Smartkarma Daily Briefs

• Zijin Gold (2259 HK) , post the meteoric rise in its share price since listing last week, is now the most expensive gold miner stocks, globally, on an EV/Reserve basis.
• Investor expectations of gold prices climbing higher, driven by the yen’s sharp drop, a U.S. government shutdown, and growing anticipation of additional Federal Reserve rate cuts, are fueling the stock.
• For Hong Kong investors, Zijin Gold is the only pure-play, globally diversified gold miner, with expectations of index inclusion and strong demand driving its share price above fundamentals.

• PDD Holdings, Inc.’s second-quarter 2025 financial results reflect a strategic focus on long-term value creation rather than short-term financial gains.
• The company’s revenue for the quarter increased by 7% year-over-year to RMB 104 billion, driven primarily by online marketing services and transaction services.
• However, operating profit experienced a significant decline of 21% year-over-year, reflecting the company’s substantial investments in enhancing its platform ecosystem through its RMB 100 billion support program aimed at bolstering merchant capabilities and fostering sustainable growth.

• FuelCell Energy, Inc. (FuelCell Energy) recently reported its financial results for the third quarter of fiscal year 2025.
• The company demonstrated significant revenue growth, reporting $46.7 million, a 97% increase compared to the previous year.
• This increase was primarily driven by strong product revenues, notably from the delivery of replacement modules to Gyeonggi Green Energy Company (GGE) in South Korea and sales to Ameresco.

• Kalyan is aggressively expanding its non-South presence and scaling its omni-channel platform, Candere, driven by an asset-light, franchisee-owned, company-operated (FOCO) model.
• The FOCO model and a higher margin studded-jewellery mix in new markets are structurally improving return ratios and freeing up capital for aggressive, low-risk store rollouts.
• With significant deleveraging and a clear path to enhanced profitability, the fundamental story remains intact, nudging investors to look beyond cyclical factors and towards execution consistency.

• The U.S. government has introduced new export restrictions targeting the shipment of advanced chipmaking equipment to China.
• These rules, enforced by the Bureau of Industry and Security, have landed a heavy blow on Applied Materials, the world’s largest supplier of semiconductor manufacturing equipment.
• The company now anticipates a significant $710 million revenue shortfall: $110 million in Q4 2025 and an additional $600 million in 2026.

• Transformed Business Model: Following the acquisition by the Poonawalla Group, the company has pivoted from its legacy as Magma Fincorp to a tech-driven NBFC. It now focuses on prime retail consumers and MSME segments with a digital-first approach, significantly improving its risk profile and operational efficiency.
• Strong Parentage and Financial Flexibility: Backed by the Cyrus Poonawalla Group, the company benefits from a strong brand, significant capital infusion, and access to lower-cost funding. This has resulted in a ‘AAA’ credit rating and provides a substantial competitive advantage in the crowded NBFC space.
• Aggressive Growth Strategy: Management has outlined a clear vision for rapid expansion, aiming to significantly grow its Assets Under Management (AUM) by diversifying its product suite and expanding its distribution network. The strategy focuses on a mix of secured and unsecured loans to maintain a balanced risk-adjusted return.

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• G8 Education is Australia’s largest publicly listed provider of early childhood education and care (ECEC), operating over 400 centres. The company is poised to benefit from favorable demographic trends and increasing government support for the sector.
• Recent financial performance shows consistent revenue and net income growth, driven by improved occupancy rates and disciplined cost management. The company has also demonstrated a commitment to shareholder returns through progressively higher dividends.
• Key strategic priorities include enhancing educational quality, improving workforce retention, and optimizing the centre network. However, the company faces significant risks from potential changes in government childcare subsidies, intense industry competition, and challenges in attracting and retaining qualified staff.

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• Market Leader with Strong Growth Potential: PT Mulia Boga Raya Tbk, through its flagship brand ‘Prochiz’, is the market leader in the Indonesian retail cheese segment with a 27.75% market share. The company is well-positioned to capitalize on the burgeoning Indonesian cheese market, which is projected to grow at a CAGR of over 5% annually, driven by rising incomes, urbanization, and the growing influence of Western cuisine.
• Robust Financial Performance and Margin Expansion: The company has demonstrated strong financial results, with significant double-digit sales growth and notable profit margin expansion in the first half of 2025. This performance is attributed to a favorable sales mix skewed towards higher-margin premium block cheese and achieving economies of scale.
• Strategic Synergies and Expansion Focus: As a subsidiary of PT Garudafood Putra Putri Jaya Tbk, KEJU benefits from significant operational and distribution synergies. The company is strategically focused on expanding its distribution network and growing its presence in the rapidly expanding food service sector, which is outpacing retail growth post-pandemic.

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• Paychex, a leading provider of human capital management solutions, has reported a strong start to its fiscal year 2026.
• The company achieved a 17% revenue increase alongside a 5% growth in adjusted diluted earnings per share in the first quarter.
• This robust performance is attributed to successful integration with its recent acquisition, Paycor, and sustained demand for Paychex’s human capital management solutions despite a challenging macroeconomic environment.

• AutoZone is under scrutiny following a high-profile insider transaction that coincided with its fifth consecutive earnings miss.
• On September 24, Scott Murphy, AutoZone’s Vice President and Controller, exercised long-standing options to acquire 2,860 shares and immediately liquidated them in a series of transactions totaling approximately $12 million.
• This sale occurred shortly after the company reported earnings that again fell short of Wall Street expectations—primarily due to an $80 million LIFO charge that cut into profitability.