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Smartkarma Daily Briefs

Daily Brief Macro: VanEck GDX Benchmark Switch: Implications for Zijin and Amman and more

By | Daily Briefs, Macro

In today’s briefing:

  • VanEck GDX Benchmark Switch: Implications for Zijin and Amman
  • BoE Survey Says Inflation Persists
  • Walker’s Weekly: Dr. Jim’s Summary of Key Global Macro Developments – 5 September 2025
  • Why the US Market Continues to Struggle
  • BNM Holds Rate Amid Trade Headwinds


VanEck GDX Benchmark Switch: Implications for Zijin and Amman

By Rahul Jain

  • What is Happening: VanEck shifts GDX’s US$19.5bn benchmark to MVGDX on 19 Sept 2025, cutting constituents from ~62 to 44 with stricter purity and liquidity rules.
  • Impact: Estimated US$10bn turnover; Zijin excluded, Pan American added, Amman included short-term but copper-driven revenue mix riks future exclusion under MVGDX’s ≥50% threshold.
  • What to Do: Fade Zijin’s mechanical exclusion, stay cautious on Amman, and rotate into high-purity beneficiaries (Agnico Eagle, Pan American Silver, Shandong Gold) likely to gain weight.

BoE Survey Says Inflation Persists

By Phil Rush

  • CFOs are telling the BoE that they plan to keep raising prices by more than 3% in 2026. The BoE should take notice, as this survey’s previous warnings have proven accurate.
  • Expected increases reflect the passthrough of further wage increases beyond a pace consistent with the target. They exceed even our already hawkish forecasts.
  • The BoE is unlikely to realise the sharp drop in wage growth it expects by year’s end, without a shock to break the current regime, bolstering our call for no more rate cuts.

Walker’s Weekly: Dr. Jim’s Summary of Key Global Macro Developments – 5 September 2025

By Dr. Jim Walker

  • Hong Kong sentiment improving; closed short on property and turned more constructive amid signs of stabilisation.

  • Initiated long on China equities, expecting profit recovery from 2026 after prolonged earnings recession.

  • Regional PMIs broadly above 50, while U.S. remains weak; Fed likely to cut rates in September.


Why the US Market Continues to Struggle

By David Mudd

  • The US equity markets continue to struggle as global markets continue to gain this year.  US dollar weakness has only amplified the US equity underperformance.
  • On a risk-adjusted basis, US markets show even worse performance with Sharpe ratios substantially below global peers.  This underperformance holds both on a USD and local currency basis.
  • Foreign investors have pulled back hard on USD asset purchases this year as seen in import and NIIP data.  We anticipate that pressure on US asset markets will continue.

BNM Holds Rate Amid Trade Headwinds

By Heteronomics AI

  • BNM holds its OPR at 2.75% as expected. Its data-dependent stance signals patience amid trade uncertainties & resilient domestic conditions.
  • Benign inflation (1.4% headline, 1.9% core) provides policy flexibility, and a moderate outlook through 2026 supports an accommodative stance.
  • Strong 4.4% H1 growth, driven by robust 7% Q2 domestic demand, leads analysts to expect rates on hold through 2025, with cuts if growth weakens.
This content is sourced through publicly available sources and has been machine generated. Information displayed is for general informational purposes only.

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Daily Brief Japan: Nidec Corp, Advantest Corp and more

By | Daily Briefs, Japan

In today’s briefing:

  • Who Owns Nidec (6594 JP) And How Much Could Be For Sale?
  • Advantest Corp (6857 JP) – From Cyclical Tester OEM to Structural AI Bottleneck


Who Owns Nidec (6594 JP) And How Much Could Be For Sale?

By Travis Lundy

  • Nidec Corp (6594 JP) announced in June they were extending the release of their yuho for three months because of an internal investigation into NIDEC FIR INTERNATIONAL (Italy).
  • Yesterday, the company announced it would establish a Third-Party Investigative Committee based on suspected improper accounting at the sub of a Chinese sub 1yr ago and parent management knowledge. 
  • There’s been a lot of work done. Now the committee digs in. The announcement smacks of IMS issues. Today the marketcap fell 22% or nearly ¥800bn on ¥200mm of accounting.

Advantest Corp (6857 JP) – From Cyclical Tester OEM to Structural AI Bottleneck

By Rahul Jain

  • Advantest (6857 JP) enjoys a near-monopoly in advanced SoC and memory testing, entrenched at TSMC, Samsung, and SK Hynix, making it the structural gatekeeper of the AI supply chain.
  • The company is scaling capacity by 70% in FY25 and investing in next-gen chiplet and system-level test platforms to capture future AI/HBM growth.
  • At ~35× P/E and ~23× EV/EBITDA, the stock trades at a premium that reflects record margins and 25%+ CAGR, risks include AI capex cyclicality, Taiwan/Korea dependence, China restrictions, and FX.

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Daily Brief China: Hangzhou Kangji Medical Instrument Co., Ltd., Pop Mart, Tencent Holdings (ADR), Alibaba, Tencent Music Entertainment Group, Three Squirrels, Zylox-Tonbridge Medical Technology and more

By | China, Daily Briefs

In today’s briefing:

  • Kangji Medical (9997 HK): Speedy Turnaround On Pre-Cons
  • Pop Mart (9992 HK): Index Inclusion & Beyond. Toy Craze or Emerging ACG Play?
  • Tencent Holdings: An Evergreen Game Strategy to Diversify Portfolio & Reinforce Market Position!
  • Alibaba (9988 HK): Stock Surges Post-Earnings, Options Market Reprices
  • Asian Equities: Changes to Our Model Portfolio; More Selective on Chinese Consumption
  • Three Squirrels A/H Listing: Heavy Price Competition; Thin Margins
  • Zylox Tonbridge Medical (2190 HK): No More Interventions Needed, Blockages Cleared for Growth


Kangji Medical (9997 HK): Speedy Turnaround On Pre-Cons

By David Blennerhassett

  • Kangji Medical Instrument (9997 HK) announced last night all pre-cons have been squared away. That must be some kind of record to secure SAMR approval for a Hong Kong-listed privatisation.
  • Back on the 12th August, Kangji Medical announced a less-than-ideal Offer, by way of a Scheme, from a consortium led by TPG and Qatar Investment Authority, together with the founders.
  • What next? The Scheme Doc dispatch remains the 31st October, unless announced otherwise, as the Cayman Court is still on its six week “vacation”.

