[Featured Stock] KB Financial, Market Cheers Value-Up Disclosure... Stock Price Surpasses 100,000 Won, Market Cap Ranks 7th

KB Financial surged over 7%, surpassing the 100,000 KRW mark, fueled by its value-up disclosure and solid third-quarter earnings. It climbed to 7th place in market capitalization during the trading session.

As of 9:12 AM on the 25th, KB Financial was trading at 100,600 KRW, up 7,400 KRW (7.94%) from the previous day. During the session, the stock reached 101,500 KRW, setting a new 52-week high. The stock price exceeded 100,000 KRW, and its market capitalization overtook Kia to claim 7th place.

On the previous day, KB Financial announced its third-quarter earnings along with a corporate value enhancement disclosure. The third-quarter net profit (based on controlling interest) rose 17.9% year-on-year to 1.614 trillion KRW, marking the largest scale since the company's founding for a third quarter.

KB Financial stated that starting next year, it plans to return surplus capital exceeding a 13% Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio to shareholders, maintaining the industry's highest total shareholder return ratio, including cash dividends and share buybacks and cancellations.

On the same day, Shinhan Investment Corp. raised KB Financial's target price from 105,000 KRW to 110,000 KRW, citing a sustained valuation premium due to the best shareholder return policy in the banking sector. The investment rating was maintained at 'Buy.' Eun Kyung-wan, a researcher at Shinhan Investment Corp., projected next year's net profit and return on equity (ROE) at 5.5 trillion KRW and 9.0%, respectively, estimating a total shareholder return ratio of around 44% (approximately 2.4 trillion KRW) assuming a 5% increase in risk-weighted assets. He explained, "With overwhelming fundamentals and the best shareholder return policy in the banking sector, the valuation premium continues, leading us to raise the target price and recommend it as a top pick."

Korea Investment & Securities also positively evaluated KB Financial's shareholder return policy and raised the target price from 110,000 KRW to 121,000 KRW. Baek Doo-san, a researcher at Korea Investment & Securities, stated, "The shareholder return policy was announced beyond expectations for both short-term and mid-to-long-term perspectives."