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Smartkarma Daily Briefs

Daily Brief South Korea: Kcc Corp, Cosmecca Korea and more

By | Daily Briefs, South Korea

In today’s briefing:

  • KCC Corp: EB Issue of $625 Million Of HD KSOE + KCC Corp and KCC Glass Share Swaps
  • Cosmecca Korea: Switching Listing from KOSDAQ to KOSPI Likely to Be Completed in 2H 2025


KCC Corp: EB Issue of $625 Million Of HD KSOE + KCC Corp and KCC Glass Share Swaps

By Douglas Kim

  • KCC announced that it is issuing an EB worth $625 million in foreign currency using its stake in HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering as the underlying asset. 
  • The asset that is used as the underlying asset for the EB is 2.056 million shares of HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering held by the KCC Corp
  • We believe this large EB issue by KCC Corp is likely to have a positive impact on KCC Corp but slightly negative impact on HD KSOE.

Cosmecca Korea: Switching Listing from KOSDAQ to KOSPI Likely to Be Completed in 2H 2025

By Douglas Kim

  • On 2 July, Cosmecca Korea (241710 KS) announced that it plans to switch its listing from KOSDAQ to KOSPI. Cosmecca Korea is the third largest cosmetics ODM company in Korea.
  • Cosmecca Korea’s ROE is similar to the average ROE of the comps. However, Cosmecca Korea’s P/B valuation is 36% discount to that of the comps.
  • By switching its listing from KOSDAQ to KOSPI, there is an increasing probability of the Cosmecca Korea receiving higher valuations, narrowing the gap with its peers. 

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Daily Brief United States: Intel Corp, Gold, Robinhood Markets , USD, Meta, Crude Oil, Copper, Bwx Technologies, SmartRent, Yorkville Acquisition and more

By | Daily Briefs, United States

In today’s briefing:

  • Intel 18A Not Ready for Foundry (Preparing for Bad News?), TSMC Exit GaN (Doesn’t Matter), UMC 6nm
  • Global Macro Outlook (July): Trump Volatility Playbook Offers Clues for July Positioning
  • Robinhood’s CEO on the Plan to Tokenize Everything
  • Global FX Derivatives: Thin Cushion. A Slippery Slope from Calm to Uncertainty
  • Meta Superintelligence Labs. Genius Move Or Desperate Gamble?
  • OPEC, IEA, EIA Forecast Rising Oil Supply, Sluggish Demand
  • Real Asset Chartbook Week #13: The Copper Surge Continues
  • BWX Technologies: Innovations in Nuclear Medicine & Molybdenum-99 Production Driving Our Optimism!
  • SmartRent’s Stock Surge: How a Bold Pivot to Recurring Revenues Could Redefine Its Future!
  • Analyzing Active Portfolio Ideas: SPACs, Mergers, Asset Sales, and Litigation Opportunities in 2025


Intel 18A Not Ready for Foundry (Preparing for Bad News?), TSMC Exit GaN (Doesn’t Matter), UMC 6nm

By Nicolas Baratte

  • The real point of Reuters’ article on Intel CEO “new” Foundry strategy is, imo, to pre-announce the possibility of a very large write off 
  • TSMC discontinues GaN doesn’t matter, it’s not even 1% of revenue. 1) Auto demand is slow, GaN is lower margins, lot of competition  2) management has better things to do 
  • UMC 6nm rumor, maybe yes but most likely with Intel’s manufacturing after 2030. UMC and Intel first start with 12nm in 2027-28.

Global Macro Outlook (July): Trump Volatility Playbook Offers Clues for July Positioning

By John Ley

  • Across markets realized volatility generally came in below implied, making June favorable for volatility sellers.
  • July has historically rewarded vol sellers; we reference a prior Insight on volatility during Trump’s first term highlighting a large deviation from average in July.
  • Average July returns are mixed, but there are clear standouts among the macro markets.