Pop Mart (9992 HK): Index Inclusion & Beyond. Toy Craze or Emerging ACG Play?

By Devi Subhakesan

  • Pop Mart (9992 HK) will be added to both the Hang Seng Index (HSI) and the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index (HSCEI) — effective Monday, September 8, 2025.
  • Beyond the tail winds from this technical upgrade, stock’s further upside rests on investor conviction on its potential to continue to deliver strong growth beyond the short term.
  • Pop Mart’s near term growth rests on proving IP durability and executing global scale-up.

Tencent Holdings: An Evergreen Game Strategy to Diversify Portfolio & Reinforce Market Position!

By Baptista Research

  • Tencent Holdings Limited delivered a robust financial performance for the second quarter of 2025, driven by significant growth across its business segments.
  • The company reported a 15% year-on-year increase in total revenue, reaching RMB 185 billion.
  • This growth was supported by a 22% surge in gross profit to RMB 105 billion and an 18% increase in non-IFRS operating profit to RMB 69 billion.

Alibaba (9988 HK): Stock Surges Post-Earnings, Options Market Reprices

By Gaudenz Schneider

  • Context:Alibaba (9988 HK) reported Q1 results on 29 Aug. Despite a revenue miss, strong cloud growth and its AI chip announcement drove the stock up double digits.
  • Highlight: Implied volatility deflated sharply post-earnings, with the September contract down 8.5% and back months also lower, while skew shifted down in parallel.
  • Why it matters: Put the current volatility surface into context. This insight can serve as a case study of how earnings-driven repricing can inform positioning ahead of future events.

Asian Equities: Changes to Our Model Portfolio; More Selective on Chinese Consumption

By Manishi Raychaudhuri

  • Since inception, our Model Portfolio underperformed, having appreciated 5.8%, while MSCI Asia-ex-Japan moved up 8.3%. BYD, Hyundai Engineering and Digiplus dragged it down. Alibaba, Trip.Com, Tencent, Maruti pulled it up.
  • We exclude the secular underperformers BYD and Digiplus and the unexciting Yum China. We include Tencent Music, Wuxi AppTec, International Container Terminals. Focus on China’s “new consumption” trends, CRDMO prowess.
  • We remain overweight HK/China despite the market’s recent outperformance. Immense stock selection opportunities in the market guide our stance. We remain overweight Korea, neutral India and underweight Taiwan. 

Three Squirrels A/H Listing: Heavy Price Competition; Thin Margins

By Nicholas Tan

  • Three Squirrels (TRS HK) is looking to raise around US$200m in its upcoming H-share listing.
  • It began selling nuts through e-commerce channels. Over the years, it had evolved significantly, growing from a single category nut brand into the largest domestic snack company in China.
  • In this note, we look at its past performance and other deal dynamics that might impact the listing.

Zylox Tonbridge Medical (2190 HK): No More Interventions Needed, Blockages Cleared for Growth

By Tina Banerjee

  • Zylox-Tonbridge Medical Technology (2190 HK) carried forward 2024 momentum, moving into 1H25. In 2024, sales had grown 48% to RMB 783M, followed by 32% rise to RMB 482M in 1H25.
  • Leveraging their robust R&D expertise and integrated technology platforms, the company has made significant progress and lined up launches of several critical innovative projects in neuro and peripheral-vascular interventional device.
  • China remains the main growth market for Zylox, though the company is deepening its presence overseas. Zylox stands at an inflection point from where the growth momentum will gain pace.

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Daily Brief Industrials: LS Marine Solution, Johns Lyng, Air Lease Corp, Hesai Group, Inpost, Herc Holdings , Amaero International Ltd and more

By | Daily Briefs, Industrials

In today’s briefing:

  • LS Cable – To Issue an EB Worth 400 Billion Won Using LS Marine Solution as Base Asset?
  • Johns Lyng (JLG AU): 8th October Vote On PEP’s Offer
  • Johns Lyng (JLG AU): Scheme Vote on 8 October
  • Air Lease Corp (AL) – Tuesday, Jun 3, 2025
  • Hesai Secondary HK Offering – Stock Has Been Recovering, a Look at Possible Trading Setup
  • What’s News in Amsterdam – 3 September (ABN Amro | Aegon/ASR | InPost | Dutch CPI)
  • Herc Holdings Inc (HRI) – Wednesday, Jun 4, 2025
  • Amaero International Ltd – New deals firm FY26 revenue guidance for $30-35M


LS Cable – To Issue an EB Worth 400 Billion Won Using LS Marine Solution as Base Asset?

By Douglas Kim

  • Major major local media including Maekyung Business Daily and Chosun Daily have reported that LS Cable & System is pushing forward with an EB worth 400 billion won. 
  • The target stock to be used in the EB is LS Cable’s shares in its subsidiary LS Marine Solution. 
  • LS Marine Solution is one of the largest marine engineering companies in Korea, specializing in the installation and maintenance of submarine cables, offshore wind infrastructure, and marine energy systems.

Johns Lyng (JLG AU): 8th October Vote On PEP’s Offer

By David Blennerhassett

  • On the 11th July, PEP offered A$4/share for integrated building services provider Johns Lyng (JLG AU), a 77% premium to undisturbed. CEO Scott Didier, JLG’s largest shareholder (17.62%), was supportive.
  • Pricing is okay. The absence of a final year fully franked dividend, which was teased at the onset, was ostensibly disappointing.
  • The Scheme Booklet is now out, with a Scheme Meeting on the 8th October, and expected implementation on or before the 23rd October. The IE (Kroll) says “fair & reasonable“.

Johns Lyng (JLG AU): Scheme Vote on 8 October

By Arun George

  • The Johns Lyng (JLG AU) IE considers PEP’s A$4.00 offer fair and reasonable as it is within its A$3.72-4.42 valuation range.
  • The offer requires regulatory (FIRB and US) and shareholder approvals. The scheme vote should pass as no disinterested shareholder comes close to holding a blocking stake.  
  • The offer is reasonable as the timing of an earnings recovery is highly uncertain. At the last close and for a 23 October payment, the gross/annualised spread is 1.5%/11.0%. 

