All Posts By

Smartkarma Daily Briefs

Most Read: ZOZO Inc, Chilled & Frozen Logistics Holdings, WT Microelectronics, Link Administration, Pop Mart International Group L, IntelliCentrics Global Holding, James Hardie Industries Plc, PSK Holdings Inc and more

By | Daily Briefs, Most Read

In today’s briefing:

  • The Bigly March 2024 “Wednesday-Friday Trade” (Surprising Flows)
  • Chilled & Frozen Logistics (9099) – Hostile Takeover Launched by AZ-Com Maruwa (9090)
  • WT Micro GDR Early Look – Last Offering Had a Mixed Performance, This One Is Shaping up Better
  • Link Admin (LNK AU): Scheme Vote on 24 April
  • Chilled & Frozen Logistics (9099 JP): AZ-COM Maruwa (9090 JP)’s Hostile Offer
  • Pop Mart (9992 HK):  International Expansion Is For Real
  • Back-Testing the Impact of National Assembly Elections on the Korean Stock Market
  • IntelliCentrics (6819 HK): Clean, Illiquid “Arb”
  • Quiddity Leaderboard ASX Jun 24: Can Codan Become an Intra-Review ASX 200 ADD?
  • Special Changes in KOSDAQ 150: Deletion – STCube (052020) And Addition – PSK Holdings (031980)


The Bigly March 2024 “Wednesday-Friday Trade” (Surprising Flows)

By Travis Lundy

  • Every year it’s the same trade. This year it is Wednesday and Thursday. There are risks to the analysis – notably allocation.
  • But there may be ¥1.0-1.2trln+ to buy on one day into the close later this month, then ad hoc buys of ¥630bn and index sells of ~¥600bn  2 days later.
  • Over the past ten years, the two day return on the March trade is great. This year the Nikkei funding trade makes things more complicated. 

Chilled & Frozen Logistics (9099) – Hostile Takeover Launched by AZ-Com Maruwa (9090)

By Travis Lundy

  • Chilled & Frozen Logistics Holdings (9099 JP) last week announced its “Action to Implement Management That is Conscious of Cost of Capital and Stock Price”.
  • Today it announced AZ-Com Maruwa Holdings (9090 JP) had announced its intention to launch a Tender Offer on C&F Logistics without having contacted C&F first. A HOSTILE deal. Yum.
  • The deal is proposed at a 50% premium, with the goal of getting to a minimum of 50.00%. This will be interesting.

WT Micro GDR Early Look – Last Offering Had a Mixed Performance, This One Is Shaping up Better

By Clarence Chu

  • WT Microelectronics (3036 TT) is looking to raise up to US$444m in its upcoming global depository receipts (GDRs) offering.
  • WT Microelectronics recently announced its board’s resolution to issue between 68-85m new shares in the form of GDRs, with the use of proceeds geared towards purchasing of raw materials overseas.
  • Similar to previous GDR listings, the deal is a long drawn out process with the firm required to jump through a number of board/shareholder/regulatory approval loops.

Link Admin (LNK AU): Scheme Vote on 24 April

By Arun George

  • The Link Administration (LNK AU) IE considers Mitsubishi UFJ Financial (MUFG) (8306 JP)’s A$2.26 offer fair and reasonable as it is within its A$2.11-2.70 per share valuation range.
  • The scheme remains conditional on several regulatory approvals – FIRB, Central Bank of Ireland, Isle of Man Financial Services Authority, India SEBI, and Financial Services Agency of Japan.
  • Several substantial shareholders have sold or exited, lowering the scheme’s risk. At the last close and for the 16 May payment, the gross/annualised spread was 1.3%/9.7%.

Chilled & Frozen Logistics (9099 JP): AZ-COM Maruwa (9090 JP)’s Hostile Offer

By Arun George

  • AZ-Com Maruwa Holdings (9090 JP) has launched a pre-conditional hostile offer for Chilled & Frozen Logistics Holdings (9099 JP) at JPY3,000 per share, a 47.0% premium to the last close.
  • The pre-conditions primarily relate to regulatory approvals. The tender is expected to start in early May. The Board responded that it will evaluate the offer.
  • The hostile offer was a reaction to the Board’s lack of engagement. The Board will struggle to reject an attractive offer, which is 37.5% higher than the all-time high. 

