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

IPO and L/S equity, 2015 Starmine top stock picker, Global Equity Research Ltd

Rickin Thakrar

IPO and L/S equity, 2015 Starmine top stock picker

Uncompromised, Independent, Conflict-Free Research

Global Equity Research Ltd

Global Equity Research was started in 2017 by a group of experienced research professionals. It was founded on a passionate belief in the importance and the need for uncompromised, independent, conflict-free research. We aim to provide differentiated and actionable primary and bottom up fundamental research.

Equity Capital Markets

<p>We wrote a few weeks ago that Iqiyi’s short-term liquidity <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/iqiyi-another-tough-quarter" target="_blank" rel="noopener">looked ‘stretched’</a> with worrying signs in its balance sheet. Post the close yesterday, Iqiyi announced it plans to raise 1.6bn USD in a combination of notes and equity offering. We look at the current operational situation for Iqiyi below</p>

We wrote a few weeks ago that Iqiyi’s short-term liquidity looked ‘stretched’ with worrying signs in its balance sheet. Post the close yesterday, Iqiyi announced it plans to raise 1.6bn USD in a combination of notes and equity offering. We look at the current operational situation for Iqiyi below

Iqiyi Placement – an Attempt to Shore up Short-Term Liquidity

Alpha-Centric ESG Research

Kyle Rudden

<p>Oh, the inhumanity of <em>Monopolium Inquisitorum</em>, leviathans made to stand before the judgement of inquisitorial courts. Repent and reform, or burn in everlasting… fine, maybe just shed a few worldly possessions, WhatsApp would be a good start, and stop coveting thy neighbors' data so much.</p><p>Big technology companies (aka "Big Tech") are the subject of ever-expanding antitrust inquisitions by regulators and courts around the world. In the U.S., informal inquiries into prominent members of FAANG by the U.S. Congress turned into formal antitrust suits, first Alphabet then Facebook.</p><p>Yesterday, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced yet another inquiry, this one into the data collection practices of social media companies. It mentioned nine companies by name, a few of which are "new" to this conversation (ByteDance, Tencent-investee Discord, and Snap).</p><p>This Insight looks at one particular ESG angle to this antitrust stuff. Specifically, the potential for antitrust investigations – not the outcomes, but the process – to trigger ESG ratings downgrades and, in turn, constituency changes to major ESG indices. Summary points, for the cover page:</p><ul>
<li>Antitrust investigations will inevitably result in additional ESG ratings downgrades, and since most ESG indices are constructed using those ratings, constituency changes are likely.</li>
<li>Index changes might not happen until annual reviews a few months from now, but they are not tied to eventual antitrust outcomes (e.g., breakups) that could be years away, or not at all.</li>
<li>Presently, Facebook and Alphabet are the only U.S. stocks that stand out vis-à-vis the potential for antitrust-driven changes to ESG ratings and/or ESG indices (more so for Facebook).</li>
<li>Let's be honest, we are not talking about Tesla being added to the S&amp;P 500. Even for larger ESG indices, index-linked AUM is <em>comparatively</em> small vis-à-vis broader market indices.</li>
<li>However, one thing keeps it interesting. ESG indices are bloated with Big Tech, many of which are right behind Facebook and Alphabet on the antitrust plank walk.</li>
</ul><p>Herein, I explain my thought process – antitrust, to ESG ratings downgrades, to ESG index changes – then cover Facebook and Alphabet in some detail (albeit limited by constraints). There is less to say about the other U.S. "antitrust stocks" at the moment, but that may change. More importantly, I am looking into something similar, but related to Asian stocks. So, more to come.</p>