Air Lease Corp (AL) – Tuesday, Jun 3, 2025

By Value Investors Club (VIC)

Key points (machine generated)

  • Air Lease is trading at 0.9 times its book value and is expected to double its earnings in three years.
  • Factors contributing to earnings growth include new aircraft deliveries, increased yields from extended leases, and the end of lower-rate COVID-era leases.
  • A potential stock buyback announcement is anticipated due to the company’s excess capital position.

This article is sourced from an online content aggregator through publicly available sources and is displayed below for general informational purposes only. This article was originally published 3 months ago on Value Investors Club.


Hesai Secondary HK Offering – Stock Has Been Recovering, a Look at Possible Trading Setup

By Sumeet Singh

  • Hesai Group (HSAI US) plans to raise around US$200-300m in its secondary listing in Hong Kong. 
  • The company won HK listing approval and filed its PHIP on 31st August 2025. It will look to launch its secondary offering soon.
  • In this note, we’ll take a look at the deal and talk about the impact of the raising.

What’s News in Amsterdam – 3 September (ABN Amro | Aegon/ASR | InPost | Dutch CPI)

By The IDEA!

  • In this edition: • ABN Amro | launches a neobank alternative aimed at youngsters • Aegon / a.s.r. Nederland | Aegon reduced its stake in ASR; ASR absorbs EUR 105m itself • InPost | post earnings call comment: investment case remains intact • Dutch CPI | consumer prices rose 2.8% YoY in August

Herc Holdings Inc (HRI) – Wednesday, Jun 4, 2025

By Value Investors Club (VIC)

Key points (machine generated)

  • Herc Holdings (HRI) is the third-largest equipment rental company, recently acquiring H&E to strengthen its market position.
  • HRI has improved its operations since separating from Hertz, adopting successful strategies from industry leaders.
  • Despite a narrower competitive advantage, HRI is seen as undervalued with resilient earnings expected even during recessions.

This article is sourced from an online content aggregator through publicly available sources and is displayed below for general informational purposes only. This article was originally published 3 months ago on Value Investors Club.


Amaero International Ltd – New deals firm FY26 revenue guidance for $30-35M

By Research as a Service (RaaS)

  • Amaero Ltd (ASX:3DA) is a global specialist in advanced materials manufacturing for the defence, aerospace and other industrial sectors, developing a critical metals alloy powder manufacturing facility in Tennessee, USA.
  • The company has announced new revenue guidance for FY26 in the range of A$30-35m with a 40/60 split to H1/H2.
  • The revenue guidance was given during a webinar following the announcement of a five-year exclusive supplier and development agreement with Titomic (ASX:TTT) for refractory and titanium alloy spherical powders.

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Daily Brief TMT/Internet: PC Partner, NVIDIA Corp, Dell Technologies , Ligent Technologies, Via Transportation, Japan System Techniques Co, Seagate Technology Holdings PL, Pureprofile Ltd, DUG Technology Ltd and more

By | Daily Briefs, TMT/Internet

In today’s briefing:

  • PC Partner (1263 HK): Thoughts On The HKEx Delisting
  • EP 132: NVIDIA Earnings + Ben’s Thesis Time and Those Lumpy ASICs.
  • Working Capital Strain: Why Nvidia’s Cash Flow Isn’t Keeping Up with Its Profits
  • Dell Technologies Inc (DELL) – Wednesday, Jun 4, 2025
  • Ligent Technologies Pre-IPO Tearsheet
  • Via Transportation Inc. (CI): Transportation Solutions Provider Sets Terms Seeking $3.5b Valuation
  • Q1 Follow-Up – Japan System Techniques (4323 JP) – August 25, 2025
  • Downgrading Staples to Underweight; New Leaders Still Leading As Prior Leaders Consolidate
  • Pureprofile RaaS Interview Transcript 3 September 2025
  • DUG Technology — Awarded material software contract


PC Partner (1263 HK): Thoughts On The HKEx Delisting

By David Blennerhassett

  • On the 15th November 2024, personal computer parts and accessories play PC Partner (1263 HK)‘s secondary listing, by way of introduction, was effected.
  • The SGX also granted in-principle approval for the conversion of its secondary listing status to a primary listing. This dual-listing status (SGX + HKEx) took effect on the 20th August.  
  • In tandem with a SGX free float waiver, PCP will now seek a HKEx delisting. This listing/delisting construct is to ensure the uninterrupted supply of NVIDIAs GPUs.

EP 132: NVIDIA Earnings + Ben’s Thesis Time and Those Lumpy ASICs.

By The Circuit

  • Nvidia’s performance in the industry show was okay, with the stock being slightly off and mixed reactions from analysts.
  • The company is continuing to grow at a significant rate, but there are concerns about AI market trends and China relations.
  • Questions surround Nvidia’s potential deal with China, with uncertainties about revenue sharing and government involvement.

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


Working Capital Strain: Why Nvidia’s Cash Flow Isn’t Keeping Up with Its Profits

By Raghav Vashisht

  • Nvidia’s operating cash fell to $15.4B from $27.4B last quarter, even as net income climbed to $26.4B.
  • Receivables jumped to $5.7B with Days Sales Outstanding at 54 days, while accrued liabilities flipped to a $4B drag.
  • The balance sheet shows a company pushing more product out than cash is coming in; the predicament arising from Nvidia’s revenue booking model.

Dell Technologies Inc (DELL) – Wednesday, Jun 4, 2025

By Value Investors Club (VIC)

Key points (machine generated)

  • Dell’s ISG recorded $38.4 billion in FY2023 but faced a 12% revenue decline to $33.9 billion in FY2024 due to macroeconomic challenges.
  • In FY2025, ISG rebounded with a 29% revenue increase to $43.6 billion, fueled by demand for AI-optimized servers and storage solutions.
  • ISG is integral to Dell’s AI infrastructure strategy, collaborating with partners like NVIDIA and Nokia to enhance AI offerings and maintain low-teens operating margins.

This article is sourced from an online content aggregator through publicly available sources and is displayed below for general informational purposes only. This article was originally published 3 months ago on Value Investors Club.


Ligent Technologies Pre-IPO Tearsheet

By Hong Jie Seow

  • Ligent Technologies (LGT HK) is looking to raise about US$100m in its upcoming Hong Kong IPO. The deal will be run by Citibank and CITIC Securities
  • Ligent Technologies is a global provider of optical communication and connectivity products that support the high-speed data needs of AI computing networks, cloud services, and telecom infrastructure. 
  • Its main offerings include optical transceivers (including datacom and telecom solutions), optical chips, and optical network terminals. These solutions power applications for data centers, telecom operators and computing systems.

