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

<p>Indonesia e-commerce player Bukalapak, which counts <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/elang-mahkota-teknologi-tbk" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7752:1" rel="noopener">Emtek (EMTK IJ)</a> as its largest local backer but also has <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/microsoft-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15273:1" rel="noopener">Microsoft Corp (MSFT US)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/standard-chartered-plc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:193:1" rel="noopener">Standard Chartered (STAN LN)</a>, GIC, and Naver Corp is investors in reportedly in talks to list through a SPAC with a valuation of US$4bn-US$5bn, with a local listing of part of the business in Jakarta first. The timing suggests a target transaction date in 3Q2021.</p>
<p>Bukalapak is the No.4 e-commerce player in Indonesia with 13.5m online sellers and 100m monthly active users, competing with players such as <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tokopedia-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24239:1" rel="noopener">Tokopedia PT (1087142D IJ)</a>, Shopee (<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sea-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8509:1" rel="noopener">Sea Ltd (SE US))</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lazada-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26148:1" rel="noopener">Lazada Group (LAZADA SP)</a> but with an edge providing fulfillment and logistics for around 5.4m warungs (mom&amp;pop stores) in Indonesia.</p>
<p>The company recently saw <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/standard-chartered-plc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:193:1" rel="noopener">Standard Chartered (STAN LN)</a> come in as part of a US$200m funding round, with a view of helping to build financial services through the platform and offer to its sellers and customers financial services.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/elang-mahkota-teknologi-tbk" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7752:1" rel="noopener">Emtek (EMTK IJ)</a> is the most direct beneficiary of a listing for Bukalapak, even through a SPAC, given that it will crystallize a market value for the company. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/elang-mahkota-teknologi-tbk" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7752:1" rel="noopener">Emtek (EMTK IJ)</a>approved a stock split in December and the company has become more liquid and it may look at a further restructuring at a later stage to bring all its digital and media assets under one roof.</p>
<p>The IDX (Indonesia Stock Exchange) is already talking about both allowing SPACs to list in Indonesia but also more importantly to allow main-board listings for high-growth companies that may not be profitable, as well as allowing dual-class shares. </p>

Indonesia e-commerce player Bukalapak, which counts Emtek (EMTK IJ) as its largest local backer but also has Microsoft Corp (MSFT US), Standard Chartered (STAN LN), GIC, and Naver Corp is investors in reportedly in talks to list through a SPAC with a valuation of US$4bn-US$5bn, with a local listing of part of the business in Jakarta first. The timing suggests a target transaction date in 3Q2021.
Bukalapak is the No.4 e-commerce player in Indonesia with 13.5m online sellers and 100m monthly active users, competing with players such as Tokopedia PT (1087142D IJ), Shopee (Sea Ltd (SE US)), and Lazada Group (LAZADA SP) but with an edge providing fulfillment and logistics for around 5.4m warungs (mom&amp;pop stores) in Indonesia.
The company recently saw Standard Chartered (STAN LN) come in as part of a US$200m funding round, with a view of helping to build financial services through the platform and offer to its sellers and customers financial services.
Emtek (EMTK IJ) is the most direct beneficiary of a listing for Bukalapak, even through a SPAC, given that it will crystallize a market value for the company. Emtek (EMTK IJ)approved a stock split in December and the company has become more liquid and it may look at a further restructuring at a later stage to bring all its digital and media assets under one roof.
The IDX (Indonesia Stock Exchange) is already talking about both allowing SPACs to list in Indonesia but also more importantly to allow main-board listings for high-growth companies that may not be profitable, as well as allowing dual-class shares. 

Emtek (EMTK IJ) - Bukalapak Eyeing a SPAC Listing But Jakarta May Be First?

<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> has launched the Shopee App for Mexico to offer online sales in what would be its second foray in the Americas after a pilot initiative in 2019 in Brazil, which has been scaling up operations.</p>
<p>The expansion to Mexico, Latin America's second-largest economy, could mark a major new growth opportunity in cross-border sales but it will also mean more cash burn and a longer runway to profitability.</p>
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<div id="sda-INARTICLE">Shopee will offer free shipping throughout Mexico, offering items including electronics, clothes, toys, and home goods, which would suggest immediate cash burn. The features will be similar to its South East Asia Shopee App, which has been a huge success. </div>
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<div>The company has already had huge success with its gaming business in Latin America through Garena but its e-commerce business has more moving parts and has yet to be tested in a big way in Latin America, which does introduce an element of uncertainty to this latest move. </div>
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<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sea-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8509:1" rel="noopener">Sea Ltd (SE US)</a> faces the challenge of facing off against <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mercadolibre-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27954:1" rel="noopener">MercadoLibre Inc (MELI US)</a>, which is a formidable adversary that has seen off <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> on its doorstep already. </div>
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<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sea-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8509:1" rel="noopener">Sea Ltd (SE US)</a> does have a track record of winning share quickly seemingly "against all odds" in unseating <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tokopedia-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24239:1" rel="noopener">Tokopedia PT (1087142D IJ)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lazada-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26148:1" rel="noopener">Lazada Group (LAZADA SP)</a> in Indonesia. </div>
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<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sea-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8509:1" rel="noopener">Sea Ltd (SE US)</a> trades on a lofty 15.5x FY21E EV/sales and 11.1x FY22E EV/Sales with forecast sales growth of +56% and +30.3% for FY21E and FY22E respectively but is not expected to breakeven until 2023 under current estimates. We continue to like <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sea-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8509:1" rel="noopener">Sea Ltd (SE US)</a> over the long-term for its leading position and rapid growth in gaming and e-commerce in South East Asia but this recent move may provide further leg to its long term growth. We would look to buy on any further weakness.</div>

