Fintech & EM-focused Analyst, KT Capital Group

Alec Tseung

Fintech & EM-focused Analyst

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<p>This Original aims to showcase the leading Insurtech companies in the three insurance markets with the highest growth potential in Asia - China, India, and Southeast Asia.</p><p>Insurtech companies can be broadly divided into three categories - full-stack Inustech, Insurtech marketplace, and Insurtech enablers. As such, the Original also presents the Insurtech companies based on these categories by showing their company overview, how they leverage tech to do things differently, their product offerings, and financial information (capital raise and valuation in case of no financial information).</p><p>The Insurtech companies presented are:</p><ul><li><strong>Full-stack Insurtech</strong>: ZhongAn Online (China), Acko (India), SingLife (Singapore)</li><li><strong>Insurtech marketplace</strong>: Waterdrop (China), Huize (China), Policybazaar (India), Coverfox (India), Turtlemint (India), PasarPolis (Indonesia), PolicyStreet (Malaysia)</li><li><strong>Insurtech enablers</strong>: eBaoTech (China), Turtlemint (India), CXA Group (Singapore)  </li></ul><p>By analyzing the key Insurtech companies and their development in these countries/regions, we have further identified the following key trends/themes in the sector:</p><ul><li>In the near future, Insurtech is unlikely a threat to traditional (re)insurers who have also been actively investing in Insurtech themselves.</li><li>Insurtech marketplace is expanding offline and will likely embrace a hybrid model, especially in less developed insurance markets.</li><li>L&amp;H full-stack Insurtech companies are yet to be common in less developed insurance markets.</li><li>Insurtech is going to promote differentiated growth in insurance markets of different maturity.</li><li>“ReInsurtech” is currently still a blind spot.</li></ul><h2>What is Original?</h2><p>A deep dive into 12 (mostly private) leading Insurtech companies, under each Insurtech category from China, India, and Southeast Asia, is presented in this Original. Key investment thesis and risks are also developed for each company.  </p><p>Based on the company analysis and the broader insurance and Insurtech development in these countries/regions, five key Insurtech trends and themes are further identified. </p>

This Original aims to showcase the leading Insurtech companies in the three insurance markets with the highest growth potential in Asia - China, India, and Southeast Asia.Insurtech companies can be broadly divided into three categories - full-stack Inustech, Insurtech marketplace, and Insurtech enablers. As such, the Original also presents the Insurtech companies based on these categories by showing their company overview, how they leverage tech to do things differently, their product offerings, and financial information (capital raise and valuation in case of no financial information).The Insurtech companies presented are:Full-stack Insurtech: ZhongAn Online (China), Acko (India), SingLife (Singapore)Insurtech marketplace: Waterdrop (China), Huize (China), Policybazaar (India), Coverfox (India), Turtlemint (India), PasarPolis (Indonesia), PolicyStreet (Malaysia)Insurtech enablers: eBaoTech (China), Turtlemint (India), CXA Group (Singapore)  By analyzing the key Insurtech companies and their development in these countries/regions, we have further identified the following key trends/themes in the sector:In the near future, Insurtech is unlikely a threat to traditional (re)insurers who have also been actively investing in Insurtech themselves.Insurtech marketplace is expanding offline and will likely embrace a hybrid model, especially in less developed insurance markets.L&amp;H full-stack Insurtech companies are yet to be common in less developed insurance markets.Insurtech is going to promote differentiated growth in insurance markets of different maturity.“ReInsurtech” is currently still a blind spot.What is Original?A deep dive into 12 (mostly private) leading Insurtech companies, under each Insurtech category from China, India, and Southeast Asia, is presented in this Original. Key investment thesis and risks are also developed for each company.  Based on the company analysis and the broader insurance and Insurtech development in these countries/regions, five key Insurtech trends and themes are further identified. 

Asian Insurtech: The New Golden Child in Town?

