Forensic Analyst

Jason Yap, CFA

Forensic Accounting

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nanofilm-technologies-international" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29700:1" rel="noopener">Nanofilm (NANO SP)</a> is a Singapore-based nanotechnology solutions provider. Its principal business is the manufacturing and distribution of advanced materials and nanoproducts for the consumer electronics, communications, and automotive industries.Founded in 1999 by Executive Chairman Dr Shi Xu, who was then an associate professor at Nanyang Technology University (NTU)'s School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanofilm raised approximately SGD470.1 million in IPO proceeds in October 2020.During its short history as a public company, the company had to endure significant regulator and investor scrutiny following sub-par H1 2021 results and senior management changes, including the abrupt resignations of former CEO, Mr Lee Liang Huang and former COO, Mr Ricky Tan, in quick succession (June and August 2021 respectively). Dr Shi, assumed the role of interim CEO, until the <a href="https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/nanofilm-appoints-new-ceo-says-it-continues-to-see-growth-momentum-for-business#:~:text=MAINBOARD%2DLISTED%20Nanofilm%20Technologies%20International,on%20Thursday%20(Oct%2014)." target="_blank" rel="noopener">recent appointment</a> of Mr Gary Ho Hock Yong, as Nanofilm's CEO.  Dr Shi served as the company's CEO from 1999 to 2017. On 14 October 2021, Nanofilm provided a business update for Q3 2021, which highlighted continued growth momentum despite a volatile business environment, amid the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain disruptions. In this Insight, we examine Nanofilm's financial and business risks based on its IPO prospectus disclosures and certain new risks that emerged given latest available facts and developments, including but not limited to the following: <ol>
<li>High Customer Concentration  </li>
<li>Competition from Alternative Products and Solutions</li>
<li>Significant Management Changes </li>
<li>Management Share Disposals </li>
</ol>Accordingly, we highlight the key areas of concern for investors.

Nanofilm (NANO SP) is a Singapore-based nanotechnology solutions provider. Its principal business is the manufacturing and distribution of advanced materials and nanoproducts for the consumer electronics, communications, and automotive industries.Founded in 1999 by Executive Chairman Dr Shi Xu, who was then an associate professor at Nanyang Technology University (NTU)'s School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanofilm raised approximately SGD470.1 million in IPO proceeds in October 2020.During its short history as a public company, the company had to endure significant regulator and investor scrutiny following sub-par H1 2021 results and senior management changes, including the abrupt resignations of former CEO, Mr Lee Liang Huang and former COO, Mr Ricky Tan, in quick succession (June and August 2021 respectively). Dr Shi, assumed the role of interim CEO, until the recent appointment of Mr Gary Ho Hock Yong, as Nanofilm's CEO.  Dr Shi served as the company's CEO from 1999 to 2017. On 14 October 2021, Nanofilm provided a business update for Q3 2021, which highlighted continued growth momentum despite a volatile business environment, amid the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain disruptions. In this Insight, we examine Nanofilm's financial and business risks based on its IPO prospectus disclosures and certain new risks that emerged given latest available facts and developments, including but not limited to the following: 
High Customer Concentration  
Competition from Alternative Products and Solutions
Significant Management Changes 
Management Share Disposals 
Accordingly, we highlight the key areas of concern for investors. 

Understanding Nanofilm (Nano SP)'s 3Cs - Customer Concentration, Competition and Management Changes

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/lendlease-global-commercial-reit" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28292:1" rel="noopener">Lendlease Global Commercial REIT</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/berli-jucker-public-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3685:1" rel="noopener">Berli Jucker (BJC TB)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/aem-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11019:1" rel="noopener">AEM (AEM SP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/airports-of-thailand-pcl" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:239:1" rel="noopener">Airports of Thailand (AOT TB)</a>, and the upcoming <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/citicore-renewable-energy" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:40676:1" rel="noopener">Citicore Renewable Energy</a> IPO.</li>
<li>There was also macro insight on the new joint Singapore &amp; Malaysia Special Economic Zone in Johor and an insight on the STTF rebalancing in Singapore. </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-up, from across Southeast Asia.</li>
</ul>


The Past Week saw insights on Lendlease Global Commercial REIT, Berli Jucker (BJC TB), AEM (AEM SP), Airports of Thailand (AOT TB), and the upcoming Citicore Renewable Energy IPO.
There was also macro insight on the new joint Singapore &amp; Malaysia Special Economic Zone in Johor and an insight on the STTF rebalancing in Singapore. 
The Week That Was in ASEAN@Smartkarma is filled with an eclectic mix of differentiated, substantive, and actionable insights, macro and equity bottom-up, from across Southeast Asia.