Pop Mart (9992 HK):  International Expansion Is For Real

By Steve Zhou, CFA

  • The thesis for Pop Mart International Group L (9992 HK) is the successful expansion of its international business, which made up 13% of sales in 1H23 but is growing exponentially. 
  • This has been proved true in the latest announced 2023 results, with a 135% growth in 2023 for the international business, and a further >100% growth guidance for 2024.
  • The company is trading at 24x 2024 earnings, assuming a 35% net profit growth in 2024. 

Back-Testing the Impact of National Assembly Elections on the Korean Stock Market

By Douglas Kim

  • In this insight, we provide a back-testing analysis of the impact of the National Assembly Elections on the Korean stock market. 
  • KOSPI tends to display positive price performance one month and three months prior to the election date leading up to the election date. 
  • On the other hand, KOSPI tends to decline one month and three months post the election date. We believe that post National Assembly Election, KOSPI could face greater headwinds.

IntelliCentrics (6819 HK): Clean, Illiquid “Arb”

By David Blennerhassett

  • Back on 9th Feb 2024, healthcare technology platform IntelliCentrics Global Holding (6819 HK) announced the proposed disposal of its key operations to Symplr Software Holdings for at least US$246.5mn.
  • Upon completion of the sale, IntelliCentrics will declare a special dividend, then seek a listing withdrawal. A key condition to the sale was FTC/DOJ approval. That is now satisfied. 
  • The sale/dividend/delisting requires a Scheme-like vote, with 72.1% of shares out supportive. This is a super-clean pseudo arb. Pushback? Very illiquid.

Quiddity Leaderboard ASX Jun 24: Can Codan Become an Intra-Review ASX 200 ADD?

By Janaghan Jeyakumar, CFA

  • In this insight, we take a look at the potential index changes for ASX 200, 100, 50, and 20 in the run-up to the June 2024 index rebal event.
  • Prior to the June 2024 review, there could be one intra-review change triggered by the completion of the Silver Lake Resources (SLR AU) / Red 5 Ltd (RED AU) deal.
  • Separately, I see one ASX 20 change and two ASX 100 changes for the regular rebalance in June 2024.

Special Changes in KOSDAQ 150: Deletion – STCube (052020) And Addition – PSK Holdings (031980)

By Douglas Kim

  • KRX announced special changes to KOSDAQ 150. Since STCube (052020 KS) has been designated as “administrative issue,” the Korea Exchange will exclude it from KOSDAQ 150 on 26 March 2024. 
  • PSK Holdings Inc (031980 KS) will be new addition to KOSDAQ 150 index, replacing ST Cube.
  • PSK Holdings’ core business is providing process technology, source, and hardware for semiconductor packaging equipment.

💡 Before it’s here, it’s on Smartkarma

Sign Up for Free

The Smartkarma Preview Pass is your entry to the Independent Investment Research Network

  • ✓ Unlimited Research Summaries
  • ✓ Personalised Alerts
  • ✓ Custom Watchlists
  • ✓ Company Analytics and News
  • ✓ Events & Webinars



Daily Brief South Korea: Doosan Robotics , Samsung Card Co, Jeil Machine & Solution and more

By | Daily Briefs, South Korea

In today’s briefing:

  • Quiddity Leaderboard KOSPI 200 Jun 24: Up to Five Changes Possible
  • Noteworthy Price Movements Associated with 1Q Ex-Dates Trading Setups
  • Jeil Machine & Solution IPO Valuation Analysis


Quiddity Leaderboard KOSPI 200 Jun 24: Up to Five Changes Possible

By Travis Lundy

  • KOSPI 200 is a Korean blue-chip index that tracks the 200 largest and most-liquid names listed in the KOSPI section of the Korea Exchange (KRX).
  • In this insight, we take a look at the names leading the race to become ADDs and DELs during the upcoming semiannual review in June 2024.
  • There could be up to five changes in the KOSPI 200 index during the June 2024 index rebal event.

