NOVEL NEXT 2
“Why did it hit the upper limit?”
Dokyung muttered to himself, trying to calm his surprised heart as he stared at the trading program.
Stocks that hit the upper limit at the market open sometimes saw their limits broken as sell orders poured in, but Jiwon Autotech showed no such signs.
Rather, buy orders were flooding in, making it reasonable to expect another upper limit tomorrow.
“Let’s see…”
Dokyung moved the computer mouse back and forth, searching for news on the trading program.
“[Exclusive] Jiwon Autotech signs supply contract with electric vehicle company SevenStar.”
“Jiwon Autotech, 40 billion won supply contract with SevenStar… Order amount more than double last year’s sales.”
“North European EV powerhouse SevenStar to use Korean-made air conditioners.”
“Jiwon Autotech: ‘Nothing we can say yet, will soon disclose contract-related information.'”
“Seeing that Jiwon Autotech didn’t say it was groundless…”
They hadn’t disclosed any contract-related information before the market opened.
If the exclusive report was true, there was a high possibility they would disclose contract-related information after the market closed.
‘Looks like they’re hurriedly preparing the disclosure.’
Usually, there was a practice of disclosing negative news after the market closed and positive news before the market opened to boost stock prices.
But it seemed Jiwon Autotech was preparing a disclosure in response to the sudden exclusive report.
As Jiwon Autotech was a KOSDAQ-listed company, they had an obligation to disclose if the order amount exceeded 10% of the previous fiscal year’s sales.
‘Is this insider information?’
Dokyung took out his phone and looked at the text message that had arrived this morning.
Of course, thanks to the exclusive report about the supply contract that came out 30 minutes after the market opened, many people found out and the stock hit the upper limit, but…
The message was sent long before the exclusive report came out this morning.
If someone had bought Jiwon Autotech stocks after seeing this message and before the exclusive report came out, they could have seen over 25% returns.
‘It can’t be explained otherwise.’
Financial professionals with a foot in Yeouido or investors somewhat familiar with stocks would think of such messages as scams moving to suck money from so-called ‘stock newbies’.
However, the information about Jiwon Autotech in the message that arrived this morning was too accurate.
Of course, occasionally, results like this did come out by reading the market atmosphere and catching a mouse while a cow backs up, but…
‘The most important thing is that there were no signs of it rising.’
Even at the market open this morning, there was no trading volume. Checking the trading situation, there were records of foreigners buying stocks over the past week, but the trading volume was miserable until the exclusive report came out.
“It must be insider information…”
“Dokyung-ssi, what are you doing?”
Startled by the voice behind him, Dokyung turned around.
Assistant Manager Choi Woojin, who usually treated him comfortably, was standing behind him.
“What are you staring at your phone so intently for?”
At Choi Woojin’s words, Dokyung tossed his phone onto the desk.
“Ah, well…”
Dokyung wore a troubled expression as he searched for an excuse.
If Choi Woojin had seen the message, he needed an excuse even if he hadn’t bought any stocks.
“These days, strange messages…”
“Do you have plans after work? Why are you staring so intently at your phone clock?”
“Clock?”
“Yeah, I came because I had something to say, but you were staring at your phone so intently I thought you might be reading an interesting webtoon…”
At Choi Woojin’s words, Dokyung picked up his phone and showed it to his senior.
“Can’t you see this?”
The text message from this morning was displayed on the phone.
“I can see it clearly.”
Of course, there was no way this message couldn’t be seen.
Dokyung looked at Choi Woojin, feeling he had checked unnecessarily, and tried to make an excuse.
“A clock showing 10:48 in big letters. Some people use clock apps these days, huh.”
“Clock?”
At Choi Woojin’s words, Dokyung checked the screen again, but the text message was displayed.
“Can’t you see the text message here?”
“What text? Why are you acting so strange today, Dokyung-ssi? Is it because you got chewed out by the branch manager yesterday?”
“Ah, no. Anyway, what brings you here, Assistant Manager?”
“Well, the branch manager isn’t here today…”
Choi Woojin worked in a different department from Dokyung.
Dokyung was an operations team employee dealing with visitors who came to the branch for counter services, while Choi Woojin was a PB (Private Banker).
PBs dealt with high-net-worth individuals and managed their assets.
“A client I manage is related to an unlisted stock that’s about to go public, and I was thinking of studying this company this weekend. What do you think?”
“I’d love to. May I organize it once?”
“Oh, you’re stepping up to study again. Well, I’m grateful.”
The task Choi Woojin was entrusting to Dokyung was something Dokyung couldn’t do according to internal regulations.
Analyzing a company’s reasons for going public and the process, valuing the company, and explaining it to clients wasn’t the job of an operations team employee.
“You know it’s a secret, right?”
“Of course. I’m perceptive enough to know you’re taking a risk to give me experience, Assistant Manager.”
A year ago, while having a meal with Choi Woojin, Dokyung had explained what he knew about a company Choi Woojin was pondering.
