Asian Insight Provider - Actionable ideas, CrossASEAN Research

Henry Soediarko

Asian Insight Provider - Actionable ideas

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

<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/starhub-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:119:1" rel="noopener">Starhub Ltd (STH SP)</a> pay-TV has been the problem child alongside the Mobile segment due to overcrowded space, led to a higher churn in the number of subscribers coupled with a lower ARPU, followed by a decline in the share price. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/the-walt-disney-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15439:1" rel="noopener">The Walt Disney Co (DIS US)</a> + coming to Singapore will cause a further decline in the Pay-TV ARPU. </p><p>Starhub's Enterprise Business which recently has gained momentum and for the first time in almost 3 years, its revenue contribution almost equaled Mobile's. As a result, the revenue in Q3 2020 went up 2% compared to the average of 1H 2020. </p><div class="content-highlight"><p>After underperforming Singtel by 20% for the past 3 years, it is now maybe the time for Starhub to play catch up with the Enterprise Business finally is taking off. With a 3.6% higher yield than Singtel, Starhub sounds like a bargain. </p></div><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/179/625/original/image_25922309421608537778217.png?1608537778" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="179625"></figure><div class="content-remarks"><p>source: Capital IQ</p></div>

Starhub Ltd (STH SP) pay-TV has been the problem child alongside the Mobile segment due to overcrowded space, led to a higher churn in the number of subscribers coupled with a lower ARPU, followed by a decline in the share price. The Walt Disney Co (DIS US) + coming to Singapore will cause a further decline in the Pay-TV ARPU. Starhub's Enterprise Business which recently has gained momentum and for the first time in almost 3 years, its revenue contribution almost equaled Mobile's. As a result, the revenue in Q3 2020 went up 2% compared to the average of 1H 2020. After underperforming Singtel by 20% for the past 3 years, it is now maybe the time for Starhub to play catch up with the Enterprise Business finally is taking off. With a 3.6% higher yield than Singtel, Starhub sounds like a bargain. source: Capital IQ

Starhub (STH): Disney Is Coming but Enterprise Is Gaining Momentum

TMT & Consumer Independent Equity Research Analyst, Obex Capital Research

Aaron Gabin

TMT & Consumer Independent Equity Research Analyst

TMT & Consumer Independent Equity Research

Obex Capital Research

“Obex” is Latin for Barriers to Entry. Obex Capital Management’s investment philosophy is driven by an intense focus on which business model’s Barriers to Entry are able to withstand the ever increasing competitive disruption in the TMT and Consumer Sectors.

Meta Platforms (Facebook) / Equity Bottom-Up

<p>Sheesh! The media pays attention to the faux antitrust lawsuits that have been sprouting the past month against the tech platforms…none of which will actually alter the respective competitive positions for Amazon, Google, Facebook, and Apple.</p><p>However, Apple’s once delayed but now imminent rollout of “opt-in” for ad-tracking seems to be an actual near term threat for Facebook given Facebook’s vociferous responses over the past week or two. Or is it?</p><div class="content-highlight"><p>Obex’s fundamental research process is focused on secular change in the TMT and Consumer sectors. We seek to differentiate between fundamental business analysis and security analysis. Before deciding if a security’s pricing and positioning merit a long or short position, we analyze the four pillars of business fundamentals (Secular Factors, TAM, Competitive Advantage, Business Model) in order to determine if this is a “good” or “not so good” opportunity.</p></div>

Sheesh! The media pays attention to the faux antitrust lawsuits that have been sprouting the past month against the tech platforms…none of which will actually alter the respective competitive positions for Amazon, Google, Facebook, and Apple.However, Apple’s once delayed but now imminent rollout of “opt-in” for ad-tracking seems to be an actual near term threat for Facebook given Facebook’s vociferous responses over the past week or two. Or is it?Obex’s fundamental research process is focused on secular change in the TMT and Consumer sectors. We seek to differentiate between fundamental business analysis and security analysis. Before deciding if a security’s pricing and positioning merit a long or short position, we analyze the four pillars of business fundamentals (Secular Factors, TAM, Competitive Advantage, Business Model) in order to determine if this is a “good” or “not so good” opportunity.

