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

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

Event-Driven

Last evening post market close, KRX announced the Fast Entry of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kakaobank-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33501:1" rel="noopener">KakaoBank (323410 KS)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/krafton-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28956:1" rel="noopener"> Krafton Inc (259960 KS)</a> to the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/korea-stock-exchange-kospi-200-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26021:1" rel="noopener">Korea Stock Exchange Kospi 200 Index (KOSPI2 INDEX)</a> at the close of trading on 9 September.As expected, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lock-lock-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4739:1" rel="noopener">Lock&amp;Lock (115390 KS)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jw-pharmaceutical-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18784:1" rel="noopener">Jw Pharmaceutical (001060 KS)</a> will be deleted from the index.Given the rapidly shrinking volumes in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kakaobank-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33501:1" rel="noopener">KakaoBank (323410 KS)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/krafton-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28956:1" rel="noopener"> Krafton Inc (259960 KS)</a>, the impact of passive buying will be larger than what the headline numbers indicate.The deletions were expected, the stocks have sold off from their highs, some shorts have been built, and they will no longer be short sell eligible from 10 September. Expect the stocks to move lower and then for short covering to begin as borrow is recalled.Local institutions have been big buyers on both inclusions since listing. If part of this buying is for their passive tracking baskets, there could be less buying from now to implementation and the stocks may trade weak closer to rebalance day.With the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kakao-pay-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29675:1" rel="noopener">Kakao Pay (377300 KS)</a> IPO back on the table, investors could look to switch out of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kakaobank-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33501:1" rel="noopener">KakaoBank (323410 KS)</a> while the changing gaming rules and regulations in China could be a dampener for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/krafton-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28956:1" rel="noopener"> Krafton Inc (259960 KS)</a>.

Last evening post market close, KRX announced the Fast Entry of KakaoBank (323410 KS) and  Krafton Inc (259960 KS) to the Korea Stock Exchange Kospi 200 Index (KOSPI2 INDEX) at the close of trading on 9 September.As expected, Lock&amp;Lock (115390 KS) and Jw Pharmaceutical (001060 KS) will be deleted from the index.Given the rapidly shrinking volumes in KakaoBank (323410 KS) and  Krafton Inc (259960 KS), the impact of passive buying will be larger than what the headline numbers indicate.The deletions were expected, the stocks have sold off from their highs, some shorts have been built, and they will no longer be short sell eligible from 10 September. Expect the stocks to move lower and then for short covering to begin as borrow is recalled.Local institutions have been big buyers on both inclusions since listing. If part of this buying is for their passive tracking baskets, there could be less buying from now to implementation and the stocks may trade weak closer to rebalance day.With the Kakao Pay (377300 KS) IPO back on the table, investors could look to switch out of KakaoBank (323410 KS) while the changing gaming rules and regulations in China could be a dampener for  Krafton Inc (259960 KS).

