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.

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Hermès International reported its financial performance for the first half of 2025, showcasing solid growth amidst a challenging global landscape.</li>
<li>The company's sales reached €8 billion, marking an 8% increase at constant exchange rates, highlighting the robust demand for Hermès products across all regions.</li>
<li>Despite a fluctuating economic context, the strength and exclusivity of its artisanal model remain key drivers of its success.</li>
</ul>


Hermès International reported its financial performance for the first half of 2025, showcasing solid growth amidst a challenging global landscape.
The company's sales reached €8 billion, marking an 8% increase at constant exchange rates, highlighting the robust demand for Hermès products across all regions.
Despite a fluctuating economic context, the strength and exclusivity of its artisanal model remain key drivers of its success.


Hermès International’s Expansion Spree: How It’s Winning Over High-Value Shoppers!

Equity Analyst, LightStream Research

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Equity Analyst

Long-Short Analysis on Japan, Asia and the World

LightStream Research

LightStream conducts quantitatively rigorous and data-driven analysis with a focus on Japan and Asia.

We consistently cover the Tech, Consumer and Industrial sectors, and provide ECM and Events coverage more broadly.

We supplement traditional qualitative insights from company relationships with a robust quantitative foundation that examines as much historical data as is available.
We further refine the accuracy of our insights and calls through the use of alternative data to flesh out current trends, and through a valuation framework that emphasises non-superficial peer group selection and a proper attempt to understand the metrics and changes that have driven security valuations in the past.

Mandarin Oriental International / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>While traditional luxury brands may encounter challenges as affluent Chinese consumers shift to local high-end brands, there are still opportunities within small niches in the luxury sector.</li>
<li>Luxury travel, driven by trends like micro trips and the increasing number of High-Net-Worth Individuals, represents a potential area of growth in the luxury sector.</li>
<li>The thriving luxury travel market opens up investment potential in sectors such as luxury hotels and premium cosmetics.</li>
</ul>


While traditional luxury brands may encounter challenges as affluent Chinese consumers shift to local high-end brands, there are still opportunities within small niches in the luxury sector.
Luxury travel, driven by trends like micro trips and the increasing number of High-Net-Worth Individuals, represents a potential area of growth in the luxury sector.
The thriving luxury travel market opens up investment potential in sectors such as luxury hotels and premium cosmetics.


APAC Luxury Industry Series: Luxury Travel Shines Amid Challenges for Traditional Luxury Goods

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.

Chow Tai Fook Jewellery / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>China gold jewelry demand slumped in 2Q2025, while investment demand for coins and bars remained resilient amidst rise in gold prices, according to data released by China Gold Association.</li>
<li>If gold rally continues, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/chow-tai-fook-jewellery-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:549:1" rel="noopener">Chow Tai Fook Jewellery (1929 HK)</a> faces heightened demand growth risk due to reliance on the competitive, price-sensitive, consumption-driven jewellery segment.</li>
<li>Chow Tai Fook’s 140% YTD rally reflects optimism on branding-driven earnings growth, but <strong>stretched valuations overlook downside risks to growth if gold prices keep rising.</strong>
</li>
</ul>


China gold jewelry demand slumped in 2Q2025, while investment demand for coins and bars remained resilient amidst rise in gold prices, according to data released by China Gold Association.
If gold rally continues, Chow Tai Fook Jewellery (1929 HK) faces heightened demand growth risk due to reliance on the competitive, price-sensitive, consumption-driven jewellery segment.
Chow Tai Fook’s 140% YTD rally reflects optimism on branding-driven earnings growth, but stretched valuations overlook downside risks to growth if gold prices keep rising.



Chow Tai Fook (1929 HK): Strong Rally, Weak Jewellery Demand. Growth Risks.

Founder, CEO, GSBR Research

Garvit Bhandari

Founder, CEO

Leading Provider of Equity and Investment Research

GSBR Research

We are an independent equity research provider focused on covering global markets. The aim of the research is to provide an unbiased view of the fundamentals of the company.