Noteworthy Price Movements Associated with 1Q Ex-Dates Trading Setups

By Sanghyun Park

  • Investors buying on February ex-dates, perhaps due to the Value-up factor, led to a successful strategy for local managers: buying before ex-date and selling at close, yielding positive results.
  • On March 19th, Kia Corp (000270 KS) diverged from February’s pattern. Notably, FINANCIAL INVESTMENT sold heavily on Kia’s ex-date, a deviation from their quiet February activity.
  • FINANCIAL INVESTMENT’s trend of liquidating positions held since last quarter, especially for dividends, gains momentum as March ends, possibly overshadowing February’s Value-up factor.

Jeil Machine & Solution IPO Valuation Analysis

By Douglas Kim

  • Our base case valuation of Jeil M&S is target price of 24,354 won per share, which is 35% higher than the high end of the IPO price range.
  • We estimate the Jeil M&S to generate sales of 279 billion won (up 94.9% YoY) and operating profit of 18.1 billion won (up 928% YoY).
  • Jeil M&S’s main products include mixing equipment for the rechargeable battery sector. Its major customers include Samsung SDI, LG Energy Solution, and Northvolt. 

💡 Before it’s here, it’s on Smartkarma

Sign Up for Free

The Smartkarma Preview Pass is your entry to the Independent Investment Research Network

  • ✓ Unlimited Research Summaries
  • ✓ Personalised Alerts
  • ✓ Custom Watchlists
  • ✓ Company Data and News
  • ✓ Events & Webinars



Daily Brief Singapore: City Developments and more

By | Daily Briefs, Singapore

In today’s briefing:

  • kopi-C with IREIT Global’s CEO: “Conviction is what matters”


kopi-C with IREIT Global’s CEO: “Conviction is what matters”

By Geoff Howie

  • kopi-C with IREIT Global’s CEO: “Conviction is what matters” “Everyone was saying we were crazy, that retail is over due to e-commerce and Covid-19,” recalls Louis d’Estienne d’Orves, chief executive officer of IREIT.
  • The REIT also has the backing of its joint sponsors, global real estate firm City Developments Limited and international alternative asset management group Tikehau Capital.

💡 Before it’s here, it’s on Smartkarma

Sign Up for Free

The Smartkarma Preview Pass is your entry to the Independent Investment Research Network

  • ✓ Unlimited Research Summaries
  • ✓ Personalised Alerts
  • ✓ Custom Watchlists
  • ✓ Company Data and News
  • ✓ Events & Webinars



Daily Brief Indonesia: GoTo Gojek Tokopedia Tbk PT and more

By | Daily Briefs, Indonesia

In today’s briefing:

  • GoTo 4Q2023: Improved Profitability and a Plan to Buyback Shares to Rescue Falling Share Price


GoTo 4Q2023: Improved Profitability and a Plan to Buyback Shares to Rescue Falling Share Price

By Shifara Samsudeen, ACMA, CGMA

  • GoTo Gojek Tokopedia Tbk PT (GOTO IJ) reported 4Q2023 results yesterday which shows that the company’s profitability has significantly improved.
  • The improvement in profitability has come at the cost of growth which has continued to decline suggesting profits may not be sustained.
  • GoTo announced that it has completed the Tokopedia partnership deal with TikTok and also a plan to buyback shares, subject to regulatory/shareholder approval.

💡 Before it’s here, it’s on Smartkarma

Sign Up for Free

The Smartkarma Preview Pass is your entry to the Independent Investment Research Network

  • ✓ Unlimited Research Summaries
  • ✓ Personalised Alerts
  • ✓ Custom Watchlists
  • ✓ Company Data and News
  • ✓ Events & Webinars



Daily Brief United States: Micron Technology, Reddit , Sunpower Corp, Boku Inc, Encore Capital Group, Tempur Sealy International and more

By | Daily Briefs, United States

In today’s briefing:

  • The First Semi-Micron to Guide 2Q24; All Good News Except MOI
  • Reddit IPO – Quick Thoughts on Valuation
  • Micron Earnings: HBM Driving Price Increases in Other Sectors
  • Sunpower (SPWR) – Wednesday, Dec 20, 2023
  • Boku – Making the complex simple for global merchants
  • Encore Capital Group Inc (ECPG) – Wednesday, Dec 20, 2023
  • Tempur Sealy International: What Is The Latest Update On The Mattress Firm Acquisition?


