Asia L/S Equity PM/Macro/Thematic Idea Generation

Rikki Malik

Cross Asset Strategy

<ul>
<li>A review of recent events/data impacting our investment themes or outlook</li>
<li>China listed HK shares continue to lead the pack in Asia</li>
<li>India's rate cuts, tax cuts and election wins are not supporting the market</li>
</ul>


A review of recent events/data impacting our investment themes or outlook
China listed HK shares continue to lead the pack in Asia
India's rate cuts, tax cuts and election wins are not supporting the market


Overview #15 – Who's Afraid of the USD?

<ul>
<li>Risk reward favours this shift in allocation between these markets.  </li>
<li>Short to mid-term concerns on the Indian market warrant this strategic change</li>
<li>Slowing revenue growth and less government spending leading to decelerating profits which is not yet reflected in market multiples</li>
</ul>


Risk reward favours this shift in allocation between these markets.  
Short to mid-term concerns on the Indian market warrant this strategic change
Slowing revenue growth and less government spending leading to decelerating profits which is not yet reflected in market multiples


2025 High Conviction Idea: The Case for a Rotation Out of India into Hong Kong - Part 1

Chief Executive Officer, Emmer Capital Partners Limited

Manishi Raychaudhuri

Chief Executive Officer

Emmer Capital Partners Limited

Emmer Capital Partners is an Asia Pacific focused financial advisory firm engaging in strategic financial asset allocation advice, bespoke thematic research and advising early-stage companies and connecting them to investors. Emmer Capital provides macro-economic and multi-asset investment strategy inputs to institutions, family offices, private wealth managers, private equity, and corporate boards directly and through independent research platforms. Emmer Capital also advises a wide range of startup companies on fund raising and business strategy. Emmer Capital's active engagement with the print and electronic media reaches a broad spectrum of investors across the globe.

<ul>
<li>Asia is cheap relative to the US - trading at less than 40% of US's P/BV - but that's because Asia's ROE has consistently declined relative to US's.</li>
<li>Over the next couple of years Asian ROEs are forecast to revive relative to the US's but all Asian markets are not forecast to participate in this recovery.</li>
<li>The "ROE Winners" (rising forecast ROEs) are Korea, Taiwan, India, Malaysia. Indonesia to stay flat but solidly higher than Asian average. We are skeptical of HK/China and Thailand's ROE recovery.</li>
</ul>


Asia is cheap relative to the US - trading at less than 40% of US's P/BV - but that's because Asia's ROE has consistently declined relative to US's.
Over the next couple of years Asian ROEs are forecast to revive relative to the US's but all Asian markets are not forecast to participate in this recovery.
The "ROE Winners" (rising forecast ROEs) are Korea, Taiwan, India, Malaysia. Indonesia to stay flat but solidly higher than Asian average. We are skeptical of HK/China and Thailand's ROE recovery.


Asian Equities: Be Selective - Focus on The "ROE Winners"

<ul>
<li>A key medium-term driver of share price is earnings estimate trajectory - in particular, "earnings inflections" - i.e. the trajectory of earnings estimates changing directions. </li>
<li>Different Asian markets have had different estimate trajectories. But most suffered estimate cuts since August/September 2024, coinciding with the US Dollar appreciation and the spike in US yields.</li>
<li>We argue that investors need to watch out for Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia and India for earnings estimate increases. India's could decline in the near term and commence an uptrend later. </li>
</ul>


A key medium-term driver of share price is earnings estimate trajectory - in particular, "earnings inflections" - i.e. the trajectory of earnings estimates changing directions. 
Different Asian markets have had different estimate trajectories. But most suffered estimate cuts since August/September 2024, coinciding with the US Dollar appreciation and the spike in US yields.
We argue that investors need to watch out for Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia and India for earnings estimate increases. India's could decline in the near term and commence an uptrend later. 


