Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

Equity Capital Markets

<ul>
<li>In this insight, we provide further analysis of Big Hit Entertainment's WeVerse. In 2019, Big Hit Entertainment launched an online platform called WeVerse where fans can watch concerts live and where Big Hit artists and their fans can communicate. Big Hit Entertainment (BHE) established BNX as a consolidated subsidiary in July 2018 and BHE launched the WeVerse Shop (global fan commerce application) and WeVerse (global fan community application) in June 2019. </li>
<li>The bankers are really pushing WeVerse and even using Naver and Kakao as comparable companies in the valuation analysis of Big Hit Entertainment. However, will the institutional investors really buy this story? No. we do not believe most institutional investors will buy this story.</li>
<li>In 2018, Big Hit Entertainment resigned a seven-year contract with all seven members of BTS for another seven years (January 1st, 2018 to <a href="https://paxnetnews.com/articles/64678" target="_blank" rel="noopener">December 31st, 2024</a>). So all seven members of BTS will work for Big Hit Entertainment in the next 4 years and 3 months. Afterward, what happens to BTS is highly uncertain. One scenario is that Big Hit Entertainment continues to keep all seven members of BTS. However, in our view, the higher probability scenario is that BTS will be broken up somehow.</li>
</ul>


In this insight, we provide further analysis of Big Hit Entertainment's WeVerse. In 2019, Big Hit Entertainment launched an online platform called WeVerse where fans can watch concerts live and where Big Hit artists and their fans can communicate. Big Hit Entertainment (BHE) established BNX as a consolidated subsidiary in July 2018 and BHE launched the WeVerse Shop (global fan commerce application) and WeVerse (global fan community application) in June 2019. 
The bankers are really pushing WeVerse and even using Naver and Kakao as comparable companies in the valuation analysis of Big Hit Entertainment. However, will the institutional investors really buy this story? No. we do not believe most institutional investors will buy this story.
In 2018, Big Hit Entertainment resigned a seven-year contract with all seven members of BTS for another seven years (January 1st, 2018 to December 31st, 2024). So all seven members of BTS will work for Big Hit Entertainment in the next 4 years and 3 months. Afterward, what happens to BTS is highly uncertain. One scenario is that Big Hit Entertainment continues to keep all seven members of BTS. However, in our view, the higher probability scenario is that BTS will be broken up somehow.