Via Transportation Inc. (CI): Transportation Solutions Provider Sets Terms Seeking $3.5b Valuation

By IPO Boutique

  • Via Transportation will offer 10.7 million shares at $40-$44 and is scheduled to debut on Friday, September 12th.
  • Wellington Management has indicated an interest in purchasing up to $100 million in shares of Class A common stock in this offering.
  • With a large addressable market and solid revenue numbers, the company is positioned nicely for growth in the future. 

Q1 Follow-Up – Japan System Techniques (4323 JP) – August 25, 2025

By Sessa Investment Research

  • Japan System Techniques (hereafter, the Company) announced its Q1 FY2026/3 results: Key consolidated figures included net sales of JPY 7,039 mn (+11.8% YoY), operating profit of JPY 493 mn (+73.8% YoY), ordinary profit of JPY 509 mn (+59.9% YoY), and profit attributable to owners of parent (hereafter, net profit) of JPY 321 mn (+77.8% YoY).
  • The DX & SI business, the package business, and the medical big data business all achieved double-digit increases in both net sales and profit YoY.
  • A record high is expected to continue, with net sales forecast at JPY 32,000 mn (+9.1% YoY), operating profit at JPY 3,590 mn (+12.6% YoY), ordinary profit at JPY 3,660 mn (+12.1% YoY), and net profit for the year at JPY 2,770 mn (+13.4% YoY).

Downgrading Staples to Underweight; New Leaders Still Leading As Prior Leaders Consolidate

By Joe Jasper

  • We remain bullish since our 4/22/25 Compass, and we will maintain our bullish outlook as long as market dynamics remain healthy and the S&P 500 (SPX) is above 6028-6059.
  • Shorter-Term, the SPX violated its 3.5-month uptrend yesterday, but managed to rally back to the breakdown level by yesterday’s close. 
  • We would not yet call this a decisive breakdown, and we are on the lookout for a potential reclaim back above this uptrend at the 6425-3430 level. Or consolidation?

Pureprofile RaaS Interview Transcript 3 September 2025

By Research as a Service (RaaS)

  • Full transcript of post results interview with Pureprofile’s CEO Martin Filz and COO/CFO Melinda Sheppard.

DUG Technology — Awarded material software contract

By Edison Investment Research

DUG Technology has been awarded a significant contract with Petronas to provide software and HPCaaS services for a minimum three-year term. After paying a managed services partner to undertake part of the contract, the net minimum contract value of $18.2m is equivalent to c $6m revenue per annum. We have upgraded our forecasts factoring in a small contribution in FY26 before run-rate revenue is reached in FY27.


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Daily Brief Energy/Materials: Newmont Mining, Korea Zinc, Jindal Steel, IGO Ltd, Mec Co Ltd, Pulsar Helium, AdvanSix , SGX Rubber Future TSR20, CNMC Goldmine Holdings, DSM-Firmenich and more

By | Daily Briefs, Energy & Materials Sector

In today’s briefing:

  • Gold Miners ETF (GDX US): Capping Pushes Trade to Over US$10bn
  • Korea Zinc (010130 KS) – Rare Metals Rerating + TC/RC Recovery = Deep Value Setup
  • Jindal Steel – Transition Analysis
  • Long IGO (IGO AU) Vs. Short Iluka (ILU AU): Pair Trade Setup Amid Turnaround Potential
  • MEC Co., Ltd (4971 JP): Research Update
  • Pulsar Helium Inc. (TSX-V: PLSR): Very High Flow Rate at Jetstream…
  • Advansix Inc (ASIX) – Tuesday, Jun 3, 2025
  • Tariffs, Imports, And Closures Strain Brazil’s Tire Sector
  • CNMC Goldmine – CNMC’s 1HFY25 Earnings Outshine FY24
  • Dsm Firmenich Ag (DSFIY) – Tuesday, Jun 3, 2025


Gold Miners ETF (GDX US): Capping Pushes Trade to Over US$10bn

By Brian Freitas

  • The VanEck Gold Miners ETF/USA (GDX US) will change benchmark from the NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index to the MarketVector Global Gold Miners Index at the close on 19 September.
  • The differences in the constituents between the two indices should result in 8 adds and 25 deletes. Estimated one-way turnover is 22.9% resulting in a round-trip trade of US$10.2bn.
  • The forecast adds have underperformed the forecast deletes since the last Insight that highlighted the big valuation gap that had opened up since the announcement of the benchmark switch.

Korea Zinc (010130 KS) – Rare Metals Rerating + TC/RC Recovery = Deep Value Setup

By Rahul Jain

  • Korea Zinc (010130 KS) is the world’s largest merchant zinc smelter, with growing exposure to high-margin rare metals (Sb/In/Bi).
  • Management is executing the “Troika Drive” strategy—expanding copper and nickel sulfate capacity while scaling strategic minerals and recycling.
  • Stock trades at ~5x 2027E earnings and ~4.7x EV/EBITDA, a clear discount to peers, key risks remain rare metal price volatility, zinc TC/RC recovery timing

Jindal Steel – Transition Analysis

By Carbon Tracker Initiative

  • This is the third report in our series analysing the state and outlook for Indian steel majors in their ambition to expand capacity while meeting decarbonisation goals.
  • Following our reports on JSW Steel and Tata Steel, this edition focuses on Jindal Steel.
  • Jindal Steel has set a net zero emissions target for 2047, 23 years ahead of India’s national goal.

Long IGO (IGO AU) Vs. Short Iluka (ILU AU): Pair Trade Setup Amid Turnaround Potential

By Gaudenz Schneider

  • Context: The IGO (IGO AU) vs. Iluka (ILU AU) price-ratio has deviated more than two standard deviations from its one-year average, presenting a potential relative value opportunity.
  • Highlights: Going long IGO (IGO AU) and short Iluka Resources (ILU AU) targets a 12% return to the one standard deviation 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.

