Equity Analyst - Asia Consumer Sector, Investory

Devi Subhakesan

Equity Analyst - Asia Consumer Sector

ASIA CONSUMER: INSIGHTS AND INVESTMENT IDEAS

Investory

Investory is a Singapore-based boutique independent equity research firm founded in January 2017 with a primary focus on consumption themes across Asia-Pacific.

We aim to generate investible ideas based on consumption trends and outlook. We screen our ideas on several parameters - product potential, long-term growth and management commitment being the most critical.  We follow a fundamental analysis approach in our stock selection process and are not restricted by market cap.

We aspire to grow into a leading source of unbiased research, free of conflict of interest, for investors yearning for independent and disciplined analysis. 

We also undertake bespoke research mandates to support our Institutional clients’ investment needs.

Our team comprises of professionals with extensive experience in the Asian equity markets, in areas ranging from research, servicing institutional clients and investment management.

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/miniso-group-holding-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:36659:1" rel="noopener">MINISO</a>'s  acquisition of a 29.4% stake in the loss-making supermarket chain <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yonghui-superstores-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15910:1" rel="noopener">Yonghui</a>  for USD 890 million has been viewed negatively by investors, leading to a sharp decline in Miniso's stock.</li>
<li>The deal's size, combined with <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yonghui-superstores-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15910:1" rel="noopener">Yonghui Superstores (601933 CH)</a> unprofitable track record and   <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/miniso-group-holding-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:36659:1" rel="noopener">MINISO(9896 HK)</a> 's unexpected move into the low-margin, highly competitive supermarket space, has likely fueled investor concerns.</li>
<li>However, we believe the acquisition provides Miniso with a strategic opportunity for growth and diversification to a sector that remains vital in the offline retail landscape at undemanding valuations.  </li>
</ul>



MINISO's  acquisition of a 29.4% stake in the loss-making supermarket chain Yonghui  for USD 890 million has been viewed negatively by investors, leading to a sharp decline in Miniso's stock.
The deal's size, combined with Yonghui Superstores (601933 CH) unprofitable track record and   MINISO(9896 HK) 's unexpected move into the low-margin, highly competitive supermarket space, has likely fueled investor concerns.
However, we believe the acquisition provides Miniso with a strategic opportunity for growth and diversification to a sector that remains vital in the offline retail landscape at undemanding valuations.  


MINISO Bets Big on Yonghui. Should Investors Be Concerned About the Acquisition?

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

<ul>
<li>After publishing my insight (<a href="https://skr.ma/y1QWE" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jardine Matheson (JM SP): Trading "Cheap"</a>) last week, my NAV calcs were called into question by some readers, when compared to street estimates.</li>
<li>Which is cool. I'm big enough to admit mistakes, where needed. So I've done some digging, including a back and forth with <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jardine-matheson-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19718:1" rel="noopener">Jardine Matheson Holdings (JM SP)</a>.</li>
<li>The upshot? I have not lead you astray. You've been coming to the right place.</li>
</ul>


After publishing my insight (Jardine Matheson (JM SP): Trading "Cheap") last week, my NAV calcs were called into question by some readers, when compared to street estimates.
Which is cool. I'm big enough to admit mistakes, where needed. So I've done some digging, including a back and forth with Jardine Matheson Holdings (JM SP).
The upshot? I have not lead you astray. You've been coming to the right place.


Jardine Matheson (JM SP): Squeezing More Life Out Of The NAV

<ul>
<li>CTBC's (likely) goal is to boost <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shin-kong-financial-holding" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15351:1" rel="noopener">Shin Kong (2888 TT)</a>'s shares, so as to make the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/taishin-financial-holding" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:715:1" rel="noopener">Taishin Financial Holding (2887 TT)</a> merger unpalatable for Shin Kong shareholders. That smells of opportunity.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jardine-matheson-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19718:1" rel="noopener">Jardine Matheson Holdings (JM SP)</a> is trading cheap to NAV and its implied stub. It may well get cheaper.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/toyota-motor-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:73:1" rel="noopener">Toyota Motor (7203 JP)</a>'s resulting supply/demand profile is mixed, but on balance, expect to see positive demand into the H1 earnings announcement. Watch for another buyback possibly announced then.</li>
</ul>


CTBC's (likely) goal is to boost Shin Kong (2888 TT)'s shares, so as to make the Taishin Financial Holding (2887 TT) merger unpalatable for Shin Kong shareholders. That smells of opportunity.

