Saramin (143240) 🔎 In-depth
KOSDAQ · Price as of 2026-08-06 · Updated 2026-08-09
Saramin operates an online recruitment marketplace that connects job seekers with employers; its main revenue comes from the advertising fees and usage charges companies pay to post job listings or search and view candidate information, so its results move with the hiring cycle. In February 2026 it disclosed full-year revenue of ₩121.2 billion, operating profit of ₩16.8 billion and net profit of ₩91.9 billion (the latter including one-off items), and in June it signaled a commitment to shareholder returns through a treasury-share trust agreement and a 4.6% dividend, while Q1 operating profit more than doubled from a year earlier. The key point now is that if the hiring cycle finds a floor and the profit recovery carries through the full year, a 34.4% ROE, a forward P/E less than half that of peers, and shareholder returns all shine together; but with a gentle three-year revenue decline still in place, one has to distinguish whether the profit recovery leans on cost control or on reviving hiring demand.
This page organises public market and filing data for information purposes. It is not a recommendation to buy or sell, nor investment advice. Metrics labelled “forward” are our own unverified estimates. Please verify with the original DART filings and decide at your own responsibility.
30-second brief
Pulled directly from the computed values below — not a separately written opinion.
What do the SourceComputedEstimateReading tags mean?
Source filings and exchange data · Computed calculated from public data · Estimate our own unverified projection · Reading drafted automatically, then rule-checked. See AI & Automation.
Core valuation metric
This stock's effective sub-sector is “Platforms & Portals” (Internet, Platforms & Software), a type typically read first through P/E.
Platform and portal companies run several businesses at once — advertising, commerce, content — and monetize a large user base. So price-to-earnings (P/E) — the share price against earnings — is the first lens, read alongside a sum-of-the-parts view (SOTP) that values each distinct segment separately.
Price against earnings alone becomes unstable when earnings swing. Reading it together with price against assets helps gauge the downside.
This note explains how each sector is typically valued and is educational context only, not investment advice.
At-a-glance assessment financial health · growth · profitability · valuation
- Debt ratio, current ratio and interest burden all look healthy.
- Revenue fell 5.6% year over year (3-year trend: falling).
- Most recent quarter (Q1 2026) revenue was 0.9% higher than a year earlier.
- ROE is 36.1% (controlling-interest basis). It is above the sector average.
- Operating margin is 15.7%.
- The P/E sits below the sector median.
Ownership & governance As of 2025-12-31
Largest shareholder Daou Tech 32.59% (corporate)
Controlling bloc incl. related parties 47.63%
With the controlling bloc holding 48%, the ownership structure is stable.
🔎 In-depth analysis Reading
Saramin operates the job-matching platform of the same name. It is an online recruitment service that connects people looking for work with companies looking to hire, and its main revenue comes from the advertising fees and usage charges companies pay to post job listings or search and view candidate information. It listed on the KOSDAQ in February 2012 and is headquartered in Magok-dong, Gangseo-gu, Seoul. The more active the hiring market, the more company postings and advertising rise and the more revenue grows; when the employment cycle cools, the reverse holds — so when reading its results it helps to watch the flow of hiring demand alongside them.
The latest close is ₩16,940 and the market capitalization is ₩181.8 billion. The price sits above its 20-day moving average (₩16,166) and above its 60-day moving average (₩15,851). It holds above both its short- and medium-term moving averages, so the trend looks healthy. The RSI (a supplementary indicator that gauges the strength of gains versus losses over the past 14 days on a 0-100 scale) is 62.3, a neutral level. The one-month change is +5.9%, the three-month change is +1.9%, and the position relative to the 52-week high is -3.8%. Relative strength versus the KOSDAQ is 84 (on a 1-99 scale, converted from returns against the index over the past year with more weight on recent performance; higher means stronger than the market). It is stronger than roughly 84% of all stocks. Over the past three months it outpaced the index by 52.4%. Chart interpretation is best done alongside trading volume and the dates on which disclosures occur.
Most recent annual revenue is ₩121.2 billion and operating profit is ₩16.8 billion. The operating margin is 13.8% and ROE (how much it earns in a year on shareholders' equity) is 34.4%, high profitability that runs above the sector average. The debt ratio is 22.4%, but with a current ratio of 560% and interest coverage of 22x, the capacity to service debt is ample, and its financial soundness is graded as 'stable.' One thing to flag is valuation. Because a large one-off gain was mixed into last year's net profit, the reported P/E (how many times a year's profit the price is) comes out at an abnormally low 1.81x and the P/B (how many times book value the price is) at 0.62x. This is not a case of 'so cheap it must be wrong'; it is better read on an underlying basis with the one-off stripped out. The forward P/E converted from underlying profit is also far below peers (Flitto 15.5x, Kidari Studio 16.9x, YG PLUS 9.3x), a clear signal of being undervalued.
