Asset Allocation & Fund Positioning, Copley Fund Research

Steven Holden

Asset Allocation & Fund Positioning

Copley Fund Research

Copley Fund Research provide research and data on asset allocation among Global and Emerging Market equity funds.  The analysis details absolute and relative positioning across countries, sectors and industries together with highly granular data on single stock and single fund allocations.  The data is updated monthly with time series going back to January 2011.

Global Research - Analysis of 165 prominent Global equity funds, combined AUM $335bn
GEM Research - Analysis of 127 prominent global EM equity funds, combined AUM $250bn

Asset Allocation - Global and GEM Equity

Equity Bottom-Up

<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mercadolibre-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27954:1" rel="noopener">MercadoLibre Inc (MELI US)</a> is the most widely held stock in the South American region among active Global managers. </p><p>Though the majority of funds hold less than 1% in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mercadolibre-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27954:1" rel="noopener">MercadoLibre Inc (MELI US)</a> , there are those who hold significantly more, led by Loomis Sayles Global Growth (5.34%) and MFAM Global Opportunities (5.23%).  </p><p>The trajectory of ownership growth is tracking a similar path to stocks such as <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> , <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26:1" rel="noopener">Tencent (700 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alibaba-group-holding-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:787:1" rel="noopener">Alibaba Group (BABA US),</a> who were at a similar point to <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mercadolibre-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27954:1" rel="noopener">MercadoLibre Inc (MELI US)</a> some 5-6 years ago.  If the path of returns follows any one of those 3 stocks, then <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mercadolibre-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27954:1" rel="noopener">MercadoLibre Inc (MELI US)</a> is one to hold.</p><p><em>Taken from our Global fund research, covering 378 strategies with AUM of $1.1tr.</em></p>

MercadoLibre Inc (MELI US) is the most widely held stock in the South American region among active Global managers. Though the majority of funds hold less than 1% in MercadoLibre Inc (MELI US) , there are those who hold significantly more, led by Loomis Sayles Global Growth (5.34%) and MFAM Global Opportunities (5.23%).  The trajectory of ownership growth is tracking a similar path to stocks such as Facebook Inc A (FB US) , Tencent (700 HK) and Alibaba Group (BABA US), who were at a similar point to MercadoLibre Inc (MELI US) some 5-6 years ago.  If the path of returns follows any one of those 3 stocks, then MercadoLibre Inc (MELI US) is one to hold.Taken from our Global fund research, covering 378 strategies with AUM of $1.1tr.

MercadoLibre:  The Jewel in the Latam Crown

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/vedanta-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:514:1" rel="noopener">Vedanta Ltd (VEDL IN)</a> has, for the last year, been subject to dramatic corporate actions which have roiled the share price, and expectations. </p><p>The launch last May of a Delisting Proposal by the promoters when the shares were trading sub Rs. 90/share led to a rally in the shares which could not even track peer stock performance, and when the Delisting Proposal failed, shares dropped to a dramatically low level, despite the fact that Vedanta owned its shareholders a substantial dividend from the pay-through of dividends from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hindustan-zinc-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8688:1" rel="noopener">Hindustan Zinc (HZ IN)</a>. As commodity prices continued to rally, and VEDL paid a big dividend in October 2020, it looked like the time to double-up. Everyone "knew" the promoters were willing to pay 40-50% than the post-Delisting Proposal failure to take the whole thing private. I expected a buyback. 10 days after the CEO said "we have no plans to buy more shares" we got an off-market block purchase of 5% by the promoters in December at Rs 160, followed a couple of weeks later by a proposed Open Offer to buy another 10%, which was later upsized and up-priced - by 47%, and still the Promoters could only get 10% of the 17.5% they sought to buy. </p><p>A month on from that and the shares are nearly 10% higher than the Open Offer Price while a Peer Basket is largely unchanged from two months back. </p><p>This means VEDL shares are again (as they were just before  at their high point against Peers since pre-pandemic. The current situation of covid-19 and variant spread in India is terrible and one could imagine that some drastic measures may still be taken to contain the spread, which could slow down the economy dramatically. </p><p>The 70% catchup vs peers to reach the December 2019 level (as of post-Delisting Proposal failure) has now been caught up. The VEDL 2-3yr forward EV/EBIT ratio is now less than 1 turn from its long-term average spread to peers. </p><p>More below the fold.  </p>

