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Smartkarma Daily Briefs

Daily Brief Thematic (Sector/Industry): Small US Banks – CRE Acceleration and more

By | Daily Briefs, Thematic (Sector/Industry)

In today’s briefing:

  • Small US Banks – CRE Acceleration
  • China TMT Update (May.9) – 1877.HK/Bidu/1801.HK – JUNSHI and Dr. Reddy Signed Agreement
  • The Highlights : Cannabis News for the Week Ending May 5, 2023

Small US Banks – CRE Acceleration

By Daniel Tabbush

  • Small US banks are showing sharply higher CRE loan growth in recent weeks
  • We would not view this as positive, and more likely off B/S moving on B/S
  • CMA shows clear 1Q23 deterioration in CRE loans, perhaps others too

China TMT Update (May.9) – 1877.HK/Bidu/1801.HK – JUNSHI and Dr. Reddy Signed Agreement

By Shawn Yang

  • 1877HK:JUNSHI and Dr. Reddy signed low ball license out agreement for India, Latin America, South Africa and Oceania (-)
  • BIDU : Baidu’s Xiaodu will enter smart phone industry (+)
  • 1801HK: Innovent and Lilly will fight in obesity/diabetes drug. Positive for Innovent but not positive enough (+)

The Highlights : Cannabis News for the Week Ending May 5, 2023

By Water Tower Research

  • It was a volatile week for stocks, as investors digested the latest interest rate news and jobs report.
  • On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve raised the benchmark rate by a quarter of a point, marking the 10th straight rate hike.
  • The Fed hinted it may soon pause the rate-hike cycle.

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Daily Brief Credit: Morning Views Asia: Anton Oilfield and more

By | Credit, Daily Briefs

In today’s briefing:

  • Morning Views Asia: Anton Oilfield, China Vanke, Sunac China Holdings, Times China, UPL Ltd

Morning Views Asia: Anton Oilfield, China Vanke, Sunac China Holdings, Times China, UPL Ltd

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 ECM: Mankind Pharma IPO Trading – Strong Insti Demand Makes up for Retail Lag and more

By | Daily Briefs, ECM

In today’s briefing:

  • Mankind Pharma IPO Trading – Strong Insti Demand Makes up for Retail Lag
  • CUBox IPO Bookbuilding Results Analysis
  • Corning Incorporated: Is The Drop In Revenues A Point Of Concern? – Key Drivers
  • Enphase Energy Inc.: Launch of New Home Energy Systems & Other Drivers
  • Equifax Inc.: Leveraging The New Mortgage 36 Solution to Boost Its NPI – Key Drivers
  • Fiserv Inc.: Major Deals with Walmart
  • Elevance Health Inc.: Major Drivers
  • Dow Inc.: What Is Its Biggest Competitive Advantage? – Key Drivers
  • Centene Corporation: Improving Market Position In Medicare Advantage – Key Drivers

Mankind Pharma IPO Trading – Strong Insti Demand Makes up for Retail Lag

By Sumeet Singh

  • Mankind Pharma  raised around US$527m in its upcoming India IPO.
  • MP is a pharmaceutical company engaged in developing, manufacturing and marketing a range of pharmaceutical formulations across various acute and chronic therapeutic areas, as well as several consumer healthcare products.
  • We have looked at various aspects of the deal in our previous note, in this note, we talk about the demand and trading dynamics.

CUBox IPO Bookbuilding Results Analysis

By Douglas Kim

  • On 8 May, CUBox (340810 KS) announced its IPO price of 15,000 won, which is 13% lower than the lower end of the IPO price range of 17,200 won.
  • Our base case valuation of CUBox is implied target price of 22,719 won per share, which represents 51% higher than the IPO price of 15,000 won.
  • CUBox claims that it has one of the world’s best technologies in the field of AI face recognition. 

Corning Incorporated: Is The Drop In Revenues A Point Of Concern? – Key Drivers

By Baptista Research

  • Corning saw a sequential drop in its total revenues of around 7% in the recent result but this was still better than analyst expectations.
  • Despite the lower sales, Corning’s actions to raise prices and restore productivity ratios resulted in gross margin expanding 160 basis points.
  • Although multiple markets remain weak, the company expects results to improve in the second quarter.