Sea Ltd (SE US) has launched the Shopee App for Mexico to offer online sales in what would be its second foray in the Americas after a pilot initiative in 2019 in Brazil, which has been scaling up operations.
The expansion to Mexico, Latin America's second-largest economy, could mark a major new growth opportunity in cross-border sales but it will also mean more cash burn and a longer runway to profitability.

Shopee will offer free shipping throughout Mexico, offering items including electronics, clothes, toys, and home goods, which would suggest immediate cash burn. The features will be similar to its South East Asia Shopee App, which has been a huge success. 


The company has already had huge success with its gaming business in Latin America through Garena but its e-commerce business has more moving parts and has yet to be tested in a big way in Latin America, which does introduce an element of uncertainty to this latest move. 


Sea Ltd (SE US) faces the challenge of facing off against MercadoLibre Inc (MELI US), which is a formidable adversary that has seen off Amazon.com Inc (AMZN US) on its doorstep already. 


Sea Ltd (SE US) does have a track record of winning share quickly seemingly "against all odds" in unseating Tokopedia PT (1087142D IJ) and Lazada Group (LAZADA SP) in Indonesia. 


Sea Ltd (SE US) trades on a lofty 15.5x FY21E EV/sales and 11.1x FY22E EV/Sales with forecast sales growth of +56% and +30.3% for FY21E and FY22E respectively but is not expected to breakeven until 2023 under current estimates. We continue to like Sea Ltd (SE US) over the long-term for its leading position and rapid growth in gaming and e-commerce in South East Asia but this recent move may provide further leg to its long term growth. We would look to buy on any further weakness.

Sea Ltd (SE US) - Extending the Runway for a Bigger Plane?

Private Capital Markets

GoTo Gojek Tokopedia Tbk PT / Private Capital Markets

<p>The news that <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/gojek" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:25976:1" rel="noopener">Gojek (1379371D IJ)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tokopedia-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24239:1" rel="noopener">Tokopedia PT (1087142D IJ)</a> are in talks for a potential merger and future listing came with some excitement, given that it has the potential to create a homegrown Indonesian digital powerhouse in one fell swoop. </p>
<p>This will present a challenge, not just to <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sea-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8509:1" rel="noopener">Sea Ltd (SE US)</a> and its Shopee platform but also for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/grabtaxi-holdings-pte-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26950:1" rel="noopener">Grab (0967655D SP),</a> which will suddenly find itself three steps behind its Indonesian rival having been a potential suitor, although that marriage would have been less than easy.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/gojek" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:25976:1" rel="noopener">Gojek (1379371D IJ)</a> has already stepped up its move into the digital banking space through the recent increase in its stake in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bank-jago-tbk-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31094:1" rel="noopener">Bank Jago (ARTO IJ)</a> to 22% but it also has strong backers for GoPay in the shape of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/facebook-inc-a" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:665:1" rel="noopener">Facebook Inc A (FB US)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/paypal-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4747:1" rel="noopener">Paypal Holdings (PYPL US).</a></p>
<p>One key area of overlap between <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/gojek" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:25976:1" rel="noopener">Gojek (1379371D IJ)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tokopedia-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24239:1" rel="noopener">Tokopedia PT (1087142D IJ)</a> is on digital payments, where GoPay and OVO compete head-on. Given that Tokopedia holds a 35% stake in OVO, it is possible that it will decide to sell this stake with payments and financial services falling to GoPay. </p>
<p>The combined entity will be a huge enabler for MSMEs from food providers to small businesses and as a result, will likely get significant support from the Indonesian government. </p>
<p>Unlike a Gojek/Grab combination, there are few competition issues as <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tokopedia-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24239:1" rel="noopener">Tokopedia PT (1087142D IJ)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/gojek" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:25976:1" rel="noopener">Gojek (1379371D IJ)</a> operate in different verticals. There are also unlikely to be issues with any substantial lay-offs.</p>
<p>There will be significant synergies between the two companies in areas such as payments, with an ever-increasing use-case for GoPay and on making deliveries even more seamless for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tokopedia-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24239:1" rel="noopener">Tokopedia PT (1087142D IJ)</a>.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tokopedia-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24239:1" rel="noopener"></a>The combined size of the two companies would be around US$18bn under the latest valuations but it could quite easily command a higher valuation with a US listing, although it is not yet sure what shape or form that listing will take.</p>
<p>A SPAC listing would be the least favorable option, given question marks over the real winners from such as structure. A straight IPO would be the most straightforward and preferred option, even if it takes a bit longer to execute. The merged entity will likely provide a more formidable adversary 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> in Indonesia.</p>

