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

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/akr-corporindo-tbk-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13338:1" rel="noopener">AKR Corporindo (AKRA IJ)</a> continues to prove its metal releasing a strong set of 9M2020 results, which saw an across the board improvement in margins, despite a decline in sales.  
This was achieved by healthy contributions from all businesses, strict operating expenses control, tight Working Capital Management, together with lower leverage.
Petroleum volumes remained very healthy, with an increasingly diverse customer mix, whilst chemical volumes were slower given its more economically sensitive. 
The company's JIIPE industrial estate (Jakarta Integrated Industrial and Port Estate) saw further land sales but we should expect further plot sales in 4Q2020 and a much higher number in 2021. 
The <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/freeport-mcmoran-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12491:1" rel="noopener">Freeport Mcmoran (FCX US)</a> smelter is making progress with <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/chiyoda-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6232:1" rel="noopener">Chiyoda Corp (6366 JP)</a> appointed as EPC contractor and lease payments coming through on schedule. 
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/akr-corporindo-tbk-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13338:1" rel="noopener">AKR Corporindo (AKRA IJ)</a>'s retail petroleum JV with <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bp-plc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:21847:1" rel="noopener">BP PLC (BP/ LN)</a> is recovering with expectations of higher growth in 2021 and 2022. 
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<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/akr-corporindo-tbk-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13338:1" rel="noopener">AKR Corporindo (AKRA IJ)</a> trades on 11.0x FY21E PER versus its 3-year average forward PER of 15.8x, with the expectation of +16.2% EPS growth in FY21E.  This is an interesting proxy for Indonesia's economic recovery, as well as a play on the potential pick-up in foreign investment on the back of the passage of the Omnibus Law. 
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AKR Corporindo (AKRA IJ) continues to prove its metal releasing a strong set of 9M2020 results, which saw an across the board improvement in margins, despite a decline in sales.  
This was achieved by healthy contributions from all businesses, strict operating expenses control, tight Working Capital Management, together with lower leverage.
Petroleum volumes remained very healthy, with an increasingly diverse customer mix, whilst chemical volumes were slower given its more economically sensitive. 
The company's JIIPE industrial estate (Jakarta Integrated Industrial and Port Estate) saw further land sales but we should expect further plot sales in 4Q2020 and a much higher number in 2021. 
The Freeport Mcmoran (FCX US) smelter is making progress with Chiyoda Corp (6366 JP) appointed as EPC contractor and lease payments coming through on schedule. 
AKR Corporindo (AKRA IJ)'s retail petroleum JV with BP PLC (BP/ LN) is recovering with expectations of higher growth in 2021 and 2022. 

AKR Corporindo (AKRA IJ) trades on 11.0x FY21E PER versus its 3-year average forward PER of 15.8x, with the expectation of +16.2% EPS growth in FY21E.  This is an interesting proxy for Indonesia's economic recovery, as well as a play on the potential pick-up in foreign investment on the back of the passage of the Omnibus Law. 


AKR Corporindo (AKRA IJ) - Great Omnibus Expectations

Japan/Asia Long-Short, LightStream Research

Mio Kato

Japan/Asia Long-Short

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.

Chiyoda’s 1Q was relatively quiet as gross margins recovered and cost control was strong. All attention will remain on the timing of the FID from Qatar which has been pushed back from 1HFY03/21 to 2H FY03/21 but still faces uncertainty given that clients appear to be waiting for more clarity on the length of COVID’s impact before going ahead with projects.

Chiyoda’s 1Q was relatively quiet as gross margins recovered and cost control was strong. All attention will remain on the timing of the FID from Qatar which has been pushed back from 1HFY03/21 to 2H FY03/21 but still faces uncertainty given that clients appear to be waiting for more clarity on the length of COVID’s impact before going ahead with projects.

Chiyoda – Earnings Structure Improves but Qatar Delayed

Nikola Corporation Executive Chairman Trevor Milton has been doing the rounds with social media interviews and recently spoke to noted Tesla sceptic, @TeslaCharts on his podcast. The discussion covered some interesting topics such as grid balancing and other methods to reduce hydrogen costs and Nikola’s unique business concept. In light of the 59% drop in the stock price in just over a month, we examine these topics below.

Nikola Corporation Executive Chairman Trevor Milton has been doing the rounds with social media interviews and recently spoke to noted Tesla sceptic, @TeslaCharts on his podcast. The discussion covered some interesting topics such as grid balancing and other methods to reduce hydrogen costs and Nikola’s unique business concept. In light of the 59% drop in the stock price in just over a month, we examine these topics below.