Robinhood’s CEO on the Plan to Tokenize Everything

By Odd Lots

  • The culture of trading has shifted, with people enjoying losing money and constantly looking for prices on various assets
  • Robinhood caught the wave of this cultural shift with its user-friendly interface and introduction of free stock trading during the pandemic

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


Global FX Derivatives: Thin Cushion. A Slippery Slope from Calm to Uncertainty

By At Any Rate

  • FX volumes expected to remain steady in the next month and a half before potentially increasing later in Q3
  • Dollar risk reversals are priced expensively for puts, suggesting the need for alternative option structures
  • Consideration of bullish yen option trades in lower beta crossian underlyings like CNH as alternatives to dollar yen positions due to stretched spec positioning and high carry costs

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


Meta Superintelligence Labs. Genius Move Or Desperate Gamble?

By William Keating

  • On Monday, June 30, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the creation of Meta Superintelligence Labs, staffing it with a host of leading researchers from the likes of OpenAI and Google 
  • With astronomical hiring bonuses and lucrative compensation packages, this newly assembled team will struggle to gel and likely drive an exodus of existing Meta AI employees elsewhere
  • Yann LeCun is sidelined in the MSL memo. He believes LLMs are not the way to achieve human-level AI. It appears that Mark Zuckerberg disagrees. Let’s see…

OPEC, IEA, EIA Forecast Rising Oil Supply, Sluggish Demand

By Suhas Reddy

  • OPEC maintained steady demand forecasts, while the IEA and EIA cut 2025 growth estimates. All agencies see limited near-term catalysts for a meaningful rise in global oil demand.
  • OPEC, EIA, and IEA project rising oil supply, driven by non-OPEC producers and near-term OPEC+ overproduction.
  • The EIA remains bullish on Henry Hub gas prices, forecasting strong demand and tightening supply through late 2025.

Real Asset Chartbook Week #13: The Copper Surge Continues

By Massif Capital Research

  • Two weeks ago, we flagged our Tanker Equity Basket as a potentially interesting place to look for opportunities.
  • The week after we flagged it, the basket bounced, presumably on events in the Middle East, and this week has given back most of those returns.
  • The basket has now fallen below the 10-day moving average and is bouncing along the 200-day moving average.

BWX Technologies: Innovations in Nuclear Medicine & Molybdenum-99 Production Driving Our Optimism!

By Baptista Research

  • BWX Technologies, Inc. (BWXT) reported its first quarter 2025 financial results, illustrating both robust performance and future growth opportunities.
  • The highlights of the quarter included double-digit revenue, EBITDA, and earnings per share growth compared to the previous year.
  • This strong performance was attributed to effective execution and an increased pace of work, along with strategic wins in both commercial and government operations.

SmartRent’s Stock Surge: How a Bold Pivot to Recurring Revenues Could Redefine Its Future!

By Baptista Research

  • SmartRent’s first quarter earnings call for 2025 highlights several dynamics at play in the company’s pursuit of sustainable growth and value creation.
  • The company, well known for its Internet of Things (IoT) technology, aims to transform property operations and enhance resident experiences.
  • SmartRent’s approach involves extensive IoT device integration, a software platform compatible with third-party systems, and deployment expertise tailored to retrofit environments.

Analyzing Active Portfolio Ideas: SPACs, Mergers, Asset Sales, and Litigation Opportunities in 2025

By Special Situation Investments

  • Yorkville Acquisition and Lutnick’s SPACs are politically connected, targeting speculative capital tied to Trump’s administration and crypto.
  • Mayne Pharma’s merger with Cosette faces legal challenges over a material adverse change, with a court hearing set.
  • Lifeway Foods may be sold to Danone; shareholder campaign aims to overhaul the board for negotiations.

