ASEAN Insight Provider, CrossASEAN Research

Angus Mackintosh

ASEAN Insight Provider

CrossASEAN Research

At CrossASEAN Research we strive to produce unbiased and differentiated on the ground insights on companies across South East Asia. Our Research is produced for the most part after face to face meetings and conversations with company management to dig deep into the long term vision and strategy of the companies we cover. We seek to deliver investable and actionable themes on sectors and markets across SE Asia, often in collaboration with other Insight Providers across the region, pooling the vast experience of the analysts within the Smartkarma Ecosystem. We also offer bespoke work and tailor made trips for our clients. 

Insights across South East Asia

Equity Bottom-Up

GoTo Gojek Tokopedia Tbk PT / Equity Bottom-Up

The talk that <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/grabtaxi-holdings-pte-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26950:1" rel="noopener">Grab (0967655D SP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/gojek" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:25976:1" rel="noopener">Gojek (1379371D IJ)</a> are in the advanced stage of merger talks seems to be a reiteration of the earlier chatter and certainly some wishful thinking from the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/grabtaxi-holdings-pte-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26950:1" rel="noopener">Grab (0967655D SP)</a> and its shareholders perspective in my view. Certainly, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/softbank-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27445:1" rel="noopener">Softbank Corp (9434 JP)'</a>s Masayoshi Son has made it known that he would like to see a merger happen.
Not a great surprise, given that <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/grabtaxi-holdings-pte-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26950:1" rel="noopener">Grab (0967655D SP)</a> is burning more cash than <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/gojek" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:25976:1" rel="noopener">Gojek (1379371D IJ) </a>to stand still. It also operates on a higher cost base with its headquarters in Singapore. There are sure to be Investment Banks in the background pushing for a deal but this does not mean it will happen.
The amazing performance of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sea-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8509:1" rel="noopener">Sea Ltd (SE US)</a>, which is up by +880% over the last year and now South East Asia's largest market cap stock at US$90.8bn makes a future listing enticing to realize future value. 
The key will be Indonesia, which is after all the region's largest internet market and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/gojek" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:25976:1" rel="noopener">Gojek (1379371D IJ)</a>'s largest market. Surely we should also consider <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/gojek" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:25976:1" rel="noopener">Gojek (1379371D IJ)</a> shareholders in this? They may not be so willing to relinquish control? 
The overriding battle will continue to be between the Chinese behemoths <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26:1" rel="noopener">Tencent Holdings (700 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alibaba-group-holding-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:787:1" rel="noopener">Alibaba Group (BABA US),</a> which hold stakes in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/gojek" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:25976:1" rel="noopener">Gojek (1379371D IJ)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/grabtaxi-holdings-pte-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26950:1" rel="noopener">Grab (0967655D SP)</a> respectively. These two companies are engaged in an ongoing land grab in the digital space in South East Asia, and more especially in Indonesia and it seems unlikely that they would be in cahoots with each other.  
It would seem unlikely that <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/gojek" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:25976:1" rel="noopener">Gojek (1379371D IJ)</a> would relinquish ultimate management control to <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/grabtaxi-holdings-pte-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26950:1" rel="noopener">Grab (0967655D SP)</a> given the dominance in its home market. It has also been quietly rebranding in the region, which could spell a more aggressive approach outside Indonesia is in the offing.

The talk that Grab (0967655D SP) and Gojek (1379371D IJ) are in the advanced stage of merger talks seems to be a reiteration of the earlier chatter and certainly some wishful thinking from the Grab (0967655D SP) and its shareholders perspective in my view. Certainly, Softbank Corp (9434 JP)'s Masayoshi Son has made it known that he would like to see a merger happen.
Not a great surprise, given that Grab (0967655D SP) is burning more cash than Gojek (1379371D IJ) to stand still. It also operates on a higher cost base with its headquarters in Singapore. There are sure to be Investment Banks in the background pushing for a deal but this does not mean it will happen.
The amazing performance of Sea Ltd (SE US), which is up by +880% over the last year and now South East Asia's largest market cap stock at US$90.8bn makes a future listing enticing to realize future value. 
The key will be Indonesia, which is after all the region's largest internet market and Gojek (1379371D IJ)'s largest market. Surely we should also consider Gojek (1379371D IJ) shareholders in this? They may not be so willing to relinquish control? 
The overriding battle will continue to be between the Chinese behemoths Tencent Holdings (700 HK) and Alibaba Group (BABA US), which hold stakes in Gojek (1379371D IJ) and Grab (0967655D SP) respectively. These two companies are engaged in an ongoing land grab in the digital space in South East Asia, and more especially in Indonesia and it seems unlikely that they would be in cahoots with each other.  
It would seem unlikely that Gojek (1379371D IJ) would relinquish ultimate management control to Grab (0967655D SP) given the dominance in its home market. It has also been quietly rebranding in the region, which could spell a more aggressive approach outside Indonesia is in the offing. 