MEC Co., Ltd (4971 JP): Research Update

By Nippon Investment Bespoke Research UK

  • While MEC’s (4971 JP) FY25 (Dec year-end) 1H sales fell short of guidance by 2.2% to ¥9,387mil (+5.7% YoY), OP improved +3.3% YoY to ¥2,440mil, coming in 8.5% above the firm’s guidance of ¥2,250mil.
  • This was primarily due to less than expected SG&A spending – something the firm had flagged in an earlier release.
  • Net profit [NP] was revised from ¥1,450mil (-23.2% YoY) to ¥1,893mil (+0.2% YoY), thanks to the receipt of a subsidy from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry [METI] specifically for smaller sized companies to support growth investment.

Pulsar Helium Inc. (TSX-V: PLSR): Very High Flow Rate at Jetstream…

By Auctus Advisors

  • Jetstream #1 recorded a peak flow rate exceeding 1.3 mmcf/d of raw gas during a compression-assisted test, with no formation water encountered.
  • This represents a ~2.5-fold increase over the flow rate achieved without compression, and is approximately 60–65% higher than the rate recorded during the April 2024 test under comparable conditions.
  • Jetstream #1 delivered a net helium peak flow rate of ~0.19 mmcf/d—among the highest reported by junior helium E&Ps in North America.

Advansix Inc (ASIX) – Tuesday, Jun 3, 2025

By Value Investors Club (VIC)

Key points (machine generated)

  • Advansix is the lowest-cost producer of nylon and caprolactam, improving mid-cycle EBITDA from $200 million pre-COVID to $250-300 million.
  • The company’s strong vertical integration and cost advantages create a durable competitive moat, enabling profitability during downturns.
  • With a current enterprise value of $850 million and a valuation of $39-48 per share, Advansix presents potential for attractive investor returns.

This article is sourced from an online content aggregator through publicly available sources and is displayed below for general informational purposes only. This article was originally published 3 months ago on Value Investors Club.


Tariffs, Imports, And Closures Strain Brazil’s Tire Sector

By Vinod Nedumudy

  •  U.S. tariffs and low-cost Asian imports reshape Brazil’s tire industry
  • ADD on Chinese passenger tires renewed to shield local producers
  • Michelin to shut down its Guarulhos plant in Sao Paulo by Dec 2025

CNMC Goldmine – CNMC’s 1HFY25 Earnings Outshine FY24

By SAC Capital

  • CNMC delivered a stellar financial performance in 1HFY25.
  • The Group’s 1HFY25 net profit surged 251.4% YoY to US$19.4 million, exceeding FY24 full year net profit of US$12.2 million.
  • 1HFY25 revenue increased 78.0% YoY to US$52.8 million, the highest in any half-year period since CNMC’s inception.

Dsm Firmenich Ag (DSFIY) – Tuesday, Jun 3, 2025

By Value Investors Club (VIC)

Key points (machine generated)

  • DSM-Firmenich was formed through a €20 billion merger between DSM and Firmenich, combining expertise in nutrition, health, and fragrances.
  • Concerns arose about the merger’s synergies due to minimal overlap between the companies and skepticism about achieving targeted revenue and EBITDA synergies.
  • The merger coincided with a downturn in DSM’s markets, leading to falling vitamin prices, but it also presents a unique opportunity for the new entity.

This article is sourced from an online content aggregator through publicly available sources and is displayed below for general informational purposes only. This article was originally published 3 months ago on Value Investors Club.


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Daily Brief Consumer: Ashimori Industry, Pacific Industrial, Mahindra & Mahindra, Midea Group, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, TSE Tokyo Price Index TOPIX, Vince Holding and more

By | Consumer, Daily Briefs

In today’s briefing:

  • Ashimori Industry (3526 JP): Murakami Outlines His Case
  • Pacific Industrial (7250 JP): Effissimo Rears Its Head
  • A Trader’s Guide To “G” Day | Positioning For “Next-Generation GST Reforms”
  • Midea Group(300 HK)-Firing on All Cylinders; Disciplined Execution Across Legacy &Emerging Verticals
  • Lucror Analytics – Morning Views Asia
  • What Is More Important in Promoting “Effective Investor Relations”?
  • VNCE: 2Q Preview: Progressing Against the Tariff Tides; Reiterate Buy, $4 PT


Ashimori Industry (3526 JP): Murakami Outlines His Case

By Arun George

  • Takateru Murakami, Yoshiaki Murakami’s son, has increased his Ashimori Industry (3526 JP) to an 18.36% ownership ratio at an average buy-in price of JPY4,154.28 vs. the JPY4,140 tender offer. 
  • Crucially, in today’s disclosure, Takateru Murakami outlines the rationale for his stake building, which centres on the book value being materially understated if certain land were revalued at market rates.
  • Maintaining current terms is increasingly not a viable option. Toyoda Gosei (7282 JP) is likely to pursue a strategy of either increasing its offer or lowering the minimum acceptance condition. 

Pacific Industrial (7250 JP): Effissimo Rears Its Head

By Arun George

  • Effissimo reported a 5.87% ownership ratio in Pacific Industrial (7250 JP). The average buy-in price of JPY2,235.91 per share is 9.1% above the JPY2,050 MBO offer.
  • Effissimo buying significantly above terms is justifiable as the offer implied a P/B of 0.71x. Effissimo is agitating for either a bump or an opportunity to participate in the back-end.
  • With the offer closing on 8 September and shares trading 16.9% above terms, the Ogawas have little choice but to revise terms.

A Trader’s Guide To “G” Day | Positioning For “Next-Generation GST Reforms”

By Pranav Bhavsar

  • The 56th GST Council Meeting is currently underway in New Delhi, having commenced on September 3, 2025 at 11:00 AM and will continue until September 4, 2025.
  • These are supposed to be “next-generation GST reforms” with a promise of implementing reforms as a “Diwali gift” for consumers.
  • Negative FII Participation, Negative Price Action, Rich Multiples coupled with Negative Earnings Revisions argue for a bearish positioning going into the “G” Day – Day of GST Reform Announcements.

Midea Group(300 HK)-Firing on All Cylinders; Disciplined Execution Across Legacy &Emerging Verticals

By Sreemant Dudhoria,CFA

  • Firing on All Cylinders :Midea Group (300 HK) delivered robust 15.7% YoY revenue growth and 25% profit increase in H1 2025, driven by strong domestic demand and overseas expansion.
  • Disciplined Execution : Smart Home remained the largest contributor, while Energy Solutions and Intelligent Building Technology delivered fastest growth; overseas revenue rose 17.7% YoY, now 42.5% of group sales.
  • Available at compelling valuation of 13.7x P/E (FY25e), Midea emphasizes R&D leadership, digital transformation, and green solutions to sustain long-term growth.