Vedanta Ltd (VEDL IN) has, for the last year, been subject to dramatic corporate actions which have roiled the share price, and expectations. The launch last May of a Delisting Proposal by the promoters when the shares were trading sub Rs. 90/share led to a rally in the shares which could not even track peer stock performance, and when the Delisting Proposal failed, shares dropped to a dramatically low level, despite the fact that Vedanta owned its shareholders a substantial dividend from the pay-through of dividends from Hindustan Zinc (HZ IN). As commodity prices continued to rally, and VEDL paid a big dividend in October 2020, it looked like the time to double-up. Everyone "knew" the promoters were willing to pay 40-50% than the post-Delisting Proposal failure to take the whole thing private. I expected a buyback. 10 days after the CEO said "we have no plans to buy more shares" we got an off-market block purchase of 5% by the promoters in December at Rs 160, followed a couple of weeks later by a proposed Open Offer to buy another 10%, which was later upsized and up-priced - by 47%, and still the Promoters could only get 10% of the 17.5% they sought to buy. A month on from that and the shares are nearly 10% higher than the Open Offer Price while a Peer Basket is largely unchanged from two months back. This means VEDL shares are again (as they were just before  at their high point against Peers since pre-pandemic. The current situation of covid-19 and variant spread in India is terrible and one could imagine that some drastic measures may still be taken to contain the spread, which could slow down the economy dramatically. The 70% catchup vs peers to reach the December 2019 level (as of post-Delisting Proposal failure) has now been caught up. The VEDL 2-3yr forward EV/EBIT ratio is now less than 1 turn from its long-term average spread to peers. More below the fold.  

Vedanta Now Caught Up With Peers - A Different Skew Ahead

Financials & FinTech research, Galliano’s Financials Research

Victor Galliano

Financials & FinTech research

Financials & FinTech, EM & Developed Markets

Galliano’s Financials Research

Galliano's Financials Research provides fundamental research in Emerging Markets financials, including FinTech, as well as financials in select Developed Markets.

The investment style applied is generally value oriented, although Growth At Reasonable Price (GARP) strategies can also be used where appropriate. 

Our investment research approach aim is often contrarian, looking to capitalise on overly sceptical or optimistic consensus views. In terms of valuation techniques, the focus is on PBV ratio to ROE, PE multiples and dividend yield, as well as the application of PEG ratios and, where appropriate, Sum of the Parts (SOTP) valuations.

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bradespar-sa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24510:1" rel="noopener">Bradespar SA (BRAP4 BZ)</a> is an attractive investment, as a discounted vehicle through which to gain exposure to iron ore miner <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/vale-sa-7721577f-6c6a-4536-a829-92551c2bcd7f" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27725:1" rel="noopener">Vale SA (VALE3 BZ)</a> </li>
<li>We believe that the current 25% discount to the NAV at Bradespar is excessive, and that this should narrow in the near term</li>
<li>Vale’s fundamentals are robust, supported by s strong iron ore price and, as an exporter, benefiting from a weak BRL</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/itausa-investimentos-itau-pr" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24513:1" rel="noopener">Itausa-Investimentos Itau-Pr (ITSA4 BZ)</a> is trading close to its long run and 18 month average discount to the NAV; we are neutral on Itausa</li>
<li>Risks to our positive view on Bradespar include a sustained weakening in iron ore prices, a strengthening of the BRL as well as a worsening of sentiment towards Brazil and Latin American equities generally</li>
</ul>



Bradespar SA (BRAP4 BZ) is an attractive investment, as a discounted vehicle through which to gain exposure to iron ore miner Vale SA (VALE3 BZ) 
We believe that the current 25% discount to the NAV at Bradespar is excessive, and that this should narrow in the near term
Vale’s fundamentals are robust, supported by s strong iron ore price and, as an exporter, benefiting from a weak BRL

Itausa-Investimentos Itau-Pr (ITSA4 BZ) is trading close to its long run and 18 month average discount to the NAV; we are neutral on Itausa
Risks to our positive view on Bradespar include a sustained weakening in iron ore prices, a strengthening of the BRL as well as a worsening of sentiment towards Brazil and Latin American equities generally


