Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs/Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>On 27 September, Maeil Business Daily reported that SK Square signed an MOU with Qoo10 to pursue a joint management of 11st. </li>
<li>It appears that Alibaba may have been reviewing this deal but it is no longer interested in pursuing 11st.</li>
<li>A deal between Qoo10 and 11st could occur, but this is not certain, which means some of the cash proceeds to FI would need to be burdened by SK Square.</li>
</ul>


On 27 September, Maeil Business Daily reported that SK Square signed an MOU with Qoo10 to pursue a joint management of 11st. 
It appears that Alibaba may have been reviewing this deal but it is no longer interested in pursuing 11st.
A deal between Qoo10 and 11st could occur, but this is not certain, which means some of the cash proceeds to FI would need to be burdened by SK Square.


SK Square: M&A of 11st - Alibaba Out and Qoo10 In?

<ul>
<li>In this insight, we provide an updated valuation analysis of SK Square (402340 KS) amid a potential sale of 11st to Alibaba (ADR) (BABA US).</li>
<li>Our NAV analysis of SK Square suggests NAV of 9.2 trillion won or NAV per share of 65,069 won, representing a 55% upside from current levels.</li>
<li>If SK Square is able to sell its stake in 11st to Alibaba, the capital inflow from the sale could be used to raise dividends and complete more share buybacks. </li>
</ul>


In this insight, we provide an updated valuation analysis of SK Square (402340 KS) amid a potential sale of 11st to Alibaba (ADR) (BABA US).
Our NAV analysis of SK Square suggests NAV of 9.2 trillion won or NAV per share of 65,069 won, representing a 55% upside from current levels.
If SK Square is able to sell its stake in 11st to Alibaba, the capital inflow from the sale could be used to raise dividends and complete more share buybacks. 


SK Square: Updated NAV Analysis Amid Potential Sale of 11st to Alibaba

<ul>
<li>Maeil Business Daily reported that Alibaba Group Holding (9988 HK) is considering on acquiring a controlling stake in 11st, which is a leading e-commerce platform owned by SK Square</li>
<li>In 2018, 11st was valued at 2.7 trillion won by financial investors. However, the current valuation of 11st is estimated to have declined to about 1 trillion won (US$760 million).</li>
<li>We estimate that the probability of Alibaba acquiring 11st is about 60-70%. </li>
</ul>


Maeil Business Daily reported that Alibaba Group Holding (9988 HK) is considering on acquiring a controlling stake in 11st, which is a leading e-commerce platform owned by SK Square
In 2018, 11st was valued at 2.7 trillion won by financial investors. However, the current valuation of 11st is estimated to have declined to about 1 trillion won (US$760 million).
We estimate that the probability of Alibaba acquiring 11st is about 60-70%. 


Korea / Special Sits, Pairs, Index Rebalancing, Clepsydra Capital

Sanghyun Park

Korea / Special Sits, Pairs, Index Rebalancing

Clepsydra Capital

<ul>
<li>The most noteworthy developments include Samsung Electronics being newly added to the Semicon sector, while SK Square has been removed.</li>
<li>We must be mindful of the potential concentration of shorting flow on SK Square as most names expected to experience negative flows do not fall under the KS200/KQ150 membership.</li>
<li>Our strategic approach can take three directions: 1. aim at only those receiving positive flows, 2. heavy shorting SK Square, and 3. long-short the four with the most flow size.</li>
</ul>


The most noteworthy developments include Samsung Electronics being newly added to the Semicon sector, while SK Square has been removed.
We must be mindful of the potential concentration of shorting flow on SK Square as most names expected to experience negative flows do not fall under the KS200/KQ150 membership.
Our strategic approach can take three directions: 1. aim at only those receiving positive flows, 2. heavy shorting SK Square, and 3. long-short the four with the most flow size.


KRX Sector Index Series Rebalancing: Heavy Shorting on SK Square Is Anticipated

<ul>
<li>SK Square announced that it will cancel treasury shares worth 2.5 million shares on 4 October 2023, which represents 1.8% of its current outstanding shares.</li>
<li>Our NAV analysis of SK Square suggests NAV of 9.4 trillion won or NAV per share of 66,421 won, representing a 45% upside from current levels.</li>
<li>SK Square's positive shareholder return policies including higher share buybacks, cancellations, and dividends are result in further outperformance of SK Square relative to KOSPI this year. </li>
</ul>


SK Square announced that it will cancel treasury shares worth 2.5 million shares on 4 October 2023, which represents 1.8% of its current outstanding shares.
Our NAV analysis of SK Square suggests NAV of 9.4 trillion won or NAV per share of 66,421 won, representing a 45% upside from current levels.
SK Square's positive shareholder return policies including higher share buybacks, cancellations, and dividends are result in further outperformance of SK Square relative to KOSPI this year. 


SK Square: Share Cancellation and More Share Buyback Likely from Sale of SK Shieldus in 2H 2023

South Korea

SK Square Co., Ltd. operates as an investment company. The Company invests in semiconductors, information and communications technologies, and other industries. SK Square conducts businesses in South Korea.

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Dividend (Yield)	0.00

SK Square (402340 KS)

SK Square: M&A of 11st - Alibaba Out and Qoo10 In?

On 27 September, Maeil Business Daily reported that SK Square signed an MOU with Qoo10 to pursue a joint management of 11st.

Douglas Kim

SK Square: Updated NAV Analysis Amid Potential Sale of 11st to Alibaba

If SK Square is able to sell its stake in 11st to Alibaba, the capital inflow from the sale could be used to raise dividends and complete more...

Douglas Kim

SK Square: Will Alibaba Acquire 11st?

Maeil Business Daily reported that Alibaba Group Holding (9988 HK) is considering on acquiring a controlling stake in 11st, which is a leading e...

Douglas Kim

KRX Sector Index Series Rebalancing: Heavy Shorting on SK Square Is Anticipated

This post highlights KRX Sector Index Series rebalancing and explores three trading approaches, with a focus on SK Square, ahead of the September...

Sanghyun Park

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

SK Square: M&A of 11st - Alibaba Out and Qoo10 In?

On 27 September, Maeil Business Daily reported that SK Square signed an MOU with Qoo10 to pursue a joint management of 11st.

Douglas Kim

SK Square: Updated NAV Analysis Amid Potential Sale of 11st to Alibaba

If SK Square is able to sell its stake in 11st to Alibaba, the capital inflow from the sale could be used to raise dividends and complete more...

Douglas Kim

SK Square: Will Alibaba Acquire 11st?

Maeil Business Daily reported that Alibaba Group Holding (9988 HK) is considering on acquiring a controlling stake in 11st, which is a leading e...

Douglas Kim

KRX Sector Index Series Rebalancing: Heavy Shorting on SK Square Is Anticipated

This post highlights KRX Sector Index Series rebalancing and explores three trading approaches, with a focus on SK Square, ahead of the September...

Sanghyun Park

SK Square: Share Cancellation and More Share Buyback Likely from Sale of SK Shieldus in 2H 2023

After the market close on 22 June, SK Square announced that it will cancel treasury shares worth 2.5 million shares on 4 October 2023, which...

Douglas Kim