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Smartkarma Daily Briefs

Daily Brief India: LIC Housing Finance and more

By | Daily Briefs, India

In today’s briefing:

  • LICHF: On Track for a Record FY24 PAT


LICHF: On Track for a Record FY24 PAT

By Ankit Agrawal, CFA

  • LIC Housing Finance (LICHF IN) posted a strong Q1FY24, despite an adverse one-off reversible impact. Q1FY24 PAT came in at INR 1319cr vs INR 1191cr QoQ and INR 927cr YoY.  
  • With the interest rates stabilizing, housing demand has been improving. LICHF’s asset quality has been also improving, adjusted for one-off technical glitch related deterioration.  
  • At around 6x P/E based on our projected FY24E PAT, LICHF is available quite cheap and has potential to more than double from the current levels. 

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Most Read: SK Square , Descente Ltd, China Mobile, Brilliance China Automotive, SK Telecom, Wharf Holdings, Japan Post Bank, Eoflow , Softbank Group, I-TAIL and more

By | Daily Briefs, Most Read

In today’s briefing:

  • SK Square: Will Alibaba Acquire 11st?
  • Itochu Buying Descente (8114) – ANTA Selldown Offset Or Creeping Takeover?
  • Quiddity A/H Premium Weekly (15-Sep):  Utilities, Insurance, China Mobile, BYD
  • Index Rebalance & ETF Flow Recap: HSCEI, HSTECH, CSI500, STAR50, FnGuide Top10
  • SK Telecom (017670 KS): Foreign Room & Passive Inflows
  • Wharf Holdings (4 HK): Improved Liquidity & Passive Buying
  • Last Week in Event SPACE: Japan Post, Sun Hung Kai, LVS/Sands China, Kenedix REIT Complex, JFE
  • Merger Arb Mondays (18 Sep) – Eoflow, Costa, Liontown, Pact, T&K Toka, IMAX, Poly Culture
  • ECM Weekly (17th Sep 2023) – ARM, VNG, Doosan, Tuhu, IMotion, Seibu Giken, RR Kabel, Viva, Innovent
  • SET50 Index Rebalance Preview: Two Potential Changes in December


SK Square: Will Alibaba Acquire 11st?

By Douglas Kim

  • Maeil Business Daily reported that Alibaba Group Holding (9988 HK) is considering on acquiring a controlling stake in 11st, which is a leading e-commerce platform owned by SK Square
  • In 2018, 11st was valued at 2.7 trillion won by financial investors. However, the current valuation of 11st is estimated to have declined to about 1 trillion won (US$760 million).
  • We estimate that the probability of Alibaba acquiring 11st is about 60-70%. 

Itochu Buying Descente (8114) – ANTA Selldown Offset Or Creeping Takeover?

By Travis Lundy

  • Four years after Itochu got to 40.0% of votes in Descente (8114) in a hostile Tender Offer, Descente partner ANTA, which supported Itochu at the time started selling its stake.
  • A few months later, Itochu started buying shares of Descente in the market. As of 7 Sep, Itochu had bought Descente shares 81 days straight (9.7% of ADV).
  • This begs the question: Is Itochu ensuring they maintain voting control as ANTA sells? Or are they buying to lift their stake prior to another bid?

Quiddity A/H Premium Weekly (15-Sep):  Utilities, Insurance, China Mobile, BYD

By Travis Lundy

  • The Brand-Spanking New (6 weeks old) A-H Monitor has tables, charts, measures galore to track A/H premium positioning, southbound and northbound positioning in pairs over time, etc.
  • We used to do it and decided to bring it back better. There are lots of cool interactive tables, and charts, heat maps, and comparative data. And 41 Trade Recommendations.
  • The last five weeks (since the instantiation of the new Monitor and Portfolio 6 weeks ago) have seen net portfolio performance of +0.50%, +1.35%, +0.14%, +0.47%, +0.15%.

Index Rebalance & ETF Flow Recap: HSCEI, HSTECH, CSI500, STAR50, FnGuide Top10

By Brian Freitas

  • It was a busy Friday with a bunch of indices rebalancing at the close and big volumes trading on a lot of stocks.
  • Brilliance China Automotive (1114 HK) had a good week with the stock rallying on Thursday and Friday on huge volumes amid expectations of upcoming passive buying.
  • A quiet week for ETFs with mainland China ETFs seeing some outflows after the huge inflows over the last couple of months.