Asian Equities Analyst, Logistics & Transport, Tracking Traffic

Daniel Hellberg

Asian Equities Analyst, Logistics & Transport

Tracking Traffic

Focusing on Asian logistics, transportation, and travel companies

Equity Capital Markets

In a new filing on Monday, US online food delivery giant DoorDash disclosed additional details of its planned IPO. The company hopes to sell 33 mn new shares at between US$75 and US$85 per share, raising over US$2.4 bn and valuing the company at US$25 bn or more. In this note we compare it to other listed online food delivery firms, and discuss which factors could justify either higher valuation multiples (strong revenue growth) or lower valuation multiples (US restaurant closures) versus global peers.

In a new filing on Monday, US online food delivery giant DoorDash disclosed additional details of its planned IPO. The company hopes to sell 33 mn new shares at between US$75 and US$85 per share, raising over US$2.4 bn and valuing the company at US$25 bn or more. In this note we compare it to other listed online food delivery firms, and discuss which factors could justify either higher valuation multiples (strong revenue growth) or lower valuation multiples (US restaurant closures) versus global peers. 

DoorDash IPO: First Take on Proposed IPO Price Range of US$75-85 Per Share

US-based online food delivery company <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/doordash-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28881:1" rel="noopener">DoorDash Inc (0881510D US)</a> has filed to go public. In this note we describe the company's operations and compare its scale and efficiency to other online food delivery companies in the US and around the globe. 
Intensely focused and increasingly dominant in its home market, DoorDash has made admirable progress toward profitability by focusing on smaller cities and suburban areas in the US. This approach is the opposite of conventional wisdom, which suggests that only a handful of large US cities can generate the order density necessary to make online food delivery economically viable. 
DoorDash is seeking growth from new market segments adjacent to its core operation even as it faces the threat of a large, disruptive new entrant in US online food delivery. Last valued at US$16 bn in June 2020, we believe DoorDash's unorthodox approach deserves to be thoroughly understood by investors. We will write more about DoorDash as the IPO process moves forward.

US-based online food delivery company DoorDash Inc (0881510D US) has filed to go public. In this note we describe the company's operations and compare its scale and efficiency to other online food delivery companies in the US and around the globe. 
Intensely focused and increasingly dominant in its home market, DoorDash has made admirable progress toward profitability by focusing on smaller cities and suburban areas in the US. This approach is the opposite of conventional wisdom, which suggests that only a handful of large US cities can generate the order density necessary to make online food delivery economically viable. 
DoorDash is seeking growth from new market segments adjacent to its core operation even as it faces the threat of a large, disruptive new entrant in US online food delivery. Last valued at US$16 bn in June 2020, we believe DoorDash's unorthodox approach deserves to be thoroughly understood by investors. We will write more about DoorDash as the IPO process moves forward.

DoorDash IPO Context: What It Is & How It Compares to Online Food Delivery Universe

IPO and L/S equity, 2015 Starmine top stock picker, Global Equity Research Ltd

Rickin Thakrar

IPO and L/S equity, 2015 Starmine top stock picker

Uncompromised, Independent, Conflict-Free Research

Global Equity Research Ltd

Global Equity Research was started in 2017 by a group of experienced research professionals. It was founded on a passionate belief in the importance and the need for uncompromised, independent, conflict-free research. We aim to provide differentiated and actionable primary and bottom up fundamental research.