Big Hit Entertainment's WeVerse Is No Match for Naver and Kakao

Korea / Special Sits, Pairs, Index Rebalancing, Clepsydra Capital

Sanghyun Park

Korea / Special Sits, Pairs, Index Rebalancing

We all know the EV/EBITDA approach can be very misleading in the Big Hit IPO.So, let's make a more reasonable approach with PER.Korea has three major entertainment talent agencies. They are often called Big Three.<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/s-m-entertainment-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3500:1" rel="noopener">S.M.Entertainment Co (041510 KS)</a> </li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yg-entertainment-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16138:1" rel="noopener">YG Entertainment (122870 KS)</a> </li>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jyp-entertainment-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:17598:1" rel="noopener">JYP Entertainment (035900 KS)</a></li>
</ul>Below is the PER comparison on FY20 projected earnings. The upper end of the indicative price band sets the PER at 69x, which is much lower than SM and YG. <table class="table table-striped">
<colgroup>
<col width="200">
<col width="100">
<col width="100">
<col width="96">
<col width="96">
<col width="96">
<col width="96">
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"PERs/FY20E earnings (₩B)"}'>PERs/FY20E earnings (₩B)</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"Sales"}'>Sales</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"OP"}'>OP</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"Earnings"}'>Earnings</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"PER"}'>PER (x)</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"OPM"}'>OPM</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"NPM"}'>NPM</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-formula='=googlefinance(R[0]C[9], "name")' data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"SM Entertainment Co Ltd"}'>SM Entertainment Co Ltd</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":2,"2":"#,##0.0"}' data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":569}'>569.0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":2,"2":"#,##0.0"}' data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":37.3}'>37.3</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":2,"2":"#,##0.0"}' data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":10.2}'>10.2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-formula="=R[0]C[4]/R[0]C[3]" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":2,"2":"#,##0.00","3":1}' data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":87.47769980882353}'>87.48</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-formula="=R[0]C[-3]/R[0]C[-4]" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":3,"2":"0.00%","3":1}' data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":0.06555360281195079}'>6.56%</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-formula="=R[0]C[-3]/R[0]C[-5]" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":3,"2":"0.00%","3":1}' data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":0.017926186291739893}'>1.79%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-formula='=googlefinance(R[0]C[9], "name")' data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"YG Entertainment Inc"}'>YG Entertainment Inc</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":2,"2":"#,##0.0"}' data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":237}'>237.0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":2,"2":"#,##0.0"}' data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":8.3}'>8.3</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":2,"2":"#,##0.0"}' data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":10.3}'>10.3</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-formula="=R[0]C[4]/R[0]C[3]" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":2,"2":"#,##0.00","3":1}' data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":103.03534913592232}'>103.04</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-formula="=R[0]C[-3]/R[0]C[-4]" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":3,"2":"0.00%","3":1}' data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":0.035021097046413506}'>3.50%</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-formula="=R[0]C[-3]/R[0]C[-5]" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":3,"2":"0.00%","3":1}' data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":0.04345991561181435}'>4.35%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-formula='=googlefinance(R[0]C[9], "name")' data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"JYP Entertainment Corp"}'>JYP Entertainment Corp</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":2,"2":"#,##0.0"}' data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":137.4}'>137.4</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":2,"2":"#,##0.0"}' data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":41}'>41.0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":2,"2":"#,##0.0"}' data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":30.7}'>30.7</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-formula="=R[0]C[4]/R[0]C[3]" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":2,"2":"#,##0.00","3":1}' data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":46.94456596742671}'>46.94</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-formula="=R[0]C[-3]/R[0]C[-4]" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":3,"2":"0.00%","3":1}' data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":0.29839883551673946}'>29.84%</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-formula="=R[0]C[-3]/R[0]C[-5]" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":3,"2":"0.00%","3":1}' data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":0.22343522561863172}'>22.34%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"Big Hit (1H×2/upper)"}'>Big Hit (1H×2/upper)</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-formula="=Pricing!R[54]C[0]*2" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":2,"2":"#,##0.0"}' data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":587.991592}'>588.0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-formula="=Pricing!R[55]C[-1]*2" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":2,"2":"#,##0.0"}' data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":99.50966}'>99.5</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-formula="=Pricing!R[56]C[-2]*2" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":2,"2":"#,##0.0"}' data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":66.339512}'>66.3</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-formula="=R[0]C[4]/R[0]C[3]" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":2,"2":"#,##0.00","3":1}' data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":68.87653801251959}'>68.88</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-formula="=R[0]C[-3]/R[0]C[-4]" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":3,"2":"0.00%","3":1}' data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":0.1692365356135909}'>16.92%</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-formula="=R[0]C[-3]/R[0]C[-5]" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":3,"2":"0.00%","3":1}' data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":0.11282391262492747}'>11.28%</td>
