Chief Economist & Political Strategist, CrossASEAN Research

Prasenjit K. Basu

Chief Economist & Political Strategist

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

Macroeconomics

<ul>
<li>RBI's MPC cut 25bp as expected, but it remains behind the curve, with the real policy rate now excessively high at +5%. RBI inflation forecasts were and remain too high. </li>
<li>Food deflation is likely to be shortlived, with vegetable prices rising MoM since May'25. But all other food and non-food inflation components are moderating, and GST cuts impart further disinflation. </li>
<li>We expect inflation to be 1.8%YoY in Q4FY26 (vs RBI's 2.9%YoY forecast), 2.3% and 2.5% in Q1 and Q2FY27, so expect another 75bp reduction in repo rate by Aug'26. </li>
</ul>


RBI's MPC cut 25bp as expected, but it remains behind the curve, with the real policy rate now excessively high at +5%. RBI inflation forecasts were and remain too high. 
Food deflation is likely to be shortlived, with vegetable prices rising MoM since May'25. But all other food and non-food inflation components are moderating, and GST cuts impart further disinflation. 
We expect inflation to be 1.8%YoY in Q4FY26 (vs RBI's 2.9%YoY forecast), 2.3% and 2.5% in Q1 and Q2FY27, so expect another 75bp reduction in repo rate by Aug'26. 


India: RBI Cuts 25bp but the Real Policy Rate Is Still Too High at +5%

Derivatives and Quantitative Strategist

Gaudenz Schneider

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>
Context: This Insight follows up on previously highlighted relative value opportunities, using a statistical methodology based on mean-reversion to identify opportunities in paired securities.</li>
<li>
Highlights: Currently twelve pair trade opportunities across four markets and five sectors persist.</li>
<li>
Why read: Statistical analysis offers a unique perspective on relative value. Gain insights into actionable statistical pair trade opportunities and monitor performance of previously highlighted pairs.</li>
</ul>



Context: This Insight follows up on previously highlighted relative value opportunities, using a statistical methodology based on mean-reversion to identify opportunities in paired securities.

Highlights: Currently twelve pair trade opportunities across four markets and five sectors persist.

Why read: Statistical analysis offers a unique perspective on relative value. Gain insights into actionable statistical pair trade opportunities and monitor performance of previously highlighted pairs.


Relative Value Opportunities in Asia-Pac, Pair Trade Roundup (1 Dec)

Consumer Analyst / Channel Surveillance Specialist, Trudence Capital Advisors

Pranav Bhavsar

Consumer Analyst / Channel Surveillance Specialist

Trudence Capital Advisors

Trudence Capital Advisors Private Limited is a SEBI-registered Research Analyst, holding SEBI registration number INH000015747. Our firm is dedicated to providing independent and unbiased research on Indian mid to large-cap companies. Trudence Capital is known for its counter-consensus views, with a focus on forensic research and on-ground primary investigations. Our research approach is thorough, involving detailed analysis of accounting practices and governance, alongside extensive channel checks.

Independent & Unbiased Research

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bajaj-housing-finance" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:43675:1" rel="noopener">Bajaj Housing Finance (BHF IN)</a> is a priced to perfection narrative.</li>
<li>The current valuation (37.3x P/E, 4.2x P/B) prices the stock for absolute perfection in an environment that is distinctly imperfect and rapidly deteriorating.</li>
<li>A critical red flag highlighted in the Q2 transcript is the elevated annualized attrition rate.</li>
</ul>



Bajaj Housing Finance (BHF IN) is a priced to perfection narrative.
The current valuation (37.3x P/E, 4.2x P/B) prices the stock for absolute perfection in an environment that is distinctly imperfect and rapidly deteriorating.
A critical red flag highlighted in the Q2 transcript is the elevated annualized attrition rate.


Bajaj Housing Finance (BHF IN) | Running to Stand Still

<ul>
<li>
Context: This Insight follows up on previously highlighted relative value opportunities, using a statistical methodology based on mean-reversion to identify opportunities in paired securities.</li>
<li>
Highlights: Currently twelve pair trade opportunities across three markets and five sectors persist.</li>
<li>
Why read: Statistical analysis offers a unique perspective on relative value. Gain insights into actionable statistical pair trade opportunities and monitor performance of previously highlighted pairs.</li>
</ul>



Context: This Insight follows up on previously highlighted relative value opportunities, using a statistical methodology based on mean-reversion to identify opportunities in paired securities.

Highlights: Currently twelve pair trade opportunities across three markets and five sectors persist.

Why read: Statistical analysis offers a unique perspective on relative value. Gain insights into actionable statistical pair trade opportunities and monitor performance of previously highlighted pairs.


Relative Value Opportunities in Asia-Pac, Pair Trade Roundup (24 Nov)

Market & Forensics Analyst, Beat the Street

Nimish Maheshwari

Market & Forensics Analyst

Beat the Street

Beat The Street was founded by Nimish Maheshwari and Sudarshan Bhandari, both of whom are Chartered Accountants by Profession, known for their expert analysis in the fields of Business, Sectoral analysis, and Corporate governance.