The First Semi-Micron to Guide 2Q24; All Good News Except MOI

By Andrew Lu

  • Earlier expectation on Micron will have rooms to raise becoming a reality, largely driven by over 30% q/q NAND bit price jump for storage business in 1Q24.
  • 10ppts stronger 2Q24 sales guidance and 3-6ppts higher gross margin guidance are driving free cash flow improvement.
  • AI server, PC, and smartphone driving DRAM bit demand and HBM3e/HBM4 and 1-gamma EUV DRAM slowing bit supply growth both are positive except MOI remains 15% above 5 years average. 

Reddit IPO – Quick Thoughts on Valuation

By Ethan Aw

  • Reddit (RDDT US) is looking to raise up to US$750m in its US IPO.
  • Reddit is an online social media platform where users are able to join communities, engage in conversations, research, exchange goods and services as well as create new communities.
  • In our previous note, we talked about the company’s historical performance. In this note, we share our quick thoughts on valuation.

Micron Earnings: HBM Driving Price Increases in Other Sectors

By Jim Handy

  • Micron Technology reported very positive revenues this quarter and a return to profitability
  • A large part of this stems from the impact that HBM demand is constraining production of standard DDR5 DRAM, driving it into a shortage
  • This is good news for Micron and its DRAM competitors Samsung and SK hynix

Sunpower (SPWR) – Wednesday, Dec 20, 2023

By Value Investors Club

  • Sunpower is facing a severe liquidity problem and may need to raise $100-300 million before January to avoid bankruptcy
  • The company operates as a wholesaler of residential retail solar panel systems, providing equipment to third-party developers or selling directly to residential customers
  • Trade credit tightening terms and potential customer hesitation due to financial instability are contributing to Sunpower’s uncertain future

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.


Boku – Making the complex simple for global merchants

By Edison Investment Research

Boku’s strategy to widen its offering within the local payment method (LPM) market accelerated FY23 revenue growth to 30%, with 15% growth from the core direct carrier billing (DCB) business and supplemented by 153% growth from eWallets and real-time payments. EBITDA grew 27% y o y as the company continued to invest in building out its LPM network from a technological and regulatory perspective. With all major merchants using or planning to use Boku’s wider portfolio of payment methods, the company should benefit from faster growth in the non-card payment market and be able to leverage the investment it has made in its mobile-first platform to drive growth in earnings and cash generation.


Encore Capital Group Inc (ECPG) – Wednesday, Dec 20, 2023

By Value Investors Club

  • Debt buyers like ECPG can accelerate growth during times of increased charge offs by credit card issuers
  • Growth is impacted by tough collections environment with an abundance of cheap charged off paper
  • Investors must consider buying these stocks when growth prospects are high and expectations have factored in collection challenges, as industry may soon enter a favorable cycle for debt buyers

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.


Tempur Sealy International: What Is The Latest Update On The Mattress Firm Acquisition?

By Baptista Research

  • This is our first report on Tempur Sealy International Inc., a global bedding company.
  • The company released its Q4 2023 earnings recently.
  • The company emphasized its strong business model, highlighting significant cash flow and a robust balance sheet.