Looking only at revenue, it has drifted gently lower for three years, from ₩131.5 billion in 2023 to ₩121.2 billion in 2025. The real change, though, shows up in profit. In the most recent quarter (Q1 2026), revenue of ₩28.3 billion was roughly in line with the same period a year earlier (+0.9%), yet operating profit rose 117% year over year to ₩4.3 billion. Revenue standing still while profit more than doubled reflects the nature of an advertising- and search-driven business: as long as revenue holds, whatever cost is trimmed drops straight to profit. This year's underlying operating profit is projected at ₩21.9 billion, up from ₩16.8 billion last year. That figure rests on the assumption that the profit recovery confirmed in Q1 carries through the full year — it is not simply an inflated Q1 number but reflects an inflection where the margin turns back up. If the hiring cycle picks up further, revenue could turn with it; for now it is reasonable to view this as a stage where revenue is finding a floor while profitability recovers first.
Disclosures tied to results and shareholder returns have followed one after another this year. On February 4 came a change-in-results disclosure of full-year revenue of ₩121.2 billion, operating profit of ₩16.8 billion and net profit of ₩91.9 billion; the unusually large net profit reflects one-off items outside the core business, so it should be checked for whether it runs the same way as the annual trend. On June 11 there was a disclosure of a decision to enter a treasury-share acquisition trust agreement. A company buying its own shares is a return activity that gives money back to shareholders, and together with a dividend reaching 4.6% it shows a commitment to shareholder returns. For such returns to continue, the core business's cash flow has to support them, and the profit recovery provides that footing. In addition, a small-scale merger process wrapped up at the end of 2025 (completion reported in February 2026), so the next set of results is where to check what changes it brings to revenue, profit and share count.
Saramin is a stock whose strengths are relatively distinct. High profitability with a 34.4% ROE, sturdy finances typified by a 560% current ratio, shareholder returns via a 4.6% dividend and share buybacks, and a forward P/E — with one-offs stripped out — less than half that of peers are all in its favor. Above all, Q1 operating profit more than doubled from a year earlier, signaling that profit is turning up. On the cautious side is revenue: a gentle decline has run for three years, so it is worth distinguishing whether the profit recovery leans on cost control or on hiring demand itself reviving. In sum, in a stretch where the hiring cycle finds a floor and the profit recovery carries through the full year, the undervaluation, high profitability and returns come to light together; conversely, if the employment cycle cools further and revenue declines steepen, the pace of the profit recovery could slow.
🔎 Valuation vs peers Undervalued
Peers of comparable market cap within internet and platform companies.
| Peer | P/E | P/B | ROE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flitto | 21.37x | 7.89x | 36.66% |
| Kidari Studio | 20.32x | 0.65x | 5.24% |
| YG PLUS | 9.72x | 1.13x | 11.60% |
We first looked at a public-data peer set of comparable market cap within internet and platform companies. The current P/E (how many times a year's profit the price is) is 1.98x and the P/B (how many times book value the price is) is 0.69x. That said, for smaller-cap names, profit swings and financing disclosures carry a large effect, so we did not draw firm conclusions from metrics based on last year's confirmed results alone. The outlook box is based on a DART seasonality approximation.
Earnings outlook Estimate company-stated · verified
| Type | Period | Revenue | Operating profit | Net profit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| This year | 2026 | ₩120.0 billion | ₩21.9 billion | ₩40.0 billion |
| Next quarter | Q2 2026 | ₩31.7 billion | ₩7.2 billion | ₩9.3 billion |
Price history Close · MA20 · MA60
The latest close is ₩16,940 and the market capitalization is ₩181.8 billion. The price sits above its 20-day moving average (₩16,166) and above its 60-day moving average (₩15,851). It holds above both its short- and medium-term moving averages, so the trend looks healthy. The RSI (a supplementary indicator that gauges the strength of gains versus losses over the past 14 days on a 0-100 scale) is 62.3, a neutral level. The one-month change is +5.9%, the three-month change is +1.9%, and the position relative to the 52-week high is -3.8%. Relative strength versus the KOSDAQ is 84 (on a 1-99 scale, converted from returns against the index over the past year with more weight on recent performance; higher means stronger than the market). It is stronger than roughly 84% of all stocks. Over the past three months it outpaced the index by 52.4%. Chart interpretation is best done alongside trading volume and the dates on which disclosures occur.
