Derivatives and Quantitative Strategist

Gaudenz Schneider

Equity Derivatives

<ul>
<li>The Reserve Bank of Australia is set to announce its Monetary Policy on 18 February. The current RBA rate stands at 4.35% with no change since 2024. </li>
<li>The market is expecting a 0.25% rate cut. Options expiring on 20 February provide an instrument to trade this event. </li>
<li>Option pricing is in-line with historical <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/s-p-asx-200" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22901:1" rel="noopener">S&amp;P/ASX 200 (AS51 INDEX)</a> moves on days after expected rate changes. Contrarians expecting no change might find value in put options.</li>
</ul>


The Reserve Bank of Australia is set to announce its Monetary Policy on 18 February. The current RBA rate stands at 4.35% with no change since 2024. 
The market is expecting a 0.25% rate cut. Options expiring on 20 February provide an instrument to trade this event. 
Option pricing is in-line with historical S&amp;P/ASX 200 (AS51 INDEX) moves on days after expected rate changes. Contrarians expecting no change might find value in put options.


Eqd | S&P/ASX 200 (AS51 INDEX) - RBA Decision: Will the Anticipated Rate Cut Drive the Market?

Global Healthcare Analyst

Tina Banerjee

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>For H1FY25, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/csl-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:917:1" rel="noopener">CSL Ltd (CSL AU)</a> reported net profit of $2.01B, up 6% YoY, missing estimate of $2.07B. Underlying profit (NPATA) grew 3% YoY to $2.07B.</li>
<li>H1FY25 revenue increased 5% YoY to $8.48B. Solid performance from CSL Behring and CSL Vifor was partially offset by negative impact from CSL Seqirus.</li>
<li>The company has reaffirmed FY25 underlying profit guidance of $3.2–3.3B at constant currency, up 10–13% YoY. Revenue growth is anticipated to be 5–7% YoY at constant currency.    </li>
</ul>


For H1FY25, CSL Ltd (CSL AU) reported net profit of $2.01B, up 6% YoY, missing estimate of $2.07B. Underlying profit (NPATA) grew 3% YoY to $2.07B.
H1FY25 revenue increased 5% YoY to $8.48B. Solid performance from CSL Behring and CSL Vifor was partially offset by negative impact from CSL Seqirus.
The company has reaffirmed FY25 underlying profit guidance of $3.2–3.3B at constant currency, up 10–13% YoY. Revenue growth is anticipated to be 5–7% YoY at constant currency.    


CSL Ltd (CSL AU): Weak Vaccine Sales Affect H1FY25 Performance; FY25 Guidance Maintained

<ul>
<li>Today, the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/s-p-asx-200" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22901:1" rel="noopener">S&amp;P/ASX 200 (AS51 INDEX)</a> reached a new all-time high while implied volatility is near record low levels. The combination makes for a good opportunity to hedge.</li>
<li>Volatility assessment trough conventional volatility metrics and one new chart not seen anywhere else.</li>
<li>An actionable example of a put option hedge is presented, striking a balance between protection and cost.</li>
</ul>


Today, the S&amp;P/ASX 200 (AS51 INDEX) reached a new all-time high while implied volatility is near record low levels. The combination makes for a good opportunity to hedge.
Volatility assessment trough conventional volatility metrics and one new chart not seen anywhere else.
An actionable example of a put option hedge is presented, striking a balance between protection and cost.


EQD | S&P/ASX 200 Option Strategy -  Today's All-Time-High Calls for Proactive Hedging

Asia Pac ECM and Index Rebal, Shenton Research

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

Asia Pac ECM and Index Rebal

Asia Pac IPO & Placement Research, China Biotech

DZT Research

DZT Research is an independent Asia Pacific equity specialist. Our quantitative research covers index rebalancing flows, alongside exchange data analytics accross Asia Pacific. On the equity capital markets side, we focus on Asia Pacific ECM, especially biotech and TMT. Our lead analyst is frequently cited by international media.

Quantitative Analysis

<ul>
<li>We analyzed the changes in short interest of ASX Stocks as of Dec 13th (reported today) which has an aggregated short interest worth USD21.8bn.</li>
<li>We tabulate league table for top short by value and short as multiple of ADT, as well as weekly increases &amp; decreases in short value, short as multiple of ADT.</li>
<li>We highlight short interest changes in Pilbara Minerals, Xero, Apa, Coles, Wisetech Global.</li>
</ul>


We analyzed the changes in short interest of ASX Stocks as of Dec 13th (reported today) which has an aggregated short interest worth USD21.8bn.
We tabulate league table for top short by value and short as multiple of ADT, as well as weekly increases &amp; decreases in short value, short as multiple of ADT.
We highlight short interest changes in Pilbara Minerals, Xero, Apa, Coles, Wisetech Global.