Lucror Analytics – Morning Views Asia

By Leonard Law, CFA

  • In today’s Morning Views publication we comment on developments of the following high yield issuers: Melco Resorts, Tata Motors, Fosun International
  • UST yields rose yesterday alongside a sell-off in long-dated European bonds, as well as on account of concerns that court rulings against US President Donald Trump’s tariffs would worsen the country’s fiscal deficit.
  • The yield on the 2Y UST rose 2 bps to 3.64%, while the yield on the 10Y UST was up 3 bps at 4.26%. Equities slipped, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq down 0.7% and 0.8% at 6,416 and 21,280, respectively.

What Is More Important in Promoting “Effective Investor Relations”?

By Aki Matsumoto

  • Most companies appointed IR officers and hold some sort of briefing for analysts and investors, but briefings for overseas investors and explanations by the CEO himself are still insufficient.
  • It is valuable to have a direct Q&A session with the CEO about the feasibility of the business plan’s commitments and planned values, and the formulation process.
  • There are still many companies that are reluctant to hold meetings between independent outside directors and investors, and such companies are missing out on an opportunity to create value.

VNCE: 2Q Preview: Progressing Against the Tariff Tides; Reiterate Buy, $4 PT

By Small Cap Consumer Research

  • We are reiterating our Buy rating, projections and $4 price target for Vince Holding with the company announcing 2QFY25 (July) results after the close on Wednesday.
  • We believe the company has continued to offer compelling styles in both the wholesale and retail channels, even in the face of higher tariffs, which have somewhat altered the product flows for the Spring/Pre-Fall collections.
  • Further, we expect the impact of higher tariffs, which did not coincide with material price increases in 2Q, to be the largest negative this quarter, with the bottom line impact increasingly offset going forward from price and sourcing shifts.

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Daily Brief Health Care: Hangzhou Kangji Medical Instrument Co., Ltd., WuXi XDC Cayman , Myungin Pharmaceutical, GenFleet Therapeutics, 3SBio Inc, LB Pharmaceuticals, Shanghai Forest Cabin Biological-Tech and more

By | Daily Briefs, Healthcare

In today’s briefing:

  • Kangji Medical (9997 HK): Precondition Satisfied for the Light Scheme Offer
  • WuXi XDC Cayman (2268 HK) Placement: Capex to Accelerate Growth Momentum
  • Myungin Pharm Pre-IPO: Domestic Leader, Partial Monetization for Founders
  • Genfleet (劲方医药) Pre-IPO: Thoughts on Valuation
  • 3SBio Inc (1530 HK): NDA Approvals Awaited Amid Sales Decline; Upfront Payment To Boost 2H25
  • LB Pharmaceuticals Inc. (LBRX): Peeking at the IPO Prospectus of Schizophrenia Product Candidate Bio
  • Pre-IPO Shanghai Forest Cabin Biological-Tech – The Business Model and the Concerns Behind


Kangji Medical (9997 HK): Precondition Satisfied for the Light Scheme Offer

By Arun George

  • The precondition for Hangzhou Kangji Medical Instrument Co., Ltd. (9997 HK)’s scheme privatisation from a consortium is satisfied. The offer, which has been declared final, is at HK$9.25 per share. 
  • The key condition will be approval by at least 75% disinterested shareholders (<10% of all disinterested shareholders rejection). Crucially, the blocking stake is below the substantial disclosure threshold.
  • Despite the recent derating of peers, the vote risk remains medium-to-high due to a solid interim, the imminent surgical robot growth story, unfavourable AGM voting patterns, and emerging retail opposition.

WuXi XDC Cayman (2268 HK) Placement: Capex to Accelerate Growth Momentum

By Tina Banerjee

  • WuXi XDC Cayman (2268 HK) is placing up to 22M shares at the placing price of HK$58.85 per share to raise a maximum gross proceed of HK$1,311M under general mandate.
  • The company will also issue ~24M shares to its controlling shareholder Wuxi Biologics at HK$58.85 per share for a total consideration of ~HK$1,420M, subject to independent shareholders’ approval.
  • 90% of the proceeds will be used for further expansion of the company’s production capacity in relation to clinical and commercial manufacturing for bioconjugates, drug substances, and drug products.

Myungin Pharm Pre-IPO: Domestic Leader, Partial Monetization for Founders

By Nicholas Tan

  • Myungin Pharmaceutical (MYUNGIN KS)  is looking to raise up to US$142m in its upcoming Korean IPO.
  • Myungin Pharm specializes in central nervous system (CNS) therapeutics, with an extensive product line-up of over 200 CNS products. 
  • In this note, we provide updates on the firm’s past performance.

Genfleet (劲方医药) Pre-IPO: Thoughts on Valuation

By Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

  • Genfleet, a China-based clinical-stage biotech, is looking to raise USD 250 million via a Hong Kong listing. The sole book runner is CITIC.
  • In our previous insight, we looked at the company’s core products and its management team, as well as investor backing.
  • In this note, we will provide an rNPV-based valuation for the company.

3SBio Inc (1530 HK): NDA Approvals Awaited Amid Sales Decline; Upfront Payment To Boost 2H25

By Tina Banerjee

  • 3SBio Inc (1530 HK) witnessed a revenue decline of 1% in 1H25. Company’s core product Tpiao’s sales decreased 4% to RMB 2.4B (54% of total) impacted by lower volume.  
  • Phase III clinical trial of SSS06 (anemia in chronic renal failure), 608 (psoriasis), and 613 (acute gouty arthritis) is complete. NDAs for the same are under review by NMPA.
  • 3SBio shares are trading at forward P/E of 11.5x, lower than peers. We feel that there is still upside potential left in the stock.

LB Pharmaceuticals Inc. (LBRX): Peeking at the IPO Prospectus of Schizophrenia Product Candidate Bio

By IPO Boutique

  • Their product candidate, LB-102, is a Phase 3-ready oral, small molecule for the treatment of acute schizophrenia, defined as a sudden and severe episode of psychotic symptoms.
  • The largest holder is Deep Track Biotechnology Master Fund, Ltd., controlling 16.7 million shares, or 19.6% of the company.
  • There has not been a biotech IPO since Aardvark Therapeutics in mid February. This biotech may be more well-received given that its lead product candidate is in Phase III.

