Investment Research - Asia Consumer Sector, Investory

Devi Subhakesan

Investment Research - Asia Consumer Sector

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.

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

On Friday, March 15th, an estimated 1.6 million students in over 120 countries <a href="http://time.com/tag/climate-change/" target="_blank">(source: Time magazine)</a> walked out of classrooms and took to streets demanding radical climate action. Climate change activism rarely grabbed headlines or wider public attention as it is doing now. Rising climate activism will continue to train the spotlight on industries/businesses associated with carbon-emission making it increasingly difficult for them to expand capacities or secure funding. Large institutional investors - sovereign funds, pension funds, insurance companies - have begun to incorporate climate risk into investment policy and are limiting exposure to sectors that directly contribute to carbon emissions - primarily coal, crude oil producers and power plants based on them. Expect sector devaluation; active investors may well look beyond juicy near term earnings and dividend yield.
Even as scientists and meteorological organisations keep warning of dire consequences unless concrete action is taken to limit carbon emissions to stall climate change, political establishment/regulators in most countries are in denial while others are doing little more than lip service.  If so, should corporates care? even though businesses are the ones that play a direct role in escalating carbon emissions. With rising consumer awareness and activism, several industries associated with carbon emissions are already facing operational and funding challenges; we believe, it pays for all businesses to be above par on 'climate action' - it would be in their own self-interest, not just general good. And do Investors bother? Under the aegis of <a href="http://www.climateaction100.org/" target="_blank">Climate Action 100+</a>, an investor initiative with 320 signatories having more than USD33 trillion in assets collectively under management, they have been engaging companies on improving governance, curbing emissions and strengthening climate-related financial disclosures. It has listed out Oil &amp; Gas, Mining, Utilities and Auto manufacturers as target sectors. Investors have already been making an impact - by vote or exit. It sure makes logical sense to effect positive change and minimise climate risk when you have a long term investment horizon.
In the detailed note below we
<ul>
<li>
discuss how rising consumer/investor activism and/or political/regulatory changes are posing challenges to key sectors -Coal, Oil &amp; Gas, Automobiles/Aviation, Consumer goods -  that are associated with carbon emissions. </li>
<li>
analyse how rising climate activism is negatively impacting growth prospects and valuation of companies in these sectors.</li>
<li>
highlight the opportunities for businesses to capitalise on changing consumer preferences for products that minimise carbon footprint and differentiate themselves by being on the right side of climate action.</li>
<li>
present a quick primer on climate change and lay down the key facts and data on climate change as presented by World Meteorological Organisation, NASA and IPCC. </li>
</ul>
<div class="content-highlight">
However, the report does NOT discuss potential risks to businesses from the aftermath of Climate change. Unlike our recently released report <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/fast-fashion-in-asia-trendy-clothing-s-toxic-trails-investors-beware" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:27669">Fast Fashion in Asia: Trendy Clothing’s Toxic Trails - Investors Beware</a> that looked into sector's environmental violations and attempted to estimate potential earnings/growth/valuation downside as leading textile players adopt sustainable practices, we believe the impact of unpredictable climate change poses a threat that is not easy to identify or quantify.  
</div>

On Friday, March 15th, an estimated 1.6 million students in over 120 countries (source: Time magazine) walked out of classrooms and took to streets demanding radical climate action. Climate change activism rarely grabbed headlines or wider public attention as it is doing now. Rising climate activism will continue to train the spotlight on industries/businesses associated with carbon-emission making it increasingly difficult for them to expand capacities or secure funding. Large institutional investors - sovereign funds, pension funds, insurance companies - have begun to incorporate climate risk into investment policy and are limiting exposure to sectors that directly contribute to carbon emissions - primarily coal, crude oil producers and power plants based on them. Expect sector devaluation; active investors may well look beyond juicy near term earnings and dividend yield.
Even as scientists and meteorological organisations keep warning of dire consequences unless concrete action is taken to limit carbon emissions to stall climate change, political establishment/regulators in most countries are in denial while others are doing little more than lip service.  If so, should corporates care? even though businesses are the ones that play a direct role in escalating carbon emissions. With rising consumer awareness and activism, several industries associated with carbon emissions are already facing operational and funding challenges; we believe, it pays for all businesses to be above par on 'climate action' - it would be in their own self-interest, not just general good. And do Investors bother? Under the aegis of Climate Action 100+, an investor initiative with 320 signatories having more than USD33 trillion in assets collectively under management, they have been engaging companies on improving governance, curbing emissions and strengthening climate-related financial disclosures. It has listed out Oil &amp; Gas, Mining, Utilities and Auto manufacturers as target sectors. Investors have already been making an impact - by vote or exit. It sure makes logical sense to effect positive change and minimise climate risk when you have a long term investment horizon.
In the detailed note below we


discuss how rising consumer/investor activism and/or political/regulatory changes are posing challenges to key sectors -Coal, Oil &amp; Gas, Automobiles/Aviation, Consumer goods -  that are associated with carbon emissions. 