</tr>
<tr><td colspan="7" rowspan="1" data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"Source: KRX &amp; FnGuide"}'>Source: KRX &amp; FnGuide</td></tr>
</tbody>
</table>But this is misleading because SM and YG's earnings for this year aren't aligned with a normalized level.Below is the 12M forward PER comparison, which should be a more normalized picture.Big Hit's 12M earnings band is ₩75~90B. At the upper end of the indicative price band, the PER range is 51~61x.<table class="table table-striped">
<colgroup>
<col width="100">
<col width="100">
<col width="100">
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"PERs/FY21E earnings (₩B)"}'>PERs/FY21E earnings (₩B)</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"Earnings"}'>Earnings</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"PER (x)"}'>PER (x)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"Big Hit (12M lower)"}'>Big Hit (12M lower)</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":75}'>75.0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":60.92}'>60.92</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"Big Hit (12M mid)"}'>Big Hit (12M mid)</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":82.5}'>82.5</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":55.38}'>55.38</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"Big Hit (12M upper)"}'>Big Hit (12M upper)</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":90}'>90.0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":50.77}'>50.77</td>
</tr>
<tr><td colspan="3" rowspan="1" data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"Source: KRX &amp; FnGuide"}'>Source: KRX &amp; FnGuide</td></tr>
</tbody>
</table>At the mid-level (₩82.5B), the 12M PER range on the indicative price band is 43~55x, which is acceptably higher than the three direct valuation peers.But things can get crazy once we see the same pattern as the previous two IPOs (SKBP and Kakao G). At 2x the upper end, 12M PER will soar to 111x, which is about 3x the local peer average.<table class="table table-striped">
<colgroup>
<col width="200">
<col width="100">
<col width="100">
<col width="96">
<col width="96">
<col width="96">
<col width="96">
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"12M PER (₩B)"}'>12M PER (₩B)</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"12M PER (x)"}'>12M PER (x)</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"Price"}'>Price</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"MC"}'>MC</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"TP"}'>TP</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"Δ"}'>Δ</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"Coverage"}'>Coverage</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-formula="=R[-16]C[0]" data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"SM Entertainment Co Ltd"}'>SM Entertainment Co Ltd</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-formula="=R[-16]C[9]" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":2,"2":"#,##0.00","3":1}' data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":28.78}'>28.78</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-formula="=R[-16]C[6]" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":4,"2":"[$₩]#,##0","3":1}' data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":37950}'>₩37,950</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-formula='=googlefinance(R[-16]C[6], "marketcap")/1000000000' data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":2,"2":"#,##0.0"}' data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":891.100038}'>891.1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-formula="=R[-16]C[7]" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":4,"2":"[$₩]#,##0","3":1}' data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":46800}'>₩46,800</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-formula="=(R[0]C[-1]-R[0]C[-3])/R[0]C[-3]" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":3,"2":"0.00%","3":1}' data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":0.233201581027668}'>23.32%</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-formula="=R[-16]C[6]" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":2,"2":"0"}' data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":10}'>10</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-formula="=R[-16]C[0]" data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"YG Entertainment Inc"}'>YG Entertainment Inc</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-formula="=R[-16]C[9]" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":2,"2":"#,##0.00","3":1}' data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":45.4}'>45.40</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-formula="=R[-16]C[6]" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":4,"2":"[$₩]#,##0","3":1}' data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":58500}'>₩58,500</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-formula='=googlefinance(R[-16]C[6], "marketcap")/1000000000' data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":2,"2":"#,##0.0"}' data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":1068.595275}'>1,068.6</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-formula="=R[-16]C[7]" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":4,"2":"[$₩]#,##0","3":1}' data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":55250}'>₩55,250</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-formula="=(R[0]C[-1]-R[0]C[-3])/R[0]C[-3]" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":3,"2":"0.00%","3":1}' data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":-0.05555555555555555}'>-5.56%</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-formula="=R[-16]C[6]" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":2,"2":"0"}' data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":8}'>8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-formula="=R[-16]C[0]" data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"JYP Entertainment Corp"}'>JYP Entertainment Corp</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-formula="=R[-16]C[9]" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":2,"2":"#,##0.00","3":1}' data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":35.99}'>35.99</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-formula="=R[-16]C[6]" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":4,"2":"[$₩]#,##0","3":1}' data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":40750}'>₩40,750</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-formula='=googlefinance(R[-16]C[6], "marketcap")/1000000000' data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":2,"2":"#,##0.0"}' data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":1446.522799}'>1,446.5</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-formula="=R[-16]C[7]" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":4,"2":"[$₩]#,##0","3":1}' data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":43722}'>₩43,722</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-formula="=(R[0]C[-1]-R[0]C[-3])/R[0]C[-3]" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":3,"2":"0.00%","3":1}' data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":0.07293251533742331}'>7.29%</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-formula="=R[-16]C[6]" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":2,"2":"0"}' data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":9}'>9</td>
