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

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

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

Equity Capital Markets

<div class="content-highlight">The <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/coupang" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28425:1" rel="noopener">Coupang (CPNG US)</a> IPO has been one of the most successful IPOs for a company whose operations are mainly in Korea. There are likely to be a lot more Korean based companies (both public and private) that will consider listing their shares in the US market after a hugely successfully Coupang IPO. In this insight, we discuss 14 major Korean companies that may try to list their shares in the US exchanges in the next several years in order to reduce the infamous "Korea discount."</div>14 Korean Companies That May List Their Shares in the US Stock Exchange:<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/samsung-electronics-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:191:1" rel="noopener">1) Samsung Electronics (005930 KS)</a>2) Kurly (Private)3) SmartStudy (Private)4) Naver Webtoon (Private) 5) Krafton (Private) 6) LG Energy Solution (Private) 7) 11st (Private) 8) SSG.com (Private) 9) <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ncsoft-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5169:1" rel="noopener">NCSOFT Corp (036570 KS)</a>10) <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/naver-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16029:1" rel="noopener">Naver Corp (035420 KS)</a>11) Kakao Entertainment (Private)  12) <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kakao-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15002:1" rel="noopener">Kakao Corp (035720 KS)</a>13) Tmon (Private) 14) Non private equity firm that acquires Ebay Korea

The Coupang (CPNG US) IPO has been one of the most successful IPOs for a company whose operations are mainly in Korea. There are likely to be a lot more Korean based companies (both public and private) that will consider listing their shares in the US market after a hugely successfully Coupang IPO. In this insight, we discuss 14 major Korean companies that may try to list their shares in the US exchanges in the next several years in order to reduce the infamous "Korea discount."14 Korean Companies That May List Their Shares in the US Stock Exchange:1) Samsung Electronics (005930 KS)2) Kurly (Private)3) SmartStudy (Private)4) Naver Webtoon (Private) 5) Krafton (Private) 6) LG Energy Solution (Private) 7) 11st (Private) 8) SSG.com (Private) 9) NCSOFT Corp (036570 KS)10) Naver Corp (035420 KS)11) Kakao Entertainment (Private)  12) Kakao Corp (035720 KS)13) Tmon (Private) 14) Non private equity firm that acquires Ebay Korea 

Top 14 Korean Companies That May List in the US Stock Exchanges - Close The "Korea Discount Gap"

Alpha-Centric ESG Research

Kyle Rudden

February has seen several very large ESG-linked and sustainability bond issuances, some in double-digits billions of dollars and setting records. Issuers include <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lg-chem-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3583:1" rel="noopener">LG Chem (051910 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/anheuser-busch-inbev-sa-nv" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:865:1" rel="noopener">Anheuser Busch Inbev (ABI BB)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hennes-mauritz-ab" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22380:1" rel="noopener">Hennes &amp; Mauritz Ab (HMB SS)</a>.Unlike green bonds, the proceeds from which usually finance one specific project, these deals allow issuers to invest proceeds in multiple areas of sustainability/ESG like renewable energy, recycling, and various Social-pillar initiatives. This has the potential to create a virtuous cycle, as it were.Importantly, a common characteristic of the deals discussed herein is that interest rates are tied to sustainability or ESG performance; if issuers fall short of targets the cost of servicing the debt goes up. Demand has been strong; H&amp;M's was seven times over, and it was able to price at lower rates.More than US$15 billion, just one month into the year.

February has seen several very large ESG-linked and sustainability bond issuances, some in double-digits billions of dollars and setting records. Issuers include LG Chem (051910 KS), Anheuser Busch Inbev (ABI BB), and Hennes &amp; Mauritz Ab (HMB SS).Unlike green bonds, the proceeds from which usually finance one specific project, these deals allow issuers to invest proceeds in multiple areas of sustainability/ESG like renewable energy, recycling, and various Social-pillar initiatives. This has the potential to create a virtuous cycle, as it were.Importantly, a common characteristic of the deals discussed herein is that interest rates are tied to sustainability or ESG performance; if issuers fall short of targets the cost of servicing the debt goes up. Demand has been strong; H&amp;M's was seven times over, and it was able to price at lower rates.More than US$15 billion, just one month into the year.

Recent ESG-Linked and Sustainable Bond Issues Are Breaking Records in Size and Demand

