Founder/CEO of ROK Advisory, ROK Advisory LLC

Ken S. Kim

Founder/CEO of ROK Advisory

ROK Advisory LLC

ROK is an independent research advisory firm. We guide you to minimize the information gap between foreign and local investors in Northeast Asia with a focus in Korea, Taiwan and Japan.

Independent Research Advisory Firm

<p>Korea has had 2 milestone cases that have been settled this year in the US courts - one was regards to botox (AbbVie/Allergan/ <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/medy-tox-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11403:1" rel="noopener">Medy Tox Inc (086900 KS)</a> vs. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/evolus-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28008:1" rel="noopener">Evolus Inc (EOLS US)</a> / <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/daewoong-pharmaceutical-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3742:1" rel="noopener">Daewoong Pharmaceutical Co (069620 KS)</a> ) and now, <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> vs. <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> - while both finally settled, what does this say about Korea to minority investors?</p>

Korea has had 2 milestone cases that have been settled this year in the US courts - one was regards to botox (AbbVie/Allergan/ Medy Tox Inc (086900 KS) vs. Evolus Inc (EOLS US) / Daewoong Pharmaceutical Co (069620 KS) ) and now, LG Chem Ltd (051910 KS) vs. SK Innovation (096770 KS) - while both finally settled, what does this say about Korea to minority investors?

LGChem/SKI Deal - Another Korea Discount Worry? Follow the Female Lead

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.

Equity Capital Markets

<p>This morning, multiple local news outlets reported that LG Chem and SK Innovation had finally reached a full agreement in the electric vehicle battery dispute.</p><p><strong>Official words will likely come out later today.</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.sedaily.com/NewsView/22L1IC823K" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Here is the news link.</a></p><p>According to SED, multiple officials who are familiar with the issue confirmed in a call interview that the two companies had reached an agreement, including the amount of compensation, and are currently finalizing the announcement's format.</p><div class="content-highlight">
<p><strong>Legal battle summary between LG Chem and SK Innovation:</strong></p>
<p>LG Chem (now LG Energy Solutions) filed a full complaint with the US International Trade Commission (ITC) in April 2019, claiming SK Innovation had infringed on its business secrets.</p>
<p>In February this year, the US ITC imposed a 10-year import ban, claiming that SK had violated the LG ES business secrets.</p>
<p>US President Joe Biden could veto the ITC's 10-year SK battery import ban, and the deadline is tomorrow.</p>
</div><p><strong>Why now?</strong></p><p>SK Innovation has reportedly concluded that President Biden wouldn't exercise his veto on this case (10-year import ban).</p><p>SK is said to have even considered shutting down the US factory in Georgia after the end of next year. But given the importance of the US market and the US-based partners, it finally made a last-minute decision.</p>

This morning, multiple local news outlets reported that LG Chem and SK Innovation had finally reached a full agreement in the electric vehicle battery dispute.Official words will likely come out later today.Here is the news link.According to SED, multiple officials who are familiar with the issue confirmed in a call interview that the two companies had reached an agreement, including the amount of compensation, and are currently finalizing the announcement's format.
Legal battle summary between LG Chem and SK Innovation:
LG Chem (now LG Energy Solutions) filed a full complaint with the US International Trade Commission (ITC) in April 2019, claiming SK Innovation had infringed on its business secrets.
In February this year, the US ITC imposed a 10-year import ban, claiming that SK had violated the LG ES business secrets.
US President Joe Biden could veto the ITC's 10-year SK battery import ban, and the deadline is tomorrow.
Why now?SK Innovation has reportedly concluded that President Biden wouldn't exercise his veto on this case (10-year import ban).SK is said to have even considered shutting down the US factory in Georgia after the end of next year. But given the importance of the US market and the US-based partners, it finally made a last-minute decision.