Relative performance stock vs index · start = 100
Excess return vs index · 3M +52.37% / 6M +79.78% / 12M +17.20%
Key metrics Computed vs sector median
Valuation
The P/E of 1.98x is below the sector median (16.39x). The P/B of 0.69x is below the sector median (1.17x). Both metrics are low versus peers, so the price is not expensive relative to earnings and assets. That said, this P/E is based on last year's (trailing) results. With recent quarterly earnings up sharply, the trailing P/E can look higher than it really is, so a precise read is best done on this year's expected (forward) earnings.
Enterprise value (EV)
EV = market cap + net debt. It reflects cash and debt, so it captures the real cost of the whole business that market cap alone misses; lower multiples are cheaper relative to earnings or sales.
Intrinsic value (DCF estimate) Estimate
Model output — not a price target. This is what the formula returns under the assumptions below, not a view on where the share price should go.
DCF (discounted cash flow) estimate — discount rate 10.7%, initial growth 4.0%→terminal 2.0%, 10-yr forecast, free-cash-flow basis. A reference range that shifts materially with assumptions.
Profitability & financials
Return on equity (ROE) is 36.1%, above the sector average (7.0%). The operating margin is 15.7%. The debt ratio is 22.0%, so the financial structure is stable.
Growth FY2025 · annual report (consolidated)
| Item | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | $92.4M | $90.2M | $85.2M | -5.57% ↓ slower |
| Operating profit | $17.7M | $14.9M | $11.8M | -21.11% ↓ slower |
| Net profit | $13.3M | $8.8M | $64.6M | +630.22% ↑ faster |
| 5-year | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | $90.6M | $104.6M | $92.4M | $90.2M | $85.2M |
| Operating profit | $27.5M | $28.5M | $17.7M | $14.9M | $11.8M |
| Net profit | $22.4M | $20.6M | $13.3M | $8.8M | $64.6M |
| Revenue CAGR | 4-yr avg -1.54% | ||||
Revenue fell 5.6% year over year (2023 ₩131.5 billion → 2024 ₩128.4 billion → 2025 ₩121.2 billion), and the three-year trend is 'falling'. The rate of decline widened from the prior year. Operating profit fell 21.1% year over year. The decline widened. Over the 5 years on record, revenue compound annual growth (CAGR) is -1.5%. The two-year revenue CAGR is -4.0%. In the most recent quarter (Q1 2026), revenue was 0.9% higher than the same period a year earlier.
Latest quarterly results Source Q1 2026 · vs year-ago
Technical indicators Computed
What stands out
- P/E and P/B are both low versus peers, so the price looks inexpensive relative to earnings and assets.
- The dividend yield, at 4.1%, is on the high side.
- ROE of 36.1% points to solid profitability.
- The balance sheet is stable in terms of debt and liquidity.
Points to watch
- Revenue fell 5.6% year over year (3-year trend: falling).
