Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

Equity Capital Markets

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With only three weeks remaining in 2020, we now look forward to the major IPOs in Korea in 2021. This is our 6th "Annual Edition of the Major Korean IPOs Pipeline Preview" already at Smartkarma! In this report, we have identified 50 companies that are expected to complete their IPOs in the Korean Stock Market in 2021. This year has been a big year for IPOs in Korea with many IPOs that have done really well including <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sk-biopharmaceuticals-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28966:1" rel="noopener">SK Biopharmaceuticals (326030 KS)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kakao-games-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26730:1" rel="noopener">Kakao Games (293490 KS)</a>.  
In 2020, there were only three IPOs in Korea that were more than US$1 billion in market cap including SK Biopharm, Kakao Games, and Big Hit Entertainment. However, in 2021, we believe there could be more than 10 IPOs in Korea that are more than US$1 billion in market cap including the following:
<ol>
<li>LG Energy Solutions</li>
<li>Krafton</li>
<li>SK Bioscience</li>
<li>Kakao Bank</li>
<li>Kakao Page</li>
<li>Kakao Pay</li>
<li>SK IET</li>
<li>One Store</li>
<li>HK inno.N </li>
<li>Coupang</li>
</ol>
</div>


With only three weeks remaining in 2020, we now look forward to the major IPOs in Korea in 2021. This is our 6th "Annual Edition of the Major Korean IPOs Pipeline Preview" already at Smartkarma! In this report, we have identified 50 companies that are expected to complete their IPOs in the Korean Stock Market in 2021. This year has been a big year for IPOs in Korea with many IPOs that have done really well including SK Biopharmaceuticals (326030 KS) and Kakao Games (293490 KS).  
In 2020, there were only three IPOs in Korea that were more than US$1 billion in market cap including SK Biopharm, Kakao Games, and Big Hit Entertainment. However, in 2021, we believe there could be more than 10 IPOs in Korea that are more than US$1 billion in market cap including the following:

LG Energy Solutions
Krafton
SK Bioscience
Kakao Bank
Kakao Page
Kakao Pay
SK IET
One Store
HK inno.N 
Coupang



Event-Driven

In this insight, we highlight 26 Korean companies that are/may be seeking to find new owners through M&amp;As in 2021. Key sectors of M&amp;A in Korea in 2021 include consumer and industrial. We also provide a review of our M&amp;A research in 2020. We wrote 29 reports about the M&amp;As in 2020. The M&amp;A market in Korea is estimated to be about 35 trillion won in 2020, down 8% YoY. The local media have mentioned that the M&amp;A market in Korea could be nearly <a href="https://finance.naver.com/news/news_read.nhn?article_id=0004711778&amp;office_id=009&amp;mode=LSS2D&amp;type=0&amp;section_id=101&amp;section_id2=258&amp;section_id3=&amp;date=20201207&amp;page=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">45 trillion won</a> in 2021, up 29% YoY, which would surpass the all-time high of 38 trillion won in 2019.

In this insight, we highlight 26 Korean companies that are/may be seeking to find new owners through M&amp;As in 2021. Key sectors of M&amp;A in Korea in 2021 include consumer and industrial. We also provide a review of our M&amp;A research in 2020. We wrote 29 reports about the M&amp;As in 2020. The M&amp;A market in Korea is estimated to be about 35 trillion won in 2020, down 8% YoY. The local media have mentioned that the M&amp;A market in Korea could be nearly 45 trillion won in 2021, up 29% YoY, which would surpass the all-time high of 38 trillion won in 2019.  

Review of Our M&A Research in 2020 & Korea M&A Market Outlook in 2021: What’s For Sale?

