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

Equity Bottom-Up

Matahari Department Store / Equity Bottom-Up

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pt-matahari-department-store" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5230:1" rel="noopener">Matahari Department Store (LPPF IJ)</a> hosted a business initiatives update for analysts last week, which provided some interesting updates on performance and fresh strategies, as we approach the end of the year. Apart from an update on sales, store closures and discontinued brands, the key initiatives discussed included the launch of a brand new Matahari.com and the collaboration with <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bank-nationalnobu-tbk-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:17016:1" rel="noopener">Bank Nationalnobu (NOBU IJ)</a> to provide branchless banking. 
There has been a choppy sales recovery since the end of 3Q2020 partly due to the fact that 42 out of 153 stores are still under transition from the last set of PSBB measures.
There has been a mixed performance across different departments with casual wear and children's wear performing well but formalwear, travel, and cosmetics underperforming. 
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pt-matahari-department-store" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5230:1" rel="noopener">Matahari Department Store (LPPF IJ)</a> has discontinued seven direct-purchase (DP) brands and intends to write down the stock in these brands by the end of the year. 
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pt-matahari-department-store" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5230:1" rel="noopener"></a>The company intends to close a further six stores this year bringing the total number by the end of the year to 147 stores. There is a freeze on any new store openings next year with 23 stores under observation. 
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pt-matahari-department-store" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5230:1" rel="noopener">Matahari Department Store (LPPF IJ)</a> only last week has launched its brand new Matahari.com, which is at its early stages and will be ramped up slowly as part of the company's omnichannel strategy.  
A key discussion point and the subject of a large portion of the questions in the recent analyst call was regarding the strategy behind the company's tie-up with <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bank-nationalnobu-tbk-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:17016:1" rel="noopener">Bank Nationalnobu (NOBU IJ)</a> to provide branchless banking services within Matahari stores. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pt-matahari-department-store" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5230:1" rel="noopener">Matahari Department Store (LPPF IJ)</a> has taken a 16.41% direct stake in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bank-nationalnobu-tbk-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:17016:1" rel="noopener">Bank Nationalnobu (NOBU IJ)</a>.
No doubt <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pt-matahari-department-store" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5230:1" rel="noopener">Matahari Department Store (LPPF IJ)</a> is cheap trading on 7.5x FY21E PER and 3.2x FY21E EV/EBITDA but there is still some uncertainty ahead, as it has a good number of underperforming stores still being monitored and its initiatives, appealing though they may be, will take time to gain traction.

Matahari Department Store (LPPF IJ) hosted a business initiatives update for analysts last week, which provided some interesting updates on performance and fresh strategies, as we approach the end of the year. Apart from an update on sales, store closures and discontinued brands, the key initiatives discussed included the launch of a brand new Matahari.com and the collaboration with Bank Nationalnobu (NOBU IJ) to provide branchless banking. 
There has been a choppy sales recovery since the end of 3Q2020 partly due to the fact that 42 out of 153 stores are still under transition from the last set of PSBB measures.
There has been a mixed performance across different departments with casual wear and children's wear performing well but formalwear, travel, and cosmetics underperforming. 
Matahari Department Store (LPPF IJ) has discontinued seven direct-purchase (DP) brands and intends to write down the stock in these brands by the end of the year. 
The company intends to close a further six stores this year bringing the total number by the end of the year to 147 stores. There is a freeze on any new store openings next year with 23 stores under observation. 
Matahari Department Store (LPPF IJ) only last week has launched its brand new Matahari.com, which is at its early stages and will be ramped up slowly as part of the company's omnichannel strategy.  
A key discussion point and the subject of a large portion of the questions in the recent analyst call was regarding the strategy behind the company's tie-up with Bank Nationalnobu (NOBU IJ) to provide branchless banking services within Matahari stores. Matahari Department Store (LPPF IJ) has taken a 16.41% direct stake in Bank Nationalnobu (NOBU IJ).
No doubt Matahari Department Store (LPPF IJ) is cheap trading on 7.5x FY21E PER and 3.2x FY21E EV/EBITDA but there is still some uncertainty ahead, as it has a good number of underperforming stores still being monitored and its initiatives, appealing though they may be, will take time to gain traction.

Matahari Department Store (LPPF IJ) - Slow Transition to Newness

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/13837" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13837:1">Courts Asia Ltd (COURTS SP)</a>, a leading electrical, consumer electronics and furniture retailer in predominantly Singapore and Malaysia, has announced a voluntary conditional offer from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/9655" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9655:1">Nojima Corp (7419 JP)</a> at $0.205/share, a 34.9% premium to the last closing price.
The key condition to the Offer is the valid acceptances of 50% of shares out. Singapore Retail Group, with 73.8%, has given an irrevocable to tender. Once tendered, this offer will become unconditional.
CAL's share price has endured a steady decline since touching $1.14 back in May 2015. It traded above the Offer price as recently as late-July 2018.
However, the controlling shareholder, which has maintained its stake since CAL's listing in 2012, is cashing in. Nojima has stated it will exercise its right to compulsorily acquisition if acceptances reach 90%; and it does not intend to support any action or take steps to maintain the listing status of the company in the event its suspended due to free float requirements. I would look to cash out also. Consideration under the Offer may be remitted as early as the fourth week of Feb.

