Independent research on the U.S. markets, Baptista Research

Baptista Research

Independent research on the U.S. markets

Baptista Research is an independent financial research house focused on the U.S. markets. We provide equity research as well as credit research reports on the top-listed U.S. companies with most of our focus on technology, consumer goods and services, automobiles, industrials, oil and gas, pharma, and healthcare. Our research has served more than 3000 institutional investors including mutual funds, hedge funds, banks, family offices, and various buy-side firms. We operate a research subscription service where institutions, as well as retail investors, can have priority access to all our research. We also have a wide distribution of our research reports across some of the top global financial platforms. Apart from equity research and credit research, we also provide advisory services with respect to mergers & acquisitions (M&A), private equity/ venture capital fundraising, valuation reports, and investment management services for corporates.
Baptista Research is owned and managed by Ishan Majumdar, an ex-Venture Capitalist/ Investment Banker, a Chartered Accountant, and a Masters’ degree holder in Management from HEC Paris. Ishan has nearly a decade of experience in Mergers and Acquisitions, Leveraged Buyouts (LBOs), Venture Capital Investing, Corporate Strategy, and Valuation in front-office roles at the likes of BNP Paribas CIB, Credit Agricole CIB, Groupe Danone, and TIW Private Equity. He has worked on and closed multiple acquisition deals, leveraged buyouts, and start-up investment transactions.

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul><li>Alibaba Group is making one of the largest AI financing bets in China, raising roughly $10.2 billion through a new share placement just as its artificial intelligence business begins showing meaningful commercial traction.</li><li>The deal involves 710 million new shares, representing roughly 3.7% of Alibaba’s existing issued share capital, and comes after a quarter in which heavy technology investment pushed GAAP net income down about 75% and free cash flow deeply negative.</li><li>Yet the story is far from uniformly bearish.</li></ul>

Alibaba Group is making one of the largest AI financing bets in China, raising roughly $10.2 billion through a new share placement just as its artificial intelligence business begins showing meaningful commercial traction.The deal involves 710 million new shares, representing roughly 3.7% of Alibaba’s existing issued share capital, and comes after a quarter in which heavy technology investment pushed GAAP net income down about 75% and free cash flow deeply negative.Yet the story is far from uniformly bearish.

Alibaba’s $10 Billion AI Gamble: Genius Move Or Shareholder Nightmare?

Derivatives and Quantitative Strategist

Gaudenz Schneider

Equity Derivatives

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alibaba-group-holding-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:787:1" rel="noopener">Alibaba (BABA US)</a> dropped 8.6% following its USD 10.2bn placement, although the capital raising represents only 3.6% of market capitalization and will fund AI investment.</li>
<li>One-Month implied volatility stands at 42.3%, in its 61st percentile, creating elevated—but not extreme—premium income opportunities.</li>
<li>September short puts offer premiums ranging from 1.6% (OTM) to 3.7% (ATM), with lower strikes providing greater downside protection and higher strikes offering greater tactical returns.</li>
</ul>



Alibaba (BABA US) dropped 8.6% following its USD 10.2bn placement, although the capital raising represents only 3.6% of market capitalization and will fund AI investment.
One-Month implied volatility stands at 42.3%, in its 61st percentile, creating elevated—but not extreme—premium income opportunities.
September short puts offer premiums ranging from 1.6% (OTM) to 3.7% (ATM), with lower strikes providing greater downside protection and higher strikes offering greater tactical returns.


Alibaba (BABA US): Trading the Placement Dip with US Options

Head of Research, IPOs & Placements, Aequitas Research

Sumeet Singh

Head of Research, IPOs & Placements

IPOs and Placements coverage across Asia Pacific

Aequitas Research

We cover all listing across the Asia Pacific along with follow-up placements. As of Dec 2020, our team had covered 539 IPOs with a hit rate of 73.5% and 685 placements with a hit rate of 66.8%.

We combine fundamental bottom-up views with our proprietary quantitative framework to provide a holistic coverage across new listings and placements. Our coverage includes pre-IPO notes before the deal is launched, follow-up analysis once the deal is live and post-listing trading analysis as well.

Equity Capital Markets

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sk-hynix-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16955:1" rel="noopener">SK Hynix (000660 KS)</a> (SKH), a leading global memory producer, aims to raise over US$10bn via an ADR listing.</li>
<li>SKH has confidentially filed for an ADR issuance which could see it potentially launch a raising in July 2026, as per media reports.</li>
<li>In this note, we look at its past performance and other deal dynamics that might impact the listing.</li>
</ul>



SK Hynix (000660 KS) (SKH), a leading global memory producer, aims to raise over US$10bn via an ADR listing.
SKH has confidentially filed for an ADR issuance which could see it potentially launch a raising in July 2026, as per media reports.
In this note, we look at its past performance and other deal dynamics that might impact the listing.


Aequitas: SK Hynix ADR Listing - Part 2 - The Quest for a US$1tn+ Valuation

Chief Executive Officer, Emmer Capital Partners Limited

Manishi Raychaudhuri

Chief Executive Officer

Emmer Capital Partners Limited

Emmer Capital Partners is an Asia Pacific focused financial advisory firm engaging in strategic financial asset allocation advice, bespoke thematic research and advising early-stage companies and connecting them to investors. Emmer Capital provides macro-economic and multi-asset investment strategy inputs to institutions, family offices, private wealth managers, private equity, and corporate boards directly and through independent research platforms. Emmer Capital also advises a wide range of startup companies on fund raising and business strategy. Emmer Capital's active engagement with the print and electronic media reaches a broad spectrum of investors across the globe.

TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing) / Equity Bottom-Up

TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing) (2330 TT)

TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing)

<ul>
<li>Since the last rebalancing on 30th January, our portfolio appreciated 3.4% against MSCI Asia-ex-Japan's 1%. Since inception on May 15, 2025, our portfolio has appreciated 35.8%, vs MXASJ's 32.8%. </li>
<li>Since last reshuffle, the portfolio was driven by Korea (2.57% return contribution), Taiwan (1.3%) and India (0.75%). Four Chinese internet stocks, Alibaba, Tencent, Tencent Music and Netease, contributed -1.97% return.</li>
<li>We now exclude Dr Lal Pathlabs in India and include Tata Steel. We also include Maybank in Malaysia. All our inclusions have seen sharp EPS estimate upgrades lately.</li>
</ul>


Since the last rebalancing on 30th January, our portfolio appreciated 3.4% against MSCI Asia-ex-Japan's 1%. Since inception on May 15, 2025, our portfolio has appreciated 35.8%, vs MXASJ's 32.8%. 
Since last reshuffle, the portfolio was driven by Korea (2.57% return contribution), Taiwan (1.3%) and India (0.75%). Four Chinese internet stocks, Alibaba, Tencent, Tencent Music and Netease, contributed -1.97% return.
We now exclude Dr Lal Pathlabs in India and include Tata Steel. We also include Maybank in Malaysia. All our inclusions have seen sharp EPS estimate upgrades lately.


Asian Equities: Model Portfolio - We Reshuffle India, Add Malaysia; Korea Remains Biggest Overweight

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Back in 2021, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jardine-matheson-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19718:1" rel="noopener">Jardine Matheson (JM SP)</a> took 84.89%-held <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jardine-strategic-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15081:1" rel="noopener">Jardine Strategic (JS SP)</a> private by way of an Amalgamation. As Matheson was permitted to vote, the outcome was assured. </li>
<li>Less clear are "fair value" appraisal rights afforded Strategic's dissentient shareholders, the outcome of which navigates the Bermuda/UK courts. To date, dissenters have mostly had their way.</li>
<li>Which may have precipitated Matheson opting for a (full value) Scheme for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mandarin-oriental-international-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4773:1" rel="noopener">Mandarin Oriental International (MAND SP)</a>, in which appraisal rights are not afforded.</li>
</ul>


Back in 2021, Jardine Matheson (JM SP) took 84.89%-held Jardine Strategic (JS SP) private by way of an Amalgamation. As Matheson was permitted to vote, the outcome was assured. 
Less clear are "fair value" appraisal rights afforded Strategic's dissentient shareholders, the outcome of which navigates the Bermuda/UK courts. To date, dissenters have mostly had their way.
Which may have precipitated Matheson opting for a (full value) Scheme for Mandarin Oriental International (MAND SP), in which appraisal rights are not afforded.


Matheson's Motive For Avoiding MAND's Dissentient Shareholders

China

Alibaba Group Holding Limited provides online sales services. The Company provides internet infrastructure, electronic commerce, online financial, and internet content services through its subsidiaries. Alibaba Group Holding offers its products and services worldwide.

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Alibaba (BABA US)

Alibaba’s $10 Billion AI Gamble: Genius Move Or Shareholder Nightmare?

Alibaba Group is making one of the largest AI financing bets in China, raising roughly $10.2 billion through a new share placement just as its...

Baptista Research

Alibaba (BABA US): Trading the Placement Dip with US Options

Alibaba’s placement-driven decline creates a range of US-listed short-put setups, spanning defensive entry levels and more aggressive tactical...

Gaudenz Schneider

Aequitas: SK Hynix ADR Listing - Part 2 - The Quest for a US$1tn+ Valuation

SK Hynix (000660 KS) (SKH), a leading global memory producer, aims to raise over US$10bn via an ADR listing. In this note, we have a look at the...

Sumeet Singh

Asian Equities: Model Portfolio - We Reshuffle India, Add Malaysia; Korea Remains Biggest Overweight

Our Portfolio outperformed MXASJ since last reshuffle & since inception, driven by KR, TW & IN. We include reasonably valued stocks with strong...

Manishi Raychaudhuri

Matheson's Motive For Avoiding MAND's Dissentient Shareholders

I see MAND trading at 2.1%/6.9% gross/annualised - assuming late Feb 2026 payment. That's not exciting. I prefer Matheson here.

David Blennerhassett

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Alibaba’s $10 Billion AI Gamble: Genius Move Or Shareholder Nightmare?

Alibaba Group is making one of the largest AI financing bets in China, raising roughly $10.2 billion through a new share placement just as its...

Baptista Research

Alibaba (BABA US): Trading the Placement Dip with US Options

Alibaba’s placement-driven decline creates a range of US-listed short-put setups, spanning defensive entry levels and more aggressive tactical...

Gaudenz Schneider

Aequitas: SK Hynix ADR Listing - Part 2 - The Quest for a US$1tn+ Valuation

SK Hynix (000660 KS) (SKH), a leading global memory producer, aims to raise over US$10bn via an ADR listing. In this note, we have a look at the...

Sumeet Singh

Asian Equities: Model Portfolio - We Reshuffle India, Add Malaysia; Korea Remains Biggest Overweight

​Our Portfolio outperformed MXASJ since last reshuffle & since inception, driven by KR, TW & IN. We include reasonably valued stocks with strong...

Manishi Raychaudhuri

Matheson's Motive For Avoiding MAND's Dissentient Shareholders

I see MAND trading at 2.1%/6.9% gross/annualised - assuming late Feb 2026 payment. That's not exciting. I prefer Matheson here.

David Blennerhassett

Our Portfolio outperformed MXASJ since last reshuffle & since inception, driven by KR, TW & IN. We include reasonably valued stocks with strong...