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Smartkarma Daily Briefs

Daily Brief TMT/Internet: Taiwan Semiconductor (TSMC) – ADR, Mediatek Inc, TSE Tokyo Price Index TOPIX, Tencent, Asustek Computer and more

By | Daily Briefs, TMT/Internet

In today’s briefing:

  • Taiwan Dual-Listings Monitor: TSMC Continues Falling from Extreme Level; CHT at Unusual Discount
  • Mediatek: Accelerating Momentum in Automotive, Data Center, and AI Memory Solutions
  • Taiwan Tech Weekly: Quanta Surging on Nvidia Server Orders; Nanya Results Ahead; Intel Foundry Event
  • Updated Tool (31Mar24) & “Diff File Generator” For TSE “Mgmt Conscious of Capital Cost/Stock Price”
  • Tencent/Netease: Both Zeroed in March Game Approval
  • Post Nvidia GTC Industry Impact: Large Quanta Server Win Just the Beginning of an Order Wave?


Taiwan Dual-Listings Monitor: TSMC Continues Falling from Extreme Level; CHT at Unusual Discount

By Vincent Fernando, CFA

  • TSMC: +11.8% Premium — Falling Closer to Its Historical Range
  • ASE: +9.2% Premium; Further Breakdown Could Indicate Return to Previous Trading Range
  • CHT: -1.8% Discount — Good Level to Long the Spread

Mediatek: Accelerating Momentum in Automotive, Data Center, and AI Memory Solutions

By Vincent Fernando, CFA

  • Mediatek is advancing full speed with recent industry collaborations for automotive chips, data center connectivity solutions, and AI memory solutions.
  • In particular, the company has entered the market for Co-Packaged Optics (CPO), with partnerships announced with Foxconn and Ranovus.
  • While the stock has rallied and re-rated, consensus forward estimates do not appear overly demanding and could still have room to increase further.

Taiwan Tech Weekly: Quanta Surging on Nvidia Server Orders; Nanya Results Ahead; Intel Foundry Event

By Vincent Fernando, CFA

  • Quanta surged with major server wins from Meta, Alphabet, and Amazon. Nanya Tech results are two weeks ahead and Intel will host a webinar this week about its Foundry business.
  • Mediatek: Accelerating Momentum in Automotive, Data Center, and AI Memory Solutions 
  • Hon Hai (Foxconn): After the 50% Surge, Where Can It Go From Here? 

Updated Tool (31Mar24) & “Diff File Generator” For TSE “Mgmt Conscious of Capital Cost/Stock Price”

By Travis Lundy

  • In mid-January, the TSE announced a “name-and-shame” list where they listed all the companies which had put forth a disclosure about 【資本コストや株価を意識した経営の実現に向けた対応】. But they did not actually shame.
  • The list shows which companies have disclosed a policy/consideration. But no data/links. We have the links, and we are weeks ahead of the TSE. Working to get months ahead.
  • We created a tool to name everyone, show their reports, provide links, and now a new tool. Put in a name, see the difference between the Old/New Reports.

Tencent/Netease: Both Zeroed in March Game Approval

By Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

  • China announced game approval for the Feb batch. The number of games approved remained at a higher level than 2023.
  • The pace of China game approval appears to have accelerated to the same level as pre-tightening.
  • However, neither Tencent and Netease got any approval in March.

Post Nvidia GTC Industry Impact: Large Quanta Server Win Just the Beginning of an Order Wave?

By Vincent Fernando, CFA

  • Just a week after Nvidia’s GTC conference, Quanta has reportedly secured large orders for new Nvidia Blackwell-based servers from Google, Amazon AWS, and Meta. 
  • Other firms showcasing Nvidia servers at GTC include Wiwynn, Gigabyte, Pegatron, Asus, Hon Hai (Ingrasys), Wistron, Dell, and Super Micro. There could be a higher probability of new order wins.
  • Stock Focus: Asustek — Improving outlook as a play on both AI PCs and AI servers.

