue?

<div class="content-highlight">
<p><strong>In this insight, we provide an updated SoTP valuation analysis on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lg-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6653:1" rel="noopener">LG Corp (003550 KS)</a>. We have a positive view of this stock. Our base case valuation analysis suggests an implied price of 120,787 won per share, representing a 60% upside from current levels.</strong></p>
</div>
<p>In addition to its deep discount versus its NAV, there are also 4 key catalysts for the company which are as follows:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Potential for higher dividends</strong></li>
<li><strong>IPO of LG Energy Solutions</strong></li>
<li>
<strong>Split of LG International and LG Hausys </strong><strong>from the LG Group </strong>
</li>
<li><strong> Time to Close to the Gaps With Major Affiliates </strong></li>
</ul>


In this insight, we provide an updated SoTP valuation analysis on LG Corp (003550 KS). We have a positive view of this stock. Our base case valuation analysis suggests an implied price of 120,787 won per share, representing a 60% upside from current levels.

In addition to its deep discount versus its NAV, there are also 4 key catalysts for the company which are as follows:

Potential for higher dividends
IPO of LG Energy Solutions

Split of LG International and LG Hausys from the LG Group 

 Time to Close to the Gaps With Major Affiliates 


<div>While the details are scarce, local press is reporting that SKT and AMZN has been in talks for more than a year and would allow really an export/import biz on both of their channels (ie Korean products to be bought by US consumers and US products to be bought thru 11th St (SK's ecommerce portal) for Koreans. </div><div></div><div>This can't be good for the ecommerce players in Korea.  In the US, if you hear that AMZN is coming in whatever business, the whole sector falls.   Is Naver next? </div>

While the details are scarce, local press is reporting that SKT and AMZN has been in talks for more than a year and would allow really an export/import biz on both of their channels (ie Korean products to be bought by US consumers and US products to be bought thru 11th St (SK's ecommerce portal) for Koreans. This can't be good for the ecommerce players in Korea.  In the US, if you hear that AMZN is coming in whatever business, the whole sector falls.   Is Naver next? 

AMZN into Korea - "We Are Not Here to Take Part, We're Here to Take Over!"

South Korea

LG H&H Co., Ltd. manufactures and distributes cosmetics. The Company produces whoo, o hui, sum 37, basic cosmetics, color cosmetics, and other related products. LG H&H also produces toothpaste, soap, detergents, healthy, personal care, and refreshing products.

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LG H&H (Pref) (051905 KS)

The Chaebol Dilemma - What's the Family Jewel(S)?

What is the key asset of the SK Group and how should we play this over the course of time ? Here's at least what we should consider

Ken S. Kim

Male Grooming in Asia: Blooming Prospects. Skincare to Drive Growth

Steady expansion in the Male grooming sector in China & India is led by a generational shift in grooming habits and not a passing fad. Only a few...

Devi Subhakesan

Lg H&H - Will The "Magic" Of the CEO Cha Continue?

In this insight, we discuss the key investment merits of LG H&H. Regardless of the market conditions over the next 6-12 months, we believe LG H&H...

Douglas Kim

LG Corp: Deep Value + 4 Key Catalysts

In this insight, we provide 4 key catalysts of LG Corp as well as an updated SoTP valuation analysis on the company. Our base case value suggests a...

Douglas Kim

AMZN into Korea - "We Are Not Here to Take Part, We're Here to Take Over!"

I guess the Koreans aren't scared of Amazon's entry into the ecommerce space! I'm a seller of Naver here on the news that Amazon will come into...

Ken S. Kim

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