Pre-IPO Shanghai Forest Cabin Biological-Tech – The Business Model and the Concerns Behind

By Xinyao (Criss) Wang

  • FOREST CABIN holds a leading position in camellia oil segmentation, with mid-to-high end positioning and high gross profit margin. But high operating cost will put pressure on net profit margin.
  • Considering the risk of recession/depression, consumption downgrade and reducing non-rigid spending will be the main theme in short term. 50% YoY revenue growth in 2024 is likely to be unsustainable.
  • Valuation of FOREST CABIN could be lower than peers. Stock price performance would highly depend on market sentiment, company growth trend, and visibility of profitability at the time of listing.

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Daily Brief Industrials: LS Marine Solution, Johns Lyng, Air Lease Corp, Hesai Group, Inpost, Herc Holdings , Amaero International Ltd and more

By | Daily Briefs, Industrials

In today’s briefing:

  • LS Cable – To Issue an EB Worth 400 Billion Won Using LS Marine Solution as Base Asset?
  • Johns Lyng (JLG AU): 8th October Vote On PEP’s Offer
  • Johns Lyng (JLG AU): Scheme Vote on 8 October
  • Air Lease Corp (AL) – Tuesday, Jun 3, 2025
  • Hesai Secondary HK Offering – Stock Has Been Recovering, a Look at Possible Trading Setup
  • What’s News in Amsterdam – 3 September (ABN Amro | Aegon/ASR | InPost | Dutch CPI)
  • Herc Holdings Inc (HRI) – Wednesday, Jun 4, 2025
  • Amaero International Ltd – New deals firm FY26 revenue guidance for $30-35M


LS Cable – To Issue an EB Worth 400 Billion Won Using LS Marine Solution as Base Asset?

By Douglas Kim

  • Major major local media including Maekyung Business Daily and Chosun Daily have reported that LS Cable & System is pushing forward with an EB worth 400 billion won. 
  • The target stock to be used in the EB is LS Cable’s shares in its subsidiary LS Marine Solution. 
  • LS Marine Solution is one of the largest marine engineering companies in Korea, specializing in the installation and maintenance of submarine cables, offshore wind infrastructure, and marine energy systems.

Johns Lyng (JLG AU): 8th October Vote On PEP’s Offer

By David Blennerhassett

  • On the 11th July, PEP offered A$4/share for integrated building services provider Johns Lyng (JLG AU), a 77% premium to undisturbed. CEO Scott Didier, JLG’s largest shareholder (17.62%), was supportive.
  • Pricing is okay. The absence of a final year fully franked dividend, which was teased at the onset, was ostensibly disappointing.
  • The Scheme Booklet is now out, with a Scheme Meeting on the 8th October, and expected implementation on or before the 23rd October. The IE (Kroll) says “fair & reasonable“.

Johns Lyng (JLG AU): Scheme Vote on 8 October

By Arun George

  • The Johns Lyng (JLG AU) IE considers PEP’s A$4.00 offer fair and reasonable as it is within its A$3.72-4.42 valuation range.
  • The offer requires regulatory (FIRB and US) and shareholder approvals. The scheme vote should pass as no disinterested shareholder comes close to holding a blocking stake.  
  • The offer is reasonable as the timing of an earnings recovery is highly uncertain. At the last close and for a 23 October payment, the gross/annualised spread is 1.5%/11.0%. 

Air Lease Corp (AL) – Tuesday, Jun 3, 2025

By Value Investors Club (VIC)

Key points (machine generated)

  • Air Lease is trading at 0.9 times its book value and is expected to double its earnings in three years.
  • Factors contributing to earnings growth include new aircraft deliveries, increased yields from extended leases, and the end of lower-rate COVID-era leases.
  • A potential stock buyback announcement is anticipated due to the company’s excess capital position.

This article is sourced from an online content aggregator through publicly available sources and is displayed below for general informational purposes only. This article was originally published 3 months ago on Value Investors Club.


Hesai Secondary HK Offering – Stock Has Been Recovering, a Look at Possible Trading Setup

By Sumeet Singh

  • Hesai Group (HSAI US) plans to raise around US$200-300m in its secondary listing in Hong Kong. 
  • The company won HK listing approval and filed its PHIP on 31st August 2025. It will look to launch its secondary offering soon.
  • In this note, we’ll take a look at the deal and talk about the impact of the raising.

What’s News in Amsterdam – 3 September (ABN Amro | Aegon/ASR | InPost | Dutch CPI)

By The IDEA!

  • In this edition: • ABN Amro | launches a neobank alternative aimed at youngsters • Aegon / a.s.r. Nederland | Aegon reduced its stake in ASR; ASR absorbs EUR 105m itself • InPost | post earnings call comment: investment case remains intact • Dutch CPI | consumer prices rose 2.8% YoY in August

Herc Holdings Inc (HRI) – Wednesday, Jun 4, 2025

By Value Investors Club (VIC)

Key points (machine generated)

  • Herc Holdings (HRI) is the third-largest equipment rental company, recently acquiring H&E to strengthen its market position.
  • HRI has improved its operations since separating from Hertz, adopting successful strategies from industry leaders.
  • Despite a narrower competitive advantage, HRI is seen as undervalued with resilient earnings expected even during recessions.

This article is sourced from an online content aggregator through publicly available sources and is displayed below for general informational purposes only. This article was originally published 3 months ago on Value Investors Club.


Amaero International Ltd – New deals firm FY26 revenue guidance for $30-35M

By Research as a Service (RaaS)

  • Amaero Ltd (ASX:3DA) is a global specialist in advanced materials manufacturing for the defence, aerospace and other industrial sectors, developing a critical metals alloy powder manufacturing facility in Tennessee, USA.
  • The company has announced new revenue guidance for FY26 in the range of A$30-35m with a 40/60 split to H1/H2.
  • The revenue guidance was given during a webinar following the announcement of a five-year exclusive supplier and development agreement with Titomic (ASX:TTT) for refractory and titanium alloy spherical powders.