The news that Gojek (1379371D IJ) and Tokopedia PT (1087142D IJ) are in talks for a potential merger and future listing came with some excitement, given that it has the potential to create a homegrown Indonesian digital powerhouse in one fell swoop. 
This will present a challenge, not just to Sea Ltd (SE US) and its Shopee platform but also for Grab (0967655D SP), which will suddenly find itself three steps behind its Indonesian rival having been a potential suitor, although that marriage would have been less than easy.
Gojek (1379371D IJ) has already stepped up its move into the digital banking space through the recent increase in its stake in Bank Jago (ARTO IJ) to 22% but it also has strong backers for GoPay in the shape of Facebook Inc A (FB US) and Paypal Holdings (PYPL US).
One key area of overlap between Gojek (1379371D IJ) and Tokopedia PT (1087142D IJ) is on digital payments, where GoPay and OVO compete head-on. Given that Tokopedia holds a 35% stake in OVO, it is possible that it will decide to sell this stake with payments and financial services falling to GoPay. 
The combined entity will be a huge enabler for MSMEs from food providers to small businesses and as a result, will likely get significant support from the Indonesian government. 
Unlike a Gojek/Grab combination, there are few competition issues as Tokopedia PT (1087142D IJ) and Gojek (1379371D IJ) operate in different verticals. There are also unlikely to be issues with any substantial lay-offs.
There will be significant synergies between the two companies in areas such as payments, with an ever-increasing use-case for GoPay and on making deliveries even more seamless for Tokopedia PT (1087142D IJ).
The combined size of the two companies would be around US$18bn under the latest valuations but it could quite easily command a higher valuation with a US listing, although it is not yet sure what shape or form that listing will take.
A SPAC listing would be the least favorable option, given question marks over the real winners from such as structure. A straight IPO would be the most straightforward and preferred option, even if it takes a bit longer to execute. The merged entity will likely provide a more formidable adversary for Sea Ltd (SE US) in Indonesia.

Gojek and Tokopedia - Digital Game of Thrones

<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tokopedia-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24239:1" rel="noopener">Tokopedia PT (1087142D IJ)</a> has confirmed that it has hired Morgan Stanley and Citigroup as advisers to help accelerate its plan to go public. The company has not yet decided which route to take to come to market, whether through a straightforward IPO or a SPAC listing, potentially through Richard Li and Peter Thiel's Bridgetown Holdings Ltd.</p>
<p>The company had previously stated that it would definitely seek a listing in its home market of Indonesia, with a potential dual listing in the US, although these statements were made pre-pandemic. </p>
<p>Valuations for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tokopedia-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24239:1" rel="noopener">Tokopedia PT (1087142D IJ)</a> range from US$8-10bn, although after the last round of funding it was valued at US$7.5bn, making it Indonesia's second most valuation start-up after <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/gojek" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:25976:1" rel="noopener">Gojek (1379371D IJ)</a>, which was last valued at US$10bn.</p>
<p>An IPO would help the company realize a higher valuation, providing a currency to drive future growth, given it would be an alternative to <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sea-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8509:1" rel="noopener">Sea Ltd (SE US), </a>as the number 2 e-commerce player in Indonesia. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sea-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8509:1" rel="noopener">Sea Ltd (SE US)</a> trades at 13x FY21E EV/Sales currently and just raised more than US$2bn through a placement of new ADS's. We look at <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tokopedia-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24239:1" rel="noopener">Tokopedia PT (1087142D IJ)</a> and its positioning in more detail below the fold. </p>

