Fact based stock research
Kakao (KOSE:A035720)
KR7035720002
How to read the ranks
For every stock, we judge its performance against its peers and rank it on a scale of 1 to 100. The higher the rank, the better the stock performs than its peers. And, we do this for six investment strategies:
Value - shows how good of a value the stock is. Green is "inexpensive"; red is "expensive".
Growth - shows a company's growth potential. Green is "high growth" expected; red is "tough times ahead".
Safety - relates to the amount of debt a company has. Green is low debt level; red is high debt level.
Combined Financial - this isn't an average of the first three ranks but rather a consolidated view across several financial indicators. Green = good; red = tread carefully.
(NEW) Sentiment - quantifies professional analyst ratings and holdings as well as market pulse. Green = positive sentiment; red = skepticism (Only available to Premium Subscribers).
(NEW) 360° View - the ultimate rating with all financial and non-financial indicators.
Kakao stock research in summary
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Combined Rank of 49 (worse than 51% compared with investment alternatives), Kakao (Interactive Media & Services, South Korea) shares have somewhat below-average financial characteristics compared with similar stocks. Shares of Kakao are low in value (priced high) with a consolidated Value Rank of 33 (worse than 67% of alternatives), and are riskily financed (Safety Rank of 33, which means above-average debt burdens) but show above-average growth (Growth Rank of 79). ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: A Combined Rank of 49, is a hold recommendation based on Kakao's financial characteristics. As the company Kakao shows low value with an Obermatt Value Rank of 33 (67% of comparable investments are less expensive), investors should look at the other ranks. In this case, growth is expected to be above-average, better than 79% of comparable companies (Obermatt Growth Rank is 79). This is a typical case. Companies with above average growth tend to cost more than stocks with slower growth expectations. If this is a high-growth company, the low Obermatt Safety Rank of 33 is a good sign. The more debt a well-performing company has, the higher the returns to shareholders. However, if growth turns negative or interest rates increase, high debt may become a burden. If you believe the future is bright for Kakao, even a low-value company (in terms of its key financial indicators) can be a good investment. Obermatt Premium subscribers can further check the stock’s Sentiment Ranks, which also flow into the Obermatt 360° View for investors. ...read more
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360° Viewnew| Country | South Korea |
| Industry | Interactive Media & Services |
| Index | KOSPI |
| Size class | X-Large |
18-Apr-2024. Stock data may be delayed. Log in or sign up to get the most recent research.
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Review the performance ranks of the individual metrics that form each investment strategy.
Research History: Kakao
| RESEARCH HISTORY | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VALUE | ||||||||
| VALUE | 30 |
|
29 |
|
31 |
|
33 |
|
| GROWTH | ||||||||
| GROWTH | 80 |
|
93 |
|
23 |
|
79 |
|
| SAFETY | ||||||||
| SAFETY | 83 |
|
37 |
|
31 |
|
33 |
|
| SENTIMENT | ||||||||
| SENTIMENT | n/a |
|
93 |
|
75 |
|
new |
|
| 360° VIEW | ||||||||
| 360° VIEW | n/a |
|
83 |
|
24 |
|
new |
|
Combined financial peformance in Detail
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Combined Rank of 49 (worse than 51% compared with investment alternatives), Kakao (Interactive Media & Services, South Korea) shares have somewhat below-average financial characteristics compared with similar stocks. Shares of Kakao are low in value (priced high) with a consolidated Value Rank of 33 (worse than 67% of alternatives), and are riskily financed (Safety Rank of 33, which means above-average debt burdens) but show above-average growth (Growth Rank of 79). ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: A Combined Rank of 49, is a hold recommendation based on Kakao's financial characteristics. As the company Kakao shows low value with an Obermatt Value Rank of 33 (67% of comparable investments are less expensive), investors should look at the other ranks. In this case, growth is expected to be above-average, better than 79% of comparable companies (Obermatt Growth Rank is 79). This is a typical case. Companies with above average growth tend to cost more than stocks with slower growth expectations. If this is a high-growth company, the low Obermatt Safety Rank of 33 is a good sign. The more debt a well-performing company has, the higher the returns to shareholders. However, if growth turns negative or interest rates increase, high debt may become a burden. If you believe the future is bright for Kakao, even a low-value company (in terms of its key financial indicators) can be a good investment. Obermatt Premium subscribers can further check the stock’s Sentiment Ranks, which also flow into the Obermatt 360° View for investors. ...read more
| RESEARCH HISTORY | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VALUE | ||||||||
| VALUE | 30 |
|
29 |
|
31 |
|
33 |
|
| GROWTH | ||||||||
| GROWTH | 80 |
|
93 |
|
23 |
|
79 |
|
| SAFETY | ||||||||
| SAFETY | 83 |
|
37 |
|
31 |
|
33 |
|
| COMBINED | ||||||||
| COMBINED | 93 |
|
56 |
|
8 |
|
49 |
|
Value Metrics in Detail
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Value Rank of 33 (worse than 67% compared with alternatives), Kakao shares are more expensive than the average comparable stock. The Value Rank is based on consolidating four value indicators where three out of four are below average for Kakao. Only the Price-to-Book Capital ratio (also referred to as market-to-book ratio) indicates good stock value with a Price-to-Book Rank of 59, which means that the stock price is lower compared with invested capital than for 59% of comparable investments. All other value indicators are below the market median. Price-to-Sales is 38 which means the stock price compared with what market professionals expect for future profits is higher than 62% of comparable companies, indicating a low value concerning Kakao's revenue levels. The same is valid for the Price-to-Book Capital ratio (also referred to as market-to-book ratio) with a Price-to-Book Rank of 59 and for the dividend yields rank which is lower than for 73% of comparable companies, making the stock more expensive as regards to with the company's expected dividend payouts. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Value Rank of 33, is a hold recommendation based on Kakao's stock price compared with the company's operational size and dividend yields. Why are market participants paying such a high price for Kakao, where three out of four value indicators are below par? One reason could be that the company is well financed, indicated by the high book capital level, and has a promising future that is not yet visible in reported revenues and profits. That would also explain the low dividend yield because the company needs the cash to invest in its future. If investors can verify a picture in this sense, the stock may still be a good investment, even though current company-reported financials don't fully explain current stock prices. We recommend further analyzing the stock with Obermatt’s Value, Safety, and Sentiment Ranks, including the 360° View, before making an investment decision, which is essential in this case, as the financial indicators are inconclusive. ...read more
| VALUE METRICS | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRICE VS. REVENUES (P/S) | ||||||||
| PRICE VS. REVENUES (P/S) | 27 |
|
30 |
|
38 |
|
38 |
|
| PRICE VS. PROFITS (P/E) | ||||||||
| PRICE VS. PROFITS (P/E) | 42 |
|
26 |
|
20 |
|
25 |
|
| PRICE VS. CAPITAL (Market-to-Book) | ||||||||
| PRICE VS. CAPITAL (Market-to-Book) | 10 |
|
36 |
|
52 |
|
59 |
|
| DIVIDEND YIELD | ||||||||
| DIVIDEND YIELD | 60 |
|
32 |
|
27 |
|
27 |
|
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: VALUE | ||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: VALUE | 30 |
|
29 |
|
31 |
|
33 |
|
Growth Metrics in Detail
