KEP Stock Recent News

Kim Dong-cheol was recently appointed as Korea Electric Power's new CEO, and he replaces Cheong Seung-il who previously disclosed in May he wished to step down as CEO. A meaningful increase in the electricity tariff rate and a faster pace of revenue diversification are some of the key goals set by the new CEO. I have a favorable view of the new CEO appointment, and this explains why I have maintained my Buy rating for KEP.

Korea Electric Power's Q2 2023 performance is expected to be better as compared to the first quarter, considering an electricity tariff hike and lower purchased power costs. KEP's high financial leverage isn't a major concern, taking into account Fitch's credit rating, its debt maturity profile, and asset monetization plans. I leave my Buy rating for Korea Electric Power unchanged, after assessing KEP's financial outlook and its credit risks.

Korea Electric Power is expected to witness a narrowing of losses in 2023, prior to turning profitable in 2024. Actions taken by the Korean government like tariff hikes and the SMP cap should enable KEP to achieve a better set of results in the near future.

Korea Electric Power's shares staged a strong recovery jumping by +49% in the past two months after hitting a new 52-week trough in late-October. The positive catalysts for KEP include tariff hikes, purchased power cost savings, asset sales, and capex optimization.

Korea Electric Power's most recent quarterly metrics were poor; Q2 2022 operating losses for the company widened on a YoY basis, and its gross financial leverage ratio rose to 179%. But there are positive changes for KEP, as seen with the recent actions taken by the government and the company.

KEPCO has a monopoly in power generation, transmission and distribution in South Korea, which is a country with a major fossil fuel-based power component. The South Korean commitment is to decarbonize power, but how KEPCO will manage this is unclear between renewables and nuclear power.