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Daily Brief India: Apollo Hospitals Enterprise, Wakefit Innovations, Karnataka Bank, Yes Bank, Punjab National Bank, NIFTY Index and more

By | Daily Briefs, India

In today’s briefing:

  • Event Driven: Apollo’s Restructuring-Unlocking Value in India’s Omni-Channel Healthcare Ecosystem
  • Wakefit Innovations Ltd Pre-IPO Tearsheet
  • Executive Exodus at Karnataka Bank: More Than Just “Personal Reasons”?
  • Yes Bank (YES IN) Vs. IDFC First Bank (IDFCBK IN): Quant Divergence Opens Statistical Arb Window
  • Canara Bank (CBK IN) Vs. Punjab National Bank (PNB IN): Positive Outcome as Pair Reverts to Mean
  • Nifty’s Summer Setup: Quiet Vol and Strong Price Seasonals


Event Driven: Apollo’s Restructuring-Unlocking Value in India’s Omni-Channel Healthcare Ecosystem

By Nimish Maheshwari

  • Apollo Hospitals Enterprise (APHS IN) is demerging its omni-channel pharmacy and digital health business into a new entity, later merging with Keimed ltd, the wholesale pharmacy distribution arm.
  • The reorganisation aims to unlock shareholder value, enhance operational focus, and create a transparent, comprehensive pharmacy and digital healthcare platform.
  • The NewCo(AHL) targets INR 25,000 crore revenue(50%+) by FY27 from digital health and pharmacy scale-up, while core hospitals expand with new beds and high-value therapies.

Wakefit Innovations Ltd Pre-IPO Tearsheet

By Rosita Fernandes

  • Wakefit Innovations (1684049D IN)  (WIL)  is looking to raise about US$231m in its upcoming India IPO. The bookrunners for the deal are Axis, IIFL, Nomura.
  • Wakefit Innovations is direct‑to‑consumer and sleep and home‑solutions company, founded in 2016.
  • According to the Redseer Report, the company was the largest D2C home and furnishings company in India by revenue in FY24.

Executive Exodus at Karnataka Bank: More Than Just “Personal Reasons”?

By Nimish Maheshwari

  • Karnataka Bank (KBL IN)‘s top two executives resigned under unclear circumstances, with boardroom friction, unauthorized spending, and weak financial performance raising concerns.
  • Even audit report also suggests some red flags of minuscule amounts in unauthorized expenses, raising governance issues.
  • The bank’s leadership shakeup and declining financials suggest instability; while governance reforms are needed along with new and strong leadership and governance realignment.

Yes Bank (YES IN) Vs. IDFC First Bank (IDFCBK IN): Quant Divergence Opens Statistical Arb Window

By Gaudenz Schneider

  • Context: The Yes Bank (YES IN) vs. IDFC First Bank (IDFCBK IN) Price-Ratio has deviated more than two standard deviations from its one-year average, presenting a potential relative value opportunity.
  • Highlights: Going long Yes Bank (YES IN) and short IDFC First Bank (IDFCBK IN) targets a 9% return to the statistical mean reversion level.
  • 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.

Canara Bank (CBK IN) Vs. Punjab National Bank (PNB IN): Positive Outcome as Pair Reverts to Mean

By Gaudenz Schneider

  • Context: This article provides an update on a previously identified pair trading opportunity between Punjab National Bank (PNB IN) and Canara Bank (CBK IN), based on statistical mean reversion analysis.
  • Key Insights: The trade has now reached its exit signal as the price ratio reverted to its one-standard deviation band, yielding a positive return.
  • Why Read It: For investors interested in quantitative trading strategies, this article demonstrates how statistical arbitrage can generate short-term alpha and highlights actionable similar opportunities in the current market.

Nifty’s Summer Setup: Quiet Vol and Strong Price Seasonals

By John Ley

  • Nifty enters July with supportive seasonal trends in both price and volatility.
  • Trump-Era seasonal trends point to subdued summer volatility compared to historically low July volatility.
  • Nifty’s proximity to all-time highs sets up attractive strike locations for vol sellers.

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Daily Brief Singapore: NTT DC REIT and more

By | Daily Briefs, Singapore

In today’s briefing:

  • NTT DC REIT IPO: The Investment Case


NTT DC REIT IPO: The Investment Case

By Arun George

  • NTT DC REIT (NTTDCR SP) is the exclusive S-REIT vehicle sponsored by NTT Group. It has launched an SGX IPO to raise proceeds up to US$864 million. 
  • The IPO portfolio comprises six data centres – three located in California, one in Virginia, one in Vienna, and one in Singapore.
  • NTT DC REIT offers an attractive value proposition, comprising a blue-chip tenant base, a staggered lease expiry profile, a robust growth pipeline, and sizable debt headroom.

