Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>In the earnings conference today, NCsoft stated that the company plans to launch a <strong>blockchain, NFT based game in 2022</strong>, which was the biggest highlight in the earnings conference call.</li>
<li>NCsoft reported slightly worse than expected results in 3Q 2021. Despite these results, the market chose to focus on NCsoft's push into the blockchain, NFT based games. </li>
<li>The entire Korean game industry could be re-rated in the coming weeks, bolstered by the ability to capture new markets and customers through the blockchain, NFT based games. </li>
</ul>


In the earnings conference today, NCsoft stated that the company plans to launch a blockchain, NFT based game in 2022, which was the biggest highlight in the earnings conference call.
NCsoft reported slightly worse than expected results in 3Q 2021. Despite these results, the market chose to focus on NCsoft's push into the blockchain, NFT based games. 
The entire Korean game industry could be re-rated in the coming weeks, bolstered by the ability to capture new markets and customers through the blockchain, NFT based games. 


NCsoft - Launch of Blockchain, NFT Based Game [Re-Rating of the Entire Game Sector in Korea?]

Event-Driven

<h2>M&amp;A of Lionheart Studio by Kakao Games Corp </h2><p>In this insight, we discuss the increasing likelihood of an IPO of Lionheart Studio post its controlling stake purchase by <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kakao-games-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26730:1" rel="noopener">Kakao Games Corp (293490 KS)</a>.  Kakao Games first made its investment in Lionheart Studio in May 2020 and the partnership between the two companies started in August 2018. On 1 November, <a href="https://pulsenews.co.kr/view.php?year=2021&amp;no=1033976" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kakao Games</a> announced that it will acquire an additional 30.37% stake in Lionheart Studio Corp, raising its total stake to 52%.</p><p>Lionheart Studio is well known for its blockbuster mobile game <em>Odin: Valhalla Rising </em>which was launched in Korea in June 2021 and it was ranked as the top grossing mobile game for 18 weeks in a row at Apple and Google Play app stores in Korea. </p><p>Kakao Games Corp's subsidiary Kakao Games Europe B.V. will acquire a 30.37% stake in Lionheart Studio by paying 450 billion won for this stake. Lionheart Studio is now valued at 1.5 trillion won. The upfront payment for this acquisition will be made on November 23, 2021. The final acquisition amount will be finalized after Lionheart Studio provides its final business performance through June 30, 2022. </p><p>Overall, we believe that this M&amp;A of Lionheart Studio and the potential IPO of Lionheart Studio will likely have a positive impact on Kakao Games Corp shares as the company's <em>Odin: Valhalla Rising</em> mobile game has been so successful in reaching top market share for mobile games in Korea. </p>

M&amp;A of Lionheart Studio by Kakao Games Corp In this insight, we discuss the increasing likelihood of an IPO of Lionheart Studio post its controlling stake purchase by Kakao Games Corp (293490 KS).  Kakao Games first made its investment in Lionheart Studio in May 2020 and the partnership between the two companies started in August 2018. On 1 November, Kakao Games announced that it will acquire an additional 30.37% stake in Lionheart Studio Corp, raising its total stake to 52%.Lionheart Studio is well known for its blockbuster mobile game Odin: Valhalla Rising which was launched in Korea in June 2021 and it was ranked as the top grossing mobile game for 18 weeks in a row at Apple and Google Play app stores in Korea. Kakao Games Corp's subsidiary Kakao Games Europe B.V. will acquire a 30.37% stake in Lionheart Studio by paying 450 billion won for this stake. Lionheart Studio is now valued at 1.5 trillion won. The upfront payment for this acquisition will be made on November 23, 2021. The final acquisition amount will be finalized after Lionheart Studio provides its final business performance through June 30, 2022. Overall, we believe that this M&amp;A of Lionheart Studio and the potential IPO of Lionheart Studio will likely have a positive impact on Kakao Games Corp shares as the company's Odin: Valhalla Rising mobile game has been so successful in reaching top market share for mobile games in Korea. 

