Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>The FSS has launched a formal investigation into KB Kookmin bank due to potentially massive losses related to the HSCEI linked ELS products. </li>
<li>The three major listed banking groups (KB Financial, Shinhan Financial, and Hana Financial) could be burdened with nearly 86% of the HSCEI linked ELS losses (close to 2.6 trillion won). </li>
<li>Major Korean banks may need a <em>"Hail Mary"</em> pass to avoid this disaster. Such positive outlook would include sharply rising HSCEI index in 2024, similar to what happened in 2016. </li>
</ul>


The FSS has launched a formal investigation into KB Kookmin bank due to potentially massive losses related to the HSCEI linked ELS products. 
The three major listed banking groups (KB Financial, Shinhan Financial, and Hana Financial) could be burdened with nearly 86% of the HSCEI linked ELS losses (close to 2.6 trillion won). 
Major Korean banks may need a "Hail Mary" pass to avoid this disaster. Such positive outlook would include sharply rising HSCEI index in 2024, similar to what happened in 2016. 


ELS Losses Related to Hong Kong H-Index Could Top Nearly 3 Trillion Won for Major Korean Banks in 2024

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

<ul>
<li>Given Korea's blanket ban on short-selling, we should concentrate on the likelihood of these ADRs being significantly discounted compared to their underlying shares.</li>
<li>It should persist for an extended period, highlighting the importance of continuously monitoring ADR spreads over the next 2-3 months to seize the opportune entry timing.</li>
<li>Since all these carry single-stock futures, a flexible setup targeting this spread can be designed, ideally incorporating currency hedges.</li>
</ul>


Given Korea's blanket ban on short-selling, we should concentrate on the likelihood of these ADRs being significantly discounted compared to their underlying shares.
It should persist for an extended period, highlighting the importance of continuously monitoring ADR spreads over the next 2-3 months to seize the opportune entry timing.
Since all these carry single-stock futures, a flexible setup targeting this spread can be designed, ideally incorporating currency hedges.


Trading Opportunities Targeting Potential ADR Discount Increases from Korea's Short-Selling Ban

<ul>
<li>In this insight, we discuss the increasing probability of Kakao Corp (035720 KS) losing its controlling shareholding of KakaoBank (323410 KS).</li>
<li>The FSS Chairman Lee Bok-Hyun emphasized that the FSS may punish Kakao Corp for a potential stock manipulation of S.M.Entertainment amid the M&amp;A tender offer process earlier this year.</li>
<li>At this point, the higher probability event appears to be a combination of fine and Kakao Corp selling at least 10% of its stake in Kakao Bank to another company.</li>
</ul>


In this insight, we discuss the increasing probability of Kakao Corp (035720 KS) losing its controlling shareholding of KakaoBank (323410 KS).
The FSS Chairman Lee Bok-Hyun emphasized that the FSS may punish Kakao Corp for a potential stock manipulation of S.M.Entertainment amid the M&amp;A tender offer process earlier this year.
At this point, the higher probability event appears to be a combination of fine and Kakao Corp selling at least 10% of its stake in Kakao Bank to another company.


Increasing Probability of Kakao Corp Losing Its Controlling Shareholding of Kakao Bank

<ul>
<li>While Ecopro Co's stock has undergone significant corrections since August, KB Financial has sustained an upward trajectory, leading to a significant reversal in float-adjusted market cap.</li>
<li>The current disparity between the two exceeds ₩2T, making it challenging to anticipate another reversal until the screening period.</li>
<li>Ecopro Co and LG Energy Solution also warrant attention due to the narrow gap in their float-adjusted market capitalization. We should monitor any changes in their market capitalization moving forward.</li>
</ul>


While Ecopro Co's stock has undergone significant corrections since August, KB Financial has sustained an upward trajectory, leading to a significant reversal in float-adjusted market cap.
The current disparity between the two exceeds ₩2T, making it challenging to anticipate another reversal until the screening period.
Ecopro Co and LG Energy Solution also warrant attention due to the narrow gap in their float-adjusted market capitalization. We should monitor any changes in their market capitalization moving forward.


A Shift in TIGER Top 10 ETF December Rebalancing: KB Financial Newly In But Not Ecopro Co

Research and consultancy, Tabbush Report

Daniel Tabbush

Research and consultancy

Tabbush Report

We provide research and consultancy on Asian banks. Our focus is on what we call “Asian bank research, without the noise.” We are interested in the most critical swing-factors for banks, the NPL and credit cycle, and where we believe there is a gap between perception and reality. We often focus on the less studied components of bank financial statements.  Our research is highly thematic, sometimes examining unlisted banks and companies as a window on mainstream banks. 

Being independent allows us to look at smaller banks, often overlooked by others. Analysis of BIS bank guidelines in the context of Asia, is also a focal point, while we also analyze global banks operating in the region. We use what we believe is the most comprehensive, reliable financials database, SNL Financial. S&P Capital IQ augments our database, with corporate data and CEIC, with economics. 

Asian bank research, without the noise.

