Independent research on the U.S. markets, Baptista Research

Baptista Research

Independent research on the U.S. markets

Baptista Research is an independent financial research house focused on the U.S. markets. We provide equity research as well as credit research reports on the top-listed U.S. companies with most of our focus on technology, consumer goods and services, automobiles, industrials, oil and gas, pharma, and healthcare. Our research has served more than 3000 institutional investors including mutual funds, hedge funds, banks, family offices, and various buy-side firms. We operate a research subscription service where institutions, as well as retail investors, can have priority access to all our research. We also have a wide distribution of our research reports across some of the top global financial platforms. Apart from equity research and credit research, we also provide advisory services with respect to mergers & acquisitions (M&A), private equity/ venture capital fundraising, valuation reports, and investment management services for corporates.
Baptista Research is owned and managed by Ishan Majumdar, an ex-Venture Capitalist/ Investment Banker, a Chartered Accountant, and a Masters’ degree holder in Management from HEC Paris. Ishan has nearly a decade of experience in Mergers and Acquisitions, Leveraged Buyouts (LBOs), Venture Capital Investing, Corporate Strategy, and Valuation in front-office roles at the likes of BNP Paribas CIB, Credit Agricole CIB, Groupe Danone, and TIW Private Equity. He has worked on and closed multiple acquisition deals, leveraged buyouts, and start-up investment transactions.

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul><li>Markel Group reported its first-quarter 2024 results displaying a promising start to the year.</li><li>The organization managed to achieve substantial growth in revenues and operating income, attributed to successful results from all three of their operating divisions: Insurance, Investments, and Markel Ventures.</li><li>Total revenues saw a 23% increase, reaching $4.5 billion, while operating income witnessed an impressive 77% increase to $1.3 billion.</li></ul>

Markel Group reported its first-quarter 2024 results displaying a promising start to the year.The organization managed to achieve substantial growth in revenues and operating income, attributed to successful results from all three of their operating divisions: Insurance, Investments, and Markel Ventures.Total revenues saw a 23% increase, reaching $4.5 billion, while operating income witnessed an impressive 77% increase to $1.3 billion.

Markel Corporation: Initiation of Coverage -  What Is Its Core Business Strategy? - Major Drivers

Fundamental Analyses, Contrarian Cashflows

Contrarian Cashflows

Fundamental Analyses

The purpose of Contrarian Cashflows is to document my investment research and share it with everyone who is interested in value investing. My long term aspiration for Contrarian Cashflows is to become a platform for professional investors and serious amateurs where they can get inspiration and discuss investing-related topics.
I plan to publish one company deep dive per month that is guided by my investment approach. All information I use for my write-ups is publicly available and most of the time directly sourced from public filings issued by the respective companies. To guarantee maximum transparency, for every post I provide a list of all used sources in the resources section.
Contrarian Cashflows is built around the principles of respect, honesty, open-mindedness and a touch of humour. Please consider these principles in any engagement interaction with me, other readers and the content on this blog. Misbehaviour is not tolerated.
If you want to reach out to me directly, the best way is via LinkedIn, Twitter or email. You can find the details at my homepage contrariancashflows.com

<ul><li>Recently, a friend of mine asked me why I own positions in Markel and Brookfield, as they do not align with my typical investment style of small niche companies trading at attractive free cash flow yields. </li><li>I consider both companies as alternatives to index funds, benefiting from the expertise of two exceptional capital allocators, Tom Gayner and Bruce Flatt, at no additional cost.</li><li>Over time, if my investment process proves itself as sound, the positions in Markel and Brookfield should naturally decrease in size.</li></ul>

Recently, a friend of mine asked me why I own positions in Markel and Brookfield, as they do not align with my typical investment style of small niche companies trading at attractive free cash flow yields. I consider both companies as alternatives to index funds, benefiting from the expertise of two exceptional capital allocators, Tom Gayner and Bruce Flatt, at no additional cost.Over time, if my investment process proves itself as sound, the positions in Markel and Brookfield should naturally decrease in size.

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>There were no changes to the portfolio in June.</li>
<li>The two major news among my holdings come from Norbit and Lindbergh.</li>
<li>Norbit acquired Innomar, a market leader in sub-bottom profilers in the maritime industry, to strengthen their oceans segment product offering.</li>
</ul>


There were no changes to the portfolio in June.
The two major news among my holdings come from Norbit and Lindbergh.
Norbit acquired Innomar, a market leader in sub-bottom profilers in the maritime industry, to strengthen their oceans segment product offering.


<ul>
<li>
Welcome back to the portfolio updates series!
</li>
<li>
I recently read Michael J. Mauboussin’s book, More Than You Know, which is full of practical investment lessons drawn from various fields not necessarily related to investing.
</li>
<li>
The quote below is from a chapter discussing market efficiency and cautioning investors against misusing behavioral finance to conclude that humans are irrational, and therefore, markets must be irrational as well.
</li>
</ul>



Welcome back to the portfolio updates series!


I recently read Michael J. Mauboussin’s book, More Than You Know, which is full of practical investment lessons drawn from various fields not necessarily related to investing.


The quote below is from a chapter discussing market efficiency and cautioning investors against misusing behavioral finance to conclude that humans are irrational, and therefore, markets must be irrational as well.