SK Telecom (017670 KS): Foreign Room & Passive Inflows

By Brian Freitas

  • Foreign room in SK Telecom (017670 KS) increased above 15% in July and is currently just above 16%. Foreign investors have resumed buying again and foreign room is moving lower.
  • Foreign room staying above 15% for another month could result in passive buying at the end of November. SK Telecom (017670 KS) has outperformed peers over the last few weeks.
  • Foreign buying over the next month could lead to foreign room dropping below 15% in which case there will be no passive inflows. But the stock could be higher.

Wharf Holdings (4 HK): Improved Liquidity & Passive Buying

By Brian Freitas

  • Improved liquidity and a higher stock price could see passive trackers buying Wharf Holdings (4 HK) within the next couple of months.
  • Wharf Holdings (4 HK) trades cheaper than the average and median of its peers on EV/Sales, EV/EBITDA and price to book value.
  • Wharf Holdings (4 HK) has already started to move higher and there could be a bigger move in the stock over the next month.

Last Week in Event SPACE: Japan Post, Sun Hung Kai, LVS/Sands China, Kenedix REIT Complex, JFE

By David Blennerhassett

  • The Japan Post Holdings (6178 JP)/ Japan Post Bank (7182 JP) ratio looks more attractive as JPB climbs with other banks as the possibility of Offering-induced retail overhang increases. 
  • The ACCC has until 28 September 2023 to make its decision on Origin Energy (ORG AU). Expect ACCC to be supportive – they haven’t built a strong “against” case.
  • There should be more for the Kenedix REIT complex on a fundamental basis, a future equity capital raise accretion basis, and because of significant net buying for index purposes.

Merger Arb Mondays (18 Sep) – Eoflow, Costa, Liontown, Pact, T&K Toka, IMAX, Poly Culture

By Arun George


ECM Weekly (17th Sep 2023) – ARM, VNG, Doosan, Tuhu, IMotion, Seibu Giken, RR Kabel, Viva, Innovent

By Sumeet Singh

  • Aequitas Research puts out a weekly update on the deals that were covered by the team recently along with updates for upcoming IPOs.
  • In the IPO space, ARM’s IPO seems to have set the ball rolling for the traditionally busy year end across the region.
  • In the placement space, finally a Hong Kong placement mangaed to hold up, even as a large Aussie one gave way.

SET50 Index Rebalance Preview: Two Potential Changes in December

By Brian Freitas


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Daily Brief Industrials: AviChina Industry & Technology H, T.S. Lines and more

By | Daily Briefs, Industrials

In today’s briefing:

  • AviChina Industry (2357 HK): This Is Just the Beginning
  • TS Lines Pre-IPO | Slimming Down Fleet | Intra-Asia Market Update | Latest From Key Comp Wan Hai


AviChina Industry (2357 HK): This Is Just the Beginning

By Osbert Tang, CFA

  • AviChina Industry & Technology H (2357 HK) is expected to see sustained profit upturn in 2H23 following a 26.8% growth in 1H23. Continued geopolitical turmoil will still benefit it.  
  • All its listed A-share subsidiaries recorded a pick-up in earnings momentum in 2Q23, and this indicates solid underlying demand as well as the impact of product developments.
  • Avicopter PLC (600038 CH) has seen volume and price recovery after product portfolio refinement while new products have stimulated the ancillary system and related business.

TS Lines Pre-IPO | Slimming Down Fleet | Intra-Asia Market Update | Latest From Key Comp Wan Hai

By Daniel Hellberg

  • So far in 2023 TS Lines has sold off close to one quarter of its shipping capacity
  • In the company’s core market, Intra-Asia, it appears rates have bottomed out here in Q323
  • We also review Q2 financial results from TS Lines’ main comp, Wan Hai Lines (WHL)

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Daily Brief TMT/Internet: China Mobile, SK Telecom, Intel Corp and more

By | Daily Briefs, TMT/Internet

In today’s briefing:

  • Quiddity A/H Premium Weekly (15-Sep):  Utilities, Insurance, China Mobile, BYD
  • SK Telecom (017670 KS): Foreign Room & Passive Inflows
  • Intel’s Data Centre Meltdown


Quiddity A/H Premium Weekly (15-Sep):  Utilities, Insurance, China Mobile, BYD

By Travis Lundy

  • The Brand-Spanking New (6 weeks old) A-H Monitor has tables, charts, measures galore to track A/H premium positioning, southbound and northbound positioning in pairs over time, etc.
  • We used to do it and decided to bring it back better. There are lots of cool interactive tables, and charts, heat maps, and comparative data. And 41 Trade Recommendations.
  • The last five weeks (since the instantiation of the new Monitor and Portfolio 6 weeks ago) have seen net portfolio performance of +0.50%, +1.35%, +0.14%, +0.47%, +0.15%.

