Equity Analyst, LightStream Research

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

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.

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Grizzly Research's track record, especially with accusations against well-known Chinese ADRs like <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nio-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27399:1" rel="noopener">NIO (NIO US)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/zto-express-cayman-inc-bc4e7cc1-66e0-4426-a8f1-edc72f314237" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23628:1" rel="noopener">ZTO Express Cayman (ZTO US)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/gaotu-techedu-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28069:1" rel="noopener">Gaotu Techedu (GOTU US)</a>, hasn't been successful lately.</li>
<li>Despite past setbacks, the company has recently targeted another renowned Chinese ADR, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pdd-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27250:1" rel="noopener">PDD Holdings (PDD US)</a>.</li>
<li>Grizzly Research alleges that Pinduoduo's shopping app, "TEMU," is a harmful malware/spyware secretly extracting user data.</li>
</ul>


Grizzly Research's track record, especially with accusations against well-known Chinese ADRs like NIO (NIO US), ZTO Express Cayman (ZTO US), and Gaotu Techedu (GOTU US), hasn't been successful lately.
Despite past setbacks, the company has recently targeted another renowned Chinese ADR, PDD Holdings (PDD US).
Grizzly Research alleges that Pinduoduo's shopping app, "TEMU," is a harmful malware/spyware secretly extracting user data.


Pinduoduo: Short Seller, Grizzly Research Raises Spyware Concerns About TEMU

China/Asia TMT

Shawn Yang

China growth and global non-US Internet equities

Blue Lotus Research Institute

Blue Lotus Research is a Hong Kong Type 4 Licensed investment advisory firm focusing on Chinese growth equities and global non-US Internet equities

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>PDD - Our thoughts of Grizzly's short report on PDD</li>
<li>BILI: Bilibili suspends download access for "Shining! Umamusume: Pretty Derby" across All Platforms (-) </li>
<li>Real Estate Industry Update: Four major banks in China will lower their mortgage interest rate for old loans.</li>
</ul>


PDD - Our thoughts of Grizzly's short report on PDD
BILI: Bilibili suspends download access for "Shining! Umamusume: Pretty Derby" across All Platforms (-) 
Real Estate Industry Update: Four major banks in China will lower their mortgage interest rate for old loans.


China TMT Update-PDD/BILI/BEKE-Grizzly's Short Report/Suspends Download For "Pretty Derby"

IPOs and Catalysts/Events, Global Equity Research Ltd

Arun George

IPOs and Catalysts/Events

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

Aquila Acquisition Corporation / Equity Capital Markets

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/aquila-acquisition-corporation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:35435:1" rel="noopener">Aquila Acquisition Corporation (7836 HK)</a> agreed to a De-SPAC transaction with ZG Group (formerly Zhaogang.com), the world’s largest digital platform for third-party steel transactions.</li>
<li>ZG has a questionable business model, struggling to generate profits or underlying FCF. This dynamic suggests that ZG has not established a sustainable competitive advantage. </li>
<li>The negotiated value of ZG in the De-SPAC transaction is HK$10,004 million (US$1,277 million). Our valuation analysis suggests that this negotiated value is unrealistic.</li>
</ul>



Aquila Acquisition Corporation (7836 HK) agreed to a De-SPAC transaction with ZG Group (formerly Zhaogang.com), the world’s largest digital platform for third-party steel transactions.
ZG has a questionable business model, struggling to generate profits or underlying FCF. This dynamic suggests that ZG has not established a sustainable competitive advantage. 
The negotiated value of ZG in the De-SPAC transaction is HK$10,004 million (US$1,277 million). Our valuation analysis suggests that this negotiated value is unrealistic.


Aquila Acquisition Corp (7836 HK): ZG Group’s Punchy Valuation

Asian Equities Analyst, Logistics & Transport, Tracking Traffic

Daniel Hellberg

Asian Equities Analyst, Logistics & Transport

Tracking Traffic

Focusing on Asian logistics, transportation, and travel companies

<ul>
<li>In this insight we analyze the drivers of a new relationship between SHEIN and Forever 21</li>
<li>We think SHEIN agreed to the deal in part to become more "mainstream" in the US</li>
<li>We also believe SHEIN takes seriously the legal and political risks it faces ahead of US IPO</li>
</ul>


In this insight we analyze the drivers of a new relationship between SHEIN and Forever 21
We think SHEIN agreed to the deal in part to become more "mainstream" in the US
We also believe SHEIN takes seriously the legal and political risks it faces ahead of US IPO


Why Is SHEIN Getting Into Bed with Forever 21? | Plus, More Legal and Political Challenges in US

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>PDD reported CY2Q23 top-line and non-GAAP net profit 28% and 58% vs. our est., and 21% and 44% vs. cons., respectively. </li>
<li>We raised our 2H23 forecasts for PDD because: 1) GMV growth hasn’t been significantly impacted by the current competitive landscape; 2) take rate could maintain a high level due to </li>
<li>Continuous optimization of ad products; and 3) new businesses such as Temu and Kuaituantuan (快团团) have fair growth. We maintain BUY and raise our TP to US$ 107.</li>
</ul>


PDD reported CY2Q23 top-line and non-GAAP net profit 28% and 58% vs. our est., and 21% and 44% vs. cons., respectively. 
We raised our 2H23 forecasts for PDD because: 1) GMV growth hasn’t been significantly impacted by the current competitive landscape; 2) take rate could maintain a high level due to 
Continuous optimization of ad products; and 3) new businesses such as Temu and Kuaituantuan (快团团) have fair growth. We maintain BUY and raise our TP to US$ 107.


[PDD Holdings (PDD US, BUY, TP US$107)]: Raise TP for GMV, Take Rate, Temu and Kuaituantuan

China

PDD Holdings Inc. is a multinational commerce group that owns and operates a portfolio of businesses. The Company focuses on digital economy so that local communities and small businesses can benefit from the increased productivity and new opportunities. PDD Holdings has built a network of sourcing, logistics, and fulfillment capabilities for its underlying businesses.

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PDD Holdings (PDD US)

Pinduoduo: Short Seller, Grizzly Research Raises Spyware Concerns About TEMU

Grizzly Research published a short-seller report on PDD, primarily accusing the shopping app “TEMU” of being malware/spyware capable of...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

China TMT Update-PDD/BILI/BEKE-Grizzly's Short Report/Suspends Download For "Pretty Derby"

PDD - Our thoughts of Grizzly's short report on PDD/BILI: Bilibili suspends download access for "Pretty Derby" (-) /Four major banks in China will...

Blue Lotus Research Institute

Aquila Acquisition Corp (7836 HK): ZG Group’s Punchy Valuation

ZG has a questionable business model, struggling to generate profits or underlying FCF. Our valuation analysis suggests that ZG's negotiated value...

Arun George

Why Is SHEIN Getting Into Bed with Forever 21? | Plus, More Legal and Political Challenges in US

In this insight we evaluate the new relationship between SHEIN and US brand Forever 21. Our main conclusion is that SHEIN is acting in response to...

Tracking Traffic

[PDD Holdings (PDD US, BUY, TP US$107)]: Raise TP for GMV, Take Rate, Temu and Kuaituantuan

1) GMV growth hasn’t been significantly impacted by the competiton; 2) take rate could maintain due to continuous optimization of ad products; and...

Blue Lotus Research Institute

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