Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

Event-Driven

<p>In our view, there is a relatively high probability that <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kt-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1112:1" rel="noopener">KT Corp (030200 KS)</a> will follow <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sk-telecom-co-ltd-bbccd86c-474d-4a4d-946d-10e911a225a2" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:395:1" rel="noopener">SK Telecom (017670 KS)</a> in forming a holding company structure. Although the exact timing is uncertain, we think that KT could make this announcement by 2022/2023.</p><p><strong>3 Major Reasons Why KT is Likely to Change to a Holding Company Structure:</strong></p><ul>
<li>Greater importance of non-telecom business (realize higher valuations) </li>
<li>Bypass the 49% foreign ownership limit specific to the telecom business (greater importance of index investing)</li>
<li>Follow SK Telecom (less resistance from major investors)</li>
</ul><p>Despite KT's stock price rising more than 30% YTD, KT is still trading at only 0.5x P/B. By forming a holding company structure and split the company's business into telecom and non-telecom business units, we believe that there likely to be a higher value realization for the company.</p>

In our view, there is a relatively high probability that KT Corp (030200 KS) will follow SK Telecom (017670 KS) in forming a holding company structure. Although the exact timing is uncertain, we think that KT could make this announcement by 2022/2023.3 Major Reasons Why KT is Likely to Change to a Holding Company Structure:
Greater importance of non-telecom business (realize higher valuations) 
Bypass the 49% foreign ownership limit specific to the telecom business (greater importance of index investing)
Follow SK Telecom (less resistance from major investors)
Despite KT's stock price rising more than 30% YTD, KT is still trading at only 0.5x P/B. By forming a holding company structure and split the company's business into telecom and non-telecom business units, we believe that there likely to be a higher value realization for the company.

Three Major Reasons Why KT Corp Is Likely to Change to a Holding Company Structure

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

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

Quantitative Analysis

<div><p>The Asia Short Interest weekly looks at moves in market wide short interest and highlights movements in stock specific short interest across Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Taiwan using the last available data published by the relevant authorities.</p></div><div><p>Hong Kong saw shorts rise on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/meituan-dianping" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26970:1" rel="noopener">Meituan (3690 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/li-ning-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6047:1" rel="noopener">Li Ning (2331 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-merchants-bank-co-ltd-3388a037-4214-4997-b45d-520518cfdb57" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10987:1" rel="noopener">China Merchants Bank H (3968 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/dongyue-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20429:1" rel="noopener">Dongyue Group (189 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/beijing-kuaishou-technology-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29725:1" rel="noopener">Kuaishou Technology (1024 HK)</a> while there was short covering on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alibaba-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28434:1" rel="noopener">Alibaba Group (9988 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ping-an-insurance-grp-co-of-china-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12880:1" rel="noopener">Ping An Insurance (H) (2318 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sunny-optical-tech" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13363:1" rel="noopener">Sunny Optical (2382 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/xiaomi-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24409:1" rel="noopener">Xiaomi Corp (1810 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jd-health-international-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29677:1" rel="noopener">JD Health (6618 HK)</a>. Shorts increased in the Communication Services and Materials sectors while decreasing in the Financials, Information Technology and Health Care sectors.</p></div><div><p>In Japan, stocks increased on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pan-pacific-international-holdings-corporation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13475:1" rel="noopener">Pan Pacific International Holdings (7532 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sekisui-house-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4508:1" rel="noopener">Sekisui House (1928 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/toshiba-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:637:1" rel="noopener">Toshiba Corp (6502 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/toyo-seikan-group-holdings-l" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11858:1" rel="noopener">Toyo Seikan Group Holdings L (5901 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/canon-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1:1" rel="noopener">Canon Inc (7751 JP)</a> while there was short covering on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/money-forward-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:25919:1" rel="noopener">Money Forward (3994 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/eneos-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:638:1" rel="noopener">ENEOS Holdings (5020 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sbi-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10928:1" rel="noopener">SBI Holdings (8473 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yamaha-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:17841:1" rel="noopener">Yamaha Corp (7951 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lasalle-logiport-reit" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22658:1" rel="noopener">Lasalle Logiport REIT (3466 JP)</a>. Shorts increased in most sectors led by the Consumer Discretionary, Industrials, Real Estate, Information Technology and Materials stocks.</p></div><div><p>In Korea, shorts increased on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/amorepacific-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20854:1" rel="noopener">Amorepacific Corp (090430 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/hmm-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13494:1" rel="noopener">HMM Co., Ltd. (011200 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lg-electronics-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8814:1" rel="noopener">LG Electronics (066570 KS)</a> and <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>   while shorts were covered on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/samsung-electronics-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:191:1" rel="noopener">Samsung Electronics (005930 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hanwha-solutions" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8656:1" rel="noopener">Hanwha Solutions (009830 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kt-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1112:1" rel="noopener">KT Corp (030200 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> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ncsoft-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5169:1" rel="noopener">NCSOFT Corp (036570 KS)</a>.</p></div><div><p>In Taiwan, shorts increased on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/wan-hai-lines-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14262:1" rel="noopener">Wan Hai Lines (2615 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/taiwan-semiconductor-manufacturing-company" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11230:1" rel="noopener">TSMC (2330 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fubon-financial-holding-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11869:1" rel="noopener">Fubon Financial Holding Co (2881 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mediatek-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:772:1" rel="noopener">Mediatek Inc (2454 TT)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/novatek-microelectronics-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10904:1" rel="noopener">Novatek Microelectronics Corp (3034 TT)</a>     while shorts covered on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/united-microelectronics-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6450:1" rel="noopener">United Microelectronics Corp (2303 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/catcher-technology-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4957:1" rel="noopener">Catcher Technology (2474 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/focaltech-systems-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11240:1" rel="noopener">Focaltech Systems (3545 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nuvoton-technology-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15913:1" rel="noopener">Nuvoton Technology (4919 TT)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/chailease-holding-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6579:1" rel="noopener">Chailease Holding (5871 TT)</a>.</p></div>