💡 Before it’s here, it’s on Smartkarma

Sign Up for Free

The Smartkarma Preview Pass is your entry to the Independent Investment Research Network

  • ✓ Unlimited Research Summaries
  • ✓ Personalised Alerts
  • ✓ Custom Watchlists
  • ✓ Company Data and News
  • ✓ Events & Webinars



Daily Brief India: Coforge, Maruti Suzuki India, Axis Bank Ltd, Rain Industries, MGM China Holdings and more

By | Daily Briefs, India

In today’s briefing:

  • Coforge QIP Early Look – Shares Have Corrected Since the Announcement, Last Deal Did Well
  • Maruti Suzuki India (MSIL IN): Market Leadership Position in UV Segment Bodes Well
  • Axis Bank Incubates a New Entrepreneur — Its Head of Retail Branches
  • Rain Industries- Forensic Analysis
  • Morning Views Asia: Adani Green Energy, Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone, MGM China Holdings


Coforge QIP Early Look – Shares Have Corrected Since the Announcement, Last Deal Did Well

By Clarence Chu

  • Coforge (COFORGE IN) is looking to raise around US$386m in its upcoming qualified institutional placement (QIP).
  • In an announcement released on Saturday, Coforge had mentioned its board’s approval to raise up to INR32bn via a QIP. Since then, the shares have corrected 9.1%.
  • The deal would be a large one to digest at 14 days of three month ADV. That being said, the company’s last selldown did well.

Maruti Suzuki India (MSIL IN): Market Leadership Position in UV Segment Bodes Well

By Tina Banerjee

  • In Q3FY24, Maruti Suzuki India (MSIL IN) reported revenue of INR 335Bn, a growth of 14.6% YoY on the back of higher realization and volume.
  • EBITDA margin expanded 210bps YoY to 12.3% as higher volume, favorable commodity price played a role in tandem.
  • The company is planning 2x increase in its annual production capacity to about 4Mn by 2030-31. Capacity expansion plans augur well for the company in medium to long term.

Axis Bank Incubates a New Entrepreneur — Its Head of Retail Branches

By Hemindra Hazari

  • Sudden resignation of Ravi Narayanan Group-Head in charge of retail branches, retail liabilities and third party products as he wishes to pursue entrepreneurship.
  • Possible explanation is that the bank like other banks is finding it difficult to raise retail deposits and pressure is building up on senior management
  • Bank has a high LDR and reportedly the banking regulator is demanding the bank to lower its LDR. This will have consequences on future loan growth or on NIM

Rain Industries- Forensic Analysis

By Nitin Mangal

  • Rain Industries (RINDL IN) is one of the global leaders in coal tar pitch and calcined petroleum coke. The company also engages in cement manufacturing.
  • The company has been facing heat lately especially business related. The fact that there are goodwill impairments, reversal of DTA and costly refinancing puts Rain in a worrying shape.
  • The company also has seen impairment in fixed assets especially the CWIP. The company also faces high liability for its DB plan in Germany.

Morning Views Asia: Adani Green Energy, Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone, MGM China Holdings

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.


💡 Before it’s here, it’s on Smartkarma

Sign Up for Free

The Smartkarma Preview Pass is your entry to the Independent Investment Research Network

  • ✓ Unlimited Research Summaries
  • ✓ Personalised Alerts
  • ✓ Custom Watchlists
  • ✓ Company Data and News
  • ✓ Events & Webinars



Daily Brief China: Giordano International, IntelliCentrics Global Holding, Tencent, Akeso Biopharma Inc, Xtep International, PDD Holdings, Carote Ltd, Lufax Holding and more

By | China, Daily Briefs

In today’s briefing:

  • Giordano (709 HK): A Closer Look At The Shareholder Register Ahead Of The SGM
  • IntelliCentrics (6819 HK): Delisting and Special Dividend
  • Tencent (700 HK): 4Q23, Slower Growth, But Higher Margin, 37% Upside
  • Akeso Biopharma Placement (9926.HK) – Would Investors Be Willing to Take a Gamble?
  • Tencent 4Q2023: Gaming Declines Yet Again, Margins Have Further Upside
  • Akeso Inc Placement – A Small One to Digest, Momentum Has Been Strong
  • Xtep International (1368 HK):  Valuation Too Cheap For A >10% Growth Stock
  • PDD (PDD): 4Q23, Time for Low Price Goods, Revenue up by 123% YoY
  • Carote Ltd Pre-IPO Tearsheet
  • Quick Ideas #9


Giordano (709 HK): A Closer Look At The Shareholder Register Ahead Of The SGM

By David Blennerhassett

  • Last month, a Cheng family vehicle with 24.06% of Giordano (709 HK), requisitioned an SGM to remove CEO Peter Lau, and install Colin Currie as CEO, plus three other NEDs/INEDs.
  • That SGM will be held on the 3rd April. The director resolutions – both the removal and appointments – are “ordinary”, requiring a simple majority vote. 
  • The outcome will likely pivot off how the shareholders under Halcyon Securities will vote. So I dug a little deeper as to who these shareholders are, with some surprising results.  

