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

Palantir Technologies  / Equity Bottom-Up

<p>Palantir’s earnings call was a master class in obfuscation.</p><p><strong>Since 4Q20 earnings on February 16, 2021, five C-Suite executives from Palantir have sold $250MM (!!) in stock, with CEO Alex Karp selling $137MM in just the past 3 months. Luckily for them, Cathie Wood and ARK has bought 20M shares for $480MM! </strong></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>

Palantir’s earnings call was a master class in obfuscation.Since 4Q20 earnings on February 16, 2021, five C-Suite executives from Palantir have sold $250MM (!!) in stock, with CEO Alex Karp selling $137MM in just the past 3 months. Luckily for them, Cathie Wood and ARK has bought 20M shares for $480MM! 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.

Palantir 1Q21 Earnings: ARK’s Buying What They’re Selling

IPOs and Catalysts/Events, Global Equity Research Ltd

Arun George

IPOs and Catalysts/Events

Uncompromised, Independent, Conflict-Free Research

Global Equity Research Ltd

Global Equity Research was started in 2017 by a group of experienced research professionals. It was founded on a passionate belief in the importance and the need for uncompromised, independent, conflict-free research. We aim to provide differentiated and actionable primary and bottom up fundamental research.

Equity Capital Markets

<div><p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tuya-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:32158:1" rel="noopener">Tuya Inc (TUYA US)</a> provides a backend service for IoT (internet of things) device makers. Tuya offers its customers a Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) for IoT devices that handles the connectivity, device software and application development.</p></div><div><p>Tuya has priced its IPO at $21.00 per ADS to raise gross proceeds of $915 million, above the previous IPO price range of $17-20 per ADS, according to Bloomberg. At the final IPO price of $21 per share, Tuya will have a market cap of $11.8 billion. The IPO got off to a strong start due to indications of interest for $500 million worth of ADSs in the offering from existing investors (<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26:1" rel="noopener">Tencent Holdings (700 HK)</a> and Hillhouse Capital) and new investors (Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, Dragoneer Investment Group, GIC and Tiger Global Management).</p></div><div><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/tuya-ipo-initiation-connected-future" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:48695" rel="noopener">Tuya IPO Initiation: Connected Future</a>, we opined that Tuya’s PaaS solutions are well-positioned to benefit from the rising need for third-party IoT PaaS providers who can provide the required tools. We concluded that Tuya’s fundamentals are attractive. In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/tuya-ipo-valuation-insights" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:49137" rel="noopener">Tuya IPO: Valuation Insights</a> we noted that the IPO price range is reasonable but full at the high-end. </p></div><div><div><div class="content-highlight"><p>Updating for the final IPO net raise, our base-case DCF derived price target of $20.65 per ADS. As DCF-based target prices are subject to a wide range of variability, we present a sensitivity table to help investors gauge where target prices could head. Our DCF sensitivity analysis points to a meaningful upside based on securing a modest share of the addressable market. </p></div></div></div>

Tuya Inc (TUYA US) provides a backend service for IoT (internet of things) device makers. Tuya offers its customers a Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) for IoT devices that handles the connectivity, device software and application development.Tuya has priced its IPO at $21.00 per ADS to raise gross proceeds of $915 million, above the previous IPO price range of $17-20 per ADS, according to Bloomberg. At the final IPO price of $21 per share, Tuya will have a market cap of $11.8 billion. The IPO got off to a strong start due to indications of interest for $500 million worth of ADSs in the offering from existing investors (Tencent Holdings (700 HK) and Hillhouse Capital) and new investors (Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, Dragoneer Investment Group, GIC and Tiger Global Management).In Tuya IPO Initiation: Connected Future, we opined that Tuya’s PaaS solutions are well-positioned to benefit from the rising need for third-party IoT PaaS providers who can provide the required tools. We concluded that Tuya’s fundamentals are attractive. In Tuya IPO: Valuation Insights we noted that the IPO price range is reasonable but full at the high-end. Updating for the final IPO net raise, our base-case DCF derived price target of $20.65 per ADS. As DCF-based target prices are subject to a wide range of variability, we present a sensitivity table to help investors gauge where target prices could head. Our DCF sensitivity analysis points to a meaningful upside based on securing a modest share of the addressable market. 

Covering IPOs, Healthcare and Technology Stocks

Andrei Zakharov

Algosun Global

<p>San Francisco-based ON24 Inc., cloud-based digital experience platform and provider of webinar, virtual event and multimedia experiences, finally priced IPO at $50 per share (top of the range) by offering ~8.6 million shares, what implies an IPO valuation of ~$2.3 billion at top of the price range. The stock is expected to trade on the NYSE under the ticker “ONTF” starting today.  </p><p>Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan Securities and KeyBanc Capital Markets are lead underwriters on the IPO. ON24 Inc. has raised a total of ~$72 million in funding over 6 rounds. Their latest $25 million venture round was led by Goldman Sachs in 2016. ON24 Inc. was founded in 1998 and backed by U.S. Venture Partners, Canaan Partners, Goldman Sachs, Rho Ventures, Merrill Lynch, Comdisco Ventures and Reuters Venture Capital.  </p>

