Global Emerging Market Equities, Propitious Research

Wium Malan, CFA

Global Emerging Market Equities

Independent, Fundamental Quantitative Research

Propitious Research

Fully independent, fundamental and quantitative equity research, focused on companies in the Telecommunication, Media, Technology, Internet and Healthcare sectors in the Global Emerging Markets. Idea generation focused on Quality stocks, trading below their intrinsic Value, with sound Corporate Governance.

Quantitative Analysis

This insight provides the output, and an overview of our, machine learning-driven, proprietary GEM screening model, which takes a three-pronged approach to find the best medium-term long ideas within the top100 largest stocks in the MSCI GEM Index. The model is based on 1) a typical quantitative multifactor screening model, enhanced by two Artificial Intelligence Technology-based approaches using 2) a Deep Neural Network model, and 3) a Recurrent Neural Network model. This model, which has been developed and tweaked over the past 24 months (and implemented in its current state for &gt;12 months), has a solid real-world performance track record, which I set out in the detail below. Notable new entrants to the top decile this month include Russian energy plays <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/gazprom-pjsc-6a7231a9-d5e4-4da4-bf21-aa1b9d50fbf8" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27578:1" rel="noopener">Gazprom PJSC (GAZP RM)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lukoil-pjsc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24141:1" rel="noopener">Lukoil PJSC (LKOD LI)</a>, Brazilian securities exchange <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/b3-sa-brasil-bolsa-balcao" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24580:1" rel="noopener">B3 Sa - Brasil Bolsa Balcao (B3SA3 BZ)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-construction-bank-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:45:1" rel="noopener">China Construction Bank H (939 HK)</a>.<table class="table table-striped">
<colgroup>
<col>
<col>
<col>
<col>
<col>
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 74.7344px;">rank</td>
<td style="width: 263.203px;">Name</td>
<td style="width: 185.312px;">Sector</td>
<td style="width: 147.938px;">Location</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 74.8125px;">prev.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 74.7344px;">1</td>
<td style="width: 263.203px;">
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sk-hynix-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16955:1" rel="noopener">SK Hynix (000660 KS)</a> </td>
<td style="width: 185.312px;">Information Technology</td>
<td style="width: 147.938px;">Korea (South)</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 74.8125px;">3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 74.7344px;">2</td>
<td style="width: 263.203px;">
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-mobile-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27:1" rel="noopener">China Mobile (941 HK)</a> </td>
<td style="width: 185.312px;">Communication</td>
<td style="width: 147.938px;">China</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 74.8125px;">9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 74.7344px;">3</td>
<td style="width: 263.203px;">
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/cnooc-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:175:1" rel="noopener">CNOOC Ltd (883 HK)</a> </td>
<td style="width: 185.312px;">Energy</td>
<td style="width: 147.938px;">China</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 74.8125px;">1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 74.7344px;">4</td>
<td style="width: 263.203px;">
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/posco" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:208:1" rel="noopener">Posco (005490 KS)</a> </td>
<td style="width: 185.312px;">Materials</td>
<td style="width: 147.938px;">Korea (South)</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 74.8125px;">21</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 74.7344px;">5</td>
<td style="width: 263.203px;">
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kia-motors-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:156:1" rel="noopener">Kia Motors Corp (000270 KS)</a> </td>
<td style="width: 185.312px;">Consumer Discretionary</td>
<td style="width: 147.938px;">Korea (South)</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 74.8125px;">4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 74.7344px;">6</td>
<td style="width: 263.203px;">
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bank-of-china-ltd-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:656:1" rel="noopener">Bank Of China Ltd (H) (3988 HK)</a> </td>
<td style="width: 185.312px;">Financials</td>
<td style="width: 147.938px;">China</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 74.8125px;">5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 74.7344px;">7</td>
<td style="width: 263.203px;">
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/gazprom-pjsc-6a7231a9-d5e4-4da4-bf21-aa1b9d50fbf8" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27578:1" rel="noopener">Gazprom PJSC (GAZP RM)</a> </td>
<td style="width: 185.312px;">Energy</td>
<td style="width: 147.938px;">Russian Federation</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 74.8125px;">14</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 74.7344px;">8</td>
<td style="width: 263.203px;">
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lukoil-pjsc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24141:1" rel="noopener">Lukoil PJSC (LKOD LI)</a> </td>
<td style="width: 185.312px;">Energy</td>
<td style="width: 147.938px;">Russian Federation</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 74.8125px;">32</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 74.7344px;">9</td>
<td style="width: 263.203px;">
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/b3-sa-brasil-bolsa-balcao" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24580:1" rel="noopener">B3 Sa - Brasil Bolsa Balcao (B3SA3 BZ)</a> </td>
<td style="width: 185.312px;">Financials</td>
<td style="width: 147.938px;">Brazil</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 74.8125px;">70</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 74.7344px;">10</td>
<td style="width: 263.203px;">
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-construction-bank-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:45:1" rel="noopener">China Construction Bank H (939 HK)</a> </td>
<td style="width: 185.312px;">Financials</td>
<td style="width: 147.938px;">China</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 74.8125px;">41</td>
</tr>
<tr><td colspan="5" style="text-align: left; width: 746px;">Source: FactSet financial data and analytics, my estimates and calculations, Tensorflow, Keras, Google Colaboratory, pandas</td></tr>
</tbody>
</table>As usual, please feel free to reach out for the full output table, any questions, clarifications needed or suggestions.