Oh, the inhumanity of Monopolium Inquisitorum, leviathans made to stand before the judgement of inquisitorial courts. Repent and reform, or burn in everlasting… fine, maybe just shed a few worldly possessions, WhatsApp would be a good start, and stop coveting thy neighbors' data so much.Big technology companies (aka "Big Tech") are the subject of ever-expanding antitrust inquisitions by regulators and courts around the world. In the U.S., informal inquiries into prominent members of FAANG by the U.S. Congress turned into formal antitrust suits, first Alphabet then Facebook.Yesterday, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced yet another inquiry, this one into the data collection practices of social media companies. It mentioned nine companies by name, a few of which are "new" to this conversation (ByteDance, Tencent-investee Discord, and Snap).This Insight looks at one particular ESG angle to this antitrust stuff. Specifically, the potential for antitrust investigations – not the outcomes, but the process – to trigger ESG ratings downgrades and, in turn, constituency changes to major ESG indices. Summary points, for the cover page:
Antitrust investigations will inevitably result in additional ESG ratings downgrades, and since most ESG indices are constructed using those ratings, constituency changes are likely.
Index changes might not happen until annual reviews a few months from now, but they are not tied to eventual antitrust outcomes (e.g., breakups) that could be years away, or not at all.
Presently, Facebook and Alphabet are the only U.S. stocks that stand out vis-à-vis the potential for antitrust-driven changes to ESG ratings and/or ESG indices (more so for Facebook).
Let's be honest, we are not talking about Tesla being added to the S&amp;P 500. Even for larger ESG indices, index-linked AUM is comparatively small vis-à-vis broader market indices.
However, one thing keeps it interesting. ESG indices are bloated with Big Tech, many of which are right behind Facebook and Alphabet on the antitrust plank walk.
Herein, I explain my thought process – antitrust, to ESG ratings downgrades, to ESG index changes – then cover Facebook and Alphabet in some detail (albeit limited by constraints). There is less to say about the other U.S. "antitrust stocks" at the moment, but that may change. More importantly, I am looking into something similar, but related to Asian stocks. So, more to come.

Big Tech Antitrust Scrutiny Could Mean ESG Ratings Downgrades, Constituency Changes for ESG Indices

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.

<p>If we look back at 2020, we’ll see a year unlike any other. Had we been told at the beginning of the year with the S&amp;P at 3250 that there would be a cataclysmic global pandemic that would shock the world’s economy…and that the market would return 12%, you might be confused. And if we told you that this cataclysmic pandemic would eviscerate the travel and tourism business, eliminate sports for most of the year, and slash advertising budgets…and Disney…whose entire business was these exact things…would be 19%, and up more then 105% from the March lows…well, you probably wish you had 20-20 hindsight back then…back when Disney+ had 27M subscribers, and estimated that in 5 years it might have 60-90M subs. They will end 2020 with 90M.</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>

If we look back at 2020, we’ll see a year unlike any other. Had we been told at the beginning of the year with the S&amp;P at 3250 that there would be a cataclysmic global pandemic that would shock the world’s economy…and that the market would return 12%, you might be confused. And if we told you that this cataclysmic pandemic would eviscerate the travel and tourism business, eliminate sports for most of the year, and slash advertising budgets…and Disney…whose entire business was these exact things…would be 19%, and up more then 105% from the March lows…well, you probably wish you had 20-20 hindsight back then…back when Disney+ had 27M subscribers, and estimated that in 5 years it might have 60-90M subs. They will end 2020 with 90M.

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>The focus, as expected was on the streaming services. Which continue to exceed expectations. At the end of its first fiscal year, Disney+ ended with 74M subs…kind of mind blowing given the initial guidance of getting to 60-90M subs by 2024.</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>

The focus, as expected was on the streaming services. Which continue to exceed expectations. At the end of its first fiscal year, Disney+ ended with 74M subs…kind of mind blowing given the initial guidance of getting to 60-90M subs by 2024.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.

United States

Netflix Inc. is an Internet subscription service for watching tv shows and movies. Subscribers can instantly watch unlimited TV shows and movies streamed over the Internet to their TVs, computers and mobile devices and in the United States, subscribers can receive standard definition DVDs and Blu-ray Discs delivered to their homes.

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Netflix Inc (NFLX 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

Iqiyi Placement – an Attempt to Shore up Short-Term Liquidity

We wrote a few weeks ago that Iqiyi’s short-term liquidity looked ‘stretched’ with worrying signs in its balance sheet. Post the close yesterday,...

Rickin Thakrar

Big Tech Antitrust Scrutiny Could Mean ESG Ratings Downgrades, Constituency Changes for ESG Indices

Antitrust broaches several highly-material ESG issues. Growing antitrust scrutiny of "Big Tech" could lead to ESG rating downgrades, and in turn,...

Kyle Rudden

Disney Analyst Day: Hindsight Is 2020

Disney’s Analyst Day turned out to be the surprise blockbuster event of the holiday season. So many disclosures and so many competitive angles to...

Aaron Gabin

Disney 4Q20: We’ll Get Back to You

Disney produced another solid subscriber add figure this quarter...but do all subs count the same? We'll give the benefit of the doubt for now.

Aaron Gabin

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