KOSPI200 September Index Rebalance: Krafton, Kakao Bank Fast Entry Confirmed

The KRX has announced the results of the September review of the BBIG indices and the changes will become effective after the close of trading on 9 September.These are the changes to the indices:<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Secondary Battery ETF: <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sk-ie-technology" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29207:1" rel="noopener">SK IE Technology (361610 KS)</a> replaces <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/chunbo-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27848:1" rel="noopener">Chunbo Co Ltd (278280 KS)</a>
</li>
<li>Bio ETF: <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sk-bioscience-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31484:1" rel="noopener">SK Bioscience (302440 KS)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hanmi-pharm-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12476:1" rel="noopener">Hanmi Pharm (128940 KS)</a> join the index, replacing <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shinpoong-pharmaceutical-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7296:1" rel="noopener">Shinpoong Pharmaceutical (019170 KS)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/seegene-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11483:1" rel="noopener">Seegene Inc (096530 KS)</a>. Additionally, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sk-bioscience-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31484:1" rel="noopener">SK Bioscience (302440 KS)</a> replaces <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sk-biopharmaceuticals-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28966:1" rel="noopener">SK Biopharmaceuticals Co Ltd (326030 KS)</a> in the top 3 stocks.</li>
<li>Internet ETF: <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kg-inicis-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5234:1" rel="noopener">KG Inicis Co Ltd (035600 KS)</a> replaces <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rsupport-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14783:1" rel="noopener">Rsupport Co Ltd (131370 KS)</a> </li>
<li>Game ETF: <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/krafton-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28956:1" rel="noopener"> Krafton Inc (259960 KS)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/devsisters-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14096:1" rel="noopener">Devsisters (194480 KS)</a> replace <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/wemade-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9940:1" rel="noopener">Wemade Co., Ltd. (112040 KS)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/neptune-company" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28826:1" rel="noopener">Neptune Company (217270 KS)</a>
</li>
<li>BBIG ETF: <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sk-bioscience-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31484:1" rel="noopener">SK Bioscience (302440 KS)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/krafton-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28956:1" rel="noopener"> Krafton Inc (259960 KS)</a> replace <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sk-biopharmaceuticals-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28966:1" rel="noopener">SK Biopharmaceuticals Co Ltd (326030 KS)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kakao-games-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26730:1" rel="noopener">Kakao Games Corp (293490 KS)</a>.</li>
</ul>KRX has broken its own rules (everyone does it, so join in!) by including <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/krafton-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28956:1" rel="noopener"> Krafton Inc (259960 KS)</a> even though the stock listed post the July-end cut off and there is no provision of Fast Entry in the index methodology.Stocks with the largest inflows are <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sk-bioscience-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31484:1" rel="noopener">SK Bioscience (302440 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/krafton-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28956:1" rel="noopener"> Krafton Inc (259960 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sk-ie-technology" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29207:1" rel="noopener">SK IE Technology (361610 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lg-chem-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3583:1" rel="noopener">LG Chem Ltd (051910 KS)</a>, <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/douzone-bizon-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20161:1" rel="noopener">Douzone Bizon (012510 KS)</a> while the stocks with the largest outflows are <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kakao-games-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26730:1" rel="noopener">Kakao Games Corp (293490 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sk-biopharmaceuticals-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28966:1" rel="noopener">SK Biopharmaceuticals Co Ltd (326030 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kakao-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15002:1" rel="noopener">Kakao Corp (035720 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/posco-chemical-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12421:1" rel="noopener">Posco Chemical Co Ltd (003670 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/skc-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3970:1" rel="noopener">SKC Co Ltd (011790 KS)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/samsung-sdi-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:503:1" rel="noopener">Samsung SDI (006400 KS)</a>.<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/krafton-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28956:1" rel="noopener"> Krafton Inc (259960 KS)</a> is also a Fast Entry to the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/korea-stock-exchange-kospi-200-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26021:1" rel="noopener">Korea Stock Exchange Kospi 200 Index (KOSPI2 INDEX)</a> and there will be passive buying from those trackers as well.

The KRX has announced the results of the September review of the BBIG indices and the changes will become effective after the close of trading on 9 September.These are the changes to the indices:
Secondary Battery ETF: SK IE Technology (361610 KS) replaces Chunbo Co Ltd (278280 KS)

Bio ETF: SK Bioscience (302440 KS) and Hanmi Pharm (128940 KS) join the index, replacing Shinpoong Pharmaceutical (019170 KS) and Seegene Inc (096530 KS). Additionally, SK Bioscience (302440 KS) replaces SK Biopharmaceuticals Co Ltd (326030 KS) in the top 3 stocks.
Internet ETF: KG Inicis Co Ltd (035600 KS) replaces Rsupport Co Ltd (131370 KS) 
Game ETF:  Krafton Inc (259960 KS) and Devsisters (194480 KS) replace Wemade Co., Ltd. (112040 KS) and Neptune Company (217270 KS)

