Founder/CEO of ROK Advisory, ROK Advisory LLC

Ken S. Kim

Founder/CEO of ROK Advisory

ROK Advisory LLC

ROK is an independent research advisory firm. We guide you to minimize the information gap between foreign and local investors in Northeast Asia with a focus in Korea, Taiwan and Japan.

Independent Research Advisory Firm

Equity Bottom-Up

The inheritance tax due for the late KH Lee is set at W11.4 trillion.  The market is interested in how this $10 billion bill will be paid by the Lee family and ensconced a general take on how to pay for this without a big cash outlay

The inheritance tax due for the late KH Lee is set at W11.4 trillion.  The market is interested in how this $10 billion bill will be paid by the Lee family and ensconced a general take on how to pay for this without a big cash outlay

Samsung Inheritance Tax Set Is Good News for Samsung Dividends

Silver Point

Thomas J. Monaco

Independent Insight Provider

Silver Point is a boutique research firm that focuses on the broader financial services sector, with a particular focus on troubled institutions globally. 

Asia Ex Japan

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

*Reversing Course Again: On April 3, 2020, the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) - the European Union’s financial regulatory body which replaced the Committee of European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Supervisors (CEIOPS) – in the context of the corona virus, released a statement urging insurers to “temporarily suspend all discretionary dividend distributions and share buybacks aimed at remunerating shareholders” in order to preserve capital. In an odd reversal of course, EIOPA has updated its commentary surrounding European insurance capital management; and  *Asia-Pacific Insurers Still At Risk: Asia-Pacific insurance counterparts previously acted in capital solidarity with their Western peer during COVID-19. Many Asia-Pacific insurers purchased USD-denominated assets in their desperate search for yield in this low/negative rate environment where the impact of credit default and ratings agency downgrades on their investment portfolios is likely to continue to be outsized and challenge capital their ratios. We are hopeful that the Asia-Pacific insurers - particularly in Japan, Australia, Taiwan, and South Korea – don’t behave as desperately as their European counterparts have.

*Reversing Course Again: On April 3, 2020, the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) - the European Union’s financial regulatory body which replaced the Committee of European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Supervisors (CEIOPS) – in the context of the corona virus, released a statement urging insurers to “temporarily suspend all discretionary dividend distributions and share buybacks aimed at remunerating shareholders” in order to preserve capital. In an odd reversal of course, EIOPA has updated its commentary surrounding European insurance capital management; and  *Asia-Pacific Insurers Still At Risk: Asia-Pacific insurance counterparts previously acted in capital solidarity with their Western peer during COVID-19. Many Asia-Pacific insurers purchased USD-denominated assets in their desperate search for yield in this low/negative rate environment where the impact of credit default and ratings agency downgrades on their investment portfolios is likely to continue to be outsized and challenge capital their ratios. We are hopeful that the Asia-Pacific insurers - particularly in Japan, Australia, Taiwan, and South Korea – don’t behave as desperately as their European counterparts have. 

*Weak Great Eastern Returns: Great Eastern Life (GE.SP) [Great Eastern] reported 3Q20 bottom-line results of SGD 287.9 mn, declining SGD 9.6 mn (3.2%) linked quarter. On an operating basis excluding market-related gains, the decline in profits was even more pronounced at SGD 24.6 mn or 9.4% over the period due to new business strain. Earnings were materially weaker than what consensus has built in for Overseas Chinese Banking Corp. (OCBC.SP) (earnings release date November 5, 2020) – and pose a modest consensus miss for OCBC. Higher volatility in reported Great Eastern earnings decreases confidence in forecasts; and*Better Readacross to Regional Insurers: MTM gains would imply a negative readacross to AIA (1299.HK), Prudential (PRU.LN), ManuLife (MFC.CN), and of course the mainland Chinese insurers.

