Investment Research - Asia Consumer Sector, Investory

Devi Subhakesan

Investment Research - Asia Consumer Sector

ASIA CONSUMER: INSIGHTS AND INVESTMENT IDEAS

Investory

Investory is a Singapore-based boutique independent equity research firm founded in January 2017 with a primary focus on consumption themes across Asia-Pacific.

We aim to generate investible ideas based on consumption trends and outlook. We screen our ideas on several parameters - product potential, long-term growth and management commitment being the most critical.  We follow a fundamental analysis approach in our stock selection process and are not restricted by market cap.

We aspire to grow into a leading source of unbiased research, free of conflict of interest, for investors yearning for independent and disciplined analysis. 

We also undertake bespoke research mandates to support our Institutional clients’ investment needs.

Our team comprises of professionals with extensive experience in the Asian equity markets, in areas ranging from research, servicing institutional clients and investment management.

Equity Bottom-Up

DFI Retail Group Holdings / Equity Bottom-Up

DFI Retail Group Holdings Ltd operates as a holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, focuses on retail stores such as supermarkets, drugstores, and convenience stores. DFI Retail Group Holdings serves customers in Asia.

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/dfi-retail-group-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7427:1" rel="noopener">DFI Retail Group Holdings (DFI SP)</a>, a leading retail player in Asia, is navigating sector headwinds through strategic pivots and cost cuts to drive superior margins and returns.</li>
<li>After hitting a 10-year low in early August, DFI Retail’s stock rebounded, driven by strong 1H2024 earnings that reflected the impact of management's initiatives.</li>
<li>With an attractive dividend yield, strong cash flow, and a positive earnings growth outlook, DFI Retail offers a low-risk, high-return opportunity for investors in 2025.</li>
</ul>



DFI Retail Group Holdings (DFI SP), a leading retail player in Asia, is navigating sector headwinds through strategic pivots and cost cuts to drive superior margins and returns.
After hitting a 10-year low in early August, DFI Retail’s stock rebounded, driven by strong 1H2024 earnings that reflected the impact of management's initiatives.
With an attractive dividend yield, strong cash flow, and a positive earnings growth outlook, DFI Retail offers a low-risk, high-return opportunity for investors in 2025.


2025 High Conviction: DFI Retail - Churning Free Cash by Turning the Right Levers

Chief Executive Officer, Emmer Capital Partners Limited

Manishi Raychaudhuri

Chief Executive Officer

Emmer Capital Partners Limited

Emmer Capital Partners is an Asia Pacific focused financial advisory firm engaging in strategic financial asset allocation advice, bespoke thematic research and advising early-stage companies and connecting them to investors. Emmer Capital provides macro-economic and multi-asset investment strategy inputs to institutions, family offices, private wealth managers, private equity, and corporate boards directly and through independent research platforms. Emmer Capital also advises a wide range of startup companies on fund raising and business strategy. Emmer Capital's active engagement with the print and electronic media reaches a broad spectrum of investors across the globe.

Taiwan Semiconductor (TSMC) / Equity Bottom-Up

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd. manufactures and markets integrated circuits. The Company provides the following services: wafer manufacturing, wafer probing, assembly and testing, mask production, and design services. TSMC's ICs are used in computer, communication, consumer electronics, automotive, and industrial equipment industries.

<ul>
<li>2025 could be thorny for Asian equities. The main themes - "Trump turmoil", a slower Fed and a "stronger for longer" Dollar and continued AI boom - have mixed implications.</li>
<li>China's policy articulation to support consumption departing from earlier supply-side measures, would be an important investment driver. India, though expensive, has a few "unloved" sectors that investors should focus on.</li>
<li>Based on our five investment themes, we identify five high quality liquid top picks in Asia - two listed in Hong Kong and one each in Taiwan, India and Korea. </li>
</ul>


2025 could be thorny for Asian equities. The main themes - "Trump turmoil", a slower Fed and a "stronger for longer" Dollar and continued AI boom - have mixed implications.
China's policy articulation to support consumption departing from earlier supply-side measures, would be an important investment driver. India, though expensive, has a few "unloved" sectors that investors should focus on.
Based on our five investment themes, we identify five high quality liquid top picks in Asia - two listed in Hong Kong and one each in Taiwan, India and Korea. 