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Daily Brief Indonesia: MAP Aktif Adiperkasa PT and more

By | Daily Briefs, Indonesia

In today’s briefing:

  • MAP Aktif (MAPA IJ) — 2025 Update


MAP Aktif (MAPA IJ) — 2025 Update

By Michael Fritzell

  • MAP Aktif is the sportswear subsidiary of Indonesian retail giant Mitra Adiperkasa.

  • I wrote a deep dive on MAP Aktif in January 2022, during the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • At the time, it was suffering from Indonesia’s large-scale social distancing restrictions. But I thought that it would eventually recover, continue growing its store count, and end up with a single-digit P/E ratio.


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Daily Brief Quantitative Analysis: HS TECH Index Earning Revision (Jun): BYD and more

By | Daily Briefs, Quantitative Analysis

In today’s briefing:

  • HS TECH Index Earning Revision (Jun): BYD, Ntes, Kuaishou, Lenovo, Li Auto, Horizonrobot, China Lit
  • ASX Short Interest Weekly (Jun 27th): National Australia Bank, Cochlear, Northern Star Resources
  • STAR50 Index Earning Revision (Jun): Bestechnic, Csi Solar, Biwin Storage Technology


HS TECH Index Earning Revision (Jun): BYD, Ntes, Kuaishou, Lenovo, Li Auto, Horizonrobot, China Lit

By Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

  • We analysed the earning revision of component stocks of HS TECH in the past month.
  • We tabulated stocks with the top impact on index’s EPS, stocks’ EPS revision, and revenue revision.
  • We highlighted EPS revision on BYD, Ntes, Kuaishou, Lenovo, Li Auto, Horizonrobot, China Lit, Asmpt.

ASX Short Interest Weekly (Jun 27th): National Australia Bank, Cochlear, Northern Star Resources

By Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

  • We analyzed the changes in short interest of ASX Stocks as of Jun 27th (reported today). The aggregated short interest was USD25.9bn.
  • We tabulate league tables 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 National Australia Bank, Cochlear, Northern Star Resources, Brambles, Westpac.

STAR50 Index Earning Revision (Jun): Bestechnic, Csi Solar, Biwin Storage Technology

By Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

  • We analysed the earning revision of component stocks of STAR50 in the past month.
  • We tabulated stocks with the top impact on index’s EPS, stocks’ EPS revision, and revenue revision.
  • We highlighted EPS revision on Bestechnic (Shanghai), Csi Solar, Biwin Storage Technology, Transsion, Xinjiang Daqo.

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Daily Brief China: Alibaba Health Information Tec, Shandong Fengxiang, Geekplus Technology, Nanjing Leads Biolabs, Anjoy Foods Group, Boxihe Outdoor Sports Group, Jilin Jiutai Rural Comm Bank, Shanghai Stock Exchange Composite Index, China Travel International Investment Hong Kong, EACON Group Co., Ltd and more

By | China, Daily Briefs

In today’s briefing:

  • Alibaba Health Placement – Delta Placement for EB, but Track Record Isn’t Great
  • Fengxiang (9977 HK): Precondition Satisfied
  • Geekplus Technology IPO (2590 HK): Valuation Insights
  • Leads Biolabs (维立志生物) Pre-IPO: Valuation
  • Anjoy Foods Group A/H Trading – Cheap Price but Sluggish Demand
  • Boxihe Outdoor Sports Pre-IPO – Scaling Fast in China’s Outdoor Boom
  • Jilin Jiutai RCB (6122 HK): A Conditional VGO Puts Minorities Between a Rock and a Hard Place
  • China and Japan Breaking Out — Buy; Bullish Outlook Intact; U.S. Dollar (DXY) Remains Weak
  • China Travel Intl Inv (308 HK): What’s UP?
  • Eacon Group Co., Ltd Pre-IPO Tearsheet


Alibaba Health Placement – Delta Placement for EB, but Track Record Isn’t Great

By Sumeet Singh

  • Banks are offering US$500m of Alibaba Health Information Tec (241 HK) stock in order to allow Exchangeable Bond investors to hedge their exposure.
  • Alibaba Health (AH) stock has been heading in the wrong direction for the past few years and it remains unclear if the EB offering was well flagged.
  • In this note, we will talk about the deal dynamics and run the deal through our ECM framework.