ASX Short Interest Weekly (Dec 13th): Pilbara Minerals, Xero, Apa, Coles, Wisetech Global

European Event-Driven Analyst

Jesus Rodriguez Aguilar

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Rejected Offer: Grifols' independent committee rejected Brookfield's proposed valuation of €10.50 per Class A share €7.62 per Class B share, citing significant undervaluation of the company's long-term prospects.</li>
<li>Stakeholder Dynamics: Brookfield seeks a statutory amendment to differentiate Class A and B share prices, while opposition from Brandes (13.5% of Class B shares) and Mason complicates negotiations.</li>
<li>Financial Recovery: Grifols achieved 12% revenue growth in Q3 2024, reduced net debt to €8.1 billion, and targets a 4.5x leverage ratio by year-end, supporting improved financial stability.</li>
</ul>


Rejected Offer: Grifols' independent committee rejected Brookfield's proposed valuation of €10.50 per Class A share €7.62 per Class B share, citing significant undervaluation of the company's long-term prospects.
Stakeholder Dynamics: Brookfield seeks a statutory amendment to differentiate Class A and B share prices, while opposition from Brandes (13.5% of Class B shares) and Mason complicates negotiations.
Financial Recovery: Grifols achieved 12% revenue growth in Q3 2024, reduced net debt to €8.1 billion, and targets a 4.5x leverage ratio by year-end, supporting improved financial stability.


Lowball Non-Binding Indication from Brookfield

Australia

CSL Limited develops, manufactures and markets human pharmaceutical and diagnostic products derived from human plasma. The Company's products include pediatric and adult vaccines, infection, pain medicine, skin disorder remedies, antivenoms, anticoagulants, and immunoglobulins.

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CSL Ltd (CSL AU)

Eqd | S&P/ASX 200 (AS51 INDEX) - RBA Decision: Will the Anticipated Rate Cut Drive the Market?

The RBA is expected to announce a 0.25% rate cut on 18 February, with options providing a trading opportunity for contrarians who believe there...

Gaudenz Schneider

CSL Ltd (CSL AU): Weak Vaccine Sales Affect H1FY25 Performance; FY25 Guidance Maintained

CSL Ltd's H1FY25 net profit rises 6% YoY to $2.01B, missing estimates. Revenue is up 5% YoY to $8.48B. FY25 profit guidance reaffirmed at $3.2...

Tina Banerjee

EQD | S&P/ASX 200 Option Strategy - Today's All-Time-High Calls for Proactive Hedging

See an innovative and novel chart. Today's S&P/ASX 200 new all-time high in combination with record low volatility presents a good opportunity to...

Gaudenz Schneider

ASX Short Interest Weekly (Dec 13th): Pilbara Minerals, Xero, Apa, Coles, Wisetech Global

We analyzed ASX short interest report for the past week and highlight short interest changes in Pilbara Minerals, Xero, Apa, Coles, Wisetech Global.

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

Lowball Non-Binding Indication from Brookfield

Rejected Offer: Grifols' independent committee rejected Brookfield's proposed valuation of €10.50 per Class A share, citing significant...

Jesus Rodriguez Aguilar

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Eqd | S&P/ASX 200 (AS51 INDEX) - RBA Decision: Will the Anticipated Rate Cut Drive the Market?

​The RBA is expected to announce a 0.25% rate cut on 18 February, with options providing a trading opportunity for contrarians who believe there...

Gaudenz Schneider

CSL Ltd (CSL AU): Weak Vaccine Sales Affect H1FY25 Performance; FY25 Guidance Maintained

​CSL Ltd's H1FY25 net profit rises 6% YoY to $2.01B, missing estimates. Revenue is up 5% YoY to $8.48B. FY25 profit guidance reaffirmed at $3.2...

Tina Banerjee

EQD | S&P/ASX 200 Option Strategy - Today's All-Time-High Calls for Proactive Hedging

See an innovative and novel chart. Today's ​S&P/ASX 200 new all-time high in combination with record low volatility presents a good opportunity to...

Gaudenz Schneider

ASX Short Interest Weekly (Dec 13th): Pilbara Minerals, Xero, Apa, Coles, Wisetech Global

We analyzed ASX short interest report for the past week and highlight short interest changes in Pilbara Minerals, Xero, Apa, Coles, Wisetech Global.

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

Lowball Non-Binding Indication from Brookfield

Rejected Offer: Grifols' independent committee rejected Brookfield's proposed valuation of €10.50 per Class A share, citing significant...

Jesus Rodriguez Aguilar

The RBA is expected to announce a 0.25% rate cut on 18 February, with options providing a trading opportunity for contrarians who believe there...

CSL Ltd's H1FY25 net profit rises 6% YoY to $2.01B, missing estimates. Revenue is up 5% YoY to $8.48B. FY25 profit guidance reaffirmed at $3.2...

See an innovative and novel chart. Today's S&P/ASX 200 new all-time high in combination with record low volatility presents a good opportunity to...