The Week That Was in ASEAN@Smartkarma - LREIT's Focussed, Berli Jucker, and AEM's Inventory Loss

Insight Provider, CrossASEAN Research

Nicolas Van Broekhoven

Insight Provider

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>AEM reported weak 1Q23 showing significant revenue and margin pressure across the board</li>
<li>The company mentioned it was an indirect beneficiary of AI and ChatGPT hype going forward</li>
<li>AEM could achieve 0.40 EPS in FY24 once the semiconductor industry rebounds. Fair Value of 6 SGD is unchanged.</li>
</ul>


AEM reported weak 1Q23 showing significant revenue and margin pressure across the board
The company mentioned it was an indirect beneficiary of AI and ChatGPT hype going forward
AEM could achieve 0.40 EPS in FY24 once the semiconductor industry rebounds. Fair Value of 6 SGD is unchanged.


AEM Holding: Weak 1Q23 Not a Surprise, Hoping for Better FY24

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/aem-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11019:1" rel="noopener">AEM (AEM SP)</a> reported record revenues and profits for FY22. Guidance for FY23 was underwhelming and margin pressure was much larger than feared</li>
<li>On an 18-24 month horizon, we think AEM outperforms but in the short-term stock could see more downside as worries about margin pressure persist</li>
<li>Lower Fair Value estimate to 6 SGD from 8 SGD (15x 0.40 EPS FY24).</li>
</ul>



AEM (AEM SP) reported record revenues and profits for FY22. Guidance for FY23 was underwhelming and margin pressure was much larger than feared
On an 18-24 month horizon, we think AEM outperforms but in the short-term stock could see more downside as worries about margin pressure persist
Lower Fair Value estimate to 6 SGD from 8 SGD (15x 0.40 EPS FY24).


AEM: 2023 Is a Transition Year, Back to 0.40 EPS in 2024

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>The 2022 vintage of "5 High Conviction Ideas" had the weakest performance since 2017, with only China Shineway posting a positive return</li>
<li>Olam, Rex and Starhub all declined approximately 16% in FY22</li>
<li>Our 2023 vintage will hopefully perform better with 4 out of 5 favorites in the commodity space</li>
</ul>


The 2022 vintage of "5 High Conviction Ideas" had the weakest performance since 2017, with only China Shineway posting a positive return
Olam, Rex and Starhub all declined approximately 16% in FY22
Our 2023 vintage will hopefully perform better with 4 out of 5 favorites in the commodity space


Overview of My Winners and Losers in 2022...And 5 High Conviction Ideas Going into 2023

Singapore

AEM Holdings Limited designs and manufactures semiconductor manufacturing equipment and related tooling parts and precision machining of components for semiconductor industry.  The Company also manufactures and distributes electronics, engineering, chemical and related products. AEM provides engineering services.

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AEM (AEM SP)

Understanding Nanofilm (Nano SP)'s 3Cs - Customer Concentration, Competition and Management Changes

In its short listed history, Nanofilm endured significant regulator and investor scrutiny following sub-par results, management share disposals and...

Jason Yap, CFA

The Week That Was in ASEAN@Smartkarma - LREIT's Focussed, Berli Jucker, and AEM's Inventory Loss

The Past Week saw insights on Lendlease Global Commercial REIT, Berli Jucker (BJC TB), AEM (AEM SP), Airports of Thailand (AOT TB), and the...

Angus Mackintosh

AEM Holding: Weak 1Q23 Not a Surprise, Hoping for Better FY24

AEM reported a weak 1Q23 which was not unexpected given earlier FY23 guidance of 500M revenues. Management remains steadfast in its long-term...

Nicolas Van Broekhoven

AEM: 2023 Is a Transition Year, Back to 0.40 EPS in 2024

AEM reported record revenues and profits in FY22. The outlook for FY23 is weak as management thinks of it as a transition year.

Nicolas Van Broekhoven

Overview of My Winners and Losers in 2022...And 5 High Conviction Ideas Going into 2023

Our FY22 vintage of High Conviction Ideas had its weakest performance since FY17. We hope for better returns for our commodity-focused FY23 selection.

Nicolas Van Broekhoven

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