Courts Asia Ltd (COURTS SP), a leading electrical, consumer electronics and furniture retailer in predominantly Singapore and Malaysia, has announced a voluntary conditional offer from Nojima Corp (7419 JP) at $0.205/share, a 34.9% premium to the last closing price.
The key condition to the Offer is the valid acceptances of 50% of shares out. Singapore Retail Group, with 73.8%, has given an irrevocable to tender. Once tendered, this offer will become unconditional.
CAL's share price has endured a steady decline since touching $1.14 back in May 2015. It traded above the Offer price as recently as late-July 2018.
However, the controlling shareholder, which has maintained its stake since CAL's listing in 2012, is cashing in. Nojima has stated it will exercise its right to compulsorily acquisition if acceptances reach 90%; and it does not intend to support any action or take steps to maintain the listing status of the company in the event its suspended due to free float requirements. I would look to cash out also. Consideration under the Offer may be remitted as early as the fourth week of Feb.

 

Asia Ex-J Consumer/ Transport analyst

Valerie Law, CFA

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

In the recent release of The Committee On Future Economy (CFE) Report, the Singapore government brought up a few key trends that are affecting Singapore's economy, in particular: i) subdued global growth to continue in the next few years ii) rapid technological changes that can give way to new global value chains and production patterns  iii) Political uncertainties with the rising support for protectionism Below is the summary of seven key strategies presented by the Committee:1. Deepen and…

In the recent release of The Committee On Future Economy (CFE) Report, the Singapore government brought up a few key trends that are affecting Singapore's economy, in particular: i) subdued global growth to continue in the next few years ii) rapid technological changes that can give way to new global value chains and production patterns  iii) Political uncertainties with the rising support for protectionism  Below is the summary of seven key strategies presented by the Committee:1. Deepen and…

Singapore: Top Ten Words in CFE Report Highlight the Future of Education

Chairman, sgtradex

Tan Chin-Hwee

Chairman

<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/019/992/original/Pisatest.jpg?1485928080" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="19992"></figure><div class="content-caption">By Theo Müller - Own work, <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=837159" target="_blank">CC BY-SA 2.5</a>
</div>I was excited to read about Singapore's top ranking in the Pisa (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Programme_for_International_Student_Assessment" target="_blank">Programme for International Student Assessment</a>) tests and the perfect score of our IB (International Baccalaureate) achievers.We should be proud of what we have achieved in such a short time as a country. Our position among the best today in educational terms is the result of the hard work and leadership of the Singapore Government and teachers. There are not many things from Singapore that…

By Theo Müller - Own work, CC BY-SA 2.5
I was excited to read about Singapore's top ranking in the Pisa (Programme for International Student Assessment) tests and the perfect score of our IB (International Baccalaureate) achievers.We should be proud of what we have achieved in such a short time as a country. Our position among the best today in educational terms is the result of the hard work and leadership of the Singapore Government and teachers. There are not many things from Singapore that…

Singapore's Education System Must Embrace the Frontier Beyond Academic Achievement

Freelance Research Analyst

Tay Hock Meng

Developers managed to sell 384 new units, excluding executive condominiums (ECs) in December 2015, compared to 759 units in November 2015, and 230 units in December 2014. Including ECs, developers sold a total of 508 new units in December 2015, compared to 945 new units in November 2015, and 406 new units in December 2014. The December 2015 results brings the total number of new private residential units sold by developers to around 7,460 to 7,490 in 2015, about 2% higher than 2014 (Comprehensive property sales results for 4Q and whole of 2015  is scheduled to be released by the government on January 22, 2016).

Developers managed to sell 384 new units, excluding executive condominiums (ECs) in December 2015, compared to 759 units in November 2015, and 230 units in December 2014. Including ECs, developers sold a total of 508 new units in December 2015, compared to 945 new units in November 2015, and 406 new units in December 2014. The December 2015 results brings the total number of new private residential units sold by developers to around 7,460 to 7,490 in 2015, about 2% higher than 2014 (Comprehensive property sales results for 4Q and whole of 2015  is scheduled to be released by the government on January 22, 2016). 

Singapore

Courts Asia Ltd. retails electrical products, information technology products, and furniture.  The Company's retail stores market refrigerators, washing machines, air conditioners, dryers, televisions, DVD players, vacuum cleaners, toasters, blenders, fans, electric irons, telephones, home theater systems, computers, cameras, mobile telephones, and household furniture.

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Courts Asia Ltd (COURTS SP)

Matahari Department Store (LPPF IJ) - Slow Transition to Newness

Matahari Department Store's latest strategies such as the relaunch of Matahari.com and its collaboration with Bank Nobu seem sensible but it may...

Angus Mackintosh

Courts Asia To Be Taken Over By Nojima

Courts Asia Ltd (COURTS SP), a leading electrical, consumer electronics and furniture retailer in predominantly Singapore and Malaysia, has...

David Blennerhassett

Singapore: Top Ten Words in CFE Report Highlight the Future of Education

In the recent release of The Committee On Future Economy (CFE) Report, the Singapore government brought up a few key trends that are affecting...

Valerie Law, CFA

Singapore's Education System Must Embrace the Frontier Beyond Academic Achievement

I was excited to read about Singapore's top ranking in the Pisa (Programme for International Student Assessment) tests and the perfect score of our...

Tan Chin-Hwee

Modest Rise in New Home Sales in 2015

Developers managed to sell 384 new units, excluding executive condominiums (ECs) in December 2015, compared to 759 units in November 2015, and 230...

Tay Hock Meng

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