LG Chem & SK Innovation Reach an Agreement Right Before SK IET IPO Book Opens

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

Cross Asset Strategy

<div class="content-highlight">
<p>On 9 April, the <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/southkorea-nps/update-1-s-koreas-pension-fund-adjusts-rules-to-raise-domestic-equity-allocation-idUSL1N2M20EN" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NPS</a> announced that it will change rules to increase the allocation of Korean stocks, which would be the first time in a decade. This adjustment could be implemented starting next week. This change comes after a lot of pressure by the retail investors.</p>
<p>NPS increased the strategic asset allocation (SAA) limit for domestic equities from the current 2% to 3%, increasing the percentage of Korean stocks it can hold from the current band of 14.8% -18.8% (+/- 2% with 16.8% as base) to 13.8% -19.8% (+/- 3% with 16.8% as base). NPS's target of the domestic equity allocation is 16.8% (of total fund amount). <strong>As a result of this change, the sale of domestic stocks by the NPS is expected to slow down.</strong></p>
</div>


On 9 April, the NPS announced that it will change rules to increase the allocation of Korean stocks, which would be the first time in a decade. This adjustment could be implemented starting next week. This change comes after a lot of pressure by the retail investors.
NPS increased the strategic asset allocation (SAA) limit for domestic equities from the current 2% to 3%, increasing the percentage of Korean stocks it can hold from the current band of 14.8% -18.8% (+/- 2% with 16.8% as base) to 13.8% -19.8% (+/- 3% with 16.8% as base). NPS's target of the domestic equity allocation is 16.8% (of total fund amount). As a result of this change, the sale of domestic stocks by the NPS is expected to slow down.


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/xinyi-solar-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:318:1" rel="noopener">Xinyi Solar Holdings (968 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lenovo-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13359:1" rel="noopener">Lenovo (992 HK)</a>, <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>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/byd-co-ltd-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20962:1" rel="noopener">BYD (1211 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alibaba-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28434:1" rel="noopener">Alibaba Group (9988 HK)</a> while there was short covering on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26:1" rel="noopener">Tencent Holdings (700 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>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-pacific-insurance-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6177:1" rel="noopener">China Pacific Insurance (2601 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> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/cspc-pharmaceutical-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:229:1" rel="noopener">CSPC Pharmaceutical Group (1093 HK)</a>. Shorts increased in Consumer Discretionary, Consumer Staples, Health Care and Information Technology, while shorts decreased in Communication Services, Financials, Real Estate and Industrials.</p></div><div><p>In Japan, stocks that saw the most shorts were <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/mitsubishi-ufj-financial-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:218:1" rel="noopener">Mitsubishi UFJ Financial (MUFG) (8306 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/resona-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6841:1" rel="noopener">Resona Holdings (8308 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mitsubishi-ufj-lease-finance" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1467:1" rel="noopener">Mitsubishi UFJ Lease &amp; Finance (8593 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nsk-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6309:1" rel="noopener">NSK Ltd (6471 JP)</a> while shorts decreased on <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/asics-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16287:1" rel="noopener">ASICS Corp (7936 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/haseko-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:748:1" rel="noopener">Haseko Corp (1808 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/cyberagent-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8197:1" rel="noopener">CyberAgent Inc (4751 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/idemitsu-kosan-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:109:1" rel="noopener">Idemitsu Kosan (5019 JP)</a>. Shorts increased in Financials, Energy, Health Care and Information Technology sectors, and decreased in the Industrials sector.</p></div><div><p>In Korea, short 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/korea-united-pharm-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5207:1" rel="noopener">Korea United Pharm (033270 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/korea-electric-power-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16:1" rel="noopener">Korea Electric Power (015760 KS)</a> while shorts decreased 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/doosan-infracore-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3982:1" rel="noopener">Doosan Infracore (042670 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/naver-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16029:1" rel="noopener">Naver Corp (035420 KS)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sk-hynix-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16955:1" rel="noopener">SK Hynix (000660 KS)</a>. </p></div><div><p>Stocks in Taiwan that saw the highest increase in shorts were <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pegatron-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12852:1" rel="noopener">Pegatron Corp (4938 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/unimicron-technology-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18778:1" rel="noopener">Unimicron Technology (3037 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yulon-motor-company" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18249:1" rel="noopener">Yulon Motor Company (2201 TT)</a> and <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> while shorts were covered on <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/yageo-corporation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13212:1" rel="noopener">Yageo Corporation (2327 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/au-optronics-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6704:1" rel="noopener">AU Optronics (2409 TT)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/acer-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15726:1" rel="noopener">Acer Inc (2353 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 Xinyi Solar Holdings (968 HK), Lenovo (992 HK), JD Health (6618 HK), BYD (1211 HK) and Alibaba Group (9988 HK) while there was short covering on Tencent Holdings (700 HK), Xiaomi Corp (1810 HK), China Pacific Insurance (2601 HK), Sunny Optical (2382 HK) and CSPC Pharmaceutical Group (1093 HK). Shorts increased in Consumer Discretionary, Consumer Staples, Health Care and Information Technology, while shorts decreased in Communication Services, Financials, Real Estate and Industrials.In Japan, stocks that saw the most shorts were ENEOS Holdings (5020 JP), Mitsubishi UFJ Financial (MUFG) (8306 JP), Resona Holdings (8308 JP), Mitsubishi UFJ Lease &amp; Finance (8593 JP) and NSK Ltd (6471 JP) while shorts decreased on Toshiba Corp (6502 JP), ASICS Corp (7936 JP), Haseko Corp (1808 JP), CyberAgent Inc (4751 JP) and Idemitsu Kosan (5019 JP). Shorts increased in Financials, Energy, Health Care and Information Technology sectors, and decreased in the Industrials sector.In Korea, short increased on Amorepacific Corp (090430 KS), Korea United Pharm (033270 KS), LG Chem Ltd (051910 KS) and Korea Electric Power (015760 KS) while shorts decreased on Samsung Electronics (005930 KS), Doosan Infracore (042670 KS), Naver Corp (035420 KS) and SK Hynix (000660 KS). Stocks in Taiwan that saw the highest increase in shorts were Pegatron Corp (4938 TT), Unimicron Technology (3037 TT), Yulon Motor Company (2201 TT) and United Microelectronics Corp (2303 TT) while shorts were covered on TSMC (2330 TT), Yageo Corporation (2327 TT), AU Optronics (2409 TT) and Acer Inc (2353 TT). 