IntelliCentrics (6819 HK): Delisting and Special Dividend

By Arun George

  • On 9 February, IntelliCentrics Global Holding (6819 HK) announced the disposal of most of its assets to symplr software. On 19 March, the antitrust condition was satisfied.
  • The consideration will be distributed to shareholders as a special dividend. The minimum and maximum special interim dividends are US$0.52 (HK$4.08) and US$0.55 (HK$4.30) per share.
  • The key condition is EGM shareholder approval. Due to the irrevocables from key shareholders, the EGM vote should comfortably pass. This is a done deal.

Tencent (700 HK): 4Q23, Slower Growth, But Higher Margin, 37% Upside

By Ming Lu

  • In 4Q23, Tencent experienced a one-digit growth, but its margin improved significantly.
  • We believe Tencent’s social networks will stop shrinking after the company sold movie assets to China Literature.
  • We believe the stock will have an upside of 37.5% and a price target of HK$397 for year end 2024. Buy.

Akeso Biopharma Placement (9926.HK) – Would Investors Be Willing to Take a Gamble?

By Xinyao (Criss) Wang

  • Akeso’s product sales grew rapidly in 2023, mainly driven by off-label use of AK104. Since AK104’s commercialization potential on other indications was “overdrawn” in advance, sales growth would slow afterwards. 
  • The key investment logic of Akeso is whether/how much its BsAb pipelines would grab shares from PD-1. The high valuation has somewhat priced in AK112’s successful head-to-head trial with pembrolizumab.
  • If AK112 does beat Keytruda, valuation will reach a new level. If AK112 fails in critical clinical trials, it would cast a shadow on the entire BsAb pipeline of Akeso.

Tencent 4Q2023: Gaming Declines Yet Again, Margins Have Further Upside

By Shifara Samsudeen, ACMA, CGMA

  • Tencent (700 HK) reported 4Q results today. Both revenues and OP increased 7.1% and 42.0% YoY, however, both revenue and OP fell below consensus estimates.
  • The company also announced an increase to 2023 dividends and more than doublethe size of the company’s share buyback in 2024 compared to 2023.
  • We expect Internet VAS to grow at single-digits in 2024, however, high-margin new products to help boost margins in 2024.

Akeso Inc Placement – A Small One to Digest, Momentum Has Been Strong

By Clarence Chu

  • Akeso Biopharma Inc (9926 HK) is looking to raise US$155m from its primary placement.
  • Proceeds from the deal would be geared towards R&D expenditure for its preclinical programs, expediting clinical trials, and towards commercializing its existing approved products.
  • Accounting for 3% of shares outstanding, and representing 5.7 days of its three month ADV, the deal would be a relatively small one for the firm to digest.

Xtep International (1368 HK):  Valuation Too Cheap For A >10% Growth Stock

By Steve Zhou, CFA

  • Xtep International (1368 HK) announced in-line 2023 results, with net profit up 12% yoy and sales up 11% yoy.  2024 outlook was also satisfactory. 
  • The company paid out 50% of its earnings in dividend, which amounted to a 5% dividend yield at current share price of HKD5.04.
  • The company is currently trading at 10x 2024 PE (assuming a conservative 10% net profit growth in 2024).

PDD (PDD): 4Q23, Time for Low Price Goods, Revenue up by 123% YoY

By Ming Lu

  • Both advertising revenue and commission revenue grew dramatically in 4Q23.
  • Chinese consumers are seeking low price goods, after the economy went weak.
  • PDD’s overseas brand, TEMU, is expanding rapidly in the U.S.

