Regulatory Changes Could Boost South Korean Stock Market

The South Korean stock market has faced significant challenges in recent years, but regulatory changes present an opportunity for growth and make it an attractive destination for investors.

Lackluster Performance in Comparison

Over the past three years, the Kospi Composite Index, South Korea's main benchmark, has experienced an annualized return of -4.5%, including reinvested dividends. This performance pales in comparison to the S&P 500's 10% return and the MSCI World Index's 7.6% return.

A Solid Economy and Promising Companies

Contrary to its stock market performance, South Korea's economy has been relatively stable, with moderate gross domestic product growth in recent years. Additionally, the country is home to exciting companies like Samsung Electronics and others that pique investor interest.

Unfriendly Shareholder Environment

However, South Korea's reputation as an unfavorable environment for shareholders hampers investor confidence. This sentiment is reflected in the Kospi index's meager price/book ratio of just 0.2 times, indicating that companies are valued below their net assets. In comparison, the MSCI World index trades at over three times book value.

Implementing Change

Recognizing the need for change, South Korea's government plans to adopt a strategy influenced by Japan's successful playbook. The introduction of the "Corporate Value-Up Program" will require companies to disclose key financial metrics such as return on equity and earnings as a percentage of book value. Moreover, companies will be expected to disclose their strategies for increasing shareholder value. These adjustments aim to provide investors with greater visibility into companies' performance and potentially motivate them to pay a higher premium to invest.

Additional Reforms

In addition to improved transparency, South Korea's regulatory changes encompass other crucial aspects. Lower taxes on capital gains and dividends will be implemented, enhancing the after-tax returns on investments.

These regulatory changes could revitalize the South Korean stock market, attracting investors who were previously hesitant due to the unfriendly shareholder environment. By increasing transparency and aligning with investor expectations, South Korea poses an opportunity for investors seeking to diversify their portfolios.

The Rise of South Korea's Market

The recent news has already started to make waves in Korea's market. Since January 17, when the government revealed its plans, the Kospi has seen a remarkable increase of about 7.1%. This gain is more than double the rise of the world index. As the market gains more certainty about the timing and speed of these reforms, stocks are expected to have even more room for growth.

A Long Runway Ahead

According to Desh Peramunetilleke, Jefferies' global head of quantitative strategy, South Korea's market has a lot of untapped potential. While he acknowledges that implementation of reforms will take time, he believes there are many opportunities waiting to be seized. He draws parallels to Japan and suggests that South Korea could have a long runway ahead in terms of growth.

Peramunetilleke has identified certain companies that are poised to benefit from these changes. One such group includes companies with price/book ratios below one and a return on equity in the double digits for the past three years. Notable companies meeting these criteria are Hyundai Motor and Korea Air Lines. Another screen focuses on the most liquid stocks, with companies like Industrial Bank of Korea and Hankook & Co being part of the list.

Broader Market Exposure

While targeting specific companies is a sound strategy, it is worth noting that the majority of South Korean stocks currently trade below book value. Therefore, seeking broad exposure to the market seems sensible. The iShares MSCI South Korea exchange-traded fund (ETF) provides an opportunity for investors to gain exposure. The ETF has mirrored the performance of the Kospi but is more heavily weighted towards larger companies, with Samsung representing a fifth of the fund. By the end of this year, the ETF is projected to trade at around 0.9 times expected book value. Although this is higher than the Kospi, there is still room for appreciation.

The Future of Korea's Market

If these changes take hold, it is possible that Korea could become the world's next hot stock market. With a potential for long-term growth, plentiful opportunities for companies to thrive, and the possibility of gaining exposure through ETFs, the Korean market presents an exciting prospect for investors.