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Daily Brief Industrials: Zhuzhou CRRC Times Electric Co., Ltd., HD Hyundai Marine Solution and more

By | Daily Briefs, Industrials

In today’s briefing:

  • A/H Premium Tracker (To 28 Mar 2024):  Liquid AH Premia Still Very Wide
  • HD Hyundai Marine Solutions IPO: The Investment Case


A/H Premium Tracker (To 28 Mar 2024):  Liquid AH Premia Still Very Wide

By Travis Lundy

  • The New/Better A-H Premium Tracker has tables, charts, measures galore to track A/H premium positioning, southbound and northbound positioning/volatility in pairs over time, etc.
  • SOUTHBOUND’s consecutive buying streak ended on Monday, and a new buying streak started Tuesday. NORTHBOUND net bought the dip. Last week’s (double long) choice Longyuan Power was up 5.24%.
  • Narrow AH premia narrowed some. Wider AH premia saw Hs outperform. There is a LOT of spread left in this market.  7 recommendations this week.

HD Hyundai Marine Solutions IPO: The Investment Case

By Arun George

  • HD Hyundai Marine Solution (443060 KS), the ship after-service subsidiary of HD Hyundai (267250 KS), aims to raise up to US$550 million.   
  • The international book-building will run from 8 to 22 April, while the domestic book will open from 16 to 22 April. Pricing will be announced on 24 April.
  • The investment case rests on solid top-line growth, a healthy order book, rising margins, cash generation, and modest leverage.

💡 Before it’s here, it’s on Smartkarma

Sign Up for Free

The Smartkarma Preview Pass is your entry to the Independent Investment Research Network

  • ✓ Unlimited Research Summaries
  • ✓ Personalised Alerts
  • ✓ Custom Watchlists
  • ✓ Company Data and News
  • ✓ Events & Webinars



Daily Brief Health Care: Sciclone Pharmaceuticals, Aier Eye Hospital Group, WuXi XDC Cayman and more

By | Daily Briefs, Healthcare

In today’s briefing:

  • Merger Arb Mondays (01 Apr) – SciClone, IntelliCentrics, CIMC Vehicles, Lawson, Roland DG, MMA
  • SciClone Pharma (6600 HK): Privatisation At IPO Price
  • China Healthcare Weekly (Mar.31)- Milestone of Chinese Pharmaceutical Assets, Weight Loss Drug, Aier
  • WuXi XDC Cayman (2268.HK) – Don’t Rush to Bottom Fish This Stock



SciClone Pharma (6600 HK): Privatisation At IPO Price

By David Blennerhassett


China Healthcare Weekly (Mar.31)- Milestone of Chinese Pharmaceutical Assets, Weight Loss Drug, Aier

By Xinyao (Criss) Wang

  • Licensing-Out deals of Chinese pharmaceutical assets are indeed significant milestones, but we should not exaggerate its significance. The product strength itself/subsequent progress are the true sources of clinical benefits/commercial value.
  • In the field of weight loss drugs, first-mover advantage may not be that obvious. The possibility of latecomers to disrupt first-mover would not be that low or time-consuming.
  • For Aier, 23Q4 results could show an obvious rebound, leading to relatively high growth in 2023 full year. However, Aier’s problems are still there, which means Aier is not undervalued.

WuXi XDC Cayman (2268.HK) – Don’t Rush to Bottom Fish This Stock

By Xinyao (Criss) Wang

  • Theoretically, there’s no need to doubt WuXi XDC’s growth momentum. What needs to be proven is how large the actual ADC market is, which determines how much valuation it deserves.
  • However, the biggest problem currently is geopolitical risks, which make performance forecasts groundless. In the context of Sino-US confrontation, there is “a hesitation” towards sustained high growth of WuXi XDC.
  • If several pieces of news are put together, this is not just about China CXO/TikTok being sanctioned by US. New balance point in the game between great powers will emerge.