Enphase Energy Inc.: Launch of New Home Energy Systems & Other Drivers

By Baptista Research

  • Enphase Energy had a decent first quarter and managed an all-around beat with no significant supply shortages and a stable overall supply environment.
  • The company also experienced significant growth in Europe, with revenue rising 25% sequentially and more than tripling year-on-year.
  • In addition, the company launched its most potent Enphase Energy System, featuring the new IQ Battery 5P and IQ8 Microinverters.

Equifax Inc.: Leveraging The New Mortgage 36 Solution to Boost Its NPI – Key Drivers

By Baptista Research

  • Equifax produced another all-around beat, growing non-mortgage revenue by 10% in constant currency as it met its Equifax 2025 strategic targets and the $200 million spending plan.
  • Equifax’s non-mortgage businesses, which accounted for roughly 80% of overall revenue in the quarter, performed well.
  • Workforce Solutions once again delivered an excellent quarter, with non-mortgage revenue growth up 11% and total revenue down 8%.

Fiserv Inc.: Major Deals with Walmart

By Baptista Research

  • Fiserv is off to quite a strong start in the year with adjusted revenue growth and an increase in adjusted earnings per share resulting in an all-around beat.
  • Adjusted operating margin was up and organic revenue growth was higher than expected, demonstrating the company’s ability to sustain accelerated growth.
  • Clover revenue growth stays strong and Fiserv continues to add merchants at quite a healthy pace.

Elevance Health Inc.: Major Drivers

By Baptista Research

  • Elevance Health’s first quarter results were solid and the company delivered an all-around beat with a growth of around 15% compared to last year.
  • The company had 48.1 million medical members at the end of the first quarter.
  • Due to organic growth in Medicaid and Medicare Advantage, dual-eligible special needs plans, and group members, risk-based membership increased by roughly 1 million members year over year.

Dow Inc.: What Is Its Biggest Competitive Advantage? – Key Drivers

By Baptista Research

  • Dow had a challenging quarter given the ongoing market dynamics.
  • The year’s first quarter is expected to align with the fourth-quarter performance, with discrete headwinds of $75 million.
  • We give Dow Inc. a ‘Hold’ rating with a revised target price.

Centene Corporation: Improving Market Position In Medicare Advantage – Key Drivers

By Baptista Research

  • Centene had a successful first quarter, showing continued positive momentum operationally which was demonstrated by its all-around beat.
  • The company raised its premium and service revenue forecast by $3.7 billion, with full-year 2023 adjusted EPS guidance at $6.40.
  • We give Centene Corporation a ‘Buy’ rating with a revised target price.

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Daily Brief Event-Driven: AAG Energy (2686 HK): Curiouser and Curiouser and more

By | Daily Briefs, Event-Driven

In today’s briefing:

  • AAG Energy (2686 HK): Curiouser and Curiouser
  • MVIS Global Rare Earth/​​​​​​Strategic Metals Index Rebalance Preview: Identifying Potential Changes
  • FXI Rebalance Preview: Three Potential Changes in June
  • Hailan Holdings (2278 HK): Voluntary Conditional Offer with a Skinny Premium
  • Quiddity Leaderboard ASX Jun 23: Two ASX 200 Changes Likely, Including Ventia Surprise
  • Will Woori Financial Group Acquire Samsung Securities?
  • Aeon Will Own Japan’s Two Largest Supermarket Groups with Inageya Purchase
  • Sweetened Offer and Bain Interloping
  • Global Health (Medanta) Lockup – Good Name but Seems Fairly Valued

AAG Energy (2686 HK): Curiouser and Curiouser

By David Blennerhassett

  • AAG Energy Holdings (2686 HK) is one of those periodic (and rare) takeover situations that will likely be remembered for what went wrong rather than what went right.  
  • A low-balled Offer (proxy advisors agree); perfunctory IFA analysis; a large, and silent, shareholder; and the postponement of the Scheme vote due to voting instructions not being “duly processed”.
  • A new Court Meeting has been confirmed for the 2 June. And now we have some odd CCASS movements which raise further questions.

