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Smartkarma Daily Briefs

Daily Brief Credit: Morning Views Asia: Softbank Group and more

By | Credit, Daily Briefs

In today’s briefing:

  • Morning Views Asia: Softbank Group


Morning Views Asia: Softbank Group

By Leonard Law, CFA

Lucror Analytics Morning Views comprise our fundamental credit analysis, opinions and trade recommendations on high yield issuers in the region, based on key company-specific developments in the past 24 hours. Our Morning Views include a section with a brief market commentary, key market indicators and a macroeconomic and corporate event calendar.


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Daily Brief Crypto: Liquidity Headwinds Play Catch Up and more

By | Crypto, Daily Briefs

In today’s briefing:

  • Liquidity Headwinds Play Catch Up
  • Crypto Crisp: There it was, the height of Mt. Gox fear


Liquidity Headwinds Play Catch Up

By Delphi Digital

  • BTC faces headwinds as global liquidity contracts, impacting recent price action.
  • Spot BTC ETFs initially fueled highs, but inflows and volumes are now declining.
  • Crypto markets need a major catalyst to counteract waning liquidity support.

Crypto Crisp: There it was, the height of Mt. Gox fear

By Mads Eberhardt

  • It was only a matter of time. Today, Mt. Gox confirmed that it will begin distributing its Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash holdings to creditors, primarily former clients, starting in July.
  • The announcement did not specify the exact date or the timeline for the repayments.
  • The crypto market reacted poorly to this news, with Bitcoin dropping nearly 4% since the announcement this morning.

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Daily Brief Macro: India:  Record Exposure Gives Rise to Caution and more

By | Daily Briefs, Macro

In today’s briefing:

  • India:  Record Exposure Gives Rise to Caution
  • US Crude Oil Output at Risk as Rig Count Plummets
  • Mexico: GEM Funds Wrong-Footed After Election Results.
  • The Week That Was in ASEAN@Smartkarma – Prodia’s Cure, Ace Hardware, and Erajaya’s Growing Volumes
  • Strengthening Risk Management in the Booming Private Credit Market
  • France: Redefining ‘The Right’
  • Energy Cable: Bullish Oil, Bearish Nat Gas, and Especially Metals! Here’s Why!
  • Fund Managers Reduce Commodities Again
  • China’s Excess Production over Domestic Demand
  • The Week At A Glance: Time to bet against the USD?


India:  Record Exposure Gives Rise to Caution

By Steven Holden

  • The average Indian allocation among active GEM funds broke through the 15% barrier at the start of 2024, despite an increasing underweight versus the benchmark index.
  • Valuation-Driven Underweight: The average weight versus the iShares MSCI EM ETF hit record underweights of -2.44%, with only 27.6% of funds positioned overweight. EM Value funds hit record -8.7% underweight.
  • HDFC Bank is the most widely held stock, owned by 60.5% of funds, while a majority of Indian names, such as Reliance Industries, are underweighted by active GEM funds.

US Crude Oil Output at Risk as Rig Count Plummets

By Suhas Reddy

  • US oil rig count falls to 485 as of the week ending on 21/June, its lowest since January 2022.
  • US oil and gas rig count is falling as producers prioritize shareholder returns over increasing output.
  • Rising labour and equipment costs along with macroeconomic uncertainties further discourage producers from adding rigs.  

Mexico: GEM Funds Wrong-Footed After Election Results.

By Steven Holden

  • Mexico has seen increased inflows and exposure over the past 3-4 years, with funds invested reaching an all-time high of 94.6% and average holding weights climbing to 3.93%.
  • The percentage of active EM funds overweight the benchmark rose from 20% in 2011 to over 69% last month, making Mexico the largest overweight compared country peers.
  • Grupo Financiero Banorte and Wal-Mart de Mexico are key contributors to the net Mexican overweight, with Banorte seeing increased exposure of +4.26% of funds in the last 6 months

The Week That Was in ASEAN@Smartkarma – Prodia’s Cure, Ace Hardware, and Erajaya’s Growing Volumes

By Angus Mackintosh


Strengthening Risk Management in the Booming Private Credit Market

By Albert Maass

  • Private credit’s rapid growth necessitates enhanced risk management due to increased capital inflows and limited high-quality investment opportunities.
  • Focus on credit risk, liquidity risk, and interest rate risk, ensuring thorough due diligence and stress testing.
  • Employ advanced risk models, foster strong risk culture, leverage technology, and stay updated on regulatory changes for sustainable market positioning.

