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>A high-ranking official from the local financial regulatory authority has confirmed to several local media outlets that the tax benefits for the value-up program will be unveiled this month.</li>
<li>Corporate tax cuts and separate taxation on dividend income will be included. The short-term impact at the time of the announcement will likely be more significant for corporate tax cuts.</li>
<li>Local market is focused on screening large companies within the KOSPI 200 that have substantial pre-tax profits in anticipation of the corporate tax cut momentum to be announced this month.</li>
</ul>


A high-ranking official from the local financial regulatory authority has confirmed to several local media outlets that the tax benefits for the value-up program will be unveiled this month.
Corporate tax cuts and separate taxation on dividend income will be included. The short-term impact at the time of the announcement will likely be more significant for corporate tax cuts.
Local market is focused on screening large companies within the KOSPI 200 that have substantial pre-tax profits in anticipation of the corporate tax cut momentum to be announced this month.


Value-Up Tax Support Revealed by End of June: Local Market Eyes Corporate Tax Cut Beneficiaries

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.

Equity Bottom-Up

Woori Financial Group  / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>In our latest South Korean banks screener; we add Woori Financial to existing buy KB Financial as our preferred Korean banks picks</li>
<li>Delinquency ratios continued to worsen QoQ, with only Woori bucking the 4Q23 NPL trend; Woori has lagged in terms of returns, but we expect CoR control to support 2024 returns</li>
<li>KB has a low PBV ratio relative to its ROE, it delivers rising post-provision returns,  it has a high CET1 ratio and it maintains a healthy LDR</li>
</ul>


In our latest South Korean banks screener; we add Woori Financial to existing buy KB Financial as our preferred Korean banks picks
Delinquency ratios continued to worsen QoQ, with only Woori bucking the 4Q23 NPL trend; Woori has lagged in terms of returns, but we expect CoR control to support 2024 returns
KB has a low PBV ratio relative to its ROE, it delivers rising post-provision returns,  it has a high CET1 ratio and it maintains a healthy LDR


South Korean Banks; Woori Financial (316140 KS) Added to Buy List, Joining KB Financial (105560 KS)

Research and consultancy, Tabbush Report

Daniel Tabbush

Research and consultancy

Tabbush Report

We provide research and consultancy on Asian banks. Our focus is on what we call “Asian bank research, without the noise.” We are interested in the most critical swing-factors for banks, the NPL and credit cycle, and where we believe there is a gap between perception and reality. We often focus on the less studied components of bank financial statements.  Our research is highly thematic, sometimes examining unlisted banks and companies as a window on mainstream banks. 

Being independent allows us to look at smaller banks, often overlooked by others. Analysis of BIS bank guidelines in the context of Asia, is also a focal point, while we also analyze global banks operating in the region. We use what we believe is the most comprehensive, reliable financials database, SNL Financial. S&P Capital IQ augments our database, with corporate data and CEIC, with economics. 

Asian bank research, without the noise.

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>The KOSPI Index has done well in recent weeks, months, but financials are hardly participating</li>
<li>There are vast differences amongst the financial in Korea, not only large Chaebol-like banks</li>
<li>Kakaobank, one of few listed internet banks in the world, is unique with ROA expansion</li>
</ul>


The KOSPI Index has done well in recent weeks, months, but financials are hardly participating
There are vast differences amongst the financial in Korea, not only large Chaebol-like banks
Kakaobank, one of few listed internet banks in the world, is unique with ROA expansion


<ul>
<li>Headline NPL figures at <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kb-financial-group-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:718:1" rel="noopener">KB Financial (105560 KS)</a> are already of major concern rising by 49% in the past year to 3Q24</li>
<li>Granular loan classification data is of even greater concern, where substandard loans are up from KRW1,153bn to KRW1,715bn over the same period</li>
<li>This more benign bucket of NPLs well overshadows loss loans, can migration can mean a substantial rise in credit costs</li>
</ul>


Headline NPL figures at KB Financial (105560 KS) are already of major concern rising by 49% in the past year to 3Q24
Granular loan classification data is of even greater concern, where substandard loans are up from KRW1,153bn to KRW1,715bn over the same period
This more benign bucket of NPLs well overshadows loss loans, can migration can mean a substantial rise in credit costs


KB Financial - NPLs from KRW2.1tr to KRW3.1tr YoY Vs +6% Loans. Substandard Loans: Big Issue