</tr>
<tr><td colspan="7" rowspan="1" style="text-align: left;" data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"Big Hit (12M mid)"}'>Big Hit (12M mid)</td></tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":" - Lower"}'>- Lower</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-formula="=R[0]C[1]/R13C8" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":2,"2":"#,##0.00","3":1}' data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":43.076971636363645}'>43.08</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-formula="=Pricing!R[-20]C[-1]" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":4,"2":"[$₩]#,##0","3":1}' data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":105000}'>₩105,000</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-formula="=R[0]C[-1]*Terms!R46C4/1000000000" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":2,"2":"#,##0.0"}' data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":3553.85016}'>3,553.9</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":2,"2":"#,##0.0"}' data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"-"}'>-</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":2,"2":"#,##0.0"}' data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"-"}'>-</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":2,"2":"#,##0.0"}' data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"-"}'>-</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":" - Upper"}'>- Upper</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-formula="=R[0]C[1]/R13C8" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":2,"2":"#,##0.00","3":1}' data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":55.38467781818183}'>55.38</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-formula="=Pricing!R[-21]C[1]" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":4,"2":"[$₩]#,##0","3":1}' data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":135000}'>₩135,000</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-formula="=R[0]C[-1]*Terms!R46C4/1000000000" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":2,"2":"#,##0.0"}' data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":4569.23592}'>4,569.2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":2,"2":"#,##0.0"}' data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"-"}'>-</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":2,"2":"#,##0.0"}' data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"-"}'>-</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":2,"2":"#,##0.0"}' data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"-"}'>-</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":" - Upper×2"}'>- Upper×2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-formula="=R[0]C[1]/R13C8" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":2,"2":"#,##0.00","3":1}' data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":110.76935563636366}'>110.77</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-formula="=R[-1]C[0]*2" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":4,"2":"[$₩]#,##0","3":1}' data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":270000}'>₩270,000</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-formula="=R[0]C[-1]*Terms!R46C4/1000000000" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":2,"2":"#,##0.0"}' data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":9138.47184}'>9,138.5</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":2,"2":"#,##0.0"}' data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"-"}'>-</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":2,"2":"#,##0.0"}' data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"-"}'>-</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":2,"2":"#,##0.0"}' data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"-"}'>-</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":" - Upper×2×1.3"}'>- Upper×2×1.3</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-formula="=R[0]C[1]/R13C8" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":2,"2":"#,##0.00","3":1}' data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":144.00016232727273}'>144.00</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-formula="=R[-1]C[0]*1.3" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":4,"2":"[$₩]#,##0","3":1}' data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":351000}'>₩351,000</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-formula="=R[0]C[-1]*Terms!R46C4/1000000000" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":2,"2":"#,##0.0"}' data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":11880.013392}'>11,880.0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":2,"2":"#,##0.0"}' data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"-"}'>-</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":2,"2":"#,##0.0"}' data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"-"}'>-</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":2,"2":"#,##0.0"}' data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"-"}'>-</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":" - Upper×2×1.3×1.3"}'>- Upper×2×1.3×1.3</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-formula="=R[0]C[1]/R13C8" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":2,"2":"#,##0.00","3":1}' data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":187.20021102545456}'>187.20</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-formula="=R[-1]C[0]*1.3" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":4,"2":"[$₩]#,##0","3":1}' data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":456300}'>₩456,300</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-formula="=R[0]C[-1]*Terms!R46C4/1000000000" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":2,"2":"#,##0.0"}' data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":15444.0174096}'>15,444.0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":2,"2":"#,##0.0"}' data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"-"}'>-</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":2,"2":"#,##0.0"}' data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"-"}'>-</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-numberformat='{"1":2,"2":"#,##0.0"}' data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"-"}'>-</td>
</tr>
<tr><td colspan="7" rowspan="1" data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"Source: KRX &amp; FnGuide"}'>Source: KRX &amp; FnGuide</td></tr>
</tbody>
</table>

