Founder Evidente. Top rated quantitative analyst, Evidente

Sam Ferraro

Founder Evidente. Top rated quantitative analyst

Evidente

Evidente is an independent financial education firm that delivers innovative financial advice to wholesale investors, including active long only funds, hedge funds, pension funds, and sovereign wealth funds, in Australia and globally.  Drawing on academic research in asset pricing, behavioural finance and portfolio construction, Evidente provides wholesale investors with commercial solutions to stock selection and asset allocation decisions across equities and other asset classes.

Macroeconomics

The market is firmly expecting another rate cut from the RBA at today&rsquo;s Board meeting. The domestic data flow has not delivered any large negative surprises, but the key swing factor over the past month appears to have been the 25% slide in the iron ore price, reflecting lower steel demand associated with renewed weakness in Chinese housing markets but also a lift in expected future iron ore production. Importantly, short-term gyrations in volatile commodity markets are unlikely to sway the RBA, nor does the the slide in the iron ore price provide a positive narrative to ease monetary policy. The RBA has plenty of scope to cut interest rates: the economy remains stuck in a nominal recession, revenue conditions are subdued, there is still considerable slack in the labour market, growth in private sector wages has reached a record low and the inflation outlook does not pose an obstacle to another rate cut.&nbsp;&nbsp; But the central bank will likely wait for another month.

The market is firmly expecting another rate cut from the RBA at today&rsquo;s Board meeting. The domestic data flow has not delivered any large negative surprises, but the key swing factor over the past month appears to have been the 25% slide in the iron ore price, reflecting lower steel demand associated with renewed weakness in Chinese housing markets but also a lift in expected future iron ore production. Importantly, short-term gyrations in volatile commodity markets are unlikely to sway the RBA, nor does the the slide in the iron ore price provide a positive narrative to ease monetary policy. The RBA has plenty of scope to cut interest rates: the economy remains stuck in a nominal recession, revenue conditions are subdued, there is still considerable slack in the labour market, growth in private sector wages has reached a record low and the inflation outlook does not pose an obstacle to another rate cut.&nbsp;&nbsp; But the central bank will likely wait for another month.

Another line ball decision for the RBA, but expect no change in April

The March non-farm payrolls release confirmed that employment in the United States continues to expand but at a more moderate pace over the past three months.&nbsp;The Phillips curve has flattened since the financial crisis, which confirms that inflation has become less responsive to changes in the unemployment rate. A structurally lower participation rate associated with the demographics of ageing suggests that there is far more slack in the labour market than implied by the unemployment rate of 5.5%.&nbsp; The performance of premium rated growth stocks around the taper &lsquo;tantrum&rsquo; in May 2013 reveals just how sensitive these stocks are to the future course of US monetary policy. The worst four performing stocks among the ASX200 at the time were: CTD, DMP, IIN and REA, reflecting their long duration attributes. Discount rate shocks therefore represent a key risk for growth investors. But the recent moderation&nbsp;of US&nbsp;employment growth, still considerable slack in the US labour market, and little prospect that core inflation will move back to the Fed Reserve's 2% objective anytime soon, should buy more time for not just the Fed but also growth investors.

The March non-farm payrolls release confirmed that employment in the United States continues to expand but at a more moderate pace over the past three months.&nbsp;The Phillips curve has flattened since the financial crisis, which confirms that inflation has become less responsive to changes in the unemployment rate. A structurally lower participation rate associated with the demographics of ageing suggests that there is far more slack in the labour market than implied by the unemployment rate of 5.5%.&nbsp; The performance of premium rated growth stocks around the taper &lsquo;tantrum&rsquo; in May 2013 reveals just how sensitive these stocks are to the future course of US monetary policy. The worst four performing stocks among the ASX200 at the time were: CTD, DMP, IIN and REA, reflecting their long duration attributes. Discount rate shocks therefore represent a key risk for growth investors. But the recent moderation&nbsp;of US&nbsp;employment growth, still considerable slack in the US labour market, and little prospect that core inflation will move back to the Fed Reserve's 2% objective anytime soon, should buy more time for not just the Fed but also growth investors.

US employment growth moderates, buying the Fed and growth investors more time

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/toyota-industries-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4500:1" rel="noopener">Toyota Industries (6201 JP)</a> is worth in the high ¥20,000s by having minorities get the value of TICO and the tax treatment benefits proposed. As-is, TICO minorities are getting screwed.</li>
<li>The $64k question is whether AusSuper which supported <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bluescope-steel-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:207:1" rel="noopener">Bluescope (BSL AU)</a>'s rejection of a $30 bid, and would only support an M&amp;A proposal that was “materially higher", is now supportive. </li>
<li>It's not surprising that financial institutions are selling some <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ibiden-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16630:1" rel="noopener">Ibiden Co Ltd (4062 JP)</a> as it continues its climb higher AND around the time of the imminent MSCI promotion.</li>
</ul>



Toyota Industries (6201 JP) is worth in the high ¥20,000s by having minorities get the value of TICO and the tax treatment benefits proposed. As-is, TICO minorities are getting screwed.
The $64k question is whether AusSuper which supported Bluescope (BSL AU)'s rejection of a $30 bid, and would only support an M&amp;A proposal that was “materially higher", is now supportive. 
It's not surprising that financial institutions are selling some Ibiden Co Ltd (4062 JP) as it continues its climb higher AND around the time of the imminent MSCI promotion.


