Cosmetics Stocks Reversal: Big Positive News from the US – Is Now the Time to Buy?

Summary

CEO Lee Kwon-hee analyzes Korean cosmetics stocks, highlighting that record first‑half exports and a planned US K-beauty ETF are strong catalysts. He argues that ODM manufacturers hold structural advantages over brand companies and singles out Korean Kolmar as the top pick, while also discussing Cosmax, Cosmecca Korea, APR, Parma Research, and Silicontwo. The conversation emphasizes the importance of studying names now while the sector is quiet.

• Korean cosmetics exports hit a record $7 billion in H1 2026, with accelerated growth in Q2 and strong momentum into July.
• A US K-beauty ETF (ticker KBTY) is being planned, expected to draw global investment into Korean cosmetics ODM and brand names.
• ODM companies are preferred over brand companies because they consistently capture demand without heavy marketing costs.
• Korean Kolmar is the top pick; the stock has doubled and corrected healthily, and it still leads the ODM space.
• Other ODM plays include Cosmax as a potential catch-up trade and Cosmecca Korea for its US subsidiary Enggle Lab.
• APR is the leading brand but is in a wait-and-see phase until earnings confirm a reacceleration.
• Parma Research, a medical aesthetics name, has corrected sharply but has never missed earnings, now trading at ~15x.
• Silicontwo, a cosmetics distributor, has fallen below 9x P/E and looks undervalued given its margins and brand curation.
• LNC Bio is noted as a speculative tissue-based product play but lacks a strong near‑term catalyst.