This survey covers the performance of the top companies in 10 countries in Asia. Investors and other executives from financial centers such as Hong Kong, Singapore, New York and London are among those who participated in this survey. We had 497 votes.
Best Managed Company, Best E-commerce Strategy, Most Committed to Shareholder Value - Samsung Electronics
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Best Managed Company | ||
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Rank | Company | Votes |
1 | Samsung Electronics | 37 |
2 | Pohan Iron & Steel (POSCO) | 15 |
3 | SK Telecom | 13 |
4 | H&CB | 12 |
5 | Shinhan Bank | 8 |
6 | Samsung Securities | 6 |
7 | Korea Electric Power | 3 |
7 | Korea Telecom | 3 |
7 | Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance | 3 |
10 | KT Freetel | 2 |
10 | Humax | 2 |
10 | KDB Capital Corporation | 2 |
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Best E-commerce Strategy | ||
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Rank | Company | Votes |
1 | Samsung Electronics | 25 |
2 | SK Telecom | 14 |
3 | Samsung Securities | 9 |
4 | Shinhan Bank | 7 |
5 | H&CB | 5 |
5 | Korea Telecom | 5 |
7 | Korea Electric Power | 3 |
8 | LG Chemical | 2 |
9 | Pohan Iron & Steel (POSCO) | 1 |
9 | Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance | 1 |
9 | SK Corporation | 1 |
9 | Daeshin Securities | 1 |
9 | Samsung Corporation | 1 |
9 | Hansol CSN | 1 |
9 | Hyundai Securities | 1 |
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Commitment to Shareholder Value | ||
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Rank | Company | Votes |
1 | Samsung Electronics | 18 |
1 | H&CB | 18 |
3 | Pohan Iron & Steel (POSCO) | 13 |
3 | Shinhan Bank | 13 |
5 | SK Telecom | 9 |
6 | Korea Electric Power | 3 |
7 | Hyundai Electronics | 1 |
7 | Hyundai Heavy Industries | 1 |
7 | Hyundai Motors | 1 |
7 | Kookmin Bank | 1 |
7 | Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance | 1 |
7 | Samsung Securities | 1 |
7 | KorAm Bank | 1 |
7 | KT Freetel | 1 |
7 | LG -Caltex Gas | 1 |
7 | Thrunet | 1 |
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It is testament to the high regard in which investors hold Samsung Electronics, the flagship company of the Samsung Group, that it should be voted best in three categories - including commitment to shareholder value - at a time when the company is facing a squeeze on margins.
Samsung produces world-class semiconductors, telecommunications equipment, personal computers and accessories as well as consumer electronics. One survey respondent is clear why this is: "Innovation. Samsung has several interesting partnerships and joint ventures that will enable it to take advantage of the post-PC era by producing cutting edge connected devices. For example, they have an interesting joint venture with the leading embedded Linux developer in the US. Who else has an internet-connected refrigerator on the market today?"
The company is winning plaudits for its stance toward investors.
"In addition to financial strength and competitiveness in technology, the company started to understand the importance to keep itself separate from burdening affiliates' debt," explains one voter. "Samsung Electronics started to realize its obligation to enhance shareholders' value."
Best Investor Relations - H&CB
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Best in Investor Relations | ||
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Rank | Company | Votes |
1 | H&CB | 20 |
2 | Samsung Electronics | 19 |
3 | Pohan Iron & Steel (POSCO) | 12 |
4 | Shinhan Bank | 9 |
5 | SK Telecom | 8 |
6 | Korea Electric Power | 6 |
6 | LG Electronics | 6 |
8 | Kookmin Bank | 5 |
9 | Hyundai Electronics | 3 |
9 | Korea Telecom | 3 |
11 | Samsung Securities | 2 |
11 | SK Corporation | 2 |
13 | KT Freetel | 1 |
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The investor relations team at H&CB, formerly known as Housing & Commercial Bank, has been tested to the limit over the past nine months and has come through with flying colours. In December H&CB agreed to merge with Kookmin Bank in a transaction worth about W3.1 trillion ($2.5 billion).
The merger will create Asia's second-biggest public bank outside Japan. The discussions have been continually disrupted, however, by union protests aimed at derailing the negotiations. The union is concerned that a merger would lead to an axing of a third of the banks' joint workforce.
The banks were indeed forced to suspend the merger talks in December, prompting concern from investors and analysts that if the merger doesn't go through it would threaten other planned mergers and call into question the country's commitment to reform.
In addition, H&CB, which is the country's largest mortgage lender, had to explain to investors why it missed its profit target in 2000. The bank's earnings rose 16% to W523.8 billion. That was short of its target of W600 billion. The shortfall in earnings came after the bank set aside more provisions against bad loans. Yet investors welcomed the move.
The results of this poll first appeared in the April issue of FinanceAsia magazine. To buy a copy please send an e-mail to: [email protected].