Surprised by Dokyung’s analysis, Choi Woojin studied together with him, and with a report full of Dokyung’s opinions, Choi Woojin received good evaluations from clients and attracted high-value asset management.
Since then, Choi Woojin and Dokyung became study buddies, conducting stock studies together every other week.
“It’s such a shame. You have every certification there is, and you have such a good eye for analyzing companies. Why can’t the company see that?”
At Choi Woojin’s words, Dokyung sheepishly rubbed his nose.
“I’m always indebted to you, Assistant Manager. Thanks to you, I really feel like my skills are improving these days.”
“Don’t say that. I’m the one getting the most help from you, Dokyung-ssi.”
The study sessions with Choi Woojin were truly a great help to Dokyung.
Being able to learn how to approach clients was a truly great opportunity for Dokyung.
Even operations team employees like Dokyung could get a chance to switch to PB roles like Choi Woojin after working hard at the counter for 5-7 years.
Dokyung worked hard in preparation for that time.
“It’s not urgent, so let’s study slowly, okay? I’m always grateful.”
“Yes, thank you for entrusting me with this.”
At Dokyung’s words, Choi Woojin smiled, patted Dokyung’s shoulder, and headed to his own room. Dokyung began reviewing the documents Choi Woojin had passed on.
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“Why is it coming again?”
The next day, Dokyung was taking the bus to work early in the morning.
It was always an unrefreshing commute, but today Dokyung’s expression was particularly unpleasant.
“I blocked it, didn’t I?”
Dokyung was staring at his mobile phone.
[Are you still hesitating to join? This is a VIP service.]
[Did you see the results of Jiwon Autotech we recommended yesterday?]
[Since you still seem to be hesitating, we’ll give you investment information one more time.]
[Stock: Yeongnam Paper]
[This is the last taste. Please contact us after checking the results.]
A message was received again from the number he had blocked as soon as the message arrived yesterday. He checked the block list just in case, but the number was indeed blocked.
“This is driving me crazy.”
Dokyung kept staring at his phone and then, as if he had made up his mind, he called the number that had sent the text.
-The number you have dialed is not in service…
Dokyung called again, wondering if he had made a mistake, but only the same notification was heard.
Dokyung sighed deeply and looked at the message.
“Yesterday, even Assistant Manager Choi Woojin said he couldn’t see this message…”
Messages that arrive even when blocked. A notification saying it’s a non-existent number when called. Information power that seems like insider information.
Everything was full of questions.
“Yeongnam Paper, you say?”
After thinking for a while, Dokyung began searching for information about the listed company the message had mentioned.
“It’s quiet?”
The supply and demand situation of Yeongnam Paper that Dokyung checked on his MTS (Mobile Trading System) showed nothing special. Usually, if there was insider information, there should have been accumulation from forces at some branch.
“There’s no sign of accumulating volume… and the trading volume is too low.”
Dokyung looked at the stock prices of companies related to paper, wondering.
And he noticed something strange in the stock price of the company called the industry leader among paper-related stocks.
An industry leader refers to a company that represents the industry. Just as Future Electronics comes to mind when you think of a company representing semiconductors.
“There’s some accumulation here? Foreign institutions are buying a huge amount.”
Of course, it was a vain belief that it would rise just because foreigners were buying.
Sometimes, retail investors suffered big losses after following foreigners’ buying signals.
“Is something happening in the paper sector?”
Dokyung muttered to himself and continued searching for related news.
“Oh… this?”
While searching for news, Dokyung discovered an odd piece of news.
[Next stop is Pangyo Station East Side, Pangyo Station East Side.]
Focused, Dokyung pressed the stop button when he heard the name of the stop where he needed to get off, got off the bus, and entered the building where Yuseong Securities Seongnam Branch was located.
Then, sitting at his desk, he began to examine the materials he had been looking at on his phone on the bus more closely.
“Dokyung-ssi, we got a call from the bank. Let’s go.”
Just as he was concentrating, PB team’s Choi Woojin approached Dokyung, and Dokyung got up from his seat, grabbing an envelope of documents.
“Assistant Manager Choi Woojin, here.”
“Huh? What’s this? You’ve already done it?”
As Dokyung and Choi Woojin walked side by side, Dokyung handed over the envelope of documents, and Choi Woojin looked surprised.
“It was interesting.”
“Come on, who finds studying interesting?”
Choi Woojin said this while taking out the documents from the envelope Dokyung had handed over and began reading them.
“It’s not something I usually do. Maybe that’s why I always find it interesting.”
“Wow… This looks perfect again.”
Choi Woojin looked at Dokyung with an admiring expression.
“I’ll look over what you’ve organized once, add my opinions, and let’s study together this weekend, okay?”
“Yes.”
He truly was a talent too valuable to be kept in the operations team.
But sadly, it seemed that no one in the branch or headquarters knew of Dokyung’s abilities except for himself.
“It’s a shame there’s nothing I can do to help. Won’t opportunities come with time? When they do, I’ll help you with all my might.”
Choi Woojin was just a third-year assistant manager. But to Dokyung, Choi Woojin’s existence was a great support.
