Independent Research, US Dominant Players, Investment Talk

Investment Talk

Independent Research, US Dominant Players

Investment Talk is for readers who wish to learn about companies that are potentially outside of their own circle of research, as well as those who are longing to become part of a community of like-minded investors and learn more about investment research. I would describe myself as a long-term investor who typically takes a 3Y to 5Y outlook, before reassessing once that period matures. I follow the adage that one should research, reach a conclusion, and then verify and continue to hold so long as the thesis remains intact. My own investing style is one that seeks to find dominant players within their respective market who have shown signs of monopoly or oligopolistic behaviour, unlikely to be disrupted, in tandem with discovering market disruptors who have a high likelihood of disrupting their respective market. Equally (and weighted accordingly) I seek to discover more nuanced, misunderstood, situations with a shorter time frame.

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul><li>You might have heard the news that Nasdaq Inc announced1 a “special rebalance” for the Nasdaq 100; an index which tracks the largest technology stocks across a range of America’s sectors.</li><li>This reshuffle seeks to <strong>“address overconcentration in the index by redistributing the weights”</strong>; specifically the weightings of the Big 7 <em>(Google, Microsoft, Apple, Nvidia, Amazon, Tesla, and Meta)</em> who, together, account for ~54% of the index.</li><li>The rebalance will be based on the shares outstanding as of July 3rd, and changes are expected to be announced on July 14th; taking effect by July 24th2.</li></ul>

You might have heard the news that Nasdaq Inc announced1 a “special rebalance” for the Nasdaq 100; an index which tracks the largest technology stocks across a range of America’s sectors.This reshuffle seeks to “address overconcentration in the index by redistributing the weights”; specifically the weightings of the Big 7 (Google, Microsoft, Apple, Nvidia, Amazon, Tesla, and Meta) who, together, account for ~54% of the index.The rebalance will be based on the shares outstanding as of July 3rd, and changes are expected to be announced on July 14th; taking effect by July 24th2.

The Nasdaq's Special Rebalance Is Not So Special

Expert on Japan Retail and Consumer Markets, JapanConsuming

Michael Causton

Expert on Japan Retail and Consumer Markets

Real Insight on Japanese Consumer Markets

JapanConsuming

JapanConsuming is a specialist research firm producing intelligence on Japanese retail and consumer markets. Founded in 2000, JapanConsuming has become the leading provider of insights on Japanese retailers and consumer trends to retailers, brands, government agencies and investors. As well as a highly regarded monthly report on the market, JapanConsuming produces in-depth reports on retail sectors, seminars on key trends and telephone consulting to investors on trends and retailers.

JapanConsuming was founded by Michael Causton and Roy Larke. 

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Last year was pivotal for Yahoo Japan: despite record group performance, GTVs in e-commerce actually fell despite continued strong growth in the sector </li>
<li>In a recent survey, Amazon was the most frequently used e-commerce mall at 49.6%, followed by Rakuten (32%), but Yahoo was far, far below at just 9.8%.</li>
<li>Yahoo Shopping is now not only less popular with consumers, even merchants are dissatisfied – which is saying something when the service is essentially free.</li>
</ul>


Last year was pivotal for Yahoo Japan: despite record group performance, GTVs in e-commerce actually fell despite continued strong growth in the sector 
In a recent survey, Amazon was the most frequently used e-commerce mall at 49.6%, followed by Rakuten (32%), but Yahoo was far, far below at just 9.8%.
Yahoo Shopping is now not only less popular with consumers, even merchants are dissatisfied – which is saying something when the service is essentially free.


Z Holdings: Yahoo Shopping Falling Further Behind Amazon and Rakuten

Value Investing

Vladimir Dimitrov, CFA

<ul>
<li>Amazon has significantly underperformed the broader equity market, in spite of the recent rally.</li>
<li>The narrative for generative AI is strong, but the share price is currently driven by other factors.</li>
<li>Margin improvements are being priced-in, which significantly limits any potential upside, without monetary conditions becoming supportive.</li>
</ul>


Amazon has significantly underperformed the broader equity market, in spite of the recent rally.
The narrative for generative AI is strong, but the share price is currently driven by other factors.
Margin improvements are being priced-in, which significantly limits any potential upside, without monetary conditions becoming supportive.