The Asia Short Interest weekly looks at moves in market wide short interest and highlights movements in stock specific short interest across Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Taiwan using the last available data published by the relevant authorities.Hong Kong saw shorts rise on Meituan (3690 HK), Li Ning (2331 HK), China Merchants Bank H (3968 HK), Dongyue Group (189 HK) and Kuaishou Technology (1024 HK) while there was short covering on Alibaba Group (9988 HK), Ping An Insurance (H) (2318 HK), Sunny Optical (2382 HK), Xiaomi Corp (1810 HK) and JD Health (6618 HK). Shorts increased in the Communication Services and Materials sectors while decreasing in the Financials, Information Technology and Health Care sectors.In Japan, stocks increased on Pan Pacific International Holdings (7532 JP), Sekisui House (1928 JP), Toshiba Corp (6502 JP), Toyo Seikan Group Holdings L (5901 JP) and Canon Inc (7751 JP) while there was short covering on Money Forward (3994 JP), ENEOS Holdings (5020 JP), SBI Holdings (8473 JP), Yamaha Corp (7951 JP) and Lasalle Logiport REIT (3466 JP). Shorts increased in most sectors led by the Consumer Discretionary, Industrials, Real Estate, Information Technology and Materials stocks.In Korea, shorts increased on Amorepacific Corp (090430 KS), Kakao Corp (035720 KS), HMM Co., Ltd. (011200 KS), LG Electronics (066570 KS) and Shinpoong Pharmaceutical (019170 KS)   while shorts were covered on Samsung Electronics (005930 KS), Hanwha Solutions (009830 KS), KT Corp (030200 KS), LG Chem Ltd (051910 KS) and NCSOFT Corp (036570 KS).In Taiwan, shorts increased on Wan Hai Lines (2615 TT), TSMC (2330 TT), Fubon Financial Holding Co (2881 TT), Mediatek Inc (2454 TT) and Novatek Microelectronics Corp (3034 TT)     while shorts covered on United Microelectronics Corp (2303 TT), Catcher Technology (2474 TT), Focaltech Systems (3545 TT), Nuvoton Technology (4919 TT) and Chailease Holding (5871 TT).

Asia Shorts: Meituan, CMB, Li Ning, Sekisui, Toyo Seikan, Toshiba, Kakao, HMM, LGE, Wan Hai, TSMC

CEO, A. Stotz Investment Research

Dr. Andrew Stotz, CFA

Quantamental Investing to beat Benchmarks

A. Stotz Investment Research

We pick stocks. We construct portfolios. All our effort is focused on how to better pick stocks and construct portfolios. We serve fund management companies, family offices, and high net worth individuals.

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<p>We highlight 14 stocks in Asia that look interesting to us based upon our FVMR Methodology. Our research team constantly reviews the Asian markets to try to find interesting ideas based on Fundamentals or Valuation or Momentum or Risk or some combination thereof.</p>

We highlight 14 stocks in Asia that look interesting to us based upon our FVMR Methodology. Our research team constantly reviews the Asian markets to try to find interesting ideas based on Fundamentals or Valuation or Momentum or Risk or some combination thereof.

Cross Asset Strategy

<blockquote><p><a href="https://twitter.com/TimSweeneyEpic/status/1432647669864878083?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1432647669864878083%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pcgamer.com%2Fsouth-korea-passes-law-with-major-implications-for-apple-vs-epic%2F" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Korea</a> is first in open platforms! Korea has rejected digital commerce monopolies and recognized open platforms as a right. This marks a major milestone in the 45-year history of personal computing. It began in Cupertino, but the forefront today is in Seoul. (Tim Sweeney - Founder of Epic Games)</p></blockquote><p>In a landmark case (an amendment of the Telecommunications Business Act), the <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/google-apple-hit-in-south-korea-by-worlds-first-law-ending-their-dominance-over-app-store-payments-11630403335" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Korean government</a> announced on 31 August that Google and Apple will need to open their app stores to alternative payment systems in South Korea. This change in regulation is likely to negatively impact Google and Apple's lucrative commissions on digital sales.</p><p>A new bill was passed by the Korean National Assembly on 31 August which will significantly reduce Google and Apple's dominance of digital sales on their app platforms. The final step is for President Moon to sign this bill but it is almost a near certainty that he will sign this bill. The following are the major companies/sectors that could benefit from the change in law:</p><ul>
<li><strong><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/naver-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16029:1" rel="noopener">Naver Corp (035420 KS)</a></strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kakao-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15002:1" rel="noopener">Kakao Corp (035720 KS)</a></strong></li>
<li><strong>Korean Telcos</strong></li>
<li><strong>Korean Game Companies</strong></li>
<li><strong>Korean Entertainment/Music/Movies/Drama Companies </strong></li>
</ul>

