EM PM, Ecstrat

Emad Mostaque

EM PM

Ecstrat

Ecstrat is a consultancy advising on asset allocation between global equity markets, with a focus on the intersection of governments, geopolitics, governance and markets.
 
Over the past few years and more especially since the Great Financial Crisis (GFC), investors have become more focused on short-term market movements and real-time returns and have consequently neglected the analysis of the underlying structural themes that underpin longer term performance.
​
More specifically we believe that the evolution of governance-based relationships between investors, controlling shareholders, labour and the state is one of the primary determinants of both relative and absolute performance between individual equity markets.
 
We will endeavour to provide investors with some of the context surrounding governance-related issues which encompass many different disciplines including history, economics and political science, as well as the financial metrics which are the most obvious manifestation of the structural characteristics of each market.
 
We will pay particular attention to the shifts and potential inflection points for governance in individual markets as these are often the best lead indicators for both economic and market performance.

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<p>Yemen has once again hit the headlines as structural issues lead to political uncertainty and tumult. The situation may not be as bad as the headlines are likely to make it&nbsp;out however and we believe it will be contained.</p>

Yemen has once again hit the headlines as structural issues lead to political uncertainty and tumult. The situation may not be as bad as the headlines are likely to make it&nbsp;out however and we believe it will be contained.

<p>There is a high probability of a nuclear deal being agreed between the P5 + 1 nations and Iran next Friday, 20th March. This may be the precursor for energy stocks to recouple to downside and for spending cuts to spread from capex to dividends for majors.</p>

There is a high probability of a nuclear deal being agreed between the P5 + 1 nations and Iran next Friday, 20th March. This may be the precursor for energy stocks to recouple to downside and for spending cuts to spread from capex to dividends for majors.

Director, Head of Research, Smartkarma

Pranav Rao

Director, Head of Research

Smartkarma

Smartkarma unites the fragmented investment industry, connecting institutional investors, independent research providers, and corporates within a single network.

Research Reinvented

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Welcome to Curator’s Cut - a fortnightly roundup of standout themes from the 1,300+ insights published on Smartkarma.</li>
<li>In this cut, we review the outlook for energy markets amid the Persian Gulf conflict, highlight coverage of gold miners large and small, and identify opportunities in Japanese financials.</li>
<li>Want to dig deeper? Comment or message with the themes you’d like to see highlighted next.</li>
</ul>


Welcome to Curator’s Cut - a fortnightly roundup of standout themes from the 1,300+ insights published on Smartkarma.
In this cut, we review the outlook for energy markets amid the Persian Gulf conflict, highlight coverage of gold miners large and small, and identify opportunities in Japanese financials.
Want to dig deeper? Comment or message with the themes you’d like to see highlighted next.


Curator's Cut: Crude Reality, Reshuffling Gold Miners & Banking on Japanese Fintech

Oil and Gas, Mint Finance

Suhas Reddy

Oil and Gas

Deep Fundamental Analysis

Mint Finance

Mint Finance's investment research blends deep fundamental analysis with technical & quant insights. Investment strategies straddle across multiple asset classes with risk management embedded into every trade to deliver an outsized reward-to-risk ratio.

Mint Finance's research is centered around three key themes. First, energy transition and climate change. Second, artificial intelligence. Third, shifting world order with its impact across politics and monetary economics.

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Global oil majors are slashing jobs and investments as weak demand, OPEC+ supply hikes, and rising costs drive the sharpest industry retrenchment since the 2020 collapse.</li>
<li>U.S. producers face added strain from tariffs, cost inflation, and consolidation, forcing capex cuts, layoffs, and highlighting the slowdown of shale-driven growth that once powered record output.</li>
<li>ExxonMobil emerges strongest among peers, supported by low debt, robust free cash flow, advantaged low-cost assets, and global diversification, giving it unmatched resilience in a prolonged low-price environment.</li>
</ul>


Global oil majors are slashing jobs and investments as weak demand, OPEC+ supply hikes, and rising costs drive the sharpest industry retrenchment since the 2020 collapse.
U.S. producers face added strain from tariffs, cost inflation, and consolidation, forcing capex cuts, layoffs, and highlighting the slowdown of shale-driven growth that once powered record output.
ExxonMobil emerges strongest among peers, supported by low debt, robust free cash flow, advantaged low-cost assets, and global diversification, giving it unmatched resilience in a prolonged low-price environment.