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

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

Quantitative Analysis

<div>The Asia Short Interest weekly looks at moves in market wide short interest and highlights movements in stock specific short interest across Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Taiwan using the last available data published by the relevant authorities.</div><div>Hong Kong saw shorts rise on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alibaba-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28434:1" rel="noopener">Alibaba Group (9988 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yihai-int-l-holding-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22803:1" rel="noopener">Yihai Int’L Holding (1579 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/haier-electronics-group-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4877:1" rel="noopener">Haier Electronics Group Co (1169 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hong-kong-exchanges-clearing" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:490:1" rel="noopener">HKEX (388 HK)</a> while there was short covering on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26:1" rel="noopener">Tencent Holdings (700 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ping-an-insurance-grp-co-of-china-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12880:1" rel="noopener">Ping An Insurance (H) (2318 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/meituan-dianping" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26970:1" rel="noopener">Meituan (3690 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/netease" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29030:1" rel="noopener">NetEase (9999 HK)</a>. Shorts increased in Industrials, Consumer Discretionary and Real Estate stocks and decreased in Financial names.</div><div>In Japan, stocks that saw the most shorts were <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/square-enix-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15003:1" rel="noopener">Square Enix Holdings (9684 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/anritsu-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3700:1" rel="noopener">Anritsu Corp (6754 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/casio-computer-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18338:1" rel="noopener">Casio Computer (6952 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tsuruha-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9536:1" rel="noopener">Tsuruha Holdings (3391 JP)</a> while shorts decreased on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/m3-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13316:1" rel="noopener">M3 Inc (2413 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/canon-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1:1" rel="noopener">Canon Inc (7751 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rakuten-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31:1" rel="noopener">Rakuten Inc (4755 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ana-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5308:1" rel="noopener">Ana Holdings (9202 JP)</a>. Sectorally, shorts increased on Communication Services, Health Care and Information Technology, while shorts were covered on Consumer Discretionary and Financials.</div><div>In Korea, the biggest increase in shorts was on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/netmarble-corporation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22839:1" rel="noopener">Netmarble Corporation (251270 KS)</a>, while shorts were covered on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/samsung-electronics-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:191:1" rel="noopener">Samsung Electronics (005930 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sk-innovation-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1268:1" rel="noopener">SK Innovation (096770 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hyundai-motor-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:155:1" rel="noopener">Hyundai Motor Co (005380 KS)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/celltrion-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:991:1" rel="noopener">Celltrion Inc (068270 KS)</a>. News <a href="https://www.businesskorea.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=54911" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reports</a> have indicated that the FSC will lift the temporary short sell ban on 15 March 2021 and will apply to all stocks irrespective of market cap. Earlier reports had indicated that the short sell ban would stay in place for small cap stocks.</div><div>Stocks in Taiwan that saw the highest increase in shorts were <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/au-optronics-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6704:1" rel="noopener">Au Optronics (2409 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/innolux-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4509:1" rel="noopener">Innolux Corp (3481 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/acer-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15726:1" rel="noopener">Acer Inc (2353 TT)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/taiwan-semiconductor-manufacturing-company" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11230:1" rel="noopener">TSMC (2330 TT)</a>  while shorts were covered on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/novatek-microelectronics-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10904:1" rel="noopener">Novatek Microelectronics Corp (3034 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yageo-corporation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13212:1" rel="noopener">Yageo Corporation (2327 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/largan-precision-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9126:1" rel="noopener">Largan Precision (3008 TT)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/walsin-technology-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11084:1" rel="noopener">Walsin Technology (2492 TT)</a>.</div>

The Asia Short Interest weekly looks at moves in market wide short interest and highlights movements in stock specific short interest across Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Taiwan using the last available data published by the relevant authorities.Hong Kong saw shorts rise on Alibaba Group (9988 HK), Yihai Int’L Holding (1579 HK), Haier Electronics Group Co (1169 HK) and HKEX (388 HK) while there was short covering on Tencent Holdings (700 HK), Ping An Insurance (H) (2318 HK), Meituan (3690 HK) and NetEase (9999 HK). Shorts increased in Industrials, Consumer Discretionary and Real Estate stocks and decreased in Financial names.In Japan, stocks that saw the most shorts were Square Enix Holdings (9684 JP), Anritsu Corp (6754 JP), Casio Computer (6952 JP) and Tsuruha Holdings (3391 JP) while shorts decreased on M3 Inc (2413 JP), Canon Inc (7751 JP), Rakuten Inc (4755 JP) and Ana Holdings (9202 JP). Sectorally, shorts increased on Communication Services, Health Care and Information Technology, while shorts were covered on Consumer Discretionary and Financials.In Korea, the biggest increase in shorts was on Netmarble Corporation (251270 KS), while shorts were covered on Samsung Electronics (005930 KS), SK Innovation (096770 KS), Hyundai Motor Co (005380 KS) and Celltrion Inc (068270 KS). News reports have indicated that the FSC will lift the temporary short sell ban on 15 March 2021 and will apply to all stocks irrespective of market cap. Earlier reports had indicated that the short sell ban would stay in place for small cap stocks.Stocks in Taiwan that saw the highest increase in shorts were Au Optronics (2409 TT), Innolux Corp (3481 TT), Acer Inc (2353 TT) and TSMC (2330 TT)  while shorts were covered on Novatek Microelectronics Corp (3034 TT), Yageo Corporation (2327 TT), Largan Precision (3008 TT) and Walsin Technology (2492 TT).