“Are there any stocks you’re interested in these days, Dokyung-ssi?”
As they got on the elevator, Choi Woojin asked Dokyung.
Dokyung looked at Choi Woojin, surprised by this unexpected question.
Although only in his third year, Choi Woojin was achieving quite good results at the branch. Choi Woojin was looking at him with eyes that seemed to say ‘go ahead, tell me’, and Dokyung nodded and opened his mouth.
“I think the semiconductor materials, parts, and equipment sector might be good these days, don’t you think?”
“Why? Because Future Electronics is increasing its CAPEX (Capital Expenditure)?”
“Yes, not just Future Electronics, but Yuseong Semiconductor too…”
“Dokyung-ssi, isn’t that what all analysts are saying?”
“Pardon?”
“Don’t just repeat what came out in reports this morning. The Dokyung-ssi I know must have something in mind, right?”
At Choi Woojin’s words, Dokyung hesitated for a moment. The message that came this morning crossed his mind.
And based on what he had figured out on his way to work, strange currents were being observed in the paper sector.
If the hint from the message and his analysis were correct, he thought he might be able to gain recognition from Choi Woojin more quickly.
After all, Choi Woojin was the only one at the branch who looked at him without prejudice.
Dokyung seemed to make up his mind and looked at Choi Woojin as he opened his mouth.
“I’m keeping a close eye on the paper sector.”
“Paper?”
“Yes. Especially companies that mainly make corrugated cardboard or product packaging boxes.”
“Why?”
Choi Woojin seemed genuinely curious.
Because no one in the market was focusing on the paper sector.
“Recently, the price of corrugated base paper has risen by about 10% globally.”
“Just because of that? By the time they make products with the imported base paper, it will have…”
“The representative listed company in the domestic paper field is Seokpung Paper.”
“Right, Seokpung.”
“A month ago, there was a large fire at Seokpung Paper’s second factory, and currently, the second factory is stopped. So only the first factory is running.”
At Dokyung’s words, Choi Woojin furrowed his brow and fell into thought.
Then he looked at Dokyung and curled up the corners of his mouth.
“It’s a pretty picture, isn’t it? The price of corrugated base paper is rising, and the factory of Seokpung, which is responsible for 40% of Korea’s corrugated cardboard supply, has stopped?”
“Yes. Since the production cost of product packaging boxes will rise immediately…”
“Of course, the paper industry will try to raise supply prices. In the short term, it’s good news as supply prices rise, and in the long term, it’s good news as sales increase.”
What’s important in this market is to quickly catch seemingly insignificant information and see where money will flow.
In that respect, Choi Woojin thought Dokyung was truly excellent.
Choi Woojin smiled and patted Dokyung’s back.
“Wow. This picture really looks good. I should study this when I get back.”
Dokyung smiled at Choi Woojin’s praise.
“But it’s not certain…”
“Come on, if there’s such an incident, not just you, but others are probably thinking the same as us right now, right? Of course, money will move. I’m grateful you told me something I didn’t know.”
At Choi Woojin’s words, Dokyung chuckled. He wasn’t sure what aspect of himself Choi Woojin liked, but Choi Woojin was always favorable towards him.
Ding-
As the elevator stopped, Dokyung and Choi Woojin headed to the bank branch in the same building.
In the case of second-tier financial institutions like securities firms, they couldn’t issue checks or store funds, so they had to entrust them to commercial banks and go to retrieve them every morning.
This task had to be done in pairs, and at the Seongnam branch, it was Choi Woojin and Dokyung’s job.
So the two received the funds and returned to the branch.
“Good work.”
“Yes, you too, Assistant Manager.”
Dokyung greeted Choi Woojin and sat down at his desk.
It was just time for the market to open, and because the message that came this morning was bothering him, he searched for Yeongnam Paper, which the message had recommended.
“As expected…”
Even though the market had just started, Yeongnam Paper’s stock price showed no signs of rising. Dokyung regretted telling Choi Woojin, wondering if he shouldn’t have said anything.
And thinking that the message he received was just lucky, he began to focus on his work.
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Three days later, Dokyung was carrying out his duties as usual, having come to work early in the morning. Perhaps because the market hadn’t been good for a few days, there were many customers visiting the branch from the morning.
“Dokyung-ssi.”
Dokyung, who was finally catching his breath after dealing with customers who had rushed in from the morning, turned his head at the voice calling him. There stood Choi Woojin from the PB team, with a bewildered expression.
“Oh, Assistant Manager Choi Woojin, what’s the matter?”
“Come see me in my room for a moment.”
Choi Woojin said this and headed to his room, and Dokyung followed him, tilting his head in confusion.
“Dokyung-ssi, did you see the market atmosphere this morning?”
“No. There were many visitors, so… I just vaguely know the market atmosphere isn’t good…”
“No, that’s not what I mean. Come here and look at this.”
At Choi Woojin’s words, Dokyung approached and checked the monitor screen Choi Woojin was pointing at.
“Th-This is…”
Dokyung’s eyes widened as he checked the screen.