France: Redefining ‘The Right’

By Alastair Newton

  • The centre maintained its position in the European Parliament elections.
  • The unexpected general election in France is contributing to the rise of the ‘far right’.
  • The EPP’s post-election negotiations in Brussels are also strengthening the ‘far right’, which is reshaping conservatism in Europe.

Energy Cable: Bullish Oil, Bearish Nat Gas, and Especially Metals! Here’s Why!

By Ulrik Simmelholt

  • We start with crude oil, where positions in crude oil futures have returned to Covid-19 pandemic levels, which we believe is overly bearish.
  • The economy is normalizing with rising travel and growing consumer energy demand.
  • Despite this, the futures market’s bearish sentiment seems misaligned with these positive economic indicators.

Fund Managers Reduce Commodities Again

By The Commodity Report

  • Fund managers recently reduced their broad commodity position as well as energy position, compared to last month, according to the latest BofA survey.
  • Compared to the long-term z-score, fund managers are now heavily under-positioned in energy but close to neutral positioned in broad commodities.
  • In a recent note, Goldman Sachs explained their views about commodities if inflation would re-accelerate again – or in detail beat the market estimates and lead to an inflation upside surprise.

China’s Excess Production over Domestic Demand

By Alex Ng

  • Classical economist believes in what is called the “Say’s Law” i.e. supply creates its own demand. But the case of China’s excess production disproves this law.
  • Industry output far exceeds demand and inventory is piling up over the last decade.
  • Heavy industries such as steel, aluminium, cement, coal, and shipbuilding, are particularly prone to over-capacity as China has been over-stretching its infrastructure development since 2008. 

The Week At A Glance: Time to bet against the USD?

By Andreas Steno

  • Greetings from Europe! The Week At A Glance replaces our Morning Report each Monday as it allows for a deep dive into the economic releases and major tradeable themes for the week ahead.
  • We see a couple of major tradeable themes in the week(s) ahead.
  • First, the Euro area data, which is still improving in forward-looking indicators, while spot data remains relatively soft, probably in part due to a plethora of (potential) election risks.

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Daily Brief Australia: MMG and more

By | Australia, Daily Briefs

In today’s briefing:

  • MMG (1208 HK) Rights Trading Dynamics


MMG (1208 HK) Rights Trading Dynamics

By Travis Lundy

  • The MMG (1208 HK) rights, designed to raise US$1.15bn to pay off loans to the parent for the purchase of a large copper asset, start trading 24 June 2024. 
  • There is some risk up for grabs, and it is likely to trade according to standard Hong Kong Rights Trading Dynamics. Shorts are down somewhat, but covering should be expected. 
  • There is path-dependency to the Rights Trading, and while they trade for 7 trading days through Tuesday next, one should expect the volume to trade this week. 

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Daily Brief South Korea: Korea Stock Exchange KOSPI 200, LS Electric, Webtoon Entertainment and more

By | Daily Briefs, South Korea

In today’s briefing:

  • Local Capital Market Movements Targeting July Implementation of Block Deal Pre-Disclosure Rule
  • Sanil Electric IPO Preview
  • ECM Weekly (24th June 2024)-Webtoon, Guzman, Black Ses, Johor Plant, Bajaj Housing, Infratil, Mizuho


Local Capital Market Movements Targeting July Implementation of Block Deal Pre-Disclosure Rule

By Sanghyun Park

  • The new pre-disclosure rule starting July 24th will reshape business practices. Local institutions are now preparing by launching dedicated block deal funds, targeting 40 to 80 deals annually.
  • No rule bars short-sellers from block deals post-pre-disclosure. Local institutions are planning to exploit this, anticipating sellers favoring club deals under new July rules, potentially stabilizing prices for hedge strategies.
  • Access to club deals will be crucial post-July in Korea’s block deal market. Effective short-selling instruments are also vital with the ban extended until March next year.

Sanil Electric IPO Preview

By Douglas Kim

  • Sanil Electric is getting ready to complete its IPO in late July in KOSPI. The IPO price range is from 24,000 won to 30,000 won per share. 
  • The company is planning is raise between 182.4 billion won and 228 billion won in this IPO. The book building for the institutional investors lasts from 9 to 15 July. 
  • Sanil Electric is best known for making special transformers used for special purposes in environments with severe weather changes, such as offshore wind power, solar power, and offshore plants. 

ECM Weekly (24th June 2024)-Webtoon, Guzman, Black Ses, Johor Plant, Bajaj Housing, Infratil, Mizuho

By Sumeet Singh

  • Aequitas Research’s weekly update on the IPOs, placements, lockup expiry and other ECM linked events that were covered by the team over the past week.
  • On the IPO front, Guzman provided some hope to the Australian market, while Webtoon Entertainment (WBTN US) and Allied Blenders & Distillers will soon test their respective markets.
  • There was no dearth of placement this week, with large deals in Hong Kong, New Zealand and India.

