Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>KT Corp (030200 KS)'s shares were up 4.1% today to 32,000 won driven by better than expected results in 2Q 2023 and the nomination of a new CEO. </li>
<li>KT has nominated Kim Young-Seop, the former CEO of LG CNS as the new CEO of the company.</li>
<li>KT Corp has attractive valuations. It is trading at only 2.6x EV/EBITDA, 6.7x P/E, and 0.5x P/B in 2023. These valuation multiples are much cheaper than SK Telecom.</li>
</ul>


KT Corp (030200 KS)'s shares were up 4.1% today to 32,000 won driven by better than expected results in 2Q 2023 and the nomination of a new CEO. 
KT has nominated Kim Young-Seop, the former CEO of LG CNS as the new CEO of the company.
KT Corp has attractive valuations. It is trading at only 2.6x EV/EBITDA, 6.7x P/E, and 0.5x P/B in 2023. These valuation multiples are much cheaper than SK Telecom.


KT Corp: A New CEO Nominated and Stronger Than Expected Results in 2Q 2023

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

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

Periscope Analytics

Periscope Analytics focuses on event-driven trades across Asia Pacific and provides comprehensive, timely and systematic coverage of index changes to major Asia Pacific indices in a structured manner.

The analysis includes forecasted inclusions and exclusions to all major Asian indices that have significant amount of tracking assets, including estimates of passive buy/sell flow on the stocks. The service also provides commentary and impact of market consultations, ground rule changes, and other events (IPOs, spin-offs, M&A) that could lead to index changes and passive flow.

Periscope Analytics works with multi-strategy hedge funds, proprietary trading firms, stat arb trading groups and long-only investors that invest and trade in the Asia Pacific region with the data being used to trade index rebalances, avoid pre-positioning and passive flow, and to time entry into and exit from stocks.

Event-Driven Trades Across Asia Pacific

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>The changes to the LQ45/IDX30 were announced last week and will be implemented Monday. The PSE also announced that there would be no changes for the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/philippines-stock-exchange-psei-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22912:1" rel="noopener">PCOMP INDEX</a> in August.</li>
<li>There are a bunch of review cutoffs on Monday, most notably for the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nikkei-225" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22909:1" rel="noopener">Nikkei 225 (NKY INDEX)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sse-science-and-technology-innovation-board-50-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29279:1" rel="noopener">STAR50 INDEX</a>, the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nifty-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23617:1" rel="noopener">NIFTY</a> family of indices and the KRX New Deal indices.</li>
<li>There were inflows to China focused ETFs and outflows from Taiwan and Korea focused ETFs during the week.</li>
</ul>


The changes to the LQ45/IDX30 were announced last week and will be implemented Monday. The PSE also announced that there would be no changes for the PCOMP INDEX in August.
There are a bunch of review cutoffs on Monday, most notably for the Nikkei 225 (NKY INDEX), STAR50 INDEX, the NIFTY family of indices and the KRX New Deal indices.
There were inflows to China focused ETFs and outflows from Taiwan and Korea focused ETFs during the week.


Index Rebalance & ETF Flow Recap: LQ45/IDX30, FXI, New Deal, KOSPI, KQ150, LG Energy, IN Float, TTMT

<ul>
<li>JFSL spun off from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/reliance-industries-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:198:1" rel="noopener">Reliance Industries (RIL IN)</a> last week and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ventia-services-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:34917:1" rel="noopener">Ventia (VNT AU)</a> replaced <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/blackmores-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:928:1" rel="noopener">Blackmores Ltd (BKL AU)</a> in the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/s-p-asx-200" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22901:1" rel="noopener">S&amp;P/ASX 200 (AS51 INDEX)</a>. </li>
<li>The IDX should announce the changes to the IDX30, LQ45 and IDX80 indices early in the coming week.</li>
<li>There were inflows to <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tracker-fund-of-hong-kong-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29257:1" rel="noopener">Tracker Fund of Hong Kong Ltd (2800 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hang-seng-china-enterprises-index-etf" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:25:1" rel="noopener">Hang Seng H Share Index ETF (2828 HK)</a> while Taiwan focused ETFs had outflows.</li>
</ul>


JFSL spun off from Reliance Industries (RIL IN) last week and Ventia (VNT AU) replaced Blackmores Ltd (BKL AU) in the S&amp;P/ASX 200 (AS51 INDEX). 
The IDX should announce the changes to the IDX30, LQ45 and IDX80 indices early in the coming week.
There were inflows to Tracker Fund of Hong Kong Ltd (2800 HK) and Hang Seng H Share Index ETF (2828 HK) while Taiwan focused ETFs had outflows.


Index Rebalance & ETF Flow Recap: ASX, SK Telecom, Yuanta ETFs

<ul>
<li>Foreign investors have been selling <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> for over a year now. That has taken foreign room from near zero to close to 15% now.</li>
<li>That could mean index inclusion for <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> with timing dependent on when the 15% foreign room threshold is crossed.</li>
<li>
<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> has performed in line with <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kt-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1112:1" rel="noopener">KT Corp (030200 KS)</a> but trades at higher valuations on most parameters.</li>
</ul>


Foreign investors have been selling SK Telecom (017670 KS) for over a year now. That has taken foreign room from near zero to close to 15% now.
That could mean index inclusion for SK Telecom (017670 KS) with timing dependent on when the 15% foreign room threshold is crossed.

SK Telecom (017670 KS) has performed in line with KT Corp (030200 KS) but trades at higher valuations on most parameters.


