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.

Equity Bottom-Up

<p>Snap is a deservedly crowded long. It had heightened expectations coming into the quarter, especially for the 2Q21 guide, which buyside expected to be a huge number given the easy comp. And Snap didn’t disappoint. The key takeaway for us about why one can (kind of) ignore valuation, which at 20x forward sales seems extremely high, is that Snap has entered the Facebook zone from 2015-2017, when the company had finally hit its stride at executing self-serve targeted direct response advertising at scale, reducing friction for advertisers to enter the platform. Facebook became part of THE online ad duopoly and started adding millions of businesses every year because of the highest ROI in online advertising, growing revenues 50%+ annually, even as it scaled from $12B to $40B in revenues because of the unlimited optionality around new ad units…and yet to be monetized massive products like Instagram. We aren’t saying Spotlight or Maps is the equivalent of Instagram, but we do think Snap has long passed the threshold of required advertising platform for large advertisers and can compound for years, even despite its meteoric rise in the past year.</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>

Snap is a deservedly crowded long. It had heightened expectations coming into the quarter, especially for the 2Q21 guide, which buyside expected to be a huge number given the easy comp. And Snap didn’t disappoint. The key takeaway for us about why one can (kind of) ignore valuation, which at 20x forward sales seems extremely high, is that Snap has entered the Facebook zone from 2015-2017, when the company had finally hit its stride at executing self-serve targeted direct response advertising at scale, reducing friction for advertisers to enter the platform. Facebook became part of THE online ad duopoly and started adding millions of businesses every year because of the highest ROI in online advertising, growing revenues 50%+ annually, even as it scaled from $12B to $40B in revenues because of the unlimited optionality around new ad units…and yet to be monetized massive products like Instagram. We aren’t saying Spotlight or Maps is the equivalent of Instagram, but we do think Snap has long passed the threshold of required advertising platform for large advertisers and can compound for years, even despite its meteoric rise in the past year.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.

SNAP 1Q21: Spotlight on Spotlight…Why Snap Is Still a Multi Bagger

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

Zhihu Technology / Equity Capital Markets

<div><p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/zhihu-technology-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:32185:1" rel="noopener">Zhihu Technology (ZH US)</a> is the largest Q&amp;A-inspired online community and one of the top five comprehensive online content communities in China, both in terms of average mobile MAUs and revenue in 2020, according to CIC. Zhihu is acknowledged as the first choice among all online content communities in China where people look for information to make decisions or find answers, according to CIC. Zhihu is backed by <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26:1" rel="noopener">Tencent Holdings (700 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/beijing-kuaishou-technology-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29725:1" rel="noopener">Kuaishou Technology (1024 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/baidu-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:179:1" rel="noopener">Baidu (BIDU US)</a>.</p></div><div><p>At the mid-point of the proposed IPO price range of $9.50-11.50 per ADS, Zhihu will have a fully diluted market cap of $6.2 billion. Zhihu will also raise an additional $250 million in a concurrent private placement to <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>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jd-com-inc-adr" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:446:1" rel="noopener">JD.com Inc (ADR) (JD US)</a>, Tencent and Lilith Games. At the mid-point of the IPO price range, the net proceeds including the concurrent private placement are $801.3 million. </p></div><div><div class="content-highlight"><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/zhihu-ipo-initiation-question-time" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:48928" rel="noopener">Zhihu IPO Initiation: Question Time</a>, we opined that as the largest Q&amp;A-inspired online community, Zhihu is well-positioned to benefit from favourable industry trends. We concluded that Zhihu’s fundamentals are attractive. Our valuation analysis suggests that the IPO price range is attractive. Overall, we would participate in the IPO. </p></div></div>

Zhihu Technology (ZH US) is the largest Q&amp;A-inspired online community and one of the top five comprehensive online content communities in China, both in terms of average mobile MAUs and revenue in 2020, according to CIC. Zhihu is acknowledged as the first choice among all online content communities in China where people look for information to make decisions or find answers, according to CIC. Zhihu is backed by Tencent Holdings (700 HK), Kuaishou Technology (1024 HK) and Baidu (BIDU US).At the mid-point of the proposed IPO price range of $9.50-11.50 per ADS, Zhihu will have a fully diluted market cap of $6.2 billion. Zhihu will also raise an additional $250 million in a concurrent private placement to Alibaba Group (BABA US), JD.com Inc (ADR) (JD US), Tencent and Lilith Games. At the mid-point of the IPO price range, the net proceeds including the concurrent private placement are $801.3 million. In Zhihu IPO Initiation: Question Time, we opined that as the largest Q&amp;A-inspired online community, Zhihu is well-positioned to benefit from favourable industry trends. We concluded that Zhihu’s fundamentals are attractive. Our valuation analysis suggests that the IPO price range is attractive. Overall, we would participate in the IPO. 