Nikola – Grid Balancing, Hydrogen and Vertical Integration

'Quantamental' Japan Specialist, LightStream Research

Campbell Gunn

'Quantamental' Japan Specialist

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<div>
<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/139/997/original/2020-06-15_11-08-56.png?1592186965" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="139997"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source: Japan Analytics</div>
STRESS TESTS - This Insight is the second in our Japan Stress Test series in which we endeavour to assess where business risk is concentrated among larger Japanese companies. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/japan-stress-tests-part-1-altman-z-scores" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:40180" rel="noopener">Part 1</a> looked at the time-worn Altman-Z Score for both manufacturing and non-manufacturing companies. In Part 2 will we turn our attention to the cash flow statement starting with the 'lifeblood' of all businesses - Operating Cash Flow.
ACCRUAL ACCOUNTING - Despite the sacrosanctity in some quarters of discounted cash flow analysis, for valuation purposes, our preference is to use accrual accounting. As Professor Stephen Penman states, "Accrual accounting brings the future forward in time and anticipates future cash flows."  Nevertheless, cash flow accounting, and the level of accounting accruals, can provide early insights into periodic stress. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nissan-motor-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:72:1" rel="noopener">Nissan Motor (7201 JP)'s</a> Accruals (Operating Income less Operating Cash Flow) as a percentage of period-end market capitalisation correlate with the company's Relative Price Score over the last thirty years. Further Insights in this series will continue to 'mine'  the Cash Flow statement by exploring Financing Cash Flows and the Working Capital Cycle.
REFORMULATED CASH FLOWSTATEMENTS - Our Operating Cash Flow calculation is derived from each company's Balance Sheet and Income Statement for periods of up to twenty-eight years. Cash Flow items relating to operating activities are divided into Operating Cash Flow and Investing Cash Flow, which includes Fixed Asset and Inventory Cash Flows.  Cash flows relating to financing activities are divided into Financing Cash Flow and Shareholder Cash Flow. The reformulated Balance Sheets, Income and Cash Flow Statements follow a clean-surplus relationship. All three Statements are fully articulated to include items of Other Comprehensive Income which are added to or subtracted from Shareholders' Equity. 
</div>UNIVERSE - The universe for this Insight comprises the 614 Japanese companies with a market capitalisation excluding Treasury Stock over ¥100 million and for which we have at least two years of cash flow data.  Five non-financial companies, which have significant financial subsidiaries (<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rakuten-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31:1" rel="noopener">Rakuten (4755 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/z-holdings-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19603:1" rel="noopener">Z Holdings (4689 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/japan-post-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:359:1" rel="noopener">Japan Post (6178 JP)</a>, <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> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sony-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:563:1" rel="noopener">Sony (6758 JP)</a>), have been excluded from this analysis.


Source: Japan Analytics
STRESS TESTS - This Insight is the second in our Japan Stress Test series in which we endeavour to assess where business risk is concentrated among larger Japanese companies. Part 1 looked at the time-worn Altman-Z Score for both manufacturing and non-manufacturing companies. In Part 2 will we turn our attention to the cash flow statement starting with the 'lifeblood' of all businesses - Operating Cash Flow.
ACCRUAL ACCOUNTING - Despite the sacrosanctity in some quarters of discounted cash flow analysis, for valuation purposes, our preference is to use accrual accounting. As Professor Stephen Penman states, "Accrual accounting brings the future forward in time and anticipates future cash flows."  Nevertheless, cash flow accounting, and the level of accounting accruals, can provide early insights into periodic stress. Nissan Motor (7201 JP)'s Accruals (Operating Income less Operating Cash Flow) as a percentage of period-end market capitalisation correlate with the company's Relative Price Score over the last thirty years. Further Insights in this series will continue to 'mine'  the Cash Flow statement by exploring Financing Cash Flows and the Working Capital Cycle.
REFORMULATED CASH FLOWSTATEMENTS - Our Operating Cash Flow calculation is derived from each company's Balance Sheet and Income Statement for periods of up to twenty-eight years. Cash Flow items relating to operating activities are divided into Operating Cash Flow and Investing Cash Flow, which includes Fixed Asset and Inventory Cash Flows.  Cash flows relating to financing activities are divided into Financing Cash Flow and Shareholder Cash Flow. The reformulated Balance Sheets, Income and Cash Flow Statements follow a clean-surplus relationship. All three Statements are fully articulated to include items of Other Comprehensive Income which are added to or subtracted from Shareholders' Equity. 
UNIVERSE - The universe for this Insight comprises the 614 Japanese companies with a market capitalisation excluding Treasury Stock over ¥100 million and for which we have at least two years of cash flow data.  Five non-financial companies, which have significant financial subsidiaries (Rakuten (4755 JP), Z Holdings (4689 JP), Japan Post (6178 JP), Softbank Group (9984 JP) and Sony (6758 JP)), have been excluded from this analysis. 

🇯🇵 JAPAN - Stress Tests Part 2 - Operating Cash Flow & Accruals

We spoke to Chiyoda this morning to get more detail on the impact of COVID lockdowns on the various projects that the company is managing across the world. The impact was exceedingly limited till the end of the March quarter but there are some risks to be aware of.

We spoke to Chiyoda this morning to get more detail on the impact of COVID lockdowns on the various projects that the company is managing across the world. The impact was exceedingly limited till the end of the March quarter but there are some risks to be aware of.

Chiyoda – Direct COVID Impact Limited but Order Flow Recovery Waits on Crude Prices

Japan

CHIYODA CORPORATION constructs, inspects, and maintains industrial plants around the world.  Those plants include oil refinery, petrochemical, food, and pharmaceutical plants.  The Company also provides comprehensive engineering services for such as energy saving, factory automation (FA), and environmental preservation for water treatment and soil purification.

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Chiyoda Corp (6366 JP)

AKR Corporindo (AKRA IJ) - Great Omnibus Expectations

AKR Corporindo is a key proxy for Indonesia's economic recovery and a play on the potential pick-up in foreign investment on the back of the...

Angus Mackintosh

Chiyoda – Earnings Structure Improves but Qatar Delayed

Chiyoda’s 1Q was relatively quiet as gross margins recovered and cost control was strong. All attention will remain on the timing of the FID from...

Mio Kato

Nikola – Grid Balancing, Hydrogen and Vertical Integration

Nikola Corporation Executive Chairman Trevor Milton has been doing the rounds with social media interviews and recently spoke to noted Tesla...

Mio Kato

🇯🇵 JAPAN - Stress Tests Part 2 - Operating Cash Flow & Accruals

STRESS TESTS - This Insight is the second in our Japan Stress Test series in which we endeavour to assess where business risk is concentrated...

Campbell Gunn

Chiyoda – Direct COVID Impact Limited but Order Flow Recovery Waits on Crude Prices

We spoke to Chiyoda this morning to get more detail on the impact of COVID lockdowns on the various projects that the company is managing across...

Mio Kato

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