<ul><li>I recently came across a thought-provoking blog post by Andrew Walker on his YAVB discussing the possibility of a bubble forming in quality stocks.</li><li>Although Andrew acknowledged that the title might be seen as provocative, he raised valid concerns about the potential challenges of achieving satisfactory returns in the future by investing in quality-growth-at-a-reasonable-price stocks, given their lofty valuations.</li><li>As an example, he pointed to Costco, which is presently trading at a P/E ratio of 50 despite its long-term expected growth rate only slightly surpassing that of the US GDP.</li></ul>

I recently came across a thought-provoking blog post by Andrew Walker on his YAVB discussing the possibility of a bubble forming in quality stocks.Although Andrew acknowledged that the title might be seen as provocative, he raised valid concerns about the potential challenges of achieving satisfactory returns in the future by investing in quality-growth-at-a-reasonable-price stocks, given their lofty valuations.As an example, he pointed to Costco, which is presently trading at a P/E ratio of 50 despite its long-term expected growth rate only slightly surpassing that of the US GDP.

United States

Erie Indemnity Company is the management company for the Erie Insurance Exchange. The Company is also involved in the property and casualty insurance business through its wholly-owned subsidiaries and through its management of Flagship City Insurance Company. Erie Indemnity sells auto, home, life and business insurance in the United States.

Everest Re Group, Ltd. provides reinsurance to property and casualty insurers in the United States and international markets.  The Company also provides property and casualty insurance to policyholders in the United States and Canada.  In addition, Everest Re offers excess and surplus lines insurance in the United States.

Cincinnati Financial Corporation, through its subsidiaries, offers property and casualty and life insurance.  The Company markets a variety of insurance products and provides leasing and financing services.

Loews Corporation is a diversified holding company.  The Company, through its subsidiaries, is involved in a variety of businesses including commercial property-casualty insurance, offshore drilling, natural gas exploration and production, operation of natural gas pipeline systems, and the operation of hotels and resorts.

W. R. Berkley Corporation, an insurance holding company, conducts operations in various segments of the property casualty insurance business.  Segments include specialty lines of insurance, alternative markets, reinsurance, regional property casualty insurance, and international.

Principal Financial Group, Inc. offers businesses, individuals and institutional clients a range of financial products and services.  The Company offers retirement solutions, life and health insurance, wellness programs, and investment and banking products.

Brown & Brown, Inc. and its subsidiaries provide a range of insurance and reinsurance products and services.  The Company also provides risk management, employee benefit administration, and managed health care services.  Brown & Brown operates offices across the United States.

FNF Group was created as a tracking stock proposal for the Fidelity National Financial, Inc. common stock. FNF provides title insurance, technology and transaction services to the real estate and mortgage industries.

Unum Group provides group disability and special risk insurance.  The Company provides disability insurance, group life insurance, and payroll-deducted voluntary benefits offered to employees at their worksites.

CNA Financial Corporation operates as an insurance holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, provides commercial property and casualty coverages such as risk management, information services, warranty, and claims administration. CNA Financial serves clients throughout the United States.

The People's Insurance Company (Group) of China Limited, through its subsidiaries, offers a range of property and casualty insurance products. The Company also offers asset management services for a variety of customers throughout China.

Sompo Holdings, Inc, is a holding company established through the integration of Sompo Japan Insurance Inc. and NIPPONKOA Insurance Company Limited. Through subsidiaries, the Company provides non-life insurance including marine, fire, and automobile, as well as life insurance.

QBE Insurance Group Limited is an insurance company which underwrites most forms of commercial and industrial insurance policies, as well as individual policies. QBE also manages Lloyds syndicates and provides investment management services. The Company provides its services both domestically and internationally.

Suncorp Group Ltd. offers retail and business banking, life and general insurance, superannuation and funds management services.  The Company's services include personal banking and loans, personal insurance products, credit cards, pension savings accounts, term deposits, property development finance, commercial lending, investments and lease financing.

China Pacific Insurance (Group) Company, Ltd. is an integrated insurance services provider. The Company offers life and property insurance products through its subsidiaries.

Poste Italiane SpA is mainly involved in the Insurance business. The Company also provides financial and postal services. The Company delivers letters, telegrams, and packages and also offers passbook savings accounts, checking accounts, international money orders, and foreign exchange services. Poste Italiane serves customers throughout Italy.

Talanx AG operates as a holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, provides insurance and financial services. Talanx offers retail, commercial, private, and industrial insurance, reinsurance, and other related services. Talanx operates worldwide.

Aviva PLC operates as an international insurance company that provides all classes of general and life assurance, including fire, motor, marine, aviation, and transport insurance. The Company also offers a variety of financial services, including unit trusts, stockbroking, long-term savings, and fund management.

Legal & General Group plc is a holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, provides savings, risk and investment management services such as annuities, long-term savings, life assurance and financial protection products. Legal & General Group's products are sold through bank, building society relationships, Independent Financial Advisers and directly to customers.

Swiss Life Holding is a financial services company.  The Company provides life and property insurance, institutional investment management, and private banking services.

Markel Corporation markets and underwrites specialty insurance products and programs to a variety of niche markets.  The Company also underwrites a diverse property, casualty, marine, and aviation insurance and reinsurance business on a worldwide basis.

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Markel Corp (MKL US)

Markel Corporation: Initiation of Coverage - What Is Its Core Business Strategy? - Major Drivers

Markel Group reported its first-quarter 2024 results displaying a promising start to the year. The organization managed to achieve substantial...

Baptista Research

Portfolio Update: February 2024

Recently, a friend of mine asked me why I own positions in Markel and Brookfield, as they do not align with my typical investment style...

Contrarian Cashflows

Portfolio Update: June 2024

There were no changes to the portfolio in June. The two major news among my holdings come from Norbit and Lindbergh. Norbit acquired Innomar...

Contrarian Cashflows

Portfolio Update: May 2024

Welcome back to the portfolio updates series! I recently read Michael J. Mauboussin’s book, More Than You Know, which is full of practical...

Contrarian Cashflows

Portfolio Update: April 2024

I recently came across a thought-provoking blog post by Andrew Walker on his YAVB discussing the possibility of a bubble forming in quality...

Contrarian Cashflows

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