Asia Ex Japan; Technology and Consumption.

Rohinee Sharma

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

Meta Platforms (Facebook) / Equity Bottom-Up

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/665" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:665:1">Facebook Inc A (FB US)</a> aspires to create a Weixin similar on a global scale, with the potential to also encompass a digital identity. But how will they do it? 
What is Project Libra? and What Do we Really Know about it? 
Does the rationale for building a cryptocurrency sound credible? 
Who are the people involved? Quite a few interesting hires. But what are they building?
What could be the rationale for the need to raise USD 1bn in Funding for Project Libra ?

Facebook Inc A (FB US) aspires to create a Weixin similar on a global scale, with the potential to also encompass a digital identity. But how will they do it? 
What is Project Libra? and What Do we Really Know about it? 
Does the rationale for building a cryptocurrency sound credible? 
Who are the people involved? Quite a few interesting hires. But what are they building?
What could be the rationale for the need to raise USD 1bn in Funding for Project Libra ? 

Bits and Bytes: Facebook's Project Libra.

Semiconductor & Technology Specialist, Ingenuity

William Keating

Semiconductor & Technology Specialist

Ingenuity

Our focus is exclusively on in-depth research & consulting in the broader semiconductor industry. We focus on the key players, namely Intel, Micron, Qualcomm, Apple, Samsung, NVIDIA, AMD, TSMC & Global Foundries - as well as some of the lesser known, but nonetheless critical, companies such as ASML (for EUV), Mellanox, Cavium, Xilinx etc. We specialise in their products, roadmaps, process technologies, competitive advantages & threats etc. We also help our clients understand the implications of new and emerging technologies, e.g. 3D X-Point, 3D NAND, Carbon Nanotubes, Autonomous Driving, Graphene, Silicon Photonics, Wafer-Level Optics, Artificial Intelligence, FPGA, GPU, ASIC etc. 

Semiconductor Analysis & Research

Taiwan Semiconductor (TSMC) / Equity Bottom-Up

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/11230" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11230:1">Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company</a> delivered a no-surprises earnings report on April 18'th with revenues of $7.1 billion coming in at the top of the revised range forecasted for the quarter. While the company still expects little to no growth for 2019 as a whole, they flagged the first quarter as the bottom of the downturn from their perspective and forecasted second quarter revenues of $7.6 billion, up 7% sequentially.In addition to reiterating a positive outlook on their customer's inventory levels, the company revealed that they were both gaining market share and experiencing higher than forecasted growth in their HPC and Smartphone segments, largely due to an increasingly positive outlook on the transition to 5G. Meanwhile, we believe that Intel's capitulation on 5G modems for smartphones will bring Apple's modem business back to TSMC via Qualcomm, most likely commencing in the third quarter ahead of the 2019 launch of the latest model iPhone.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company delivered a no-surprises earnings report on April 18'th with revenues of $7.1 billion coming in at the top of the revised range forecasted for the quarter. While the company still expects little to no growth for 2019 as a whole, they flagged the first quarter as the bottom of the downturn from their perspective and forecasted second quarter revenues of $7.6 billion, up 7% sequentially.In addition to reiterating a positive outlook on their customer's inventory levels, the company revealed that they were both gaining market share and experiencing higher than forecasted growth in their HPC and Smartphone segments, largely due to an increasingly positive outlook on the transition to 5G. Meanwhile, we believe that Intel's capitulation on 5G modems for smartphones will bring Apple's modem business back to TSMC via Qualcomm, most likely commencing in the third quarter ahead of the 2019 launch of the latest model iPhone. 

TSMC Recovery Is Nigh As Tailwinds Mount On 5G Strength & Likely Return Of Apple's Modem Business

On the very first day of the landmark jury trial between <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/666" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:666:1">Apple</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/969" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:969:1">Qualcomm </a>over long-running patent licensing issues, the two companies quietly announced that they had reached a settlement.  Significantly, the deal included a chipset supply agreement in addition to the patent licensing accord.On the very same day, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/16764" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16764:1">Intel</a>, who had stepped up to supply Apple with modem chips during its protracted dispute with Qualcomm, announced that it was exiting the 5G smartphone modem business upon completion of its current contractual commitments on 4G modems. The move is an embarrassing climb-down for Intel, eerily reminiscent of similar retreats from smartphone and tablet SOC markets in recent years, proving once again that when the going gets tough, Intel... throws in the towel.

On the very first day of the landmark jury trial between Apple and Qualcomm over long-running patent licensing issues, the two companies quietly announced that they had reached a settlement.  Significantly, the deal included a chipset supply agreement in addition to the patent licensing accord.On the very same day, Intel, who had stepped up to supply Apple with modem chips during its protracted dispute with Qualcomm, announced that it was exiting the 5G smartphone modem business upon completion of its current contractual commitments on 4G modems. The move is an embarrassing climb-down for Intel, eerily reminiscent of similar retreats from smartphone and tablet SOC markets in recent years, proving once again that when the going gets tough, Intel... throws in the towel. 

