Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

Cross Asset Strategy

NPS has been selling big in Korea in recent weeks. It was reported that NPS and other local pension funds sold nearly 6.5 trillion won of Korean stocks this year (as of 21 January). The NPS has net sold for 18 consecutive trading days.The local retail investors and foreign investors have been increasing their stakes in the major Korean stocks this year driving the Korean stock market higher. However, there are some growing concerns that NPS has been selling big in Korea and may continue to do so in the near future, as many Korean stocks reach their all time highs. Furthermore, among the 50 top stocks in Korea, NPS added to its position on just 4 of these stocks and reduced its stake in 17 of them (of the ones that have shown changes in ownership stake in the dart system). These four stocks (including NCsoft, SK Innovation, Samsung F&amp;M Insurance, and POSCO Chemical) that NPS added to its positions are worth further reviews since it shows that NPS is especially more bullish on the outlook of these companies. These four stocks are up on average 20.7% YTD, outperforming KOSPI which is up 9.3% YTD.

NPS has been selling big in Korea in recent weeks. It was reported that NPS and other local pension funds sold nearly 6.5 trillion won of Korean stocks this year (as of 21 January). The NPS has net sold for 18 consecutive trading days.The local retail investors and foreign investors have been increasing their stakes in the major Korean stocks this year driving the Korean stock market higher. However, there are some growing concerns that NPS has been selling big in Korea and may continue to do so in the near future, as many Korean stocks reach their all time highs. Furthermore, among the 50 top stocks in Korea, NPS added to its position on just 4 of these stocks and reduced its stake in 17 of them (of the ones that have shown changes in ownership stake in the dart system). These four stocks (including NCsoft, SK Innovation, Samsung F&amp;M Insurance, and POSCO Chemical) that NPS added to its positions are worth further reviews since it shows that NPS is especially more bullish on the outlook of these companies. These four stocks are up on average 20.7% YTD, outperforming KOSPI which is up 9.3% YTD.

Event-Driven

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In this insight, we provide an updated sum-of-the parts (SoTP) valuation on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sk-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:393:1" rel="noopener">SK Holdings (034730 KS)</a>. There are many moving parts of SK Holdings and it helps to review the main factors that have been impacting its share price. Our base case valuation of SK Holdings is 448,850 won, which represents a 54% upside from current levels. 
We believe that the 6 MOST IMPORTANT FACTORS impacting the share price of SK Holdings are currently as follows:
I. A Big Investment ($1.5 Billion) in Plug Power
II. SK IE Technology IPO
III. Sale of SK Lubricants
IV. SK Telecom's Higher Share Price Trend
V. Changing values of SK Siltron, SK E&amp;S and other private companies
VI. Changing values of <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>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/oci-materials-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19390:1" rel="noopener">Sk Materials (036490 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/skc-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3970:1" rel="noopener">SKC Co Ltd (011790 KS)</a>, and other public companies
</div>


In this insight, we provide an updated sum-of-the parts (SoTP) valuation on SK Holdings (034730 KS). There are many moving parts of SK Holdings and it helps to review the main factors that have been impacting its share price. Our base case valuation of SK Holdings is 448,850 won, which represents a 54% upside from current levels. 
We believe that the 6 MOST IMPORTANT FACTORS impacting the share price of SK Holdings are currently as follows:
I. A Big Investment ($1.5 Billion) in Plug Power
II. SK IE Technology IPO
III. Sale of SK Lubricants
IV. SK Telecom's Higher Share Price Trend
V. Changing values of SK Siltron, SK E&amp;S and other private companies
VI. Changing values of SK Biopharmaceuticals (326030 KS), Sk Materials (036490 KS), SKC Co Ltd (011790 KS), and other public companies


SK Holdings: Sum-Of-The Parts Valuation Analysis & Key Catalysts

<blockquote>
“Those who vote decide nothing. Those who count the vote decide everything.” (Joseph Stalin)
</blockquote>
This insight is titled "Strange Cases of Similarities Between the US Presidential &amp; The South Korean Parliamentary Elections." More than a month has passed since the U.S. Presidential election. Trump has yet to concede this election. Biden has yet to be officially inaugurated as the next U.S. President. This insight is not meant to be a prediction. I do not make an attempt to forecast who will be officially inaugurated as the next U.S. President. Such political predictions is not my expertise.
Nonetheless, the main reason why i am writing this insight is to highlight the numerous cases of similarities of what happened in the US Presidential election in November 2020 and the South Korean Parliamentary election in April 2020. Many of our readers will likely be more familiar with what is happening in the U.S. Presidential election rather than the South Korean Parliamentary election which occurred more than 8 month ago.