Asian Equities: In Search of Earnings Estimate Uptrends

Chief Economist & Political Strategist, CrossASEAN Research

Prasenjit K. Basu

Chief Economist & Political Strategist

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

Macroeconomics

<ul>
<li>We expect a 12.5bp hike in the policy rate in Sep'24, as CPI inflation (2.52%YoY in Jul'24) remains well above the 2% target amid CBC concerns about overheated property markets. </li>
<li>Real GDP grew 5.1%YoY in Q2CY24, following 6.6%YoY growth in Q1 (both faster than mainland China). Exports grew 10%YoY in Jan-Jul'24, and export orders growth is at a 2-year high.</li>
<li>The market's trailing P/E ratio (23.56x) is well above its 20-year mean (19.84x). But we recommend a mild Overweight in Taiwan equities, with a focus on the largest tech stocks. </li>
</ul>


We expect a 12.5bp hike in the policy rate in Sep'24, as CPI inflation (2.52%YoY in Jul'24) remains well above the 2% target amid CBC concerns about overheated property markets. 
Real GDP grew 5.1%YoY in Q2CY24, following 6.6%YoY growth in Q1 (both faster than mainland China). Exports grew 10%YoY in Jan-Jul'24, and export orders growth is at a 2-year high.
The market's trailing P/E ratio (23.56x) is well above its 20-year mean (19.84x). But we recommend a mild Overweight in Taiwan equities, with a focus on the largest tech stocks. 


Taiwan: Rates to Buck Global Loosening as Growth Stays Robust and Inflation Too High

Taiwan

The TWSE, or TAIEX, Index is capitalization-weighted index of all listed common shares traded on the Taiwan Stock Exchange. The index has a base value of 100 based on its 1966 level. The index is also known as the TSEC Index.

Taiwan Stock Exchange Weighted Index (TWSE INDEX)

Taiwan Stock Exchange Weighted Index (TWSE INDEX)

Overview #15 – Who's Afraid of the USD?

A review of recent events/data impacting our investment themes and outlook. We takea quick tour around China, India and Japan

Rikki Malik

2025 High Conviction Idea: The Case for a Rotation Out of India into Hong Kong - Part 1

Shift in allocation from Indian to Chinese markets is favored due to short/mid-term concerns, including slowing revenue growth and decelerating...

Rikki Malik

Asian Equities: Be Selective - Focus on The "ROE Winners"

Asia's cheap P/BV compared to the US is due to low ROE. Over the next couple of years Asian ROE is forecast to revive relative to US, driven by...

Manishi Raychaudhuri

Asian Equities: In Search of Earnings Estimate Uptrends

Earnings estimate trajectory, especially "earnings inflection," are key drivers of share price in Asian markets. We see potential uptrends in...

Manishi Raychaudhuri

Taiwan: Rates to Buck Global Loosening as Growth Stays Robust and Inflation Too High

Taiwan's RGDP growth outpaced the PRC's for the past 3 quarters, and inflation (2.52%YoY in Jul'24) will require a 12.5bp rate hike. Despite rich...

Prasenjit K. Basu

Overview #15 – Who's Afraid of the USD?

A review of recent events/data impacting our investment themes and outlook. We takea quick tour around China, India and Japan

Rikki Malik

2025 High Conviction Idea: The Case for a Rotation Out of India into Hong Kong - Part 1

​Shift in allocation from Indian to Chinese markets is favored due to short/mid-term concerns, including slowing revenue growth and decelerating...

Rikki Malik

Asian Equities: Be Selective - Focus on The "ROE Winners"

​Asia's cheap P/BV compared to the US is due to low ROE. Over the next couple of years Asian ROE is forecast to revive relative to US, driven by...

Manishi Raychaudhuri

Asian Equities: In Search of Earnings Estimate Uptrends

​Earnings estimate trajectory, especially "earnings inflection," are key drivers of share price in Asian markets. We see potential uptrends in...

Manishi Raychaudhuri

Taiwan: Rates to Buck Global Loosening as Growth Stays Robust and Inflation Too High

Taiwan's RGDP growth outpaced the PRC's for the past 3 quarters, and inflation (2.52%YoY in Jul'24) will require a 12.5bp rate hike. Despite rich...

Prasenjit K. Basu

Shift in allocation from Indian to Chinese markets is favored due to short/mid-term concerns, including slowing revenue growth and decelerating...

Asia's cheap P/BV compared to the US is due to low ROE. Over the next couple of years Asian ROE is forecast to revive relative to US, driven by...

Earnings estimate trajectory, especially "earnings inflection," are key drivers of share price in Asian markets. We see potential uptrends in...