With a strong social media presence of 45,000+ Subscribers across various platforms, they are considered trusted voices in the industry. Their insights and analysis have been featured in some of India’s most prominent publications, including the Economic Times, Dalal Street Investment Journal, The Morning Context, and The Ken.

Their analysis on Bankrupt & Insolvent companies has been instrumental in saving investors from significant losses. They have a keen eye for identifying red flags and has identified exclusive redflags earlier in Vedanta, Nykaa, Dhani Services, Adani and many more.

Read Business Not Stock Prices

<ul>
<li>Canara Bank reported a robust Q2 FY26, defying sector-wide headwinds. The headline surprise was the sharp asset quality improvement, with GNPA collapsing to 2.35% and NNPA at a pristine 0.54%. 
</li>
<li>The bank has successfully pivoted from "balance sheet repair" to "sustainable compounder." While NII is flat, the bank is offsetting this with volume growth and 42% jump in non-interest income.</li>
<li>With the "bad bank" legacy officially buried(PCR &gt;93%), the narrative now shifts to value unlocking. The listing of subsidiaries and the decline in credit costs makes the current valuation attractive.</li>
</ul>


Canara Bank reported a robust Q2 FY26, defying sector-wide headwinds. The headline surprise was the sharp asset quality improvement, with GNPA collapsing to 2.35% and NNPA at a pristine 0.54%. 

The bank has successfully pivoted from "balance sheet repair" to "sustainable compounder." While NII is flat, the bank is offsetting this with volume growth and 42% jump in non-interest income.
With the "bad bank" legacy officially buried(PCR &gt;93%), the narrative now shifts to value unlocking. The listing of subsidiaries and the decline in credit costs makes the current valuation attractive.


The Beat Ideas: Is Canara Bank’s Compounder Thesis Intact Amid NIM Compression?

India

Bank of Baroda owns and operates commercial banks in India.  The Group's banks provide the traditional forms of banking services, including CD's, Credit Card services and a variety of car loans, in addition to gold banking and a range of insurance services.  The Group also owns IBU International Finance Limited, an international banking company in Hong Kong.

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Bank Of Baroda (BOB IN)

India: RBI Cuts 25bp but the Real Policy Rate Is Still Too High at +5%

RBI cut rates 25bp but remains behind the curve, as its inflation forecasts were and remain too high. We expect another 75bp of rate cuts by...

Prasenjit K. Basu

Relative Value Opportunities in Asia-Pac, Pair Trade Roundup (1 Dec)

Statistical methodology identifies twelve pair trade opportunities across four markets and five sectors, offering unique insights into relative...

Gaudenz Schneider

Bajaj Housing Finance (BHF IN) | Running to Stand Still

Bajaj Housing Finance is priced for perfection in an imperfect and deteriorating environment, with a critical red flag being the elevated...

Pranav Bhavsar

Relative Value Opportunities in Asia-Pac, Pair Trade Roundup (24 Nov)

Statistical methodology identifies twelve pair trade opportunities across three markets and five sectors, offering unique insights into relative...

Gaudenz Schneider

The Beat Ideas: Is Canara Bank’s Compounder Thesis Intact Amid NIM Compression?

Canara Bank shines in Q2 FY26 with strong asset quality improvement, pivoting to sustainable growth with volume and non-interest income growth,...

Nimish Maheshwari

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

India: RBI Cuts 25bp but the Real Policy Rate Is Still Too High at +5%

​RBI cut rates 25bp but remains behind the curve, as its inflation forecasts were and remain too high. We expect another 75bp of rate cuts by...

Prasenjit K. Basu

Relative Value Opportunities in Asia-Pac, Pair Trade Roundup (1 Dec)

​Statistical methodology identifies twelve pair trade opportunities across four markets and five sectors, offering unique insights into relative...

Gaudenz Schneider

Bajaj Housing Finance (BHF IN) | Running to Stand Still

​Bajaj Housing Finance is priced for perfection in an imperfect and deteriorating environment, with a critical red flag being the elevated...

Pranav Bhavsar

Relative Value Opportunities in Asia-Pac, Pair Trade Roundup (24 Nov)

​Statistical methodology identifies twelve pair trade opportunities across three markets and five sectors, offering unique insights into relative...

Gaudenz Schneider

The Beat Ideas: Is Canara Bank’s Compounder Thesis Intact Amid NIM Compression?

​Canara Bank shines in Q2 FY26 with strong asset quality improvement, pivoting to sustainable growth with volume and non-interest income growth,...

Nimish Maheshwari

RBI cut rates 25bp but remains behind the curve, as its inflation forecasts were and remain too high. We expect another 75bp of rate cuts by...

Statistical methodology identifies twelve pair trade opportunities across four markets and five sectors, offering unique insights into relative...

Bajaj Housing Finance is priced for perfection in an imperfect and deteriorating environment, with a critical red flag being the elevated...

Statistical methodology identifies twelve pair trade opportunities across three markets and five sectors, offering unique insights into relative...

Canara Bank shines in Q2 FY26 with strong asset quality improvement, pivoting to sustainable growth with volume and non-interest income growth,...