analyse how rising climate activism is negatively impacting growth prospects and valuation of companies in these sectors.

highlight the opportunities for businesses to capitalise on changing consumer preferences for products that minimise carbon footprint and differentiate themselves by being on the right side of climate action.

present a quick primer on climate change and lay down the key facts and data on climate change as presented by World Meteorological Organisation, NASA and IPCC. 


However, the report does NOT discuss potential risks to businesses from the aftermath of Climate change. Unlike our recently released report Fast Fashion in Asia: Trendy Clothing’s Toxic Trails - Investors Beware that looked into sector's environmental violations and attempted to estimate potential earnings/growth/valuation downside as leading textile players adopt sustainable practices, we believe the impact of unpredictable climate change poses a threat that is not easy to identify or quantify.  


Climate Action - School Strikes Hit a Spot, Carbon Emitters Face Heat. Investors Take Note

Equity analyst UK & Europe, UK Long Short

Peter Toeman

Equity analyst UK & Europe

Accelerating Tomorrow’s Independent Research

Boost Research

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With just two weeks left before the UK is set to leave the EU, the shape of the arrangements with country's largest trading partners is still to be decided. Imminent political developments will determine whether Brexit is hard, soft, deferred, or aborted.
The UK's principal share index the FTSE 100 is virtually unchanged since we established our Long/Short portfolio a month ago. Results from Lloyds and Centrica have lead to useful outperformance and underperformance respectively. The M&amp;S joint venture with Ocado is judged by investors to have added a lot more value to the latter than the former. We have been wrong-footed by Melrose Industries, but heck, there is always one.
Remembering that no one ever got poor from taking  profits,  we have closed out our long position in Lloyds Banking.  
<div class="content-caption">
<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/081/949/original/Capture%201.PNG?1552520300" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="81949"></figure>
<div class="content-caption">S&amp;P Capital IQ</div>
</div>

With just two weeks left before the UK is set to leave the EU, the shape of the arrangements with country's largest trading partners is still to be decided. Imminent political developments will determine whether Brexit is hard, soft, deferred, or aborted.
The UK's principal share index the FTSE 100 is virtually unchanged since we established our Long/Short portfolio a month ago. Results from Lloyds and Centrica have lead to useful outperformance and underperformance respectively. The M&amp;S joint venture with Ocado is judged by investors to have added a lot more value to the latter than the former. We have been wrong-footed by Melrose Industries, but heck, there is always one.
Remembering that no one ever got poor from taking  profits,  we have closed out our long position in Lloyds Banking.  


S&amp;P Capital IQ


Japan/Asia Long-Short, LightStream Research

Mio Kato

Japan/Asia Long-Short

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.

Event-Driven

The key point of interest for investors regarding <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/6232" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6232:1">Chiyoda Corp (6366 JP)</a> continues to be details surrounding its upcoming capital raise. The company has, since early November when it incurred these losses, offered scant details regarding the structure of the capital raise, except to note that the components would include additional loans and equity from industrial partners and most likely, main shareholder <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/20668" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20668:1">Mitsubishi Corp (8058 JP)</a>.We visited the company to gather as much information as possible on the potential structure of the capital increase and to update the order outlook and reasons for further cost overruns.

The key point of interest for investors regarding Chiyoda Corp (6366 JP) continues to be details surrounding its upcoming capital raise. The company has, since early November when it incurred these losses, offered scant details regarding the structure of the capital raise, except to note that the components would include additional loans and equity from industrial partners and most likely, main shareholder Mitsubishi Corp (8058 JP).We visited the company to gather as much information as possible on the potential structure of the capital increase and to update the order outlook and reasons for further cost overruns.

