China/Asia TMT

Shawn Yang

China growth and global non-US Internet equities

Blue Lotus Research Institute

Blue Lotus Research is a Hong Kong Type 4 Licensed investment advisory firm focusing on Chinese growth equities and global non-US Internet equities

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>We upgrade Krafton to BUY because of: 1) better-than-expected performance of PUBG China in 4Q22 and 1Q23 ; 2) market expectation hit low point. </li>
<li>We cut our TP by 11% because we are still worried about Krafton’s development and global publishing capability. However, our latest TP is still about 12% higher than current price.</li>
<li>Our 4Q22’s revenue and adj. net income are 7% and 44% higher than cons., respectively. We suggest HFs to cover short position ahead of 4Q22 earning</li>
</ul>


We upgrade Krafton to BUY because of: 1) better-than-expected performance of PUBG China in 4Q22 and 1Q23 ; 2) market expectation hit low point. 
We cut our TP by 11% because we are still worried about Krafton’s development and global publishing capability. However, our latest TP is still about 12% higher than current price.
Our 4Q22’s revenue and adj. net income are 7% and 44% higher than cons., respectively. We suggest HFs to cover short position ahead of 4Q22 earning


KRAFTON (KRX:259960)：PUBG China Has Better Performance, UG to BUY

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One, Periscope Analytics

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

Periscope Analytics

Periscope Analytics focuses on event-driven trades across Asia Pacific and provides comprehensive, timely and systematic coverage of index changes to major Asia Pacific indices in a structured manner.

The analysis includes forecasted inclusions and exclusions to all major Asian indices that have significant amount of tracking assets, including estimates of passive buy/sell flow on the stocks. The service also provides commentary and impact of market consultations, ground rule changes, and other events (IPOs, spin-offs, M&A) that could lead to index changes and passive flow.

Periscope Analytics works with multi-strategy hedge funds, proprietary trading firms, stat arb trading groups and long-only investors that invest and trade in the Asia Pacific region with the data being used to trade index rebalances, avoid pre-positioning and passive flow, and to time entry into and exit from stocks.

Event-Driven Trades Across Asia Pacific

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>The review period for the March rebalance ends on 31 January, the changes will be announced towards end February and implemented at the close of trading on 9 March.</li>
<li>We forecast one add/delete for the Game Index, and a couple of adds/deletes for the BBIG Index. There will be a lot of capping changes.</li>
<li>The largest inflows are expected on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/posco-chemical-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12421:1" rel="noopener">Posco Chemical (003670 KS)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/douzone-bizon-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20161:1" rel="noopener">Douzone Bizon (012510 KS)</a>; the largest outflows are expected on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sk-innovation-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1268:1" rel="noopener">SK Innovation (096770 KS)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kmw-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2834:1" rel="noopener">KMW (032500 KS)</a>.</li>
</ul>


The review period for the March rebalance ends on 31 January, the changes will be announced towards end February and implemented at the close of trading on 9 March.
We forecast one add/delete for the Game Index, and a couple of adds/deletes for the BBIG Index. There will be a lot of capping changes.
The largest inflows are expected on Posco Chemical (003670 KS) and Douzone Bizon (012510 KS); the largest outflows are expected on SK Innovation (096770 KS) and KMW (032500 KS).


KRX New Deal Index Rebalance Preview: Some Big Impact Names

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

Private Capital Markets

SmileGate Holdings / Private Capital Markets

<ul>
<li>Established in 2002, Smilegate Holdings is well known for its globally popular games including Crossfire (a first person shooter game), Lost Ark (MMORPG), and Epic Seven.</li>
<li>In August 2020, Smilegate RPG entered into a partnership with Amazon Games, reaching an exclusive publishing agreement for North America and Europe.</li>
<li>At a P/S valuation of 6-7x using company's 2021 sales of 1.4 trillion won would suggest implied valuations of 8 trillion won to 10 trillion won for Smilegate Holdings.</li>
</ul>


Established in 2002, Smilegate Holdings is well known for its globally popular games including Crossfire (a first person shooter game), Lost Ark (MMORPG), and Epic Seven.
In August 2020, Smilegate RPG entered into a partnership with Amazon Games, reaching an exclusive publishing agreement for North America and Europe.
At a P/S valuation of 6-7x using company's 2021 sales of 1.4 trillion won would suggest implied valuations of 8 trillion won to 10 trillion won for Smilegate Holdings.