SK Telecom (017670 KS): Foreign Room & Passive Inflows

By Brian Freitas

  • Foreign room in SK Telecom (017670 KS) increased above 15% in July and is currently just above 16%. Foreign investors have resumed buying again and foreign room is moving lower.
  • Foreign room staying above 15% for another month could result in passive buying at the end of November. SK Telecom (017670 KS) has outperformed peers over the last few weeks.
  • Foreign buying over the next month could lead to foreign room dropping below 15% in which case there will be no passive inflows. But the stock could be higher.

Intel’s Data Centre Meltdown

By William Keating

  • Year to date, Intel’s data center revenues are down 28% YoY. 
  • By comparison, AMD’s year-to-date revenues are down just 6% YoY
  • Why is AMD performing so much better than Intel in the data center and will their market share growth continue?

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

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Daily Brief Industrials: AviChina Industry & Technology H, T.S. Lines and more

By | Daily Briefs, Industrials

In today’s briefing:

  • AviChina Industry (2357 HK): This Is Just the Beginning
  • TS Lines Pre-IPO | Slimming Down Fleet | Intra-Asia Market Update | Latest From Key Comp Wan Hai


AviChina Industry (2357 HK): This Is Just the Beginning

By Osbert Tang, CFA

  • AviChina Industry & Technology H (2357 HK) is expected to see sustained profit upturn in 2H23 following a 26.8% growth in 1H23. Continued geopolitical turmoil will still benefit it.  
  • All its listed A-share subsidiaries recorded a pick-up in earnings momentum in 2Q23, and this indicates solid underlying demand as well as the impact of product developments.
  • Avicopter PLC (600038 CH) has seen volume and price recovery after product portfolio refinement while new products have stimulated the ancillary system and related business.

TS Lines Pre-IPO | Slimming Down Fleet | Intra-Asia Market Update | Latest From Key Comp Wan Hai

By Daniel Hellberg

  • So far in 2023 TS Lines has sold off close to one quarter of its shipping capacity
  • In the company’s core market, Intra-Asia, it appears rates have bottomed out here in Q323
  • We also review Q2 financial results from TS Lines’ main comp, Wan Hai Lines (WHL)

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

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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: Eoflow and more

By | Daily Briefs, Healthcare

In today’s briefing:

  • Merger Arb Mondays (18 Sep) – Eoflow, Costa, Liontown, Pact, T&K Toka, IMAX, Poly Culture


Merger Arb Mondays (18 Sep) – Eoflow, Costa, Liontown, Pact, T&K Toka, IMAX, Poly Culture

By Arun George


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Daily Brief Consumer: Descente Ltd, I-TAIL , Costa Group Holdings and more

By | Consumer, Daily Briefs

In today’s briefing:

  • Itochu Buying Descente (8114) – ANTA Selldown Offset Or Creeping Takeover?
  • SET50 Index Rebalance Preview: Two Potential Changes in December
  • Costa Mulls Paine Schwartz’s Lower Bid


Itochu Buying Descente (8114) – ANTA Selldown Offset Or Creeping Takeover?

By Travis Lundy

  • Four years after Itochu got to 40.0% of votes in Descente (8114) in a hostile Tender Offer, Descente partner ANTA, which supported Itochu at the time started selling its stake.
  • A few months later, Itochu started buying shares of Descente in the market. As of 7 Sep, Itochu had bought Descente shares 81 days straight (9.7% of ADV).
  • This begs the question: Is Itochu ensuring they maintain voting control as ANTA sells? Or are they buying to lift their stake prior to another bid?

SET50 Index Rebalance Preview: Two Potential Changes in December

By Brian Freitas


Costa Mulls Paine Schwartz’s Lower Bid

By David Blennerhassett

  • Back on the 4 July, Paine Schwartz Partners (PSP) made an A$3.50/share NBIO for Costa Group (CGC AU) by way of a Scheme.  PSP held 14.84% at the time.
  • The due diligence period came and went, or so it appeared, but Costa said it remained ongoing.  Rumours circulated that PSP had gone cold. 1H23 results were also delayed. 
  • Costa has now announced this morning that PSP has returned with a $3.20/share Offer – best and final – reduced for any permitted dividend of up to A$0.04, if declared. 