Apple Settles With Qualcomm As Intel Throws In The Towel On 5G Smartphone Modems

Equity Analyst, LightStream Research

Shifara Samsudeen, ACMA, CGMA

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.

<ul>
<li>It was reported over the weekend that the troubled display supplier to iPhone maker Apple, Japan Display (JDI) has almost finalized a deal to raise more than JPY110bn (US$990m) from a China-Taiwan consortium and Japanese public-private fund INCJ Ltd.</li>
<li>The China-Taiwan consortium is expected to secure some 50% stake in Japan Display while the top shareholder INCJ’s current stake of 25.3% is expected to be halved.</li>
<li>The consortium is aiming to restructure JDI’s remaining debt payments of about JPY100bn from Apple for the construction of its plant while it also aims to procure parts for the latest iPhone. In addition, the consortium is also trying to modify a contract stipulating that Apple can seize plants if JDI’s cash and deposits fall below a certain amount.</li>
<li>The consortium along with JDI is planning to build an OLED panel plant in China with JDI providing the technological know-how while the consortium partners invest in capital expenditures and equity.</li>
<li>Japan Display has been struggling to navigate its display business due to the slowdown in iPhone sales, falling behind competition on OLED technology and facing stiff price competition from Chinese panel makers.</li>
<li>We expect the proposed OLED plant in China could help the company stabilize its panel business with Chinese smartphone makers Huawei and Xiaomi who prefer to source panels locally from domestic panel makers such as BOE Technology and Tianma.</li>
</ul>


It was reported over the weekend that the troubled display supplier to iPhone maker Apple, Japan Display (JDI) has almost finalized a deal to raise more than JPY110bn (US$990m) from a China-Taiwan consortium and Japanese public-private fund INCJ Ltd.
The China-Taiwan consortium is expected to secure some 50% stake in Japan Display while the top shareholder INCJ’s current stake of 25.3% is expected to be halved.
The consortium is aiming to restructure JDI’s remaining debt payments of about JPY100bn from Apple for the construction of its plant while it also aims to procure parts for the latest iPhone. In addition, the consortium is also trying to modify a contract stipulating that Apple can seize plants if JDI’s cash and deposits fall below a certain amount.
The consortium along with JDI is planning to build an OLED panel plant in China with JDI providing the technological know-how while the consortium partners invest in capital expenditures and equity.
Japan Display has been struggling to navigate its display business due to the slowdown in iPhone sales, falling behind competition on OLED technology and facing stiff price competition from Chinese panel makers.
We expect the proposed OLED plant in China could help the company stabilize its panel business with Chinese smartphone makers Huawei and Xiaomi who prefer to source panels locally from domestic panel makers such as BOE Technology and Tianma.


Japan Display: Deal to Raise JPY110bn from China-Taiwan Consortium and Japanese Investment Fund

'Quantamental' Japan Specialist, LightStream Research

Campbell Gunn

'Quantamental' Japan Specialist

ja research

ja research is an independent research platform focused exclusively on Japanese equities. Leveraging data and graphic analysis provided by Japan Analytics, we provide insights on small and medium-sized companies that have been ignored by the sell-side as well as challenging conventional wisdom on larger companies. We also offer analyst and corporate access, the latter with translation if required. 

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<div class="content-caption">
<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/083/132/original/2019-03-25_18-58-11.png?1553507902" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="83132"></figure>Source: Japan Analytics
</div>There are currently 241 listed Japanese companies that can be categorised as Internet businesses. Our classification overlaps with the TOPIX-33 Information &amp; Communication sub-Sector but is broader in that it encompasses all companies listed on all sections and exchanges but is also narrower in that we have excluded Telecommunications (including <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/315" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:315:1">S</a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/315" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:315:1">oftbank Group (9984 JP)</a>) and Information Technology companies. We have adopted a 'quantamental' approach which covers the long-term and current trends for Japan's Internet Sector as a whole, as well as eight sub-Sectors or Peer Groups and the Sectors' leading companies by market capitalisation.  Our focus is exclusively on the locally-listed universe and is based on disclosed financial and market data. We do not provide any forecasts, other than the companies' own forecasts and we do not attempt to make any business model or strategic judgments. Our focus is purely on financial and market performance. We do not cover unlisted and defunct companies such as Livedoor and, therefore, there is implicit survivor bias in the data. The broad themes that are developed in DETAIL below are grouped into six topics as follows: - • SUMMARY •  • FUNDAMENTAL OVERVIEW •  • SCORING - RESULTS &amp; REVISIONS / RELATIVE PRICE •  • RESULTS TRENDS •  • VALUATION • • RECOMMENDATIONS •<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/083/206/original/2019-03-25_17-46-58.png?1553565764" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="83206"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source: Japan Analytics</div>OVERVIEW - As will be covered in greater DETAIL below, Japan has failed to evolve a substantial Internet Sector and, in many business models, has been passed by global competitors including in the home market. Although Internet Sector revenues have grown steadily and now account for close to 1% of the total for all listed companies, operating margins have declined by half in the last seven years and are now only four percentage points higher than the market average. Accordingly, as measured by our Results &amp; Revision Score, the Sector is close to a twelve-year low. The market's response is an unchanged Sector weight in the market composite despite the addition of 111 new companies in the last six years, and a Relative Price Score that has moved in a narrow range over that period. The Sector averages disguise the weak business and market performance of a handful of Sector leaders as well as the overvaluation of the Sector's more successful business models, which is partly a result of a lack of alternatives. Despite the world's most significant Internet investor - <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/315" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:315:1">Softbank Group (9984 JP)</a>'s Vision Fund - being based in Japan, this fund and other global investors in Internet business have been right to give Japan a 'pass'.