A Tale of Two Brazilian HoldCos; We Prefer Bradespar (BRAP4 BZ) Over Itausa (ITSA4 BZ)

Equity, Bottom-up Analyst, Investics Research

Sameer Taneja

Equity, Bottom-up Analyst

Investics Research

It is important to note that the information provided by Investics Research is based on publicly available data and own knowledge, which has been gathered and analyzed from a variety of sources. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information provided, it is not guaranteed to be free from errors or omissions. All forecasts and estimates are based on information that has been obtained from public sources that are considered to be reliable. The sources include but are not limited to, company announcements, exchange filings, presentations, etc. Investics does not guarantee the accuracy and completeness of the forecasts, estimates, and/or other information.

Equity Bottom-up Research

<p>We believe that iron ore prices will stay stronger for longer as <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/vale-sa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23731:1" rel="noopener">Vale SA (VALE US)</a>, in its most recent regulatory filing, guided its production volumes down to 305-310 million tons for FY20 and 315-335 million tons for FY21. </p>
<p>Most of the sell-side and the market were assuming sales of 360 million tons for FY21. Market participants will have to bring supply estimates down by 25-45 million tons for FY21. </p>
<h3><strong>Vale Output Summary </strong></h3>
<table class="table table-striped">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 128.444px;">2017</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 128.444px;">2018</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 128.444px;">2019</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 128.444px;">2020e</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 126.667px;">2021e</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 128.444px;">366</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 128.444px;">385</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 128.444px;">302</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 128.444px;">305-310</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 126.667px;">315-335</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><em>source: company filings and presentations</em></p>
<p>We believe this guide down in sales for 2021 is substantial and will benefit iron ore prices in the short-term as Vale's shipments are almost 16-17% of the seaborne market. </p>
<p>Based on spot prices of 120-140$/ton, <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> trades at an 11-15% FCF yield.  The company pays out its cash generated as dividends.  </p>
<p>This catalyst and cheap FCF yield indicate a short term upside of at least 20-30%.</p>

We believe that iron ore prices will stay stronger for longer as Vale SA (VALE US), in its most recent regulatory filing, guided its production volumes down to 305-310 million tons for FY20 and 315-335 million tons for FY21. 
Most of the sell-side and the market were assuming sales of 360 million tons for FY21. Market participants will have to bring supply estimates down by 25-45 million tons for FY21. 
Vale Output Summary 



2017
2018
2019
2020e
2021e


366
385
302
305-310
315-335



source: company filings and presentations
We believe this guide down in sales for 2021 is substantial and will benefit iron ore prices in the short-term as Vale's shipments are almost 16-17% of the seaborne market. 
Based on spot prices of 120-140$/ton, Fortescue Metals (FMG AU) trades at an 11-15% FCF yield.  The company pays out its cash generated as dividends.  
This catalyst and cheap FCF yield indicate a short term upside of at least 20-30%.

Fortescue Metals: More Upside In the Near Term

Managing Director

Elan Gore

TMI Data Science

TMI Data Science utilizes Natural Language Processing to build custom leading indicators using unstructured data sourced from the global financial, trade & traditional media.  Our proprietary software, TMI Machine, is a text-mining platform designed with the buy-side & capital markets professional in mind, text-mining the global media to discern and quantify nuanced qualitative shifts in press coverage as they apply to macroeconomics, equity indexes/ETFs, commodities, currencies, fixed income & individual equities.  TMI provides custom leading indicators and systematic trading strategies, operating at the nexus of linguistics & statistics drawing on vast experience in investment banking and hedge fund settings in senior quantitative and fundamental roles.  

TMI Data Science was founded by Elan Gore, an award-winning Senior Global Basic Materials Equity Analyst & China Economist with 15 years of experience in North American hedge funds & institutional managers; and Alessandro Porrino, Ph.D., an Algorithmic Trading Analyst and Programmer with 10 years of front-office experience ranging from complex FX option pricing to auto-hedging strategies at Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Standard Chartered.  Mr. Gore holds an MBA in Finance from New York University Stern School of Business, and Mr. Porrino holds a Ph.D. in Systems Engineering from Brunel University London.