Asia Short Interest: Xinyi Solar, Alibaba, Tencent, ENEOS, Resona, Toshiba, Samsung, TSMC, Yageo

Event-Driven

The Korea NPS set a record selling spree lately. The funds had extended stock sell-offs on KOSPI to a 51st straight session on March 12 since December 24 last year.It was a record in the local market history. The previous record was 28 consecutive sessions set from August 3 to September 9, 2009.The NPS finally wrapped the selling on March 15 but soon reversed to the selling position, and the ongoing sell-offs now extend to a 6th straight session.









KOSPI
Retail
Foreign
Local inst
Pension


2021-03-24
8,963
-4,780
-4,335
-2,262


2021-03-23
10,170
-4,769
-5,409
-3,399


2021-03-22
5,831
-5,465
-339
-1,744


2021-03-19
16,029
-5,806
-10,018
-2,196


2021-03-18
-6,174
4,823
1,344
-1,893


2021-03-17
10,483
-5,240
-5,339
-2,421


2021-03-16
-2,340
-262
2,491
851


2021-03-15
5,105
-2,133
-3,002
1,105


2021-03-12
-5,997
4,070
1,833
-850


2021-03-11
-11,110
17,069
-5,917
-3,022


2021-03-10
4,006
4,803
-8,891
-2,657


2021-03-09
3,631
-5,305
2,920
-421


2021-03-08
5,253
-1,258
-3,777
-2,728


2021-03-05
11,931
-3,734
-8,043
-1,954


2021-03-04
21,992
-9,293
-12,840
-3,220


2021-03-03
-6,631
-119
6,896
-472


2021-03-02
-6,249
2,081
4,371
-1,084


2021-02-26
37,785
-28,174
-10,301
-1,145


2021-02-25
-19,361
9,701
9,749
-345


2021-02-24
5,614
6,366
-825
-1,976


2021-02-23
773
-2,955
3,387
-211


2021-02-22
7,497
-3,155
-4,601
-3,831


2021-02-19
3,742
-2,981
-656
-856


2021-02-18
14,677
-8,571
-6,130
-3,286


2021-02-17
18,107
-4,815
-13,465
-3,538


2021-02-16
4,226
2,416
-6,685
-2,802


2021-02-15
-3,526
7,317
-4,193
-2,451


2021-02-10
1,302
7,520
-9,166
-3,224


2021-02-09
487
-2,223
1,568
-2,239


2021-02-08
847
-3,584
2,805
-2,206


2021-02-05
-4,021
1,900
2,343
-2,008


2021-02-04
24,704
-6,394
-18,357
-3,756


2021-02-03
1,239
4,265
-5,740
-3,576


2021-02-02
-1,883
1,966
-131
-3,664


2021-02-01
-7,825
1,319
6,892
-2,078


2021-01-29
16,971
-14,220
-2,544
-1,160


2021-01-28
19,294
-15,670
-3,794
-2,599


2021-01-27
10,604
-6,216
-3,961
-2,616


2021-01-26
42,050
-19,699
-22,520
-6,433


2021-01-25
-5,712
2,793
3,688
-2,073


2021-01-22
16,083
-2,680
-13,648
-3,753


2021-01-21
-625
3,683
-2,927
-2,702


2021-01-20
14,368
-2,368
-12,345
-3,949


2021-01-19
-10,254
4,100
5,940
-3,923


2021-01-18
5,143
-2,094
-2,789
-4,335


2021-01-15
21,139
-7,536
-14,147
-5,204


2021-01-14
7,127
6,775
-14,290
-5,978


2021-01-13
1,691
1,935
-3,725
-3,232


2021-01-12
23,124
-6,189
-17,239
-2,878


2021-01-11
44,921
-7,176
-37,432
-8,278


2021-01-08
-5,591
16,435
-11,479