M&A and IPO of Lionheart Studio & Put Option Clause for Its Executives - Impact on Kakao Games

Global Emerging Market Equities, Propitious Research

Wium Malan, CFA

Global Emerging Market Equities

Independent, Fundamental Quantitative Research

Propitious Research

Fully independent, fundamental and quantitative equity research, focused on companies in the Telecommunication, Media, Technology, Internet and Healthcare sectors in the Global Emerging Markets. Idea generation focused on Quality stocks, trading below their intrinsic Value, with sound Corporate Governance.

Quantitative Analysis

<p>This insight provides the output, and an overview of our, machine learning-driven, proprietary GEM screening model, which takes a three-pronged approach to find the best medium-term long ideas within the top100 largest stocks in the MSCI GEM Index. </p>
<p>The model is based on 1) a typical quantitative multifactor screening model, enhanced by two Artificial Intelligence Technology-based approaches using 2) a Deep Neural Network model, and 3) a Recurrent Neural Network model. </p>
<p>This model, which has been developed and tweaked over the past 3 years (and implemented in its current state for 17 months), has a solid real-world performance track record, which I set out in the detail below. </p>
<p>Notable new entrants to the top decile this month include Russian internet company <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yandex-nv-a" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:414:1" rel="noopener">Yandex (YNDX US)</a>, Indian IT Services company <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hcl-technologies-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20025:1" rel="noopener">Hcl Technologies (HCLT IN)</a>, and a return to the top 10 for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/taiwan-semiconductor-manufacturing-company" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11230:1" rel="noopener">TSMC (2330 TT)</a>.</p>
<table class="table table-striped">
<colgroup> <col> <col> <col> <col> <col> </colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 48pt;">rank</td>
<td style="width: 169pt;">Name</td>
<td style="width: 119pt;">Sector</td>
<td style="width: 95pt;">Location</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 48pt;">prev.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">1</td>
<td>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lg-household-health-care" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6501:1" rel="noopener">LG Household &amp; Health Care (051900 KS)</a> </td>
<td>Consumer Staples</td>
<td>Korea (South)</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">12</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">2</td>
<td>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/netease" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29030:1" rel="noopener">NetEase (9999 HK)</a> </td>
<td>Communication</td>
<td>China</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">3</td>
<td>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jd-com-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29043:1" rel="noopener">JD.com Inc. (9618 HK)</a> </td>
<td>Consumer Discretionary</td>
<td>China</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">10</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">4</td>
<td>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/xiaomi-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24409:1" rel="noopener">Xiaomi Corp (1810 HK)</a> </td>
<td>Information Technology</td>
<td>China</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">5</td>
<td>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yandex-nv-a" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:414:1" rel="noopener">Yandex (YNDX US)</a> </td>
<td>Communication</td>
<td>Russian Federation</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">49</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">6</td>
<td>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/new-oriental-education-technology-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:32210:1" rel="noopener">New Oriental Education &amp; Technology Group (9901 HK)</a> </td>
<td>Consumer Discretionary</td>
<td>China</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">7</td>
<td>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/taiwan-semiconductor-manufacturing-company" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11230:1" rel="noopener">TSMC (2330 TT)</a> </td>
<td>Information Technology</td>
<td>Taiwan</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">16</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">8</td>
<td>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/al-rajhi-bank" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27038:1" rel="noopener">Al Rajhi Bank (RJHI AB)</a> </td>
<td>Financials</td>
<td>Saudi Arabia</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">33</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">9</td>
<td>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/magazine-luiza-sa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27676:1" rel="noopener">Magazine Luiza SA (MGLU3 BZ)</a> </td>
<td>Consumer Discretionary</td>
<td>Brazil</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">15</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">10</td>
<td>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hcl-technologies-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20025:1" rel="noopener">Hcl Technologies (HCLT IN)</a> </td>
<td>Information Technology</td>
<td>India</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">83</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="5" style="text-align: left;">Source: FactSet financial data and analytics, my estimates and calculations, Tensorflow, Keras, Google Colaboratory, pandas</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><em>As usual, please feel free to reach out for the full output table, any questions, clarifications needed or suggestions.</em></p>

This insight provides the output, and an overview of our, machine learning-driven, proprietary GEM screening model, which takes a three-pronged approach to find the best medium-term long ideas within the top100 largest stocks in the MSCI GEM Index. 
The model is based on 1) a typical quantitative multifactor screening model, enhanced by two Artificial Intelligence Technology-based approaches using 2) a Deep Neural Network model, and 3) a Recurrent Neural Network model. 
This model, which has been developed and tweaked over the past 3 years (and implemented in its current state for 17 months), has a solid real-world performance track record, which I set out in the detail below. 
Notable new entrants to the top decile this month include Russian internet company Yandex (YNDX US), Indian IT Services company Hcl Technologies (HCLT IN), and a return to the top 10 for TSMC (2330 TT).