Source: Japan Analytics
There are currently 241 listed Japanese companies that can be categorised as Internet businesses. Our classification overlaps with the TOPIX-33 Information &amp; Communication sub-Sector but is broader in that it encompasses all companies listed on all sections and exchanges but is also narrower in that we have excluded Telecommunications (including Softbank Group (9984 JP)) and Information Technology companies. We have adopted a 'quantamental' approach which covers the long-term and current trends for Japan's Internet Sector as a whole, as well as eight sub-Sectors or Peer Groups and the Sectors' leading companies by market capitalisation.  Our focus is exclusively on the locally-listed universe and is based on disclosed financial and market data. We do not provide any forecasts, other than the companies' own forecasts and we do not attempt to make any business model or strategic judgments. Our focus is purely on financial and market performance. We do not cover unlisted and defunct companies such as Livedoor and, therefore, there is implicit survivor bias in the data. The broad themes that are developed in DETAIL below are grouped into six topics as follows: - • SUMMARY •  • FUNDAMENTAL OVERVIEW •  • SCORING - RESULTS &amp; REVISIONS / RELATIVE PRICE •  • RESULTS TRENDS •  • VALUATION • • RECOMMENDATIONS •Source: Japan AnalyticsOVERVIEW - As will be covered in greater DETAIL below, Japan has failed to evolve a substantial Internet Sector and, in many business models, has been passed by global competitors including in the home market. Although Internet Sector revenues have grown steadily and now account for close to 1% of the total for all listed companies, operating margins have declined by half in the last seven years and are now only four percentage points higher than the market average. Accordingly, as measured by our Results &amp; Revision Score, the Sector is close to a twelve-year low. The market's response is an unchanged Sector weight in the market composite despite the addition of 111 new companies in the last six years, and a Relative Price Score that has moved in a narrow range over that period. The Sector averages disguise the weak business and market performance of a handful of Sector leaders as well as the overvaluation of the Sector's more successful business models, which is partly a result of a lack of alternatives. Despite the world's most significant Internet investor - Softbank Group (9984 JP)'s Vision Fund - being based in Japan, this fund and other global investors in Internet business have been right to give Japan a 'pass'. 

🇯🇵 Japan • Internet Sector Review - 'Japan Passing'

United States

Apple Inc. designs, manufactures, and markets smartphones, personal computers, tablets, wearables and accessories, and sells a variety of related accessories. The Company also offers payment, digital content, cloud and advertising services. Apple Inc.'s customers are primarily in consumer, small & mid-sized business, education, enterprise and government markets worldwide.

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Apple (AAPL US)

Bits and Bytes: Facebook's Project Libra.

Facebook Inc A (FB US) aspires to create a Weixin similar on a global scale, with the potential to also encompass a digital identity. But how will...

Rohinee Sharma

TSMC Recovery Is Nigh As Tailwinds Mount On 5G Strength & Likely Return Of Apple's Modem Business

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company delivered a no-surprises earnings report on April 18'th with revenues of $7.1 billion coming in at the...

William Keating

Apple Settles With Qualcomm As Intel Throws In The Towel On 5G Smartphone Modems

On the very first day of the landmark jury trial between Apple and Qualcomm over long-running patent licensing issues, the two companies quietly...

William Keating

Japan Display: Deal to Raise JPY110bn from China-Taiwan Consortium and Japanese Investment Fund

It was reported over the weekend that the troubled display supplier to iPhone maker Apple, Japan Display (JDI) has almost finalized a deal to...

Shifara Samsudeen, ACMA, CGMA

🇯🇵 Japan • Internet Sector Review - 'Japan Passing'

There are currently 241 listed Japanese companies that can be categorised as Internet businesses. Our classification overlaps with the TOPIX-33...

Campbell Gunn

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