This insight provides the output, and an overview of our, machine learning-driven, proprietary GEM screening model, which takes a three-pronged approach to find the best medium-term long ideas within the top100 largest stocks in the MSCI GEM Index. The model is based on 1) a typical quantitative multifactor screening model, enhanced by two Artificial Intelligence Technology-based approaches using 2) a Deep Neural Network model, and 3) a Recurrent Neural Network model. This model, which has been developed and tweaked over the past 24 months (and implemented in its current state for &gt;12 months), has a solid real-world performance track record, which I set out in the detail below. Notable new entrants to the top decile this month include Russian energy plays Gazprom PJSC (GAZP RM) and Lukoil PJSC (LKOD LI), Brazilian securities exchange B3 Sa - Brasil Bolsa Balcao (B3SA3 BZ), and China Construction Bank H (939 HK).









rank
Name
Sector
Location
prev.


1

SK Hynix (000660 KS) 
Information Technology
Korea (South)
3


2

China Mobile (941 HK) 
Communication
China
9


3

CNOOC Ltd (883 HK) 
Energy
China
1


4

Posco (005490 KS) 
Materials
Korea (South)
21


5

Kia Motors Corp (000270 KS) 
Consumer Discretionary
Korea (South)
4


6

Bank Of China Ltd (H) (3988 HK) 
Financials
China
5


7

Gazprom PJSC (GAZP RM) 
Energy
Russian Federation
14


8

Lukoil PJSC (LKOD LI) 
Energy
Russian Federation
32


9

B3 Sa - Brasil Bolsa Balcao (B3SA3 BZ) 
Financials
Brazil
70


10

China Construction Bank H (939 HK) 
Financials
China
41

Source: FactSet financial data and analytics, my estimates and calculations, Tensorflow, Keras, Google Colaboratory, pandas

As usual, please feel free to reach out for the full output table, any questions, clarifications needed or suggestions.

Asset Allocation & Fund Positioning, Copley Fund Research

Steven Holden

Asset Allocation & Fund Positioning

Copley Fund Research

Copley Fund Research provide research and data on asset allocation among Global and Emerging Market equity funds.  The analysis details absolute and relative positioning across countries, sectors and industries together with highly granular data on single stock and single fund allocations.  The data is updated monthly with time series going back to January 2011.

Global Research - Analysis of 165 prominent Global equity funds, combined AUM $335bn
GEM Research - Analysis of 127 prominent global EM equity funds, combined AUM $250bn

Asset Allocation - Global and GEM Equity

Equity Bottom-Up

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mercadolibre-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27954:1" rel="noopener">MercadoLibre Inc (MELI US)</a> is the most widely held stock in the South American region among active Global managers. Though the majority of funds hold less than 1% in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mercadolibre-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27954:1" rel="noopener">MercadoLibre Inc (MELI US)</a> , there are those who hold significantly more, led by Loomis Sayles Global Growth (5.34%) and MFAM Global Opportunities (5.23%).  The trajectory of ownership growth is tracking a similar path to stocks such as <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> , <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26:1" rel="noopener">Tencent (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> who were at a similar point to <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mercadolibre-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27954:1" rel="noopener">MercadoLibre Inc (MELI US)</a> some 5-6 years ago.  If the path of returns follows any one of those 3 stocks, then <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mercadolibre-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27954:1" rel="noopener">MercadoLibre Inc (MELI US)</a> is one to hold.Taken from our Global fund research, covering 378 strategies with AUM of $1.1tr.