Chiyoda: Minor Updates About the Major Capital Infusion, Cost Overruns and Upcoming Orders

Indonesia Political Risk Analyst

Kevin O’Rourke

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

Cross Asset Strategy

Sparring remains lively in the presidential campaign, with the Prabowo camp targeting a liability for Widodo: retired generals in the cabinet.  But Prabowo is still campaigning ineffectively and defections of allied governors shows that some in his camp consider his prospects dim.  Police controversially dropped charges against a chief hard-line Islamic figure.  Anti-foreign rhetoric, chiefly from Prabowo, threatens to tug policy discourse towards his vision of barriers, autarky and state control.  Two forthcoming regulations on the property sector aim to safeguard consumers.  A review of geothermal policies is possible.  Upstream energy investment may be improving.  The IA-Cepa may conclude on 4 March.  Adhi Karya's Jabodebek LRT faces a thorny land problem in Bekasi, where the China-backed fast train project may have complicated matters by overpaying.  Politics: Campaign sparring continues apace, as Gerindra Chair Prabowo Subianto criticized infrastructure projects (they enable imports to penetrate further) and reiterated that “Rp11,000 trillion in Indonesian assets reside abroad”.  Campaign officials for President Joko Widodo lambasted the remarks and recalled that both Prabowo and his running mate appeared in the ‘Panama Papers’.  Meanwhile, retired generals from the rival campaigns exchanged jabs about events of May 1998; for Prabowo, the topic contains pitfalls (Page 2).  In a rare example of violence in election campaigning, a fracas outside a rally in Yogyakarta caused three minor injuries among rival youth groups (p. 4).  Elite endorsements matter little, but Widodo has garnered overwhelming support from regional heads (p. 4).  Police controversially dropped charges on hard‑line Islamic leader Slamet Ma’arif (p. 5).  Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) takes over Partai Demokrat’s campaigning as Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono attends to his ill spouse (p. 6). Surveys: A newly released poll from the Cyrus Network shows Widodo’s lead intact – but the actual data is from mid‑January, a period that other polls already covered (p. 6). Policy News: Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister Lt Gen (ret) Luhut Panjaitan urged greater state investment in geothermal power (p. 7).  Protecting consumers from misleading practices by property developers will reportedly be the focus of two forth­coming regulations (p. 8).  The IA-Cepa is reportedly due for signing on 4 March (p. 9).<table class="table table-striped"><tbody><tr><td>Produced since 2003, the Reformasi Weekly Review provides timely, relevant and independent analysis on Indonesian political and policy news.  The writer is Kevin O’Rourke, author of the book Reformasi.  For subscription info please contact: &lt;kevin.orourke@reformasi.info&gt;.</td></tr></tbody></table>Infrastructure: The Jakarta Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) will ramp up operations during a trial from 12-24 March, with commercial operations expected by end‑March (p. 9).  Press reports hint that the China‑financed Bandung fast train project may have overpaid for land in Bekasi, thereby complicating acquisition of nearby land needed for the Jakarta-Area Light Rail Train (LRT) project, which faces delay until April 2021 (p. 9). Economics: The trade minister touted FTAs (p. 11).  Upstream Regulatory Agency (SKK Migas) officials expressed optimism about investment flows into oil and gas (p. 12). Outlook: Although the winner is not yet clear, the loser thus far in the presidential election appears to be the international community.  Pronounced anti‑foreign rhetoric from the Prabowo camp threatens to cow policy­makers and jeopardize prudent economic management.  Excessive skepticism of international engagement would come at an awkward time: the current account deficit requires capital inflows, while protectionism would augur lower growth (p. 12).

