Equity Analyst - Asia Consumer Sector, Investory

Devi Subhakesan

Equity Analyst - Asia Consumer Sector

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

Uni-President China's products include beverages and food. 

The Group recorded a revenue of RMB22,761.8 million in 2020, representing an increase of 3.4% as compared with that of the corresponding period last year, and profits after tax of RMB1,625.7 million, representing an increase of 19.0% as compared with that of last year. 

We recorded a double-digit growth in the food business as the increasing brand value of daily-consumed noodles “Soup Daren（湯達人）” was highly recognized by consumers and the brand philosophy of the high-end Chinese cuisine “Kai Xiao Zao （開小灶）” was continuously promoted to create and extend the consumption scenarios, thereby contributing to such multifold growth in revenue. 

The beverages business was gradually recovering despite the impacts caused by the epidemic. “Uni Assam Milk Tea（統一阿薩姆奶茶）” was favoured by consumers as
usual with a unwavering leading position in the milk tea market and positive growth in revenue. Sugar-free tea “Chai Li Won（茶裏王）” aligned with consumers’ lifestyle concept of “sugar-free” to improve its brand recognition. On its road to value marketing, the Group remained steadfast in developing brands that are loved and trusted by consumers.

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<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/uni-president-china-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14927:1" rel="noopener">Uni President China (220 HK)</a> appeals to value investors with its stable long-term growth, attractive dividends, and diversified consumer staples portfolio, despite severe near-term sector competition.</li>
<li>The intense competition plaguing China's food delivery platforms and F&amp;B sector have impacted investor sentiment and valuations. Expect stock rebound as the dust settles.</li>
<li>Uni-President’s brand loyalty and innovation capabilities should help sustain revenue and profit growth, enabling the company to weather near-term pricing and margin pressures.</li>
</ul>



Uni President China (220 HK) appeals to value investors with its stable long-term growth, attractive dividends, and diversified consumer staples portfolio, despite severe near-term sector competition.
The intense competition plaguing China's food delivery platforms and F&amp;B sector have impacted investor sentiment and valuations. Expect stock rebound as the dust settles.
Uni-President’s brand loyalty and innovation capabilities should help sustain revenue and profit growth, enabling the company to weather near-term pricing and margin pressures.


2026 High Conviction: Uni President China (220 HK): Modest Valuations, Robust Cash Flows

SoftBank Group Corp. provides telecommunication services. The Company also operates ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) and fiber optic high-speed Internet connection, e-Commerce businesses, and Internet based advertising and auction businesses.

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<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/softbank-group-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:315:1" rel="noopener">Softbank Group (9984 JP)</a>  reported a record H1 net income of ¥2.9 trillion, driven principally by a USD 14.6 billion fair-value gain from its OpenAI investment and Rights to invest.</li>
<li>The Group fully exited its USD 2.9 billion <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nvidia-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5891:1" rel="noopener">NVIDIA Corp (NVDA US)</a> stake in October, realizing gross gains of USD 2.9 billion on sale proceeds of USD 5.8 billion.</li>
<li>It also sold partial stakes in T-Mobile for USD 9.2 billion and Deutsche Telekom for USD 2.4 billion even as it raised its investment target in OpenAI to USD34.7 Bn.</li>
</ul>



Softbank Group (9984 JP)  reported a record H1 net income of ¥2.9 trillion, driven principally by a USD 14.6 billion fair-value gain from its OpenAI investment and Rights to invest.
The Group fully exited its USD 2.9 billion NVIDIA Corp (NVDA US) stake in October, realizing gross gains of USD 2.9 billion on sale proceeds of USD 5.8 billion.
It also sold partial stakes in T-Mobile for USD 9.2 billion and Deutsche Telekom for USD 2.4 billion even as it raised its investment target in OpenAI to USD34.7 Bn.


Softbank Group: Performance Powered by OpenAI. Exits NVIDIA, Bets Big on AI

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.