Fengxiang (9977 HK): Precondition Satisfied

By Arun George

  • The precondition for the PAG privatisation offer for Shandong Fengxiang (9977 HK) is satisfied. The composite document will be despatched by 11 July. 
  • Despite being a 39.9% discount to the IPO price, the offer is attractive compared to precedent transactions and peer multiples. 
  • The scheme vote remains low-risk due to the irrevocables, the lack of protest votes at the recent AGM, and the signalling from PAG’s decision not to introduce a scrip offer. 

Geekplus Technology IPO (2590 HK): Valuation Insights

By Arun George


Leads Biolabs (维立志生物) Pre-IPO: Valuation

By Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

  • Leads Biolabs, a China-based clinical-stage biotech, is looking to raise at least USD 100 million via a Hong Kong listing. The joint book runners are MS and CITIC.
  • In our previous insight, we looked at the company’s core products and its management team, as well as investor backing, as well as PHIP updates.
  • In this note we will provide an rNPV-based valuation for the company.

Anjoy Foods Group A/H Trading – Cheap Price but Sluggish Demand

By Sumeet Singh

  • Anjoy Foods Group (2648 HK), a quick-frozen food company in China,  raised around US$350m in its H-share listing.
  • AFG was the largest quick-frozen food company in China in terms of revenue in 2023, with a market share of 6.2%, according to the Frost & Sullivan report.
  • We have looked at the past performance and likely A/H premium in our previous note. In this note, we talk about the trading dynamics.

Boxihe Outdoor Sports Pre-IPO – Scaling Fast in China’s Outdoor Boom

By Troy Wong

  • Boxihe Outdoor Sports (BOS) is looking to raise at least US$100m in its upcoming Hong Kong IPO.
  • BOS has delivered impressive growth, with a 122% revenue CAGR (FY22–24) led by its core Pelliot brand.
  • Its shift from a pure online DTC model to include offline and distributor channels has broadened reach, while improving gross margins reflect strong pricing and cost control.

Jilin Jiutai RCB (6122 HK): A Conditional VGO Puts Minorities Between a Rock and a Hard Place

By Arun George

  • Jilin Jiutai Rural Comm Bank (6122 HK) has disclosed a voluntary conditional offer and delisting proposal by Jilin Province at HK$0.70 per H Share, a 70.7% premium to the undisturbed price.
  • The key conditions are H Shareholder approval of the delisting proposal and a minimum acceptance condition (50% of outstanding and 90% of H shares).
  • Minorities are caught between a rock and a hard place, as the offer is unattractive, but the timeline for lifting the trading suspension is uncertain.  

China and Japan Breaking Out — Buy; Bullish Outlook Intact; U.S. Dollar (DXY) Remains Weak

By Joe Jasper

  • We remain near-term bullish since our 4/22/25 Compass, and our intermediate-term outlook remains bullish as well (as of our 5/14/25 Compass).
  • We will maintain our bullish intermediate-term view as long as market dynamics remain healthy and the SPX and ACWI-US are above 5700-5785 and $119-$121.
  • $125-$126 and $123-$123.50 are short-term supports to watch on ACWI-US; we will maintain our near-term bullish outlook as long as $123 support holds.

China Travel Intl Inv (308 HK): What’s UP?

By Osbert Tang, CFA

  • China Travel International Investment Hong Kong (308 HK)‘s 1-week share price rally was driven by restructuring speculations. Yet, underlying operations have improved in 2H24.  
  • Tourist attractions and hotel operations will stay decent in FY25, and more projects will come on stream to fuel profitability.
  • Asset-Based valuation should be the focus, and its 0.49x P/B is inexpensive. Net cash now equals 8.2% of the share price. 

