Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

Equity Capital Markets

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In this insight, we provide an update of Kakao Bank which is getting ready to release its IPO prospectus in the coming days. Even without the prospectus, the company has already provided a lot of the the company's financials, industry analysis, and other materials in its annual and quarterly earnings filings. In this insight, we try to provide some of our key findings from its financial filings of Kakao Bank, but excluding the bankers' valuation assessment which is not yet available. 
Kakao Bank is expected to be one of the largest IPOs in Korea in 2021. In the gray market, it is currently trading at 96,500 won per share or 39.5 trillion won. The two largest banks in Korea are <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kb-financial-group-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:718:1" rel="noopener">KB Financial (105560 KS)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shinhan-financial-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6978:1" rel="noopener">Shinhan Financial (055550 KS),</a> which have market caps of 22.9 trillion won and 20.6 trillion won, respectively. As a result, Kakao Bank's market cap (in the gray market) is close to the combined market caps of KB Financial and Shinhan Financial (43.5 trillion won) which is quite remarkable. 
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In this insight, we provide an update of Kakao Bank which is getting ready to release its IPO prospectus in the coming days. Even without the prospectus, the company has already provided a lot of the the company's financials, industry analysis, and other materials in its annual and quarterly earnings filings. In this insight, we try to provide some of our key findings from its financial filings of Kakao Bank, but excluding the bankers' valuation assessment which is not yet available. 
Kakao Bank is expected to be one of the largest IPOs in Korea in 2021. In the gray market, it is currently trading at 96,500 won per share or 39.5 trillion won. The two largest banks in Korea are KB Financial (105560 KS) and Shinhan Financial (055550 KS), which have market caps of 22.9 trillion won and 20.6 trillion won, respectively. As a result, Kakao Bank's market cap (in the gray market) is close to the combined market caps of KB Financial and Shinhan Financial (43.5 trillion won) which is quite remarkable. 


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

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

Does holding company ("holdco") discount in Korea apply to the likes of <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> , <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sk-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:393:1" rel="noopener">SK Holdings (034730 KS)</a> (now Inc), <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/osstem-implant-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1450:1" rel="noopener">Osstem Implant (048260 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> , <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/fila-holdings-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10699:1" rel="noopener">Fila Holdings (081660 KS)</a> and others? To answer that question I think we need to know the history of the holdco in Korea.

Does holding company ("holdco") discount in Korea apply to the likes of SK Telecom (017670 KS) , SK Holdings (034730 KS) (now Inc), Osstem Implant (048260 KS) , LG Chem Ltd (051910 KS) , Kakao Corp (035720 KS) , Fila Holdings (081660 KS) and others? To answer that question I think we need to know the history of the holdco in Korea.

The Holding Company Dilemma in Korea -  What's the Right Discount?

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 measures recommended by the financial authorities to pay dividends to banks within 20% of their net profit will likely end at the end of this month. Korea's financial holding companies will prepare for a semi-annual or quarterly dividend as soon as they pass a stress test (financial soundness assessment) to be implemented by the financial authorities soon.In this connection, the attention is being on Shinhan Financial Group, which laid the groundwork for a quarterly dividend by amending the articles of incorporation at the general shareholders' meeting earlier this year. Accordingly, Shinhan Financial Group plans to review quarterly dividends at the earliest possible.

The measures recommended by the financial authorities to pay dividends to banks within 20% of their net profit will likely end at the end of this month. Korea's financial holding companies will prepare for a semi-annual or quarterly dividend as soon as they pass a stress test (financial soundness assessment) to be implemented by the financial authorities soon.In this connection, the attention is being on Shinhan Financial Group, which laid the groundwork for a quarterly dividend by amending the articles of incorporation at the general shareholders' meeting earlier this year. Accordingly, Shinhan Financial Group plans to review quarterly dividends at the earliest possible.