We all know the EV/EBITDA approach can be very misleading in the Big Hit IPO.So, let's make a more reasonable approach with PER.Korea has three major entertainment talent agencies. They are often called Big Three.

S.M.Entertainment Co (041510 KS) 

YG Entertainment (122870 KS) 
JYP Entertainment (035900 KS)
Below is the PER comparison on FY20 projected earnings. The upper end of the indicative price band sets the PER at 69x, which is much lower than SM and YG. 











PERs/FY20E earnings (₩B)
Sales
OP
Earnings
PER (x)
OPM
NPM


SM Entertainment Co Ltd
569.0
37.3
10.2
87.48
6.56%
1.79%


YG Entertainment Inc
237.0
8.3
10.3
103.04
3.50%
4.35%


JYP Entertainment Corp
137.4
41.0
30.7
46.94
29.84%
22.34%


Big Hit (1H×2/upper)
588.0
99.5
66.3
68.88
16.92%
11.28%

Source: KRX &amp; FnGuide

But this is misleading because SM and YG's earnings for this year aren't aligned with a normalized level.Below is the 12M forward PER comparison, which should be a more normalized picture.Big Hit's 12M earnings band is ₩75~90B. At the upper end of the indicative price band, the PER range is 51~61x.







PERs/FY21E earnings (₩B)
Earnings
PER (x)


Big Hit (12M lower)
75.0
60.92


Big Hit (12M mid)
82.5
55.38


Big Hit (12M upper)
90.0
50.77

Source: KRX &amp; FnGuide

At the mid-level (₩82.5B), the 12M PER range on the indicative price band is 43~55x, which is acceptably higher than the three direct valuation peers.But things can get crazy once we see the same pattern as the previous two IPOs (SKBP and Kakao G). At 2x the upper end, 12M PER will soar to 111x, which is about 3x the local peer average.











12M PER (₩B)
12M PER (x)
Price
MC
TP
Δ
Coverage


SM Entertainment Co Ltd
28.78
₩37,950
891.1
₩46,800
23.32%
10


YG Entertainment Inc
45.40
₩58,500
1,068.6
₩55,250
-5.56%
8


JYP Entertainment Corp
35.99
₩40,750
1,446.5
₩43,722
7.29%
9

Big Hit (12M mid)

- Lower
43.08
₩105,000
3,553.9
-
-
-


- Upper
55.38
₩135,000
4,569.2
-
-
-


- Upper×2
110.77
₩270,000
9,138.5
-
-
-


- Upper×2×1.3
144.00
₩351,000
11,880.0
-
-
-


- Upper×2×1.3×1.3
187.20
₩456,300
15,444.0
-
-
-

Source: KRX &amp; FnGuide



Big Hit Ent. IPO: Valuations & Exit Price Level

<div class="content-highlight">
Our base case valuation of Big Hit Entertainment is EV of 4.1 trillion won, a market cap of 4.8 trillion won, and an implied price of 132,429 won per share (representing 2% lower than the high end of the IPO price range of 135,000 won per share). Given the low upside, we recommend investors to avoid this IPO.
If the IPO is priced at the low end of the IPO price range (105,000 won), then this IPO could have a reasonable upside (+20% upside). Otherwise, we think it would be better for global investors to allocate their precious capital in other more attractive companies.
</div>
Note the key assumptions in our valuation:
<ul>
<li>
EV/EBITDA multiple - We used a 30x EV/EBITDA (2020E) to value the company, which is a 30% premium to the average EV/EBITDA multiple of the comps.</li>
<li>
Sales growth - In 2020, the comps are expected to have an average sales decline of 11.9% YoY. We estimate Big Hit's sales to increase by 12.5% YoY. Overall, we would give an edge on the sales growth metric to Big Hit versus its peers given its much higher sales growth over a longer period.</li>
<li>
Operating profit growth - We have assumed the company's operating profit to increase by 17.1% YoY in 2020 and by 20.9% YoY in 2021.</li>
</ul>


Our base case valuation of Big Hit Entertainment is EV of 4.1 trillion won, a market cap of 4.8 trillion won, and an implied price of 132,429 won per share (representing 2% lower than the high end of the IPO price range of 135,000 won per share). Given the low upside, we recommend investors to avoid this IPO.
If the IPO is priced at the low end of the IPO price range (105,000 won), then this IPO could have a reasonable upside (+20% upside). Otherwise, we think it would be better for global investors to allocate their precious capital in other more attractive companies.

Note the key assumptions in our valuation:


EV/EBITDA multiple - We used a 30x EV/EBITDA (2020E) to value the company, which is a 30% premium to the average EV/EBITDA multiple of the comps.

Sales growth - In 2020, the comps are expected to have an average sales decline of 11.9% YoY. We estimate Big Hit's sales to increase by 12.5% YoY. Overall, we would give an edge on the sales growth metric to Big Hit versus its peers given its much higher sales growth over a longer period.

Operating profit growth - We have assumed the company's operating profit to increase by 17.1% YoY in 2020 and by 20.9% YoY in 2021.


