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

Financials & FinTech research, Galliano’s Financials Research

Victor Galliano

Financials & FinTech research

Financials & FinTech, EM & Developed Markets

Galliano’s Financials Research

Galliano's Financials Research provides fundamental research in Emerging Markets financials, including FinTech, as well as financials in select Developed Markets.

The investment style applied is generally value oriented, although Growth At Reasonable Price (GARP) strategies can also be used where appropriate. 

Our investment research approach aim is often contrarian, looking to capitalise on overly sceptical or optimistic consensus views. In terms of valuation techniques, the focus is on PBV ratio to ROE, PE multiples and dividend yield, as well as the application of PEG ratios and, where appropriate, Sum of the Parts (SOTP) valuations.

<ul>
<li>In our latest South Korean banks screener; we switch from Hana Financial to KB Financial as our preferred Korean banks pick</li>
<li>NPLs and precautionary quality credits continue on a rising trend, whilst KB has controlled its NPL ratio and precautionary ratio better than most to 3Q23</li>
<li>KB has a low PBV ratio relative to its ROE, rising post-provision returns, a healthy CET1 ratio and a healthy LDR; Kakaobank is one for the watchlist</li>
</ul>


In our latest South Korean banks screener; we switch from Hana Financial to KB Financial as our preferred Korean banks pick
NPLs and precautionary quality credits continue on a rising trend, whilst KB has controlled its NPL ratio and precautionary ratio better than most to 3Q23
KB has a low PBV ratio relative to its ROE, rising post-provision returns, a healthy CET1 ratio and a healthy LDR; Kakaobank is one for the watchlist


S Korean Banks Screen; KB Financial (105560 KS) Most Compelling on Valuations, Return Trends & PEG

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

South Korea

KB Financial Group Inc. (the "Company"), in accordance with Financial Holding Companies Act, was established on September 29, 2008, through stock transfer with the former shareholders of its subsidiaries including Kookmin Bank in order to provide management services and financing to associated companies. The headquarters are located at Seoul, Korea

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KB Financial (105560 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

S Korean Banks Screen; KB Financial (105560 KS) Most Compelling on Valuations, Return Trends & PEG

KB Financial is our preferred pick for S Korean banks due to good control of NPL & precautionary ratios, low PBV ratio, rising returns, and strong...

Victor Galliano

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

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

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

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

The FSS has launched a formal investigation into KB Kookmin bank due to potentially massive losses related to the HSCEI linked ELS products.

Douglas Kim

S Korean Banks Screen; KB Financial (105560 KS) Most Compelling on Valuations, Return Trends & PEG

​KB Financial is our preferred pick for S Korean banks due to good control of NPL & precautionary ratios, low PBV ratio, rising returns, and strong...

Victor Galliano

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

KB Financial is our preferred pick for S Korean banks due to good control of NPL & precautionary ratios, low PBV ratio, rising returns, and strong...