Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

Douglas Research Advisory

Equity Bottom-Up

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. manufactures a wide range of consumer and industrial electronic equipment and products such as semiconductors, personal computers, peripherals, monitors, televisions, and home appliances including air conditioners and microwave ovens. The Company also produces Internet access network systems and telecommunications equipment including mobile phones.

<ul>
<li>Three major reasons why Samsung Electronics is our 2025 high conviction pick include attractive valuations, reduced concerns about inheritance tax overhang, and higher likely total shareholder returns.</li>
<li>Given that 2025 will be the last year of major inheritance tax payment for the Lee family, this reduced overhang could act as a positive sentiment on Samsung Electronics.</li>
<li>Pressures on Samsung to announce material improvement to shareholder returns are coming not just from existing shareholders but also from the Korean government due to Korea Corporate Value Up program.</li>
</ul>


Three major reasons why Samsung Electronics is our 2025 high conviction pick include attractive valuations, reduced concerns about inheritance tax overhang, and higher likely total shareholder returns.
Given that 2025 will be the last year of major inheritance tax payment for the Lee family, this reduced overhang could act as a positive sentiment on Samsung Electronics.
Pressures on Samsung to announce material improvement to shareholder returns are coming not just from existing shareholders but also from the Korean government due to Korea Corporate Value Up program.


2025 High Conviction: Samsung Electronics

Global Healthcare Analyst

Tina Banerjee

Aster DM Healthcare Ltd / Equity Bottom-Up

Aster DM Healthcare Limited provides health care services. The Company offers cardiology, cardiac and spine surgery, oncology, orthopedics, neurology and urology, oncology, gastroenterology and hepatology services. Aster DM Healthcare serves patients worldwide.

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/aster-dm-healthcare-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23662:1" rel="noopener">Aster DM Healthcare Ltd (ASTERDM IN)</a> reported stellar performance in Q3FY25. Revenue achieved 11% YoY growth to INR10.5B, driven by increased patient volumes and growth in ARPOB. </li>
<li>Consistent growth across core businesses, combined with strategic cost optimization, operational efficiencies, and optimized service mix, have significantly strengthened margins, with Q3FY25 operating EBITDA margins standing at 19.3% (Q3FY24: 17.7%).</li>
<li>Our original investment thesis is intact. Margin levers are working well. Expansion plan is on track. Macro trend is favorable. Merger with Quality Care can be a game changer.</li>
</ul>



Aster DM Healthcare Ltd (ASTERDM IN) reported stellar performance in Q3FY25. Revenue achieved 11% YoY growth to INR10.5B, driven by increased patient volumes and growth in ARPOB. 
Consistent growth across core businesses, combined with strategic cost optimization, operational efficiencies, and optimized service mix, have significantly strengthened margins, with Q3FY25 operating EBITDA margins standing at 19.3% (Q3FY24: 17.7%).
Our original investment thesis is intact. Margin levers are working well. Expansion plan is on track. Macro trend is favorable. Merger with Quality Care can be a game changer.


2025 High Conviction Update: Aster DM Healthcare (ASTERDM IN) Q3 Result- Margin Expansion Continues

Asia L/S Equity PM/Macro/Thematic Idea Generation

Rikki Malik

Cross Asset Strategy

<ul>
<li>Risk reward favours this shift in allocation between these markets</li>
<li>Weakness in HK/China markets in Q1 as President Trump takes office will provide an opportunity</li>
<li>China continues to incrementally promote consumption as the new lever of growth</li>
</ul>


Risk reward favours this shift in allocation between these markets
Weakness in HK/China markets in Q1 as President Trump takes office will provide an opportunity
China continues to incrementally promote consumption as the new lever of growth


2025 High Conviction Idea: The Case for a Rotation Out of India into HK/China Part 2

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

Equity Analyst, Investory

Devi Subhakesan

Equity Analyst

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.

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