💡 Before it’s here, it’s on Smartkarma

Sign Up for Free

The Smartkarma Preview Pass is your entry to the Independent Investment Research Network

  • ✓ Unlimited Research Summaries
  • ✓ Personalised Alerts
  • ✓ Custom Watchlists
  • ✓ Company Data and News
  • ✓ Events & Webinars



Daily Brief Financials: NIFTY Index, Banca Monte dei Paschi di Sien, Longfor Properties and more

By | Daily Briefs, Financials

In today’s briefing:

  • EQD / NSE Volatility Update / 25-Mar-24 to 29-Mar-24
  • Reborn from Ashes and Possible Target
  • Morning Views Asia: China Vanke , First Pacific Co, Xiaomi Corp


EQD / NSE Volatility Update / 25-Mar-24 to 29-Mar-24

By Sankalp Singh

  • On-The-Run Quarterly Options now capture India General Elections. Position buildup can be seen in the 21,000 put and 24,000 call strikes
  • Weekly and Monthly contract risk premia being squeezed lower due to holiday shortened trading but Quarterly contracts exhibit vol richness
  • Scale back short gamma exposure as reward-risk unappealing at current IV levels

Reborn from Ashes and Possible Target

By Jesus Rodriguez Aguilar

  • The Italian Treasury sold an additional 12.5% stake in Banca Monte dei Paschi di Sien (BMPS IM), raising €650 million as part of re-privatization efforts following the 2021 failed attempt.
  • The Treasury’s divestment makes BMPS more appealing for buyers. BMPS still trades at attractive valuation multiples. The bank announces approval from the ECB for a €0.25 cash dividend per share. 
  • Economy Minister Giorgetti and PM Meloni aim to boost competition through privatization, favoring a merger with another mid-sized Italian bank, possibly BPER Banca or Banco BPM.

Morning Views Asia: China Vanke , First Pacific Co, Xiaomi Corp

By Leonard Law, CFA

Lucror Analytics Morning Views comprise our fundamental credit analysis, opinions and trade recommendations on high yield issuers in the region, based on key company-specific developments in the past 24 hours. Our Morning Views include a section with a brief market commentary, key market indicators and a macroeconomic and corporate event calendar.


💡 Before it’s here, it’s on Smartkarma

Sign Up for Free

The Smartkarma Preview Pass is your entry to the Independent Investment Research Network

  • ✓ Unlimited Research Summaries
  • ✓ Personalised Alerts
  • ✓ Custom Watchlists
  • ✓ Company Data and News
  • ✓ Events & Webinars



Daily Brief Consumer: Trip.com, Centurion Corp, TSE Tokyo Price Index TOPIX and more

By | Consumer, Daily Briefs

In today’s briefing:

  • Monthly Chinese Tourism Tracker | Decision to Slow Capacity Rebuild in Mid-2023 Now Looks Prudent
  • Centurion Corp (CENT SP) – Paving the Way for Workers and Students
  • The Good Case Companies Had More Opportunities to Reflect on Cost of Capital and Return on Capital


Monthly Chinese Tourism Tracker | Decision to Slow Capacity Rebuild in Mid-2023 Now Looks Prudent

By Daniel Hellberg

  • Chinese outbound travel demand continued to recover nicely in February
  • Major airlines’ decision to slow capacity rebuild now looks very prudent
  • But the airlines have underperformed, surprisingly; Buy Trip.com below US$43

Centurion Corp (CENT SP) – Paving the Way for Workers and Students

By Angus Mackintosh

  • Centurion Corp (CENT SP) is the leading light in purpose workers’ accommodation in Singapore and Malaysia, with high occupancy rates and healthy rental reversions, with a long-term secular growth backdrop.
  • The company is also involved in purpose-built student accommodation in centres of excellence for education including the UK, Australia, and the US in a highly sought-after asset space.
  • The outlook for both worker and student accommodation looks positive for the coming two years. Valuations look attractive with Centurion Corp trading at a 56% discount to NAV.