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Daily Brief United States: Crude Oil, Everest Re, Aclaris Therapeutics, EURO/US DOLLAR and more

By | Daily Briefs, United States

In today’s briefing:

  • Commodity Analysis – Crude Oil WTI Futures
  • Everest Group (EG) – Sunday, Mar 24, 2024
  • Aclaris Therapeutics Inc (ACRS) – Sunday, Mar 24, 2024
  • Comment on Exchange Rate EUR/USD – May 3, 2024


Commodity Analysis – Crude Oil WTI Futures

By VRS (Valuation & Research Specialists)

  • According to Graph 1, during the period February 28th , 2024 – May 31st , 2024, a mixed trend was reflected in the prices of crude oil futures amid fluctuations.
  • During the period under consideration, there was a notable increase in the price of crude oil until April 8th , 2024, whereas thereafter crude oil prices followed a downward trend returning to the levels seen at end of February 2024.
  • The MA- 10 was recorded to perform higher than MA-20 from the beginning, whereas on April 23rd the MA-20 took over and started trading above the MA 10 until the end of the period under consideration.

Everest Group (EG) – Sunday, Mar 24, 2024

By Value Investors Club

  • Everest Group has sustainable and improving 15-20% ROEs
  • Stock trades at a valuation of 1.2x book and 6x P/E
  • Poised for future success with accelerating casualty pricing, stable property-cat rates, and potential for hitting 90 combined ratio target

This content is sourced through publicly available sources and has been machine generated. Information displayed is for general informational purposes only. This article was originally published 3 months ago on Value Investors Club.


Aclaris Therapeutics Inc (ACRS) – Sunday, Mar 24, 2024

By Value Investors Club

  • ACRC is a biotech pharma micro-cap company trading below its net cash value
  • Downsized workforce after a failed phase 2 trial, CEO and CMO left prompting strategic evaluation
  • Activist investors involved, potential for monetization of stakes to benefit shareholders.

This content is sourced through publicly available sources and has been machine generated. Information displayed is for general informational purposes only. This article was originally published 3 months ago on Value Investors Club.


Comment on Exchange Rate EUR/USD – May 3, 2024

By VRS (Valuation & Research Specialists)

  • During the period under consideration, i.e. April 3rd, 2024 to May 3rd, 2024, the EUR/USD pair posted both downward and upward swings.
  • In the beginning, it faced a slight increase, while from April 9th until April 18th the pair faced a sharp decrease.
  • After that, it fluctuated sideways and by the end of the period the pair traded at a higher level but still below the price level of the start of April. 

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Daily Brief Indonesia: Erajaya Swasembada and more

By | Daily Briefs, Indonesia

In today’s briefing:

  • Erajaya Swasembada (ERAA IJ) – Less New Stores with Higher Volumes


Erajaya Swasembada (ERAA IJ) – Less New Stores with Higher Volumes

By Angus Mackintosh

  • Erajaya Swasembada (ERAA IJ) is back on track with its handset business, with stronger volume growth driven by more affordable models from Infinix and Techno brands.
  • The company’s buildout of its electrical retailer Erablue, a JV with Mobile World, is gaining momentum and should become a significant growth driver along with Grand Lucky supermarket.
  • Erajaya will slow its store buildout this year as it focuses on productivity ny it still expected to add 200 new stores over in Indonesia. Valuation is attractive.

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Daily Brief China: MMG, Swire Properties, Cathay Pacific Airways, YSB, Guangzhou Automobile Group, Acotec Scientific Holdings, Greentown China and more

By | China, Daily Briefs

In today’s briefing:

  • MMG (1208 HK): Rights Trade Playbook
  • Swire Properties (1972 HK): Potential Passive Selling & Trade Ideas
  • Cathay Pacific (293 HK): Multiple Positive Developments
  • China Healthcare Weekly (Jun23)-Retail Pharmacy’s Dilemma, Logic to Biotech’s Stock Price,YSB’s Risk
  • China Consumption Weekly (24 Jun 2024): Kuaishou, Bilibili, NetEase, GAC, Honda Motor, Chow Tai Fook
  • Acotec Scientific Holdings (6669.HK) – The Company Is Now In Trouble
  • Morning Views Asia: Greentown China


MMG (1208 HK): Rights Trade Playbook

By Arun George

  • On 4 June, MMG (1208 HK) announced plans to raise HK$9.1bn (US$1.2bn) through 2 rights shares for every five existing shares rights offering, with a rights price of HK$2.62.
  • Since the rights issue announcement, MMG shares have declined by 16.2% to the undisturbed price and by 8.0% compared to the TERP of HK$3.48 per share. 
  • MMG’s trading pattern has diverged from Link REIT/Yuexiu’s rights trading due to the statement on 18 May that the Peruvian mine is not liable for a 30% withholding tax.