Carote Ltd Pre-IPO Tearsheet

By Clarence Chu

  • Carote Ltd (CARO HK) is looking to raise around US$150m in its upcoming Hong Kong IPO. The bookrunners on the deal are BNP Paribas, and CMB International.
  • Carote is a distributor of kitchenware products. Expanding its lineup of products, the firm aims to meet its customers’ varied kitchen scenarios and enhance their culinary experience.
  • Initially engaged to provide original equipment manufacturing (OEM) overseas, the firm has since ventured into the online retail sector, introducing kitchenware products under its own brand name “CAROTE”.

Quick Ideas #9

By Turtles all the way down

  • Another quick trade idea. A continuation of the China theme (see my last post for more info).  Lufax holdings (LU). Again courtesy of JohnTill on Stocktwits.
  • A Chinese lending company, lending out directly and providing a peer to peer lending platform for the Chinese market.
  • With Ping An being a ~41% shareholder.

💡 Before it’s here, it’s on Smartkarma

Sign Up for Free

The Smartkarma Preview Pass is your entry to the Independent Investment Research Network

  • ✓ Unlimited Research Summaries
  • ✓ Personalised Alerts
  • ✓ Custom Watchlists
  • ✓ Company Data and News
  • ✓ Events & Webinars



Daily Brief Japan: ZOZO Inc, Trial Holdings, NEC Corp, Kobe Bussan and more

By | Daily Briefs, Japan

In today’s briefing:

  • The Bigly March 2024 “Wednesday-Friday Trade” (Surprising Flows)
  • Trial Holdings IPO: Trading Debut
  • NEC (6701 JP): Generative AI (Part 2)
  • Kobe Bussan: Expect More Growth


The Bigly March 2024 “Wednesday-Friday Trade” (Surprising Flows)

By Travis Lundy

  • Every year it’s the same trade. This year it is Wednesday and Thursday. There are risks to the analysis – notably allocation.
  • But there may be ¥1.0-1.2trln+ to buy on one day into the close later this month, then ad hoc buys of ¥630bn and index sells of ~¥600bn  2 days later.
  • Over the past ten years, the two day return on the March trade is great. This year the Nikkei funding trade makes things more complicated. 

Trial Holdings IPO: Trading Debut

By Arun George


NEC (6701 JP): Generative AI (Part 2)

By Scott Foster

  • CEO Jensen Huang’s keynote address at Nvidia’s GTC event on March 18 was a reminder that generative AI is about building secure and reliable systems, not chatting up the future.
  • NEC has spent three years developing its own AI supercomputer, creating the best performing Japanese-language large language model (LLM), and testing new AI products in-house before delivering them to clients.
  • The introduction of generative AI and LLMs into business- and industry-specific solutions should provide meaningful additions to NEC’s telecom services, social infrastructure, aerospace and national security related businesses. 

Kobe Bussan: Expect More Growth

By Michael Causton

  • Discount cash and carry wholesaler/franchisor, Kobe Bussan, posted more record results for FY2023, a reflection of the demand for discount retailing.
  • Net profits were down due to foreign exchange costs, but the company continues to expand to meet the growing demand for discount retailing,
  • Kobe is also now building domestic factories to counter exchange rate fluctuations, and a new restaurant and food services arm with big potential to grow its wholesale business.

💡 Before it’s here, it’s on Smartkarma

Sign Up for Free

The Smartkarma Preview Pass is your entry to the Independent Investment Research Network

  • ✓ Unlimited Research Summaries
  • ✓ Personalised Alerts
  • ✓ Custom Watchlists
  • ✓ Company Data and News
  • ✓ Events & Webinars



Daily Brief Quantitative Analysis: KRX Short Interest Weekly (Mar 15th): Sk Hynix and more

By | Daily Briefs, Quantitative Analysis

In today’s briefing:

  • KRX Short Interest Weekly (Mar 15th): Sk Hynix, Posco Dx, Kum Yang, Samsung Biologic, Samsung SDI


KRX Short Interest Weekly (Mar 15th): Sk Hynix, Posco Dx, Kum Yang, Samsung Biologic, Samsung SDI

By Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

  • We analyzed the changes in short interest of KRX Stocks as of Mar 15th which has an aggregated short interest worth USD7.5bn.
  • We tabulate league table for top short by value and short as multiple of ADT, as well as weekly increases & decreases in short value, short as multiple of ADT.
  • We highlight short interest changes in Sk Hynix, Posco Dx, Kum Yang, Samsung Biologic, Samsung SDI, Kia, Hyundai Motor.