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

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

The Korea Exchange (KRX) launched 5 indices last year following the New Deal initiative that the Government launched to digitalise social infrastructure and jumpstart the transition to green energy.The KRX created 4 indices tracking the Secondary Battery, Biotech, Internet and Gaming sectors that are expected to benefit from the New Deal initiative plus an additional index (BBIG) that includes the top 3 stocks from each sector.All indices have performed well since then. The KRX announced changes to the 5 indices late last week and the changes become effective post the close of trading on 25 February.<div><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> replaces <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pearl-abyss-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24391:1" rel="noopener">Pearl Abyss (263750 KS)</a> in the BBIG Index.</div><div>In the Secondary Battery index, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/soulbrain-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16883:1" rel="noopener">Soulbrain (036830 KS)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/l-f-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14300:1" rel="noopener">L&amp;F Co Ltd (066970 KS)</a> replace <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/doosan-solus-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28947:1" rel="noopener">Doosan Solus Co Ltd (336370 KS)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/foosung-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16811:1" rel="noopener">Foosung Co Ltd (093370 KS)</a>.</div><div>In the Biotech index, <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/green-cross-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2969:1" rel="noopener">Green Cross (006280 KS)</a> replace <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alteogen-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15886:1" rel="noopener">Alteogen Inc (196170 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>.</div><div>In the Internet index, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ace-technologies-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7868:1" rel="noopener">Ace Technologies (088800 KS)</a> and <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> replace <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> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ubiquoss-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14341:1" rel="noopener">Ubiquoss Holding (078070 KS)</a>.</div><div>In the Gaming index, <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> 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> replace <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/neowiz-games-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12425:1" rel="noopener">Neowiz Games (095660 KS)</a> and Golfzon (215000 KS).</div>

The Korea Exchange (KRX) launched 5 indices last year following the New Deal initiative that the Government launched to digitalise social infrastructure and jumpstart the transition to green energy.The KRX created 4 indices tracking the Secondary Battery, Biotech, Internet and Gaming sectors that are expected to benefit from the New Deal initiative plus an additional index (BBIG) that includes the top 3 stocks from each sector.All indices have performed well since then. The KRX announced changes to the 5 indices late last week and the changes become effective post the close of trading on 25 February.Kakao Games Corp (293490 KS) replaces Pearl Abyss (263750 KS) in the BBIG Index.In the Secondary Battery index, Soulbrain (036830 KS) and L&amp;F Co Ltd (066970 KS) replace Doosan Solus Co Ltd (336370 KS) and Foosung Co Ltd (093370 KS).In the Biotech index, Shinpoong Pharmaceutical (019170 KS) and Green Cross (006280 KS) replace Alteogen Inc (196170 KS) and Hanmi Pharm (128940 KS).In the Internet index, Ace Technologies (088800 KS) and Rsupport Co Ltd (131370 KS) replace KG Inicis Co Ltd (035600 KS) and Ubiquoss Holding (078070 KS).In the Gaming index, Kakao Games Corp (293490 KS) and Neptune Company (217270 KS) replace Neowiz Games (095660 KS) and Golfzon (215000 KS).

KRX BBIG K-NewDeal Index Rebalance: First Set of Changes Announced

The short sell ban in Korea that was instated on 16 March 2020 is set to expire on 15 March.However, with mayoral elections in Seoul and Busan around the corner, politicians are said to be leaning on the FSC to extend the short sell ban. Add to that the retail outrage - from petitions to the Blue House, bus tours, and posts on K-Streetbets of targeting stocks with high short interest.There is a high likelihood that the short sell ban gets extended by three more months to tide the politicians over the mayoral elections.In the event that the short sell ban expires, we highlight stocks that have seen the most short covering since the start of the short sell ban, stocks with high short interest as a percentage of market cap and free float, and high days of ADV to cover.This will have implications for many strategies and will open the door to trade the ordinaries vs preferred shares, long/short and other related strategies.

The short sell ban in Korea that was instated on 16 March 2020 is set to expire on 15 March.However, with mayoral elections in Seoul and Busan around the corner, politicians are said to be leaning on the FSC to extend the short sell ban. Add to that the retail outrage - from petitions to the Blue House, bus tours, and posts on K-Streetbets of targeting stocks with high short interest.There is a high likelihood that the short sell ban gets extended by three more months to tide the politicians over the mayoral elections.In the event that the short sell ban expires, we highlight stocks that have seen the most short covering since the start of the short sell ban, stocks with high short interest as a percentage of market cap and free float, and high days of ADV to cover.This will have implications for many strategies and will open the door to trade the ordinaries vs preferred shares, long/short and other related strategies.

Korea Short Sell Ban: Elections, Public Outrage, Bus Tours, Blue House Petitions, K-Streetbets

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)

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

Top 14 Korean Companies That May List in the US Stock Exchanges - Close The "Korea Discount Gap"

In this insight, we discuss 14 major Korean companies that may try to list their shares in the US exchanges in the next several years in order to...

Douglas Kim

Recent ESG-Linked and Sustainable Bond Issues Are Breaking Records in Size and Demand

Recently, three record-setting ESG-linked and sustainability-linked bond issues totaling US$15 billion. Three deals, two months into the year, and...

Kyle Rudden

KRX BBIG K-NewDeal Index Rebalance: First Set of Changes Announced

The KRX has announced changes to the KRX New Deal indices that will be effective after the close of trading on 25 February. Pearl Abyss is...

Brian Freitas

Korea Short Sell Ban: Elections, Public Outrage, Bus Tours, Blue House Petitions, K-Streetbets

With the short sell ban in Korea scheduled to expire 15 March, we look at stocks that have seen the most short covering since the start of the ban,...

Brian Freitas

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