ASEAN Insight Provider, CrossASEAN Research

Angus Mackintosh

ASEAN Insight Provider

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

Equity Bottom-Up

<section class="figure"><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bukalapak" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33575:1" rel="noopener">Bukalapak (BUKA IJ)</a> released a strong set of 2Q2021 results with +55.7% growth in TPV bringing 1H2021 TPV (Total Processing Value) growth to +54%. It reported a +37% YoY growth in revenue for 2Q2021.</section>
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<section class="figure"> The company's Mitra business continued to be the key driver, accounting for 48% of TPV in 2Q2021 versus 22% a year ago, with a growth rate of +292% YoY in 2Q2021.</section>
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<section class="figure">There was some reduction in the take-rate in 2Q2021, which some analysts may focus on but this was explained as due to a change in product mix and temporary. We address concerns regarding the take rate later but they seem overdone.</section>
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<section class="figure">Mitra Bukalapak continues to be the main growth engine for the company, with 2Q2021 Mitra TPV increasing by +237% YoY, to IDR14.2tn.</section>
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<p>Mitra Bukalapak’s contribution margin after S&amp;M cost improved from -1.0% of TPV in FY2020 to -0.5% of TPV in Mitra’s operating loss as a ratio to TPV improved from 1.2% in FY20 to 0.6% in 1H2021.</p>
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<section class="figure"><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bukalapak" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33575:1" rel="noopener">Bukalapak (BUKA IJ)</a> management re-iterated its strategy to continue to help enhance the performance of its Mitra's and sellers on the platform following a more of a Shopify model than one like <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/amazon-com-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:409:1" rel="noopener">Amazon.com Inc (AMZN US)</a>.</section>
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<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bukalapak" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33575:1" rel="noopener">Bukalapak (BUKA IJ)</a> maintains that around 90% of its Mitra customers use only <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bukalapak" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33575:1" rel="noopener">Bukalapak (BUKA IJ)</a> given that it addresses many uses and allows them to make more money. </p>
<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tokopedia-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24239:1" rel="noopener">Tokopedia</a> and Shopee are much more reliant on aggressive capital to expand, which is not an effective long-term strategy for Mitra customers. It is also difficult to discount FMCG products for any length of time given that principles keep a handle on price levels.</p>
<p>Management also revealed that its first collaboration with <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/grabtaxi-holdings-pte-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26950:1" rel="noopener">Grab</a> will focus on GrabMart, providing fresh food products for GrabMart's restaurant customers but more collaboration is expected on an incremental basis going forward. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bukalapak" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33575:1" rel="noopener"></a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bukalapak" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33575:1" rel="noopener">Bukalapak (BUKA IJ)</a> management is expecting annual growth in TPV of +50%-75% per annum, with 2022 seen as a potentially even stronger year, with better purchasing power coming through post-pandemic and greater vaccination levels.</p>
<p>The company expects to break even at the EBITDA level by 2023 under current expectations. This accounts for rising revenues, growing take-rates, and lower S&amp;M costs. We continue to take a positive view on the outlook on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bukalapak" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33575:1" rel="noopener">Bukalapak (BUKA IJ)</a> and do not see the short-term contraction in the take-rate as an issue.  Valuations look quite high relative to peers but the company is much closer to breakeven versus peers and given its predominantly 1P model, revenue is not far off the gross profit. </p>
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Bukalapak (BUKA IJ) released a strong set of 2Q2021 results with +55.7% growth in TPV bringing 1H2021 TPV (Total Processing Value) growth to +54%. It reported a +37% YoY growth in revenue for 2Q2021.



 The company's Mitra business continued to be the key driver, accounting for 48% of TPV in 2Q2021 versus 22% a year ago, with a growth rate of +292% YoY in 2Q2021.


There was some reduction in the take-rate in 2Q2021, which some analysts may focus on but this was explained as due to a change in product mix and temporary. We address concerns regarding the take rate later but they seem overdone.




Mitra Bukalapak continues to be the main growth engine for the company, with 2Q2021 Mitra TPV increasing by +237% YoY, to IDR14.2tn.



Mitra Bukalapak’s contribution margin after S&amp;M cost improved from -1.0% of TPV in FY2020 to -0.5% of TPV in Mitra’s operating loss as a ratio to TPV improved from 1.2% in FY20 to 0.6% in 1H2021.