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lyft-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24423:1" rel="noopener">Lyft Inc (LYFT US)</a> reported 3Q20 results post the close on Tuesday, with top-line revenues down 48% in 3Q20 compared to down 61% in 2Q20 driven by lockdown restrictions and the global pandemic. Shares, however, have moved strongly upward driven by the hope of a global vaccine which has lifted lockdown affected stocks. We look at the latest results and company outlook below and provide an updated view on the stock.

Lyft Inc (LYFT US) reported 3Q20 results post the close on Tuesday, with top-line revenues down 48% in 3Q20 compared to down 61% in 2Q20 driven by lockdown restrictions and the global pandemic. Shares, however, have moved strongly upward driven by the hope of a global vaccine which has lifted lockdown affected stocks. We look at the latest results and company outlook below and provide an updated view on the stock.

Lyft 3Q Results: Can Ride-Sharing Find a Profitable Path?

Equity Analyst, LightStream Research

Aqila Ali

Equity Analyst

Long-Short Analysis on Japan, Asia and the World

LightStream Research

LightStream conducts quantitatively rigorous and data-driven analysis with a focus on Japan and Asia.

We consistently cover the Tech, Consumer and Industrial sectors, and provide ECM and Events coverage more broadly.

We supplement traditional qualitative insights from company relationships with a robust quantitative foundation that examines as much historical data as is available.
We further refine the accuracy of our insights and calls through the use of alternative data to flesh out current trends, and through a valuation framework that emphasises non-superficial peer group selection and a proper attempt to understand the metrics and changes that have driven security valuations in the past.

In our previous insight <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/dida-pre-ipo-carpool-focused-but-is-main-business-in-short-term-risk" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:44376" rel="noopener">Dida Pre-IPO: Carpool-Focused, But Is Main Business in Short-Term Risk?</a> , we looked at Dida’s business model and its growth prospects by comparing the company with its rival <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/didi-chuxing-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27467:1" rel="noopener">DiDi Chuxing (1284375D CH)</a>. In this insight, we carry out a financial analysis and outlook on the company. Our key points are:<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/dida-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29701:1" rel="noopener">Dida (DIDA HK)</a> has reported strong revenue growth rates during 2017-2019 (CAGR of 244%). Moreover, despite the COVID impact, revenue during 1H 2020, grew by 66% YoY. A majority of the revenue growth came from the carpooling business (CAGR of 339% during 2017-2019). Given the strong industry growth prospects for carpooling and Dida’s dominant position in the market, if we conservatively assume Dida to grow in line with the industry (an outperformance is likely though), we could expect Dida’s revenue to grow at a double-digit CAGR of c. 27% through 2022.</li>
<li>Gross profit margins are at 82.2% as of 1H 2020, driven mainly by the carpooling business (GPM: 86.3%). However, based on our MPR analysis, total GPM and the GPM of the carpooling business appears to have reached potential, where significant upside is unlikely.</li>
<li>An upside in GPM is likely for the ride-hailing business, which started generating gross profits only in 1H2020 (Dida’s 31.1%), but appears limited given that GPM of peers like <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/uber-technologies-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:430:1" rel="noopener">Uber (UBER US)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lyft-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24423:1" rel="noopener">Lyft Inc (LYFT US)</a> range around 34-39%. Moreover, at the overall operating level, this business is unlikely to report profits any time soon as we see with international peers like Uber and Lyft.</li>
<li>Selling expenses do not move in line with revenue. Selling expenses usually increase when Dida expects to boost its sales in the upcoming year. This was the case in 2018. Having said that, a majority of selling expenses include user incentive costs, which has levelled out for the carpooling business but is likely to continue for the ride-hailing business which Dida started last year. Overall, given that Dida is yet to grab a share of the ride-hailing market, selling expenses are likely to be a significant expense over the next few years as well.</li>
<li>The company is generating losses at the net level and these losses are likely to continue even based on our less conservative assumptions. Though based on adjustments the company makes, profits are reported, we feel that these adjustments do not necessarily justify the company’s loss-making position.</li>
</ul>