💡 Before it’s here, it’s on Smartkarma

Sign Up for Free

The Smartkarma Preview Pass is your entry to the Independent Investment Research Network

  • ✓ Unlimited Research Summaries
  • ✓ Personalised Alerts
  • ✓ Custom Watchlists
  • ✓ Company Data and News
  • ✓ Events & Webinars



Daily Brief Thematic (Sector/Industry): Contrarian Moves: Promoter Buying During Indian Equity Downturns and more

By | Daily Briefs, Thematic (Sector/Industry)

In today’s briefing:

  • Contrarian Moves: Promoter Buying During Indian Equity Downturns
  • Bank of Jiujiang – Rare Announcement Expecting at Least 30% Profit Decline
  • Ohayo Japan | Fed Holds the Line
  • [Blue Lotus Daily – TMT Update]:NTES/ZTO/1519 HK/BABA/PDD/3690 HK/SHEIN
  • [Blue Lotus Daily]:300750 SZ/NIO/BGNE/1810 HK


Contrarian Moves: Promoter Buying During Indian Equity Downturns

By Nimish Maheshwari

  • Promoter buying reflects insider confidence in the company’s future, often driven by access to undisclosed positive developments and growth opportunities.
  • Increased promoter stake may indicate that the market has undervalued the company, potentially presenting an opportunity for investors to buy at a discount.
  • Consider the broader market environment, company fundamentals, and industry trends alongside promoter buying activity to form a comprehensive investment thesis.

Bank of Jiujiang – Rare Announcement Expecting at Least 30% Profit Decline

By Daniel Tabbush

  • The bank’s announcement that it expects at least a 30% decline in profit due to impairments is rare, in its clarity, not unexpected in the content.
  • There may be gaining momentum for banks in Greater China to more clearly show their credit metrics, which given economies there, are not likely to be positive.
  • Credit costs to loans have been in decline at this bank, and the surge they are forecasting, is understandable; perhaps partly given developments at China Evergrande?

Ohayo Japan | Fed Holds the Line

By Mark Chadwick

  • US markets surged to new all-time highs on Wednesday following the Federal Reserve’s decision to maintain its benchmark lending rate at 5.25%
  • The Japanese government faces pressure to streamline finances following the Bank of Japan’s decision to end negative rates
  • Japan welcomed 2.79 million visitors in February, a record for the month since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, driven by travel during Lunar New Year holidays

[Blue Lotus Daily – TMT Update]:NTES/ZTO/1519 HK/BABA/PDD/3690 HK/SHEIN

By Ying Pan

  • NTES: <Identity V> Has Reached a New High In Download Rankings In The Past 12 Months (+)
  • ZTO/1519 HK/BABA/PDD: Parcel volume last week grew 21% yoy (+)
  • BABA/SHEIN: AliExpress launches new subsidies to attract woman’s apparel merchants (+/-)  

[Blue Lotus Daily]:300750 SZ/NIO/BGNE/1810 HK

By Eric Wen

  • 300750 SZ: CATL’s result in 4Q23 showed clear impact of price war (/)
  • NIO: Huawei AITO M9 ranks first in weekly sales among SUVs above Rmb500K(/)
  • BGNE: BeiGene’s Tislelizumab approved by FDA for esophageal squamous cancer, but with little revenue potential (/)

💡 Before it’s here, it’s on Smartkarma

Sign Up for Free

The Smartkarma Preview Pass is your entry to the Independent Investment Research Network

  • ✓ Unlimited Research Summaries
  • ✓ Personalised Alerts
  • ✓ Custom Watchlists
  • ✓ Company Data and News
  • ✓ Events & Webinars