Bukalapak (BUKA IJ) management re-iterated its strategy to continue to help enhance the performance of its Mitra's and sellers on the platform following a more of a Shopify model than one like Amazon.com Inc (AMZN US).


Bukalapak (BUKA IJ) maintains that around 90% of its Mitra customers use only Bukalapak (BUKA IJ) given that it addresses many uses and allows them to make more money. 
Tokopedia and Shopee are much more reliant on aggressive capital to expand, which is not an effective long-term strategy for Mitra customers. It is also difficult to discount FMCG products for any length of time given that principles keep a handle on price levels.
Management also revealed that its first collaboration with Grab will focus on GrabMart, providing fresh food products for GrabMart's restaurant customers but more collaboration is expected on an incremental basis going forward. 
Bukalapak (BUKA IJ) management is expecting annual growth in TPV of +50%-75% per annum, with 2022 seen as a potentially even stronger year, with better purchasing power coming through post-pandemic and greater vaccination levels.
The company expects to break even at the EBITDA level by 2023 under current expectations. This accounts for rising revenues, growing take-rates, and lower S&amp;M costs. We continue to take a positive view on the outlook on Bukalapak (BUKA IJ) and do not see the short-term contraction in the take-rate as an issue.  Valuations look quite high relative to peers but the company is much closer to breakeven versus peers and given its predominantly 1P model, revenue is not far off the gross profit. 









<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mitra-adiperkasa-tbk-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18684:1" rel="noopener">Mitra Adiperkasa (MAPI IJ)</a> reported an impressive set of 1H2021 results but has obviously seen a significant negative impact from the government's imposition of mobility restrictions under Emergency PPKM. This led to the closure of around 70% of the malls in the country in  July, more especially in Java and Bali, where the majority of the company's stores are located.  </p>
<p>Our post-results conversation with management suggests we are coming out of this difficult period and should expect a gradual recovery in the coming months.</p>
<p>The company's Unified Retail Strategy continues to bear fruit with online mono-brand and multi-brand sites both doing well. </p>
<p>July was most severely impacted this year given the mall closures but consumers are showing less anxiety this year to the lock-down measures and restrictions started to ease from 10th August.</p>
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<p>The company also went into 3Q2021 with very healthy inventories given it had flushed out old inventory over Lebaran. It has also shortened its purchasing strategy, which will allow more flexibility.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mitra-adiperkasa-tbk-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18684:1" rel="noopener">Mitra Adiperkasa (MAPI IJ)</a> is also more focused on building out its health &amp; beauty exposure opening three Boots stores with plans for six by the end of 2021 and may open more in 2022.</p>
<p>Department stores have been quite hard hit during the pandemic but <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mitra-adiperkasa-tbk-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18684:1" rel="noopener">Mitra Adiperkasa (MAPI IJ)</a> plans to increase the level of cross-selling its own brands within department stores.</p>
<p>Food &amp; Beverage has held up relatively well, with more delivery sales for Starbucks, which now makes up 20% of total Starbucks sales. Source: <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pt-map-boga-adiperkasa-utama-tbk" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24207:1" rel="noopener">Pt Map Boga Adiperkasa Utama Tbk (MAPB IJ)</a> </p>
<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mitra-adiperkasa-tbk-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18684:1" rel="noopener">Mitra Adiperkasa (MAPI IJ)</a> trades on 14.9x FY22E PER versus its 5-year average forward PER of 21x, which looks attractive in light of the expected recovery and the success of its digital strategies, which are helping to boost sales and profitability.</p>
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Mitra Adiperkasa (MAPI IJ) reported an impressive set of 1H2021 results but has obviously seen a significant negative impact from the government's imposition of mobility restrictions under Emergency PPKM. This led to the closure of around 70% of the malls in the country in  July, more especially in Java and Bali, where the majority of the company's stores are located.  
Our post-results conversation with management suggests we are coming out of this difficult period and should expect a gradual recovery in the coming months.
The company's Unified Retail Strategy continues to bear fruit with online mono-brand and multi-brand sites both doing well. 
July was most severely impacted this year given the mall closures but consumers are showing less anxiety this year to the lock-down measures and restrictions started to ease from 10th August.