Swire Properties (1972 HK): Potential Passive Selling & Trade Ideas

By Brian Freitas


Cathay Pacific (293 HK): Multiple Positive Developments

By Osbert Tang, CFA

  • With more foreign countries being granted visa-free visits to China, Cathay Pacific Airways (293 HK) will benefit from more transfer traffic via Hong Kong.
  • Recovery is decent with passenger traffic rising 37.5% in 5M24. CX’s capacity already returned to 80% of pre-pandemic in 2Q24, and this will reach 100% in 1Q25. 
  • YTD, CX is still a laggard relative to many global airlines. Its P/B valuation is not stretched at 0.8x, given ROE of 11% over the next 3 years.  

China Healthcare Weekly (Jun23)-Retail Pharmacy’s Dilemma, Logic to Biotech’s Stock Price,YSB’s Risk

By Xinyao (Criss) Wang

  • Retail pharmacies experienced performance decline in April and May. Due to negative policies, retail pharmacies will experience industry clearance. Therefore, we do not recommend investors to bottom-fish related stocks now.
  • There is a logic to biotech’s performance from 2023 to present.The clearer the path of sustainable development, the better the stock price performance. They can be divided into three types.
  • YSB faces big risks and the outlook is not optimistic. If the final valuation of the Company is lower than China Resources Pharmaceutical and Shanghai Pharmaceuticals, we wouldn’t be too surprised.

China Consumption Weekly (24 Jun 2024): Kuaishou, Bilibili, NetEase, GAC, Honda Motor, Chow Tai Fook

By Ming Lu

  • Kuaishou and Bilibili’s GMV surged YoY during “June 18” sales.
  • World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King, will formally start on June 27.
  • GAC Honda Automobile Ltd planned to dismiss 1700 employees, about 14% of total.

Acotec Scientific Holdings (6669.HK) – The Company Is Now In Trouble

By Xinyao (Criss) Wang

  • Acotec’s 2023 performance was unsatisfactory. Core products suffered weak growth. Positive trend of continuing to optimize revenue structure was broken. Sales of latecomers’ competing products would expand rapidly in 2024/2025. 
  • Revenue proportion in overseas markets was still below 5% in 2023. If no highlights in Acotec’s cooperation with Boston Scientific in 2024, this collaboration could be considered a failure.
  • Due to VBP, margin could further decline. If it’s just the current situation, then Acotec is not as good as Zylox-Tonbridge. So, its valuation should also be lower than Zylox-Tonbridge.

Morning Views Asia: Greentown China

By Leonard Law, CFA

Lucror Analytics Morning Views comprise our fundamental credit analysis, opinions and trade recommendations on high yield issuers in the region, based on key company-specific developments in the past 24 hours. Our Morning Views include a section with a brief market commentary, key market indicators and a macroeconomic and corporate event calendar.


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Daily Brief India: NIFTY Index and more

By | Daily Briefs, India

In today’s briefing:

  • EQD / NSE Vol Update / IVs Stabilize After Falling Dramatically over past 2 Weeks


EQD / NSE Vol Update / IVs Stabilize After Falling Dramatically over past 2 Weeks

By Sankalp Singh

  • Implied Volatilities (IVs) stabilized over the week after falling dramatically since the 04-June-2024 India General Election results.
  • No tactical changes required while IVs are stable & “High & Down” Vol-state is maintained.
  • Vol Curve continues to be in Contango. Lack of significant event risk should keep term structure locked in its current orientation. 

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Daily Brief Japan: TSE Tokyo Price Index TOPIX and more

By | Daily Briefs, Japan

In today’s briefing:

  • What Lies Behind the Inability to Come up with Flexible Cash Usage Is


What Lies Behind the Inability to Come up with Flexible Cash Usage Is

By Aki Matsumoto

  • Many Japanese managers have little idea that what belongs to shareholders is net profit and not free cash flow. This has created two problems.
  • If Japanese companies, mostly manufacturers, use dividend payout ratios as a criterion for shareholder returns, cash on hand will not decline even if shareholder returns are increased to some extent.
  • The inability to move beyond the concept of allocating investment and shareholder returns based on increases or decreases in cash may be the reason for the unclear cash allocation policy.

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