TMT & Consumer Independent Equity Research Analyst, Obex Capital Research

Aaron Gabin

TMT & Consumer Independent Equity Research Analyst

TMT & Consumer Independent Equity Research

Obex Capital Research

“Obex” is Latin for Barriers to Entry. Obex Capital Management’s investment philosophy is driven by an intense focus on which business model’s Barriers to Entry are able to withstand the ever increasing competitive disruption in the TMT and Consumer Sectors.

Equity Bottom-Up

<p>We owned Activision for many years until the pandemic when our thought was that like Netflix Activision had likely pulled in demand and would be enjoying a peak in near term earnings. The controversy around its work environment has provided an entry point for one of the best video game franchises as it is trading at 19x forward earnings, below even the March 2020 at the pandemic low. Given the stock’s longterm average of 25-26x, we think the risk reward here is compelling.</p><div class="content-highlight"><p>Obex’s fundamental research process is focused on secular change in the TMT and Consumer sectors. We seek to differentiate between fundamental business analysis and security analysis. Before deciding if a security’s pricing and positioning merit a long or short position, we analyze the four pillars of business fundamentals (Secular Factors, TAM, Competitive Advantage, Business Model) in order to determine if this is a “good” or “not so good” opportunity.</p></div>

We owned Activision for many years until the pandemic when our thought was that like Netflix Activision had likely pulled in demand and would be enjoying a peak in near term earnings. The controversy around its work environment has provided an entry point for one of the best video game franchises as it is trading at 19x forward earnings, below even the March 2020 at the pandemic low. Given the stock’s longterm average of 25-26x, we think the risk reward here is compelling.Obex’s fundamental research process is focused on secular change in the TMT and Consumer sectors. We seek to differentiate between fundamental business analysis and security analysis. Before deciding if a security’s pricing and positioning merit a long or short position, we analyze the four pillars of business fundamentals (Secular Factors, TAM, Competitive Advantage, Business Model) in order to determine if this is a “good” or “not so good” opportunity.

<p>Roblox, an online gaming platform geared towards children, is poised to continue the accelerating usage and monetization triggered by the pandemic. Its business model produces a flywheel where its audience grows as new games are introduced, further incentivizing its user/developers to create more user generated content that strengthens the platform. A large, hyper engaged youth audience offers Roblox open-ended optionality around advertising, sponsorships, and other new monetization avenues. Already highly cash generative, Roblox is poised to invest in localization efforts to expand its global reach, while potentially introducing new metaverse-based gaming platforms for older demographics. </p>
<p><strong>Base Case Valuation: $30B<br></strong><strong>Bull Case: $60B<br>Bear Case: $10B</strong></p>
<div class="content-highlight">
<p style="text-align: left;">Obex’s fundamental research process is focused on secular change in the TMT and Consumer sectors. We seek to differentiate between fundamental business analysis and security analysis. Before deciding if a security’s pricing and positioning merit a long or short position, we analyze the four pillars of business fundamentals (Secular Factors, TAM, Competitive Advantage, Business Model) in order to determine if this is a “good” or “not so good” opportunity.  </p>
</div>

Roblox, an online gaming platform geared towards children, is poised to continue the accelerating usage and monetization triggered by the pandemic. Its business model produces a flywheel where its audience grows as new games are introduced, further incentivizing its user/developers to create more user generated content that strengthens the platform. A large, hyper engaged youth audience offers Roblox open-ended optionality around advertising, sponsorships, and other new monetization avenues. Already highly cash generative, Roblox is poised to invest in localization efforts to expand its global reach, while potentially introducing new metaverse-based gaming platforms for older demographics. 
Base Case Valuation: $30B Bull Case: $60B Bear Case: $10B

Obex’s fundamental research process is focused on secular change in the TMT and Consumer sectors. We seek to differentiate between fundamental business analysis and security analysis. Before deciding if a security’s pricing and positioning merit a long or short position, we analyze the four pillars of business fundamentals (Secular Factors, TAM, Competitive Advantage, Business Model) in order to determine if this is a “good” or “not so good” opportunity.  