MVIS Global Rare Earth/​​​​​​Strategic Metals Index Rebalance Preview: Identifying Potential Changes

By Brian Freitas

  • The review period for the June rebalance ends on 31 May. Announcement of the changes will be made on 9 June with implementation at the close on 16 June.
  • There could be 4 or 5 A-share additions due to their inclusion in Northbound Stock Connect. That in turn expands the universe and could result in up to 3 deletions.
  • If all changes go through as expected, estimated one-way turnover at the rebalance will be 15.1% resulting in a one-way trade of US$99m.

FXI Rebalance Preview: Three Potential Changes in June

By Brian Freitas

  • As of 8 May, we see three potential changes to the iShares China Large-Cap (FXI) (FXI US) at the June rebalance. This is mainly driven by the inclusions.
  • There is over 1 day of ADV to trade on all stocks with the largest impact on BeiGene Ltd (6160 HK) at nearly 4 days of ADV.
  • Short interest has been increasing on the potential adds as they have run up a lot in the last few months.

Hailan Holdings (2278 HK): Voluntary Conditional Offer with a Skinny Premium

By Arun George

  • Hailan Holdings (2278 HK) disclosed a voluntary conditional offer from its controlling shareholder at HK$3.36 per share, a 5.0% premium to the undisturbed price.
  • The offer is conditional on a 90% minimum acceptance condition which requires a minority acceptance rate of 60.0%. The offeror/concert parties own 75.0% of shares.
  • The offeror aims to exercise compulsory acquisition rights (requires 90% minority acceptance rate) which suggests a bump is possible. The offer price has not been declared final. 

Quiddity Leaderboard ASX Jun 23: Two ASX 200 Changes Likely, Including Ventia Surprise

By Janaghan Jeyakumar, CFA

  • In this insight, we take a look at the potential index changes for ASX 200, 100, 50, and 20 in the run up to the June 2023 Rebalance.
  • Ventia (VNT AU) has appeared as a “surprise” potential addition to the ASX 200 index in June 2023 after recent block sales by top shareholders.
  • Including Ventia, we currently expect two ADDs and two DELs for the ASX 200 index in June 2023.

Will Woori Financial Group Acquire Samsung Securities?

By Douglas Kim

  • The new head of Woori Financial Group (316140 KS) Chairman Lim Jong-Ryong recently revealed his willingness to acquire a major/mid-scale securities company.
  • Among these potential acquisition candidates, Samsung Securities is considered to be the most likely securities companies that could be purchased by Woori Financial Group.
  • In the long term (next 2-3 years), there is a good probability that Woori Financial Group could acquire Samsung Securities, which is not a core business of the Samsung Group.

Aeon Will Own Japan’s Two Largest Supermarket Groups with Inageya Purchase

By Michael Causton

  • Last year saw the consolidation of several supermarket chains in Shikoku and Chugoku by Aeon, creating Japan’s largest supermarket group. 
  • Now, Aeon has now announced that it will expand its existing stake in Inageya, rolling the company into USMH and creating another, even larger food operation and Japan’s biggest yet.
  • Aeon is looking for dominance in Tokyo and may seek more acquisitions but rivals are unlikely to give it a free hand nor say no to acquisitions of their own.

Sweetened Offer and Bain Interloping

By Jesus Rodriguez Aguilar

  • Bain has a 10.01% stake (likely acquired <€32/share) and could play nasty: its stake is enough to block a squeeze-out, and if it launches a €34/share offer, it will be hostile.
  • Meanwhile, Silver Lake (5% recently acquired+25.1% from the foundation) has sweetened to €32/share (19.4x EV/Fwd EBIT, well above 11.1x last-10y average). The Board could change sides (as recently with Caverion).
  • The shares trade 3.5% above Silver Lake’s, but at a discount of 2.5% to Bain’s possible offer. The market believes Bain will bid. I raise my TP to €32.

Global Health (Medanta) Lockup – Good Name but Seems Fairly Valued

By Ethan Aw

  • Global Health (Medanta) (MEDANTA IN) raised around US$268m in its India IPO. The stock was listed on 16th Nov 2022, its six-month lockup will expire on 11th May 2023.
  • Global Health (GH) is a hospital network that operates under the Medanta brand. The firm currently has five hospitals in operation and one more planned for development.
  • In this note, we will talk about the lock-up dynamics and updates since our last note.

