Korea / Special Situations, Clepsydra Capital

Sanghyun Park

Korea / Special Situations

Korea / Special Sits, Pairs, Index Rebalancing

Clepsydra Capital

Investigate special situations, pairs, and index rebalancing trades in Korea.

Index Rebalance

<ul>
<li>June rebalance drops mid-May, goes live post-KOSPI 200 expiry. Back to 100 names—net outflow setup with more deletes than adds. ETFs rebalance into June 12 close.</li>
<li>KRX confirmed 10 special entries for June; results likely out in May with Value-Up rebalance. 12 protected names stay. Stocks over 10% weight, like Samsung and SK Hynix, remain.</li>
<li>Value-Up disclosure isn’t mandatory yet—rule starts June 2026. But compliant firms get a screening boost. Around 76 spots remain, filled via quant screen after excluding 24 protected names.</li>
</ul>


June rebalance drops mid-May, goes live post-KOSPI 200 expiry. Back to 100 names—net outflow setup with more deletes than adds. ETFs rebalance into June 12 close.
KRX confirmed 10 special entries for June; results likely out in May with Value-Up rebalance. 12 protected names stay. Stocks over 10% weight, like Samsung and SK Hynix, remain.
Value-Up disclosure isn’t mandatory yet—rule starts June 2026. But compliant firms get a screening boost. Around 76 spots remain, filled via quant screen after excluding 24 protected names.


June Value-Up Rebalance: Hype Fading, But Key Flags Remain

Event-Driven

Samsung Electronics Pref Shares / Event-Driven

Samsung Electronics Pref Shares (005935 KS)

<ul>
<li>Chosun reports that some Samsung affiliates are exploring tax-free dividends at the operational level, with execs reportedly briefed on the idea.</li>
<li>Surprisingly, regulators and politicians haven't objected to tax-free dividends, which ironically align with the value-up policy. The delay in Samsung's value-up announcements may be due to this decision.</li>
<li>It’s unclear if Samsung Electronics and Life will drop tax-free dividends, but if regulators approve, they could introduce it suddenly in their value-up updates, especially with Lee Jae-yong’s cash crunch.</li>
</ul>


Chosun reports that some Samsung affiliates are exploring tax-free dividends at the operational level, with execs reportedly briefed on the idea.
Surprisingly, regulators and politicians haven't objected to tax-free dividends, which ironically align with the value-up policy. The delay in Samsung's value-up announcements may be due to this decision.
It’s unclear if Samsung Electronics and Life will drop tax-free dividends, but if regulators approve, they could introduce it suddenly in their value-up updates, especially with Lee Jae-yong’s cash crunch.


The Hot Chatter in the Local Market: Tax-Free Dividends – Is Samsung In?

Financials & FinTech research, Galliano’s Financials Research

Victor Galliano

Financials & FinTech research

Financials & FinTech, EM & Developed Markets

Galliano’s Financials Research

Galliano's Financials Research provides fundamental research in Emerging Markets financials, including FinTech, as well as financials in select Developed Markets.

The investment style applied is generally value oriented, although Growth At Reasonable Price (GARP) strategies can also be used where appropriate. 

Our investment research approach aim is often contrarian, looking to capitalise on overly sceptical or optimistic consensus views. In terms of valuation techniques, the focus is on PBV ratio to ROE, PE multiples and dividend yield, as well as the application of PEG ratios and, where appropriate, Sum of the Parts (SOTP) valuations.

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Our weighted metrics of share valuations, capital adequacy and credit quality feed into an investment valuation matrix; we look for opportunities where the risks are well discounted in current valuations</li>
<li>We stick with Hana Financial for its attractive valuations, PEG and equity risk premia; there is potential for management to deliver on its Value-Up plan over the medium term</li>
<li>Woori is the stand-out in terms of our matrix; this is based on valuation, PEG ratio, credit quality and its improving pre- and post-provision returns along with efficiency ratio</li>
</ul>


Our weighted metrics of share valuations, capital adequacy and credit quality feed into an investment valuation matrix; we look for opportunities where the risks are well discounted in current valuations
We stick with Hana Financial for its attractive valuations, PEG and equity risk premia; there is potential for management to deliver on its Value-Up plan over the medium term
Woori is the stand-out in terms of our matrix; this is based on valuation, PEG ratio, credit quality and its improving pre- and post-provision returns along with efficiency ratio


Korean Banks; Positive Fundamental and Share Price Trends for Hana (086790 KS) And Woori (316140 KS)

Asia Pac ECM and Index Rebal, Shenton Research

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

Asia Pac ECM and Index Rebal

Asia Pac IPO & Placement Research, China Biotech

DZT Research

DZT Research is an independent Asia Pacific equity specialist. Our quantitative research covers index rebalancing flows, alongside exchange data analytics accross Asia Pacific. On the equity capital markets side, we focus on Asia Pacific ECM, especially biotech and TMT. Our lead analyst is frequently cited by international media.