*Weak Great Eastern Returns: Great Eastern Life (GE.SP) [Great Eastern] reported 3Q20 bottom-line results of SGD 287.9 mn, declining SGD 9.6 mn (3.2%) linked quarter. On an operating basis excluding market-related gains, the decline in profits was even more pronounced at SGD 24.6 mn or 9.4% over the period due to new business strain. Earnings were materially weaker than what consensus has built in for Overseas Chinese Banking Corp. (OCBC.SP) (earnings release date November 5, 2020) – and pose a modest consensus miss for OCBC. Higher volatility in reported Great Eastern earnings decreases confidence in forecasts; and*Better Readacross to Regional Insurers: MTM gains would imply a negative readacross to AIA (1299.HK), Prudential (PRU.LN), ManuLife (MFC.CN), and of course the mainland Chinese insurers. 

Oversea Chinese Banking Corp – Still Not A Great Eastern

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

Cross Asset Strategy

October continued to see sector rotation in Korea with growth-oriented stocks under performing value-oriented stocks. The following were the top 10 issues related to Korean stock market, economy, and politics in October 2020.1) DEATH OF SAMSUNG GROUP CHAIRMAN LEE KUN HEE2) BIG HIT ENTERTAINMENT IPO3) REGULATORS GOING AFTER THE OPTIMUS FUNDS 4) MAJOR POTENTIAL CHANGE IN TAX LAWS THAT COULD RESULT IN BIG SELLING BY RETAIL IN DECEMBER 5) LG CHEM APPROVES TO SEPARATE THE BATTERY BUSINESS 6) STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN NAVER &amp; THE CJ GROUP7) SK TELECOM SPINS OFF MOBILITY BUSINESS &amp; PARTNERS WITH UBER 8) PAYPAL ALLOWS TRANSACTIONS IN CRYPTOS 9) INCREASED NEWS FLOW ABOUT THE NEED TO RECOUNT VOTES OF 4.15 (15 April 2020) PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION 10) SOCAR BECOMES THE NEXT UNICORN

October continued to see sector rotation in Korea with growth-oriented stocks under performing value-oriented stocks. The following were the top 10 issues related to Korean stock market, economy, and politics in October 2020.1) DEATH OF SAMSUNG GROUP CHAIRMAN LEE KUN HEE2) BIG HIT ENTERTAINMENT IPO3) REGULATORS GOING AFTER THE OPTIMUS FUNDS 4) MAJOR POTENTIAL CHANGE IN TAX LAWS THAT COULD RESULT IN BIG SELLING BY RETAIL IN DECEMBER 5) LG CHEM APPROVES TO SEPARATE THE BATTERY BUSINESS 6) STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN NAVER &amp; THE CJ GROUP7) SK TELECOM SPINS OFF MOBILITY BUSINESS &amp; PARTNERS WITH UBER 8) PAYPAL ALLOWS TRANSACTIONS IN CRYPTOS 9) INCREASED NEWS FLOW ABOUT THE NEED TO RECOUNT VOTES OF 4.15 (15 April 2020) PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION 10) SOCAR BECOMES THE NEXT UNICORN 

Korea Stock Market Monthly Recap #53 (October 2020)

3 Key takeaways - NAND aggression, very conservative smartphone guide, shareholder return plan and foundry business.   We go over each of the above and read through for some of the competitors and supply chain.

3 Key takeaways - NAND aggression, very conservative smartphone guide, shareholder return plan and foundry business.   We go over each of the above and read through for some of the competitors and supply chain. 

Samsung Electronics Earnings Review and Read Thru

South Korea

Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance Co., Ltd. provides insurance services. The Company offers auto, fire, marine, casualty, health, leisure, and retirement products and services. Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance serves customers in South Korea.

Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance (000810 KS)

Dongbu Insurance Co., Ltd. provides a variety of non-life insurance services such as auto, long-term casualty and property, pension and retirement, fire and marine, and leisure insurance products.

Hanwha Life Insurance Co., Ltd. offers life insurance services and reinsurance services.  The Company also does insurance against loss business, beverages business, real estate rental, and securities investment business through its subsidiaries.

Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance Co., Ltd. (HDMF) is a property and casualty insurer.  The Company's products include auto, fire, marine, general liability, leisure, travel, pension, and medical insurances.

Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance Co., Ltd (001450 KS)

Korean Reinsurance Company is a reinsurer which underwrites life and non-life insurance.  The Company's products include life, fire, marine, auto, casualty, guarantee, pension, long-term, and foreign reinsurance.