The Good Case Companies Had More Opportunities to Reflect on Cost of Capital and Return on Capital

By Aki Matsumoto

  • Characteristic of companies TSE introduced as good disclosure examples is that they include more companies with a high foreign ownership and those that pay relatively close attention to cash allocation.
  • Not all companies that are good examples have increased their valuations noticeably compared to before TSE market restructuring, but TSE has chosen them based on the content of their initiatives.
  • These companies didn’t create their cash allocation policies abruptly, but had more opportunities to think through cost of capital, return on capital and stock price through engagements with overseas investors.

💡 Before it’s here, it’s on Smartkarma

Sign Up for Free

The Smartkarma Preview Pass is your entry to the Independent Investment Research Network

  • ✓ Unlimited Research Summaries
  • ✓ Personalised Alerts
  • ✓ Custom Watchlists
  • ✓ Company Data and News
  • ✓ Events & Webinars



Daily Brief South Korea: HD Hyundai Marine Solution and more

By | Daily Briefs, South Korea

In today’s briefing:

  • HD Hyundai Marine Solutions IPO: The Investment Case


HD Hyundai Marine Solutions IPO: The Investment Case

By Arun George

  • HD Hyundai Marine Solution (443060 KS), the ship after-service subsidiary of HD Hyundai (267250 KS), aims to raise up to US$550 million.   
  • The international book-building will run from 8 to 22 April, while the domestic book will open from 16 to 22 April. Pricing will be announced on 24 April.
  • The investment case rests on solid top-line growth, a healthy order book, rising margins, cash generation, and modest leverage.

💡 Before it’s here, it’s on Smartkarma

Sign Up for Free

The Smartkarma Preview Pass is your entry to the Independent Investment Research Network

  • ✓ Unlimited Research Summaries
  • ✓ Personalised Alerts
  • ✓ Custom Watchlists
  • ✓ Company Data and News
  • ✓ Events & Webinars



Daily Brief Singapore: Centurion Corp, Frasers Logistics & Commercial Trust and more

By | Daily Briefs, Singapore

In today’s briefing:

  • Centurion Corp (CENT SP) – Paving the Way for Workers and Students
  • REIT Watch – Eight S-Reits among Singapore’s top retail net buy stocks in Q1


Centurion Corp (CENT SP) – Paving the Way for Workers and Students

By Angus Mackintosh

  • Centurion Corp (CENT SP) is the leading light in purpose workers’ accommodation in Singapore and Malaysia, with high occupancy rates and healthy rental reversions, with a long-term secular growth backdrop.
  • The company is also involved in purpose-built student accommodation in centres of excellence for education including the UK, Australia, and the US in a highly sought-after asset space.
  • The outlook for both worker and student accommodation looks positive for the coming two years. Valuations look attractive with Centurion Corp trading at a 56% discount to NAV.

REIT Watch – Eight S-Reits among Singapore’s top retail net buy stocks in Q1

By Geoff Howie

  • 8 S-REITs & Property Trusts among Singapore’s Top 20 Retail Net Buys in 1Q24 1Q24 Retail Net Inflows (S$M) There were eight S-Reits and property trusts among the top 20 stocks which recorded the most retail net inflows in Q1 2024.

