Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>The equity linked securities (ELS) losses related to Hang Seng China Enterprises Index (HSCEI INDEX) could lower dividend expectations for Korean banks in 2024. </li>
<li>On average, if H-Index declines below 5,699, then the majority of the investors on these H-Index could start to incur major losses starting 1Q 2024. </li>
<li>Amid challenges of lower interest rates expectations and higher losses from ELS products, major Korean banks could be more hesitant on share buybacks and increasing their dividends in 1H 2024.</li>
</ul>


The equity linked securities (ELS) losses related to Hang Seng China Enterprises Index (HSCEI INDEX) could lower dividend expectations for Korean banks in 2024. 
On average, if H-Index declines below 5,699, then the majority of the investors on these H-Index could start to incur major losses starting 1Q 2024. 
Amid challenges of lower interest rates expectations and higher losses from ELS products, major Korean banks could be more hesitant on share buybacks and increasing their dividends in 1H 2024.


ELS Losses for HSCEI Index Could Result in Lowering Dividend Expectations for Korean Banks in 2024

<ul>
<li>The FSS has launched a formal investigation into KB Kookmin bank due to potentially massive losses related to the HSCEI linked ELS products. </li>
<li>The three major listed banking groups (KB Financial, Shinhan Financial, and Hana Financial) could be burdened with nearly 86% of the HSCEI linked ELS losses (close to 2.6 trillion won). </li>
<li>Major Korean banks may need a <em>"Hail Mary"</em> pass to avoid this disaster. Such positive outlook would include sharply rising HSCEI index in 2024, similar to what happened in 2016. </li>
</ul>


The FSS has launched a formal investigation into KB Kookmin bank due to potentially massive losses related to the HSCEI linked ELS products. 
The three major listed banking groups (KB Financial, Shinhan Financial, and Hana Financial) could be burdened with nearly 86% of the HSCEI linked ELS losses (close to 2.6 trillion won). 
Major Korean banks may need a "Hail Mary" pass to avoid this disaster. Such positive outlook would include sharply rising HSCEI index in 2024, similar to what happened in 2016. 


ELS Losses Related to Hong Kong H-Index Could Top Nearly 3 Trillion Won for Major Korean Banks in 2024

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>Given Korea's blanket ban on short-selling, we should concentrate on the likelihood of these ADRs being significantly discounted compared to their underlying shares.</li>
<li>It should persist for an extended period, highlighting the importance of continuously monitoring ADR spreads over the next 2-3 months to seize the opportune entry timing.</li>
<li>Since all these carry single-stock futures, a flexible setup targeting this spread can be designed, ideally incorporating currency hedges.</li>
</ul>


Given Korea's blanket ban on short-selling, we should concentrate on the likelihood of these ADRs being significantly discounted compared to their underlying shares.
It should persist for an extended period, highlighting the importance of continuously monitoring ADR spreads over the next 2-3 months to seize the opportune entry timing.
Since all these carry single-stock futures, a flexible setup targeting this spread can be designed, ideally incorporating currency hedges.


Trading Opportunities Targeting Potential ADR Discount Increases from Korea's Short-Selling Ban

<ul>
<li>In this insight, we discuss the increasing probability of Kakao Corp (035720 KS) losing its controlling shareholding of KakaoBank (323410 KS).</li>
<li>The FSS Chairman Lee Bok-Hyun emphasized that the FSS may punish Kakao Corp for a potential stock manipulation of S.M.Entertainment amid the M&amp;A tender offer process earlier this year.</li>
<li>At this point, the higher probability event appears to be a combination of fine and Kakao Corp selling at least 10% of its stake in Kakao Bank to another company.</li>
</ul>


In this insight, we discuss the increasing probability of Kakao Corp (035720 KS) losing its controlling shareholding of KakaoBank (323410 KS).
The FSS Chairman Lee Bok-Hyun emphasized that the FSS may punish Kakao Corp for a potential stock manipulation of S.M.Entertainment amid the M&amp;A tender offer process earlier this year.
At this point, the higher probability event appears to be a combination of fine and Kakao Corp selling at least 10% of its stake in Kakao Bank to another company.


Increasing Probability of Kakao Corp Losing Its Controlling Shareholding of Kakao Bank

<ul>
<li>While Ecopro Co's stock has undergone significant corrections since August, KB Financial has sustained an upward trajectory, leading to a significant reversal in float-adjusted market cap.</li>
<li>The current disparity between the two exceeds ₩2T, making it challenging to anticipate another reversal until the screening period.</li>
<li>Ecopro Co and LG Energy Solution also warrant attention due to the narrow gap in their float-adjusted market capitalization. We should monitor any changes in their market capitalization moving forward.</li>
</ul>


While Ecopro Co's stock has undergone significant corrections since August, KB Financial has sustained an upward trajectory, leading to a significant reversal in float-adjusted market cap.
The current disparity between the two exceeds ₩2T, making it challenging to anticipate another reversal until the screening period.
Ecopro Co and LG Energy Solution also warrant attention due to the narrow gap in their float-adjusted market capitalization. We should monitor any changes in their market capitalization moving forward.


A Shift in TIGER Top 10 ETF December Rebalancing: KB Financial Newly In But Not Ecopro Co

South Korea

Shinhan Financial Group Co., Ltd., a holding company, provides a full range of consumer and commercial banking-related financial services.  The company's main businesses include banking, securities brokerage, trust banking, and assets management to individuals, businesses, and other financial institutions.

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Shinhan Financial (055550 KS)

ELS Losses for HSCEI Index Could Result in Lowering Dividend Expectations for Korean Banks in 2024

The equity linked securities (ELS) losses related to Hang Seng China Enterprises Index (HSCEI INDEX) could lower dividend expectations for Korean...

Douglas Kim

Trading Opportunities Targeting Potential ADR Discount Increases from Korea's Short-Selling Ban

This post explores trading opportunities targeting potential ADR discount increases resulting from Korea's blanket ban on short selling.

Sanghyun Park

Increasing Probability of Kakao Corp Losing Its Controlling Shareholding of Kakao Bank

In this insight, we discuss the increasing probability of Kakao Corp losing its controlling shareholding of Kakao Bank. Kakao Corp could be forced...

Douglas Kim

A Shift in TIGER Top 10 ETF December Rebalancing: KB Financial Newly In But Not Ecopro Co

This article examines a significant change observed in the TIGER Top 10 ETF December rebalancing, with KB Financial replacing Celltrion, as opposed...

Sanghyun Park

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