Roblox: If Its in the Game, Its in the Game

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

Equity Capital Markets

<p>In this insight, we provide an updated valuation analysis on the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/roblox-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29697:1" rel="noopener">ROBLOX Corp (RBLX US)</a> direct public listing. The company has provided a guidance that it plans to complete its direct listing on or near March 10th. The company has also provided the full year results in 2020. Roblox plans to sell 198,917,280 shares in this direct listing. In January 2021, the company sold about 12 million shares of convertible preferred stock in a private placement at $45 per share, valuing the company at<a href="https://www.barrons.com/articles/roblox-sets-date-to-go-public-through-a-direct-listing-51614036401" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> $29.5 billion. </a></p><div class="content-highlight"><p>Our revised valuation of Roblox is an implied market cap of $49.4 billion and implied price of $75.3 per share. Our valuation of the company has been slightly lowered by 1.2% versus our previous estimate. <strong>At a valuation of $49.4 billion, this would represent 67% higher levels than the last private market value of $29.5 billion.</strong></p></div>

In this insight, we provide an updated valuation analysis on the ROBLOX Corp (RBLX US) direct public listing. The company has provided a guidance that it plans to complete its direct listing on or near March 10th. The company has also provided the full year results in 2020. Roblox plans to sell 198,917,280 shares in this direct listing. In January 2021, the company sold about 12 million shares of convertible preferred stock in a private placement at $45 per share, valuing the company at $29.5 billion. Our revised valuation of Roblox is an implied market cap of $49.4 billion and implied price of $75.3 per share. Our valuation of the company has been slightly lowered by 1.2% versus our previous estimate. At a valuation of $49.4 billion, this would represent 67% higher levels than the last private market value of $29.5 billion.

Roblox Direct Public Listing Valuation Update

<p>Roblox, one of the leading global game platforms, announced on Friday (8 January) that it plans to go public through a Direct Public Listing (DPL), instead of the traditional IPO. Ahead of this direct public listing, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/08/roblox-expects-direct-listing-on-nyse-in-february.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Roblox</a> raised $520 million in private financing, valuing the company at $29.5 billion or $45 per share.</p><div class="content-highlight"><p><strong>Our valuation analysis suggests a base case implied market cap of $50 billion and a target price of $76.20 per share for Roblox. This would represent 69% higher level than its most recent private capital raise of $520 million, valuing the company at $29.5 billion or $45 per share. The direct listing valuation range is from $40.5 billion to $60.5 billion, according to our valuation sensitivity analysis. </strong></p></div>

Roblox, one of the leading global game platforms, announced on Friday (8 January) that it plans to go public through a Direct Public Listing (DPL), instead of the traditional IPO. Ahead of this direct public listing, Roblox raised $520 million in private financing, valuing the company at $29.5 billion or $45 per share.Our valuation analysis suggests a base case implied market cap of $50 billion and a target price of $76.20 per share for Roblox. This would represent 69% higher level than its most recent private capital raise of $520 million, valuing the company at $29.5 billion or $45 per share. The direct listing valuation range is from $40.5 billion to $60.5 billion, according to our valuation sensitivity analysis. 

Quality-first, Business-perspective Strategy, Urbem (HK) Limited

Steven Chen

Quality-first, Business-perspective Strategy

<ul>
<li>The Shenzhen-based game developer trades at an attractive valuation;</li>
<li>Meanwhile, the business has been growing at a nearly triple-digit rate while maintaining an above 30% return on equity and invested capital;</li>
<li>Should investors buy into this (seemingly quality) growth story?  We want to take a deep dive.</li>
</ul>


The Shenzhen-based game developer trades at an attractive valuation;
Meanwhile, the business has been growing at a nearly triple-digit rate while maintaining an above 30% return on equity and invested capital;
Should investors buy into this (seemingly quality) growth story?  We want to take a deep dive.


United States

Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. develops, markets, distributes, and publishes interactive entertainment software games and accessories.  The Company's products are for console systems, handheld gaming systems and personal computers (including smartphones and tablets) and are delivered through physical retail, digital download, online and cloud streaming services.

Take Two Interactive Software, Inc (TTWO US)

Price Gauge
52-week Range	0.00 - 0.00
Market Cap (USDm)	0.00
P/E	0.00
Dividend (Yield)	0.00

Take Two Interactive Software, Inc (TTWO US)

ATVI 2Q21: Its Time to Buy Activision

The controversy around ATVI's work environment has provided an entry point for one of the best video game franchises as it is trading at 19x...

Aaron Gabin

Roblox: If Its in the Game, Its in the Game

Roblox is set to IPO tomorrow. We think its a unique asset and are inclined to own this depending on how outlandish valuation turns out to be as...

Aaron Gabin

Roblox Direct Public Listing Valuation Update

Our revised valuation of Roblox is a market cap of $49.4 billion and implied price of $75.3 per share which would represent 67% higher levels than...

Douglas Kim

Roblox Valuation Analysis

Our base case valuation for Roblox is $50 billion and a target price of $76.20 per share. This would represent 69% higher than its most recent...

Douglas Kim

Fire Rock: A Value Play or Value Trap?

Another superior-return, fast-growing gaming business trading at an attractive level. Should investors buy into this (seemingly quality) growth...

Steven Chen

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)