Tokopedia PT (1087142D IJ) has confirmed that it has hired Morgan Stanley and Citigroup as advisers to help accelerate its plan to go public. The company has not yet decided which route to take to come to market, whether through a straightforward IPO or a SPAC listing, potentially through Richard Li and Peter Thiel's Bridgetown Holdings Ltd.
The company had previously stated that it would definitely seek a listing in its home market of Indonesia, with a potential dual listing in the US, although these statements were made pre-pandemic. 
Valuations for Tokopedia PT (1087142D IJ) range from US$8-10bn, although after the last round of funding it was valued at US$7.5bn, making it Indonesia's second most valuation start-up after Gojek (1379371D IJ), which was last valued at US$10bn.
An IPO would help the company realize a higher valuation, providing a currency to drive future growth, given it would be an alternative to Sea Ltd (SE US), as the number 2 e-commerce player in Indonesia. Sea Ltd (SE US) trades at 13x FY21E EV/Sales currently and just raised more than US$2bn through a placement of new ADS's. We look at Tokopedia PT (1087142D IJ) and its positioning in more detail below the fold. 

Tokopedia PT (1087142D IJ) - From Private to Public by Hook or by Crook

<p>A follow-up call with <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> management after it released results to get a better feel for its digital initiatives revealed continuing positive momentum behind the company's "Unified Retail" approach to its business, with its digital presence likely to continue to drive its future growth. </p>
<p>The company has already put through some aggressive inventory adjustments, which put it in a good position to benefit from the pick-up in sales towards the end of the year, without aggressive blanket promotions.</p>
<p>The drive online is being channeled through MAPclub, which now has 3.25m members, and is the largest loyalty program in Indonesia. This will continue to be a key growth driver for <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> in 2021.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/map-aktif-adiperkasa-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27291:1" rel="noopener">MAP Aktif Adiperkasa PT (MAPA IJ)</a> will continue to benefit from increased health consciousness amongst Indonesians and has an even higher portion of its sales online than <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>. </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> will launch Boots and Amore Pacific brands in the coming year, which should boost growth and it has dropped some non-performing brands. DigiMAP, the company's online electronics platform, will also be an ongoing growth driver. </p>
<p>The company is trading on 24.9x FY21E PER and 15.8x FY22E PER versus its 3-year average forward PER of 21x and continues to be our top pick as a play on the retail recovery.</p>

A follow-up call with Mitra Adiperkasa (MAPI IJ) management after it released results to get a better feel for its digital initiatives revealed continuing positive momentum behind the company's "Unified Retail" approach to its business, with its digital presence likely to continue to drive its future growth. 
The company has already put through some aggressive inventory adjustments, which put it in a good position to benefit from the pick-up in sales towards the end of the year, without aggressive blanket promotions.
The drive online is being channeled through MAPclub, which now has 3.25m members, and is the largest loyalty program in Indonesia. This will continue to be a key growth driver for Mitra Adiperkasa (MAPI IJ) in 2021.
MAP Aktif Adiperkasa PT (MAPA IJ) will continue to benefit from increased health consciousness amongst Indonesians and has an even higher portion of its sales online than Mitra Adiperkasa (MAPI IJ). 
Mitra Adiperkasa (MAPI IJ) will launch Boots and Amore Pacific brands in the coming year, which should boost growth and it has dropped some non-performing brands. DigiMAP, the company's online electronics platform, will also be an ongoing growth driver. 
The company is trading on 24.9x FY21E PER and 15.8x FY22E PER versus its 3-year average forward PER of 21x and continues to be our top pick as a play on the retail recovery.

Mitra Adiperkasa (MAPI IJ) - Unifying with the Digital World

Singapore

Lazada Group SA provides online shopping services. The Company offers consumer electronics, household, toys, fashion, and sports equipment. Lazada Group serves customers worldwide.   

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Lazada Group (LAZADA SP)

Emtek (EMTK IJ) - Bukalapak Eyeing a SPAC Listing But Jakarta May Be First?

Emtek is an interesting way to play the burgeoning digital economy in Indonesia and would be a key beneficiary should subsidiary Bukalapak choose...

Angus Mackintosh

Sea Ltd (SE US) - Extending the Runway for a Bigger Plane?

Sea Ltd (SE US) remains the listed key proxy for the explosive growth in e-commerce in South East Asia, fuelled by growing revenues from its gaming...

Angus Mackintosh

Gojek and Tokopedia - Digital Game of Thrones

The potential merger of Gojek and Tokopedia with a listing of the combined entity planned at a future date will provide investors with an exciting...

Angus Mackintosh

Tokopedia PT (1087142D IJ) - From Private to Public by Hook or by Crook

Tokopedia has confirmed that it is looking to go public and has enlisted Investment Banks to speed the process. This will give investors an...

Angus Mackintosh

Mitra Adiperkasa (MAPI IJ) - Unifying with the Digital World

MAPI continues to be our preferred proxy for the Indonesian retail recovery in Indonesia for next year, having successfully harnessed its online...

Angus Mackintosh

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