<ul>
<li>Profitability ratio trends were mixed in 3Q24, with most of the South Korean banks seeing improved post-provision returns to September-end, helped by generally lower cost of risk trends</li>
<li>Hana Financial remains our big-cap pick for its attractive valuations, PEG and equity risk premia; there is potential for its inclusion in a planned Value-Up index rebalancing scheduled for December</li>
<li>Among the smaller caps, Woori stands out in terms of valuation, PEG ratio, credit quality and it has registered improving pre- provision profitability and efficiency ratio</li>
</ul>


Profitability ratio trends were mixed in 3Q24, with most of the South Korean banks seeing improved post-provision returns to September-end, helped by generally lower cost of risk trends
Hana Financial remains our big-cap pick for its attractive valuations, PEG and equity risk premia; there is potential for its inclusion in a planned Value-Up index rebalancing scheduled for December
Among the smaller caps, Woori stands out in terms of valuation, PEG ratio, credit quality and it has registered improving pre- provision profitability and efficiency ratio


South Korean Banks; Hana Financial (086790 KS) And Woori (316140 KS) Remain Our Key Positive Picks

South Korea

Industrial Bank of Korea(IBK) is a policy bank providing development finance and related banking services to support small and medium-sized enterprises in Korea. The Bank provides loans, discount bills, trade finance, deposits, foreign exchange, and payment guarantees. The company also offers services such as credit cards, insurance and smart-phone banking.

Price Gauge
52-week Range	0.00 - 0.00
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Industrial Bank of Korea (IBK LX)

Value-Up Tax Support Revealed by End of June: Local Market Eyes Corporate Tax Cut Beneficiaries

A high-ranking official confirmed that tax cut incentives for the value-up program will be unveiled by the end of this month. This post...

Sanghyun Park

South Korean Banks; Woori Financial (316140 KS) Added to Buy List, Joining KB Financial (105560 KS)

Adding Woori as a buy alongside KB; Woori shows undemanding multiples, a promising NPL trend and potential for improved 2024 returns. KB has a low...

Victor Galliano

KOSPI Index - Banks Hardly Participating

KOSPI index has done well, but banks are hardly participating. Kakaobank may be most interesting given its ROA expansion and size, while Woori may...

Daniel Tabbush

KB Financial - NPLs from KRW2.1tr to KRW3.1tr YoY Vs +6% Loans. Substandard Loans: Big Issue

KB Financial shows relatively benign credit costs, but NPLs are surging, and its substandard loan growth is especially high. Risks remain for much...

Daniel Tabbush

South Korean Banks; Hana Financial (086790 KS) And Woori (316140 KS) Remain Our Key Positive Picks

Among South Korean banks, Hana and Woori stand out; attractively valued Hana has potential for inclusion in a planned Value-Up index rebalancing,...

Victor Galliano

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Value-Up Tax Support Revealed by End of June: Local Market Eyes Corporate Tax Cut Beneficiaries

A high-ranking official confirmed that tax cut incentives for the value-up program will be unveiled by the end of this month. This post...

Sanghyun Park

South Korean Banks; Woori Financial (316140 KS) Added to Buy List, Joining KB Financial (105560 KS)

​Adding Woori as a buy alongside KB; Woori shows undemanding multiples, a promising NPL trend and potential for improved 2024 returns. KB has a low...

Victor Galliano

KOSPI Index - Banks Hardly Participating

KOSPI index has done well, but banks are hardly participating. Kakaobank may be most interesting given its ROA expansion and size, while Woori may...

Daniel Tabbush

KB Financial - NPLs from KRW2.1tr to KRW3.1tr YoY Vs +6% Loans. Substandard Loans: Big Issue

KB Financial shows relatively benign credit costs, but NPLs are surging, and its substandard loan growth is especially high. Risks remain for much...

Daniel Tabbush

South Korean Banks; Hana Financial (086790 KS) And Woori (316140 KS) Remain Our Key Positive Picks

​Among South Korean banks, Hana and Woori stand out; attractively valued Hana has potential for inclusion in a planned Value-Up index rebalancing,...

Victor Galliano

Adding Woori as a buy alongside KB; Woori shows undemanding multiples, a promising NPL trend and potential for improved 2024 returns. KB has a low...

Among South Korean banks, Hana and Woori stand out; attractively valued Hana has potential for inclusion in a planned Value-Up index rebalancing,...