不仅仅是AI热潮！First Eagle继续唱多韩股：企业改革将催生“日式牛”

Core Viewpoint - Despite a record surge in the South Korean stock market, it remains attractive for investment, driven by corporate reform plans similar to Japan's, which are expected to yield faster returns for shareholders [1] Group 1: Market Performance - The KOSPI index is nearing the 5000-point mark, a target set by President Yoon Suk-yeol during his campaign [1] - The KOSPI has seen a year-to-date increase of nearly 16% in 2026, following a 76% surge last year, positioning it among the best-performing global indices [1] Group 2: Investment Management - First Eagle Investment Management has been active in the South Korean market for nearly 30 years and has recently increased its holdings in companies like Samsung Electronics [2] - The First Eagle Overseas fund, managed by Christian Heck, has outperformed 91% of its peers since 2026, with a one-year return rate of approximately 44% [2] Group 3: Corporate Reforms - The optimism surrounding the South Korean stock market is largely due to the government's "Corporate Value Enhancement Plan," targeting companies with low price-to-book ratios and poor return on equity [5] - Heck compares this initiative to Japan's corporate governance reforms, noting that Japan's market valuation did not significantly rise until 2023 when the Tokyo Stock Exchange intervened [5] - In 2025, South Korean listed companies announced stock buyback plans totaling 20.1 trillion KRW (approximately 15 billion USD) and stock cancellation plans of 21.4 trillion KRW, with cash dividends increasing by 11.1% year-on-year to 50.9 trillion KRW [5] Group 4: Valuation and Investor Sentiment - Although the valuation discount of the South Korean stock market has narrowed to its lowest level since 2022, it remains within a supportive range, with a forward price-to-book ratio of 1.5, still about 9% lower than the Tokyo Stock Exchange [5] - Some strategists have raised concerns about the limited breadth of the current market rally and the low participation of local retail investors [6] - Despite these concerns, fundamental-focused investors continue to find quality investment opportunities in South Korea, particularly in companies with attractive valuations and strong global competitiveness in precision manufacturing [6]