Amazon: Monetary Conditions Are In The Driver's Seat And Higher Margins Are Already Priced-In

China/Asia TMT

Shawn Yang

China growth and global non-US Internet equities

Blue Lotus Research Institute

Blue Lotus Research is a Hong Kong Type 4 Licensed investment advisory firm focusing on Chinese growth equities and global non-US Internet equities

<ul>
<li>Recently, many Chinese sellers on Amazon have reported a  decline in their store's performance, including order volume and profits.</li>
<li>According to their feedback, the adjustment of Amazon's advertising rules, the use of AI, and competition from platforms like Temu are likely important reasons for this decline.</li>
<li>We suggest the trend could be interpreted as something unfavorable for Amazon but beneficial for Temu/PDD.</li>
</ul>


Recently, many Chinese sellers on Amazon have reported a  decline in their store's performance, including order volume and profits.
According to their feedback, the adjustment of Amazon's advertising rules, the use of AI, and competition from platforms like Temu are likely important reasons for this decline.
We suggest the trend could be interpreted as something unfavorable for Amazon but beneficial for Temu/PDD.


Chinese Sellers Recent Discussions About Amazon's Latest Changes, a Summary

Independent Investment Research & Investor, Maverick Equity Research

Maverick Equity Research

Independent Investment Research & Investor

Independent Investment Research & Investor: value, dividend and growth stocks. Risk management & hedging for an all weather portfolio.

<ul><li>1st chart shows us the 2023 % returns &amp; the holdings weightings while the 2nd table is a return attribution analysis which tells us exactly that 10.25% (1025 b.p basis points) are due to just 7 stocks, the M7 (Magnificent Seven) tech stocks: Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, Amazon, Tesla, Meta/Facebook &amp; Google/Alphabet. Let that sink in!</li><li>The laggard are the following top 7 stocks: their weight is small in the index, but note the individual returns which are materially negative in 2023</li><li>To continues smoothly here, the S&amp;P 500 with the stocks above their 52-week lows &amp; below their 52-week highs: tech, AI, semiconductors and consumer discretionary are leading and hot, while energy, cruises &amp; travel cooled off in the last year</li></ul>

1st chart shows us the 2023 % returns &amp; the holdings weightings while the 2nd table is a return attribution analysis which tells us exactly that 10.25% (1025 b.p basis points) are due to just 7 stocks, the M7 (Magnificent Seven) tech stocks: Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, Amazon, Tesla, Meta/Facebook &amp; Google/Alphabet. Let that sink in!The laggard are the following top 7 stocks: their weight is small in the index, but note the individual returns which are materially negative in 2023To continues smoothly here, the S&amp;P 500 with the stocks above their 52-week lows &amp; below their 52-week highs: tech, AI, semiconductors and consumer discretionary are leading and hot, while energy, cruises &amp; travel cooled off in the last year

The S&P 500 Report: Performance, Profitability, Valuation & Key Metrics - Ed #2

United States

Amazon.com, Inc. is an online retailer that offers a wide range of products. The Company's products include books, music, videotapes, computers, electronics, home and garden, and numerous other products.  Amazon offers personalized shopping services, Web-based credit card payment, and direct shipping to customers.

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Amazon.com Inc (AMZN US)

The Nasdaq's Special Rebalance Is Not So Special

The rebalance will be based on the shares outstanding as of July 3rd, and changes are expected to be announced on July 14th; taking effect by July...

Investment Talk

Z Holdings: Yahoo Shopping Falling Further Behind Amazon and Rakuten

Z Holding's core e-commerce business is in trouble. Amazon and Rakuten are pulling further ahead and even merchants (who pay nothing) are unhappy....

Michael Causton

Amazon: Monetary Conditions Are In The Driver's Seat And Higher Margins Are Already Priced-In

Amazon has significantly underperformed the broader equity market, in spite of the recent rally. The narrative for generative AI is strong, but the...

Vladimir Dimitrov, CFA

Chinese Sellers Recent Discussions About Amazon's Latest Changes, a Summary

Recently, many Chinese sellers on Amazon have reported a decline in their store's performance. The adjustment of advertising rules, the use of AI,...

Blue Lotus Research Institute

The S&P 500 Report: Performance, Profitability, Valuation & Key Metrics - Ed #2

The laggard are the following top 7 stocks: their weight is small in the index, but note the individual returns which are materially negative in 2023

Maverick Equity Research

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