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Daily Brief Equity Bottom-Up: Ferrari: Classic Fisher Company and more

By | Daily Briefs, Equity Bottom-Up

In today’s briefing:

  • Ferrari: Classic Fisher Company, Almost Perfect Score on The Fisher 15 Framework
  • Hoya (7741) | A Visionary Company with a Blurry Future
  • Nissin Foods’ FQ4 Earnings: A Possible 59% Operating Profit Surprise?
  • Alfresa Holdings (2784 JP): FY23 Result Is Expected to Exceed Previous Forecast
  • Globalwafers Q1’23 Revenues up 1% QoQ, 14.2% YoY
  • Danaher Corporation: This Diagnostics Innovator Continues To Go Strong – Key Drivers
  • [Coupang Inc. (CPNG US) Earnings Preview]: Market Share Solid Given Limited Competitive Threat
  • Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics (300760.CH) – This Year’s Challenge Is Not over Yet
  • Biogen Inc.: The Lecanemab Progress On The Alzheimer’s Front & Other Drivers
  • General Electric Company: Acquisition of Baker Hughes’ Nexus Controls & Other Drivers

Ferrari: Classic Fisher Company, Almost Perfect Score on The Fisher 15 Framework

By Sameer Taneja

  • Ferrari NV (RACE IM) has been a steady compounder of earnings growing operating profits at 14% CAGR and sales volumes at 6% CAGR over the last 20 years. 
  • The company has expanded EBITDA margins from 25% in 2014 to 35% in 2022 and is expected to increase by another 300 bps in FY23 to 38%, as per guidance. 
  • At 41x/35x FY23e/FY24e, we conceded it is a tad expensive, but we would look at investing in this company over the long term.

Hoya (7741) | A Visionary Company with a Blurry Future

By Mark Chadwick

  • Hoya has an impressive business model that results in high Returns on Invested Capital
  • Hoya reported strong Q4 results but there is little for investors to get excited about in the outlook
  • We see a lack of catalysts and an expensive valuation as working against the stock in the short term

Nissin Foods’ FQ4 Earnings: A Possible 59% Operating Profit Surprise?

By Oshadhi Kumarasiri

  • Nissin Foods Holdings (2897 JP) to report FQ4 results on May 10th with ¥158.5bn revenue and ¥8.1bn operating profit expected according to revised Feb 2023 guidance.
  • Consensus predicts Nissin Foods’ operating profit to be ¥6.6bn from a revenue of ¥167.8bn, which is lower than the company’s latest annual guidance.
  • Meanwhile, a higher FQ4 operating profit of ¥10.5bn is expected based on our analysis, exceeding consensus by 59%.

Alfresa Holdings (2784 JP): FY23 Result Is Expected to Exceed Previous Forecast

By Tina Banerjee

  • Alfresa Holdings (2784 JP) revised its consolidated performance forecast for FY23. Revenue, operating profit, and net profit forecast have been raised by 3%, 2%, and 21%, respectively.
  • This is attributed to greater-than-expected growth in ethical pharmaceuticals market and the company’s recovery from the bidding nomination suspension from medical institutions stemming from a violation of the Antimonopoly Act.
  • In March 2023, Alfresa received a cease and desist order and a surcharge payment order from the Japan Fair Trade Commission (FTC) in relation to violation of the Antimonopoly Act.

Globalwafers Q1’23 Revenues up 1% QoQ, 14.2% YoY

By William Keating

  • Q1’23 revenues of NT$18.6 billion, up 14.2% YoY and up ~1% QoQ.
  • No specific Q2’23 forecast provided but we fully expect a sequential decline and the end of a 13 quarter growth streak 
  • YTD silicon carbide revenues have already exceeded full year 2022 revenues, albeit coming from a low base.

Danaher Corporation: This Diagnostics Innovator Continues To Go Strong – Key Drivers

By Baptista Research

  • Danaher successfully navigated a dynamic operating environment in this quarter to deliver an all-around beat.
  • The strength of its customer base business grew by 6% in this quarter.
  • For the quarter, the gross profit margin was 61% and the operating margin was down due to lower COVID volume in its diagnostics and biotechnology businesses.