The company also went into 3Q2021 with very healthy inventories given it had flushed out old inventory over Lebaran. It has also shortened its purchasing strategy, which will allow more flexibility.
Mitra Adiperkasa (MAPI IJ) is also more focused on building out its health &amp; beauty exposure opening three Boots stores with plans for six by the end of 2021 and may open more in 2022.
Department stores have been quite hard hit during the pandemic but Mitra Adiperkasa (MAPI IJ) plans to increase the level of cross-selling its own brands within department stores.
Food &amp; Beverage has held up relatively well, with more delivery sales for Starbucks, which now makes up 20% of total Starbucks sales. Source: Pt Map Boga Adiperkasa Utama Tbk (MAPB IJ) 
Mitra Adiperkasa (MAPI IJ) trades on 14.9x FY22E PER versus its 5-year average forward PER of 21x, which looks attractive in light of the expected recovery and the success of its digital strategies, which are helping to boost sales and profitability.




Mitra Adiperkasa (MAPI IJ) - One Step Beyond

<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bank-central-asia-tbk-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:440:1" rel="noopener">Bank Central Asia (BBCA IJ)</a> released a solid set of 1H2021 results, which underlined its resilience in the face of COVID-19 but a real stand out from the numbers were the ongoing successes from its digital strategies both in terms of promoting products through online expos, as well as the continuing growth in both of transactional and digital banking franchises. </p>
<p><a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/quote/BBCA:IJ" target="_blank" rel="noopener">PT Bank Central Asia</a> recently announced that it will invest US$200m into its digital arm to fend off competition from new entrants to digital banking.</p>
<p>The bank will use the fresh funds to help Blu to increase market share ahead of an IPO within the next two years. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bank-central-asia-tbk-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:440:1" rel="noopener">Bank Central Asia (BBCA IJ)</a> plans to increase Blu’s capital to IDR4tn (US$278m), from around IDR1tn currently.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bank-central-asia-tbk-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:440:1" rel="noopener">Bank Central Asia (BBCA IJ)</a> will focus on winning more merchants, partners, and customers for Blu and intends to maintain a majority stake in the entity after listing.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bank-central-asia-tbk-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:440:1" rel="noopener">Bank Central Asia (BBCA IJ)</a> is already well ahead of its peers and any digital player on mobile banking and is Indonesia's leading bank in terms of transactional banking.</p>
<p>The bank saw 54% of all transactions by value and 86% of transactions by volume going through mobile or internet banking in 1H2021. This gives it access to high levels of CASA, providing the bank with a very low cost of funds.</p>
<p>Our view is that new digital players are more likely to take market share from smaller banks rather than <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bank-central-asia-tbk-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:440:1" rel="noopener">Bank Central Asia (BBCA IJ)</a> and see the bank maintaining its lead in transactional banking in Indonesia. Blu also has the advantage of being backed by a well-known and trusted lender, which will help to attract new customers. </p>
<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bank-central-asia-tbk-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:440:1" rel="noopener">Bank Central Asia (BBCA IJ)</a> trades on 4x FY21E PBV and is forecast to generate an ROE of 15.5% for FY21E and 17.0% in FY22E. It is one of the best-managed banks in Indonesia with a very strong risk management culture combined with a dynamic and innovative management culture, which coupled with its lead in transactional banking, allows the bank to command a significant premium over its peers. </p>