-6,090


2021-01-07
-11,836
1,134
10,339
-4,411


2021-01-06
17,293
-3,975
-13,692
-4,396


2021-01-05
7,284
-2,082
-5,363
-3,400


2021-01-04
10,310
897
-11,899
-3,237


2020-12-30
-4,916
2,458
1,959
-1,003


2020-12-29
21,969
-3,106
-19,734
-1,978


2020-12-28
-9,460
780
8,303
-762


2020-12-24
-8,031
1,192
6,297
-988


Net
372,223
-86,229
-278,563
-156,937

Source: KRX

Why sell-offs?The NPS set the domestic equity target at 17.3% last year and 16.8% for this year.(Source: Korea NPS)As of the FY20 yearend, the weight soared to 21.2%, 3.9%p above the threshold.(Source: Korea NPS)But that was within the tolerable band.The NPS can operate the domestic stock funds within a total of ±5.0%p (SAA ±2.0%p + TAA ±3.0%p) allowable range.More specifically, it is said that the SAA ±2.0%p tolerable band is nearly filled up, whereas TAA ±3.0%p has a bit more room to breathe.Nonetheless, the NPS had to pre-emptively balanced out its investment in domestic stocks in its asset portfolio.







SAA &amp; TAA tolerable bands
SAA (strategic asset allocation)
TAA (tactical asset allocation)


Domestic bonds
±3.5%p
±5.0%p


Overseas bonds
±0.5%p
±1.0%p


Domestic stocks
±2.0%p
±3.0%p


Overseas stocks
±1.0%p
±1.0%p


Alternative
±1.2%p
±1.2%p

Source: Korea NPS



Korea NPS, Domestic Stock Asset Allocation Ratio Change

South Korea

LG Chem Ltd. is a chemical manufacturer.  The Company's products include petrochemicals, plastic resins, and engineering plastics.  LG Chem also produces industrial and electronic materials.

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LG Chem Ltd (051910 KS)

LGChem/SKI Deal - Another Korea Discount Worry? Follow the Female Lead

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Ken S. Kim

LG Chem & SK Innovation Reach an Agreement Right Before SK IET IPO Book Opens

LG Chem and SK Innovation reached an agreement in the fierce battery dispute right before the SK IET IPO book opens on April 13. Official words...

Sanghyun Park

NPS Raises Domestic Equity Allocations

NPS increased the strategic asset allocation (SAA) limit for domestic equities from the current 2% to 3%. As a result of this change, the sale of...

Douglas Kim

Asia Short Interest: Xinyi Solar, Alibaba, Tencent, ENEOS, Resona, Toshiba, Samsung, TSMC, Yageo

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

Brian Freitas

Korea NPS, Domestic Stock Asset Allocation Ratio Change

Korea NPS will likely decide on the local stock allocation ratio (SAA and TAA) to accommodate more local stocks in the portfolio. This post details...

Sanghyun Park

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