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. 

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<p>Japan may be one of the top three luxury markets in the world but luxury e-commerce is poorly evolved, with much of the focus still on flagships, boutiques and department stores.</p><p>While Rakuten opened its own luxury section last month, a new dedicated luxury platform, Milleporte, which is backed by Goldman Sachs and Itochu Corp, has just launched with the promise to offer both merchants and customers a true luxury experience.</p><p>In marked contrast to the busier online fashion pages of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/zozo-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18379:1" rel="noopener">ZOZO Inc (3092 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rakuten-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31:1" rel="noopener">Rakuten Inc (4755 JP)</a>’s new luxury store, where the focus remains on the platform-as-brand at the expense of the merchant, Milleporte strips away the store front to allow customers to focus on the luxury brands themselves.</p><p>The site is a direct challenge to both Zozo and Rakuten.</p>

Japan may be one of the top three luxury markets in the world but luxury e-commerce is poorly evolved, with much of the focus still on flagships, boutiques and department stores.While Rakuten opened its own luxury section last month, a new dedicated luxury platform, Milleporte, which is backed by Goldman Sachs and Itochu Corp, has just launched with the promise to offer both merchants and customers a true luxury experience.In marked contrast to the busier online fashion pages of ZOZO Inc (3092 JP) and Rakuten Inc (4755 JP)’s new luxury store, where the focus remains on the platform-as-brand at the expense of the merchant, Milleporte strips away the store front to allow customers to focus on the luxury brands themselves.The site is a direct challenge to both Zozo and Rakuten.

Milleporte Counters Rakuten and Zozo on Luxury Platform

Event-Driven

<p>Walmart’s 18-year attempt to build a business in Japan ended last month when the US retailer announced it would sell 85% of its stake in Seiyu to KKR and Rakuten.</p><p>Seiyu has been transformed under Walmart’s leadership although it is much smaller than when Walmart arrived.</p><p>Now, with <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kkr-co-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27333:1" rel="noopener">KKR &amp; Co Inc (KKR US)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rakuten-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31:1" rel="noopener">Rakuten Inc (4755 JP)</a> taking over, the hope is Seiyu could re-emerge as a leader in food e-commerce under Rakuten.</p><p><strong>The Seiyu chain could transform Rakuten’s logistics capability, allowing it to offer a comprehensive click &amp; collect service as well as use redundant store space for dark store fulfilment.</strong></p><p>What the new partners cannot afford to do is dither. Japan may well have room for more than one major online food retailer but just a couple of leaders will command the lion’s share.  </p><p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/amazon-com-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:409:1" rel="noopener">Amazon.com Inc (AMZN US)</a>’s partnership with <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/life-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1743:1" rel="noopener">Life Corp (8194 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/z-holdings-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19603:1" rel="noopener">Z Holdings (4689 JP)</a>’s Lohaco, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/oisix-ra-daichi-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10145:1" rel="noopener">Oisix ra daichi (3182 JP)</a>, and, at some point, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/aeon-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3:1" rel="noopener">Aeon Co Ltd (8267 JP)/</a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ocado-group-plc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22067:1" rel="noopener">Ocado Group PLC (OCDO LN)</a> are the ones to beat.</p><p>Already the deal is causing a significant upset in supermarket and GMS retailing.</p>

Walmart’s 18-year attempt to build a business in Japan ended last month when the US retailer announced it would sell 85% of its stake in Seiyu to KKR and Rakuten.Seiyu has been transformed under Walmart’s leadership although it is much smaller than when Walmart arrived.Now, with KKR &amp; Co Inc (KKR US) and Rakuten Inc (4755 JP) taking over, the hope is Seiyu could re-emerge as a leader in food e-commerce under Rakuten.The Seiyu chain could transform Rakuten’s logistics capability, allowing it to offer a comprehensive click &amp; collect service as well as use redundant store space for dark store fulfilment.What the new partners cannot afford to do is dither. Japan may well have room for more than one major online food retailer but just a couple of leaders will command the lion’s share.  Amazon.com Inc (AMZN US)’s partnership with Life Corp (8194 JP), Z Holdings (4689 JP)’s Lohaco, Oisix ra daichi (3182 JP), and, at some point, Aeon Co Ltd (8267 JP)/Ocado Group PLC (OCDO LN) are the ones to beat.Already the deal is causing a significant upset in supermarket and GMS retailing.