<ul>
<li>Major pressure on net interest income where deposits are growing much faster than loans in the past six months, especially with term deposits, is creating major NIM contraction</li>
<li>Earnings may disappoint based on weakening net interest income, weakening margins, and where the overlay is far higher credit costs; from KRW17bn to KRW59bn in 2 yrs to 2Q23</li>
<li>Operating costs are not helping to support ROA and with a new virtual bank investment in Thailand, costs can remain high; fixing operational risks can also keep costs high.</li>
</ul>


Major pressure on net interest income where deposits are growing much faster than loans in the past six months, especially with term deposits, is creating major NIM contraction
Earnings may disappoint based on weakening net interest income, weakening margins, and where the overlay is far higher credit costs; from KRW17bn to KRW59bn in 2 yrs to 2Q23
Operating costs are not helping to support ROA and with a new virtual bank investment in Thailand, costs can remain high; fixing operational risks can also keep costs high.


KakaoBank - Term Deposits +47% | Net Int Inc/Assets -80bps | Provisions: 10% to 23% of Net Int Inc

South Korea

KB Financial Group Inc. (the "Company"), in accordance with Financial Holding Companies Act, was established on September 29, 2008, through stock transfer with the former shareholders of its subsidiaries including Kookmin Bank in order to provide management services and financing to associated companies. The headquarters are located at Seoul, Korea

Hana Financial Group Inc., in accordance with Financial Holding Companies Act, was established on December 1, 2005, through stock transfer with the former shareholders of its subsidiaries in order to provide management services and financing to associated companies.

Industrial Bank of Korea(IBK) is a policy bank providing development finance and related banking services to support small and medium-sized enterprises in Korea. The Bank provides loans, discount bills, trade finance, deposits, foreign exchange, and payment guarantees. The company also offers services such as credit cards, insurance and smart-phone banking.

Woori Financial Group Inc. provides commercial banking services. The Company offers deposit services, loan services, bill services, settlement services, credit card, international, online banking, and other related services. Woori Financial Group also operates banking and retail banking businesses.

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

JB Financial Group Co. Ltd., a holding company, provides a full range of consumer and commercial banking-related financial services.

DGB Financial Group Inc., a financial holding company, provides a full range of consumer and commercial banking-related financial services.  The Company operates and controls its financial subsidiaries such as Daegu Bank, Daegu Credit Information, and DBG Capital.

Jeju Bank is a regional commercial bank that provides banking, foreign exchange, trust account, and other related retail banking services.

Pureun Mutual Savings Bank provides financial services, such as loans, deposits, savings accounts, bills discounts, installment accounts, and foreign exchange.

Hang Seng Bank Limited and its subsidiaries provide banking and related financial services.

CIMB Group Holdings Berhad provides commercial banking and related financial services. The Company and its subsidiaries, operate as a regional universal bank offering a full range of financial products and services, covering corporate and investment banking, consumer banking, treasury, insurance and asset management.

Standard Chartered PLC is an international banking group operating principally in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. The Company offers its products and services in the personal, consumer, corporate, institutional and treasury areas.

CTBC Financial Holding Company Ltd. is a holding company.  Through its subsidiaries, the Company provides a variety of banking and financial services, including deposit, loan, guarantee, international banking, trust banking, credit card, investment banking, safety deposit box, and Internet banking services.

Punjab National Bank provides financial services such as corporate and personal banking, industrial finance, agricultural finance, financing of trade and international banking. The Company provides services to domestic conglomerates, medium and small industrial units, exporters, non-resident Indians and multinational companies.

Bank of Baroda owns and operates commercial banks in India.  The Group's banks provide the traditional forms of banking services, including CD's, Credit Card services and a variety of car loans, in addition to gold banking and a range of insurance services.  The Group also owns IBU International Finance Limited, an international banking company in Hong Kong.

Public Bank Berhad provides a range of banking and financial services which include leasing and factoring, stock and futures broking, financing for the purchase of licensed public vehicles, and other financial services. The Group's overseas operations include branches in Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

Malayan Banking Berhad operates as a bank. The Company provides financial services such as insurance, asset management, stock broking, nominee services, venture capital, leasing, and Internet banking. Malayan Banking Berhad serves customers in South East Asia.

Bank of Nanjing Co., Ltd. operates commercial banking businesses. The Company offers deposits, loans, settlement, discounting, financial bond issuance, government bond underwriting, bank guarantee, and other related financial services. Bank of Nanjing provides services for enterprises and individuals.

E.Sun Financial Holding Company Ltd. is a holding company.  Through its subsidiaries, the Company provides banking, brokerage and dealer services.

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.

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Shinhan Financial (055550 KS)

Trading Opportunities Targeting Potential ADR Discount Increases from Korea's Short-Selling Ban

This post explores trading opportunities targeting potential ADR discount increases resulting from Korea's blanket ban on short selling.

Sanghyun Park

Increasing Probability of Kakao Corp Losing Its Controlling Shareholding of Kakao Bank

In this insight, we discuss the increasing probability of Kakao Corp losing its controlling shareholding of Kakao Bank. Kakao Corp could be forced...

Douglas Kim

A Shift in TIGER Top 10 ETF December Rebalancing: KB Financial Newly In But Not Ecopro Co

This article examines a significant change observed in the TIGER Top 10 ETF December rebalancing, with KB Financial replacing Celltrion, as opposed...

Sanghyun Park

KakaoBank - Term Deposits +47% | Net Int Inc/Assets -80bps | Provisions: 10% to 23% of Net Int Inc

Major net interest income pressure, NIM down sharply in past 6 months. Operating costs not supporting ROA. Credit metrics worsening: LLP from 10%...

Daniel Tabbush

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