Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>The total amount of share cancellations by Korean companies increased sharply in the past three years. Share cancellations of 6.1 trillion won in 2023 represented a 140% increase from 2021.</li>
<li>Although the total amount of share cancellations of 6.1 trillion won in 2023 seems fairly large, this represented only 0.24% of total market caps of Korean companies. </li>
<li>We also provide a list of seven Korean companies that have been targeted by activist investors  to cancel more shares and improve corporate governance. </li>
</ul>


The total amount of share cancellations by Korean companies increased sharply in the past three years. Share cancellations of 6.1 trillion won in 2023 represented a 140% increase from 2021.
Although the total amount of share cancellations of 6.1 trillion won in 2023 seems fairly large, this represented only 0.24% of total market caps of Korean companies. 
We also provide a list of seven Korean companies that have been targeted by activist investors  to cancel more shares and improve corporate governance. 


A 140% Increase in Share Cancellations by Korean Companies from 2021 to 2023

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.

<ul>
<li>We're starting to see some local market players getting ready and setting up trades that bet on a potential split for Samsung Electronics.</li>
<li>Samsung could leverage the buzz around spinning off its foundry business to split key units—foundry, memory chips, and others—into two or three separate companies at the shareholder meeting.</li>
<li>Additionally, the valuation gap between Samsung Electronics and Biologics has narrowed more than it has in the last decade, making it an even more attractive opportunity.</li>
</ul>


We're starting to see some local market players getting ready and setting up trades that bet on a potential split for Samsung Electronics.
Samsung could leverage the buzz around spinning off its foundry business to split key units—foundry, memory chips, and others—into two or three separate companies at the shareholder meeting.
Additionally, the valuation gap between Samsung Electronics and Biologics has narrowed more than it has in the last decade, making it an even more attractive opportunity.


Surging Buzz Around the Potential Split of Samsung Electronics

Douglas Research Advisory

Cross Asset Strategy

<ul>
<li>There are some major surprises (both inclusions and exclusions) in the Korea Value Up index. </li>
<li>In particular, the telecom sector (SK Telecom and KT) and large cap holding companies (Samsung C&amp;T and LG Corp) are surprising exclusions in the index.</li>
<li>There are many surprising inclusions in the Korea Value Up Index. We provide 30 companies are surprising inclusions in the Korea Value Up Index (19 KOSDAQ and 11 KOSPI listed).</li>
</ul>


There are some major surprises (both inclusions and exclusions) in the Korea Value Up index. 
In particular, the telecom sector (SK Telecom and KT) and large cap holding companies (Samsung C&amp;T and LG Corp) are surprising exclusions in the index.
There are many surprising inclusions in the Korea Value Up Index. We provide 30 companies are surprising inclusions in the Korea Value Up Index (19 KOSDAQ and 11 KOSPI listed).


Korea Value Up Index - Surprising Inclusions and Exclusions

Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance / Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>With the 15% ownership cap complicating buybacks, Samsung Fire’s more likely to roll out a dividend-focused value-up play instead.</li>
<li>They’ve flagged a mix of shareholder returns and investments, but the big question is how much will be funneled into returns this year.</li>
<li>If Samsung Fire hits a 50% shareholder return this year, DPS could jump to ₩23,000–₩25,000 with a 6.5% yield, potentially boosting the stock price by 20–30%.</li>
</ul>


With the 15% ownership cap complicating buybacks, Samsung Fire’s more likely to roll out a dividend-focused value-up play instead.
They’ve flagged a mix of shareholder returns and investments, but the big question is how much will be funneled into returns this year.
If Samsung Fire hits a 50% shareholder return this year, DPS could jump to ₩23,000–₩25,000 with a 6.5% yield, potentially boosting the stock price by 20–30%.


Why Samsung Fire Is Shaping Up to Be the Hottest Dividend Play Ahead of the Value-Up Disclosure

<ul>
<li>A high-ranking official from the local financial regulatory authority has confirmed to several local media outlets that the tax benefits for the value-up program will be unveiled this month.</li>
<li>Corporate tax cuts and separate taxation on dividend income will be included. The short-term impact at the time of the announcement will likely be more significant for corporate tax cuts.</li>
<li>Local market is focused on screening large companies within the KOSPI 200 that have substantial pre-tax profits in anticipation of the corporate tax cut momentum to be announced this month.</li>
</ul>


A high-ranking official from the local financial regulatory authority has confirmed to several local media outlets that the tax benefits for the value-up program will be unveiled this month.
Corporate tax cuts and separate taxation on dividend income will be included. The short-term impact at the time of the announcement will likely be more significant for corporate tax cuts.
Local market is focused on screening large companies within the KOSPI 200 that have substantial pre-tax profits in anticipation of the corporate tax cut momentum to be announced this month.


Value-Up Tax Support Revealed by End of June: Local Market Eyes Corporate Tax Cut Beneficiaries

South Korea

Samsung C&T Corporation conducts diversified business support services and resort operation activities. The Company offers a range of services in areas including clothing retail, construction, energy, real estate, food service, and resort accommodations. Samsung C&T also operates a resort with amusement rides, a zoo, water park, golf clubs, and restaurants.

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Samsung C&T (028260 KS)

Surging Buzz Around the Potential Split of Samsung Electronics

This post dives into the potential split of Samsung Electronics, one of the hot topics currently heating up Korea's stock market.

Sanghyun Park

Korea Value Up Index - Surprising Inclusions and Exclusions

There are many surprising inclusions and exclusions in the Korea Value Up Index. We provide 30 companies that are surprising inclusions and 10...

Douglas Kim

Why Samsung Fire Is Shaping Up to Be the Hottest Dividend Play Ahead of the Value-Up Disclosure

Samsung Fire is emerging as the top dividend play with the value-up angle. This post dives into why the market’s abuzz about the potential dividend...

Sanghyun Park

Value-Up Tax Support Revealed by End of June: Local Market Eyes Corporate Tax Cut Beneficiaries

A high-ranking official confirmed that tax cut incentives for the value-up program will be unveiled by the end of this month. This post...

Sanghyun Park

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A 140% Increase in Share Cancellations by Korean Companies from 2021 to 2023

The total amount of share cancellations by Korean companies increased sharply in the past three years. Share cancellations of 6.1 trillion won in...

Douglas Kim

Surging Buzz Around the Potential Split of Samsung Electronics

This post dives into the potential split of Samsung Electronics, one of the hot topics currently heating up Korea's stock market.

Sanghyun Park

Korea Value Up Index - Surprising Inclusions and Exclusions

There are many surprising inclusions and exclusions in the Korea Value Up Index. We provide 30 companies that are surprising inclusions and 10...

Douglas Kim

Why Samsung Fire Is Shaping Up to Be the Hottest Dividend Play Ahead of the Value-Up Disclosure

Samsung Fire is emerging as the top dividend play with the value-up angle. This post dives into why the market’s abuzz about the potential dividend...

Sanghyun Park

Value-Up Tax Support Revealed by End of June: Local Market Eyes Corporate Tax Cut Beneficiaries

A high-ranking official confirmed that tax cut incentives for the value-up program will be unveiled by the end of this month. This post...

Sanghyun Park