SL (KOSE:005850) Analyst Target Surges 13.64% to ₩55,250 — What's Behind the Bullish Shift?

Analyst consensus on South Korean stock SL (KOSE:005850) has taken a notably optimistic turn, with the one-year price target jumping significantly to ₩55,250 per share. This represents a substantial 13.64% upward revision from the previous estimate of ₩48,620 set on January 11, 2026. The latest adjustment reflects growing confidence among equity researchers tracking the company’s prospects. Current projections vary across the analyst community, with targets ranging from a conservative ₩41,410 to an aggressive ₩73,500 per share.

Price Target Rally: From ₩48,620 to ₩55,250

The revised consensus target of ₩55,250 sits just slightly above SL’s most recent closing price of ₩54,800 per share, implying modest upside potential of approximately 0.82%. This pricing structure suggests analysts see the stock trading near fair value with balanced risk-reward dynamics. The 13.64% increase in the average target reflects a shift in market sentiment regarding the company’s operational performance and growth trajectory. The wide dispersion among individual analyst targets—ranging over ₩32,000—indicates varying perspectives on company fundamentals and market conditions.

Dividend Yield Remains Steady at 2.27%

Beyond valuation metrics, SL maintains an attractive dividend yield of 2.27% at current price levels. The company’s dividend payout ratio stands at 0.18, which falls well within the healthy range for growth-oriented enterprises. This conservative payout ratio suggests the company retains substantial earnings for reinvestment rather than distributing all profits to shareholders. Such capital allocation typically signals management confidence in long-term business expansion opportunities and disciplined financial stewardship.

Institutional Holdings Decline Amid Market Shifts

The institutional ownership landscape for SL has experienced notable changes recently. The number of funds and institutions maintaining positions decreased from 44 to 32 entities during the most recent quarter—a 27.27% decline in ownership count. Paradoxically, the average portfolio weight of SL among remaining fund holders increased by 4.76% to 0.02%. Total shares owned by institutional investors dropped 27.45% to 837K shares over the three-month period, suggesting selective repositioning rather than across-the-board reduction.

Major Fund Players and Their Recent Moves

Several large asset managers maintain meaningful stakes in SL. Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund Investor Shares (VGTSX) holds 205K shares representing 0.44% company ownership, though this represents a 6.23% reduction from its prior position of 217K shares. The fund decreased its allocation weight by 9.68% during the quarter. Vanguard Developed Markets Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTMGX) maintains a stable 137K share position worth 0.30% ownership with no quarterly change. Emerging market-focused funds including DFCEX and Dimensional Emerging Markets Value Fund each hold 135K and 65K shares respectively, both unchanged from the previous quarter. These fund movements reflect the nuanced view major asset managers take toward SL, balancing exposure within diversified portfolio frameworks.