MercadoLibre Inc (MELI US) is the most widely held stock in the South American region among active Global managers. Though the majority of funds hold less than 1% in MercadoLibre Inc (MELI US) , there are those who hold significantly more, led by Loomis Sayles Global Growth (5.34%) and MFAM Global Opportunities (5.23%).  The trajectory of ownership growth is tracking a similar path to stocks such as Facebook Inc A (FB US) , Tencent (700 HK) and Alibaba Group (BABA US), who were at a similar point to MercadoLibre Inc (MELI US) some 5-6 years ago.  If the path of returns follows any one of those 3 stocks, then MercadoLibre Inc (MELI US) is one to hold.Taken from our Global fund research, covering 378 strategies with AUM of $1.1tr.

MercadoLibre:  The Jewel in the Latam Crown

Financials & FinTech research, Galliano’s Financials Research

Victor Galliano

Financials & FinTech research

Financials & FinTech, EM & Developed Markets

Galliano’s Financials Research

Galliano's Financials Research provides fundamental research in Emerging Markets financials, including FinTech, as well as financials in select Developed Markets.

The investment style applied is generally value oriented, although Growth At Reasonable Price (GARP) strategies can also be used where appropriate. 

Our investment research approach aim is often contrarian, looking to capitalise on overly sceptical or optimistic consensus views. In terms of valuation techniques, the focus is on PBV ratio to ROE, PE multiples and dividend yield, as well as the application of PEG ratios and, where appropriate, Sum of the Parts (SOTP) valuations.

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>We think of value based on traditional valuation metrics, such as PE multiples and PBV ratios, and supplement these by metrics like PE to growth ratios to identify the more attractive names amongst growth – including FinTech – stocks</li>
<li>In Brazil, we continue to like <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/banco-do-brasil-sa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24564:1" rel="noopener">Banco Do Brasil Sa (BBAS3 BZ)</a>  and we add <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/banco-bradesco-sa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24569:1" rel="noopener">Banco Bradesco Sa (BBDC4 BZ)</a> to the attractive value category</li>
<li>We turn cautious on Brazilian challenger <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/banco-inter-sa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28162:1" rel="noopener">Banco Inter SA (BIDI11 BZ)</a>, based on valuation; it trades on a consensus 2022E PBV ratio of 17.8x and even compared to Nubank’s estimated valuation, and those of other digital banks, Inter seems expensive</li>
<li>In Mexico, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/grupo-financiero-banorte-o" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24780:1" rel="noopener">Grupo Financiero Banorte-O (GFNORTEO MF)</a> is much more of a positive consensus recommendation, yet we still believe that the stock has further to run</li>
<li>There is heightened political risk in Peru; <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/credicorp-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:25963:1" rel="noopener">Credicorp Ltd (BAP US)</a>  has de-rated and is a stock to watch</li>
<li>Among the LatAm payments companies, we are positive on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pagseguro-digital-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27939:1" rel="noopener">Pagseguro Digital Ltd (PAGS US)</a> </li>
<li>Despite its premium growth in AUM, we are cautious on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/xp-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28619:1" rel="noopener">XP Inc (XP US)</a>, due to eroding take rate and rising IFA costs</li>
<li>In exchanges, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/b3-sa-brasil-bolsa-balcao" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24580:1" rel="noopener">B3 Sa - Brasil Bolsa Balcao (B3SA3 BZ)</a>’s valuations have descended from the stratosphere but we believe that this stock could have further downside risk</li>
<li>Risks to our positive view on Banco do Brasil and Bradesco include higher than expected NPLs and lower than expected credit spreads, as well as soft fee growth; similar risks apply to Banorte, BanBajio and in the case of Credicorp we also add political risk; Banco Inter’s upside risks include better than expected opex control especially on new customer acquisition driving better than expected returns; XP upside risks include higher than expected take rate and lower than expected opex, and B3 could deliver stronger than expected revenue growth in FICC and derivatives especially</li>
</ul>


