Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Our NAV analysis of LG Corp suggests an implied market cap of 16.3 trillion won or 103,781 won per share which is 16% higher than current share price.</li>
<li>For holdco discount, we used a 50% holdco discount. If investors perceive improvement in value (such as through corporate governance improvements), the holdco discount on LG Corp would decline.</li>
<li>LG Corp's shares are up 5.9% in the past six months, outperforming all the major LG Group related companies including LG Chem, LG H&amp;H, LG Electronics, and LG Energy Solution. </li>
</ul>


Our NAV analysis of LG Corp suggests an implied market cap of 16.3 trillion won or 103,781 won per share which is 16% higher than current share price.
For holdco discount, we used a 50% holdco discount. If investors perceive improvement in value (such as through corporate governance improvements), the holdco discount on LG Corp would decline.
LG Corp's shares are up 5.9% in the past six months, outperforming all the major LG Group related companies including LG Chem, LG H&amp;H, LG Electronics, and LG Energy Solution. 


LG Corp: Updated NAV Analysis Amid Ongoing Corporate Value Up Program in Korea

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

Sanghyun Park

Korea / Special Sits, Pairs, Index Rebalancing

Clepsydra Capital

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

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>As of last Friday, SKT has utilized 86.2 billion won out of the allotted 300 billion won for share buybacks, resulting in the acquisition of 1,810,242 shares.</li>
<li>If there are indications of the foreign room potentially falling to a risky level, SKT will likely proceed with an aggressive buyback, targeting 20-30% of the daily trading volume.</li>
<li>Another particularly intriguing observation is the absence of local retail flow directed towards SKT. This indicates there is still potential momentum for an upward price movement at this juncture.</li>
</ul>


As of last Friday, SKT has utilized 86.2 billion won out of the allotted 300 billion won for share buybacks, resulting in the acquisition of 1,810,242 shares.
If there are indications of the foreign room potentially falling to a risky level, SKT will likely proceed with an aggressive buyback, targeting 20-30% of the daily trading volume.
Another particularly intriguing observation is the absence of local retail flow directed towards SKT. This indicates there is still potential momentum for an upward price movement at this juncture.


Analyzing Proactive Flow Trading Targeting SK Telecom's Passive Movements

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One, Periscope Analytics

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

Periscope Analytics

Periscope Analytics focuses on event-driven trades across Asia Pacific and provides comprehensive, timely and systematic coverage of index changes to major Asia Pacific indices in a structured manner.

The analysis includes forecasted inclusions and exclusions to all major Asian indices that have significant amount of tracking assets, including estimates of passive buy/sell flow on the stocks. The service also provides commentary and impact of market consultations, ground rule changes, and other events (IPOs, spin-offs, M&A) that could lead to index changes and passive flow.

Periscope Analytics works with multi-strategy hedge funds, proprietary trading firms, stat arb trading groups and long-only investors that invest and trade in the Asia Pacific region with the data being used to trade index rebalances, avoid pre-positioning and passive flow, and to time entry into and exit from stocks.

Event-Driven Trades Across Asia Pacific

<ul>
<li>Foreign room in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sk-telecom-co-ltd-bbccd86c-474d-4a4d-946d-10e911a225a2" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:395:1" rel="noopener">SK Telecom (017670 KS)</a> increased above 15% in July and is currently just above 16%. Foreign investors have resumed buying again and foreign room is moving lower.</li>
<li>Foreign room staying above 15% for another month could result in passive buying at the end of November. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sk-telecom-co-ltd-bbccd86c-474d-4a4d-946d-10e911a225a2" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:395:1" rel="noopener">SK Telecom (017670 KS)</a> has outperformed peers over the last few weeks.</li>
<li>Foreign buying over the next month could lead to foreign room dropping below 15% in which case there will be no passive inflows. But the stock could be higher.</li>
</ul>


Foreign room in SK Telecom (017670 KS) increased above 15% in July and is currently just above 16%. Foreign investors have resumed buying again and foreign room is moving lower.
Foreign room staying above 15% for another month could result in passive buying at the end of November. SK Telecom (017670 KS) has outperformed peers over the last few weeks.
Foreign buying over the next month could lead to foreign room dropping below 15% in which case there will be no passive inflows. But the stock could be higher.


