Global Materials | Industrials | Commodities

Rahul Jain

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>Gold has compounded ~8–9% annually over two decades, with structural drivers — central bank demand, energy transition, and supply discipline — supporting a constructive long-term outlook</li>
<li>Gold equities historically show 1.5–2.5x beta to bullion with correlations of 0.6–0.8, amplifying upside in bull cycles and underperforming in downturns.</li>
<li>The sector has already seen a sharp run-up, but positioning, fundamentals, and macro tailwinds suggest this rally may still have legs.</li>
</ul>


Gold has compounded ~8–9% annually over two decades, with structural drivers — central bank demand, energy transition, and supply discipline — supporting a constructive long-term outlook
Gold equities historically show 1.5–2.5x beta to bullion with correlations of 0.6–0.8, amplifying upside in bull cycles and underperforming in downturns.
The sector has already seen a sharp run-up, but positioning, fundamentals, and macro tailwinds suggest this rally may still have legs.


Asia’s Gold Miners: High-Beta Plays for Gold’s Next Surge

Research from Asian Century Stocks, Asian Century Stocks

Michael Fritzell

Research from Asian Century Stocks

Providing financial journalism in the Asia-Pacific

Asian Century Stocks

Asian Century Stocks is a newsletter providing financial journalism for companies and stocks in the Asia-Pacific. 
The Asian Century Stocks logotype “百” stands for “one hundred” or a “century”. The economic centre of gravity is moving towards Asia. Yet most global investors are missing out.

Equity Bottom-Up

Jardine Matheson Holdings / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul><li>After Ben Keswick took over Jardine Matheson, the company has slowly transitioned away from being an owner-operator to more of a portfolio manager.</li><li>The privatization of Jardine Strategic was under-priced, but it also simplified the corporate structure. That should be positive for minorities in the long term.</li><li>Jardine Matheson’s own board has now been stacked with private equity professionals. And new CEO Lincoln Pan comes from private equity firm PAG, where he built up its non-China business.</li></ul>

After Ben Keswick took over Jardine Matheson, the company has slowly transitioned away from being an owner-operator to more of a portfolio manager.The privatization of Jardine Strategic was under-priced, but it also simplified the corporate structure. That should be positive for minorities in the long term.Jardine Matheson’s own board has now been stacked with private equity professionals. And new CEO Lincoln Pan comes from private equity firm PAG, where he built up its non-China business.

A New Era for Jardine Matheson: An Under-The-Radar Transformation.

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

Cross Asset Strategy

<ul>
<li>The Indonesian market has seen a sharp sell-off with a confluence of concerns centred around the execution and implementation of government policy but the fall was mainly driven by retail.</li>
<li>The sell-off does not reflect an underlying deterioration of growth prospects for the economy or indeed earnings, although 4Q2024 results saw a slower performance for some sectors. </li>
<li>The government has already taken note and has determined to take action to reassure investors through policy measures. Valuations have already reached a historically attractive level.</li>
</ul>


The Indonesian market has seen a sharp sell-off with a confluence of concerns centred around the execution and implementation of government policy but the fall was mainly driven by retail.
The sell-off does not reflect an underlying deterioration of growth prospects for the economy or indeed earnings, although 4Q2024 results saw a slower performance for some sectors. 
The government has already taken note and has determined to take action to reassure investors through policy measures. Valuations have already reached a historically attractive level.


CrossASEAN Strategy - Indonesia's Delicate Balance

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/astra-international-tbk-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:46:1" rel="noopener">Astra International</a> recently released finely balanced set of FY2024 results, with weaker auto sales offset by stronger 2W and financial segment performance, with other segments also performing above expectations.</li>
<li>Financial services growth was driven by stronger multifinance growth, whilst the heavy equipment division saw stronger growth from mining contracting and gold offsetting slower growth from coal mining.</li>
<li>Astra continues investing in sustainable energy, nickel, and healthcare and looks for new opportunities. Valuations remain attractive on less than 6x forward PER and yield &gt; 8%. </li>
</ul>



Astra International recently released finely balanced set of FY2024 results, with weaker auto sales offset by stronger 2W and financial segment performance, with other segments also performing above expectations.
Financial services growth was driven by stronger multifinance growth, whilst the heavy equipment division saw stronger growth from mining contracting and gold offsetting slower growth from coal mining.
Astra continues investing in sustainable energy, nickel, and healthcare and looks for new opportunities. Valuations remain attractive on less than 6x forward PER and yield &gt; 8%. 