Recent news & events searched · sourced
- 2026-02-04EarningsChange of 30% or more (15% for large corporations) in revenue or profit-and-loss structure: full-year revenue ₩121.2 billion, operating profit ₩16.8 billion, net profit ₩91.9 billionThe most recent confirmed or preliminary results. Check whether they run the same way as the annual trend and whether any one-off factors are involved. Source
- 2026-06-11UpdateReport on material matters (decision to enter a treasury-share acquisition trust agreement): review the return termsA disclosure related to cash returns or a change in share count. Check whether earnings strength and cash flow support it. Source
- 2026-02-09FilingMerger completion report (merger): December 5, 2025 — record-date public notice December 5, 2025; merger agreement date December 5, 2025; shareholder record date December 21, 2025; small-scale merger public notice December 19, 2025; dissent-objection filing period start December 19, 2025; end January 2026A recent change confirmed in the official disclosure text. It must be checked for whether it flows through to actual results and financial metrics. Source
Figure cross-check computed ↔ external
| Metric | Computed | External | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Closing price | ₩16,940 | ₩16,940 | Confirmed | link |
| Latest quarterly results | revenue ₩28.3 billion, operating profit ₩4.3 billion | revenue ₩28.3 billion, operating profit ₩4.3 billion | Confirmed | link |
| Annual results | revenue ₩121.2 billion, operating profit ₩16.8 billion | revenue ₩121.2 billion, operating profit ₩16.8 billion | Confirmed | link |
| Results disclosure text | revenue30%: revenue ₩121.2 billion · operating profit ₩16.8 billion · net profit ₩91.9 billion | revenue30%: revenue ₩121.2 billion · operating profit ₩16.8 billion · net profit ₩91.9 billion | Confirmed | link |
| Shareholder-return disclosure text | check the payout terms | check the payout terms | Confirmed | link |
| Disclosure text | 25 12 05 - 2025 12 05 - 2025 12 05 - 2025 12 21 - 2025 12 19 - 2025 12 19 - 2026 01 | 25 12 05 - 2025 12 05 - 2025 12 05 - 2025 12 21 - 2025 12 19 - 2025 12 19 - 2026 01 | Confirmed | link |
| Outlook box basis | DART | DART | Confirmed | link |
Recent filings Source
- 2026-06-01Large-business-group status disclosure
- 2026-05-28Amended filing
- 2026-05-14PeriodicQuarterly report
- 2026-04-28OwnershipOwnership-change filing
- 2026-04-15OwnershipOwnership-change filing
- 2026-04-15OwnershipOfficers'/major-shareholders' holdings report
- 2026-04-15Disclosure
- 2026-04-03OwnershipOwnership-change filing
- 2026-03-30OwnershipOwnership-change filing
- 2026-03-25Amended filing
- 2026-03-25Disclosure
- 2026-03-25Shareholders' meeting notice
📖 Plain-language glossary — expand if you are new to this
- P/E
- How many times a year's net profit the price is worth (lower is cheaper relative to earnings). The P/E here is on trailing (last full-year) results; for companies whose earnings swing fast (memory chips and other cyclicals/high-growth), a forward P/E on this year's expected earnings is more accurate.
- P/B
- Price relative to net assets (equity). Around 1x means it trades near book value; below 1x means below book.
- P/S
- Price relative to a year's revenue — useful for growth companies with thin earnings.
- Net debt / EV
- Net debt = interest-bearing debt − cash. Negative means more cash than debt (net cash). EV (enterprise value) = market cap + net debt, closer to what it would cost to buy the whole business.
- EV/EBIT · EV/EBITDA · EV/Sales
- Enterprise value against operating profit (EBIT), EBITDA, or revenue. Unlike P/E these reflect debt and cash; lower is cheaper relative to earnings power or sales.
- FCF / FCF yield
- Free cash flow = operating cash − capex, the cash actually left over. FCF yield = FCF ÷ market cap; higher means more cash generated per unit of market value.
- Intrinsic value (DCF)
- Future free cash flow (or, for some capex-heavy but profitable names, forecast earnings) discounted to today to estimate per-share value. Because it shifts a lot with the discount-rate and growth assumptions, it is shown as a bear/base/bull range, and the basis and assumptions are disclosed in one line beneath it.
- ROE
- How much profit the company earns in a year on its equity (%). Higher means better returns on capital.
- EPS / BPS
- Earnings per share / net assets (book value) per share.
- Operating / net margin
- Profit left from the core business / final profit after tax and interest, per unit of revenue.
- Debt ratio
- Debt relative to equity (%). Higher means more reliance on borrowing (norms vary by sector).
- Current ratio
- Assets convertible to cash within a year against debt due within a year. Above 100% leaves some short-term headroom.
- Interest coverage
- How many times operating profit covers the interest owed. Below 1x means operating profit alone struggles to cover interest.
- Dividend yield / payout ratio
- The year's dividend as a % of today's price / the share of earnings paid out as dividends.
- Revenue CAGR
- Multi-year growth expressed as a single yearly average (compound annual growth rate).
- RSI (short-term signal)
- Whether recent price action is overheated or beaten down. Above 70 is overbought, below 30 oversold.
- MA20 / MA60 (moving averages)
- The 20- and 60-day average price. Price above them signals a firmer short-term trend.
- vs 52-week high
- How far below the past year's peak the price sits now (%).
All figures are for reference only; how they read varies by sector and over time.
Sources: Korea FSC market-price API (data.go.kr), OpenDART, KRX/KIND — public data only.
Bong Stocks presents public-data-based information for reference only. It is not investment advice and contains no target prices, ratings, or buy/sell recommendations. Verify independently before making any decision.