Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

Douglas Research Advisory

Cross Asset Strategy

<ul>
<li>On 27 November, the Korean Financial Services Commission (FSC) finally announced that it has completely abolished the restrictions on the foreigners opening integrated accounts to trade Korean stocks.</li>
<li>This amendment will start to take effect on 2 January 2026.</li>
<li>What this means is that major global trading platforms such as IBKR will most likely be allowed to trade Korean stocks without any major restrictions sometime starting 1H 2026. </li>
</ul>


On 27 November, the Korean Financial Services Commission (FSC) finally announced that it has completely abolished the restrictions on the foreigners opening integrated accounts to trade Korean stocks.
This amendment will start to take effect on 2 January 2026.
What this means is that major global trading platforms such as IBKR will most likely be allowed to trade Korean stocks without any major restrictions sometime starting 1H 2026. 


Foreigners Integrated Accounts Starting in January 2026: Impact on IBKR & Foreign Trading Platforms

Chief Executive Officer, Emmer Capital Partners Limited

Manishi Raychaudhuri

Chief Executive Officer

Emmer Capital Partners Limited

Emmer Capital Partners is an Asia Pacific focused financial advisory firm engaging in strategic financial asset allocation advice, bespoke thematic research and advising early-stage companies and connecting them to investors. Emmer Capital provides macro-economic and multi-asset investment strategy inputs to institutions, family offices, private wealth managers, private equity, and corporate boards directly and through independent research platforms. Emmer Capital also advises a wide range of startup companies on fund raising and business strategy. Emmer Capital's active engagement with the print and electronic media reaches a broad spectrum of investors across the globe.

<ul>
<li>Combination of concerns about Fed rate trajectory, AI capex monetization, Chinese growth slowdown and Japanese Yen carry trade unwinding brought the US and Asian markets 4-5% down since late October.</li>
<li>Expensive valuations are now justifiably correcting. Notwithstanding worries about a December cut, the interest rate trajectory remains resolutely downwards. Asian disinflation offers several central banks further room for monetary easing. </li>
<li>AI capex monetization worries will wax and wane. But Asian AI enablers' cash flows seem safe and valuations inexpensive. Corporate earnings environment is solid in US and recovering in Asia.</li>
</ul>


Combination of concerns about Fed rate trajectory, AI capex monetization, Chinese growth slowdown and Japanese Yen carry trade unwinding brought the US and Asian markets 4-5% down since late October.
Expensive valuations are now justifiably correcting. Notwithstanding worries about a December cut, the interest rate trajectory remains resolutely downwards. Asian disinflation offers several central banks further room for monetary easing. 
AI capex monetization worries will wax and wane. But Asian AI enablers' cash flows seem safe and valuations inexpensive. Corporate earnings environment is solid in US and recovering in Asia.


Asian Equities: A Correction, Not a Bear Market; Rates Still Falling and Earnings Are Catching Up

External broker reports(aggregated public sources), Mirae Asset Securities

Mirae Asset Securities

External broker reports(aggregated public sources)

Leading full-service brokerage firm in Vietnam. 

Content available is external broker reports authored by a third party outside the Smartkarma network and has been aggregated by an online aggregator through publicly available sources and is displayed by Smartkarma in this format for user's convenience and general informational purposes only. Content does not constitute investment or financial advice and Smartkarma makes no representation or warranty regarding its accuracy or contents. Original third party author retains all copyright and other proprietary rights in the content. Access or use of third party links not controlled by Smartkarma are at the user's own risk.

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul><li>We expect AI adoption to drive meaningful price, volume, and cost improvements in 2026, supporting strong momentum in the ad segment.</li><li>E-commerce growth has also been rebounding since 3Q25.</li><li>Our top pick is NAVER due to its attractive valuation. Our target price (W410,000) is based on a P/E of 29x (vs. current 2026F P/E of 18x).</li></ul>Content is external broker report sourced from online content aggregator through publicly available sources and is displayed below for general informational purposes only. Refer full disclaimer below.

We expect AI adoption to drive meaningful price, volume, and cost improvements in 2026, supporting strong momentum in the ad segment.E-commerce growth has also been rebounding since 3Q25.Our top pick is NAVER due to its attractive valuation. Our target price (W410,000) is based on a P/E of 29x (vs. current 2026F P/E of 18x).Content is external broker report sourced from online content aggregator through publicly available sources and is displayed below for general informational purposes only. Refer full disclaimer below.

Mirae Asset Minutes [2025: Volume 22]Biweekly strategy meeting recap

<ul>
<li>Breadth of Asian market-sectors with robust earnings estimate upgrades improved remarkably. We spot 24 with upgrades over the past 1-month, 3-months and 6-months. Couple of weeks ago there were 18.</li>
<li>The new sectors that joined the list from our previous study are Chinese technology services, Korean utilities, Indian energy, Malaysian consumer durables and financials and Philippines basic materials.</li>
<li>Across Asia, basic materials, financials and electronic technology are prominent earnings gainers. They are driving upgrades in the US also. The AI capex and base metal demand themes seem robust.</li>
</ul>


Breadth of Asian market-sectors with robust earnings estimate upgrades improved remarkably. We spot 24 with upgrades over the past 1-month, 3-months and 6-months. Couple of weeks ago there were 18.
The new sectors that joined the list from our previous study are Chinese technology services, Korean utilities, Indian energy, Malaysian consumer durables and financials and Philippines basic materials.
Across Asia, basic materials, financials and electronic technology are prominent earnings gainers. They are driving upgrades in the US also. The AI capex and base metal demand themes seem robust.


