ASEAN Insight Provider, CrossASEAN Research

Angus Mackintosh

ASEAN Insight Provider

CrossASEAN Research

At CrossASEAN Research we strive to produce unbiased and differentiated on the ground insights on companies across South East Asia. Our Research is produced for the most part after face to face meetings and conversations with company management to dig deep into the long term vision and strategy of the companies we cover. We seek to deliver investable and actionable themes on sectors and markets across SE Asia, often in collaboration with other Insight Providers across the region, pooling the vast experience of the analysts within the Smartkarma Ecosystem. We also offer bespoke work and tailor made trips for our clients. 

Insights across South East Asia

Cross Asset Strategy

<ul>
<li>The past week saw insights on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/erajaya-swasembada-tbk-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18869:1" rel="noopener">Erajaya Swasembada (ERAA IJ)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/grab-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26950:1" rel="noopener">Grab Holdings (GRAB US)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/goto-gojek-tokopedia-tbk-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:25976:1" rel="noopener">GoTo Gojek Tokopedia (GOTO IJ)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sumber-alfaria-trijaya-tbk-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15659:1" rel="noopener">Sumber Alfaria Trijaya (AMRT IJ)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/cisarua-mountain-dairy-pt-tbk" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:34999:1" rel="noopener">Cisarua Mountain Dairy (CMRY IJ)</a>. </li>
<li>There were also insights on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/malaysia-airports-holdings-bhd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:117:1" rel="noopener">Malaysia Airports Holdings (MAHB MK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/vale-indonesia-tbk" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19226:1" rel="noopener">Vale Indonesia Tbk (INCO IJ)</a> and Malaysian Rubber Production.</li>
<li>The Week That Was in ASEAN@Smartkarma is filled with an eclectic mix of differentiated substantive, and actionable insights, macro and equity bottom, from across Southeast Asia.</li>
</ul>


The past week saw insights on Erajaya Swasembada (ERAA IJ), Grab Holdings (GRAB US), GoTo Gojek Tokopedia (GOTO IJ), Sumber Alfaria Trijaya (AMRT IJ), and Cisarua Mountain Dairy (CMRY IJ). 
There were also insights on Malaysia Airports Holdings (MAHB MK), Vale Indonesia Tbk (INCO IJ) and Malaysian Rubber Production.
The Week That Was in ASEAN@Smartkarma is filled with an eclectic mix of differentiated substantive, and actionable insights, macro and equity bottom, from across Southeast Asia.


The Week That Was in ASEAN@Smartkarma - Erajaya's Strong Finish, Grab +ve, and Alfamart's On-Target

Equity Bottom-Up

Cisarua Mountain Dairy / Equity Bottom-Up

PT Cisarua Mountain Dairy TBK produces diary products. The Company offers milk and yogurt. Cisarua Mountain Dairy serves customer in Indonesia.

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/cisarua-mountain-dairy-pt-tbk" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:34999:1" rel="noopener">Cisarua Mountain Dairy</a> stands out as a rising star amongst consumer staples in Indonesia driven by strong growth in both dairy through Cimory and premium foods through the Kanzler brand.</li>
<li>The company will continue to benefit from lower raw material costs, as it buys six months ahead and is investing in promotions to drive the growth of new products.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/cisarua-mountain-dairy-pt-tbk" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:34999:1" rel="noopener">CMRY</a> has launched Cimory Bites and Crispy Nuggets Spicy which will drive near terns growth, along with a focus on General Trade and MCM channels. Valuations are attractive versus growth.</li>
</ul>



Cisarua Mountain Dairy stands out as a rising star amongst consumer staples in Indonesia driven by strong growth in both dairy through Cimory and premium foods through the Kanzler brand.
The company will continue to benefit from lower raw material costs, as it buys six months ahead and is investing in promotions to drive the growth of new products.

CMRY has launched Cimory Bites and Crispy Nuggets Spicy which will drive near terns growth, along with a focus on General Trade and MCM channels. Valuations are attractive versus growth.


Cisarua Mountain Dairy (CMRY IJ) - Rising Star in Staples

Sumber Alfaria Trijaya Tbk Pt / Equity Bottom-Up

PT Sumber Alfaria Trijaya Tbk operates a chain of retail supermarkets.