Shinhan Financial Quarterly Dividends: Procedural Issues, Stress Test, & Payment Size

Korea's financial regulators, the Financial Services Commission, had advised the local banks and bank holding companies to keep a dividend payout ratio below 20%. The purpose was clear. It was to secure a sufficient capital buffer to absorb potential losses resulting from COVID-19.This recommendation for the 20% cap is effective until the end of this month.The market widely expects the FSC to not renew this 20% dividend cap after this month amid the fast-rebounding economy.

Korea's financial regulators, the Financial Services Commission, had advised the local banks and bank holding companies to keep a dividend payout ratio below 20%. The purpose was clear. It was to secure a sufficient capital buffer to absorb potential losses resulting from COVID-19.This recommendation for the 20% cap is effective until the end of this month.The market widely expects the FSC to not renew this 20% dividend cap after this month amid the fast-rebounding economy.

Korea Banks 20% Dividend Cap Scrapping: Projected Div Payout & Yield of 8 Bank Stocks

Korea's local banks are still going strong as an inflation hedge stock. In particular, the sector leaders continue to shine the most, which is understandable.Shinhan Financial Group has outperformed most of its local peers of late, causing a harsh diversion vs. several names.<table class="table table-striped">
<colgroup>
<col width="200">
<col width="70">
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<col width="70">
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<tbody>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"Comp 1 (long)"}'>Comp 1 (long)</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"Ticker"}'>Ticker</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"Market cap"}'>Market cap</td>
<td data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"Comp 2 (short)"}'>Comp 2 (short)</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"Ticker"}'>Ticker</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"Market cap"}'>Market cap</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"180-day correlation coefficient"}'>180-day correlation coefficient</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"Sigma on a 20-day moving average"}'>Sigma on a 20-day moving average</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"Woori Financial Group Inc"}'>Woori Financial Group Inc</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":316140}'>316140</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":7981.05789715}' data-sheets-numberformat='[null,2,"₩#,##0.0B"]'>₩7,981.1B</td>
<td data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"Shinhan Financial Group Co., Ltd."}'>Shinhan Financial Group Co., Ltd.</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"055550"}'>055550</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":21826.3311565}' data-sheets-numberformat='[null,2,"₩#,##0.0B"]'>₩21,826.3B</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":0.9223855252672568}' data-sheets-numberformat='[null,2,"#,##0.00000",1]'>0.92</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":-1.7434864364413833}' data-sheets-numberformat='[null,2,"#,##0.00000",1]'>-1.74</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"Hana Financial Group Inc"}'>Hana Financial Group Inc</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"086790"}'>086790</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":13676.0259241}' data-sheets-numberformat='[null,2,"₩#,##0.0B"]'>₩13,676.0B</td>
<td data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"Shinhan Financial Group Co., Ltd."}'>Shinhan Financial Group Co., Ltd.</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"055550"}'>055550</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":21826.3311565}' data-sheets-numberformat='[null,2,"₩#,##0.0B"]'>₩21,826.3B</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":0.9415706574402087}' data-sheets-numberformat='[null,2,"#,##0.00000",1]'>0.94</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":-1.6583215542673198}' data-sheets-numberformat='[null,2,"#,##0.00000",1]'>-1.66</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"KB Financial Group Inc"}'>KB Financial Group Inc</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"105560"}'>105560</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":23701.05144}' data-sheets-numberformat='[null,2,"₩#,##0.0B"]'>₩23,701.1B</td>
<td data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"Shinhan Financial Group Co., Ltd."}'>Shinhan Financial Group Co., Ltd.</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"055550"}'>055550</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":21826.3311565}' data-sheets-numberformat='[null,2,"₩#,##0.0B"]'>₩21,826.3B</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":0.9610188453950309}' data-sheets-numberformat='[null,2,"#,##0.00000",1]'>0.96</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":-1.5589371642688024}' data-sheets-numberformat='[null,2,"#,##0.00000",1]'>-1.56</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"BNK Financial Group Inc"}'>BNK Financial Group Inc</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"138930"}'>138930</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":2591.1852057}' data-sheets-numberformat='[null,2,"₩#,##0.0B"]'>₩2,591.2B</td>