Oil and Gas Giants Shift from Expansion to Discipline Amid Supply Glut and Cost Pressures

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.

<ul><li>Diamondback Energy reported its second-quarter 2025 results, showcasing its consistent focus on enhancing shareholder value through operational efficiencies and strategic asset management.</li><li>The company continues to leverage its expertise in acquiring and optimizing assets, particularly in the Permian Basin, where it has historically demonstrated proficiency in cost reduction and improved execution.</li><li>One of the highlights of the quarter included successful integration of previous acquisitions, notably Endeavor, which was executed smoothly without operational disruptions.</li></ul>

Diamondback Energy reported its second-quarter 2025 results, showcasing its consistent focus on enhancing shareholder value through operational efficiencies and strategic asset management.The company continues to leverage its expertise in acquiring and optimizing assets, particularly in the Permian Basin, where it has historically demonstrated proficiency in cost reduction and improved execution.One of the highlights of the quarter included successful integration of previous acquisitions, notably Endeavor, which was executed smoothly without operational disruptions.

Diamondback Energy: Initiation of Coverage- Unlocking Hidden Value Through Advanced Zone Development!

United States

Diamondback Energy Inc is an independent oil and natural gas company currently focused on the acquisition, development, exploration and exploitation of unconventional, onshore oil and natural gas reserves in the Permian Basin in West Texas.

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Diamondback Energy (FANG US)

Yemen - Dancing on the heads of snakes

Yemen has once again hit the headlines as structural issues lead to political uncertainty and tumult. The situation may not be as bad as the...

Emad Mostaque

Will an Iran deal crack oil?

There is a high probability of a nuclear deal being agreed between the P5 + 1 nations and Iran next Friday, 20th March. This may be the precursor...

Emad Mostaque

Curator's Cut: Crude Reality, Reshuffling Gold Miners & Banking on Japanese Fintech

This Curator's Cut highlights energy market outlook, gold miners coverage, and opportunities in Japanese financials from Smartkarma insights....

Pranav Rao

Oil and Gas Giants Shift from Expansion to Discipline Amid Supply Glut and Cost Pressures

Global oil majors are cutting jobs and investments due to weak demand and rising costs, with ExxonMobil emerging as the strongest player thanks to...

Mint Finance

Diamondback Energy: Initiation of Coverage- Unlocking Hidden Value Through Advanced Zone Development!

Diamondback Energy reported its second-quarter 2025 results, showcasing its consistent focus on enhancing shareholder value through operational...

Baptista Research

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Yemen - Dancing on the heads of snakes

Yemen has once again hit the headlines as structural issues lead to political uncertainty and tumult. The situation may not be as bad as the...

Emad Mostaque

Will an Iran deal crack oil?

There is a high probability of a nuclear deal being agreed between the P5 + 1 nations and Iran next Friday, 20th March. This may be the precursor...

Emad Mostaque

Curator's Cut: Crude Reality, Reshuffling Gold Miners & Banking on Japanese Fintech

​This Curator's Cut highlights energy market outlook, gold miners coverage, and opportunities in Japanese financials from Smartkarma insights....

Pranav Rao

Oil and Gas Giants Shift from Expansion to Discipline Amid Supply Glut and Cost Pressures

​Global oil majors are cutting jobs and investments due to weak demand and rising costs, with ExxonMobil emerging as the strongest player thanks to...

Mint Finance

Diamondback Energy: Initiation of Coverage- Unlocking Hidden Value Through Advanced Zone Development!

Diamondback Energy reported its second-quarter 2025 results, showcasing its consistent focus on enhancing shareholder value through operational...

Baptista Research

This Curator's Cut highlights energy market outlook, gold miners coverage, and opportunities in Japanese financials from Smartkarma insights....

Global oil majors are cutting jobs and investments due to weak demand and rising costs, with ExxonMobil emerging as the strongest player thanks to...