KKR & Rakuten Ignite Online Food Battle with Seiyu Purchase

<p>The tech break up is not happening soon but the regulators have been more vocal and active in penalizing the Big Tech companies. In the US, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/facebook-inc-a" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:665:1" rel="noopener">Facebook Inc A (FB US)</a> was sued over monopoly concern and the EU has issued Digital Services Act that aims to create better chances for smaller developers to compete in the Apple and Google ecosystem. In China, the regulator has also been more stringent on the Big Tech, starting with the cancelation of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ant-financial-services-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24240:1" rel="noopener">Ant Group (6688 HK)</a> IPO and now potentially to ask <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" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28434:1" rel="noopener">Alibaba Group (9988 HK)</a> to divest some of their investments. </p>
<p>The smaller tech companies in China also have issues that their revenue growth rate has started to slow down considerably, therefore, reducing the potential to reach break-even unless they do a massive cost-cutting exercise. </p>
<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/178/884/original/image_39996483941608095760408.png?1608095759" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="178884"></figure>
<div class="content-remarks">
<p>source: Capital IQ</p>
</div>
<div class="content-highlight">
<p>If the Big Tech backer such as Tencent and Alibaba are told to reduce their holdings in the above shares, while the investees also do not much cash lying around in the balance sheet and trading at expensive valuation, there are two outcome possible - <strong>either a further capital raising that will send the shares multiples down or investors to start rotating into other sectors that also will send share price down. </strong></p>
</div>

The tech break up is not happening soon but the regulators have been more vocal and active in penalizing the Big Tech companies. In the US, Facebook Inc A (FB US) was sued over monopoly concern and the EU has issued Digital Services Act that aims to create better chances for smaller developers to compete in the Apple and Google ecosystem. In China, the regulator has also been more stringent on the Big Tech, starting with the cancelation of Ant Group (6688 HK) IPO and now potentially to ask Tencent Holdings (700 HK) and Alibaba Group (9988 HK) to divest some of their investments. 
The smaller tech companies in China also have issues that their revenue growth rate has started to slow down considerably, therefore, reducing the potential to reach break-even unless they do a massive cost-cutting exercise. 


source: Capital IQ


If the Big Tech backer such as Tencent and Alibaba are told to reduce their holdings in the above shares, while the investees also do not much cash lying around in the balance sheet and trading at expensive valuation, there are two outcome possible - either a further capital raising that will send the shares multiples down or investors to start rotating into other sectors that also will send share price down. 


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)

Starhub (STH): Disney Is Coming but Enterprise Is Gaining Momentum

Starhub's Enterprise Business finally is taking off, almost equal to the Mobile. With a 3.6% higher yield than Singtel, Starhub sounds like a bargain.

Henry Soediarko

Facebook: Apple Threat Fact or Fiction?

Facebook has been complaining publicly the past two weeks about how Apple's impending privacy restrictions will hurt small businesses. We doubt it...

Aaron Gabin

Milleporte Counters Rakuten and Zozo on Luxury Platform

Japan is the 3rd biggest luxury market but has no dedicated luxury online platform. Until now. Rakuten launched last month a new mall just launched...

Michael Causton

KKR & Rakuten Ignite Online Food Battle with Seiyu Purchase

E-commerce has less than 3% share of Japanese food retailing. This will change dramatically in the next 3 years, led by Amazon but also by Rakuten...

Michael Causton

Tech Sell-Off - Progress

Although the US and China are at so to say war, it is not too impossible that the Chinese and the US regulator will work together in order to curb...

Henry Soediarko

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