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sumber-alfaria-trijaya-tbk-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15659:1" rel="noopener">Sumber Alfaria Trijaya</a> (Alfamart) looks well set for a strong finish to the year boosted by seasonal factors and a higher quarter for supplier rebates making it the peak quarter.</li>
<li>The company should be able to surpass its guidance for new store build-out in 2024, emphasising Alfamart and Alfamidi outlets, as it consolidates its Lawson rollout. </li>
<li>Alfamart saw strong growth from online sales through Alfagift at +45% YoY, with Alfamart members reaching 20m, with 65% shopping every week. Valuations remain attractive with strong growth in 2025.</li>
</ul>



Sumber Alfaria Trijaya (Alfamart) looks well set for a strong finish to the year boosted by seasonal factors and a higher quarter for supplier rebates making it the peak quarter.
The company should be able to surpass its guidance for new store build-out in 2024, emphasising Alfamart and Alfamidi outlets, as it consolidates its Lawson rollout. 
Alfamart saw strong growth from online sales through Alfagift at +45% YoY, with Alfamart members reaching 20m, with 65% shopping every week. Valuations remain attractive with strong growth in 2025.


Sumber Alfaria Trijaya (AMRT IJ) - Primed for Profitable Growth in 2025

GoTo Gojek Tokopedia Tbk PT / Equity Bottom-Up

PT GoTo Gojek Tokopedia Tbk operates as an e-commerce platform. The Company offers mobility, food delivery, logistics, e-commerce, and financial technology solutions. GoTo Gojek Tokopedia serves customers in Indonesia.

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/goto-gojek-tokopedia-tbk-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:25976:1" rel="noopener">GoTo Gojek Tokopedia</a> remains optimistic for the coming year, with increasing focus on converting hemat users to take up more premium products and it expands its suite of fintech offerings. </li>
<li>Focus on profitability will remain core, with an emphasis on product-led initiatives such as GoFood Plus and GoFood Express, and increasing emphasis on growing its fintech offering across products. </li>
<li>GoTo is increasingly using AI to improve both the customer experience and improve efficiencies. Advertising will increasingly become a tool to improve take rates with Tokopedia providing valuable cash flow.  </li>
</ul>



GoTo Gojek Tokopedia remains optimistic for the coming year, with increasing focus on converting hemat users to take up more premium products and it expands its suite of fintech offerings. 
Focus on profitability will remain core, with an emphasis on product-led initiatives such as GoFood Plus and GoFood Express, and increasing emphasis on growing its fintech offering across products. 
GoTo is increasingly using AI to improve both the customer experience and improve efficiencies. Advertising will increasingly become a tool to improve take rates with Tokopedia providing valuable cash flow.  


GoTo Gojek Tokopedia (GOTO IJ) - Barbell Strategies and Fintech to Dominate in 2025

Grab Holdings Limited operates as a holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, develops delivery management, mobility, financial services, and enterprise software solutions. Grab Holdings serves customers worldwide.

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/grab-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26950:1" rel="noopener">Grab Holdings</a> has expressed excitement for 2025, as it harvests the investments it has made in its laddered approach to new product offerings from Saver to Grab Unlimited in 2024. </li>
<li>Having grown transacting users in 2024 through its Saver offering, Grab will focus on growing its premium offers in 2025. Groceries should outperform along with its offline dining initiatives. </li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/grab-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26950:1" rel="noopener">Grab</a> will focus on lending growth at its DigiBanks in Malaysia, and Singapore in 2025 and will double down on its advertising offerings. Grab will book a 2025 net profit.</li>
</ul>



Grab Holdings has expressed excitement for 2025, as it harvests the investments it has made in its laddered approach to new product offerings from Saver to Grab Unlimited in 2024. 
Having grown transacting users in 2024 through its Saver offering, Grab will focus on growing its premium offers in 2025. Groceries should outperform along with its offline dining initiatives. 

Grab will focus on lending growth at its DigiBanks in Malaysia, and Singapore in 2025 and will double down on its advertising offerings. Grab will book a 2025 net profit.


In Equity Sales and Research for more than 25 years covering Asian markets. Possesses in-depth knowledge of a wide range of companies, economies, and markets in Asia. Over his career, he has specialised in HK/China and ASEAN markets at various different Investment Banks, most recently heading equities in Indonesia for Bank of America Merrill Lynch in Jakarta for more than three years. Whilst in Jakarta, he produced a well-read daily and weekly product on the Indonesian market, which included company visits, as well as political, economic and sector commentary. A former racing skier, who enjoys ultra-marathons and surfing in his spare time.