We think of value based on traditional valuation metrics, such as PE multiples and PBV ratios, and supplement these by metrics like PE to growth ratios to identify the more attractive names amongst growth – including FinTech – stocks
In Brazil, we continue to like Banco Do Brasil Sa (BBAS3 BZ)  and we add Banco Bradesco Sa (BBDC4 BZ) to the attractive value category
We turn cautious on Brazilian challenger Banco Inter SA (BIDI11 BZ), based on valuation; it trades on a consensus 2022E PBV ratio of 17.8x and even compared to Nubank’s estimated valuation, and those of other digital banks, Inter seems expensive
In Mexico, Grupo Financiero Banorte-O (GFNORTEO MF) is much more of a positive consensus recommendation, yet we still believe that the stock has further to run
There is heightened political risk in Peru; Credicorp Ltd (BAP US)  has de-rated and is a stock to watch
Among the LatAm payments companies, we are positive on Pagseguro Digital Ltd (PAGS US) 
Despite its premium growth in AUM, we are cautious on XP Inc (XP US), due to eroding take rate and rising IFA costs
In exchanges, B3 Sa - Brasil Bolsa Balcao (B3SA3 BZ)’s valuations have descended from the stratosphere but we believe that this stock could have further downside risk
Risks to our positive view on Banco do Brasil and Bradesco include higher than expected NPLs and lower than expected credit spreads, as well as soft fee growth; similar risks apply to Banorte, BanBajio and in the case of Credicorp we also add political risk; Banco Inter’s upside risks include better than expected opex control especially on new customer acquisition driving better than expected returns; XP upside risks include higher than expected take rate and lower than expected opex, and B3 could deliver stronger than expected revenue growth in FICC and derivatives especially


LatAm Financials Review: Focus on the Value Opportunities

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/singapore-exchange-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1047:1" rel="noopener">SGX (SGX SP)</a> has seen lacklustre share price performance relative to other global exchanges over the last six months</li>
<li>This is in part due to lingering concerns regarding SGX’s largely reduced MSCI indexing agreement</li>
<li>To help offset the reduced MSCI agreement, SGX signed a strategic partnership with FTSE Russell in August; recently released SGX market statistics to September reveal encouraging datapoints for equity index derivatives</li>
<li>SGX is also making focused acquisitions in the Data and Information space, as well as establishing itself as a leading currency futures exchange and, in commodities, it is the leading iron ore derivatives market globally</li>
<li>SGX management is focused on cost control, which has served to deliver a 5 percentage points increase in EBITDA margin from FY2016 to FY2020, and contributed to SGX achieving an ROE of 40% in FY2020</li>
<li>We see SGX as an attractive share, with consensus estimates too bearish on SGX’s earnings growth potential, in our view, which should support its re-rating</li>
<li>Risks to our view include a worse than expected hit to equity derivative volumes from the reduced MSCI contract in FY 2021, as well as increased competition from other Asian exchanges for currency futures and commodities trading</li>
</ul>



SGX (SGX SP) has seen lacklustre share price performance relative to other global exchanges over the last six months
This is in part due to lingering concerns regarding SGX’s largely reduced MSCI indexing agreement
To help offset the reduced MSCI agreement, SGX signed a strategic partnership with FTSE Russell in August; recently released SGX market statistics to September reveal encouraging datapoints for equity index derivatives
SGX is also making focused acquisitions in the Data and Information space, as well as establishing itself as a leading currency futures exchange and, in commodities, it is the leading iron ore derivatives market globally
SGX management is focused on cost control, which has served to deliver a 5 percentage points increase in EBITDA margin from FY2016 to FY2020, and contributed to SGX achieving an ROE of 40% in FY2020
We see SGX as an attractive share, with consensus estimates too bearish on SGX’s earnings growth potential, in our view, which should support its re-rating
Risks to our view include a worse than expected hit to equity derivative volumes from the reduced MSCI contract in FY 2021, as well as increased competition from other Asian exchanges for currency futures and commodities trading