Eacon Group Co., Ltd Pre-IPO Tearsheet

By Troy Wong

  • Eacon Group Co., Ltd (EG) is looking to raise about US$100m in its upcoming Hong Kong IPO. The deal will be run by Haitong.
  • EG ranks first among all L4 autonomous driving companies globally by revenue in 2024, as per Frost & Sullivan.
  • EG had 11 end-customer groups. Its technology has been deployed across 24 mining sites of leading mining groups like CHN Energy, SPIC, TBEA, Zijin Mining, Shougang Group, and Baowu Group.

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Daily Brief Japan: Shibaura Electronics, Mitsui & Co Ltd, Nikkei 225, Softbank Group, Onward Holdings and more

By | Daily Briefs, Japan

In today’s briefing:

  • [Japan M&A] YAGEO Extends Shibaura TOB Limbo at FSA/METI/BOJ Request on FEFTA
  • Mitsui & Co. (8031.T): Strong Cash Flows, Weak Growth Despite Portfolio Shift
  • Nikkei: Failed Breakout and Summer Seasonals Signal Opportunity
  • Lucror Analytics – Morning Views Asia
  • Onward Holdings (8016 JP): Q1 FY02/26 flash update


[Japan M&A] YAGEO Extends Shibaura TOB Limbo at FSA/METI/BOJ Request on FEFTA

By Travis Lundy

  • YAGEO’s deal for Shibaura Electronics (6957 JP) had been extended a couple of times – once for Shibaura’s yuho, and once for Taiwan Investment Commission Approval. 
  • YAGEO had re-filed its notification for FEFTA on 2 June, and the “normal” 30 day waiting period expired 1 July. YAGEO extended by 4 business days to 15 July.
  • The TRS amendment was less informative than the TDNET release today. That’s worth reading. More waiting ahead. But the timing may be politically strategic.

Mitsui & Co. (8031.T): Strong Cash Flows, Weak Growth Despite Portfolio Shift

By Rahul Jain

  • Mitsui & Co. has delivered robust earnings and cash flows, fueled by commodity tailwinds and disciplined capital returns over the last 5 years.
  • Looking ahead, the company plans to rebalance its portfolio through increased exposure to LNG and energy transition assets 
  • However, muted near-term growth and persistently low ROCE—driven by scattered, low-control holdings—suggest limited upside until newer investments begin contributing meaningfully to the bottom line.

Nikkei: Failed Breakout and Summer Seasonals Signal Opportunity

By John Ley

  • Seasonal weakness and failure at highs support a tactical short.
  • July has historically been weak for the Nikkei in both price and realized vol; Trump-era data showed summer vol was suppressed.
  • We propose a tactical trade that aligns with the current setup and supportive price and volatility seasonals.

Lucror Analytics – Morning Views Asia

By Trung Nguyen

  • In today’s Morning Views publication we comment on developments of the following high yield issuers: Softbank Group
  • The UST curve bear-steepened yesterday, alongside a selloff in long-dated UK gilts. The yield on the 2Y UST rose 1 bp to 3.79%, while that on the 10Y UST climbed 4 bps to 4.28%.
  • Equities advanced after US President Donald Trump announced that he had reached a trade deal with Vietnam. The S&P 500 was up 0.5% to a fresh record of 6,227, while the Nasdaq rose 0.9% to 20,393.

Onward Holdings (8016 JP): Q1 FY02/26 flash update

By Shared Research

  • Sales increased 17.1% YoY to JPY60.2bn, driven by Domestic Business growth and strategic brand strengthening.
  • Operating profit rose 5.5% YoY to JPY5.4bn, with improved profitability and higher gross profit margin despite increased SG&A expenses.
  • Overseas Business sales fell 14.0% YoY to JPY3.5bn, but operating loss narrowed due to improved profitability in Asia and the US.