San Francisco-based ON24 Inc., cloud-based digital experience platform and provider of webinar, virtual event and multimedia experiences, finally priced IPO at $50 per share (top of the range) by offering ~8.6 million shares, what implies an IPO valuation of ~$2.3 billion at top of the price range. The stock is expected to trade on the NYSE under the ticker “ONTF” starting today.  Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan Securities and KeyBanc Capital Markets are lead underwriters on the IPO. ON24 Inc. has raised a total of ~$72 million in funding over 6 rounds. Their latest $25 million venture round was led by Goldman Sachs in 2016. ON24 Inc. was founded in 1998 and backed by U.S. Venture Partners, Canaan Partners, Goldman Sachs, Rho Ventures, Merrill Lynch, Comdisco Ventures and Reuters Venture Capital.  

ON24 IPO. Perfect Market Timing To Go Public

Alpha-Centric ESG Research

Kyle Rudden

<p>Oh, the inhumanity of <em>Monopolium Inquisitorum</em>, leviathans made to stand before the judgement of inquisitorial courts. Repent and reform, or burn in everlasting… fine, maybe just shed a few worldly possessions, WhatsApp would be a good start, and stop coveting thy neighbors' data so much.</p><p>Big technology companies (aka "Big Tech") are the subject of ever-expanding antitrust inquisitions by regulators and courts around the world. In the U.S., informal inquiries into prominent members of FAANG by the U.S. Congress turned into formal antitrust suits, first Alphabet then Facebook.</p><p>Yesterday, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced yet another inquiry, this one into the data collection practices of social media companies. It mentioned nine companies by name, a few of which are "new" to this conversation (ByteDance, Tencent-investee Discord, and Snap).</p><p>This Insight looks at one particular ESG angle to this antitrust stuff. Specifically, the potential for antitrust investigations – not the outcomes, but the process – to trigger ESG ratings downgrades and, in turn, constituency changes to major ESG indices. Summary points, for the cover page:</p><ul>
<li>Antitrust investigations will inevitably result in additional ESG ratings downgrades, and since most ESG indices are constructed using those ratings, constituency changes are likely.</li>
<li>Index changes might not happen until annual reviews a few months from now, but they are not tied to eventual antitrust outcomes (e.g., breakups) that could be years away, or not at all.</li>
<li>Presently, Facebook and Alphabet are the only U.S. stocks that stand out vis-à-vis the potential for antitrust-driven changes to ESG ratings and/or ESG indices (more so for Facebook).</li>
<li>Let's be honest, we are not talking about Tesla being added to the S&amp;P 500. Even for larger ESG indices, index-linked AUM is <em>comparatively</em> small vis-à-vis broader market indices.</li>
<li>However, one thing keeps it interesting. ESG indices are bloated with Big Tech, many of which are right behind Facebook and Alphabet on the antitrust plank walk.</li>
</ul><p>Herein, I explain my thought process – antitrust, to ESG ratings downgrades, to ESG index changes – then cover Facebook and Alphabet in some detail (albeit limited by constraints). There is less to say about the other U.S. "antitrust stocks" at the moment, but that may change. More importantly, I am looking into something similar, but related to Asian stocks. So, more to come.</p>

Oh, the inhumanity of Monopolium Inquisitorum, leviathans made to stand before the judgement of inquisitorial courts. Repent and reform, or burn in everlasting… fine, maybe just shed a few worldly possessions, WhatsApp would be a good start, and stop coveting thy neighbors' data so much.Big technology companies (aka "Big Tech") are the subject of ever-expanding antitrust inquisitions by regulators and courts around the world. In the U.S., informal inquiries into prominent members of FAANG by the U.S. Congress turned into formal antitrust suits, first Alphabet then Facebook.Yesterday, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced yet another inquiry, this one into the data collection practices of social media companies. It mentioned nine companies by name, a few of which are "new" to this conversation (ByteDance, Tencent-investee Discord, and Snap).This Insight looks at one particular ESG angle to this antitrust stuff. Specifically, the potential for antitrust investigations – not the outcomes, but the process – to trigger ESG ratings downgrades and, in turn, constituency changes to major ESG indices. Summary points, for the cover page:
Antitrust investigations will inevitably result in additional ESG ratings downgrades, and since most ESG indices are constructed using those ratings, constituency changes are likely.
Index changes might not happen until annual reviews a few months from now, but they are not tied to eventual antitrust outcomes (e.g., breakups) that could be years away, or not at all.
Presently, Facebook and Alphabet are the only U.S. stocks that stand out vis-à-vis the potential for antitrust-driven changes to ESG ratings and/or ESG indices (more so for Facebook).
Let's be honest, we are not talking about Tesla being added to the S&amp;P 500. Even for larger ESG indices, index-linked AUM is comparatively small vis-à-vis broader market indices.
However, one thing keeps it interesting. ESG indices are bloated with Big Tech, many of which are right behind Facebook and Alphabet on the antitrust plank walk.
Herein, I explain my thought process – antitrust, to ESG ratings downgrades, to ESG index changes – then cover Facebook and Alphabet in some detail (albeit limited by constraints). There is less to say about the other U.S. "antitrust stocks" at the moment, but that may change. More importantly, I am looking into something similar, but related to Asian stocks. So, more to come.

