Investment Research - Asia Consumer Sector, Investory

Devi Subhakesan

Investment Research - Asia Consumer Sector. 

Equity Research experience of over 20 years. Earlier, Analyst for leading Buy and Sell-side institutions, covering markets in ASEAN, India, and North Asia. Expertise spans various sectors - Consumer Discretionary, Media, Textiles, Oil, Gas, and Coal.
Passionate about mindfulness and meditation.

Investment Research - Asia Consumer Sector

Yihai International (1579): Diversified Away from Haidilao

Visit to a Haidilao Restaurant in London & Listing of Super Hi International in Hong Kong

Super Hi International: Trading Dynamics Post Listing Amid High Volatility

Yum China (9987 HK): Simple Fare Trumps the Special Treat (6862 HK). What Now?

Yum China: Reported HK Offer Price at 5% Discount to NY Closing. Room for Upside.

Yum China: HK Listing - Hit Two Birds with One Stone; Bon Appetit

ASIA CONSUMER: INSIGHTS AND INVESTMENT IDEAS

Investory

Investory is a Singapore-based boutique independent equity research firm founded in January 2017 with a primary focus on consumption themes across Asia-Pacific.

We aim to generate investible ideas based on consumption trends and outlook. We screen our ideas on several parameters - product potential, long-term growth and management commitment being the most critical.  We follow a fundamental analysis approach in our stock selection process and are not restricted by market cap.

We aspire to grow into a leading source of unbiased research, free of conflict of interest, for investors yearning for independent and disciplined analysis. 

We also undertake bespoke research mandates to support our Institutional clients’ investment needs.

Our team comprises of professionals with extensive experience in the Asian equity markets, in areas ranging from research, servicing institutional clients and investment management.

Equity Bottom-Up

Haidilao International Holding / Equity Bottom-Up

In this insight, we discuss why we believe <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/haidilao-international-holding-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27044:1" rel="noopener">Haidilao (6862 HK)</a> at current prices has a higher downside risk versus upside potential given limited visibility of near term operational recovery and its premium valuation.<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/haidilao-international-holding-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27044:1" rel="noopener">Haidilao (6862 HK)</a> had issued a profit warning that it is expected to record a decrease of approximately 90% in net profit for the year ended Dec 2020 versus the previous year; this implies a likely recovery in earnings in 2H2020 vs 1H2020 but not significant enough to match pre-COVID levels nor street estimates. Detailed results are expected this week on March 23rd.We believe <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/haidilao-international-holding-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27044:1" rel="noopener">Haidilao (6862 HK)</a>'s pace of sales recovery to be slower versus QSR peers (1) in the near term from ongoing restrictions in the social and dining scene, following cluster outbreaks, and (2) in the medium term from a shift in customer preference towards off-premise dining. Unlike QSR peer, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yum-china-holdings-inc-0533692c-6dae-4014-baa1-ed0b050638f2" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29259:1" rel="noopener">Yum China Holdings Inc (9987 HK)</a> that managed to recover most of the COVID-led fall in dining demand by growing off-premise dining, we believe  <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/haidilao-international-holding-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27044:1" rel="noopener">Haidilao (6862 HK)</a> may find it difficult to pivot given experiential fine dining was core to its appeal and value positioning. Despite a difficult operating environment, the stock is up 83% YoY; a steep upswing in February this year was led by reports of it being included in HongKong's benchmark HangSeng Index from mid-March.

In this insight, we discuss why we believe Haidilao (6862 HK) at current prices has a higher downside risk versus upside potential given limited visibility of near term operational recovery and its premium valuation.Haidilao (6862 HK) had issued a profit warning that it is expected to record a decrease of approximately 90% in net profit for the year ended Dec 2020 versus the previous year; this implies a likely recovery in earnings in 2H2020 vs 1H2020 but not significant enough to match pre-COVID levels nor street estimates. Detailed results are expected this week on March 23rd.We believe Haidilao (6862 HK)'s pace of sales recovery to be slower versus QSR peers (1) in the near term from ongoing restrictions in the social and dining scene, following cluster outbreaks, and (2) in the medium term from a shift in customer preference towards off-premise dining. Unlike QSR peer, Yum China Holdings Inc (9987 HK) that managed to recover most of the COVID-led fall in dining demand by growing off-premise dining, we believe  Haidilao (6862 HK) may find it difficult to pivot given experiential fine dining was core to its appeal and value positioning. Despite a difficult operating environment, the stock is up 83% YoY; a steep upswing in February this year was led by reports of it being included in HongKong's benchmark HangSeng Index from mid-March.

Haidilao (6862 HK): Hot Pots Don't Pivot Easily.