In our previous insight Dida Pre-IPO: Carpool-Focused, But Is Main Business in Short-Term Risk? , we looked at Dida’s business model and its growth prospects by comparing the company with its rival DiDi Chuxing (1284375D CH). In this insight, we carry out a financial analysis and outlook on the company. Our key points are:

Dida (DIDA HK) has reported strong revenue growth rates during 2017-2019 (CAGR of 244%). Moreover, despite the COVID impact, revenue during 1H 2020, grew by 66% YoY. A majority of the revenue growth came from the carpooling business (CAGR of 339% during 2017-2019). Given the strong industry growth prospects for carpooling and Dida’s dominant position in the market, if we conservatively assume Dida to grow in line with the industry (an outperformance is likely though), we could expect Dida’s revenue to grow at a double-digit CAGR of c. 27% through 2022.
Gross profit margins are at 82.2% as of 1H 2020, driven mainly by the carpooling business (GPM: 86.3%). However, based on our MPR analysis, total GPM and the GPM of the carpooling business appears to have reached potential, where significant upside is unlikely.
An upside in GPM is likely for the ride-hailing business, which started generating gross profits only in 1H2020 (Dida’s 31.1%), but appears limited given that GPM of peers like Uber (UBER US) and Lyft Inc (LYFT US) range around 34-39%. Moreover, at the overall operating level, this business is unlikely to report profits any time soon as we see with international peers like Uber and Lyft.
Selling expenses do not move in line with revenue. Selling expenses usually increase when Dida expects to boost its sales in the upcoming year. This was the case in 2018. Having said that, a majority of selling expenses include user incentive costs, which has levelled out for the carpooling business but is likely to continue for the ride-hailing business which Dida started last year. Overall, given that Dida is yet to grab a share of the ride-hailing market, selling expenses are likely to be a significant expense over the next few years as well.
The company is generating losses at the net level and these losses are likely to continue even based on our less conservative assumptions. Though based on adjustments the company makes, profits are reported, we feel that these adjustments do not necessarily justify the company’s loss-making position.


Dida IPO (Financial Analysis): Expect Strong Revenue Growth but Not Profits

United States

Uber Technologies Inc provides ride hailing services. The Company develops applications for road transportation, navigation, ride sharing, and payment processing solutions. Uber Technologies serves customers worldwide.

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Uber Technologies (UBER US)

Gojek and Grab Merger Wishful Thinking?

The talk that Grab and Gojek are in the advanced stage of merger talks seems to be a reiteration of the earlier chatter and some wishful thinking...

Angus Mackintosh

DoorDash IPO Context: What It Is & How It Compares to Online Food Delivery Universe

US-based on-demand food delivery company DoorDash plans to list soon. In this note we show investors how DoorDash differs from some of its peers in...

Tracking Traffic

Dida IPO (Financial Analysis): Expect Strong Revenue Growth but Not Profits

This is our follow-up note on Dida's IPO. In this insight, we carry out a financial analysis and outlook on the company.

Aqila Ali

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Gojek and Grab Merger Wishful Thinking?

The talk that Grab and Gojek are in the advanced stage of merger talks seems to be a reiteration of the earlier chatter and some wishful thinking...

Angus Mackintosh

DoorDash IPO: First Take on Proposed IPO Price Range of US$75-85 Per Share

On some metrics, US-based online food delivery company looks reasonably priced at the mid-point of its IPO range. We highlight some factors that...

Tracking Traffic

DoorDash IPO Context: What It Is & How It Compares to Online Food Delivery Universe

US-based on-demand food delivery company DoorDash plans to list soon. In this note we show investors how DoorDash differs from some of its peers in...

Tracking Traffic

Lyft 3Q Results: Can Ride-Sharing Find a Profitable Path?

Lyft Inc (LYFT US) reported 3Q20 results post the close on Tuesday, with top-line revenues down 48% in 3Q20 compared to down 61% in 2Q20

Rickin Thakrar

Dida IPO (Financial Analysis): Expect Strong Revenue Growth but Not Profits

This is our follow-up note on Dida's IPO. In this insight, we carry out a financial analysis and outlook on the company.

Aqila Ali