Astra International (ASII IJ) - Resilience in Motion

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/astra-international-tbk-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:46:1" rel="noopener">Astra International (ASII IJ)</a> booked a solid set of 9M2024 results, despite softness in the auto market, where it gained market share, facing off new competitors with its hybrid offerings.</li>
<li>The decline in net income from autos was offset by all other segments, with financing being the largest offset but heavy equipment also saw strong performance from contracting and gold. </li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/astra-international-tbk-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:46:1" rel="noopener">Astra International</a> sees a more positive outlook for autos, both 2W and 4W in 2025, despite new EV entrants and will continue to invest in growth areas. High conviction Buy.</li>
</ul>



Astra International (ASII IJ) booked a solid set of 9M2024 results, despite softness in the auto market, where it gained market share, facing off new competitors with its hybrid offerings.
The decline in net income from autos was offset by all other segments, with financing being the largest offset but heavy equipment also saw strong performance from contracting and gold. 

Astra International sees a more positive outlook for autos, both 2W and 4W in 2025, despite new EV entrants and will continue to invest in growth areas. High conviction Buy.


Astra International (ASII IJ) - HEVs, Finance, Healthcare, and Gold

Indonesia

PT United Tractors Tbk distributes and leases construction machinery including Komatsu, Nissan Diesel, Scania, Bomag, Valmet, and Tadano brands.  The Company also provides contract mining services, and trades and assembles heavy equipment.

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

United Tractors (UNTR IJ)

Asia’s Gold Miners: High-Beta Plays for Gold’s Next Surge

Gold has shown consistent growth over two decades, while gold equities historically amplify bullion's performance but may still have room to run.

Rahul Jain

A New Era for Jardine Matheson: An Under-The-Radar Transformation.

After Ben Keswick took over Jardine Matheson, the company has slowly transitioned away from being an owner-operator to more of a portfolio manager.

Asian Century Stocks

CrossASEAN Strategy - Indonesia's Delicate Balance

The Indonesian market has seen a sharp sell-off with a confluence of concerns centred around the execution and implementation of government policy...

Angus Mackintosh

Astra International (ASII IJ) - Resilience in Motion

Astra International remains one of the best proxies for the Indonesian economy, with broad exposure through autos, finance, and heavy equipment and...

Angus Mackintosh

Astra International (ASII IJ) - HEVs, Finance, Healthcare, and Gold

Astra International sees a more positive outlook for autos, both 2W and 4W in 2025, despite new EV entrants and will continue to invest in growth...

Angus Mackintosh

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Asia’s Gold Miners: High-Beta Plays for Gold’s Next Surge

​Gold has shown consistent growth over two decades, while gold equities historically amplify bullion's performance but may still have room to run.

Rahul Jain

A New Era for Jardine Matheson: An Under-The-Radar Transformation.

After Ben Keswick took over Jardine Matheson, the company has slowly transitioned away from being an owner-operator to more of a portfolio manager.

Asian Century Stocks

CrossASEAN Strategy - Indonesia's Delicate Balance

The Indonesian market has seen a sharp sell-off with a confluence of concerns centred around the execution and implementation of government policy...

Angus Mackintosh

Astra International (ASII IJ) - Resilience in Motion

Astra International remains one of the best proxies for the Indonesian economy, with broad exposure through autos, finance, and heavy equipment and...

Angus Mackintosh

Astra International (ASII IJ) - HEVs, Finance, Healthcare, and Gold

Astra International sees a more positive outlook for autos, both 2W and 4W in 2025, despite new EV entrants and will continue to invest in growth...

Angus Mackintosh

Gold has shown consistent growth over two decades, while gold equities historically amplify bullion's performance but may still have room to run.