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>The Korea FSC finalized the additional investor protection measures: 1. stricter disclosure rules, 2. tighter listing requirements, and 3. mandatory appraisal rights.</li>
<li>The retroactive application period is five years. Companies that have been split off five years ago from the effective date are also subject to these new rules.</li>
<li>We can play LONG/SHORT aimed at staggered spreads, considering that the pricing period is 2M VWAP and that a downward price revision intensifies towards the announcement with mandatory appraisal rights.</li>
</ul>


The Korea FSC finalized the additional investor protection measures: 1. stricter disclosure rules, 2. tighter listing requirements, and 3. mandatory appraisal rights.
The retroactive application period is five years. Companies that have been split off five years ago from the effective date are also subject to these new rules.
We can play LONG/SHORT aimed at staggered spreads, considering that the pricing period is 2M VWAP and that a downward price revision intensifies towards the announcement with mandatory appraisal rights.


New Regulations on Split-Off Listing in Korea: Complete Details & Trading Implications

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>In this insight, we discuss a pair trade between E Mart Inc (long) and Coupang (short). At current valuations and business outlook, we like the risk/reward of this pair trade.</li>
<li>The end of the mandatory shut down rules on major hypermarkets is likely to have a major positive impact on Emart and negative impact on Coupang and Kurly.</li>
<li>Although this has not been made into law, we think there is relatively high probability that this will eventually be made into law sometime this year. </li>
</ul>


In this insight, we discuss a pair trade between E Mart Inc (long) and Coupang (short). At current valuations and business outlook, we like the risk/reward of this pair trade.
The end of the mandatory shut down rules on major hypermarkets is likely to have a major positive impact on Emart and negative impact on Coupang and Kurly.
Although this has not been made into law, we think there is relatively high probability that this will eventually be made into law sometime this year. 


A Pair Trade Between Emart & Coupang (Potential End of Mandatory Shut Down Rules for Hypermarkets)

<ul>
<li>Uni President Enterprises and President Chain Store Corp (an affiliate of Uni-President Group) have agreed to acquire a controlling 60% stake ownership of Carrefour Taiwan from Carrefour SA (CA FP).</li>
<li>We believe the acquisition of the additional 49.5% stake in Carrefour Taiwan is likely to have a positive impact on Uni President Enterprises (1216 TT).</li>
<li>Uni President Enterprises is trading at P/S multiple of 0.77x so the acquisition multiple of 0.6x would be slightly lower than Uni President Enterprises' current valuation multiple. </li>
</ul>


Uni President Enterprises and President Chain Store Corp (an affiliate of Uni-President Group) have agreed to acquire a controlling 60% stake ownership of Carrefour Taiwan from Carrefour SA (CA FP).
We believe the acquisition of the additional 49.5% stake in Carrefour Taiwan is likely to have a positive impact on Uni President Enterprises (1216 TT).
Uni President Enterprises is trading at P/S multiple of 0.77x so the acquisition multiple of 0.6x would be slightly lower than Uni President Enterprises' current valuation multiple. 


Uni President Enterprises: Positive Catalyst from Additional Stake Purchase of Carrefour Taiwan

Private Capital Markets

<ul>
<li>
SSG.com is getting ready for an IPO in 2H 2022/1H 2023. Local media have mentioned that SSG.com is targeting a valuation of 10 trillion won for the company.</li>
<li>We believe SSG.com would need to cut the valuation by at least 50% (5 trillion won) in order to complete its IPO. </li>
<li>We believe valuation levels of 11st would need to come down significantly in the 2 trillion won to 3 trillion won range in order for an IPO to be completed. </li>
</ul>



SSG.com is getting ready for an IPO in 2H 2022/1H 2023. Local media have mentioned that SSG.com is targeting a valuation of 10 trillion won for the company.
We believe SSG.com would need to cut the valuation by at least 50% (5 trillion won) in order to complete its IPO. 
We believe valuation levels of 11st would need to come down significantly in the 2 trillion won to 3 trillion won range in order for an IPO to be completed. 


SSG.Com & 11st: Need to Drastically Cut Their Valuations to Complete Their IPOs in 2022/2023

<ul>
<li>E Mart Inc (139480 KS) is a very interesting turnaround story in Korea with a visible improvement in profit margins. </li>
<li>The end of the social distancing measures will likely lead to a gradual increase of the consumers back to the Emart stores.</li>
<li>Emart is currently trading at attractive valuation multiples of EV/EBITDA of 5.3x and P/B of 0.3x, using 2022 consensus estimates, which are about 19% discount to the historical average. </li>
</ul>


E Mart Inc (139480 KS) is a very interesting turnaround story in Korea with a visible improvement in profit margins. 
The end of the social distancing measures will likely lead to a gradual increase of the consumers back to the Emart stores.
Emart is currently trading at attractive valuation multiples of EV/EBITDA of 5.3x and P/B of 0.3x, using 2022 consensus estimates, which are about 19% discount to the historical average. 


Emart: A Turnaround Story With Improvement in Profit Margins

South Korea

Dongsuh Companies Inc. imports, manufactures, processes, markets and distributes general food products such as vegetable cooking oils. The Company also produces packaging materials and ceramic products including food and oil containers. Dongsuh has a cooperative relationship with Kraft Foods Inc.

BGF Retail Co., Ltd. operates convenience stores. The Company retails delicatessen, sweets, snacks, beverages, tobacco, and other related products. BGF Retail markets its products throughout South Korea.