💡 Before it’s here, it’s on Smartkarma

Sign Up for Free

The Smartkarma Preview Pass is your entry to the Independent Investment Research Network

  • ✓ Unlimited Research Summaries
  • ✓ Personalised Alerts
  • ✓ Custom Watchlists
  • ✓ Company Data and News
  • ✓ Events & Webinars



Daily Brief India: NIFTY Index and more

By | Daily Briefs, India

In today’s briefing:

  • EQD / NSE Volatility Update / 25-Mar-24 to 29-Mar-24


EQD / NSE Volatility Update / 25-Mar-24 to 29-Mar-24

By Sankalp Singh

  • On-The-Run Quarterly Options now capture India General Elections. Position buildup can be seen in the 21,000 put and 24,000 call strikes
  • Weekly and Monthly contract risk premia being squeezed lower due to holiday shortened trading but Quarterly contracts exhibit vol richness
  • Scale back short gamma exposure as reward-risk unappealing at current IV levels

💡 Before it’s here, it’s on Smartkarma

Sign Up for Free

The Smartkarma Preview Pass is your entry to the Independent Investment Research Network

  • ✓ Unlimited Research Summaries
  • ✓ Personalised Alerts
  • ✓ Custom Watchlists
  • ✓ Company Data and News
  • ✓ Events & Webinars



Daily Brief China: Zhuzhou CRRC Times Electric Co., Ltd., Sciclone Pharmaceuticals, Trip.com, Aier Eye Hospital Group, Tencent, WuXi XDC Cayman , Longfor Properties and more

By | China, Daily Briefs

In today’s briefing:

  • A/H Premium Tracker (To 28 Mar 2024):  Liquid AH Premia Still Very Wide
  • Merger Arb Mondays (01 Apr) – SciClone, IntelliCentrics, CIMC Vehicles, Lawson, Roland DG, MMA
  • Monthly Chinese Tourism Tracker | Decision to Slow Capacity Rebuild in Mid-2023 Now Looks Prudent
  • SciClone Pharma (6600 HK): Privatisation At IPO Price
  • China Healthcare Weekly (Mar.31)- Milestone of Chinese Pharmaceutical Assets, Weight Loss Drug, Aier
  • Tencent/Netease: Both Zeroed in March Game Approval
  • WuXi XDC Cayman (2268.HK) – Don’t Rush to Bottom Fish This Stock
  • Morning Views Asia: China Vanke , First Pacific Co, Xiaomi Corp
  • Morning Views Asia: China Vanke , First Pacific Co, Xiaomi Corp


A/H Premium Tracker (To 28 Mar 2024):  Liquid AH Premia Still Very Wide

By Travis Lundy

  • The New/Better A-H Premium Tracker has tables, charts, measures galore to track A/H premium positioning, southbound and northbound positioning/volatility in pairs over time, etc.
  • SOUTHBOUND’s consecutive buying streak ended on Monday, and a new buying streak started Tuesday. NORTHBOUND net bought the dip. Last week’s (double long) choice Longyuan Power was up 5.24%.
  • Narrow AH premia narrowed some. Wider AH premia saw Hs outperform. There is a LOT of spread left in this market.  7 recommendations this week.


Monthly Chinese Tourism Tracker | Decision to Slow Capacity Rebuild in Mid-2023 Now Looks Prudent

By Daniel Hellberg

  • Chinese outbound travel demand continued to recover nicely in February
  • Major airlines’ decision to slow capacity rebuild now looks very prudent
  • But the airlines have underperformed, surprisingly; Buy Trip.com below US$43

SciClone Pharma (6600 HK): Privatisation At IPO Price

By David Blennerhassett


China Healthcare Weekly (Mar.31)- Milestone of Chinese Pharmaceutical Assets, Weight Loss Drug, Aier

By Xinyao (Criss) Wang

  • Licensing-Out deals of Chinese pharmaceutical assets are indeed significant milestones, but we should not exaggerate its significance. The product strength itself/subsequent progress are the true sources of clinical benefits/commercial value.
  • In the field of weight loss drugs, first-mover advantage may not be that obvious. The possibility of latecomers to disrupt first-mover would not be that low or time-consuming.
  • For Aier, 23Q4 results could show an obvious rebound, leading to relatively high growth in 2023 full year. However, Aier’s problems are still there, which means Aier is not undervalued.