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<p>Back on the 6 July last year, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sina-corp-china" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22691:1" rel="noopener">Sina Corp (Class A) (SINA US)</a> <a href="http://ir.sina.com/index.php/static-files/69e95aee-2729-457f-be56-73628090b8ea" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> the receipt of a preliminary non-binding “going private” proposal from New Wave MMXV - a company controlled by its chairman/CEO Charles Chao - at US$41/share. This was followed by an <a href="http://ir.sina.com/static-files/de1ddd0f-354f-42de-9b33-b1bc414ab1b4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Agreement and Plan of Merger</a> pursuant to which New Wave will acquire all of the outstanding ordinary shares not owned at US$43.30/share.</p>
<p>Despite an undemanding Offer price, shareholders approved (93.6% of the total votes) the merger on the <a href="http://ir.sina.com/static-files/ea4a5614-30e8-472c-895c-31e120de3261" target="_blank" rel="noopener">23 December</a>.</p>
<p>Completion of the merger was contingent on the satisfaction or waiver of the closing conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, including no more than 10% of the ordinary shares dissenting.</p>
<p>Prior to the  EGM, <a href="http://ir.sina.com/static-files/722deb54-0426-4b43-a58a-1c8be8b59b61" target="_blank" rel="noopener">21.5mn shares or 35.9%</a> of the total issued and outstanding shares of Sina issued notices of objections to the company. </p>
<p>On or prior to January 12, 2021, Sina intended to issue written notices of authorization to all the objecting shareholders. Within 20 days immediately <em>after</em> the date on which these notices were given, any objecting shareholder was required to give written notice of its decision to dissent.</p>
<p>There has been no update on the merger from Sina since the 28 December. Behind the scenes, Charles Chao can choose to walk, negotiate a superior price with dissentient shareholders, or waive the condition.  Should he waive the condition, dissentient shareholders have the right to be paid fair value for their shares, as determined by the Cayman Island's Grand Court.</p>
<p>More below the fold.<a href="https://www.collascrill.com/news-updates/articles/grand-court-confirms-that-dissent-rights-are-available-to-minority-shareholders-in-short-form-mergers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"></a></p>

Back on the 6 July last year, Sina Corp (Class A) (SINA US) announced the receipt of a preliminary non-binding “going private” proposal from New Wave MMXV - a company controlled by its chairman/CEO Charles Chao - at US$41/share. This was followed by an Agreement and Plan of Merger pursuant to which New Wave will acquire all of the outstanding ordinary shares not owned at US$43.30/share.
Despite an undemanding Offer price, shareholders approved (93.6% of the total votes) the merger on the 23 December.
Completion of the merger was contingent on the satisfaction or waiver of the closing conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, including no more than 10% of the ordinary shares dissenting.
Prior to the  EGM, 21.5mn shares or 35.9% of the total issued and outstanding shares of Sina issued notices of objections to the company. 
On or prior to January 12, 2021, Sina intended to issue written notices of authorization to all the objecting shareholders. Within 20 days immediately after the date on which these notices were given, any objecting shareholder was required to give written notice of its decision to dissent.
There has been no update on the merger from Sina since the 28 December. Behind the scenes, Charles Chao can choose to walk, negotiate a superior price with dissentient shareholders, or waive the condition.  Should he waive the condition, dissentient shareholders have the right to be paid fair value for their shares, as determined by the Cayman Island's Grand Court.
More below the fold.

Head of Research, IPOs & Placements, Aequitas Research

Sumeet Singh

Head of Research, IPOs & Placements

IPOs and Placements coverage across Asia Pacific

Aequitas Research

We cover all listing across the Asia Pacific along with follow-up placements. As of Dec 2020, our team had covered 539 IPOs with a hit rate of 73.5% and 685 placements with a hit rate of 66.8%.

We combine fundamental bottom-up views with our proprietary quantitative framework to provide a holistic coverage across new listings and placements. Our coverage includes pre-IPO notes before the deal is launched, follow-up analysis once the deal is live and post-listing trading analysis as well.