BBIG ETF: SK Bioscience (302440 KS) and  Krafton Inc (259960 KS) replace SK Biopharmaceuticals Co Ltd (326030 KS) and Kakao Games Corp (293490 KS).
KRX has broken its own rules (everyone does it, so join in!) by including  Krafton Inc (259960 KS) even though the stock listed post the July-end cut off and there is no provision of Fast Entry in the index methodology.Stocks with the largest inflows are SK Bioscience (302440 KS),  Krafton Inc (259960 KS), SK IE Technology (361610 KS), LG Chem Ltd (051910 KS), SK Innovation (096770 KS) and Douzone Bizon (012510 KS) while the stocks with the largest outflows are Kakao Games Corp (293490 KS), SK Biopharmaceuticals Co Ltd (326030 KS), Kakao Corp (035720 KS), Posco Chemical Co Ltd (003670 KS), SKC Co Ltd (011790 KS) and Samsung SDI (006400 KS). Krafton Inc (259960 KS) is also a Fast Entry to the Korea Stock Exchange Kospi 200 Index (KOSPI2 INDEX) and there will be passive buying from those trackers as well.

KRX BBIG Index Rebalance: Krafton, SK Bioscience, SK IE Tech Included (Among Others)

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/krafton-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28956:1" rel="noopener">Krafton Inc (259960 KS)</a> shares are currently trading at 497,000 won, which is nearly flat versus its IPO price of 498,000 won. It traded as low as 400,5000 won on 11 August but has rebounded since then. In this insight, we discuss the end of the one month lockup period for Krafton, which could be significant due to the potential selling by the institutional investors (especially among foreign investors). We also discuss how the valuation of NCsoft has fallen so much that now, there is a high probability of the valuation gap between these companies narrowing in the coming months. <div class="content-highlight">Among the various lockup periods, the one month period is perhaps the most important for Krafton. There are 0.97 million shares of Krafton that are under the lockup period (2% of outstanding shares). However, among the overseas institutions, 100% of the shares that are locked up is for the one month period (0.68 million shares or 1.4% of the outstanding shares). As a result, the one month period after the IPO is perhaps the most important in terms of potential selling by the overseas investors. </div>

Krafton Inc (259960 KS) shares are currently trading at 497,000 won, which is nearly flat versus its IPO price of 498,000 won. It traded as low as 400,5000 won on 11 August but has rebounded since then. In this insight, we discuss the end of the one month lockup period for Krafton, which could be significant due to the potential selling by the institutional investors (especially among foreign investors). We also discuss how the valuation of NCsoft has fallen so much that now, there is a high probability of the valuation gap between these companies narrowing in the coming months. Among the various lockup periods, the one month period is perhaps the most important for Krafton. There are 0.97 million shares of Krafton that are under the lockup period (2% of outstanding shares). However, among the overseas institutions, 100% of the shares that are locked up is for the one month period (0.68 million shares or 1.4% of the outstanding shares). As a result, the one month period after the IPO is perhaps the most important in terms of potential selling by the overseas investors. 

End of the 1 Month Lockup Period for Krafton & An Excessive Pricing Gap Vs. NCsoft

With <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kakaobank-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33501:1" rel="noopener">KakaoBank (323410 KS)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/krafton-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28956:1" rel="noopener"> Krafton Inc (259960 KS)</a> nearing the end of their first 15 days of trading, they are a certainty to be included in the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/korea-stock-exchange-kospi-200-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26021:1" rel="noopener">Korea Stock Exchange Kospi 200 Index (KOSPI2 INDEX)</a> at the September rebalance that coincides with the index futures expiry.Post the changes at the June rebalance, we see <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lock-lock-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4739:1" rel="noopener">Lock&amp;Lock (115390 KS)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jw-pharmaceutical-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18784:1" rel="noopener">Jw Pharmaceutical (001060 KS)</a> as the lowest ranked constituents and the stocks could be deleted at the September rebalance.We expect the announcement of the changes on 1 September and the implementation at the close of trading on 9 September.The impact from passive trading is not very high on the inclusions while the impact on the potential deletions is a lot higher. There is a bit of short interest on the potential deletions and some of that could be covered in the lead up to index deletion.The dynamics of the index changes are pretty interesting. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kakaobank-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33501:1" rel="noopener">KakaoBank (323410 KS)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/krafton-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28956:1" rel="noopener"> Krafton Inc (259960 KS)</a> will be short-sell eligible from 10 September while the deletions will no longer be short-sell eligible. We suggest potential trading strategies to take advantage of these dynamics.