SK Telecom (017670 KS): Foreign Room & Passive Inflows

<ul>
<li>KT Corp (030200 KS)'s shares were up 4.1% today to 32,000 won driven by better than expected results in 2Q 2023 and the nomination of a new CEO. </li>
<li>KT has nominated Kim Young-Seop, the former CEO of LG CNS as the new CEO of the company.</li>
<li>KT Corp has attractive valuations. It is trading at only 2.6x EV/EBITDA, 6.7x P/E, and 0.5x P/B in 2023. These valuation multiples are much cheaper than SK Telecom.</li>
</ul>


KT Corp (030200 KS)'s shares were up 4.1% today to 32,000 won driven by better than expected results in 2Q 2023 and the nomination of a new CEO. 
KT has nominated Kim Young-Seop, the former CEO of LG CNS as the new CEO of the company.
KT Corp has attractive valuations. It is trading at only 2.6x EV/EBITDA, 6.7x P/E, and 0.5x P/B in 2023. These valuation multiples are much cheaper than SK Telecom.


KT Corp: A New CEO Nominated and Stronger Than Expected Results in 2Q 2023

<ul>
<li>Foreign investors have been selling <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sk-telecom-co-ltd-bbccd86c-474d-4a4d-946d-10e911a225a2" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:395:1" rel="noopener">SK Telecom (017670 KS)</a> for over a year now. That has taken foreign room from near zero to close to 15% now.</li>
<li>That could mean index inclusion for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sk-telecom-co-ltd-bbccd86c-474d-4a4d-946d-10e911a225a2" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:395:1" rel="noopener">SK Telecom (017670 KS)</a> with timing dependent on when the 15% foreign room threshold is crossed.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sk-telecom-co-ltd-bbccd86c-474d-4a4d-946d-10e911a225a2" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:395:1" rel="noopener">SK Telecom (017670 KS)</a> has performed in line with <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kt-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1112:1" rel="noopener">KT Corp (030200 KS)</a> but trades at higher valuations on most parameters.</li>
</ul>


Foreign investors have been selling SK Telecom (017670 KS) for over a year now. That has taken foreign room from near zero to close to 15% now.
That could mean index inclusion for SK Telecom (017670 KS) with timing dependent on when the 15% foreign room threshold is crossed.

SK Telecom (017670 KS) has performed in line with KT Corp (030200 KS) but trades at higher valuations on most parameters.


SK Telecom (017670 KS): Foreign Room Increase Has Implications

South Korea

KINX INC is the Internet linkage and line adapter service providing firm.  The Company provides IX and Internet Data Center service to the network service providers to reduce the traffic and to contruct Internet infrastructure.  KINX also provides VoIP service.

Sejong Telecom, Inc. develops and provides various telecom service.  The Company's main service include international phone call, Internet phone call, and long distance call.

ECS Telecom Co.,Ltd. is a provider of communication products and services.  The company offers private branch exchange (PBX), IP telephony, contact center solution, and trading system.

KT Corporation provides telecommunication services including local, long distance, and international calling, satellite communication, data transmission, and wireless telephone services in South Korea.  The Company also offers network portal and high-speed Internet access services using asymmetric digital subscriber lines (ADSLs).

Netmarble Corporation develops and publishes mobile games. The Company develops and publishes casual games, action, sports games, strategy, simulation games, and social casino games. Netmarble offers services worldwide.

KRTnet Corporation provides radio relay services for mobile phone companies by building and maintaining relay station.  The Company also manufactures telecommunication equipment used for radio relay station.

Pearl Abyss Corp. operates as a computer games making company. The Company offers games development, games exporting, and other services. Pearl Abyss serves customers worldwide.

Kakao Games Corp. operates as a multiply platform gaming company. The Company provides mobile games, computer games, virtual reality games, and other related products. Kakao Games markets its products worldwide.

LS Cable & System Asia Ltd. provides and offers cable products.  The Company manufactures and markets electric and telecommunication cables, head transmission lines, voltage cables and industrial specialty cables for the energy, infrastructure, construction, automotive, railway, telecommunication and electronics industries.