Sparring remains lively in the presidential campaign, with the Prabowo camp targeting a liability for Widodo: retired generals in the cabinet.  But Prabowo is still campaigning ineffectively and defections of allied governors shows that some in his camp consider his prospects dim.  Police controversially dropped charges against a chief hard-line Islamic figure.  Anti-foreign rhetoric, chiefly from Prabowo, threatens to tug policy discourse towards his vision of barriers, autarky and state control.  Two forthcoming regulations on the property sector aim to safeguard consumers.  A review of geothermal policies is possible.  Upstream energy investment may be improving.  The IA-Cepa may conclude on 4 March.  Adhi Karya's Jabodebek LRT faces a thorny land problem in Bekasi, where the China-backed fast train project may have complicated matters by overpaying.  Politics: Campaign sparring continues apace, as Gerindra Chair Prabowo Subianto criticized infrastructure projects (they enable imports to penetrate further) and reiterated that “Rp11,000 trillion in Indonesian assets reside abroad”.  Campaign officials for President Joko Widodo lambasted the remarks and recalled that both Prabowo and his running mate appeared in the ‘Panama Papers’.  Meanwhile, retired generals from the rival campaigns exchanged jabs about events of May 1998; for Prabowo, the topic contains pitfalls (Page 2).  In a rare example of violence in election campaigning, a fracas outside a rally in Yogyakarta caused three minor injuries among rival youth groups (p. 4).  Elite endorsements matter little, but Widodo has garnered overwhelming support from regional heads (p. 4).  Police controversially dropped charges on hard‑line Islamic leader Slamet Ma’arif (p. 5).  Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY) takes over Partai Demokrat’s campaigning as Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono attends to his ill spouse (p. 6). Surveys: A newly released poll from the Cyrus Network shows Widodo’s lead intact – but the actual data is from mid‑January, a period that other polls already covered (p. 6). Policy News: Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister Lt Gen (ret) Luhut Panjaitan urged greater state investment in geothermal power (p. 7).  Protecting consumers from misleading practices by property developers will reportedly be the focus of two forth­coming regulations (p. 8).  The IA-Cepa is reportedly due for signing on 4 March (p. 9).Produced since 2003, the Reformasi Weekly Review provides timely, relevant and independent analysis on Indonesian political and policy news.  The writer is Kevin O’Rourke, author of the book Reformasi.  For subscription info please contact: &lt;kevin.orourke@reformasi.info&gt;.Infrastructure: The Jakarta Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) will ramp up operations during a trial from 12-24 March, with commercial operations expected by end‑March (p. 9).  Press reports hint that the China‑financed Bandung fast train project may have overpaid for land in Bekasi, thereby complicating acquisition of nearby land needed for the Jakarta-Area Light Rail Train (LRT) project, which faces delay until April 2021 (p. 9). Economics: The trade minister touted FTAs (p. 11).  Upstream Regulatory Agency (SKK Migas) officials expressed optimism about investment flows into oil and gas (p. 12). Outlook: Although the winner is not yet clear, the loser thus far in the presidential election appears to be the international community.  Pronounced anti‑foreign rhetoric from the Prabowo camp threatens to cow policy­makers and jeopardize prudent economic management.  Excessive skepticism of international engagement would come at an awkward time: the current account deficit requires capital inflows, while protectionism would augur lower growth (p. 12). 

Widodo's Generals Take Fire / Anti-Foreign Rhetoric Takes Toll / Land Hampers Adhi's LRT / MRT Near

Equity Bottom-Up

Towards the end of 2018 <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/2840" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2840:1">Modec Inc (6269 JP)</a>'s share price dropped 46.5% as the price of crude oil also cratered, falling 44.4% . Since that plunge, the stock price has rebounded 53.9% as the company posted excellent results at 4Q and guidance, while conservative, was for continued healthy earnings.Having visited the company today, we believe earnings should continue to be strong and actually strengthen over the next few years with MODEC likely to start running into capacity constraints over the course of this year.

Towards the end of 2018 Modec Inc (6269 JP)'s share price dropped 46.5% as the price of crude oil also cratered, falling 44.4% . Since that plunge, the stock price has rebounded 53.9% as the company posted excellent results at 4Q and guidance, while conservative, was for continued healthy earnings.Having visited the company today, we believe earnings should continue to be strong and actually strengthen over the next few years with MODEC likely to start running into capacity constraints over the course of this year.

United Kingdom

BP P.L.C is an energy company. The Company explores and produces oil and natural gas, refines, markets, and supplies petroleum products, as well as generates solar energy, and manufactures and markets chemicals such as terephthalic acid, acetic acid, acrylonitrile, ethylene, and polyethylene. BP serves customers worldwide.

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BP (BP US)

Climate Action - School Strikes Hit a Spot, Carbon Emitters Face Heat. Investors Take Note

On Friday, March 15th, an estimated 1.6 million students in over 120 countries (source: Time magazine) walked out of classrooms and took to streets...

Devi Subhakesan

FTSE 100 Long/Short: Beginner's Luck

With just two weeks left before the UK is set to leave the EU, the shape of the arrangements with country's largest trading partners is still to be...

Boost Research

Chiyoda: Minor Updates About the Major Capital Infusion, Cost Overruns and Upcoming Orders

The key point of interest for investors regarding Chiyoda Corp (6366 JP) continues to be details surrounding its upcoming capital raise. The...

Mio Kato

Widodo's Generals Take Fire / Anti-Foreign Rhetoric Takes Toll / Land Hampers Adhi's LRT / MRT Near

Sparring remains lively in the presidential campaign, with the Prabowo camp targeting a liability for Widodo: retired generals in the cabinet. But...

Kevin O’Rourke

MODEC: Add

Towards the end of 2018 Modec Inc (6269 JP)'s share price dropped 46.5% as the price of crude oil also cratered, falling 44.4% . Since that plunge,...

Mio Kato

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