With KakaoBank (323410 KS) and  Krafton Inc (259960 KS) nearing the end of their first 15 days of trading, they are a certainty to be included in the Korea Stock Exchange Kospi 200 Index (KOSPI2 INDEX) at the September rebalance that coincides with the index futures expiry.Post the changes at the June rebalance, we see Lock&amp;Lock (115390 KS) and Jw Pharmaceutical (001060 KS) as the lowest ranked constituents and the stocks could be deleted at the September rebalance.We expect the announcement of the changes on 1 September and the implementation at the close of trading on 9 September.The impact from passive trading is not very high on the inclusions while the impact on the potential deletions is a lot higher. There is a bit of short interest on the potential deletions and some of that could be covered in the lead up to index deletion.The dynamics of the index changes are pretty interesting. KakaoBank (323410 KS) and  Krafton Inc (259960 KS) will be short-sell eligible from 10 September while the deletions will no longer be short-sell eligible. We suggest potential trading strategies to take advantage of these dynamics.

KOSPI200 September Rebalance Preview: Double Edged Sword

Equity Capital Markets

In this insight, we review 27 of the largest IPOs in Korea in 2020 and 2021. We discuss the institutional investors demand ratio, lock-up ratios, market caps, IPO offering amounts, and share price performances in different time periods. We conclude that while we should continue to evaluate IPOs in Korea on a case-by-case basis, the overall bullish trend of IPOs has clearly been deteriorating in the past three months.Among the 9 stocks that completed their IPOs in the past three months (June - August), their first day share price performance was an increase of 22% on average. In comparison, among the other 18 stocks that completed their IPOs from February 2020 to May 2021, their first day share price performance was an increase of 81.4% on average.<div class="content-highlight">Among the three major criteria mentioned in this report, the most important is the lock-up ratios, followed by market cap, and then the institutional investors demand. Prudent investors may want to use a combination of these methods to pick the best performing IPOs in Korea.  </div>

In this insight, we review 27 of the largest IPOs in Korea in 2020 and 2021. We discuss the institutional investors demand ratio, lock-up ratios, market caps, IPO offering amounts, and share price performances in different time periods. We conclude that while we should continue to evaluate IPOs in Korea on a case-by-case basis, the overall bullish trend of IPOs has clearly been deteriorating in the past three months.Among the 9 stocks that completed their IPOs in the past three months (June - August), their first day share price performance was an increase of 22% on average. In comparison, among the other 18 stocks that completed their IPOs from February 2020 to May 2021, their first day share price performance was an increase of 81.4% on average.Among the three major criteria mentioned in this report, the most important is the lock-up ratios, followed by market cap, and then the institutional investors demand. Prudent investors may want to use a combination of these methods to pick the best performing IPOs in Korea.  

A Comprehensive Review of 27 IPOs in Korea in 2020 and 2021

South Korea

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.

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Krafton (259960 KS)

KOSPI200 September Index Rebalance: Krafton, Kakao Bank Fast Entry Confirmed

Krafton & KakaoBank will be added to the KOSPI200 index at the close on 9 Sep, replacing Lock&Lock and JW Pharma. The inclusions will be short sell...

Brian Freitas

KRX BBIG Index Rebalance: Krafton, SK Bioscience, SK IE Tech Included (Among Others)

Krafton has been added to the Game index, SK IE Tech added to the Battery index, SK Bioscience to the Bio index. Lots of flow on some names....

Brian Freitas

End of the 1 Month Lockup Period for Krafton & An Excessive Pricing Gap Vs. NCsoft

In this insight, we discuss the end of the one month lockup period for Krafton, which could be significant due to the potential selling by...

Douglas Kim

KOSPI200 September Rebalance Preview: Double Edged Sword

KakaoBank and Krafton are high probability inclusions to the KOSPI200 in September while Lock&Lock and JW Pharma are potential deletions. KakaoBank...

Brian Freitas

A Comprehensive Review of 27 IPOs in Korea in 2020 and 2021

In this insight, we review 27 of the largest IPOs in Korea in 2020 and 2021. We discuss the institutional investors demand ratio, lock-up ratios,...

Douglas Kim

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