[Weekly HOT Stocks] Individuals Buy SKT... Thanks to Strong Earnings and Subsidiaries

Individual Investors Net Bought SK Telecom Shares Worth 37.8 Billion KRW from 2nd to 6th

[Asia Economy Reporter Geum Bo-ryeong] As expectations for SK Telecom's third-quarter earnings grew, individual investors showed strong interest throughout the week.

According to the Korea Exchange on the 8th, individual investors net purchased SK Telecom shares worth 37.8 billion KRW from the 2nd to the 6th. SK Telecom ranked 4th among the top stocks net purchased by individual investors across both the KOSPI and KOSDAQ markets during this period.

The expectations were reflected in the numbers. On the 5th, SK Telecom disclosed that its consolidated operating profit for the third quarter of this year was 361.5 billion KRW, and sales were 4.7308 trillion KRW. Compared to the same period last year, operating profit increased by 19.68%, and sales rose by 3.72%.

Researcher Lee Soon-hak of Hanwha Investment & Securities analyzed, "Due to the launch effect of the Galaxy Note20, the net increase in 5G subscribers reached 920,000. However, with the termination of the 2G business, there was a temporary sales decline factor, resulting in wireless sales growing only 1% compared to the same period last year."

The combined operating profit from media, security, and commerce exceeded 100 billion KRW for the first time in a quarter, beginning to contribute to overall corporate profitability. Marketing expenses remained in the mid-70 billion KRW range for three consecutive quarters, creating an efficient cost structure.

There is also analysis that the listing of subsidiaries, starting with One Store, will increase SK Telecom's corporate value. SK Telecom plans to list One Store next year. One Store, which was valued at 500 billion KRW through external investment attraction, has recorded growth for nine consecutive quarters. Researcher Choi Gwan-soon of SK Securities explained, "With the listings of subsidiaries such as ADT Caps, 11st, SK Broadband, and Wavve, the value of subsidiaries that had been overshadowed by SK Telecom will be highlighted, driving an increase in SK Telecom's corporate value."

The stock price rose 6% over the week. The closing price, which was 214,000 KRW on the 30th of last month, closed at 227,000 KRW on the 6th. Researcher Hwang Seong-jin of Hyundai Motor Securities said, "Attention should be paid to the exquisite harmony between the telecommunications and non-telecommunications sectors and the steady earnings growth trend," adding, "The upward trend in corporate value through realization of potential value will continue."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.