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Daily Brief Financials: Tata Capital Limited, Metaplanet, Klarna Group, DigiCo Infrastructure REIT, S&P/ASX 200, Mediobanca SpA, Japan Post Bank, 360 Finance, Inc., Halyk Savings Bank of Kazakhstan, Migalo Holdings and more

By | Daily Briefs, Financials

In today’s briefing:

  • Tata Capital Pre-IPO – The Negatives – Recent Merger Wasn’t All that Great
  • Metaplanet Placement: A Look at Other Treasury Play Issuances and Performance
  • Klarna IPO Valuation Analysis
  • DigiCo Infrastructure REIT (DGT AU) And HealthCo REIT (HCW AU): Passive Flows
  • S&P/ASX 200 Tactical Outlook Ahead of Sep-25 Rebalance
  • BMPS–Mediobanca: Sweetener + Waiver Tighten the Spread
  • Japan Post Bank- Adding Some Sizzle with a Move into Digital Currencies!
  • 2025 High Conviction: QFIN US – Event-Driven: Regulatory Overhang Sets Up 100%+ Upside Post-Clarity
  • Halyk Bank — Strong year-on-year earnings growth in Q225
  • Q1 Follow-Up – MIGALO HOLDINGS (5535 JP) – August 26, 2025


Tata Capital Pre-IPO – The Negatives – Recent Merger Wasn’t All that Great

By Sumeet Singh

  • Tata Capital Limited (TATACAP IN) is looking to raise up to US$2bn in its upcoming India IPO.
  • Tata Capital Limited (TCL) is the flagship financial services company of the Tata group and a subsidiary of Tata Sons Private Limited.
  • In this note, we talk about the not-so-positive aspects of the deal.

Metaplanet Placement: A Look at Other Treasury Play Issuances and Performance

By Nicholas Tan

  • Metaplanet (3350 JP) is looking to raise around US$1bn from a primary placement.
  • The deal is a relatively small one, representing 4.8 days of the stock’s three month ADV, despite being 22.8% of total shares outstanding.
  • In this note, we look at Metaplanet and its peers.

Klarna IPO Valuation Analysis

By Douglas Kim

  • Klarna is getting ready to complete its IPO on the New York Stock Exchange.
  • Klarna is offering 34.3 million shares at $35 to $37 per share. At the high end of the IPO price range, the company would be able to raise $1.27 billion.
  • Our base case valuation is 5.4% lower than the low end of the IPO price range. Given the lack of upside, we have a Negative View of the Klarna IPO. 

DigiCo Infrastructure REIT (DGT AU) And HealthCo REIT (HCW AU): Passive Flows

By Brian Freitas


S&P/ASX 200 Tactical Outlook Ahead of Sep-25 Rebalance

By Nico Rosti

  • In our latest ASX200 insight, posted on Aug 22nd, we wrote: “The index could rally one more week (next week), that should be the end of this rally“. 
  • The rally ended last week, as predicted: the S&P/ASX 200 (AS51 INDEX) is falling this week,  it has already reached OVERSOLD support levels according to our model.
  • Attached you can find an Excel file with all the data (key supp/res level with probabilities, check row # 12), our new forecast in detailed in the insight.

BMPS–Mediobanca: Sweetener + Waiver Tighten the Spread

By Jesus Rodriguez Aguilar

  • BMPS raises terms to 2.533 BMPS shares plus €0.90 cash per Mediobanca share, waiving the two-thirds condition while retaining a 35% minimum—shifting sentiment to a modest, positive convergence setup.
  • Timeline tight: board review this week; acceptance deadline 8 September; results and settlement mid-September unless terms change, which could trigger re-opening and push closing toward late September or early October.
  • Best expression remains long Mediobanca, short 2.533× BMPS per share; a 1% BMPS move shifts implied consideration ~€0.19 (≈1% of MB), so maintain a disciplined hedge into catalysts and headlines.

Japan Post Bank- Adding Some Sizzle with a Move into Digital Currencies!

By Rikki Malik

  • The bank is starting to perform both absolutely and relative to both the Topix and the Megabanks
  • The core thesis is intact as  Net Interest Income improves from a changed asset mix 
  • The move into digital currencies is groundbreaking for this institution

2025 High Conviction: QFIN US – Event-Driven: Regulatory Overhang Sets Up 100%+ Upside Post-Clarity

By Raj S, CA, CFA

  • QFIN US is down 30% since July on fear that the Oct 1 regulatory action on 24%+ loans will lead to significant and sustained earnings downgrades.
  • QFIN’s industry-leading franchise, risk management history, capital return yield (~18-20%), and strong balance sheet support a strong recovery post-regulatory clarity and cleanup.
  • Valuation at 1.2x FY1 P/BV already discounts worst case; QFIN’s recovery potential leaves scope for 100%+ upside (peak valuation at 2.4x in Mar-24 pre-regulation).

Halyk Bank — Strong year-on-year earnings growth in Q225

By Edison Investment Research

Halyk Bank delivered a strong 26.1% y-o-y increase in net profit to KZT253.6bn in Q225, leading to a healthy annualised return on equity (ROE) of 32.2% (up from 31.7% in Q224). Loan book growth moderated in H125, with gross loans to individuals and legal entities increasing by 4.3% and 1.4% versus end-2024, respectively. Management still guides to a solid FY25 net loan portfolio growth of 15–20%, slightly down from 17–22% guided previously, as retail loan growth expectations have been slightly reduced to 15–20%, from 20–25% previously. Halyk’s operating expenses rose by 30.7% y-o-y in Q225, mostly due to an increase in salaries and employee benefits (with a contribution from the recently launched long-term incentive programme) and the expansion of Halyk’s IT headcount to drive its digitalisation agenda. Its cost-to-income ratio (CIR) came in at a low 17.8% in Q225, with management expecting 17–19% in FY25. Halyk’s robust capital ratios of over 18% at end-June 2025 encouraged management to recommend a second dividend from FY24 net income of KZT21.0 per share, which, together with the first payment, represents a 60% payout ratio and at the current share price implies a healthy 14% yield.


Q1 Follow-Up – MIGALO HOLDINGS (5535 JP) – August 26, 2025

By Sessa Investment Research

  • On August 7, MIGALO HOLDINGS Inc. (hereafter, the Company) announced its Q1 FY2026 (April–June) earnings results.
  • Net sales increased 4.4% YoY to JPY 14,272 mn, and operating profit increased 23.1% YoY to JPY 975 mn.
  • As shown below, progress toward the Company’s full-year forecast got off to a roughly on-schedule start, with 23.8% of net sales and 34.8% of operating profit achieved.

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