KB vs. SKM: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at KB and SKM, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
Both KB and SKM are American Depositary Receipts (ADRs). This provides U.S. investors with straightforward access to investing in these foreign-listed companies.
| Symbol | KB | SKM |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | KB Financial Group Inc. | SK Telecom Co., Ltd. |
| Country | South Korea | South Korea |
| GICS Sector | Financials | Communication Services |
| GICS Industry | Banks | Wireless Telecommunication Services |
| Market Capitalization | 28.66 billion USD | 8.47 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | November 13, 2001 | June 27, 1996 |
| Security Type | ADR | ADR |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of KB and SKM by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | KB | SKM |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 0.82% | -0.90% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 14.06% | 8.66% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 38.39% | -1.95% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 8.71% | 4.52% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -0.54% | -1.60% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 33.05% | 0.00% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 0.85M | 0.50M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.21M | 0.82M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 41.24% | 17.47% |
| Beta | 0.97 | 0.23 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
KB
9.84%
Banks Industry
- Max
- 26.37%
- Q3
- 15.92%
- Median
- 12.25%
- Q1
- 8.69%
- Min
- 0.15%
KB’s Return on Equity of 9.84% is on par with the norm for the Banks industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
SKM
8.61%
Wireless Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 27.67%
- Q3
- 18.94%
- Median
- 13.35%
- Q1
- 6.38%
- Min
- -8.07%
SKM’s Return on Equity of 8.61% is on par with the norm for the Wireless Telecommunication Services industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
KB
10.66%
Banks Industry
- Max
- 54.20%
- Q3
- 35.70%
- Median
- 28.97%
- Q1
- 22.53%
- Min
- 6.98%
Falling into the lower quartile for the Banks industry, KB’s Net Profit Margin of 10.66% indicates weaker profitability. This means the company retains a smaller portion of each dollar in sales as profit compared to its competitors.
SKM
5.68%
Wireless Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 17.18%
- Q3
- 13.67%
- Median
- 9.33%
- Q1
- 4.43%
- Min
- -5.10%
SKM’s Net Profit Margin of 5.68% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Wireless Telecommunication Services industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
KB
14.94%
Banks Industry
- Max
- 63.35%
- Q3
- 44.59%
- Median
- 37.24%
- Q1
- 28.25%
- Min
- 13.37%
KB’s Operating Profit Margin of 14.94% is in the lower quartile for the Banks industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.
SKM
8.96%
Wireless Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 29.85%
- Q3
- 23.51%
- Median
- 20.46%
- Q1
- 16.06%
- Min
- 9.07%
SKM’s Operating Profit Margin of 8.96% is below the typical range for the Wireless Telecommunication Services industry, suggesting challenges in generating profit from its core business activities relative to its peers.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | KB | SKM |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 9.84% | 8.61% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 0.75% | 3.40% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 10.66% | 5.68% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 14.94% | 8.96% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | -- | 96.23% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
KB
--
Banks Industry
- Max
- --
- Q3
- --
- Median
- --
- Q1
- --
- Min
- --
For the Banks industry, the Current Ratio is often not the most suitable measure of short-term liquidity.
SKM
1.03
Wireless Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 1.26
- Q3
- 1.00
- Median
- 0.71
- Q1
- 0.60
- Min
- 0.36
SKM’s Current Ratio of 1.03 is in the upper quartile for the Wireless Telecommunication Services industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
KB
2.44
Banks Industry
- Max
- 4.75
- Q3
- 2.62
- Median
- 1.02
- Q1
- 0.39
- Min
- 0.00
The Debt-to-Equity Ratio is often not the primary focus for assessing leverage in the Banks industry.
SKM
0.90
Wireless Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 2.92
- Q3
- 2.15
- Median
- 1.57
- Q1
- 0.91
- Min
- 0.44
Falling into the lower quartile for the Wireless Telecommunication Services industry, SKM’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.90 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
KB
--
Banks Industry
- Max
- --
- Q3
- --
- Median
- --
- Q1
- --
- Min
- --
The Interest Coverage Ratio is often not a primary indicator of debt servicing capacity in the Banks industry.
SKM
8.33
Wireless Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 12.67
- Q3
- 6.16
- Median
- 3.95
- Q1
- 1.81
- Min
- -1.20
SKM’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 8.33 is in the upper quartile for the Wireless Telecommunication Services industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | KB | SKM |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | -- | 1.03 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | -- | 0.73 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 2.44 | 0.90 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | -- | 8.33 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
KB
3.09%
Banks Industry
- Max
- 10.27%
- Q3
- 5.83%
- Median
- 3.81%
- Q1
- 2.50%
- Min
- 0.00%
KB’s Dividend Yield of 3.09% is consistent with its peers in the Banks industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
SKM
6.79%
Wireless Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 7.63%
- Q3
- 5.13%
- Median
- 3.22%
- Q1
- 2.33%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 6.79%, SKM offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Wireless Telecommunication Services industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
KB
30.54%
Banks Industry
- Max
- 147.07%
- Q3
- 80.55%
- Median
- 54.40%
- Q1
- 35.71%
- Min
- 0.00%
KB’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 30.54% is in the lower quartile for the Banks industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.
SKM
123.96%
Wireless Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 145.86%
- Q3
- 109.87%
- Median
- 78.85%
- Q1
- 48.65%
- Min
- 0.00%
SKM’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 123.96% is in the upper quartile for the Wireless Telecommunication Services industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | KB | SKM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 3.09% | 6.79% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 30.54% | 123.96% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
KB
6.95
Banks Industry
- Max
- 20.05
- Q3
- 12.65
- Median
- 10.21
- Q1
- 7.54
- Min
- 2.74
In the lower quartile for the Banks industry, KB’s P/E Ratio of 6.95 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
SKM
11.70
Wireless Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 34.45
- Q3
- 23.52
- Median
- 16.68
- Q1
- 13.97
- Min
- 7.48
In the lower quartile for the Wireless Telecommunication Services industry, SKM’s P/E Ratio of 11.70 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
KB
0.52
Banks Industry
- Max
- 5.06
- Q3
- 2.98
- Median
- 2.24
- Q1
- 1.59
- Min
- 0.45
The P/S Ratio is often not a primary valuation tool in the Banks industry.
SKM
0.66
Wireless Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 2.56
- Q3
- 1.94
- Median
- 1.37
- Q1
- 1.22
- Min
- 0.62
In the lower quartile for the Wireless Telecommunication Services industry, SKM’s P/S Ratio of 0.66 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
KB
0.71
Banks Industry
- Max
- 2.18
- Q3
- 1.36
- Median
- 1.09
- Q1
- 0.81
- Min
- 0.20
KB’s P/B Ratio of 0.71 is in the lower quartile for the Banks industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.
SKM
1.02
Wireless Telecommunication Services Industry
- Max
- 4.87
- Q3
- 2.93
- Median
- 2.02
- Q1
- 1.33
- Min
- 0.40
SKM’s P/B Ratio of 1.02 is in the lower quartile for the Wireless Telecommunication Services industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | KB | SKM |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 6.95 | 11.70 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 0.52 | 0.66 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 0.71 | 1.02 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 11.20 | 3.93 |