Tencent/Netease: Both Zeroed in March Game Approval

By Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

  • China announced game approval for the Feb batch. The number of games approved remained at a higher level than 2023.
  • The pace of China game approval appears to have accelerated to the same level as pre-tightening.
  • However, neither Tencent and Netease got any approval in March.

WuXi XDC Cayman (2268.HK) – Don’t Rush to Bottom Fish This Stock

By Xinyao (Criss) Wang

  • Theoretically, there’s no need to doubt WuXi XDC’s growth momentum. What needs to be proven is how large the actual ADC market is, which determines how much valuation it deserves.
  • However, the biggest problem currently is geopolitical risks, which make performance forecasts groundless. In the context of Sino-US confrontation, there is “a hesitation” towards sustained high growth of WuXi XDC.
  • If several pieces of news are put together, this is not just about China CXO/TikTok being sanctioned by US. New balance point in the game between great powers will emerge.

Morning Views Asia: China Vanke , First Pacific Co, Xiaomi Corp

By Leonard Law, CFA

Lucror Analytics Morning Views comprise our fundamental credit analysis, opinions and trade recommendations on high yield issuers in the region, based on key company-specific developments in the past 24 hours. Our Morning Views include a section with a brief market commentary, key market indicators and a macroeconomic and corporate event calendar.


Morning Views Asia: China Vanke , First Pacific Co, Xiaomi Corp

By Leonard Law, CFA

Lucror Analytics Morning Views comprise our fundamental credit analysis, opinions and trade recommendations on high yield issuers in the region, based on key company-specific developments in the past 24 hours. Our Morning Views include a section with a brief market commentary, key market indicators and a macroeconomic and corporate event calendar.


💡 Before it’s here, it’s on Smartkarma

Sign Up for Free

The Smartkarma Preview Pass is your entry to the Independent Investment Research Network

  • ✓ Unlimited Research Summaries
  • ✓ Personalised Alerts
  • ✓ Custom Watchlists
  • ✓ Company Data and News
  • ✓ Events & Webinars



Daily Brief Japan: TSE Tokyo Price Index TOPIX and more

By | Daily Briefs, Japan

In today’s briefing:

  • Updated Tool (31Mar24) & “Diff File Generator” For TSE “Mgmt Conscious of Capital Cost/Stock Price”
  • The Good Case Companies Had More Opportunities to Reflect on Cost of Capital and Return on Capital


Updated Tool (31Mar24) & “Diff File Generator” For TSE “Mgmt Conscious of Capital Cost/Stock Price”

By Travis Lundy

  • In mid-January, the TSE announced a “name-and-shame” list where they listed all the companies which had put forth a disclosure about 【資本コストや株価を意識した経営の実現に向けた対応】. But they did not actually shame.
  • The list shows which companies have disclosed a policy/consideration. But no data/links. We have the links, and we are weeks ahead of the TSE. Working to get months ahead.
  • We created a tool to name everyone, show their reports, provide links, and now a new tool. Put in a name, see the difference between the Old/New Reports.

The Good Case Companies Had More Opportunities to Reflect on Cost of Capital and Return on Capital

By Aki Matsumoto

  • Characteristic of companies TSE introduced as good disclosure examples is that they include more companies with a high foreign ownership and those that pay relatively close attention to cash allocation.
  • Not all companies that are good examples have increased their valuations noticeably compared to before TSE market restructuring, but TSE has chosen them based on the content of their initiatives.
  • These companies didn’t create their cash allocation policies abruptly, but had more opportunities to think through cost of capital, return on capital and stock price through engagements with overseas investors.

💡 Before it’s here, it’s on Smartkarma

Sign Up for Free

The Smartkarma Preview Pass is your entry to the Independent Investment Research Network

  • ✓ Unlimited Research Summaries
  • ✓ Personalised Alerts
  • ✓ Custom Watchlists
  • ✓ Company Data and News
  • ✓ Events & Webinars