Smilegate Holdings: A Giant Korean Game Company in Partnership with Amazon 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.

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>The Global Emerging Markets weekly provides a summary of the key news and related developments impacting the largest countries and constituents of the Global Emerging Markets equity indices.</li>
<li>In our final weekly for the year, we look back at 2022 to see which stocks, countries, and currencies out and underperformed in the Global Emerging Markets.</li>
<li>We also look forward to 2023F to see what’s expected for the major GEM economies next year.  </li>
</ul>


The Global Emerging Markets weekly provides a summary of the key news and related developments impacting the largest countries and constituents of the Global Emerging Markets equity indices.
In our final weekly for the year, we look back at 2022 to see which stocks, countries, and currencies out and underperformed in the Global Emerging Markets.
We also look forward to 2023F to see what’s expected for the major GEM economies next year.  


Cross Asset Strategy

<ul>
<li>At the end of September 2022, Korean stocks accounted for 13.6% of total assets of the NPS whose target for domestic stock exposure is 15.9% by end of this year. </li>
<li>In recent months, NPS has been net increasing purchases of companies including Naver, Celltrion, POSCO Chemical, Samsung Life Insurance, and Krafton. </li>
<li>Although the allowable range for SAA by NPS is ±3%p, there is some leeway for NPS to add to the domestic equities given that they were much lower than target. </li>
</ul>


At the end of September 2022, Korean stocks accounted for 13.6% of total assets of the NPS whose target for domestic stock exposure is 15.9% by end of this year. 
In recent months, NPS has been net increasing purchases of companies including Naver, Celltrion, POSCO Chemical, Samsung Life Insurance, and Krafton. 
Although the allowable range for SAA by NPS is ±3%p, there is some leeway for NPS to add to the domestic equities given that they were much lower than target. 


NPS Could Raise Investments in Korean Stocks in December 2022

South Korea

HYBE Co., Ltd. operates as an entertainment company. The Company provides music production, album distribution, entertainers management, publicity, planning, training, and other services. HYBE also makes television shows.

Netmarble Corporation develops and publishes mobile games. The Company develops and publishes casual games, action, sports games, strategy, simulation games, and social casino games. Netmarble offers services worldwide.

Pearl Abyss Corp. operates as a computer games making company. The Company offers games development, games exporting, and other services. Pearl Abyss serves customers worldwide.

Kakao Games Corp. operates as a multiply platform gaming company. The Company provides mobile games, computer games, virtual reality games, and other related products. Kakao Games markets its products worldwide.

SK Telecom Co., Ltd. is a Korean mobile and telecommunications operator. The Company provides cellular voice, wireless data, and wireless internet services. SK Telecom also offers fixed line services and platform services.

KT Corporation provides telecommunication services including local, long distance, and international calling, satellite communication, data transmission, and wireless telephone services in South Korea.  The Company also offers network portal and high-speed Internet access services using asymmetric digital subscriber lines (ADSLs).

LG Uplus Corp., an affiliate of LG Group, provides a wide range of personal communications services (PCS) using code division multiple access (CDMA) technology.  The Company offers call forwarding, call and data transfer, call waiting, voice mail, Internet-phone, prepaid call, and authentication text-to-speech (TTS) services.

LS Cable & System Asia Ltd. provides and offers cable products.  The Company manufactures and markets electric and telecommunication cables, head transmission lines, voltage cables and industrial specialty cables for the energy, infrastructure, construction, automotive, railway, telecommunication and electronics industries.