Big Tech Antitrust Scrutiny Could Mean ESG Ratings Downgrades, Constituency Changes for ESG Indices

Asian Insight Provider - Actionable ideas, CrossASEAN Research

Henry Soediarko

Asian Insight Provider - Actionable ideas

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

<p>Although Japan is not out of the woods in terms of COVID-19 and the vaccine is not yet found, let alone distributed, investors have rushed to own <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tkp-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28305:1" rel="noopener"> TKP Corporation (3479 JP)</a> as it was seemingly cheap in terms of PBR. The reality was that COVID-19 economic impact caused a weak earning and a secondary offering that boosted the book value has made the company's PBR looks cheap. TKP is the only one with negative earnings compared to its peers, underlining the economic reality that the company is more exposed to.</p>
<p>TKP's share price has risen more than doubled to some of its peers amidst the tough business outlook. Its peers such as <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kenedix-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11321:1" rel="noopener">Kenedix Inc (4321 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/katitas-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26073:1" rel="noopener">Katitas Co Ltd (8919 JP)</a> share price rose almost double but their business remains profitable during COVID-19 while TKP's earnings have turned negative. <strong>Turned Bearish on TKP on slow business condition improvement and the <em>meteoric</em> share price increase. </strong></p>

Although Japan is not out of the woods in terms of COVID-19 and the vaccine is not yet found, let alone distributed, investors have rushed to own  TKP Corporation (3479 JP) as it was seemingly cheap in terms of PBR. The reality was that COVID-19 economic impact caused a weak earning and a secondary offering that boosted the book value has made the company's PBR looks cheap. TKP is the only one with negative earnings compared to its peers, underlining the economic reality that the company is more exposed to.
TKP's share price has risen more than doubled to some of its peers amidst the tough business outlook. Its peers such as Kenedix Inc (4321 JP) and Katitas Co Ltd (8919 JP) share price rose almost double but their business remains profitable during COVID-19 while TKP's earnings have turned negative. Turned Bearish on TKP on slow business condition improvement and the meteoric share price increase. 

TKP (3479): Slow Recovery yet Share Price Has More than Doubled?

United States

Zoom Video Communications, Inc. develops a people-centric cloud service that transforms real-time collaboration experience. The Company offers unified meeting experience, a cloud service that provides a 3-in-1 meeting platform with HD video conferencing, mobility, and web meetings. Zoom Video Communications serves customers worldwide.

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Zoom Video Communications Inc (ZM US)

Palantir 1Q21 Earnings: ARK’s Buying What They’re Selling

Since 4Q20 C-Suite executives from Palantir have sold $250MM (!!) in stock, with CEO Alex Karp selling $137MM in just the past 3 months. Luckily...

Aaron Gabin

Tuya IPO: Trading Debut

Tuya has priced its IPO at $21 per ADS above the marketed range of $17-20 per ADS. Our sensitivity analysis points to a meaningful upside based on...

Arun George

ON24 IPO. Perfect Market Timing To Go Public

We believe shares of VC-backed provider of webinar and virtual events ON24 have substantial upside potential and look undervalued at IPO price of...

Andrei Zakharov

Big Tech Antitrust Scrutiny Could Mean ESG Ratings Downgrades, Constituency Changes for ESG Indices

Antitrust broaches several highly-material ESG issues. Growing antitrust scrutiny of "Big Tech" could lead to ESG rating downgrades, and in turn,...

Kyle Rudden

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Palantir 1Q21 Earnings: ARK’s Buying What They’re Selling

Since 4Q20 C-Suite executives from Palantir have sold $250MM (!!) in stock, with CEO Alex Karp selling $137MM in just the past 3 months. Luckily...

Aaron Gabin

Tuya IPO: Trading Debut

Tuya has priced its IPO at $21 per ADS above the marketed range of $17-20 per ADS. Our sensitivity analysis points to a meaningful upside based on...

Arun George

ON24 IPO. Perfect Market Timing To Go Public

We believe shares of VC-backed provider of webinar and virtual events ON24 have substantial upside potential and look undervalued at IPO price of...

Andrei Zakharov

Big Tech Antitrust Scrutiny Could Mean ESG Ratings Downgrades, Constituency Changes for ESG Indices

Antitrust broaches several highly-material ESG issues. Growing antitrust scrutiny of "Big Tech" could lead to ESG rating downgrades, and in turn,...

Kyle Rudden

TKP (3479): Slow Recovery yet Share Price Has More than Doubled?

TKP's share price has risen doubled compared to some of its peers amidst the tough business outlook. Turned Bearish on TKP on slow business...

Henry Soediarko