Quantitative Analysis

<ul>
<li>TMI's short-term iron ore sentiment indicator has turned negative while steel sentiment holds up; a divergence of this magnitude hasn't been observed since 2018</li>
<li>This dynamic appears to be driven by recent Chinese steel shutdowns on environmental grounds, which the market perceives as aimed at cooling the iron ore price more so than the typical "anti-pollution" measures</li>
<li>Text mining shows a recent +2x STDEV increase in Chinese media mentions of steel in an environmental context, seen as supportive for steel prices but potentially negative for iron ore</li>
<li>More alarmingly, we are seeing a +2x STDEV spike in discussion of iron ore in a policy context, as Chinese authorities appear to be more attuned to CISA's complaint that foreign iron ore miners are disproportionately benefiting from the recovery while Chinese steelmakers suffer</li>
<li>Although underlying activity levels remain strong, the combination of punitive policies and an improving supply picture suggests tightness in iron ore may have peaked</li>
</ul><section><div id="ember4041"><div><div><div class="content-highlight"><p>TMI Data Science utilizes Natural Language Processing to build custom leading indicators using unstructured data sourced from the global financial, trade &amp; traditional media. Our proprietary software text-mines the global media to discern and quantify nuanced qualitative shifts in press coverage as they apply to macroeconomics, equity indexes/ETFs, commodities, currencies, fixed income &amp; individual equities. </p></div></div></div></div></section>


TMI's short-term iron ore sentiment indicator has turned negative while steel sentiment holds up; a divergence of this magnitude hasn't been observed since 2018
This dynamic appears to be driven by recent Chinese steel shutdowns on environmental grounds, which the market perceives as aimed at cooling the iron ore price more so than the typical "anti-pollution" measures
Text mining shows a recent +2x STDEV increase in Chinese media mentions of steel in an environmental context, seen as supportive for steel prices but potentially negative for iron ore
More alarmingly, we are seeing a +2x STDEV spike in discussion of iron ore in a policy context, as Chinese authorities appear to be more attuned to CISA's complaint that foreign iron ore miners are disproportionately benefiting from the recovery while Chinese steelmakers suffer
Although underlying activity levels remain strong, the combination of punitive policies and an improving supply picture suggests tightness in iron ore may have peaked
TMI Data Science utilizes Natural Language Processing to build custom leading indicators using unstructured data sourced from the global financial, trade &amp; traditional media. Our proprietary software text-mines the global media to discern and quantify nuanced qualitative shifts in press coverage as they apply to macroeconomics, equity indexes/ETFs, commodities, currencies, fixed income &amp; individual equities. 

TMI Indicators: Iron Ore Sentiment Deteriorates As Increased Policy Focus Drives Greater Caution

Brazil

Vale S.A. is a Brazilian multinational corporation primarily engaged in metals and mining. The company is one of the world's largest producers of iron ore and nickel, also extracting copper, manganese, and ferroalloys, along with operating extensive logistics infrastructure. Vale S.A. was founded on June 1, 1942, and is headquartered in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

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Vale (VALE US)

MercadoLibre: The Jewel in the Latam Crown

MercadoLibre is the most widely held stock in the South American region among active Global managers. Ownership growth has been strong, but...

Steven Holden

Vedanta Now Caught Up With Peers - A Different Skew Ahead

VEDL has been a rocket the last several months. And it still "owes" dividends of ~Rs 24/share to its shareholders. HZL results were salutary, but...

Travis Lundy

A Tale of Two Brazilian HoldCos; We Prefer Bradespar (BRAP4 BZ) Over Itausa (ITSA4 BZ)

Bradespar holdco is a vehicle that provides discounted exposure to iron ore miner Vale; we see the current 25% discount to the Bradespar NAV as...

Victor Galliano

Fortescue Metals: More Upside In the Near Term

Fortescue is a pure-play with a high correlation to the iron ore price. With iron ore in a 120-140$/ton range, the stock has an FCF yield of 11-15%...

Sameer Taneja

TMI Indicators: Iron Ore Sentiment Deteriorates As Increased Policy Focus Drives Greater Caution

TMI

Elan Gore

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