HYBE Co., Ltd. operates as an entertainment company. The Company provides music production, album distribution, entertainers management, publicity, planning, training, and other services. HYBE also makes television shows.

Iridium Communications, Inc. offers mobile satellite communications services. The Company's satellites operate in a low-earth orbit and provide 100% global coverage.  Iridium Holdings offers voice and data communications services to the United States and foreign governments; businesses; non-governmental organizations; and consumers.

Cogent Communications Holdings Inc. is a next generation optical Internet servic e provider focused on delivering ultra-high speed Internet access and transport services.The Company serves businesses in the multi-tenant marketplace and servi ce providers located in major metropolitan areas across the United States.

Proximus SA provides communication services and products to residential, business and corporate customers both domestically and internationally.  The Group offers multimedia products, payphones, pagers, operator services and calling cards.  Proximus SA also provides mobile phone and Internet services.

Bezeq Israeli Telecommunication Corporation Ltd. offers local, long-distance, and international telecommunications services in Israel.  The Company also offers Internet access lines, calling cards, and high volume data transfer networks.

PCCW Limited, through its subsidiaries, provides telecommunications, Internet access, multimedia services and related equipment.  The Company also offers computer, engineering, and other technical services in Hong Kong.  In addition, PCCW invests in and develops system integration and technology-related business, infrastructure and properties in Hong Kong and China.

China Communications Services Corporation Limited provides specialized telecommunications support services to telecommunications operators.  The Company offers telecommunications infrastructure services, including design, construction and project supervision and management, business process outsourcing services , and applications, content and other services.

China Communications Services Corp Ltd. (552 HK)

Globalstar, Inc. provides mobile voice and data communications services via satellite. The Company primarily provides business and recreational communications to industry, government, and individual customers located in remote areas throughout the world.

United Internet AG operates as an internet services company. The Company provides landline and mobile internet access products, as well as cloud applications at data centers with fixed monthly fees and volume-based charges. United Internet serves consumers and business clients worldwide.

NetLink NBN Trust designs, builds, owns, and operates fiber network infrastructures. The Company offers fiber network resources, including ducts, manholes, and cables. NetLink NBN Trust also focuses on leasing telecommunication infrastructures to telecommunication service providers. NetLink NBN Trust serves customers in Singapore.designs, builds, owns, and operates fiber network infrastructures. The Company offers fiber network resources, including ducts, manholes, and cables. NetLink NBN Trust also focuses on leasing telecommunication infrastructures to telecommunication service providers. NetLink NBN Trust serves customers in Singapore.

Zegona Communications plc is an investment company. The Company buys and sells businesses in the European Telecommunications, Media and Technology (''TMT'') sectors.

LG Uplus Corp., an affiliate of LG Group, provides a wide range of personal communications services (PCS) using code division multiple access (CDMA) technology.  The Company offers call forwarding, call and data transfer, call waiting, voice mail, Internet-phone, prepaid call, and authentication text-to-speech (TTS) services.

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LG Uplus Corp (032640 KS)

LG Corp: Updated NAV Analysis Amid Ongoing Corporate Value Up Program in Korea

Our NAV analysis of LG Corp suggests an implied market cap of 16.3 trillion won or 103,781 won per share which is 16% higher than current share price.

Douglas Kim

Analyzing Proactive Flow Trading Targeting SK Telecom's Passive Movements

This post examines proactive flow trading focused on SK Telecom's passive movements until the end of next month, with its ongoing share buyback...

Sanghyun Park

SK Telecom (017670 KS): Foreign Room & Passive Inflows

SK Telecom's foreign room is over 16% and the stock could see passive buying (and pre-positioning). Foreigners have resumed buying and the stock...

Brian Freitas

KT Corp: A New CEO Nominated and Stronger Than Expected Results in 2Q 2023

KT Corp (030200 KS)'s shares were up 4.1% today to 32,000 won driven by better than expected results in 2Q 2023 and the nomination of a new CEO.

Douglas Kim

SK Telecom (017670 KS): Foreign Room Increase Has Implications

Foreign investors have sold SK Tel for over a year leading to foreign room moving from 0% to nearly 15%. Crossing the 15% threshold could lead to...

Brian Freitas

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