SGX (SGX SP): Market Under-Rates Its Growth Potential

<ul>
<li>In this report, we look at how global exchanges are positioning themselves to diversify revenue streams beyond the traditional</li>
<li>Select exchanges in developed markets are actively focusing in on demand for exchanges’ proprietary data, a few are enhancing their data capabilities through M&amp;A</li>
<li>Emerging market exchanges are at a different stage of development, with more potential for new listings and growth in trading fees, but we believe that they still need to prepare for life beyond the traditional revenue model</li>
<li>In LatAm, B3 stands out as a beneficiary of the recent sharp cuts in domestic benchmark rates and rise in trading activity, but we believe that much of this is already reflected in B3’s recent share price re-rating, and that B3 is at risk of a trading downturn, with it yet to develop its data and related services revenue buffer; we prefer smaller cap Bolsa Mexicana
</li>
<li>In Asia, we like SGX which derives a higher share of revenues from data services than HK Exchange, and we also believe that SGX is less exposed than HKEx to prospective EBITDA margin erosion; Bursa Malaysia valuations seem stretched, in our view</li>
<li>In developed market exchanges, LSE Group is in the spotlight for its planned acquisition of Refinitiv, and its already high revenue share of data services, along with ICE and TMX of Canada; we highlight ICE for its attractive valuation, healthy EBITDA margin and its high share of revenue from data services</li>
<li>Risks to our negative view on B3 include continued high levels of trading in equities, derivatives supported by further central bank rate cuts and better-than-expected opex control; risks to our positive views on Bolsa Mexicana, ICE include weaker than expected trading activity and fewer than expected new listings</li>
</ul>


In this report, we look at how global exchanges are positioning themselves to diversify revenue streams beyond the traditional
Select exchanges in developed markets are actively focusing in on demand for exchanges’ proprietary data, a few are enhancing their data capabilities through M&amp;A
Emerging market exchanges are at a different stage of development, with more potential for new listings and growth in trading fees, but we believe that they still need to prepare for life beyond the traditional revenue model
In LatAm, B3 stands out as a beneficiary of the recent sharp cuts in domestic benchmark rates and rise in trading activity, but we believe that much of this is already reflected in B3’s recent share price re-rating, and that B3 is at risk of a trading downturn, with it yet to develop its data and related services revenue buffer; we prefer smaller cap Bolsa Mexicana

In Asia, we like SGX which derives a higher share of revenues from data services than HK Exchange, and we also believe that SGX is less exposed than HKEx to prospective EBITDA margin erosion; Bursa Malaysia valuations seem stretched, in our view
In developed market exchanges, LSE Group is in the spotlight for its planned acquisition of Refinitiv, and its already high revenue share of data services, along with ICE and TMX of Canada; we highlight ICE for its attractive valuation, healthy EBITDA margin and its high share of revenue from data services
Risks to our negative view on B3 include continued high levels of trading in equities, derivatives supported by further central bank rate cuts and better-than-expected opex control; risks to our positive views on Bolsa Mexicana, ICE include weaker than expected trading activity and fewer than expected new listings


Brazil

B3 S.A. - Brasil, Bolsa, Balcao operates as a regional exchange. The Company provides integrated business model, including clearing and settlement activities, central depository services, and financial products for trading in equity, commodity, and derivatives. B3 S.A. - Brasil, Bolsa, Balcao serves customers worldwide.

Price Gauge
52-week Range	0.00 - 0.00
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B3 - Brasil Bolsa Balcao (B3SA3 BZ)

Screening for GEMs: July 2021

This insight provides an overview of our, machine learning-driven, proprietary GEM screening model, based on a Multifactor model, a Deep Neural...

Wium Malan, CFA

MercadoLibre: The Jewel in the Latam Crown

MercadoLibre is the most widely held stock in the South American region among active Global managers. Ownership growth has been strong, but...

Steven Holden

LatAm Financials Review: Focus on the Value Opportunities

We identify the most attractive LatAm financials on value and GARP metrics; Banco do Brasil, Bradesco, Banorte, BanBajio, PagSeguro; we are...

Victor Galliano

SGX (SGX SP): Market Under-Rates Its Growth Potential

The market is too bearish on SGX's revenue and earnings outlook, and we believe that the recently published market statistics for September show...

Victor Galliano

Exchanges: Life Beyond Trading

In this report, we look at how global exchanges are positioning themselves to diversify revenue streams beyond the traditional Select exchanges in...

Victor Galliano

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)