Kuaishou Technology / Equity Capital Markets

<div>
<p>Kuaishou Technology (KT) raised around US$6.2bn in its Hong Kong IPO. The company is backed by Tencent, Sequoia China, Baidu, DST Global, Boyu Capital, Temasek and others.</p>
</div>
<div>I have covered various aspects of the company’s performance in my previous notes: </div>
<div>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li> <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/kuaishou-technology-pre-ipo-the-positives-hot-segment-fast-growth" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kuaishou Technology Pre-IPO - The Positives - Hot Segment, fast growth</a>
</li>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/kuaishou-technology-pre-ipo-the-negatives-ample-doubts-remain" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kuaishou Technology Pre-IPO - The Negatives - Ample Doubts Remain</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/kuaishou-technology-pre-ipo-peer-comparison-and-thoughts-on-valuation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kuaishou Technology Pre-IPO - Peer Comparison and Thoughts on Valuation</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/kuaishou-technology-pre-ipo-phip-updates-user-growth-has-been-slowing-down-post-covid" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kuaishou Technology Pre-IPO - PHIP Updates - User Growth Has Been Slowing Down Post COVID</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/kuaishou-technology-pre-ipo-updated-forecasts-and-valuation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kuaishou Technology Pre-IPO - Updated Forecasts and Valuation</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/kuaishou-technology-pre-ipo-index-implications-msci-ftse-and-hsi-indices" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kuaishou Technology Pre-IPO - Index Implications, MSCI, FTSE and HSI Indices</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/kuaishou-technology-ipo-blue-chip-cornerstones-sober-valuations-going-into-ftse-and-msci-index" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kuaishou Technology IPO - Blue Chip Cornerstones, Sober Valuations, Going into FTSE and MSCI Index</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<p>In this note, I’ll talk about deal subscription levels and provide an implied valuation table at different share price levels.</p>
</div>


Kuaishou Technology (KT) raised around US$6.2bn in its Hong Kong IPO. The company is backed by Tencent, Sequoia China, Baidu, DST Global, Boyu Capital, Temasek and others.

I have covered various aspects of the company’s performance in my previous notes: 


 Kuaishou Technology Pre-IPO - The Positives - Hot Segment, fast growth

Kuaishou Technology Pre-IPO - The Negatives - Ample Doubts Remain
Kuaishou Technology Pre-IPO - Peer Comparison and Thoughts on Valuation
Kuaishou Technology Pre-IPO - PHIP Updates - User Growth Has Been Slowing Down Post COVID
Kuaishou Technology Pre-IPO - Updated Forecasts and Valuation
Kuaishou Technology Pre-IPO - Index Implications, MSCI, FTSE and HSI Indices
Kuaishou Technology IPO - Blue Chip Cornerstones, Sober Valuations, Going into FTSE and MSCI Index



In this note, I’ll talk about deal subscription levels and provide an implied valuation table at different share price levels.


Kuaishou Technology IPO Trading - Might Be Doubling but Still Not near Bubbling

Meta Platforms (Facebook) / Equity Bottom-Up

<p>Alot of handwringing on the Facebook conference call about tough 2H20 comps and the big "Apple IDFA Overhang"...we think the lady doth protest too much. Facebook will be just fine, and at 14x forward EBITDA for ~20% EBITDA growth, its one of the most compelling values in TMT.</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>

Alot of handwringing on the Facebook conference call about tough 2H20 comps and the big "Apple IDFA Overhang"...we think the lady doth protest too much. Facebook will be just fine, and at 14x forward EBITDA for ~20% EBITDA growth, its one of the most compelling values in TMT.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.

Facebook 4Q20: Trying to Take a Bite Out of the Apple

United States

Twitter, Inc. provides online social networking and microblogging service. The Company offers users the ability to follow other users activity, read, and post tweets. Twitter serves customers worldwide.

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Twitter Inc (TWTR US)

SNAP 1Q21: Spotlight on Spotlight…Why Snap Is Still a Multi Bagger

Snap had a very strong 1Q21 and even stronger 2Q21 guidance. Despite a monster 1 year run, we think Snap is set up for a Facebook like multi-year...

Aaron Gabin

Zhihu IPO: Valuation Insights

At the mid-point of the $9.50-11.50 IPO price range, Zhihu's net proceeds inc. the concurrent private placement is $801.3 million. Our valuation...

Arun George

What's Going On With Sina Corp?

Currently trading to terms. This is an avoid. The Offer is being done too cheaply, But unless you have already dissented, you are effectively...

David Blennerhassett

Kuaishou Technology IPO Trading - Might Be Doubling but Still Not near Bubbling

Kuaishou Technology (KT) raised around US$6.2bn in its Hong Kong IPO. The company is backed by Tencent, Sequoia China, Baidu, DST Global, Boyu...

Sumeet Singh

Facebook 4Q20: Trying to Take a Bite Out of the Apple

Facebook printed a extremely strong quarter and commentary regarding potential overhangs from Apple and tough comps is just Facebook talking down...

Aaron Gabin

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