[Coupang Inc. (CPNG US) Earnings Preview]: Market Share Solid Given Limited Competitive Threat

By Shawn Yang

  • We expect CPNG to report C1Q23 top-line and non-GAAP net income 2.0% and 4.8% vs. consensus, respectively. 
  • AliExpress became S. Korea’s most downloaded app after increasing spending, but product overlap with Coupang is limited, while other S. Korean competitors recorded declining MAU, in our understanding.
  • South Korean economic indicators, including CPI and retail data, point towards a recovery. We maintain our BUY rating and US$19 TP.

Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics (300760.CH) – This Year’s Challenge Is Not over Yet

By Xinyao (Criss) Wang

  • There’s an obvious declining trend in net profit YoY growth.Considering unsatisfactory growth of MI and IVD in 22H2,if it weren’t for the strong growth of PMLS,Mindray’s overall growth could have been “surprising”.
  • The current question is whether IVD and MI segments would have high enough growth to offset the potential performance decline of PMLS segment in post-pandemic era. Problems may emerge afterwards.
  • There are still some unresolved technical challenges that constrain the development of Mindray. Without good performance in internationalization, there is no incremental market. Thus no reason to maintain high valuation.

Biogen Inc.: The Lecanemab Progress On The Alzheimer’s Front & Other Drivers

By Baptista Research

  • Biogen had a successful first quarter with an all-around beat.
  • The company executed the launch of Leqembi, an immediate transformative product in the Alzheimer’s disease therapeutic area.
  • Biogen has been experiencing a lot of competition, making it necessary to think about how to grow the business in the future.

General Electric Company: Acquisition of Baker Hughes’ Nexus Controls & Other Drivers

By Baptista Research

  • GE’s stock has been on a strong upward momentum and delivered an all-around beat in the quarter.
  • The top-line momentum was strong, with strong market demand as well as execution driving growth.
  • In this report, we have carried out a fundamental analysis of the historical financial statements of the company.

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Daily Brief Macro: Macro Watch: The Correct Calculations on How Severe This Banking Crisis Is.. and more

By | Daily Briefs, Macro

In today’s briefing:

  • Macro Watch: The Correct Calculations on How Severe This Banking Crisis Is..
  • Real Estate Watch: More Charts on the Real Estate Outlook
  • Asset Class Performance After the Final Hike – Part I Equities
  • The Week That Was in ASEAN@Smartkarma – Prodia Diagnosed, Bukalapak, and MAPI’s Omnichannel
  • Higher Uncertainty Poses Challenges to US Economic and Financial Outlook for Investors and the Fed
  • CX Daily: The Battle to Save Sea Life From an Ocean of Plastic
  • While Commodities sold off – we made profits // Some relief on the sugar front
  • WTI and Bloomberg Commodity Index

Macro Watch: The Correct Calculations on How Severe This Banking Crisis Is..

By Andreas Steno

  • It is generally hard to argue that we are near the 2008-like systemic risk scenarios at this juncture
  • Our quantitative model based on empirical lead/lag studies of hundreds of recession indicators point to 75% risk of a recession starting in Q3
  • We find the timing increasingly opportune for a manufactured weakening of the CNY versus the USD

Real Estate Watch: More Charts on the Real Estate Outlook

By Andreas Steno

  • Regional banks are likely going to suffer more as the real estate market looks vulnerable
  • Some parts of the real estate market are back at 2008 levels
  • Western states have taken the largest beating, which is likely to continue

Asset Class Performance After the Final Hike – Part I Equities

By Jeroen Blokland

  • US equities have celebrated the end of more recent major Fed tightening cycles, realizing healthy returns after the final rate hike.
  • Things look pretty different after the first Fed rate cut following these major tightening cycles.
  • US equities also do well between the final Fed hike and the first rate cut. Stay tuned as we will expand this analysis to other asset classes.

The Week That Was in ASEAN@Smartkarma – Prodia Diagnosed, Bukalapak, and MAPI’s Omnichannel

By Angus Mackintosh


Higher Uncertainty Poses Challenges to US Economic and Financial Outlook for Investors and the Fed

By Said Desaque

  • US investors’ expectations about future US economic activity remain fluid as investors continue not to buy the Fed’s forward guidance of interest rates remaining higher for longer.
  • Global economic dynamics are still reflecting legacy issues attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic, notably a less elastic aggregate supply curve and tighter labour markets.
  • Fed policy conduct remains data dependent after the federal funds rate was raised 25 basis points to 5%-5.25%, but a pause is likely as new economic and financial information unfolds.