Big Hit Entertainment IPO Valuation Analysis

Event-Driven

It was reported after the market close by Hankyung Business Daily that <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/s-m-entertainment-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3500:1" rel="noopener">S.M.Entertainment Co (041510 KS)</a> is currently negotiating with <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/naver-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16029:1" rel="noopener">Naver Corp (035420 KS) </a>to sell a portion of S.M. Entertainment to Naver for about 100 billion won. Currently, S.M. Entertainment has a market cap of 791 billion won so a 100 billion won investment in the company would be worth nearly 12.6% stake int he company, making Naver the second-biggest owner in the S.M. Entertainment after the founder Lee Soo-Man who has an 18.7% stake in the company.  If indeed this deal is completed, we believe it could be a win-win situation for both parties, especially for S.M. Entertainment since it would have a powerful Naver as one of its major investors. We certainly believe the completion of this deal could boost the share price of S.M. Entertainment further, whose share price is down 12% YTD. Currently, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/s-m-entertainment-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3500:1" rel="noopener">S.M.Entertainment Co (041510 KS)</a> shares are currently trading at P/E multiple of 23.8x (using consensus controlling interest basis earnings estimates in 2021), which is lowest among the top three players (JYP is trading at 30.2x and YG is trading at 27.8x P/E). One of the key reasons why SM Entertainment may be trading at a discount to its peers may be due to the potential corporate governance issues related to the founder Lee Soo-Man. However, if SM Entertainment can clinch this deal with Naver, this could help to improve the overall sentiment on SM Entertainment.

It was reported after the market close by Hankyung Business Daily that S.M.Entertainment Co (041510 KS) is currently negotiating with Naver Corp (035420 KS) to sell a portion of S.M. Entertainment to Naver for about 100 billion won. Currently, S.M. Entertainment has a market cap of 791 billion won so a 100 billion won investment in the company would be worth nearly 12.6% stake int he company, making Naver the second-biggest owner in the S.M. Entertainment after the founder Lee Soo-Man who has an 18.7% stake in the company.  If indeed this deal is completed, we believe it could be a win-win situation for both parties, especially for S.M. Entertainment since it would have a powerful Naver as one of its major investors. We certainly believe the completion of this deal could boost the share price of S.M. Entertainment further, whose share price is down 12% YTD. Currently, S.M.Entertainment Co (041510 KS) shares are currently trading at P/E multiple of 23.8x (using consensus controlling interest basis earnings estimates in 2021), which is lowest among the top three players (JYP is trading at 30.2x and YG is trading at 27.8x P/E). One of the key reasons why SM Entertainment may be trading at a discount to its peers may be due to the potential corporate governance issues related to the founder Lee Soo-Man. However, if SM Entertainment can clinch this deal with Naver, this could help to improve the overall sentiment on SM Entertainment. 

Korea M&A Spotlight: A Big Investment in S.M. Entertainment by Naver?

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

In this insight, we have identified 39 companies in Korea that are most affected by the end of the ban on Korean culture-related products and services (한한령) which the Chinese government has put in place since 2017. We then divided these 39 companies into nine different sectors. The end of this ban was first announced on the morning of June 30th and many of these stocks rallied on June 30th but gave up a lot of the gains on July 1st. Overall, in the past two days, these 39 stocks are up on average 3.2%, outperforming KOSPI which is up only 0.6%. <div class="content-highlight">
<h2>Korean Media/Entertainment vs. Cosmetics? </h2>
A key question for the investors is "Should I add more Korean media/entertainment stocks or cosmetics stocks, in the midst of the end of the ban on Korean culture products by China?" In our view, over the next 6 to 12 months, the Korean media/entertainment companies listed below are likely to have greater positive benefits from the end of the ban versus the cosmetics companies.
Youtube must probably love K-pop since this is one of the most widely watched videos globally. YG Entertainment's Blackpink group released its new music vidoe (How You Like That), which broke all kinds of records for breaking the 100 million views on Youtube in the shortest period of time. 
</div>

In this insight, we have identified 39 companies in Korea that are most affected by the end of the ban on Korean culture-related products and services (한한령) which the Chinese government has put in place since 2017. We then divided these 39 companies into nine different sectors. The end of this ban was first announced on the morning of June 30th and many of these stocks rallied on June 30th but gave up a lot of the gains on July 1st. Overall, in the past two days, these 39 stocks are up on average 3.2%, outperforming KOSPI which is up only 0.6%. 
Korean Media/Entertainment vs. Cosmetics? 
A key question for the investors is "Should I add more Korean media/entertainment stocks or cosmetics stocks, in the midst of the end of the ban on Korean culture products by China?" In our view, over the next 6 to 12 months, the Korean media/entertainment companies listed below are likely to have greater positive benefits from the end of the ban versus the cosmetics companies.
Youtube must probably love K-pop since this is one of the most widely watched videos globally. YG Entertainment's Blackpink group released its new music vidoe (How You Like That), which broke all kinds of records for breaking the 100 million views on Youtube in the shortest period of time. 