Last Week In Event SPACE: Toyota Industries, Bluescope Steel, Ibiden, CK Hutch

Commonwealth Bank of Australia / Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Australia's ASIC releases the aggregated short position data four business days after the reporting day.</li>
<li>The largest industry net increase in the past week was into "Diversified Meals"; the largest industry net decrease was out of "Steel".</li>
<li>Companies mentioned in this regular weekly report include: <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/commonwealth-bank-of-australia" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14:1" rel="noopener">Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA AU)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fortescue-metals-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:41:1" rel="noopener">Fortescue Metals (FMG AU)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/amp-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:678:1" rel="noopener">AMP Ltd (AMP AU)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sims-metal-management-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18184:1" rel="noopener">Sims Metal Management (SGM AU)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nufarm-ltd-australia" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1128:1" rel="noopener">Nufarm Ltd (NUF AU)</a>.
</li>
</ul>


Australia's ASIC releases the aggregated short position data four business days after the reporting day.
The largest industry net increase in the past week was into "Diversified Meals"; the largest industry net decrease was out of "Steel".
Companies mentioned in this regular weekly report include: Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA AU), Fortescue Metals (FMG AU), AMP Ltd (AMP AU), Sims Metal Management (SGM AU), Nufarm Ltd (NUF AU).



Aussie Shorts (16 Feb 2026): Commonwealth Bank, Fortescue Metals, AMP, Sims Metal Management, Nufarm

Asia Pac ECM and Index Rebal, Shenton Research

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

Asia Pac ECM and Index Rebal

Asia Pac IPO & Placement Research, China Biotech

DZT Research

DZT Research is an independent Asia Pacific equity specialist. Our quantitative research covers index rebalancing flows, alongside exchange data analytics accross Asia Pacific. On the equity capital markets side, we focus on Asia Pacific ECM, especially biotech and TMT. Our lead analyst is frequently cited by international media.

Quantitative Analysis

<ul>
<li>We analyzed the changes in short interest of ASX Stocks as of Feb 13th (reported today). The aggregated short interest was USD34.6bn.</li>
<li>We tabulate league tables for top short by value and short as multiple of ADT, as well as weekly increases &amp; decreases in short value, short as multiple of ADT.</li>
<li>We highlight short interest changes in ALS, Northern Star Resources, CSL, AMP, CAR.</li>
</ul>


We analyzed the changes in short interest of ASX Stocks as of Feb 13th (reported today). The aggregated short interest was USD34.6bn.
We tabulate league tables for top short by value and short as multiple of ADT, as well as weekly increases &amp; decreases in short value, short as multiple of ADT.
We highlight short interest changes in ALS, Northern Star Resources, CSL, AMP, CAR.


ASX Short Interest Weekly (Feb 13th): ALS, Northern Star Resources, CSL, AMP, CAR

Australia

Nufarm Limited manufactures and supplies a range of agricultural chemicals used by farmers to protect crops from damage caused by weeds, pests and disease. The Company has worldwide operations.

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Nufarm Ltd (NUF AU)

Another line ball decision for the RBA, but expect no change in April

The market is firmly expecting another rate cut from the RBA at today’s Board meeting. The domestic data flow has not delivered any large negative...

Sam Ferraro

US employment growth moderates, buying the Fed and growth investors more time

The March non-farm payrolls release confirmed that employment in the United States continues to expand but at a more moderate pace over the past...

Sam Ferraro

Last Week In Event SPACE: Toyota Industries, Bluescope Steel, Ibiden, CK Hutch

It’s Sunday! Pour yourself a coffee, grab a comfortable seat, and sift through a brief summary of insights on various events discussed during the...

David Blennerhassett

Aussie Shorts (16 Feb 2026): Commonwealth Bank, Fortescue Metals, AMP, Sims Metal Management, Nufarm

Companies mentioned in this regular weekly report include: Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA AU), Fortescue Metals (FMG AU), AMP Ltd (AMP AU),...

David Blennerhassett

ASX Short Interest Weekly (Feb 13th): ALS, Northern Star Resources, CSL, AMP, CAR

We analyzed ASX short interest report for the past week and highlight short interest changes in ALS, Northern Star Resources, CSL, AMP, CAR.

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

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