CX Daily: The Battle to Save Sea Life From an Ocean of Plastic

By Caixin Global

  • Plastic /Cover Story: The battle to save sea life from an ocean of plastic
  • Summit /: President Xi Jinping to host summit to bolster Central Asian ties
  • Connect /: China to launch interest rate swap connect May 15

While Commodities sold off – we made profits // Some relief on the sugar front

By The Commodity Report

  • The wobbly first four months of the year are over, and it has become easier to detect clear trends in the market.
  • As you can see, our YTD performance has clearly picked up, and we’re confident that we’ll continue to clearly outperform the CRB Commodity Index.
  • Consultancy Datagro announced on Thursday that Brazil’s center-south region is anticipated to have a sugar output of 38.3 million tonnes in the current season, which began in April.

WTI and Bloomberg Commodity Index

By Untying The Gordian Knot

  • I posted this on the chat on Sunday but forgot click on send via Email button, so here Oil looked like we might bottom when OPEC+ cut production.
  • And we gapped up mentioned in the note “Ignoring Tailwinds 7th April 2023.”
  • “With a slower economy thesis, price hikes will likely be supply-driven constraints.

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Daily Brief South Korea: Samsung Securities, CUBox, Coupang and more

By | Daily Briefs, South Korea

In today’s briefing:

  • Will Woori Financial Group Acquire Samsung Securities?
  • CUBox IPO Bookbuilding Results Analysis
  • [Coupang Inc. (CPNG US) Earnings Preview]: Market Share Solid Given Limited Competitive Threat

Will Woori Financial Group Acquire Samsung Securities?

By Douglas Kim

  • The new head of Woori Financial Group (316140 KS) Chairman Lim Jong-Ryong recently revealed his willingness to acquire a major/mid-scale securities company.
  • Among these potential acquisition candidates, Samsung Securities is considered to be the most likely securities companies that could be purchased by Woori Financial Group.
  • In the long term (next 2-3 years), there is a good probability that Woori Financial Group could acquire Samsung Securities, which is not a core business of the Samsung Group.

CUBox IPO Bookbuilding Results Analysis

By Douglas Kim

  • On 8 May, CUBox (340810 KS) announced its IPO price of 15,000 won, which is 13% lower than the lower end of the IPO price range of 17,200 won.
  • Our base case valuation of CUBox is implied target price of 22,719 won per share, which represents 51% higher than the IPO price of 15,000 won.
  • CUBox claims that it has one of the world’s best technologies in the field of AI face recognition. 

[Coupang Inc. (CPNG US) Earnings Preview]: Market Share Solid Given Limited Competitive Threat

By Shawn Yang

  • We expect CPNG to report C1Q23 top-line and non-GAAP net income 2.0% and 4.8% vs. consensus, respectively. 
  • AliExpress became S. Korea’s most downloaded app after increasing spending, but product overlap with Coupang is limited, while other S. Korean competitors recorded declining MAU, in our understanding.
  • South Korean economic indicators, including CPI and retail data, point towards a recovery. We maintain our BUY rating and US$19 TP.

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Daily Brief Australia: Ventia and more

By | Australia, Daily Briefs

In today’s briefing:

  • Quiddity Leaderboard ASX Jun 23: Two ASX 200 Changes Likely, Including Ventia Surprise

Quiddity Leaderboard ASX Jun 23: Two ASX 200 Changes Likely, Including Ventia Surprise

By Janaghan Jeyakumar, CFA

  • In this insight, we take a look at the potential index changes for ASX 200, 100, 50, and 20 in the run up to the June 2023 Rebalance.
  • Ventia (VNT AU) has appeared as a “surprise” potential addition to the ASX 200 index in June 2023 after recent block sales by top shareholders.
  • Including Ventia, we currently expect two ADDs and two DELs for the ASX 200 index in June 2023.

