[E-Daily Reporter Park Jung-Soo ] Global investment bank Morgan Stanley has become a major shareholder in VITZROCELL Co., Ltd.(082920). The firm moved to buy shares at a low price by acquiring a stake even as the stock price underwent a sharp correction—including a 50% drop over the past two months. Market observers interpret this move as an investment driven by the growth potential of new businesses, such as defense and artificial intelligence (AI) data centers, as well as the company’s solid earnings trend.

According to the Financial Supervisory Service’s electronic disclosure system on the 15th, Morgan Stanley & C&C INTERNATIONAL PLC disclosed the previous day that it holds 2,485,587 shares (5.48%) of VITZROCELL Co., Ltd. The purpose of the holding is purely for investment. This disclosure was made because the company’s stake exceeded 5% through on-market purchases, triggering a new reporting obligation.
Morgan Stanley’s acquisition of the stake coincided with a period of stock price correction. VITZROCELL Co., Ltd.’s stock price soared to 67,800 won intraday on May 12, hitting a 52-week high, but has since fallen to the 27,000 won range, experiencing a correction of over 50% in just two months. On this day, the stock rebounded by over 4% for the first time in eight trading days, closing at 29,100 won.
Market observers believe Morgan Stanley increased its stake by prioritizing the company’s medium- to long-term growth potential over its short-term stock price.
VITZROCELL Co., Ltd. is a company specializing in lithium primary batteries, with its main products including batteries for smart grids, thermoelectric batteries for defense applications, ampoule batteries, and high-temperature batteries for oil and gas drilling. Recently, it has been accelerating its expansion into new growth areas such as lithium-ion capacitors (LIC) for AI data centers, rechargeable battery materials, and the lithium metal value chain.
The company’s financial performance continues to show growth. In the second quarter of this year, consolidated revenue reached 76.3 billion won, a 35.0% increase year-over-year, while operating profit rose 21.3% to 19.6 billion won. For the first half of the year, cumulative revenue totaled 144.6 billion won and operating profit reached 39.8 billion won, representing increases of 30.9% and 27.7%, respectively, compared to the same period last year.
The securities industry also forecasts that growth will continue, driven primarily by the defense and AI data center sectors.
Lee Byung-hwa, a research analyst at Shinhan Investment Securities, noted, “The company continues to expand its market share for high-temperature batteries in North America, and growth in thermal batteries is sustained by rising demand for guided weapon systems.” He added, “New businesses, such as capacitors for AI data centers and all-solid-state battery materials, will also serve as drivers of growth in the medium to long term.”
Shim Ui-seop, an analyst at NH INVESTMENT & SECURITIES, predicted, “High-temperature battery sales will expand rapidly as the effects of consolidating North American-based Innova—acquired last year—take full effect,” adding, “Along with U.S. military special-purpose batteries, sales for smart grid applications, which slowed last year, will also return to growth.”
The company is also actively working to enhance its corporate value. This month, VITZROCELL Co., Ltd. announced a corporate value enhancement plan, setting targets of 600 billion won in revenue and 160 billion won in operating profit by 2030. While pursuing entry into the markets for AI data center capacitors and batteries for suicide drones, the company also plans to strengthen shareholder return policies, such as increasing the dividend payout ratio and repurchasing and canceling its own shares.
In particular, VITZROCELL Co., Ltd. has been successively included in the KOSDAQ 150 (included on June 12), the KOSDAQ Global Segment (June), and the Korea Value-Up Index (effective June 29), expectations are growing for an influx of passive funds and long-term investors.
Jang Jeong-hoon, an analyst at SamsungSecurities, stated, “While the recent stock price correction is due to short-term factors, the company’s medium- to long-term growth potential remains intact.” He added, “As inclusion in the KOSDAQ 150 Index is expected to attract passive funds tracking that index, this will have a positive impact on medium- to long-term supply and demand.”