Asia Short Interest Weekly: Shorts Continue to Rise in HK, Japan & Taiwan; Korea Ban to Be Lifted

In this insight, we compare <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>'s carve-out and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sk-innovation-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1268:1" rel="noopener">SK Innovation (096770 KS)</a>'s spin-off of their rechargeable battery businesses. Interestingly, the formal announcements of the IPOs of these two businesses resulted in different price reactions of their parent companies. Why Are the Share Price Reactions of LG Chem &amp; SK Innovation So Different? <ul>
<li>Tesla Effect</li>
<li>
Uncertainty in the post carve-out dilution
</li>
<li>Valuations of high vs low multiples business units </li>
</ul>

In this insight, we compare LG Chem Ltd (051910 KS)'s carve-out and SK Innovation (096770 KS)'s spin-off of their rechargeable battery businesses. Interestingly, the formal announcements of the IPOs of these two businesses resulted in different price reactions of their parent companies. Why Are the Share Price Reactions of LG Chem &amp; SK Innovation So Different? 
Tesla Effect

Uncertainty in the post carve-out dilution

Valuations of high vs low multiples business units 


Comparison of LG Chem's Carve-Out & SK Innovation's Spin-Off of Rechargeable Battery Businesses

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

Sanghyun Park

Korea / Special Sits, Pairs, Index Rebalancing

The Korean government unveiled the specifics of the Korean version of the New Deal initiative.First, we will have a government-backed ₩20tril (US$17bil) fund, ₩3tril of which will come directly from the government (tax money) with an additional ₩4tril from state-run financial institutions. The remaining ₩13tril will come from the private sector and the public.Now, what's noteworthy is that we will see a set of new indices (designed by the KRX) specifically tracking the companies directly related to the New Deal Initiative.

The Korean government unveiled the specifics of the Korean version of the New Deal initiative.First, we will have a government-backed ₩20tril (US$17bil) fund, ₩3tril of which will come directly from the government (tax money) with an additional ₩4tril from state-run financial institutions. The remaining ₩13tril will come from the private sector and the public.Now, what's noteworthy is that we will see a set of new indices (designed by the KRX) specifically tracking the companies directly related to the New Deal Initiative.

Korea-New Deal Index: Constituents, Weights, & Market Reaction

South Korea

SK Innovation Co., Ltd. refines, markets, and distributes oil.  The Company produces a variety of petroleum products, such as gasoline, kerosene, liquefied petroleumgas (LPG), and diesel oil.  SK Energy also manufactures petrochemical p roducts, including paraxylene, synthetic resins, styrene monomer, and ethylene.

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SK Innovation (096770 KS)

2021 Major IPOs Pipeline in Korea

This is our 6th "Annual Edition of the Major Korean IPOs Pipeline Preview" already at Smartkarma! In this report, we have identified 50 companies...

Douglas Kim

Review of Our M&A Research in 2020 & Korea M&A Market Outlook in 2021: What’s For Sale?

In this insight, we highlight 26 Korean companies that are/may be seeking to find new owners through M&As in 2021. We also provide a review of our...

Douglas Kim

Asia Short Interest Weekly: Shorts Continue to Rise in HK, Japan & Taiwan; Korea Ban to Be Lifted

Short interest continued to increase in HK, Japan and Taiwan, while the FSC has announced that the short sell ban in Korea will be lifted on 15...

Brian Freitas

Comparison of LG Chem's Carve-Out & SK Innovation's Spin-Off of Rechargeable Battery Businesses

In this insight, we compare the spin-offs and IPOs of LG Chem Ltd (051910 KS) and SK Innovation (096770 KS)'s rechargeable battery business units....

Douglas Kim

Korea-New Deal Index: Constituents, Weights, & Market Reaction

The Korean government unveiled the specifics of the Korean version of the New Deal initiative.

Sanghyun Park

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