Asian Equities: 2025 High Conviction – Five Themes, Five Top Picks

Co Founder & Head of Engineering and Trading, HarmoniQ Insights

Christopher Rosa

Co Founder & Head of Engineering and Trading

HarmoniQ Insights

At HarmoniQ Insights, we empower investors to enhance their investment strategies by integrating cutting-edge quantitative research processes and technologies. Our solutions provide access to leading quantitative data providers and services, tailored to align with each client’s unique goals. By bridging the gap between traditional investment approaches and advanced data-driven methods, we help clients gain a competitive edge through innovation in both process and technology.

Crypto

Virtual currencies are decentralized, math-based digital assets in which transactions can be performed cryptographically without the need for a central issuing authority. The first specification and proof of concept of Bitcoin, the first widely used virtual currency, was published in 2009 based on a paper published pseudonymously by Satoshi Nakamoto.

<ul>
<li>
$240K Target: Bitcoin is projected to reach $240K by late Q3–Q4 2025, driven by global liquidity, the halving, and institutional demand via spot ETFs.</li>
<li>
Liquidity Drivers: Bitcoin’s bull run will be fueled by U.S. fiscal easing, China’s liquidity injections, spot ETF demand, and the upcoming 2024 halving event.</li>
<li>
Strategic Timing: Historical patterns suggest Bitcoin will peak in late Q3–Q4 2025, driven by synchronized global liquidity expansion and institutional adoption.</li>
</ul>



$240K Target: Bitcoin is projected to reach $240K by late Q3–Q4 2025, driven by global liquidity, the halving, and institutional demand via spot ETFs.

Liquidity Drivers: Bitcoin’s bull run will be fueled by U.S. fiscal easing, China’s liquidity injections, spot ETF demand, and the upcoming 2024 halving event.

Strategic Timing: Historical patterns suggest Bitcoin will peak in late Q3–Q4 2025, driven by synchronized global liquidity expansion and institutional adoption.


2025 High Conviction: Bitcoin Long - New All-Time Highs on the Horizon

Founder, CEO, GSBR Research

Garvit Bhandari

Founder, CEO

Leading Provider of Equity and Investment Research

GSBR Research

We are an independent equity research provider focused on covering global markets. The aim of the research is to provide an unbiased view of the fundamentals of the company.

Taiwan Semiconductor (TSMC) - ADR / Equity Bottom-Up

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. manufactures integrated circuits based on its proprietary designs.  The Company offers a comprehensive set of integrated circuit fabrication processes to manufacture CMOS logic, mixed-mode, volatile and non-volatile memory and BiCMOS chips.  Taiwan Semiconductor is an affiliate of Philips Electronics N.V.

Taiwan Semiconductor (TSMC) - ADR (TSM US)

<ul>
<li>TSM is upbeat on the AI demand and remains confident that the cycle has just begun with long a runway for growth ahead.</li>
<li>TSM's primary competitors, Intel and Samsung Electronics, are currently facing challenges within their foundry operations, placing TSM in a favorable position to expand its market share</li>
<li>The Company anticipates a strong closing for FY:24 and has guided for nearly 35% YOY revenue growth in Q4 2024. We believe the momentum will continue in 2024E-2026E.</li>
</ul>


TSM is upbeat on the AI demand and remains confident that the cycle has just begun with long a runway for growth ahead.
TSM's primary competitors, Intel and Samsung Electronics, are currently facing challenges within their foundry operations, placing TSM in a favorable position to expand its market share
The Company anticipates a strong closing for FY:24 and has guided for nearly 35% YOY revenue growth in Q4 2024. We believe the momentum will continue in 2024E-2026E.


2025 High Conviction - Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (NYSE: TSM, TPE: 2330)

Asian Hedge Fund Manager, Long Short Equity, Macro

David Mudd

DiDi Chuxing Inc operates passenger transportation platforms. The Company provides mobility solutions, cloud computing, and other application based services. DiDi Chuxing serves customers worldwide.