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Daily Brief United States: Danaher Corp, Corning Inc, Centene Corp, Enphase Energy, Earthstone Energy, Dow , Chipotle Mexican Grill, Elevance Health , Biogen Inc, 3M Co and more

By | Daily Briefs, United States

In today’s briefing:

  • Danaher Corporation: This Diagnostics Innovator Continues To Go Strong – Key Drivers
  • Corning Incorporated: Is The Drop In Revenues A Point Of Concern? – Key Drivers
  • Centene Corporation: Improving Market Position In Medicare Advantage – Key Drivers
  • Enphase Energy Inc.: Launch of New Home Energy Systems & Other Drivers
  • Earthstone Energy, INC. – Gaining Permian Efficiency
  • Dow Inc.: What Is Its Biggest Competitive Advantage? – Key Drivers
  • Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc.: Improved Digital Capabilities & A 6
  • Elevance Health Inc.: Major Drivers
  • Biogen Inc.: The Lecanemab Progress On The Alzheimer’s Front & Other Drivers
  • 3M Company: The Secret Strategy to Boost Its Supply Chain and Manufacturing Operations – Key Drivers

Danaher Corporation: This Diagnostics Innovator Continues To Go Strong – Key Drivers

By Baptista Research

  • Danaher successfully navigated a dynamic operating environment in this quarter to deliver an all-around beat.
  • The strength of its customer base business grew by 6% in this quarter.
  • For the quarter, the gross profit margin was 61% and the operating margin was down due to lower COVID volume in its diagnostics and biotechnology businesses.

Corning Incorporated: Is The Drop In Revenues A Point Of Concern? – Key Drivers

By Baptista Research

  • Corning saw a sequential drop in its total revenues of around 7% in the recent result but this was still better than analyst expectations.
  • Despite the lower sales, Corning’s actions to raise prices and restore productivity ratios resulted in gross margin expanding 160 basis points.
  • Although multiple markets remain weak, the company expects results to improve in the second quarter.

Centene Corporation: Improving Market Position In Medicare Advantage – Key Drivers

By Baptista Research

  • Centene had a successful first quarter, showing continued positive momentum operationally which was demonstrated by its all-around beat.
  • The company raised its premium and service revenue forecast by $3.7 billion, with full-year 2023 adjusted EPS guidance at $6.40.
  • We give Centene Corporation a ‘Buy’ rating with a revised target price.

Enphase Energy Inc.: Launch of New Home Energy Systems & Other Drivers

By Baptista Research

  • Enphase Energy had a decent first quarter and managed an all-around beat with no significant supply shortages and a stable overall supply environment.
  • The company also experienced significant growth in Europe, with revenue rising 25% sequentially and more than tripling year-on-year.
  • In addition, the company launched its most potent Enphase Energy System, featuring the new IQ Battery 5P and IQ8 Microinverters.

Earthstone Energy, INC. – Gaining Permian Efficiency

By Water Tower Research

  • Earthstone generated $272 million of adjusted EBITDA in 1Q23 on average production of 104.4 MBOE/d.
  • Production was slightly below the 104.8 MBOE/d produced in 4Q22 and 194% higher than 1Q22.
  • 1Q22 adjusted EBITDA was $123 million. Y/Y gains in both production and adjusted EBITDA demonstrate the impact of three major Permian Basin asset acquisitions that closed in 2022.

Dow Inc.: What Is Its Biggest Competitive Advantage? – Key Drivers

By Baptista Research

  • Dow had a challenging quarter given the ongoing market dynamics.
  • The year’s first quarter is expected to align with the fourth-quarter performance, with discrete headwinds of $75 million.
  • We give Dow Inc. a ‘Hold’ rating with a revised target price.

Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc.: Improved Digital Capabilities & A 6

By Baptista Research

  • It was a successful quarter for Chipotle Mexican Grill, reporting an all-around beat.
  • The company’s quarterly sales were $2.4 billion and it retained about 80% of digital sales and has recovered almost 80% of in-restaurant sales.
  • We give Chipotle Mexican Grill a ‘Hold’ rating with a revised target price.

Elevance Health Inc.: Major Drivers

By Baptista Research

  • Elevance Health’s first quarter results were solid and the company delivered an all-around beat with a growth of around 15% compared to last year.
  • The company had 48.1 million medical members at the end of the first quarter.
  • Due to organic growth in Medicaid and Medicare Advantage, dual-eligible special needs plans, and group members, risk-based membership increased by roughly 1 million members year over year.

Biogen Inc.: The Lecanemab Progress On The Alzheimer’s Front & Other Drivers

By Baptista Research

  • Biogen had a successful first quarter with an all-around beat.
  • The company executed the launch of Leqembi, an immediate transformative product in the Alzheimer’s disease therapeutic area.
  • Biogen has been experiencing a lot of competition, making it necessary to think about how to grow the business in the future.