      


rank
Name
Sector
Location
prev.


1

LG Household &amp; Health Care (051900 KS) 
Consumer Staples
Korea (South)
12


2

NetEase (9999 HK) 
Communication
China
2


3

JD.com Inc. (9618 HK) 
Consumer Discretionary
China
10


4

Xiaomi Corp (1810 HK) 
Information Technology
China
4


5

Yandex (YNDX US) 
Communication
Russian Federation
49


6

New Oriental Education &amp; Technology Group (9901 HK) 
Consumer Discretionary
China
1


7

TSMC (2330 TT) 
Information Technology
Taiwan
16


8

Al Rajhi Bank (RJHI AB) 
Financials
Saudi Arabia
33


9

Magazine Luiza SA (MGLU3 BZ) 
Consumer Discretionary
Brazil
15


10

Hcl Technologies (HCLT IN) 
Information Technology
India
83


Source: FactSet financial data and analytics, my estimates and calculations, Tensorflow, Keras, Google Colaboratory, pandas



As usual, please feel free to reach out for the full output table, any questions, clarifications needed or suggestions.

<p>It was announced on 15 October that a consortium led by <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/krafton-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28956:1" rel="noopener"> Krafton Inc (259960 KS)</a> plans to purchase a large property in Seoul for more than<a href="https://moneys.mt.co.kr/news/mwView.php?no=2021101517518088669" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> 1 trillion won. </a>CBRE is the advisory firm in this sale. The Krafton-Mirae Asset Managment consortium has been selected as the preferred bidder for this property located in Seongsu-dong, Seoul (currently owned by <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/e-mart-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6993:1" rel="noopener">E Mart Inc (139480 KS).</a> Krafton and Emart are expected to sign a MOU for this deal next week.</p><div class="content-highlight"><p><strong>We believe that Krafton purchasing a large piece of property in Seoul is likely to have a negative impact on its share price.</strong> Although Krafton is a cash rich company with nearly 4.5 trillion won in net cash post the IPO, it may need to spend about 500 billion won to 750 billion won in investment in this large property in Seong-su dong, Seoul. Many investors will not like this deal as they would rather have Krafton invest in its core gaming business (internally or through acquisitions).</p></div>

It was announced on 15 October that a consortium led by  Krafton Inc (259960 KS) plans to purchase a large property in Seoul for more than 1 trillion won. CBRE is the advisory firm in this sale. The Krafton-Mirae Asset Managment consortium has been selected as the preferred bidder for this property located in Seongsu-dong, Seoul (currently owned by E Mart Inc (139480 KS). Krafton and Emart are expected to sign a MOU for this deal next week.We believe that Krafton purchasing a large piece of property in Seoul is likely to have a negative impact on its share price. Although Krafton is a cash rich company with nearly 4.5 trillion won in net cash post the IPO, it may need to spend about 500 billion won to 750 billion won in investment in this large property in Seong-su dong, Seoul. Many investors will not like this deal as they would rather have Krafton invest in its core gaming business (internally or through acquisitions).