SK Telecom (017670 KS): Foreign Room Increase Has Implications

<ul>
<li>The Korean government announced today that it will allow a fourth telco in Korea in order to reduce the oligopoly structure dominated by the three existing telcos.</li>
<li>This decision to allow another telco in Korea will have a major negative impact on the existing three telcos in Korea.</li>
<li>On a relative basis, we think that this could have a worse impact than LG Uplus as compared to SK Telecom due to greater price sensitivity of LG Uplus' customers.</li>
</ul>


The Korean government announced today that it will allow a fourth telco in Korea in order to reduce the oligopoly structure dominated by the three existing telcos.
This decision to allow another telco in Korea will have a major negative impact on the existing three telcos in Korea.
On a relative basis, we think that this could have a worse impact than LG Uplus as compared to SK Telecom due to greater price sensitivity of LG Uplus' customers.


The Rise of the Fourth Telco in Korea - Breaking the Oligopoly

South Korea

KT Corporation provides telecommunication services including local, long distance, and international calling, satellite communication, data transmission, and wireless telephone services in South Korea.  The Company also offers network portal and high-speed Internet access services using asymmetric digital subscriber lines (ADSLs).

KRTnet Corporation provides radio relay services for mobile phone companies by building and maintaining relay station.  The Company also manufactures telecommunication equipment used for radio relay station.

LG Uplus Corp., an affiliate of LG Group, provides a wide range of personal communications services (PCS) using code division multiple access (CDMA) technology.  The Company offers call forwarding, call and data transfer, call waiting, voice mail, Internet-phone, prepaid call, and authentication text-to-speech (TTS) services.

KINX INC is the Internet linkage and line adapter service providing firm.  The Company provides IX and Internet Data Center service to the network service providers to reduce the traffic and to contruct Internet infrastructure.  KINX also provides VoIP service.

HYBE Co., Ltd. operates as an entertainment company. The Company provides music production, album distribution, entertainers management, publicity, planning, training, and other services. HYBE also makes television shows.

Sejong Telecom, Inc. develops and provides various telecom service.  The Company's main service include international phone call, Internet phone call, and long distance call.

Netmarble Corporation develops and publishes mobile games. The Company develops and publishes casual games, action, sports games, strategy, simulation games, and social casino games. Netmarble offers services worldwide.

Pearl Abyss Corp. operates as a computer games making company. The Company offers games development, games exporting, and other services. Pearl Abyss serves customers worldwide.

Kakao Games Corp. operates as a multiply platform gaming company. The Company provides mobile games, computer games, virtual reality games, and other related products. Kakao Games markets its products worldwide.

ECS Telecom Co.,Ltd. is a provider of communication products and services.  The company offers private branch exchange (PBX), IP telephony, contact center solution, and trading system.

CelcomDigi Berhad is a mobile network operator. The Company offers Internet and wireless telecommunication products and services through the global system for mobile telecommunications (GSM) network. CelcomDigi serves customers in Malaysia.

Taiwan Mobile Co., Ltd. provides cellular telecommunication services in Taiwan. The Company also sells and leases cellular phones.

Vodafone Idea Limited operates as a telecom service provider. The Company offers 2G, 3G, and 4G mobile services, as well as mobile payments, advanced enterprise offerings, and entertainment. Vodafone Idea serves customers in India.

Far EasTone Telecommunications Co., Ltd. provides mobile communication and Internet access services.  The Company also sells cellular phones and related equipment.

Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri AS (Turkcell) is a converged communication and technology services player with regional assets and globally relevant services. The Company provides mobile and fixed voice, data, television, and other services over its network in Turkey.

MTN Group Limited provides a wide range of communication services. The Company's services include cellular network access and business solutions. MTN Group is a multinational telecommunications group, operating in countries in Africa and the Middle East.

Maxis Berhad operates as a mobile and fixed communication service provider. The Company, through mobile and fiber telecommunications along with IT infrastructure services, offers mobile and fixed data products, voice and SMS services, mobile payment solutions, remote health monitoring, Cloud solutions, and a business directory to businesses and individuals in Malaysia.

Intouch Holdings Public Company Limited is a holding company that invests in diversified telecommunication and media and advertising businesses.  The Company, through its subsidiaries, provides television broadcasting, cellular phone and wireless services.

Tele2 AB is a telecommunications company.  The Company offers mobile services, fixed broadband and telephony, data network services and content services. Tele2 operates throughout Europe and EuroAsia.

Vodacom Group Limited operates a cellular telephone network in South Africa. The Company has mobile operations in Tanzania, Mozambique, Lesotho and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

SK Telecom Co., Ltd. is a Korean mobile and telecommunications operator. The Company provides cellular voice, wireless data, and wireless internet services. SK Telecom also offers fixed line services and platform services.

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

SK Telecom (017670 KS)

KT Corp: A New CEO Nominated and Stronger Than Expected Results in 2Q 2023

KT Corp (030200 KS)'s shares were up 4.1% today to 32,000 won driven by better than expected results in 2Q 2023 and the nomination of a new CEO.

Douglas Kim

Index Rebalance & ETF Flow Recap: LQ45/IDX30, FXI, New Deal, KOSPI, KQ150, LG Energy, IN Float, TTMT

This recap highlights Insights covering Asian index rebalances (announcements/ forecasts/ IPO Fast Entry/ M&A driven changes). We also highlight...

Brian Freitas

Index Rebalance & ETF Flow Recap: ASX, SK Telecom, Yuanta ETFs

This recap highlights Insights covering Asian index rebalances (announcements/ forecasts/ IPO Fast Entry/ M&A driven changes). We also highlight...

Brian Freitas