<td data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"Shinhan Financial Group Co., Ltd."}'>Shinhan Financial Group Co., Ltd.</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"055550"}'>055550</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":21826.3311565}' data-sheets-numberformat='[null,2,"₩#,##0.0B"]'>₩21,826.3B</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":0.972704739094366}' data-sheets-numberformat='[null,2,"#,##0.00000",1]'>0.97</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":-1.0491776745143695}' data-sheets-numberformat='[null,2,"#,##0.00000",1]'>-1.05</td>
</tr>
<tr><td colspan="8">Source: KRX 
</td></tr>
</tbody>
</table>The harshest diversion at this point goes to Woori Financial Group. The current sigma is -1.74 on a 20-day moving average. Its price ratio relative to Shinhan is now 9.55% below the 180-day average. In fact, it is at a 180-day low.<table class="table table-striped">
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<col width="70">
<col width="70">
<col width="70">
<col width="70">
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"Price ratio"}' data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"[$₩]#,##0"]'>Price ratio</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"%Δ to 180-day mean"}' data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"[$₩]#,##0"]'>%Δ to 180-day mean</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"%Δ to 180-day high"}' data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"[$₩]#,##0"]'>%Δ to 180-day high</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"%Δ to 180-day low"}' data-sheets-numberformat='[null,4,"[$₩]#,##0"]'>%Δ to 180-day low</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"Woori Financial Group Inc"}' data-sheets-formula="=R[-16]C[0]">Woori Financial Group Inc</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":-0.09551050492215632}' data-sheets-numberformat='[null,3,"0.00%",1]' data-sheets-formula="=(R[0]C5-R[0]C[4])/R[0]C[4]">-9.55%</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":-0.158687466379774}' data-sheets-numberformat='[null,3,"0.00%",1]' data-sheets-formula="=(R[0]C5-R[0]C[4])/R[0]C[4]">-15.87%</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":0}' data-sheets-numberformat='[null,3,"0.00%",1]' data-sheets-formula="=(R[0]C5-R[0]C[4])/R[0]C[4]">0.00%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"Hana Financial Group Inc"}' data-sheets-formula="=R[-16]C[0]">Hana Financial Group Inc</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":-0.007327297625351524}' data-sheets-numberformat='[null,3,"0.00%",1]' data-sheets-formula="=(R[0]C5-R[0]C[4])/R[0]C[4]">-0.73%</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":-0.10178905429741551}' data-sheets-numberformat='[null,3,"0.00%",1]' data-sheets-formula="=(R[0]C5-R[0]C[4])/R[0]C[4]">-10.18%</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":0.14368007113294015}' data-sheets-numberformat='[null,3,"0.00%",1]' data-sheets-formula="=(R[0]C5-R[0]C[4])/R[0]C[4]">14.37%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"KB Financial Group Inc"}' data-sheets-formula="=R[-16]C[0]">KB Financial Group Inc</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":-0.022657232352227285}' data-sheets-numberformat='[null,3,"0.00%",1]' data-sheets-formula="=(R[0]C5-R[0]C[4])/R[0]C[4]">-2.27%</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":-0.1009918086293668}' data-sheets-numberformat='[null,3,"0.00%",1]' data-sheets-formula="=(R[0]C5-R[0]C[4])/R[0]C[4]">-10.10%</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":0.08257600627747405}' data-sheets-numberformat='[null,3,"0.00%",1]' data-sheets-formula="=(R[0]C5-R[0]C[4])/R[0]C[4]">8.26%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-sheets-value='{"1":2,"2":"BNK Financial Group Inc"}' data-sheets-formula="=R[-16]C[0]">BNK Financial Group Inc</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":0.037819100378221324}' data-sheets-numberformat='[null,3,"0.00%",1]' data-sheets-formula="=(R[0]C5-R[0]C[4])/R[0]C[4]">3.78%</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":-0.048692073349346776}' data-sheets-numberformat='[null,3,"0.00%",1]' data-sheets-formula="=(R[0]C5-R[0]C[4])/R[0]C[4]">-4.87%</td>
<td style="text-align: right;" data-sheets-value='{"1":3,"3":0.12800025002083512}' data-sheets-numberformat='[null,3,"0.00%",1]' data-sheets-formula="=(R[0]C5-R[0]C[4])/R[0]C[4]">12.80%</td>
</tr>
<tr><td colspan="4">Source: KRX</td></tr>
</tbody>
</table><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/210/024/original/Woori+Financial+Group+Inc+vs.+Shinhan+Financial+Group+Co.%2C+Ltd.png?1622371064" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="210024"></figure></section>