Krafton Consortium Plans to Buy a Large Property in Seoul from Emart for More than 1 Trillion Won

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<div class="content-highlight">
<p>In this insight, we provide 8 examples of how metaverse is revolutionizing numerous businesses in Korea. We also provide a list of Korean companies that are actively trying to expand their metaverse businesses. Because metaverse is in the initial stages of growth for many of these businesses, their contributions to their companies' sales and profits may not be meaningful right now. However, they are experiencing a significant popularity. Metaverse is certainly one of the key industry trends that is likely to have a multi-years impact on the companies mentioned in this insight.</p>
<p>The term "metaverse" was first coined by the writer Neal Stephenson in his 1992 science fiction novel <a href="https://digiday.com/marketing/wtf-is-the-metaverse/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Snow Crash </em></a>where metaverse refers to a popular virtual world where the main characters are equipped with augmented technologies. </p>
<p>Metaverse refers to a computerized domain where the users can share their virtual encounters. Still in the beginning phases of advancement, metaverse has become more important in key industries industries including technology, media, and telecom. In addition, metaverse is also impacting other major industries such as retail, gaming, and fashion. </p>
<p>Metaverse will empower its users to be more engaged in online shopping, web-based media, entertainment, and share virtual encounters. Metaverse is often considered as a "coming together" of numerous technologies including augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), 5G, smartphones, and distributed computing. Up until recently, the gaming industry has been driving the demand for metaverse. However, greater improvements in technologies have allowed metaverse to flourish in other industries as well. </p>
<p>South Korea is one of the key countries driving the metaverse industry globally. This is one of the leaders in this area and there will be numerous, interesting opportunities involving metaverse in Korea. </p>
</div>


In this insight, we provide 8 examples of how metaverse is revolutionizing numerous businesses in Korea. We also provide a list of Korean companies that are actively trying to expand their metaverse businesses. Because metaverse is in the initial stages of growth for many of these businesses, their contributions to their companies' sales and profits may not be meaningful right now. However, they are experiencing a significant popularity. Metaverse is certainly one of the key industry trends that is likely to have a multi-years impact on the companies mentioned in this insight.
The term "metaverse" was first coined by the writer Neal Stephenson in his 1992 science fiction novel Snow Crash where metaverse refers to a popular virtual world where the main characters are equipped with augmented technologies. 
Metaverse refers to a computerized domain where the users can share their virtual encounters. Still in the beginning phases of advancement, metaverse has become more important in key industries industries including technology, media, and telecom. In addition, metaverse is also impacting other major industries such as retail, gaming, and fashion. 
Metaverse will empower its users to be more engaged in online shopping, web-based media, entertainment, and share virtual encounters. Metaverse is often considered as a "coming together" of numerous technologies including augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), 5G, smartphones, and distributed computing. Up until recently, the gaming industry has been driving the demand for metaverse. However, greater improvements in technologies have allowed metaverse to flourish in other industries as well. 
South Korea is one of the key countries driving the metaverse industry globally. This is one of the leaders in this area and there will be numerous, interesting opportunities involving metaverse in Korea. 


How Is Metaverse Revolutionizing Businesses in Korea? Virtual Humans Rozy & Lucy Are Just a Start

South Korea

NCSOFT Corporation develops and markets on-line games that enable users to play over the Internet and computer software, such as web editing software.  The Company also designs and constructs databases, Intranet, and commercial Internet access systems.

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NCSOFT Corp (036570 KS)

NCsoft - Launch of Blockchain, NFT Based Game [Re-Rating of the Entire Game Sector in Korea?]

In the earnings conference today, NCsoft stated that the company plans to launch a blockchain, NFT based game in 2022, which was the biggest...

Douglas Kim

M&A and IPO of Lionheart Studio & Put Option Clause for Its Executives - Impact on Kakao Games

In this insight, we discuss the increasing likelihood of an IPO of Lionheart Studio post its controlling stake purchase by Kakao Games Corp (293490...

Douglas Kim

Screening for GEMs: November 2021

This insight provides an overview of our, machine learning-driven, proprietary GEM screening model, based on a Multifactor model, a Deep Neural...

Wium Malan, CFA

Krafton Consortium Plans to Buy a Large Property in Seoul from Emart for More than 1 Trillion Won

We believe that Krafton purchasing a large piece of property in Seoul is likely to have a negative impact on its share price.

Douglas Kim

How Is Metaverse Revolutionizing Businesses in Korea? Virtual Humans Rozy & Lucy Are Just a Start

In this insight, we provide 8 examples of how metaverse is revolutionizing businesses in Korea. We also provide a list of Korean companies that are...

Douglas Kim

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