Bank Central Asia (BBCA IJ) released a solid set of 1H2021 results, which underlined its resilience in the face of COVID-19 but a real stand out from the numbers were the ongoing successes from its digital strategies both in terms of promoting products through online expos, as well as the continuing growth in both of transactional and digital banking franchises. 
PT Bank Central Asia recently announced that it will invest US$200m into its digital arm to fend off competition from new entrants to digital banking.
The bank will use the fresh funds to help Blu to increase market share ahead of an IPO within the next two years. Bank Central Asia (BBCA IJ) plans to increase Blu’s capital to IDR4tn (US$278m), from around IDR1tn currently.
Bank Central Asia (BBCA IJ) will focus on winning more merchants, partners, and customers for Blu and intends to maintain a majority stake in the entity after listing.
Bank Central Asia (BBCA IJ) is already well ahead of its peers and any digital player on mobile banking and is Indonesia's leading bank in terms of transactional banking.
The bank saw 54% of all transactions by value and 86% of transactions by volume going through mobile or internet banking in 1H2021. This gives it access to high levels of CASA, providing the bank with a very low cost of funds.
Our view is that new digital players are more likely to take market share from smaller banks rather than Bank Central Asia (BBCA IJ) and see the bank maintaining its lead in transactional banking in Indonesia. Blu also has the advantage of being backed by a well-known and trusted lender, which will help to attract new customers. 
Bank Central Asia (BBCA IJ) trades on 4x FY21E PBV and is forecast to generate an ROE of 15.5% for FY21E and 17.0% in FY22E. It is one of the best-managed banks in Indonesia with a very strong risk management culture combined with a dynamic and innovative management culture, which coupled with its lead in transactional banking, allows the bank to command a significant premium over its peers. 

PT Bank Central Asia (BBCA IJ) - The Future Is Blu

<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sea-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8509:1" rel="noopener">Sea Ltd (SE US)</a> announced yet another record set of quarterly results last night, with +159% growth in total GAAP revenues to US$2,280.6m. This marks the 12th consecutive quarter of triple-digit growth in revenues, which deserves a standing ovation</p>
<p>The company's digital entertainment business continued to thrive, with quarterly active users (QAU) increasing by +45% YoY and importantly quarterly paying users increasing +85% YoY in 2Q2021, and generating positive EBITDA of US$740.9m.</p>
<p>The quarterly paying users represented a higher portion of users in 2Q2021 and Adjusted EBITDA as a portion of bookings improved to 62.8% for 2Q2021 versus 60.9% in 2Q2020.</p>
<p>Garena's self-developed global hit game <em>Free Fire </em>reached over 1bn downloads on Google Play, with the game ranking number three globally by average monthly users for mobile games in 2Q2021, according to App Annie, with record peak daily users.</p>
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<p>The company's e-commerce business continued to see rapid growth with gross orders up by +127% YoY to 1.4bn orders and gross merchandise value up by +87.5% YoY to US$15bn whilst the adjusted EBITDA loss per order decreased by -19.6% YoY.</p>
<p>Shopee was the second most downloaded app on Google Play and the second most downloaded app across Google Play and iOS app stores combined forte shopping category globally in 2Q2021, according to App Annie.</p>
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<p>In Brazil, where Shopee was launched in late 2019, it ranked first in the shopping category by downloads, and total time spent in-app, as well as ranking second in terms of monthly active users (MAU) for 2Q2021.</p>
<p> In Brazil, it has already made good progress with more monthly active users than <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/amazon-com-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:409:1" rel="noopener">Amazon.com Inc (AMZN US)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alibaba-group-holding-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:787:1" rel="noopener">Alibaba Group (BABA US)</a> and stands in the number two position after <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mercadolibre-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27954:1" rel="noopener">MercadoLibre Inc (MELI US)</a> in terms of active users.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sea-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8509:1" rel="noopener">Sea Ltd (SE US)</a> also continued to make significant progress in digital financial services through the adoption of SeaMoney and ShopeePay, with US$4.1bn in total payment volume in its mobile wallet in 2Q2021, up nearly +150% YoY. It also saw an increase of +109% in quarterly paying users in 2Q2021. </p>
<p>The company continues to grow its ShopeeFood business in Indonesia and Vietnam and has seen a very strong performance and positive reception from users as well as driver communities in both markets in 2Q2021, with a strong focus on the quality of services to users.</p>
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<p>The company booked an overall gross profit increase of +364% YoY. From a non-GAAP EBITDA perspective, the company booked an EBITDA loss of (US$24.1m) versus an EBITDA profit of US$7.7m.</p>
<p>From a segmental point of view, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sea-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8509:1" rel="noopener">Sea Ltd (SE US)</a> booked a positive EBITDA of US$740.9m for its digital entertainment segment in 2Q2021 versus US436.2m last year in the same period, an increase of +69.8% YoY. </p>
<p>The e-commerce segment booked an EBITDA loss of (US$579.8m) in 2Q2021 versus a loss of (US$313.7m) last year, an increase in loss of +84.8% YoY.</p>
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<section class="figure">These look like yet another blow away set of numbers for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sea-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8509:1" rel="noopener">Sea Ltd (SE US)</a>, despite the company booking a marginally higher loss. It is all too easy to take a negative view on a high-growth company such as <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sea-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8509:1" rel="noopener">Sea Ltd (SE US)</a> but most negative arguments from analysts tinker with the quarterly minutiae and are somehow blind to the longer-term positive story and the company's growth model.</section>
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Sea Ltd (SE US) announced yet another record set of quarterly results last night, with +159% growth in total GAAP revenues to US$2,280.6m. This marks the 12th consecutive quarter of triple-digit growth in revenues, which deserves a standing ovation
The company's digital entertainment business continued to thrive, with quarterly active users (QAU) increasing by +45% YoY and importantly quarterly paying users increasing +85% YoY in 2Q2021, and generating positive EBITDA of US$740.9m.
The quarterly paying users represented a higher portion of users in 2Q2021 and Adjusted EBITDA as a portion of bookings improved to 62.8% for 2Q2021 versus 60.9% in 2Q2020.
Garena's self-developed global hit game Free Fire reached over 1bn downloads on Google Play, with the game ranking number three globally by average monthly users for mobile games in 2Q2021, according to App Annie, with record peak daily users.

The company's e-commerce business continued to see rapid growth with gross orders up by +127% YoY to 1.4bn orders and gross merchandise value up by +87.5% YoY to US$15bn whilst the adjusted EBITDA loss per order decreased by -19.6% YoY.
Shopee was the second most downloaded app on Google Play and the second most downloaded app across Google Play and iOS app stores combined forte shopping category globally in 2Q2021, according to App Annie.

In Brazil, where Shopee was launched in late 2019, it ranked first in the shopping category by downloads, and total time spent in-app, as well as ranking second in terms of monthly active users (MAU) for 2Q2021.
 In Brazil, it has already made good progress with more monthly active users than Amazon.com Inc (AMZN US) and Alibaba Group (BABA US) and stands in the number two position after MercadoLibre Inc (MELI US) in terms of active users.
Sea Ltd (SE US) also continued to make significant progress in digital financial services through the adoption of SeaMoney and ShopeePay, with US$4.1bn in total payment volume in its mobile wallet in 2Q2021, up nearly +150% YoY. It also saw an increase of +109% in quarterly paying users in 2Q2021. 
The company continues to grow its ShopeeFood business in Indonesia and Vietnam and has seen a very strong performance and positive reception from users as well as driver communities in both markets in 2Q2021, with a strong focus on the quality of services to users.


The company booked an overall gross profit increase of +364% YoY. From a non-GAAP EBITDA perspective, the company booked an EBITDA loss of (US$24.1m) versus an EBITDA profit of US$7.7m.
From a segmental point of view, Sea Ltd (SE US) booked a positive EBITDA of US$740.9m for its digital entertainment segment in 2Q2021 versus US436.2m last year in the same period, an increase of +69.8% YoY. 
The e-commerce segment booked an EBITDA loss of (US$579.8m) in 2Q2021 versus a loss of (US$313.7m) last year, an increase in loss of +84.8% YoY.


These look like yet another blow away set of numbers for Sea Ltd (SE US), despite the company booking a marginally higher loss. It is all too easy to take a negative view on a high-growth company such as Sea Ltd (SE US) but most negative arguments from analysts tinker with the quarterly minutiae and are somehow blind to the longer-term positive story and the company's growth model.




Management has also raised its full-year guidance, which is now well above analyst expectations. The stock reacted positively to the results breaking out above US$300 to close at a new record close. We remain positive on Sea Ltd (SE US), which now trades on 10.5x FY22E EV/Sales and 8x FY23E EV/sales, which may look rich but is justified by superior growth to its peers, with e-commerce and digital finance fuelled by the company's gaming business. 














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Grab Holdings Limited operates as a holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, develops delivery management, mobility, financial services, and enterprise software solutions. Grab Holdings serves customers worldwide.

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