Korea's local banks are still going strong as an inflation hedge stock. In particular, the sector leaders continue to shine the most, which is understandable.Shinhan Financial Group has outperformed most of its local peers of late, causing a harsh diversion vs. several names.












Comp 1 (long)
Ticker
Market cap
Comp 2 (short)
Ticker
Market cap
180-day correlation coefficient
Sigma on a 20-day moving average


Woori Financial Group Inc
316140
₩7,981.1B
Shinhan Financial Group Co., Ltd.
055550
₩21,826.3B
0.92
-1.74


Hana Financial Group Inc
086790
₩13,676.0B
Shinhan Financial Group Co., Ltd.
055550
₩21,826.3B
0.94
-1.66


KB Financial Group Inc
105560
₩23,701.1B
Shinhan Financial Group Co., Ltd.
055550
₩21,826.3B
0.96
-1.56


BNK Financial Group Inc
138930
₩2,591.2B
Shinhan Financial Group Co., Ltd.
055550
₩21,826.3B
0.97
-1.05

Source: KRX 


The harshest diversion at this point goes to Woori Financial Group. The current sigma is -1.74 on a 20-day moving average. Its price ratio relative to Shinhan is now 9.55% below the 180-day average. In fact, it is at a 180-day low.








Price ratio
%Δ to 180-day mean
%Δ to 180-day high
%Δ to 180-day low


Woori Financial Group Inc
-9.55%
-15.87%
0.00%


Hana Financial Group Inc
-0.73%
-10.18%
14.37%


KB Financial Group Inc
-2.27%
-10.10%
8.26%


BNK Financial Group Inc
3.78%
-4.87%
12.80%

Source: KRX



Korea Financials: Woori Vs. Shinhan Price Ratio at a 180-Day Low

South Korea

Shinhan Financial Group Co., Ltd., a holding company, provides a full range of consumer and commercial banking-related financial services.  The company's main businesses include banking, securities brokerage, trust banking, and assets management to individuals, businesses, and other financial institutions.

Price Gauge
52-week Range	0.00 - 0.00
Market Cap (USDm)	0.00
P/E	0.00
Dividend (Yield)	0.00

Shinhan Financial Group Adr (SHG US)

An Update on the Kakao Bank IPO

We provide an update of Kakao Bank which is getting ready to release its IPO prospectus in the coming days. In the gray market, it is trading at...

Douglas Kim

The Holding Company Dilemma in Korea - What's the Right Discount?

The discount rate to NAV that is rule of thumb in Korea is 30% but does not make sense across the board? We discuss if there is a better way to...

Ken S. Kim

Shinhan Financial Quarterly Dividends: Procedural Issues, Stress Test, & Payment Size

This post details the procedural issues, the upcoming stress test, and yearly/quarterly payment estimations of Shinhan Financial Group's possible...

Sanghyun Park

Korea Banks 20% Dividend Cap Scrapping: Projected Div Payout & Yield of 8 Bank Stocks

Korea's financial regulators will likely scrap the 20% dividend payout ratio cap this month. This post investigates the projected dividend payout...

Sanghyun Park

Korea Financials: Woori Vs. Shinhan Price Ratio at a 180-Day Low

This post discusses the current diversion in the Woori vs. Shinhan pair and explains why we should see a reversion at the current level.

Sanghyun Park

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)