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Daily Brief Financials: Wharf Holdings, Korea Stock Exchange KOSPI 200, Chicago Board Options Exchange Volatility Index, LIC Housing Finance, Road King Infrastructure and more

By | Daily Briefs, Financials

In today’s briefing:

  • Wharf Holdings (4 HK): Improved Liquidity & Passive Buying
  • EQD | KOSPI 200 Index WEEKLY OVERBOUGHT (Or Break-Out Rally?)
  • EQD | VIX Index WEEKLY Suggests Upcoming Increase in Volatility
  • LICHF: On Track for a Record FY24 PAT
  • Morning Views Asia: Road King Infrastructure


Wharf Holdings (4 HK): Improved Liquidity & Passive Buying

By Brian Freitas

  • Improved liquidity and a higher stock price could see passive trackers buying Wharf Holdings (4 HK) within the next couple of months.
  • Wharf Holdings (4 HK) trades cheaper than the average and median of its peers on EV/Sales, EV/EBITDA and price to book value.
  • Wharf Holdings (4 HK) has already started to move higher and there could be a bigger move in the stock over the next month.

EQD | KOSPI 200 Index WEEKLY OVERBOUGHT (Or Break-Out Rally?)

By Nico Rosti

  • The KOSPI 200 INDEX WEEKLY did rise last week and is approaching OVERBOUGHT territory based on the current short-term trend pattern (Q3 resistance is at 346).
  • The current pattern is bearish, but if the market gains momentum and rallies for 2 more weeks, it could reach 357 during the 3rd week up (not earlier).
  • The alternative scenario, a better fit for this bearish pattern, is that the index starts to pull back this week, or remains weak this week and falls the next.

EQD | VIX Index WEEKLY Suggests Upcoming Increase in Volatility

By Nico Rosti

  • The VIX INDEX is currently OVERSOLD from a time perspective, but not yet from a price perspective: if it falls <13, there is a high probability it will reverse up.
  • A spike in the VIX will correspond to a drawdown in equities, globally. The MRM model indicates a 1-2 weeks duration for the event, price targets between 16 and 18.
  • After the spike, the VIX could start to fall again, so this upcoming volatility spike should be a brief, short-lived event.

LICHF: On Track for a Record FY24 PAT

By Ankit Agrawal, CFA

  • LIC Housing Finance (LICHF IN) posted a strong Q1FY24, despite an adverse one-off reversible impact. Q1FY24 PAT came in at INR 1319cr vs INR 1191cr QoQ and INR 927cr YoY.  
  • With the interest rates stabilizing, housing demand has been improving. LICHF’s asset quality has been also improving, adjusted for one-off technical glitch related deterioration.  
  • At around 6x P/E based on our projected FY24E PAT, LICHF is available quite cheap and has potential to more than double from the current levels. 

Morning Views Asia: Road King Infrastructure

By Charles Macgregor

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.


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Daily Brief Quantitative Analysis: TWSE Short Interest Weekly (Sep 15th): Wiwynn and more

By | Daily Briefs, Quantitative Analysis

In today’s briefing:

  • TWSE Short Interest Weekly (Sep 15th): Wiwynn, Alchip Tech, Realtek Semi


TWSE Short Interest Weekly (Sep 15th): Wiwynn, Alchip Tech, Realtek Semi

By Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

  • We analyzed the changes in short interest of TWSE Stocks as of Sep 15th which has an aggregated short interest worth USD14.0bn.
  • We tabulate league table for top short by value and short as multiple of ADT, as well as weekly increases & decreases in short value, short as multiple of ADT.
  • We highlight short interest changes in Wiwynn, Alchip Tech, Realtek Semi.

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Daily Brief Thematic (Sector/Industry): GEMWeekly (15 Sep 2023): China and more

By | Daily Briefs, Thematic (Sector/Industry)

In today’s briefing:

  • GEMWeekly (15 Sep 2023): China, India Macro Data; Alibaba, Tencent, Baidu, Byju’s


GEMWeekly (15 Sep 2023): China, India Macro Data; Alibaba, Tencent, Baidu, Byju’s

By Wium Malan, CFA

  • The Global Emerging Markets Weekly provides a summary of the key news and related developments impacting the largest countries and constituents of the Global Emerging Markets equity indices.
  • Macro data points: China inflation, industrial production, retail sales, and RRR cut; India industrial and manufacturing output.
  • Companies mentioned:Alibaba Group Holding (9988 HK), Tencent (700 HK), Baidu (9888 HK), BYJU’S (1391510D IN)

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