Global Healthcare Analyst

Tina Banerjee

Equity Bottom-Up

Aster DM Quality Care is an India-based integrated healthcare provider, offering multi-specialty healthcare services through a network of hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, and diagnostic centers across several Indian states. The company focuses on providing primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary care, with specialized centers of excellence in various medical fields. It was founded in 1987 as a single doctor clinic in Dubai, with India operations commencing in 2001, and is headquartered in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.

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<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/aster-dm-healthcare-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23662:1" rel="noopener">Aster DM Healthcare Ltd (ASTERDM IN)</a> reported double-digit growth in revenue and EBITDA in Q2FY26, led by substantial recovery in Kerala, strong growth in international revenue, and better case mix.</li>
<li>In Q2FY26, Kerala delivered its highest-ever quarterly revenue of INR6B, growing 24% increase over Q4 FY25. Profitability improved sharply, with EBITDA margins expanding to 26.8% from 22.3% in Q4FY25.</li>
<li>Since our initiation of Aster DM as ‘2025 High Conviction’ idea in last November, shares rose ~55%. Main investment thesis of margin improvement still holds good.</li>
</ul>



Aster DM Healthcare Ltd (ASTERDM IN) reported double-digit growth in revenue and EBITDA in Q2FY26, led by substantial recovery in Kerala, strong growth in international revenue, and better case mix.
In Q2FY26, Kerala delivered its highest-ever quarterly revenue of INR6B, growing 24% increase over Q4 FY25. Profitability improved sharply, with EBITDA margins expanding to 26.8% from 22.3% in Q4FY25.
Since our initiation of Aster DM as ‘2025 High Conviction’ idea in last November, shares rose ~55%. Main investment thesis of margin improvement still holds good.


2025 High Conviction Update: Aster DM (ASTERDM IN)- Stable Q2 Show on Continued Business Recovery

Equity Analyst, LightStream Research

Shifara Samsudeen, FCMA, CGMA

Equity Analyst

Long-Short Analysis on Japan, Asia and the World

LightStream Research

LightStream conducts quantitatively rigorous and data-driven analysis with a focus on Japan and Asia.

We consistently cover the Tech, Consumer and Industrial sectors, and provide ECM and Events coverage more broadly.

We supplement traditional qualitative insights from company relationships with a robust quantitative foundation that examines as much historical data as is available.
We further refine the accuracy of our insights and calls through the use of alternative data to flesh out current trends, and through a valuation framework that emphasises non-superficial peer group selection and a proper attempt to understand the metrics and changes that have driven security valuations in the past.

freee K.K. develops software products. The Company produces cloud based accounting softwares, automatic online accounting systems, and other products. freee provides its services throughout Japan.

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<li>Freee reported 1QFY06/2026 results today. 1Q revenues increased 32.1% YoY to ¥9.7bn with an Adj. OPM of ¥690m (vs ¥480m in 1QFY0/2025). Both revenue and GAAP OP beat consensus.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/freee-kk" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28424:1" rel="noopener">Freee KK (4478 JP)</a> ’s shares had a sell-off following its 4QFY06/2025 earnings announcement which saw the company breaking away from its recent trend of consecutive quarterly operating profits.</li>
<li>As we highlighted in our previous insight, 4Q decline was only a temporary setback as the company’s profitability has bounced back and we expect earnings momentum to continue.</li>
</ul>


Freee reported 1QFY06/2026 results today. 1Q revenues increased 32.1% YoY to ¥9.7bn with an Adj. OPM of ¥690m (vs ¥480m in 1QFY0/2025). Both revenue and GAAP OP beat consensus.

Freee KK (4478 JP) ’s shares had a sell-off following its 4QFY06/2025 earnings announcement which saw the company breaking away from its recent trend of consecutive quarterly operating profits.
As we highlighted in our previous insight, 4Q decline was only a temporary setback as the company’s profitability has bounced back and we expect earnings momentum to continue.


2025 High Conviction – Freee: Earnings Recovery Is Underway

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

Douglas Research Advisory

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. manufactures a wide range of consumer and industrial electronic equipment and products such as semiconductors, personal computers, peripherals, monitors, televisions, and home appliances including air conditioners and microwave ovens. The Company also produces Internet access network systems and telecommunications equipment including mobile phones.

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<li>Back on 6 November 2024, we published an insight called 2025 High Conviction: Samsung Electronics. In this insight, we provide an update of Samsung Electronics.</li>
<li>Samsung Electronics reported operating profit of 12.1 trillion won (up 31.8% YoY and 18.7% higher than consensus) in 3Q 2025.</li>
<li>The final installment of the 12 trillion won+ inheritance tax is due in April 2026.</li>
</ul>


Back on 6 November 2024, we published an insight called 2025 High Conviction: Samsung Electronics. In this insight, we provide an update of Samsung Electronics.
Samsung Electronics reported operating profit of 12.1 trillion won (up 31.8% YoY and 18.7% higher than consensus) in 3Q 2025.
The final installment of the 12 trillion won+ inheritance tax is due in April 2026.


An Update of Our 2025 High Conviction Pick: Samsung Electronics

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<li>Three major reasons why Samsung Electronics is our 2025 high conviction pick include attractive valuations, reduced concerns about inheritance tax overhang, and higher likely total shareholder returns.</li>
<li>Given that 2025 will be the last year of major inheritance tax payment for the Lee family, this reduced overhang could act as a positive sentiment on Samsung Electronics.</li>
<li>Pressures on Samsung to announce material improvement to shareholder returns are coming not just from existing shareholders but also from the Korean government due to Korea Corporate Value Up program.</li>
</ul>


Three major reasons why Samsung Electronics is our 2025 high conviction pick include attractive valuations, reduced concerns about inheritance tax overhang, and higher likely total shareholder returns.
Given that 2025 will be the last year of major inheritance tax payment for the Lee family, this reduced overhang could act as a positive sentiment on Samsung Electronics.
Pressures on Samsung to announce material improvement to shareholder returns are coming not just from existing shareholders but also from the Korean government due to Korea Corporate Value Up program.


2025 High Conviction: Samsung Electronics

Equity Research Analyst - Long-Short

Raj S, CA, CFA

Event-Driven

360 Finance, Inc. operates as a holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, provides a digital finance platform to render loans and capital contributions. 360 Finance serves clients in China.

<ul>
<li>QFIN US is down 30% since July on fear that the Oct 1 regulatory action on 24%+ loans will lead to significant and sustained earnings downgrades.</li>
<li>QFIN’s industry-leading franchise, risk management history, capital return yield (~18-20%), and strong balance sheet support a strong recovery post-regulatory clarity and cleanup.</li>
<li>Valuation at 1.2x FY1 P/BV already discounts worst case; QFIN’s recovery potential leaves scope for 100%+ upside (peak valuation at 2.4x in Mar-24 pre-regulation).</li>
</ul>


QFIN US is down 30% since July on fear that the Oct 1 regulatory action on 24%+ loans will lead to significant and sustained earnings downgrades.
QFIN’s industry-leading franchise, risk management history, capital return yield (~18-20%), and strong balance sheet support a strong recovery post-regulatory clarity and cleanup.
Valuation at 1.2x FY1 P/BV already discounts worst case; QFIN’s recovery potential leaves scope for 100%+ upside (peak valuation at 2.4x in Mar-24 pre-regulation).


2025 High Conviction: QFIN US – Event-Driven: Regulatory Overhang Sets Up 100%+ Upside Post-Clarity