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Smartkarma Daily Briefs

Daily Brief Health Care: New Ruipeng Pet Group, Syngene International Ltd, Bayer AG, CStone Pharmaceuticals and more

By | Daily Briefs, Healthcare

In today’s briefing:

  • New Ruipeng Pet Group Pre-IPO Peer Comparison – Largest Domestic Player, but Smallest Margins
  • Syngene International Ltd (SYNG IN): Well-Positioned to Capitalize On Strong Industry Tailwind
  • Bayer: New CEO Announced. Our Bull Case Gets Stronger. Stock +12.6% Since Initial Note
  • CStone Pharmaceuticals Placement (2616.HK) – There Is No Certainty that the Dilemma Will Reverse

New Ruipeng Pet Group Pre-IPO Peer Comparison – Largest Domestic Player, but Smallest Margins

By Clarence Chu

  • New Ruipeng Pet Group (RPET US) is looking to raise at least US$100m in its upcoming US IPO.
  • New Ruipeng Pet Group (Ruipeng) is a pet services platform, primarily offering pet care services, supply chain services and local services, covering the entire lifecycle of pets. 
  • In our previous notes, we have looked at the company’s past performance. In this note, we undertake a peer comparison.

Syngene International Ltd (SYNG IN): Well-Positioned to Capitalize On Strong Industry Tailwind

By Tina Banerjee

  • Syngene International Ltd (SYNG IN) provides integrated services from early discovery to commercial supply across all major therapeutic areas and modalities. The company has 400+ active clients.
  • To capitalize on the secular industry tailwind, the company has been investing to enhance capacity and capability, which has led to extension of existing client relations and engaging new clients.
  • For FY23, the company expects high-teens revenue growth and EBITDA margin of ~30%. Operating leverage is expected to improve from next year onwards, and that should improve the overall profitability.

Bayer: New CEO Announced. Our Bull Case Gets Stronger. Stock +12.6% Since Initial Note

By Alexis Dwek

  • Bayer announced a new CEO today. Former Roche executive Anderson will take over the new role in June. 
  • Our Target Price for the time being is €78.60, implying 25% upside from the current share price
  • The equity story expands across all of Bayer’s three segments. Positive signs in Pharma, Crops Sciences, and Consumer Health are showing, which we believe are misunderstood by the investment community

CStone Pharmaceuticals Placement (2616.HK) – There Is No Certainty that the Dilemma Will Reverse

By Xinyao (Criss) Wang

  • The revenue brought by CStone’s differentiated layout of pipeline does not match the R&D investment. CStone needs to in-license more late-stage products, but the Company is not cash rich.
  • CStone was incubated by WuXi Bio. Its business model is“VC+IP+CRO”. Cstone doesn’t have independent R&D capability. The increasingly low cost performance of in-licensed products has made the capital “reconsider” .
  • Cstone doesn’t have the potential to be a biopharma as it licensed out the key/core candidates. Its future valuation growth would be “discounted”. Corporate governance/instability is also a concern.

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Daily Brief Thailand: Bank Of Ayudhya and more

By | Daily Briefs, Thailand

In today’s briefing:

  • Bank Of Ayudhya (BAY TB) – Thai Retail Wizard Moving to ASEAN

Bank Of Ayudhya (BAY TB) – Thai Retail Wizard Moving to ASEAN

By Angus Mackintosh

  • Bank Of Ayudhya (BAY TB), now branded as Krungsri, is a unique Thai bank with high-quality retail exposure, a low-risk corporate loan book, and a growing SME book. 
  • The bank is growing its digital exposure through its KMB app, its GO app for auto customers plus its UChoose lifestyle app and it collaborates with Grab and Shopee.
  • Krungsri’s move to acquire Nomura Thailand’s broking business and its acquisition of Home Credit in Indonesia and the Philippines provide an additional edge and ASEAN exposure. Valuations are inexpensive.

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Daily Brief Industrials: Adani Enterprises, Toshiba Corp, AGC Inc, Ihara Science, Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone and more

By | Daily Briefs, Industrials

In today’s briefing:

  • MSCI Acts Quickly: Unmitigated Bad News for Adani Group Companies
  • Toshiba (6502) – Whoop! There It Is!
  • AGC (5201 JP) – A Big Buyback
  • Ihara Science (5999 JP) Sees the Chairman Launch an MBO. I Might Expect Excitement.
  • Adani Ports – Earnings Flash – 9M FY 2022-23 Results – Lucror Analytics
  • Ihara Science (5999 JP): JPY2,980 MBO Tender Offer

MSCI Acts Quickly: Unmitigated Bad News for Adani Group Companies

By Brian Freitas

  • In an unprecedent step, MSCI will reassess the float and likely lower the FIF of the Adani Group companies at the February QCIR. There will be BIG passive selling.
  • The affected securities will be further reviewed as part of the scheduled Full Country Float Review during the May QCIR. There could be some index deletions and BIGGER passive selling.
  • Expect active selling before the passive selling and the rally in the Adani Group stocks over the last couple of days should come to a grinding halt today.

Toshiba (6502) – Whoop! There It Is!

By Travis Lundy

  • As mentioned yesterday here and more clearly by Mio Kato in Toshiba – Good News?, the Nikkei was strangely silent over the fact that loan details were agreed. 
  • The Nikkei comes out with a surprise article this morning saying they hear the Commitment Letter has been handed over. It also says the “Final Bid” is “about ¥2trln.”
  • Toshiba shares quickly reacted badly quickly. The article deserves parsing and I try to clarify the arguments.

AGC (5201 JP) – A Big Buyback

By Travis Lundy

  • AGC Inc (5201 JP) today announced Q4 earnings where revenues were great, OP was slightly disappointing, and Net Profits were awful because of significant impairments.
  • The company, however, announced a large buyback – its first in 5 years and equivalent to all the buybacks in the previous five years. 
  • The buyback should have impact on what is an interesting name with broad institutional ownership and not overwhelming liquidity.

Ihara Science (5999 JP) Sees the Chairman Launch an MBO. I Might Expect Excitement.

By Travis Lundy

  • Ihara Science (5999 JP) announced an MBO by the chairman. 
  • It’s at an all-time high, but it is not especially attractive. The register is also really interesting.
  • This is a smallcap but i would not be surprised to see a bumpitrage effort. In fact, I’d be surprised if we didn’t.

Adani Ports – Earnings Flash – 9M FY 2022-23 Results – Lucror Analytics

By Leonard Law, CFA

Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone’s 9M/22-23 results were broadly stable. The main takeaway was management’s commitment to reduce debt by INR 50 bn using FCF in FY 2023-24, supported by lower capex and limiting new acquisitions. This would cover the INR 16 bn in repayments for onshore bonds maturing in H1/23-24, as well as the prepayment of certain bank debt. Management expects the company to generate the same amount of FCF in FY 2024-25, which would be channelled to repay the USD 650 mn ADSEZ 3.375 24 due in July 2024.


Ihara Science (5999 JP): JPY2,980 MBO Tender Offer

By Arun George

  • Ihara Science (5999 JP) has recommended an MBO tender offer (Chairman and Toku Corporation) of JPY2,980 per share, a 31.3% premium to the undisturbed price (7 February).
  • The transaction is a two-step acquisition through a cash tender offer and subsequent squeeze-out. The lower limit of the tender offer is set at a 66.25% ownership ratio.
  • While the tender price represents an all-time share price, it is light in comparison to peer and historical multiples. This suggests deal risk. The offer runs from 9 Feb-24 Mar.

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Daily Brief Energy/Materials: Lithium Power International, Tata Steel Ltd, Nanoco Group PLC and more

By | Daily Briefs, Energy & Materials Sector

In today’s briefing:

  • Lithium Power International – Lithium price upgrade calls for higher valuation
  • Tata Steel – Earnings Flash – Q3 FY 2022-23 Results – Lucror Analytics
  • Nanoco Group – Litigation settlement concluded

Lithium Power International – Lithium price upgrade calls for higher valuation

By Edison Investment Research

We have raised our near-term lithium price expectations to reflect the current supply/demand cycle and upgraded our long-run (post 2031) price forecasts (from US$17,000/t to US$22,500/t LCE) to reflect lithium’s high demand growth and highly concentrated supply fundamentals. On the back of this, our valuation of Lithium Power International (LPI) has increased from A$1.24/share to A$1.42/share assuming the full project equity dilution. We have also updated our model to reflect 100% consolidation of the Maricunga project as well as LPI’s (now somewhat more dilutive) lower share price.


Tata Steel – Earnings Flash – Q3 FY 2022-23 Results – Lucror Analytics

By Trung Nguyen

Tata Steel has reported significantly weaker than expected Q3/22-23 results. This was driven by a material loss in the European business. Meanwhile, the Indian operations remained reasonable. The consolidated financial risk profile deteriorated significantly, albeit Net Debt/EBITDA remained within the company’s long-term target. Liquidity is adequate.

The next few quarters are likely to be weaker for Tata Steel in Europe, as markets remain subdued. Steel prices are projected to weaken in Q4/22-23, with the drop likely to be steeper than the decline in coking coal and iron ore prices.


Nanoco Group – Litigation settlement concluded

By Edison Investment Research

Nanoco Group has signed the final agreements to settle the litigation with Samsung on a no-fault basis for the alleged infringement of the group’s intellectual property (IP), with Samsung paying Nanoco $150m (£125m) in cash. Nanoco’s H123 performance relating to the organic activities was slightly ahead of management’s expectations. We have revised our estimates to reflect both the settlement, which includes £3.0m in licence revenues recognisable in H223 and takes the group from negative to positive EBITDA for FY23, and the H123 trading update.


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Most Read: Toshiba Corp, Adani Enterprises, Srisawad Power 1979, CELSYS, Samyang Foods, China Unicom Hong Kong, AGC Inc, Ihara Science and more

By | Daily Briefs, Most Read

In today’s briefing:

  • Toshiba (6502) – Funding Definitely Probably Now Secured – Next Steps and Risks
  • Toshiba – Good News?
  • MSCI Acts Quickly: Unmitigated Bad News for Adani Group Companies
  • DTAC/TRUE Merger: Index Flows & Potential SET50 Replacement
  • Toshiba (6502) – Whoop! There It Is!
  • TOPIX Inclusions: Who Is Ready (Feb 2023)
  • KOSPI 200 Ad-Hoc Change: Hyundai Greenfood Out & Samyang Foods Fresh Buy-In on April 10
  • China Telcos: Send In The Clouds
  • AGC (5201 JP) – A Big Buyback
  • Ihara Science (5999 JP) Sees the Chairman Launch an MBO. I Might Expect Excitement.

Toshiba (6502) – Funding Definitely Probably Now Secured – Next Steps and Risks

By Travis Lundy

  • On 31 January, the expected “deadline” for a bank loan agreement with the JIP Consortium bidding for Toshiba, we got news that commitment confirmation would be extended to 3 February.
  • Every other time we got a deadline extension, we got an article. On 3-6 Feb, we got no article, suggesting we were close. Today, a Bloomberg article says terms agreed.
  • That gets us over the biggest hump. Now we have to look at possible next steps and timing.

Toshiba – Good News?

By Mio Kato

  • So JIP appears to have finally secured funding for its tortured Toshiba bid. 
  • The market is reacting positively and we think this is reasonable but the real question is whether Toshiba management will be amenable to the new terms of JIP’s deal. 
  • In our view, there are certain quirks regarding recent news flow which point to a potential answer to that question.

MSCI Acts Quickly: Unmitigated Bad News for Adani Group Companies

By Brian Freitas

  • In an unprecedent step, MSCI will reassess the float and likely lower the FIF of the Adani Group companies at the February QCIR. There will be BIG passive selling.
  • The affected securities will be further reviewed as part of the scheduled Full Country Float Review during the May QCIR. There could be some index deletions and BIGGER passive selling.
  • Expect active selling before the passive selling and the rally in the Adani Group stocks over the last couple of days should come to a grinding halt today.

DTAC/TRUE Merger: Index Flows & Potential SET50 Replacement

By Brian Freitas


Toshiba (6502) – Whoop! There It Is!

By Travis Lundy

  • As mentioned yesterday here and more clearly by Mio Kato in Toshiba – Good News?, the Nikkei was strangely silent over the fact that loan details were agreed. 
  • The Nikkei comes out with a surprise article this morning saying they hear the Commitment Letter has been handed over. It also says the “Final Bid” is “about ¥2trln.”
  • Toshiba shares quickly reacted badly quickly. The article deserves parsing and I try to clarify the arguments.

TOPIX Inclusions: Who Is Ready (Feb 2023)

By Janaghan Jeyakumar, CFA

  • Quiddity’s “Who is Ready” series of insights aims to objectively identify names listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange that are potential additions to the TOPIX Index in future.
  • This insight is a follow-up to TOPIX Inclusions: Who Is Ready (Jan 2023) 
  • Our top pick from the last insight CELSYS (3663 JP) (previously known as Artspark) has gained ~14% in roughly a month.

KOSPI 200 Ad-Hoc Change: Hyundai Greenfood Out & Samyang Foods Fresh Buy-In on April 10

By Sanghyun Park

  • From a trading perspective, we should pay attention to the KOSPI 200 corporate actions in Hyundai Department Group’s demerger events, as both companies are KOSPI 200 constituents.
  • Hyundai Green Food’s surviving company won’t beat the cutoff, resulting in a KOSPI 200 constituent change on April 10. Samyang Foods will be a new addition.
  • Even the size of KOSPI 200 ETFs that will likely go into mechanical trading on April 10 will cause a significant price impact from a day trading perspective.

China Telcos: Send In The Clouds

By David Blennerhassett

  • The rapid adoption of cloud computing has led to China boasting the world’s second-largest cloud computing market.
  • This migration to the cloud is in lock-step with global customer needs: scale, greater efficiency, and availability; together with a reduction in capex and infrastructure complexity.
  • The big three PRC telcos are firmly in the mix, with each announcing 100%+ growth in revenue for their cloud businesses in 1H22. Expect that trend to continue.

AGC (5201 JP) – A Big Buyback

By Travis Lundy

  • AGC Inc (5201 JP) today announced Q4 earnings where revenues were great, OP was slightly disappointing, and Net Profits were awful because of significant impairments.
  • The company, however, announced a large buyback – its first in 5 years and equivalent to all the buybacks in the previous five years. 
  • The buyback should have impact on what is an interesting name with broad institutional ownership and not overwhelming liquidity.

Ihara Science (5999 JP) Sees the Chairman Launch an MBO. I Might Expect Excitement.

By Travis Lundy

  • Ihara Science (5999 JP) announced an MBO by the chairman. 
  • It’s at an all-time high, but it is not especially attractive. The register is also really interesting.
  • This is a smallcap but i would not be surprised to see a bumpitrage effort. In fact, I’d be surprised if we didn’t.

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Daily Brief Industrials: Adani Enterprises, Toshiba Corp, AGC Inc, Ihara Science, Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone and more

By | Daily Briefs, Industrials

In today’s briefing:

  • MSCI Acts Quickly: Unmitigated Bad News for Adani Group Companies
  • Toshiba (6502) – Whoop! There It Is!
  • AGC (5201 JP) – A Big Buyback
  • Ihara Science (5999 JP) Sees the Chairman Launch an MBO. I Might Expect Excitement.
  • Adani Ports – Earnings Flash – 9M FY 2022-23 Results – Lucror Analytics
  • Ihara Science (5999 JP): JPY2,980 MBO Tender Offer

MSCI Acts Quickly: Unmitigated Bad News for Adani Group Companies

By Brian Freitas

  • In an unprecedent step, MSCI will reassess the float and likely lower the FIF of the Adani Group companies at the February QCIR. There will be BIG passive selling.
  • The affected securities will be further reviewed as part of the scheduled Full Country Float Review during the May QCIR. There could be some index deletions and BIGGER passive selling.
  • Expect active selling before the passive selling and the rally in the Adani Group stocks over the last couple of days should come to a grinding halt today.

Toshiba (6502) – Whoop! There It Is!

By Travis Lundy

  • As mentioned yesterday here and more clearly by Mio Kato in Toshiba – Good News?, the Nikkei was strangely silent over the fact that loan details were agreed. 
  • The Nikkei comes out with a surprise article this morning saying they hear the Commitment Letter has been handed over. It also says the “Final Bid” is “about ¥2trln.”
  • Toshiba shares quickly reacted badly quickly. The article deserves parsing and I try to clarify the arguments.

AGC (5201 JP) – A Big Buyback

By Travis Lundy

  • AGC Inc (5201 JP) today announced Q4 earnings where revenues were great, OP was slightly disappointing, and Net Profits were awful because of significant impairments.
  • The company, however, announced a large buyback – its first in 5 years and equivalent to all the buybacks in the previous five years. 
  • The buyback should have impact on what is an interesting name with broad institutional ownership and not overwhelming liquidity.

Ihara Science (5999 JP) Sees the Chairman Launch an MBO. I Might Expect Excitement.

By Travis Lundy

  • Ihara Science (5999 JP) announced an MBO by the chairman. 
  • It’s at an all-time high, but it is not especially attractive. The register is also really interesting.
  • This is a smallcap but i would not be surprised to see a bumpitrage effort. In fact, I’d be surprised if we didn’t.

Adani Ports – Earnings Flash – 9M FY 2022-23 Results – Lucror Analytics

By Leonard Law, CFA

Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone’s 9M/22-23 results were broadly stable. The main takeaway was management’s commitment to reduce debt by INR 50 bn using FCF in FY 2023-24, supported by lower capex and limiting new acquisitions. This would cover the INR 16 bn in repayments for onshore bonds maturing in H1/23-24, as well as the prepayment of certain bank debt. Management expects the company to generate the same amount of FCF in FY 2024-25, which would be channelled to repay the USD 650 mn ADSEZ 3.375 24 due in July 2024.


Ihara Science (5999 JP): JPY2,980 MBO Tender Offer

By Arun George

  • Ihara Science (5999 JP) has recommended an MBO tender offer (Chairman and Toku Corporation) of JPY2,980 per share, a 31.3% premium to the undisturbed price (7 February).
  • The transaction is a two-step acquisition through a cash tender offer and subsequent squeeze-out. The lower limit of the tender offer is set at a 66.25% ownership ratio.
  • While the tender price represents an all-time share price, it is light in comparison to peer and historical multiples. This suggests deal risk. The offer runs from 9 Feb-24 Mar.

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  • ✓ Custom Watchlists
  • ✓ Company Data and News
  • ✓ Events & Webinars

Daily Brief TMT/Internet: CELSYS, China Unicom Hong Kong, Kuaishou Technology, Naver Corp, Nitro Software Ltd, UBTech Robotics, Internet Initiative Japan, FUJIFILM Holdings, A10 Networks and more

By | Daily Briefs, TMT/Internet

In today’s briefing:

  • TOPIX Inclusions: Who Is Ready (Feb 2023)
  • China Telcos: Send In The Clouds
  • Kuaishou(1024.HK)4Q22 Preview: Competition and Restructure Are Pending Issues
  • Naver (2023 High Conviction Update): Turbo-Charged by Expected Launch of Korean Version of ChatGPT
  • Nitro Software (NTO AU): Potentia Finally Secures Due Diligence
  • UBTech Robotics IPO Preview
  • Nitro Software: Potentia Still In The Mix As DD Granted
  • IIJ (Buy) – Q3 22 Results Reaction: Solid Quarter as Recurring Sales Expand
  • Fujifilm: Robust Quarter; Recent M&A to Drive Healthcare and Materials Biz Further
  • ATEN: The Inevitable Push Out

TOPIX Inclusions: Who Is Ready (Feb 2023)

By Janaghan Jeyakumar, CFA

  • Quiddity’s “Who is Ready” series of insights aims to objectively identify names listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange that are potential additions to the TOPIX Index in future.
  • This insight is a follow-up to TOPIX Inclusions: Who Is Ready (Jan 2023) 
  • Our top pick from the last insight CELSYS (3663 JP) (previously known as Artspark) has gained ~14% in roughly a month.

China Telcos: Send In The Clouds

By David Blennerhassett

  • The rapid adoption of cloud computing has led to China boasting the world’s second-largest cloud computing market.
  • This migration to the cloud is in lock-step with global customer needs: scale, greater efficiency, and availability; together with a reduction in capex and infrastructure complexity.
  • The big three PRC telcos are firmly in the mix, with each announcing 100%+ growth in revenue for their cloud businesses in 1H22. Expect that trend to continue.

Kuaishou(1024.HK)4Q22 Preview: Competition and Restructure Are Pending Issues

By Shawn Yang

  • We expect that Kuaishou’s 4Q22 top line and bottom line would be 0.2%/3.7% vs cons, as major business lines are recovering with stimuli of CNY promotion campaigns. 
  • However, we estimate that its 2023 top line/bottom line would miss cons. by (0.9%)/(14.2%) due to our concerns of increasing competition and internal restructuring.
  • Maintain SELL rating but raise TP to HK$ 56 to reflect on-track recovering trend as the macro improves. 

Naver (2023 High Conviction Update): Turbo-Charged by Expected Launch of Korean Version of ChatGPT

By Douglas Kim

  • Naver plans to launch its own Korean version of ChatGPT in 1H 2023.
  • We believe that this will act as an important catalyst that is likely to further fuel Naver’s share price higher. 
  • Naver has been our high conviction call in 2023 and we continue to have a Positive view of Naver. 

Nitro Software (NTO AU): Potentia Finally Secures Due Diligence

By Arun George

  • Nitro Software Ltd (NTO AU) has finally granted Potentia due diligence access until 22 February. