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Smartkarma Daily Briefs

Daily Brief India: Larsen & Toubro , Infosys Ltd, Jain Resource Recycling, Wakefit Innovations and more

By | Daily Briefs, India

In today’s briefing:

  • Primer: Larsen & Toubro (LTOD LI) – Sep 2025
  • H-1B Fee Fallout: An Employee’s Perspective and Implications for Indian IT
  • Jain Resource Recycling Pre-IPO – Robust Growth but Inorganic Moves Lack Full Value
  • Wakefit Innovations Pre-IPO: Steady Growth In Revenue Drivers, But Still Unprofitable


Primer: Larsen & Toubro (LTOD LI) – Sep 2025

By αSK

  • Market Leader with Robust Order Book: Larsen & Toubro is a dominant player in India’s engineering and construction (E&C) sector with a record order book of ₹6.1 lakh crore as of June 2025, providing strong revenue visibility. A significant 46% of this order book is from international markets, particularly the Middle East, indicating successful geographical diversification.
  • Diversified Business Model Mitigates Risk: The company operates a well-diversified model across Infrastructure, Energy, Hi-Tech Manufacturing, IT & Technology Services (through LTIMindtree and L&T Technology Services), and Financial Services. This structure allows L&T to capture growth across various economic sectors and mitigate risks associated with the cyclicality of the E&C industry.
  • Strategic Focus on High-Growth Areas: L&T is strategically positioning itself for future growth by focusing on high-margin areas like green hydrogen, smart city technology, defense manufacturing, and digital services. The company’s new five-year plan emphasizes deepening its strengths in India and the Middle East while exploring these new, technology-driven opportunities.

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H-1B Fee Fallout: An Employee’s Perspective and Implications for Indian IT

By Pranav Bhavsar

  • The Trump administration’s announcement of U.S. $100,000 fee for new H-1B petitions  triggered anxiety, travel confusion, and immediate negative market reaction for Indian IT names.
  • Tech workers in the US report heightened hostility, reluctance to travel, and SMB clients unable to absorb fees risk reduced sponsorship, higher attrition, and retention challenges.
  • While there may be limited short-term P&L impact, but structural threats — including the HIRE Act — could reshape delivery models, near-shoring, and pricing over 6–18 months.

Jain Resource Recycling Pre-IPO – Robust Growth but Inorganic Moves Lack Full Value

By Akshat Shah

  • Jain Resource Recycling (2300699D IN) is looking to raise about US$142m in its India IPO.
  • The company is primarily focused on manufacturing of non-ferrous metal products by recycling of non-ferrous metal scrap. It is also engaged in trading of non-ferrous metals and other commodities.
  • In this note, we take a quick look at the company’s past performance

Wakefit Innovations Pre-IPO: Steady Growth In Revenue Drivers, But Still Unprofitable

By Hong Jie Seow

  • Wakefit Innovations (1684049D IN) is looking to raise US$231m in its upcoming India IPO.
  • Wakefit Innovations is a direct‑to‑consumer sleep and home‑solutions company, founded in 2016. It mainly sells mattresses, furniture and furnishings.
  • In this note, we look at the company’s past performance.

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Daily Brief United States: Neptune Insurance Holdings, Kraft Heinz Co, Gold, USD, Intel Corp, Lendbuzz, Crude Oil, Achieve Life Sciences , Lifeway Foods, Alliance Laundry Holdings and more

By | Daily Briefs, United States

In today’s briefing:

  • Neptune Insurance Holdings Inc. (NP): Specialty Risk Insurer Sets Terms, Seeking $2.8b Valuation
  • Kraft Heinz (Nasdaq: KHC) Spin-Off to Create Value; See Upside From Current Levels
  • Debating a New Up-Cycle
  • Global Rates: Digging into a week of DM central bank decisions
  • EP 135: INTEL AND NVIDIA!! Meta Connect and Ray Ban Display, Watch Huawei/China
  • Lendbuzz Inc. (LBZZ): Peeking at the IPO Prospectus of an AI-Powered Lender
  • Oil Futures: Crude firmer as Europe steps up sanctions rhetoric
  • ACHV: Preparations Continue as PDUFA Date Assigned
  • STAAR Surgical Acquisition Opposition, OCI Merger Details, and Lifeway Foods Takeover Saga Updates
  • Alliance Laundry Holdings Inc. (ALH): Peeking at the Prospectus of Commercial Laundry Manufacturer


Neptune Insurance Holdings Inc. (NP): Specialty Risk Insurer Sets Terms, Seeking $2.8b Valuation

By IPO Boutique

  • Neptune Holdings will offer 18.4 million shares at $18-$20 and is scheduled to debut on October 1st. 
  • It should be noted that the entirety of this offering is secondary and Neptune will not receive any proceeds from the sale of Class A common stock.
  • The cornerstone investors, T. Rowe Price Investment Management and AllianceBernstein L.P. have indicated for up to $75 million in this offering. 

Kraft Heinz (Nasdaq: KHC) Spin-Off to Create Value; See Upside From Current Levels

By Garvit Bhandari

  • Kraft Heinz’s decision to split into Global Taste Elevation Co. and North American Grocery Co. is a strategic move intended to recalibrate the Company amid flattening growth.
  • We value Kraft Heinz on a sum-of-the-parts (SOTP) basis. Global Taste Elevation is valued at 10x 2025E adjusted EBITDA, while North America Grocery is valued at 7.8x 2025E adjusted EBITDA.
  • We expect the spin-off to unlock value for shareholders as Global Taste Elevation Co will get better multiple post separation.

Debating a New Up-Cycle

By BMO Equity Research Metal Matters

  • Despite initial concerns about tariffs and policy uncertainty hurting global economy, many major metals have seen significant price gains this year
  • Tariffs have been implemented, but manufacturers have absorbed costs in margins rather than passing them on to consumers
  • Despite signs of economic strain in recent data, commodity prices remain strong due to US dollar weakness making commodities more affordable for importing countries

This content is sourced through publicly available sources and has been machine generated. Information displayed is for general informational purposes only.


Global Rates: Digging into a week of DM central bank decisions

By At Any Rate

  • The Federal Reserve is expected to ease interest rates by 50 basis points this year, aligning with a forecast of 100 basis points of easing by next January.
  • The Fed prioritizing its labor market mandate over its inflation target may lead to better growth and higher inflation outcomes next year.
  • The yield curve has been volatile but is currently fairly valued, with potential for steepening due to asymmetrically dovish reaction function and Fed independence considerations.

This content is sourced through publicly available sources and has been machine generated. Information displayed is for general informational purposes only.


EP 135: INTEL AND NVIDIA!! Meta Connect and Ray Ban Display, Watch Huawei/China

By The Circuit

  • Nvidia and Intel have announced a $5 billion deal to collaborate on designing CPU GPU systems for data centers and chiplets for PCs.
  • Jensen Huang surprisingly praised Intel during a press conference, marking a significant shift in Nvidia’s history of enmity towards Intel.
  • The collaboration aims to address the scalability limitations of current systems by offering x86 head nodes with NVLink for data centers, filling a market gap for both companies.

This content is sourced through publicly available sources and has been machine generated. Information displayed is for general informational purposes only.


Lendbuzz Inc. (LBZZ): Peeking at the IPO Prospectus of an AI-Powered Lender

By IPO Boutique

  • Lendbuzz filed for an IPO on September 12th for a potential October debut. 
  • They serve consumers with thin and no credit files, or credit invisibles, and those traditionally called near prime (consumers with VantageScores® of 601-719).
  • They had total revenue of $101.3 million, $175.4 million, and $281.5 million and net income of $15.0 million, $11.2 million, and $24.3 million in 2022, 2023, and 2024, respectively.

Oil Futures: Crude firmer as Europe steps up sanctions rhetoric

By Quantum Commodity Intelligence

  • Crude oil futures opened the week slightly firmer as traders continued to monitor disruptions to Russian flows amid ongoing attacks against infrastructure and sanctions threats.
  • Front-month Nov25 ICE Brent futures were trading at $67.22/b (0735 BST) versus Friday’s settle of $66.68/b, while Nov25 NYMEX WTI was at  $62.90/b against a previous close of $62.40/b.
  • The prospect of tighter measures against Moscow was seen increasing with European leaders pushing for a wider rollout, including secondary tariffs.

ACHV: Preparations Continue as PDUFA Date Assigned

By Zacks Small Cap Research

  • Achieve Life Sciences is developing cytisinicline for use as a smoking cessation treatment in the United States and rest of world.
  • Pivotal studies have been completed with safety & efficacy results exceeding expectations.
  • Achieve is now awaiting its target action date of June 20th 2026 and preparing for commercialization.

STAAR Surgical Acquisition Opposition, OCI Merger Details, and Lifeway Foods Takeover Saga Updates

By Special Situation Investments

  • STAAR Surgical’s largest shareholder opposes Alcon’s $28/share acquisition offer, potentially forcing a higher bid before the October 23 vote.
  • OCI N.V. will merge with Orascom Construction, leading to delisting and liquidation, with limited upside from current levels.
  • Hearst’s $16.50/share bid for DallasNews likely to win shareholder approval, backed by major shareholder and proxy firms.

Alliance Laundry Holdings Inc. (ALH): Peeking at the Prospectus of Commercial Laundry Manufacturer

By IPO Boutique

  • Alliance Laundry Holdings (ALH US), filed for its IPO on September 12th. 
  • BDT Capital Partners became the controlling shareholder of Alliance Laundry Systems in 2015, when its investment funds acquired a majority stake in the company from the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan.
  • They had net revenues of $1.38 billion, $1.37 billion, and $1.51 billion and net income of $99.7 million, $88.3 million, and $98.3 million in 2022, 2023, and 2024, respectively.

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Daily Brief Japan: Japan Post Bank, Pacific Industrial, Softbank Group, Aeon Co Ltd and more

By | Daily Briefs, Japan

In today’s briefing:

  • The BOJ Announces the Start of ETF/JREIT Selldowns – Basically a Nothing-Burger
  • Pacific Industrial (7250 JP): Limited Upside as Effissimo Continues to Add
  • Softbank Group (9984 JP) Tactical Outlook: Momentum Strong but Stretched, Higher Targets Speculative
  • Aeon Restructuring as Seven & I Flounders


The BOJ Announces the Start of ETF/JREIT Selldowns – Basically a Nothing-Burger

By Travis Lundy

  • In Friday’s Monetary Policy Statement, the BOJ announced it would start selling down its holdings in ETFs and J-REITs at the pace of ¥620bn and ¥5.5bn/year, respectively. BIG NEWS!
  • That is US$17mm of ETFs and US$150k of J-REITs per day. The BOJ suggests it is 0.05% of volume per day. That’s close. SMALL EFFECT. 
  • Given ¥15trln of buybacks and ¥5trln+ of dividend reinvestment + NISA account buys, plus ¥trlns of cross-holding selldowns/year, this is a total nothingburger, even if they up the pace.

Pacific Industrial (7250 JP): Limited Upside as Effissimo Continues to Add

By Arun George

  • Effissimo has steadily increased its Pacific Industrial (7250 JP) stake to 7.0 million shares or a 12.17% ownership ratio. The most recent purchases were at an average price of JPY2,616.08. 
  • Effissimo is taking contrasting approaches to low-ball MBOs. For Soft99 Corp (4464 JP), Effissimo has launched a hostile offer, while for Pacific, Effissimo has chosen to agitate for better terms.
  • The offer closes on 24 September. While a bump is the most likely scenario, the share price is 30% higher than the offer price, suggesting limited upside. Take profits. 

Softbank Group (9984 JP) Tactical Outlook: Momentum Strong but Stretched, Higher Targets Speculative

By Nico Rosti

  • Softbank Group (9984 JP) performed a strong 1-week rally 2 weeks ago, then went marginally higher. The stock is OVERBOUGHT according to our models, but the pattern is bullish. 
  • We see two possible scenarios: a) the stock stalls and pulls back this week or b) it keeps rallying towards 20850.
  • The current pattern had rallies lasting up to 5 weeks in the past, so Softbank Group (9984 JP) could rally 2 more weeks, and get closer to 20850.

Aeon Restructuring as Seven & I Flounders

By Michael Causton

  • Aeon, Japan’s largest retail group, is accelerating business reforms across supermarkets, drugstores, private brands, apparel, e-commerce, and mall facilities.
  • It is also investing heavily in customer experience and operational efficiency.
  • All of which is in contrast to the beleaguered rival, Seven & I, which has fought off a bid but at the expense of significant market share.

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Daily Brief Industrials: Technopro Holdings, Generac Holdings, FedEx Corp, ZIM Integrated Shipping Services, Stanley Black & Decker and more

By | Daily Briefs, Industrials

In today’s briefing:

  • Merger Arb Mondays (22 Sep) – Technopro, Soft99, Mandom, Pacific Ind, Dongfeng, Shengjing, Smartpay
  • Generac Holdings’ Capacity Expansion Plan – Smart Move or Risky Bet on Future Demand?
  • FedEx Battles $1B Trade Headwinds With Smart Strategy!
  • Monthly Container Shipping Tracker | Sept 1 Rate Increase Failed, Rates Still Down | September 2025
  • Stanley Black & Decker: An Insight Into Its Supply Chain Transformation



Generac Holdings’ Capacity Expansion Plan – Smart Move or Risky Bet on Future Demand?

By Baptista Research

  • Generac Holdings, Inc., in its second quarter of 2025 earnings call, reported net sales of $1.06 billion, marking a 6% increase compared to the prior year.
  • The growth was driven by a rise in commercial and industrial (C&I) product sales and residential energy storage system shipments.
  • Residential product sales increased by 7% due to notable growth in residential energy technology solutions and portable generators.

FedEx Battles $1B Trade Headwinds With Smart Strategy!

By Baptista Research

  • FedEx Corporation recently announced its first-quarter results for fiscal 2026, presenting a mixed bag of positives and challenges.
  • On the revenue side, the company showed a 3% year-over-year increase, primarily driven by strength in the U.S. domestic package services.
  • Despite this growth in revenue, FedEx faces continuing headwinds from global trade uncertainties and the expiration of a significant contract with the U.S. Postal Service, which together posed a notable financial impact.

Monthly Container Shipping Tracker | Sept 1 Rate Increase Failed, Rates Still Down | September 2025

By Daniel Hellberg

  • Concerted rate increase on Sept 1 failed, deep sea rates are still falling
  • Carrier revenues in July-August down ~40% Y/Y, W Coast volumes weak
  • We retain our -ive view on container shipping, seek opportunities to Short

Stanley Black & Decker: An Insight Into Its Supply Chain Transformation

By Baptista Research

  • Stanley Black & Decker’s financial results for the second quarter of 2025 highlight a mixed performance amidst a challenging economic environment.
  • The company reported revenues of $3.9 billion, a 2% decrease compared to the previous year, with organic revenues down by 3%.
  • This decline was primarily impacted by a slow start to the outdoor buying season and disruptions in shipments due to customers’ reactions to tariffs.

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Daily Brief TMT/Internet: Ibiden Co Ltd, Daou Data Corp, StubHub Holdings, Tencent, Intel Corp and more

By | Daily Briefs, TMT/Internet

In today’s briefing:

  • Ibiden: From Cyclical Supplier to Core AI Infrastructure Enabler
  • BOK’s Oct Rate Cut Playing Out as a Small/Mid-Cap Re-Rating Narrative in Korea
  • StubHub (STUB US): Delayed but Strong Global & US Index Inclusion
  • Volatility Cones Spotlight Hedging in Tencent (700 HK) And More
  • Intel Lands $5 Billion Boost From NVIDIA: The AI Deal Shaking Wall Street!


Ibiden: From Cyclical Supplier to Core AI Infrastructure Enabler

By Rahul Jain

  • Ibiden is transitioning from a cyclical electronics supplier to a core AI infrastructure enabler, with Nvidia-linked package substrates at the heart of its growth strategy.
  • Management expects AI substrate demand to nearly double in FY25 and is targeting a 150% production increase by 2027, underpinned by the Ono plant ramp from next month.
  • Despite ~18–19% EPS/EBITDA CAGR through FY27 and margins comparable to high-premium peers, Ibiden still trades at mid-tier multiples (21× forward P/E, ~6× EV/EBITDA), leaving scope for re-rating.

BOK’s Oct Rate Cut Playing Out as a Small/Mid-Cap Re-Rating Narrative in Korea

By Sanghyun Park

  • Korea’s structural value gap favors low-PBR, improving-ROE small/mid-caps; traders front-run early movers into the Oct 23 MPC, then rotate into these smaller names as the rate cut nears.
  • BOK’s key MPC meetings are Oct 23 and Nov 27, with markets pricing in a 25bps cut on Oct 23 to close the policy rate gap with the Fed.
  • Locals are screening for low-PBR (<0.8), ROE >8%, mid-small caps (KRW 300B–1T); 28 names fit, primed to ride the early rate-cut rally pre-MPC.

StubHub (STUB US): Delayed but Strong Global & US Index Inclusion

By Dimitris Ioannidis

  • StubHub Holdings (STUB US) went public on 17 September at an offer price of $23.50. It closed at $18.46 on 19 September, implying a company valuation of $6.8bn.
  • StubHub Holdings (STUB US) is expected to be added to US TMI at the December 2025 review.
  • The security is expected to be added to other US and Global indices in 2026, following the lock-up expiry that raises free float and public voting rights above minimum thresholds.

Volatility Cones Spotlight Hedging in Tencent (700 HK) And More

By Gaudenz Schneider

  • Context: Volatility cones provide a straightforward framework to evaluate whether options are trading cheap or rich.
  • Highlights: Implied volatility has broadly risen across most, but not all, HK stocks. Front-month expiries remain historically cheap amid a steepening curve. Opportunities endure, though fewer than in recent weeks.
  • Why Read: Spot opportunities, assess regime shifts, and manage risk effectively — volatility cones turn complex data into actionable insights for traders and investors.

Intel Lands $5 Billion Boost From NVIDIA: The AI Deal Shaking Wall Street!

By Baptista Research

  • Intel is suddenly at the center of a high-stakes drama.
  • Just this month, the Trump administration reversed its public criticism of CEO Lip Bu Tan—who had been accused of being “conflicted” due to his past China ties—and moved into “constructive discussions” about a possible government equity stake in the company .
  • That shift followed a White House meeting that apparently reset the tone, with Trump calling Tan’s journey “amazing” after once demanding his resignation .

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Daily Brief Industrials: Technopro Holdings, Generac Holdings, FedEx Corp, ZIM Integrated Shipping Services, Stanley Black & Decker and more

By | Daily Briefs, Industrials

In today’s briefing:

  • Merger Arb Mondays (22 Sep) – Technopro, Soft99, Mandom, Pacific Ind, Dongfeng, Shengjing, Smartpay
  • Generac Holdings’ Capacity Expansion Plan – Smart Move or Risky Bet on Future Demand?
  • FedEx Battles $1B Trade Headwinds With Smart Strategy!
  • Monthly Container Shipping Tracker | Sept 1 Rate Increase Failed, Rates Still Down | September 2025
  • Stanley Black & Decker: An Insight Into Its Supply Chain Transformation



Generac Holdings’ Capacity Expansion Plan – Smart Move or Risky Bet on Future Demand?

By Baptista Research

  • Generac Holdings, Inc., in its second quarter of 2025 earnings call, reported net sales of $1.06 billion, marking a 6% increase compared to the prior year.
  • The growth was driven by a rise in commercial and industrial (C&I) product sales and residential energy storage system shipments.
  • Residential product sales increased by 7% due to notable growth in residential energy technology solutions and portable generators.

FedEx Battles $1B Trade Headwinds With Smart Strategy!

By Baptista Research

  • FedEx Corporation recently announced its first-quarter results for fiscal 2026, presenting a mixed bag of positives and challenges.
  • On the revenue side, the company showed a 3% year-over-year increase, primarily driven by strength in the U.S. domestic package services.
  • Despite this growth in revenue, FedEx faces continuing headwinds from global trade uncertainties and the expiration of a significant contract with the U.S. Postal Service, which together posed a notable financial impact.

Monthly Container Shipping Tracker | Sept 1 Rate Increase Failed, Rates Still Down | September 2025

By Daniel Hellberg

  • Concerted rate increase on Sept 1 failed, deep sea rates are still falling
  • Carrier revenues in July-August down ~40% Y/Y, W Coast volumes weak
  • We retain our -ive view on container shipping, seek opportunities to Short

Stanley Black & Decker: An Insight Into Its Supply Chain Transformation

By Baptista Research

  • Stanley Black & Decker’s financial results for the second quarter of 2025 highlight a mixed performance amidst a challenging economic environment.
  • The company reported revenues of $3.9 billion, a 2% decrease compared to the previous year, with organic revenues down by 3%.
  • This decline was primarily impacted by a slow start to the outdoor buying season and disruptions in shipments due to customers’ reactions to tariffs.

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Daily Brief Energy/Materials: Zijin Gold, Commercial Metals Co, Southern Copper and more

By | Daily Briefs, Energy & Materials Sector

In today’s briefing:

  • ECM Weekly (22 September 2025)- Chery, Zijin Gold, Orion, Myungin, Urban, Avepoint, Dongfang
  • Why Commercial Metals’ $675 Million Bet On Concrete Pipe Could Reshape The Construction Landscape!
  • Southern Copper: 6 Major Game-Changers Impacting Its 2025 Performance & Beyond!


ECM Weekly (22 September 2025)- Chery, Zijin Gold, Orion, Myungin, Urban, Avepoint, Dongfang

By Sumeet Singh

  • Aequitas Research’s weekly update on the IPOs, placements, lockup expiry and other ECM linked events that were covered by the team over the past week.
  • On the IPO front, Zijin Gold appears to be shining bright.
  • On the placements front, it was a relatively quiter week, as compared to some of the more recent weekly flows.

Why Commercial Metals’ $675 Million Bet On Concrete Pipe Could Reshape The Construction Landscape!

By Baptista Research

  • In a bold move signaling its intent to deepen its footprint in early-stage construction solutions, Commercial Metals Company has announced its plan to acquire Concrete Pipe & Precast (CP&P) for $675 million in cash.
  • This acquisition comes at a pivotal time for CMC, which has been actively executing a strategy focused on higher-margin, lower-volatility segments, and expanding its exposure to infrastructure-heavy regions such as the U.S. South and Mid-Atlantic.
  • CP&P, a supplier of precast concrete products, offers CMC the opportunity to integrate earlier into the construction value chain—a key element of its long-term growth strategy.

Southern Copper: 6 Major Game-Changers Impacting Its 2025 Performance & Beyond!

By Baptista Research

  • Expansive Exploration Ventures in Northern Chile Southern Copper is currently engrossed in a meticulous ground study of its Especularita copper-gold project, located within the metallic-rich coastal belt of northern Chile.
  • Spread across 19,076 hectares, the Especularita project encompasses both exploration and mining ventures, either granted or in the process of being so.
  • The firm further boasts rights to potentially secure full ownership of the project.

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Daily Brief Health Care: Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings, SanBio Co Ltd, Shenzhen Hipine Precision Technology and more

By | Daily Briefs, Healthcare

In today’s briefing:

  • LH US – Labcorp: Is The Innovative Testing & Specialty Growth Here To Stay?
  • SanBio Co Ltd (4592 JP): Akuugo Approval Awaited; Plans Negotiation for Ischemic Stroke Trials
  • Pre-IPO Shenzhen Hipine Precision Technology (PHIP Updates) – Some Points Worth the Attention


LH US – Labcorp: Is The Innovative Testing & Specialty Growth Here To Stay?

By Baptista Research

  • Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings (Labcorp) reported strong financial results for the second quarter of 2025.
  • The company delivered double-digit top-line growth, with total revenue reaching $3.5 billion, representing a 10% increase compared to the previous year.
  • This growth was driven by both its Diagnostic Laboratories and Biopharma Laboratory Services (BLS) segments.

SanBio Co Ltd (4592 JP): Akuugo Approval Awaited; Plans Negotiation for Ischemic Stroke Trials

By Tina Banerjee

  • SanBio Co Ltd (4592 JP) incurred ¥1.3B R&D expenses (+31% YoY) in H1FY26 related to receiving approval of partial changes to the items approved for manufacture and marketing for Akuugo.
  • Operating loss went up to ¥1.9B in H1FY26 from ¥1.6B in H1FY25. SanBio revised FY26 guidance of operating loss to ¥3.9B (vs ¥3.5B) and net loss to ¥4.0B (vs ¥3.6B).
  • Partial change application already filed and the approval is expected in H2FY26. Plans to negotiate with regulatory authorities in Japan and US toward new clinical trials for chronic ischemic stroke.

Pre-IPO Shenzhen Hipine Precision Technology (PHIP Updates) – Some Points Worth the Attention

By Xinyao (Criss) Wang

  • Although high gold price helps drive revenue growth as Hipine generally adjusts selling prices, consumer sentiment and demand for purchasing non-essential items such as precious metal watch would be suppressed.
  • The biggest challenge is that ceiling in gold watch industry is not high. It’s not easy to create new imagination space in a segmented market, which would affect valuation expansion.
  • Due to the concerns on the future growth potential and profitability, we’e not optimistic about the outlook of Hipine. We think the valuation of Hipine could be lower than peers.

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Daily Brief Financials: Sony Financial Group, Kotak Mahindra Bank, National Australia Bank, Mediobanca SpA, Dr Horton Inc, Arthur J Gallagher & Co, First Citizens Bcshs Cl A and more

By | Daily Briefs, Financials

In today’s briefing:

  • Sony Financial (8729 JP) Spinoff from Sony Group (6758 JP): Potential Index Flows
  • Relative Value Opportunities in Asia-Pac, Pair Trade Roundup (22 Sep)
  • NAB (NAB AU) Dislocation Vs. Peers Highlights Mean-Reversion Setup
  • BMPS–Mediobanca: Super-Majority Secured; Final Day Setup
  • BUY D.R. Horton – The Fed’s First Cut Unlocks a New Cycle for Homebuilders
  • Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Accelerates Integration Playbook for Big-Ticket Acquisitions!
  • First Citizens National Corporation Reveals Bold Loan & Deposit Growth Strategy – Can It Outpace Rivals?