Korea is first in open platforms! Korea has rejected digital commerce monopolies and recognized open platforms as a right. This marks a major milestone in the 45-year history of personal computing. It began in Cupertino, but the forefront today is in Seoul. (Tim Sweeney - Founder of Epic Games)In a landmark case (an amendment of the Telecommunications Business Act), the Korean government announced on 31 August that Google and Apple will need to open their app stores to alternative payment systems in South Korea. This change in regulation is likely to negatively impact Google and Apple's lucrative commissions on digital sales.A new bill was passed by the Korean National Assembly on 31 August which will significantly reduce Google and Apple's dominance of digital sales on their app platforms. The final step is for President Moon to sign this bill but it is almost a near certainty that he will sign this bill. The following are the major companies/sectors that could benefit from the change in law:
Naver Corp (035420 KS)
Kakao Corp (035720 KS)
Korean Telcos
Korean Game Companies
Korean Entertainment/Music/Movies/Drama Companies 


Korean Government Forces Google & Apple To Open Their App Stores to Alternative Payments

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Disney+ finally plans to make its long-awaited launch in Korea in November 2021. There are millions of Disney fans in Korea and it is near-certain that Disney+ will become a big success. Disney+ will compete heads on with other leading OTT services available in Korea including Netflix and Wavve.</li>
<li>Disney will be pursuing its own mobile app service in Korea, similar to Netflix. However, it will partner with the local telcos for Internet TV services. On 24 August, it was reported in the local Korean media that KT's OTT service <a href="http://www.digitaltoday.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=414324" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Seezn</a> plans to provide numerous Disney+ contents. Apparently, LG Uplus is still negotiating with Disney for a potential partnership as well for the OTT service. However, Disney plans to partner with LG Uplus for providing its contents on its IPTV services. </li>
<li>There will likely be two groups of companies that could benefit from the launch of Disney+ 'OTT services and Disney contents in Korea. They include the two local telcos (KT Corp and LG Uplus) as well as the major Korean drama producers such as Jcontentree Corp., Studio Dragon, and Astory.</li>
</ul>


Disney+ finally plans to make its long-awaited launch in Korea in November 2021. There are millions of Disney fans in Korea and it is near-certain that Disney+ will become a big success. Disney+ will compete heads on with other leading OTT services available in Korea including Netflix and Wavve.
Disney will be pursuing its own mobile app service in Korea, similar to Netflix. However, it will partner with the local telcos for Internet TV services. On 24 August, it was reported in the local Korean media that KT's OTT service Seezn plans to provide numerous Disney+ contents. Apparently, LG Uplus is still negotiating with Disney for a potential partnership as well for the OTT service. However, Disney plans to partner with LG Uplus for providing its contents on its IPTV services. 
There will likely be two groups of companies that could benefit from the launch of Disney+ 'OTT services and Disney contents in Korea. They include the two local telcos (KT Corp and LG Uplus) as well as the major Korean drama producers such as Jcontentree Corp., Studio Dragon, and Astory.


Disney+ to Launch in Korea in November: Winners & Losers?

South Korea

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).

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KT Corp (030200 KS)

Three Major Reasons Why KT Corp Is Likely to Change to a Holding Company Structure

In our view, there is a relatively high probability that KT Corp (030200 KS) will follow SK Telecom (017670 KS) in forming a holding company...

Douglas Kim

Asia Shorts: Meituan, CMB, Li Ning, Sekisui, Toyo Seikan, Toshiba, Kakao, HMM, LGE, Wan Hai, TSMC

The Insight looks at movements in short interest across HK, Japan, Korea and Taiwan stocks and highlights large increases/decreases in shorts to...

Brian Freitas

The Stocks to Own in Asia – Vol. 34

Our research team constantly reviews the Asian markets to try to find interesting ideas based on Fundamentals or Valuation or Momentum or Risk or...

A. Stotz Investment Research

Korean Government Forces Google & Apple To Open Their App Stores to Alternative Payments

In a landmark case, the Korean government announced on 31 August that Google and Apple will need to open their app stores to alternative payment...

Douglas Kim

Disney+ to Launch in Korea in November: Winners & Losers?

Disney+ finally plans to make its long-awaited launch in Korea in November 2021. Disney+ will compete heads on with other leading OTT services...

Douglas Kim

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