Tongyang Life Insurance offers life insurance services. The Company markets its products through individuals and groups.

Lotte Non-Life Insurance Company Ltd. provides a variety of non-life insurance services, such as auto, fire, marine, long-term casualty and property, pension, and retirement insurance products. The Company also operates a foreign reinsurance business.

Mirae Asset Life Insurance Co., Ltd. provides life insurance and related products.  The Company offers a wide range of services including retirement pension, non-saving products, individual savings, bank assurance, and other financial consulting services.

Mirae Asset Life Insurance Co., (085620 KS)

Hanwha General Insurance Co., Ltd. provides a variety of non-life insurance services, such as fire, marine, auto, long term casualty and property, pension and retirement, leisure, and air products.

HungKuk Fire & Marine Insurance Co., Ltd. provides a variety of non-life insurance services, such as fire, marine, long term casualty and property, auto, pension and retirement, and leisure insurance.

Heungkuk Fire & Marine Insurance (000540 KS)

New China Life Insurance Company Limited provides life insurance in local and foreign currencies, acts as an insurance agent, provides checks, claims and insurance consulting. The Company's main products include life insurance, accident insurance, health insurance products and services.

The People's Insurance Company (Group) of China Limited, through its subsidiaries, offers a range of property and casualty insurance products. The Company also offers asset management services for a variety of customers throughout China.

Insurance Australia Group Limited (IAG) is an Australian-based international general insurance group with operations in Australia, New Zealand, and Asia. The Group provides a range of personal and commercial insurance products, primarily motor vehicle and home insurance.

Unum Group provides group disability and special risk insurance.  The Company provides disability insurance, group life insurance, and payroll-deducted voluntary benefits offered to employees at their worksites.

T&D Holdings, Inc. is a holding company established through the merger of Taiyo Life Insurance, Daido Life Insurance, and T&D Financial Life Insurance. The Company manages life insurance operations for its subsidiaries.

Suncorp Group Ltd. offers retail and business banking, life and general insurance, superannuation and funds management services.  The Company's services include personal banking and loans, personal insurance products, credit cards, pension savings accounts, term deposits, property development finance, commercial lending, investments and lease financing.

CNA Financial Corporation operates as an insurance holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, provides commercial property and casualty coverages such as risk management, information services, warranty, and claims administration. CNA Financial serves clients throughout the United States.

American Financial Group, Inc. provides multi-line property and casualty insurance.  The Company also sells tax-deferred annuities and certain life and supplemental health insurance products.  American Financial operates in the United States.

Great Eastern Holdings Limited operates in the life insurance business. The Company provides fund management services including retirement plans and endowments as well as life and health insurance, personal accident insurance, and general insurance

RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. is a global provider of reinsurance and insurance. The Company's business primarily consists of catastrophe reinsurance, specialty reinsurance, and individual risk business.

Samsung Life Insurance Co., Ltd. provides insurance services. The Company offers life and health insurance services. Samsung Life Insurance serves customers in South Korea.

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Samsung Life Insurance (032830 KS)

Samsung Inheritance Tax Set Is Good News for Samsung Dividends

Samsung Electronics has to double dividends over next 5-10 years which again goes to prove that in Korea ride with the best interest of the family...

Ken S. Kim

Asian Insurers – Mea, Mea EIOPA

ASIA INSURERS: On April 3, 2020, EIOPA temporarily suspended capital management activities," but just reversed course. Many Asia-Pacific insurers...

Thomas J. Monaco

Oversea Chinese Banking Corp – Still Not A Great Eastern

OVERSEA CHINESE BANKING CORP: Great Eastern Life Posts Another Weak Quarter; Margins Were Weaker and EPS Reliant On Gains. OCBC Consensus Appear...

Thomas J. Monaco

Korea Stock Market Monthly Recap #53 (October 2020)

In this insight, it provides the summary of the top 10 issues related to Korean stock market, economy, and politics in October 2020.

Douglas Kim

Samsung Electronics Earnings Review and Read Thru

Samsung Electronics - moves for the long term signaled in most recent third quarter earnings with regards to their NAND business as well as holding...

Ken S. Kim

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