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Growth Rank of 79 (better than 79% compared with alternatives) for 2024, Kakao shows one of the highest growth dynamics in its industry. Investors also speak of high momentum. The Growth Rank is based on consolidating four value indicators, where half of the indicators are below and half above average for Kakao. Profit Growth, with a rank of 91 (better than 91% of its competitors), and Capital Growth, with a rank of 86, are both positive, which is a healthy sign for positive development. But Sales Growth has only a rank of 49, which means that, currently, professionals expect the company to grow less than 51% of its competitors, and Stock Returns are at a rank of 28. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Growth Rank of 79, is a buy recommendation for growth and momentum investors. Stock returns that are a thing of the past can be less of a problem. Below-average revenue growth may be caused by divestments of underperforming businesses. If that is the case, then the positive developments of profit and capital growth are signs of a company with growth potential. If these are the reasons, overall growth is well on track to making this stock attractive for growth investors. While momentum is a popular investment factor, the value aspect might be the more important one, in the longer term. We recommend analyzing the stock with Obermatt’s Value, Safety, and Sentiment Ranks to arrive at a 360° View of the stock purchase case, especially since the growth performance is mixed here. ...read more
| GROWTH METRICS | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| REVENUE GROWTH | ||||||||
| REVENUE GROWTH | 45 |
|
77 |
|
68 |
|
49 |
|
| PROFIT GROWTH | ||||||||
| PROFIT GROWTH | 25 |
|
98 |
|
6 |
|
91 |
|
| CAPITAL GROWTH | ||||||||
| CAPITAL GROWTH | n/a |
|
70 |
|
24 |
|
86 |
|
| STOCK RETURNS | ||||||||
| STOCK RETURNS | 91 |
|
63 |
|
37 |
|
28 |
|
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: GROWTH | ||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: GROWTH | 80 |
|
93 |
|
23 |
|
79 |
|
Safety Metrics in Detail
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Safety Rank of 33 (better than 33% compared with alternatives), the company Kakao has financing practices on the riskier side, which means that their overall debt burden is above the industry average. This doesn't mean that the business of Kakao is also risky, it only means that the company is on the riskier side in respect to bankruptcy in case things turn sour, assuming that public reporting is correct. The Safety Rank is based on consolidating three financing indicators, with just one indicator above average for Kakao and the other two below average. Refinancing is at 50, meaning the portion of the debt about to be refinanced is below average. It has less debt in the refinancing stage than 50% of its competitors. But Leverage is high with a rank of 34, meaning the company has an above-average debt-to-equity ratio. It has more debt than 66% of its competitors. Liquidity is also on the riskier side with a rank of 26, meaning the company generates less profit to service its debt than 74% of its competitors. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Safety Rank of 33 (worse than 67% compared with alternatives), Kakao has a financing structure that is riskier than that of its competitors. A good Refinancing Rank means that the problems of the company may not be around the corner. But high Leverage is only good if things go well, and low Liquidity is a signal for caution. The financing signals for Kakao are on the riskier side, requiring the company's future to be on the safer side. Investors may want to look at Growth and Sentiment ranks before making an investment decision. In the long-term, investors may have a debt challenge with Kakao and should also compare Obermatt’s Value, Growth, and Sentiment Ranks before making a decision. ...read more
| SAFETY METRICS | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LEVERAGE | ||||||||
| LEVERAGE | 55 |
|
51 |
|
36 |
|
34 |
|
| REFINANCING | ||||||||
| REFINANCING | 33 |
|
44 |
|
42 |
|
50 |
|
| LIQUIDITY | ||||||||
| LIQUIDITY | 100 |
|
34 |
|
28 |
|
26 |
|
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY | ||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY | 83 |
|
37 |
|
31 |
|
33 |
|
Sentiment Metrics in Detail
| SENTIMENT | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANALYST OPINIONS | ||||||||
| ANALYST OPINIONS | n/a |
|
80 |
|
87 |
|
new |
|
| OPINIONS CHANGE | ||||||||
| OPINIONS CHANGE | n/a |
|
49 |
|
31 |
|
new |
|
| PRO HOLDINGS | ||||||||
| PRO HOLDINGS | n/a |
|
67 |
|
39 |
|
new |
|
| MARKET PULSE | ||||||||
| MARKET PULSE | n/a |
|
85 |
|
85 |
|
new |
|
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SENTIMENT | ||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SENTIMENT | n/a |
|
93 |
|
75 |
|
new |
|
Stock analysis by the purely fact based Obermatt Method for Kakao from April 18, 2024.
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