Jardine Matheson Holdings (JM SP) is trading cheap to NAV and its implied stub. It may well get cheaper.

Toyota Motor (7203 JP)'s resulting supply/demand profile is mixed, but on balance, expect to see positive demand into the H1 earnings announcement. Watch for another buyback possibly announced then.


Last Week in Event SPACE: Shin Kong/Taishin Financial, Jardine Matheson, Toyota Motors, Huafa Props

<ul>
<li>I see <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jardine-matheson-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19718:1" rel="noopener">Jardine Matheson Holdings (JM SP)</a>'s discount to NAV and implied stub at 12-month lows.</li>
<li>Recent interim results were okay. Stripping out <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/dfi-retail-group-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7427:1" rel="noopener">DFI Retail Group Holdings (DFI SP)</a>'s outperformance, the remainder of the Jardine stable delivered weaker numbers. </li>
<li>Further afield, the implied stub is marginally below the long-term average since the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jardine-strategic-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15081:1" rel="noopener">Jardine Strategic Holdings (JS SP)</a> circularity was collapsed in April 2021. </li>
</ul>


I see Jardine Matheson Holdings (JM SP)'s discount to NAV and implied stub at 12-month lows.
Recent interim results were okay. Stripping out DFI Retail Group Holdings (DFI SP)'s outperformance, the remainder of the Jardine stable delivered weaker numbers. 
Further afield, the implied stub is marginally below the long-term average since the Jardine Strategic Holdings (JS SP) circularity was collapsed in April 2021. 


Jardine Matheson (JM SP): Trading "Cheap"

<ul>
<li>Just shy of three years ago, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bhp-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:147:1" rel="noopener">BHP (BHP AU)</a> announced the unification of its dual-headed corporate structure to make BHP "simpler and more agile".</li>
<li>Collapsing DLCs/share-classes was all the rage back then. The prior year, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/unilever-nv" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:21141:1" rel="noopener">Unilever (UNA NA)</a> collapsed its DLC; and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/royal-dutch-shell-plc-adr" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:792:1" rel="noopener">Royal Dutch Shell </a> unified its A and B lines in 2021. </li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rio-tinto-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13:1" rel="noopener">Rio (RIO AU/LN)</a> is one of only a handful of remaining DLCs. Renewed investor calls to unwind the DLC and the recent UK's listing regime reform necessitate a rethink.</li>
</ul>


Just shy of three years ago, BHP (BHP AU) announced the unification of its dual-headed corporate structure to make BHP "simpler and more agile".
Collapsing DLCs/share-classes was all the rage back then. The prior year, Unilever (UNA NA) collapsed its DLC; and Royal Dutch Shell  unified its A and B lines in 2021. 

Rio (RIO AU/LN) is one of only a handful of remaining DLCs. Renewed investor calls to unwind the DLC and the recent UK's listing regime reform necessitate a rethink.


Rio Tinto (RIO AU/LN): Thinking About The "Unification"

Hong Kong

DFI Retail Group is a leading pan-Asian retailer operating supermarkets, hypermarkets, convenience stores, health and beauty stores, home furnishings stores, and restaurants. The company manages a portfolio of well-known brands including Wellcome, 7-Eleven, Mannings, Guardian, and IKEA. DFI Retail Group was founded in 1886 and is headquartered in Quarry Bay, Hong Kong.

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DFI Retail Group (DFI SP)

MINISO Bets Big on Yonghui. Should Investors Be Concerned About the Acquisition?

Acquisition upsides worth considering - inexpensive valuation for a supermarket chain with turnaround potential, diversification to a segment that...

Devi Subhakesan

Jardine Matheson (JM SP): Squeezing More Life Out Of The NAV

I've bolted on US$0.5bn to NAV. That adjustment doesn't move the needle. Look to set up the stub: Long JMH, short DFI, HKL, MO & JC&C on a...

David Blennerhassett

Last Week in Event SPACE: Shin Kong/Taishin Financial, Jardine Matheson, Toyota Motors, Huafa Props

The weekend is here! Pour yourself a coffee, grab a comfortable seat, and sift through a brief summary of insights on various events discussed...

David Blennerhassett

Jardine Matheson (JM SP): Trading "Cheap"

I’ve received some feedback questioning my NAV calculations. Happy to take up the challenge and make adjustments where needed. I flesh out more...

David Blennerhassett

Rio Tinto (RIO AU/LN): Thinking About The "Unification"

At a time when the LSE has opted to dumb down the checks and balances for listed companies on its bourse, now may be just the right time to...

David Blennerhassett

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