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/didi-chuxing-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27467:1" rel="noopener">DiDi Global (DIDI US)</a> has begun to generate positive EBITDA after several challenging years post-IPO.  With a high degree of operating leverage, the company is poised to grow quickly.
</li>
<li>Didi which maintains a 70% market share in the ride-hailing industry in China is expanding into Tier 3 cities where there is a large untapped opportunity.</li>
<li>The company has indicated that it wants to list in Hong Kong in 2025 providing a catalyst for share price re-rating next year.</li>
</ul>



DiDi Global (DIDI US) has begun to generate positive EBITDA after several challenging years post-IPO.  With a high degree of operating leverage, the company is poised to grow quickly.

Didi which maintains a 70% market share in the ride-hailing industry in China is expanding into Tier 3 cities where there is a large untapped opportunity.
The company has indicated that it wants to list in Hong Kong in 2025 providing a catalyst for share price re-rating next year.


2025 High Conviction Idea - DIDI Global, Smooth Ride to Higher Profits

2025 High Conviction Ideas
High Conviction Ideas going into 2025

2025 High Conviction: DFI Retail - Churning Free Cash by Turning the Right Levers

DFI Retail is overcoming challenges with strategic shifts and cost reductions. With an attractive dividend yield, strong cash flow, and earnings...

Devi Subhakesan

Asian Equities: 2025 High Conviction – Five Themes, Five Top Picks

2025 may be tricky for Asian equity with "Trump turmoil", slower Fed, strong Dollar. AI boom would help. Ditto China's consumption focus & India's...

Manishi Raychaudhuri

2025 High Conviction: Bitcoin Long - New All-Time Highs on the Horizon

Forecasting Bitcoin’s Next Bull Run: How Global Liquidity, Institutional Demand, and Key Market Cycles Point to a $240K Target by 2025

Christopher Rosa

2025 High Conviction - Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (NYSE: TSM, TPE: 2330)

TSM is well positioned to ride the AI tailwind as competitors face challenges. Strong revenue growth expected for Q4 2024 and beyond.

GSBR Research

2025 High Conviction Idea - DIDI Global, Smooth Ride to Higher Profits

Didi Global has become EBITDA positive and is expanding rapidly into Tier 3 cities where it has an technical and market share advantage. The...

David Mudd

2025 High Conviction: DFI Retail - Churning Free Cash by Turning the Right Levers

​DFI Retail is overcoming challenges with strategic shifts and cost reductions. With an attractive dividend yield, strong cash flow, and earnings...

Devi Subhakesan

Asian Equities: 2025 High Conviction – Five Themes, Five Top Picks

​2025 may be tricky for Asian equity with "Trump turmoil", slower Fed, strong Dollar. AI boom would help. Ditto China's consumption focus & India's...

Manishi Raychaudhuri

2025 High Conviction: Bitcoin Long - New All-Time Highs on the Horizon

Forecasting Bitcoin’s Next Bull Run: How Global Liquidity, Institutional Demand, and Key Market Cycles Point to a $240K Target by 2025

Christopher Rosa

2025 High Conviction - Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (NYSE: TSM, TPE: 2330)

​TSM is well positioned to ride the AI tailwind as competitors face challenges. Strong revenue growth expected for Q4 2024 and beyond.

GSBR Research

2025 High Conviction Idea - DIDI Global, Smooth Ride to Higher Profits

Didi Global has become EBITDA positive and is expanding rapidly into Tier 3 cities where it has an technical and market share advantage. The...

David Mudd

DFI Retail is overcoming challenges with strategic shifts and cost reductions. With an attractive dividend yield, strong cash flow, and earnings...

2025 may be tricky for Asian equity with "Trump turmoil", slower Fed, strong Dollar. AI boom would help. Ditto China's consumption focus & India's...

TSM is well positioned to ride the AI tailwind as competitors face challenges. Strong revenue growth expected for Q4 2024 and beyond.