3M Company: The Secret Strategy to Boost Its Supply Chain and Manufacturing Operations – Key Drivers

By Baptista Research

  • 3M delivered an all-around beat in the latest result and managed costs aggressively in a challenging environment.
  • The company experienced noteworthy end-market weakness in consumer electronics, shifting consumer spending patterns along with the mixed industrial end markets and retailer destocking.
  • The electronic business of the company saw adjusted organic sales declines.

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Daily Brief China: Aag Energy Holdings, Yunnan Chihong Zinc&Germanium Co, Ltd., BeiGene Ltd, Hailan Holdings , Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics, Times China and more

By | China, Daily Briefs

In today’s briefing:

  • AAG Energy (2686 HK): Curiouser and Curiouser
  • MVIS Global Rare Earth/​​​​​​Strategic Metals Index Rebalance Preview: Identifying Potential Changes
  • FXI Rebalance Preview: Three Potential Changes in June
  • Hailan Holdings (2278 HK): Voluntary Conditional Offer with a Skinny Premium
  • Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics (300760.CH) – This Year’s Challenge Is Not over Yet
  • Morning Views Asia: Anton Oilfield, China Vanke, Sunac China Holdings, Times China, UPL Ltd

AAG Energy (2686 HK): Curiouser and Curiouser

By David Blennerhassett

  • AAG Energy Holdings (2686 HK) is one of those periodic (and rare) takeover situations that will likely be remembered for what went wrong rather than what went right.  
  • A low-balled Offer (proxy advisors agree); perfunctory IFA analysis; a large, and silent, shareholder; and the postponement of the Scheme vote due to voting instructions not being “duly processed”.
  • A new Court Meeting has been confirmed for the 2 June. And now we have some odd CCASS movements which raise further questions.

MVIS Global Rare Earth/​​​​​​Strategic Metals Index Rebalance Preview: Identifying Potential Changes

By Brian Freitas

  • The review period for the June rebalance ends on 31 May. Announcement of the changes will be made on 9 June with implementation at the close on 16 June.
  • There could be 4 or 5 A-share additions due to their inclusion in Northbound Stock Connect. That in turn expands the universe and could result in up to 3 deletions.
  • If all changes go through as expected, estimated one-way turnover at the rebalance will be 15.1% resulting in a one-way trade of US$99m.

FXI Rebalance Preview: Three Potential Changes in June

By Brian Freitas

  • As of 8 May, we see three potential changes to the iShares China Large-Cap (FXI) (FXI US) at the June rebalance. This is mainly driven by the inclusions.
  • There is over 1 day of ADV to trade on all stocks with the largest impact on BeiGene Ltd (6160 HK) at nearly 4 days of ADV.
  • Short interest has been increasing on the potential adds as they have run up a lot in the last few months.

Hailan Holdings (2278 HK): Voluntary Conditional Offer with a Skinny Premium

By Arun George

  • Hailan Holdings (2278 HK) disclosed a voluntary conditional offer from its controlling shareholder at HK$3.36 per share, a 5.0% premium to the undisturbed price.
  • The offer is conditional on a 90% minimum acceptance condition which requires a minority acceptance rate of 60.0%. The offeror/concert parties own 75.0% of shares.
  • The offeror aims to exercise compulsory acquisition rights (requires 90% minority acceptance rate) which suggests a bump is possible. The offer price has not been declared final. 

Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics (300760.CH) – This Year’s Challenge Is Not over Yet

By Xinyao (Criss) Wang

  • There’s an obvious declining trend in net profit YoY growth.Considering unsatisfactory growth of MI and IVD in 22H2,if it weren’t for the strong growth of PMLS,Mindray’s overall growth could have been “surprising”.
  • The current question is whether IVD and MI segments would have high enough growth to offset the potential performance decline of PMLS segment in post-pandemic era. Problems may emerge afterwards.
  • There are still some unresolved technical challenges that constrain the development of Mindray. Without good performance in internationalization, there is no incremental market. Thus no reason to maintain high valuation.

Morning Views Asia: Anton Oilfield, China Vanke, Sunac China Holdings, Times China, UPL Ltd

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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