A Comprehensive List of Firms Benefiting from the End of the Ban of Korean Culture Products by China

South Korea

Cheil Worldwide Inc. provides a wide range of marketing services such as new product development and advertisement, brand management, advertising budget analysis, and advertising effectiveness evaluation.  The Company also creates, prints, publishes, and produces promotional and advertising materials.

JYP Entertainment Corp plans, produces, promotes, and markets Korean singers both in Korean and overseas market. The Company's also engages in licensing, merchandizing, and artist management business including the commercial flim contracts of the artists.

CJ CGV Co., Ltd. develops and operates multi-screen movie theaters in South Korea.  The Company's theater complex also conducts stores and restaurants in theaters, and offers advertisement through screens.

Innocean Worldwide Inc. provides marketing and communications services. As a media agency, the company is engaged in promotion, sports business consulting, space design, and advertisement production.

YG Entertainment Inc., produces and markets music recording, music publishing, record manufacturing/sales, artist management, concert production, and new artist discovering/training.

Hyundai Hy Communications & Network Co Ltd is cable television and Internet service company.  The Company also generates revenue from advertisement. Hyundai HCN provides service within South Korea.

Hyundai Hy Communications & Network (126560 KS)

Seoul Broadcasting System (SBS) is a commercial television and radio broadcasting company.  The Company produces and broadcasts programs, such as news, sports, weather, music, movies, and television drama series.

CJ Hellovision Company Ltd. operates as a multi-system operator that receives programs from program providers and airs them to subscribers. The Company offers cable TV services covering news, movie, music, entertainment, documentary, sports, education, go game, culture, homeshopping, and local broadcasting, as well as ground wave and satellite TV broadcasting channels.

Nasmedia Co., Ltd. is a Media Rep company that markets various advertising services based on the internet and mobile devices.  The Company's advertising service engages in digital signages, advertising solution, and web analysis.

YG PLUS provides a wide range of advertisement services through television, magazine, radio, and newspaper.  The Company also offers marketing and event planning related to sales promotion (SP) services.

Network 18 Media & Investments Ltd. is an entertainment holding company.  The Company, through its subsidiaries, operates a business news television channel; offers Internet access; operates real-time news terminals; operates general news television channels; produces motion pictures; and retails goods on television and over the Internet.

DAIICHIKOSHO CO., LTD. manufactures, sells, and, leases karaoke equipment and software.  The Company also operates karaoke booth chains called Big Echo, provides karaoke software via cable line called DAM, and participates in broadcasting via satellite.

TV Asahi Holdings Corporation produces and broadcasts a variety of television programs mainly in the Tokyo area. The Company sells commercial spots through a network system. TV Asahi also provides patent maintenance for music publication, entertainment planning, sales of broadcasting equipment, and TV shopping.

CITIC Guoan Information Industry Co., Ltd., through its subsidiary, installs, tests, and operates cable TV and satellite telecommunication networks. The Company also develops real estate properties .  In addition, CITIC designs network integrated systems and application software, and provides advertising services.

Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. is a diversified broadcasting company that owns or provides programming services to television stations across the United States.  The Company's television group includes FOX, WB, ABC, CBS, NBC, and UPN affiliates.

Visual China Group Co., Ltd. manufactures cultural and entertainment products and technologies. The Company's products include radio and television transmission technology, Internet transmission, Internet games and entertainment, mobile communications network gaming and entertainment technology, and computer software development.

Central China Land Media Co., Ltd. operates media businesses.  The company provides web services for news, publishing, movies and television related programs.

Hunan TV & Broadcast Intermediary Co. Ltd. designs, produces, and broadcasts TV advertisement and provide advertising agent services.  The Company also makes television programs, operates theme parks, and provides cable TV network program delivery services.

Beijing Gehua CATV Network Co., Ltd. builds, manages, and maintains cable TV networks. The Company also provides advertising and information services.

Beijing Gehua Catv Network Co, Ltd. (600037 CH)

Guangdong Advertising Group Co.,Ltd provides integrated market communication service.  The Company's services include brand management, media agency, costume design, private advertising media,photography,technology development and television planning.

S.M.Entertainment Co. plans, produces, promotes, and markets Korean rock and roll music in several formats, such as compact discs (CD), concert tours, television productions, and music videos.  The Company also operates artist management business as well as licensing and copyright business from the company's music records.

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S.M.Entertainment Co (041510 KS)

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In this insight, we have identified 39 companies in Korea that are most affected by the end of the ban on Korean culture-related products and...

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