Quantitative Analysis

<ul>
<li>We analyzed the changes in foreign holdings of KRX stocks as of Dec 13th which has an aggregated holding worth USD469.7bn.</li>
<li>We estimate that foreign flows to be outflows of USD582mln. We tabulate the league table for top changes by value for 1W/4W/1Y and top stocks held by foreign institutions.</li>
<li>We highlight changes of foreign holdings in Naver, Samsung Electronics, KB Financial.</li>
</ul>


We analyzed the changes in foreign holdings of KRX stocks as of Dec 13th which has an aggregated holding worth USD469.7bn.
We estimate that foreign flows to be outflows of USD582mln. We tabulate the league table for top changes by value for 1W/4W/1Y and top stocks held by foreign institutions.
We highlight changes of foreign holdings in Naver, Samsung Electronics, KB Financial.


KRX Foreign Holding Weekly (Dec 13th): Naver, Samsung Electronics, KB Financial

<ul>
<li>We analyzed the changes in foreign holdings of KRX stocks as of Dec 6th which has an aggregated holding worth USD463.4bn.</li>
<li>We estimate that foreign flows to be outflows of USD711mln. We tabulate the league table for top changes by value for 1W/4W/1Y and top stocks held by foreign institutions.</li>
<li>We highlight changes of foreign holdings in SK Hynix, Naver, Samsung Electronics, KB Financial.</li>
</ul>


We analyzed the changes in foreign holdings of KRX stocks as of Dec 6th which has an aggregated holding worth USD463.4bn.
We estimate that foreign flows to be outflows of USD711mln. We tabulate the league table for top changes by value for 1W/4W/1Y and top stocks held by foreign institutions.
We highlight changes of foreign holdings in SK Hynix, Naver, Samsung Electronics, KB Financial.


KRX Foreign Holding Weekly (Dec 6th): SK Hynix, Naver, Samsung Electronics, KB Financial

South Korea

Woori Financial Group Inc. provides commercial banking services. The Company offers deposit services, loan services, bill services, settlement services, credit card, international, online banking, and other related services. Woori Financial Group also operates banking and retail banking businesses.

Price Gauge
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Woori Financial Group (316140 KS)

June Value-Up Rebalance: Hype Fading, But Key Flags Remain

This post gives a quick pulse check on the June Value-up Index rebalance—hype’s cooling off, but there are still a few key things to flag.

Sanghyun Park

The Hot Chatter in the Local Market: Tax-Free Dividends – Is Samsung In?

This post takes a dive into the hot topic in the local market: tax-free dividends – Will Samsung go for tax-free dividends?

Sanghyun Park

KRX Foreign Holding Weekly (Dec 13th): Naver, Samsung Electronics, KB Financial

We analyzed KRX foreign holding data for the past week and highlighted foreign holding changes in Naver, Samsung Electronics, KB Financial.

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

KRX Foreign Holding Weekly (Dec 6th): SK Hynix, Naver, Samsung Electronics, KB Financial

We analyzed KRX foreign holding data for the past week and highlighted foreign holding changes in SK Hynix, Naver, Samsung Electronics, KB Financial.

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

June Value-Up Rebalance: Hype Fading, But Key Flags Remain

This post gives a quick pulse check on the June Value-up Index rebalance—hype’s cooling off, but there are still a few key things to flag.

Sanghyun Park

The Hot Chatter in the Local Market: Tax-Free Dividends – Is Samsung In?

This post takes a dive into the hot topic in the local market: tax-free dividends – Will Samsung go for tax-free dividends?

Sanghyun Park

Korean Banks; Positive Fundamental and Share Price Trends for Hana (086790 KS) And Woori (316140 KS)

​Weighted metrics drive our investment valuation matrix; we like Hana Financial for attractive valuations and its Value-up plan, Woori stands out...

Victor Galliano

KRX Foreign Holding Weekly (Dec 13th): Naver, Samsung Electronics, KB Financial

We analyzed KRX foreign holding data for the past week and highlighted foreign holding changes in Naver, Samsung Electronics, KB Financial.

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

KRX Foreign Holding Weekly (Dec 6th): SK Hynix, Naver, Samsung Electronics, KB Financial

We analyzed KRX foreign holding data for the past week and highlighted foreign holding changes in SK Hynix, Naver, Samsung Electronics, KB Financial.

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

Weighted metrics drive our investment valuation matrix; we like Hana Financial for attractive valuations and its Value-up plan, Woori stands out...