GS Retail Co., Ltd. operates a chain of retail stores. The Company provides beauty and skincare products, candles, gifts, perfumes, ornaments, bathroom accessories, and other products. GS Retail serves its customers in the Republic of South Korea.

Hyundai G.F. Holdings Co., Ltd. operates as a office furniture distribution company. The Company produces built in furniture, upcycling waste materials bottles furniture, wood furniture, and other related products. Hyundai G.F. Holdings also offers food, information and technology, groceries sale, and food materials distribution services.

BGF Retail Co. Ltd. operates convenience store chains called CU in South Korea. The Company, through company owned stores or franchise, sells general groceries such as food and beverage.  The Company also offers ticketing, parcel pick-up, ATM machine and bill payment service.

CJ Freshway Corp. markets and provides various groceries to food service companies and restaurants.  The Company also caters to company's restaurants, schools, airports, and private restaurants and processes agricultural products.

Cosmax, Inc. is a cosmetics manufacturer. The Company develops and produces a variety of cosmetics for men and women, such as basic and special skin care, makeup, hair care, and other beauty products. Cosmax manufactures its products on original equipment manufacturing (OEM) basis.

Lotte Chilsung Beverage Co., Ltd. manufactures alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages such as carbonic acid drinks, fruit juices, soybean drinks, teas, and traditional health beverages.

Ottogi Corporation manufactures food seasonings and instant food, such as mayonnaise, ketchup, salad dressing, sesame and cooking oils, and instant curry. The Company also produces frozen salads, fruit preservatives, instant noodles, and canned tuna.

Hite Jinro Co., Ltd. specializes in manufacturing Soju, vodka-like distilled Korean liquor. The Company also produces and sells other alcoholic beverages, such as wine, whiskey, and ginseng liquors as well as non-alcoholic beverages including mineral water and soft drinks. In addition, Jinro also provides information processing and financial services as well as construction services.

LIFE CORPORATION operates a supermarket chain mainly in Kansai and Kanto areas. The Company sells mainly groceries, and also clothing, and household utensils.

Shenzhen Agricultural Products Co., Ltd. operates chain supermarkets and wholesale markets for agricultural products.  The Company also provides agricultural products processing and other related services.

Shenzhen Agricultural Products Co, Ltd. (000061 CH)

KANSAI SUPER MARKET LTD. is a food supermarket chain operator which mainly deals in foodstuffs, daily products, and miscellaneous goods.  The Company has markets in Hyogo and Osaka areas.

SAN-A CO., LTD. operates supermarkets, restaurants, and hotels in the Okinawa area.  The Company sells groceries, clothing, and household items.  San-A also operates restaurants, including Japanese and Italian restaurants, coffee shops, and food courts.

COFCO Joycome Foods Limited engages in animal meat production. The Company produces, processes, distributes, and sells fresh pork, pork products, and animal feeds. COFCO Joycome Foods also operates and manages slaughterhouse throughout China.

HelloFresh SE provides online food services. The Company offers a subscription service in which customers receive a weekly box of recipes and meal ideas. HelloFresh also provides ice packs, plastic packaging, meat packing, insulation materials, and other related products. HelloFresh serves customers worldwide.

The Spar Group Limited is a wholesale distributor of goods and services to independently owned SPAR, TOPS and Build It stores. The Company is also involved in the management of voluntary trading groups.

Yixintang Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd. operates pharmaceutical stores. The Company retails Chinese medicines, western medicines, and other products. Yixintang Pharmaceutical Group also provides medical equipment.

Yixintang Pharmaceutical Group (002727 CH)

VALOR HOLDINGS CO., LTD. is a chain store operator which handles perishables, general foods, and daily-use sundry goods.  The Company is active to diversify into new business including home centers, restaurants, fitness clubs, and pet shops. Valor is based in Gifu area and moving into Aichi, Kanagawa, and Tokyo.

PT Midi Utama Indonesia Tbk operates a chain of retail stores.  The Company operates convenience stores in Indonesia.

E-MART Inc. operates E-Mart discount stores. The Company retails food, clothing, household goods, electronics, and other items through several branch stores.

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E Mart Inc (139480 KS)

New Regulations on Split-Off Listing in Korea: Complete Details & Trading Implications

This post details the new rules applicable to the split-off listings in Korea, which the Korea FSC finalized yesterday and will be effective as...

Sanghyun Park

A Pair Trade Between Emart & Coupang (Potential End of Mandatory Shut Down Rules for Hypermarkets)

The end of the mandatory shut down rules on major hypermarkets is likely to have a major positive impact on Emart and negative impact on Coupang...

Douglas Kim

Uni President Enterprises: Positive Catalyst from Additional Stake Purchase of Carrefour Taiwan

We believe the acquisition of the additional 49.5% stake in Carrefour Taiwan is likely to have a positive impact on Uni President Enterprises (1216...

Douglas Kim

SSG.Com & 11st: Need to Drastically Cut Their Valuations to Complete Their IPOs in 2022/2023

SSG.com and 11st are getting ready to complete their IPOs in 2H 2022/2023. Both companies would need to significantly reduce their valuation...

Douglas Kim

Emart: A Turnaround Story With Improvement in Profit Margins

E Mart is a turnaround story with a visible improvement in profit margins. The end of the social distancing measures will likely lead to a gradual...

Douglas Kim

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52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

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