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<li>
<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>  delivered solid Q3 2025 results with healthy revenue and margin expansion across segments, but lagged consensus forecasts.</li>
<li>Growth in Q32025 was driven by rising MTU, strong Mart and Advertising momentum among other factors.</li>
<li>Management believes that the growth seen in recent quarters are sustainable, without sacrificing profitability. Raised full year guidance marginally.</li>
</ul>



Grab Holdings (GRAB US)  delivered solid Q3 2025 results with healthy revenue and margin expansion across segments, but lagged consensus forecasts.
Growth in Q32025 was driven by rising MTU, strong Mart and Advertising momentum among other factors.
Management believes that the growth seen in recent quarters are sustainable, without sacrificing profitability. Raised full year guidance marginally.


Grab Holdings: Growth Engines Continue to Rev - What’s Powering the Momentum?

Equity Capital Markets

Pony AI Inc. operates as an autonomous vehicle technology company. The Company provides autonomous driving technology solutions to deliver safe, sustainable, and accessible mobility to people and businesses around the world. Pony AI serves customers globally.

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<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pony-ai-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:44035:1" rel="noopener">Pony AI </a> , a leading autonomous mbility technology player based in China, proposes to issue no more than 102 million ordinary shares for a secondary listing on the HKEX.</li>
<li>From a commercialization standpoint, Pony is transitioning from pilot programs to scaled operations - 2025 could be a pivotal year of mass production for its 7th generation (Gen-7) Robotaxis.</li>
<li>Pony is also accelerating its global expansion - it recently announced a partnership with Stellantis, to develop Level 4 autonomous vehicles for the European market.</li>
</ul>



Pony AI  , a leading autonomous mbility technology player based in China, proposes to issue no more than 102 million ordinary shares for a secondary listing on the HKEX.
From a commercialization standpoint, Pony is transitioning from pilot programs to scaled operations - 2025 could be a pivotal year of mass production for its 7th generation (Gen-7) Robotaxis.
Pony is also accelerating its global expansion - it recently announced a partnership with Stellantis, to develop Level 4 autonomous vehicles for the European market.


Pony AI HK Listing: Turning Driverless Technology into a Commercial Reality

LG Electronics India / Equity Capital Markets

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lg-electronics-india" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:44148:1" rel="noopener">LG Electronics India (123D IN)</a> debuts today and is poised for a strong listing pop, supported by record institutional oversubscription and robust grey market premiums.</li>
<li>Retail investor shares saw a modest 3.5x subscription, underscoring the challenge of a billion-dollar IPO with a 35% retail allocation, which necessitated a steep pricing discount.</li>
<li>Post-Debut, LGEIL’s likely market Cap at around USD11.5 bn could surpass its parent, despite 85% parent stake and USD1.3 bn raised from offer for sale of shares in IPO .</li>
</ul>



LG Electronics India (123D IN) debuts today and is poised for a strong listing pop, supported by record institutional oversubscription and robust grey market premiums.
Retail investor shares saw a modest 3.5x subscription, underscoring the challenge of a billion-dollar IPO with a 35% retail allocation, which necessitated a steep pricing discount.
Post-Debut, LGEIL’s likely market Cap at around USD11.5 bn could surpass its parent, despite 85% parent stake and USD1.3 bn raised from offer for sale of shares in IPO .


LG Electronics India IPO : Strong Debut Expected. Market Cap May Top Parent’s

Equity Research experience of over 20 years include working at leading Asset Management and Brokerage/Investment Banking Firms.  

I focus primarily on the Asia consumer sector and analyse emerging trends and evolving consumption behaviours to publish investment insights on segments where women and/or youth drive purchasing decisions.

My approach combines in-depth industry and company research with rigorous valuation analysis to help investors make informed investment decisions.

Devi Subhakesan
Equity Analyst - Asia Consumer Sector
• Investory

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Autonomous mobility is here, and Pony AI is ready to drive it forward with its advanced technology stack, strong OEM alliances, regulatory breadth,...

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LG Electronics India debuts today - strong listing pop expected. Superior ROE and growth make it attractive for long-term investors.

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Investor call takeaways on Growth and Margin Outlook going forward. Grab's Q32025 results delivered healthy revenue and margin growth but lagged...