Asian Equities: Strong Step-Up in Earnings Environment. 24 Market-Sectors Show Robust EPS Upgrades

IPOs and Catalysts/Events, Global Equity Research Ltd

Arun George

IPOs and Catalysts/Events

Uncompromised, Independent, Conflict-Free Research

Global Equity Research Ltd

Global Equity Research was started in 2017 by a group of experienced research professionals. It was founded on a passionate belief in the importance and the need for uncompromised, independent, conflict-free research. We aim to provide differentiated and actionable primary and bottom up fundamental research.

Equity Capital Markets

Kioxia Holdings  / Equity Capital Markets

<ul>
<li>Bloomberg reports that Bain Capital is selling 36.0 million <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kioxia-holdings-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29243:1" rel="noopener">Kioxia Holdings (285A JP)</a> shares through a block trade. IFR reports that the offering is worth up to JPY330 billion (US$2.1 billion).</li>
<li>The offering is unsurprising given the shares are up around 7x since the IPO. The offering is easily digestible as it represents 2.7 days of the average ADV since listing.</li>
<li>Kioxia is anticipated to return to growth in 3Q, and the underlying margin is recovering from recent lows. However, Kioxia’s EV/EBITDA multiple is full compared to peers and historical ranges. </li>
</ul>


Bloomberg reports that Bain Capital is selling 36.0 million Kioxia Holdings (285A JP) shares through a block trade. IFR reports that the offering is worth up to JPY330 billion (US$2.1 billion).
The offering is unsurprising given the shares are up around 7x since the IPO. The offering is easily digestible as it represents 2.7 days of the average ADV since listing.
Kioxia is anticipated to return to growth in 3Q, and the underlying margin is recovering from recent lows. However, Kioxia’s EV/EBITDA multiple is full compared to peers and historical ranges. 


Kioxia (285A JP): Bain’s US$2.1 Billion Selldown

South Korea

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. manufactures a wide range of consumer and industrial electronic equipment and products such as semiconductors, personal computers, peripherals, monitors, televisions, and home appliances including air conditioners and microwave ovens. The Company also produces Internet access network systems and telecommunications equipment including mobile phones.

Samsung Electronics Pref Shares (005935 KS)

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Samsung Electronics Pref Shares (005935 KS)

Foreigners Integrated Accounts Starting in January 2026: Impact on IBKR & Foreign Trading Platforms

FSC abolished restrictions on foreigners opening integrated accounts to trade Korean stocks, effective January 2, 2026. IBKR/others are expected to...

Douglas Kim

Asian Equities: A Correction, Not a Bear Market; Rates Still Falling and Earnings Are Catching Up

Markets bottomed out over 20-24 Nov. Since then S&P500 is up 5.2%, HSI is up 3.2% & KOSPI is up 4.2%. Predictably, the USD (DXY) is down c1%. The...

Manishi Raychaudhuri

Mirae Asset Minutes [2025: Volume 22]Biweekly strategy meeting recap

We expect AI adoption to drive meaningful price, volume, and cost improvements in 2026, supporting strong momentum in the ad segment.

Mirae Asset Securities

Asian Equities: Strong Step-Up in Earnings Environment. 24 Market-Sectors Show Robust EPS Upgrades

24 Asian market-sectors see EPS est upgrades over past 1-month, 3-month & 6-month. Couple of weeks ago there were 18. Basic materials, financials...

Manishi Raychaudhuri

Kioxia (285A JP): Bain’s US$2.1 Billion Selldown

The offering is unsurprising given the shares are up around 7x since the IPO and easily digestible as it represents 2.7 days of the average ADV...

Arun George

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Foreigners Integrated Accounts Starting in January 2026: Impact on IBKR & Foreign Trading Platforms

FSC abolished restrictions on foreigners opening integrated accounts to trade Korean stocks, effective January 2, 2026. IBKR/others are expected to...

Douglas Kim

Asian Equities: A Correction, Not a Bear Market; Rates Still Falling and Earnings Are Catching Up

Markets bottomed out over 20-24 Nov. Since then S&P500 is up 5.2%, HSI is up 3.2% & KOSPI is up 4.2%. Predictably, the USD (DXY) is down c1%. The...

Manishi Raychaudhuri

Mirae Asset Minutes [2025: Volume 22]Biweekly strategy meeting recap

We expect AI adoption to drive meaningful price, volume, and cost improvements in 2026, supporting strong momentum in the ad segment.

Mirae Asset Securities

Asian Equities: Strong Step-Up in Earnings Environment. 24 Market-Sectors Show Robust EPS Upgrades

​24 Asian market-sectors see EPS est upgrades over past 1-month, 3-month & 6-month. Couple of weeks ago there were 18. Basic materials, financials...

Manishi Raychaudhuri

Kioxia (285A JP): Bain’s US$2.1 Billion Selldown

The offering is unsurprising given the shares are up around 7x since the IPO and easily digestible as it represents 2.7 days of the average ADV...

Arun George

24 Asian market-sectors see EPS est upgrades over past 1-month, 3-month & 6-month. Couple of weeks ago there were 18. Basic materials, financials...