KINX INC is the Internet linkage and line adapter service providing firm.  The Company provides IX and Internet Data Center service to the network service providers to reduce the traffic and to contruct Internet infrastructure.  KINX also provides VoIP service.

Sejong Telecom, Inc. develops and provides various telecom service.  The Company's main service include international phone call, Internet phone call, and long distance call.

Endeavor Group Holdings, Inc. operates as a holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, offers entertainment content, as well as specializes in marketing and licensing, representation, and event management. Endeavor Group Holdings serves customers worldwide.

Roku, Inc. designs and manufactures consumer electronic products. The Company offers wireless enabled devices that stream audio and video content from the internet to home entertainment systems. Roku serves customers globally.

Kunlun Tech Co., Ltd. offers comprehensive Internet value-added services. The Company focuses on social network interactive and online game fields. Kunlun Tech also provides localized translation outsourcing and agency advertising services.

Bilibili Inc. provides online entertainment services. The Company offers a platform that covers a wide array of genres and media formats, including videos, live broadcasting, mobile games, animation, and comics. Bilibili serves customers in China.

China Ruyi Holdings Limited operates as a holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, focuses on online streaming video and internet community businesses. China Ruyi Holdings also manufactures and sells photographic, electronic, and multimedia accessories.

37 Interactive Entertainment Network Technology Group Co.,Ltd designs, develops, and operates mobile games and web games. The Company also provides game promotion, customer service, top-up payment, and other services. 37 Interactive Entertainment Network Technology Group conducts its businesses in China.

37 Interactive Entertainment N (002555 CH)

Lions Gate Entertainment Corporation develops and distributes film entertainment contents. The Company produces motion pictures, television programming, animation, and digital media. Lions Gate Entertainment serves customers worldwide.

World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. operates as a media and entertainment company. The Company offers live wrestling events, television programming, music publishing, advertising, licensing, and home video streaming services. World Wrestling distributes its programs worldwide in various languages.

AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. operates as a holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, provides theatrical exhibition, movie screening, food distribution, online ticket booking, and other related services. AMC Entertainment offers movie theaters worldwide.

Saregama India Limited manufactures, sells and deals in Audio Cassettes, CD's and DVDs, which they market in India, Europe, the USA, Canada, the Caribbean Islands and South Africa. The Group's range of music encompasses both new and old Hindi films, regional films, ghazals, classical, Indipop and International. Saregama also has a film business, which produces films and TV serials.

Krafton, Inc. operates as a game development company. The Company develops console games, mobile games, computer games, and other related products. Krafton markets its products throughout South Korea.

Price Gauge
52-week Range	0.00 - 0.00
Market Cap (USDm)	0.00
P/E	0.00
Dividend (Yield)	0.00

Krafton (259960 KS)

KRAFTON (KRX:259960)：PUBG China Has Better Performance, UG to BUY

We upgrade Krafton to BUY because of: 1) better-than-expected performance of PUBG China in 4Q22 and 1Q23; 2) market expectation hit low point.

Blue Lotus Research Institute

KRX New Deal Index Rebalance Preview: Some Big Impact Names

There are some high impact changes expected at the March rebalance of the New Deal indices mainly from changes to the top 3 stocks in the Battery...

Brian Freitas

Smilegate Holdings: A Giant Korean Game Company in Partnership with Amazon Games

Established in 2002, Smilegate Holdings is well known for its globally popular games including Crossfire (a first person shooter game), Lost Ark...

Douglas Kim

GEM Weekly: 2022 Yearend Edition

In our final weekly for the year, we look back at 2022 to see which GEM stocks, countries, and currencies out and underperformed, and look forward...

Wium Malan, CFA

NPS Could Raise Investments in Korean Stocks in December 2022

At the end of September 2022, Korean stocks accounted for 13.6% of total assets of the NPS whose target for domestic stock exposure is 15.9% by end...

Douglas Kim

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)