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Daily Brief Technical Analysis: China and Japan Breaking Out — Buy; Bullish Outlook Intact; U.S. Dollar (DXY) Remains Weak and more

By | Daily Briefs, Technical Analysis

In today’s briefing:

  • China and Japan Breaking Out — Buy; Bullish Outlook Intact; U.S. Dollar (DXY) Remains Weak


China and Japan Breaking Out — Buy; Bullish Outlook Intact; U.S. Dollar (DXY) Remains Weak

By Joe Jasper

  • We remain near-term bullish since our 4/22/25 Compass, and our intermediate-term outlook remains bullish as well (as of our 5/14/25 Compass).
  • We will maintain our bullish intermediate-term view as long as market dynamics remain healthy and the SPX and ACWI-US are above 5700-5785 and $119-$121.
  • $125-$126 and $123-$123.50 are short-term supports to watch on ACWI-US; we will maintain our near-term bullish outlook as long as $123 support holds.

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Daily Brief Thematic (Sector/Industry): Ohayo Japan | Jobs Data Lifts Wall Street to Record Highs and more

By | Daily Briefs, Thematic (Sector/Industry)

In today’s briefing:

  • Ohayo Japan | Jobs Data Lifts Wall Street to Record Highs
  • Japan Activist Watch | Shiseido, Ricoh, Orico, Anicom
  • Japan Morning Connection: Chinese EDA Restrictions Lifted but No Follow Through for Semi-Cap
  • Undervalued Copper, Twitter Activism and IperionX with Hank Ruehl
  • What’s New(S) In Amsterdam – 3 July (Ahold Delhaize | AkzoNobel | JDE Peet’s)


Ohayo Japan | Jobs Data Lifts Wall Street to Record Highs

By Mark Chadwick

  • U.S. stocks rose, with S&P 500 and Nasdaq hitting records after strong jobs data boosted confidence in economic resilience.
  • The Japan Semiconductor Equipment Association (SEAJ) forecasts Japanese semiconductor manufacturing equipment sales will rise 2% to 4.9 trillion yen in FY2025
  • Daikin Industries plans to increase global air conditioner production by 11% to 9.64 million units in FY2025

Japan Activist Watch | Shiseido, Ricoh, Orico, Anicom

By Mark Chadwick

  • Shiseido: Weak sales in China and Travel Retail hurt performance, but cost-cutting and deep-value appeal raise potential for turnaround or takeover.  
  • Ricoh: Effissimo bets on Ricoh’s slow pivot to digital services; low valuation offers downside protection despite unclear timeline for ROE recovery.
  • Orico: Strategic Capital targets Mizuho affiliate for underperformance and insider-led governance, pushing for reform and better capital discipline.

Japan Morning Connection: Chinese EDA Restrictions Lifted but No Follow Through for Semi-Cap

By Andrew Jackson

  • Coreweave rolling out NVDA’s Blackwell Ultra GB300 may help the likes of Ibiden and Advantest.
  • Intel moving away from in-house glass substrate production may see the likes of AGC pick up new demand.
  • Trade deal deadline looms with Japan still playing it ‘tough’, and with momo up defense may rise.

Undervalued Copper, Twitter Activism and IperionX with Hank Ruehl

By Money of Mine

  • Discussion on IperionX a titanium tech play mining adjacent company, and TNR Gold with royalty activist drama on Twitter
  • Introduction of Hank Rule from Sierra Morena Capital to explore US insight on mining sector
  • Analysis of the escalating bidding war between Kinterra and CAML for New World, with Kinterra matching CAML’s offer, signaling price discipline and potential for further escalation.

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What’s New(S) In Amsterdam – 3 July (Ahold Delhaize | AkzoNobel | JDE Peet’s)

By The IDEA!

  • More than 130 Albert Heijn franchisees, operating nearly 300 stores, have reached a settlement with supermarket chain Albert Heijn after over a decade-long legal dispute.
  • The core issue was the franchisees’ claim that Albert Heijn retained too many financial benefits, including purchasing bonuses and online sales profits from AH.nl, without fair distribution.
  • In 2014, the franchisees initiated legal proceedings, claiming EUR 200m after failed negotiations. 

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