“Those who vote decide nothing. Those who count the vote decide everything.” (Joseph Stalin)

This insight is titled "Strange Cases of Similarities Between the US Presidential &amp; The South Korean Parliamentary Elections." More than a month has passed since the U.S. Presidential election. Trump has yet to concede this election. Biden has yet to be officially inaugurated as the next U.S. President. This insight is not meant to be a prediction. I do not make an attempt to forecast who will be officially inaugurated as the next U.S. President. Such political predictions is not my expertise.
Nonetheless, the main reason why i am writing this insight is to highlight the numerous cases of similarities of what happened in the US Presidential election in November 2020 and the South Korean Parliamentary election in April 2020. Many of our readers will likely be more familiar with what is happening in the U.S. Presidential election rather than the South Korean Parliamentary election which occurred more than 8 month ago.

Strange Cases of Similarities Between the US Presidential & The South Korean Parliamentary Elections

Equity Capital Markets

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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>
</div>


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



In this insight, we highlight 26 Korean companies that are/may be seeking to find new owners through M&amp;As in 2021. Key sectors of M&amp;A in Korea in 2021 include consumer and industrial. We also provide a review of our M&amp;A research in 2020. We wrote 29 reports about the M&amp;As in 2020. The M&amp;A market in Korea is estimated to be about 35 trillion won in 2020, down 8% YoY. The local media have mentioned that the M&amp;A market in Korea could be nearly <a href="https://finance.naver.com/news/news_read.nhn?article_id=0004711778&amp;office_id=009&amp;mode=LSS2D&amp;type=0&amp;section_id=101&amp;section_id2=258&amp;section_id3=&amp;date=20201207&amp;page=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">45 trillion won</a> in 2021, up 29% YoY, which would surpass the all-time high of 38 trillion won in 2019.

In this insight, we highlight 26 Korean companies that are/may be seeking to find new owners through M&amp;As in 2021. Key sectors of M&amp;A in Korea in 2021 include consumer and industrial. We also provide a review of our M&amp;A research in 2020. We wrote 29 reports about the M&amp;As in 2020. The M&amp;A market in Korea is estimated to be about 35 trillion won in 2020, down 8% YoY. The local media have mentioned that the M&amp;A market in Korea could be nearly 45 trillion won in 2021, up 29% YoY, which would surpass the all-time high of 38 trillion won in 2019.  

Review of Our M&A Research in 2020 & Korea M&A Market Outlook in 2021: What’s For Sale?

South Korea

SK Innovation Co., Ltd. refines, markets, and distributes oil.  The Company produces a variety of petroleum products, such as gasoline, kerosene, liquefied petroleumgas (LPG), and diesel oil.  SK Energy also manufactures petrochemical p roducts, including paraxylene, synthetic resins, styrene monomer, and ethylene.

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SK Innovation (096770 KS)

NPS Is Selling Big in Korea - Why?

NPS has been selling big in Korea in recent weeks. It was reported that NPS and other local pension funds sold nearly 6.5 trillion won of Korean...

Douglas Kim

SK Holdings: Sum-Of-The Parts Valuation Analysis & Key Catalysts

In this insight, we provide an updated sum-of-the parts valuation on SK Holdings (034730 KS). Our base case valuation of SK Holdings is 448,850...

Douglas Kim

Strange Cases of Similarities Between the US Presidential & The South Korean Parliamentary Elections

In this insight, I discuss the strange cases of similarities of the US Presidential election in November 2020 and the South Korean Parliamentary...

Douglas Kim

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

Review of Our M&A Research in 2020 & Korea M&A Market Outlook in 2021: What’s For Sale?

In this insight, we highlight 26 Korean companies that are/may be seeking to find new owners through M&As in 2021. We also provide a review of our...

Douglas Kim

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