Sony Financial (8729 JP) Spinoff from Sony Group (6758 JP): Potential Index Flows

By Brian Freitas


Relative Value Opportunities in Asia-Pac, Pair Trade Roundup (22 Sep)

By Gaudenz Schneider

  • Context: This Insight follows up on previously highlighted relative value opportunities, using a statistical methodology based on mean-reversion to identify opportunities in paired securities.
  • Highlights: Currently eight pair trade opportunities across four markets and four sectors persist.
  • Why read: Statistical analysis offers a unique perspective on relative value. Gain insights into actionable statistical pair trade opportunities and monitor performance of previously highlighted pairs.

NAB (NAB AU) Dislocation Vs. Peers Highlights Mean-Reversion Setup

By Gaudenz Schneider

  • Context: The National Australia Bank (NAB AU) vs. VanEck Australian Banks ETF (MVB AU) price-ratio has deviated more than two standard deviations from its one-year average.
  • Highlights: The dislocation highlights the recent outperformance of NAB vs. some of its peers, pointing to a potential underweight in a portfolio context.
  • Why Read: Essential for quantitative traders seeking mean-reversion opportunities, with detailed execution framework, risk management protocols, and historical simulation showing the statistical basis for this relative value play.

BMPS–Mediobanca: Super-Majority Secured; Final Day Setup

By Jesus Rodriguez Aguilar

  • BMPS has 70.5% of Mediobanca after re-open progress (Reuters, 19 Sep). Window closes 22 Sep; settlement 29 Sep. Gross spread ~1.03% on 19 Sep close; convergence momentum and governance transition.
  • Super-Majority enables extraordinary resolutions; merger remains subject to ECB/SSM, Bank of Italy, and corporate approvals. Expect modest final-day tenders; MB to hug offer formula, with delta ≈2.533 to BMPS.
  • Trade: convergence hold into final results/29 Sep settlement; maintain tight 2.533 hedge and pre-set rebalance triggers. Directional BMPS bias constructive on lighter dilution/cash; monitor messaging, basis, and any on-market adds.

BUY D.R. Horton – The Fed’s First Cut Unlocks a New Cycle for Homebuilders

By Jacob Cheng

  • The latest Fed’s rate cut will directly impact the US residential market.   With 2 more rate cuts expected in 2025, it will unlock a new cycle for homebuilders
  • D.R. Horton is the strongest and most resilient player among the US homebuilders.   We think it is well positioned to capture the tailwind from the interest rate cut cycle
  • D.R. Horton also demonstrates strong capital management, increasing its dividend and established a share repurchase program over the years

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Accelerates Integration Playbook for Big-Ticket Acquisitions!

By Baptista Research

  • Arthur J.
  • Gallagher & Company reported strong performance for the second quarter of 2025, showcasing notable achievements in revenue growth, margin expansion, and continuous double-digit growth in adjusted EBITDAC, continuing a streak into the 21st consecutive quarter.
  • The company observed a 16% growth in combined revenue from its Brokerage and Risk Management segments, accompanied by a 5.4% organic revenue growth.

First Citizens National Corporation Reveals Bold Loan & Deposit Growth Strategy – Can It Outpace Rivals?

By Baptista Research

  • First Citizens BancShares reported solid financial results for the second quarter of 2025, showcasing several positive metrics tempered by industry challenges.
  • Key highlights include robust net interest income growth, maintaining low net charge-offs, and disciplined cost management.
  • Adjusted earnings per share reached $44.78, contributing to an annualized return on equity (ROE) of 11.00% and a return on assets (ROA) of 1.07%.

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Daily Brief Consumer: Chery Automobile, Genic Co Ltd, Hamee Corp, General Mills, Global-e Online , Bausch + Lomb, Kellogg Co, Boyd Gaming, Continental and more

By | Consumer, Daily Briefs

In today’s briefing:

  • Weekly Deals Digest (21 Sep) – Chery Auto, Zijin Gold, Centurion, Soft99, Mandom, Jinke, Shengjing
  • Korea Small Cap Gem #45: Genic
  • Hamee: “Demerger Arbitrage” Setup Remains On Track
  • General Mills’ Pet Food Push: Could BLUE & Tiki Cat Spark a Growth Explosion?
  • Global-e & Shopify Forge Deeper Alliance to Dominate Global Markets!
  • Bausch & Lomb: How Their Xiidra + Miebo Combo Could Redefine Dry Eye Treatment!
  • Kellanova’s Bold Snacking Pivot: Can Pringles & Cheez-It Dominate the Global Market?
  • Boyd Gaming: An Insight Into Its FanDuel Stake Monetization
  • Weekly Update (3134, Versant, Aumovio)