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>The EU consumer discretionary sector is mixed but improving, though the recovery remains uneven across goods and services.</li>
<li>Tourism remains the standout, surpassing pre-pandemic levels with a record 2.99 billion nights in 2024. Hospitality, travel, and leisure therefore remain relatively bright spots.</li>
<li>Non-Food retail volumes returned to year-on-year growth in 2025, yet large-ticket categories such as autos and durables continue to lag the broader discretionary recovery.</li>
</ul>


The EU consumer discretionary sector is mixed but improving, though the recovery remains uneven across goods and services.
Tourism remains the standout, surpassing pre-pandemic levels with a record 2.99 billion nights in 2024. Hospitality, travel, and leisure therefore remain relatively bright spots.
Non-Food retail volumes returned to year-on-year growth in 2025, yet large-ticket categories such as autos and durables continue to lag the broader discretionary recovery.


EU Consumer Discretionary Sector - Mixed Trends

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/laopu-gold-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:44036:1" rel="noopener">Laopu Gold (6181 HK)</a>  is down nearly 20% since June’s lock-up expiry, despite strong 1H2025 results and subsequent analyst earnings upgrades.</li>
<li>The stock trades at 22x FY26E, the low end of its YTD P/E range, with a PEG below 0.8x.</li>
<li>China’s retail gold demand in 2Q2025 has shifted toward investment products - a trend that could support Laopu’s mostly investment-driven sales.</li>
</ul>



Laopu Gold (6181 HK)  is down nearly 20% since June’s lock-up expiry, despite strong 1H2025 results and subsequent analyst earnings upgrades.
The stock trades at 22x FY26E, the low end of its YTD P/E range, with a PEG below 0.8x.
China’s retail gold demand in 2Q2025 has shifted toward investment products - a trend that could support Laopu’s mostly investment-driven sales.


Laopu Gold (6181 HK): Technical Overhang Masks Strong Fundamentals – Gold Bulls Stay Put

France

Hermes International designs, produces, and distributes personal luxury accessories and apparel.  The Company operates a chain of boutiques under the Hermes name that sells items such as leather, scarves, men's clothes, ties, women's fashions, perfume, watches, stationery, shoes, hats, gloves, and jewelry.

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Hermes International (RMS FP)

Hermès International’s Expansion Spree: How It’s Winning Over High-Value Shoppers!

Hermès International reported its financial performance for the first half of 2025, showcasing solid growth amidst a challenging global landscape.

Baptista Research

APAC Luxury Industry Series: Luxury Travel Shines Amid Challenges for Traditional Luxury Goods

Luxury travel, driven by trends like micro trips and the increasing number of High-Net-Worth Individuals, represents a potential area of growth in...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Chow Tai Fook (1929 HK): Strong Rally, Weak Jewellery Demand. Growth Risks.

Downside risk to the stock as stretched valuations overlook the risk of worsening jewellery sales if the gold rally continues.

Devi Subhakesan

EU Consumer Discretionary Sector - Mixed Trends

EU consumer discretionary sector shows mixed but improving performance, with tourism leading the way while large-ticket categories lag behind.

GSBR Research

Laopu Gold (6181 HK): Technical Overhang Masks Strong Fundamentals – Gold Bulls Stay Put

Investors confident in rising gold prices can see Laopu's current technicals driven stock weakness as an opportunity given it's strong growth...

Devi Subhakesan

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Hermès International’s Expansion Spree: How It’s Winning Over High-Value Shoppers!

Hermès International reported its financial performance for the first half of 2025, showcasing solid growth amidst a challenging global landscape.

Baptista Research

APAC Luxury Industry Series: Luxury Travel Shines Amid Challenges for Traditional Luxury Goods

Luxury travel, driven by trends like micro trips and the increasing number of High-Net-Worth Individuals, represents a potential area of growth in...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Chow Tai Fook (1929 HK): Strong Rally, Weak Jewellery Demand. Growth Risks.

Downside risk to the stock as stretched valuations overlook the risk of worsening jewellery sales if the gold rally continues.

Devi Subhakesan

EU Consumer Discretionary Sector - Mixed Trends

​EU consumer discretionary sector shows mixed but improving performance, with tourism leading the way while large-ticket categories lag behind.

GSBR Research

Laopu Gold (6181 HK): Technical Overhang Masks Strong Fundamentals – Gold Bulls Stay Put

Investors confident in rising gold prices can see Laopu's current technicals driven stock weakness as an opportunity given it's strong growth...

Devi Subhakesan

EU consumer discretionary sector shows mixed but improving performance, with tourism leading the way while large-ticket categories lag behind.