Weekly Deals Digest (21 Sep) – Chery Auto, Zijin Gold, Centurion, Soft99, Mandom, Jinke, Shengjing

By Arun George


Korea Small Cap Gem #45: Genic

By Douglas Kim

  • Genic is a turnaround story. Genic is one of the largest ODM companies that make beauty face masks in Korea. 
  • Genic is one of the biggest suppliers of hydrogel based face masks of the Biodance brand which has been experiencing an excellent demand in global markets, including the United States. 
  • Despite surging growth in sales and profits, valuation multiples remain reasonable. It is trading at EV/EBITDA of 12.7x and P/E of 14.2x, based on recent prices and LTM financials. 

Hamee: “Demerger Arbitrage” Setup Remains On Track

By Richard Howe

  • Hamee reported earnings on September 12, and the stock traded down ~6%.
  • The headline earnings looked awful but they included many one time and/or non cash expenses.
  • To me, the underlying business looks strong. The spin-off is on track for early November, and I expect it to serve as a hard catalyst to drive shares higher.

General Mills’ Pet Food Push: Could BLUE & Tiki Cat Spark a Growth Explosion?

By Baptista Research

  • General Mills’ first quarter fiscal 2026 results present a mixed bag of strategic maneuvers and financial performance.
  • The company is navigating a dynamic environment marked by significant changes, including the divestiture of its Yoplait business and the acquisition of Whitebridge.
  • CEO Jeff Harmening emphasizes the company’s commitment to returning to profitable organic growth, aiming to enhance shareholder value despite these transitions.

Global-e & Shopify Forge Deeper Alliance to Dominate Global Markets!

By Baptista Research

  • Global-E Online Ltd. exhibited a strong set of financial results for the second quarter of 2025, highlighted by notable year-over-year growth and a milestone achievement in profitability.
  • The company’s Gross Merchandise Volume (GMV) grew by 34% from the same period last year, reaching $1.45 billion, while total revenue increased by 28% to approximately $215 million.
  • Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $38.5 million, marking a 23% increase, although the EBITDA margin slightly contracted to 17.9% due to a lower gross margin.

Bausch & Lomb: How Their Xiidra + Miebo Combo Could Redefine Dry Eye Treatment!

By Baptista Research

  • Bausch + Lomb’s second quarter 2025 results reflect a mix of solid performance and ongoing strategic challenges.
  • The company’s revenue grew by 3% year-over-year, reaching $1.278 billion, spurred by robust growth in their contact lenses and consumer segments, despite facing headwinds such as the enVista intraocular lens recall and challenges in their U.S. generics business.
  • Positives in this performance include constant currency revenue growth of 3%, which would have been significantly higher at 6% if the enVista recall had been excluded.

Kellanova’s Bold Snacking Pivot: Can Pringles & Cheez-It Dominate the Global Market?

By Baptista Research

  • Kellanova reported results that demonstrated continued execution on its strategy of driving growth through innovation, volume recovery, and margin expansion while navigating a complex operating environment.
  • The company delivered organic net sales growth of 4 percent in the second quarter, in line with its long-term target range, supported by a combination of price mix and sequential improvement in volume across most regions outside of Nigeria.
  • Baptista Research looks to evaluate the different factors that could influence the company’s price in the near future and attempts to carry out an independent valuation of the company using a Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) methodology.

Boyd Gaming: An Insight Into Its FanDuel Stake Monetization

By Baptista Research

  • Boyd Gaming reported a quarter characterized by strong operational results, significant capital deployment, and a transformative monetization of its digital gaming stake.
  • The company announced the sale of its 5% equity interest in FanDuel to Flutter Entertainment for $1.755 billion in cash, with after-tax proceeds of approximately $1.4 billion.
  • Proceeds will be used to repay outstanding credit facility debt, lowering leverage from 2.8x to below 2x and resulting in estimated annual interest savings of $85 million.

Weekly Update (3134, Versant, Aumovio)

By Richard Howe

  • Before I get into my regular update, I want to share one fantastic chart that caught my eye.

  • It shows current earnings multiple of the S&P 500, 400 and 600, respectively.

  • One takeaway is that large caps (S&P 500) are at the high end of their historical trading range.


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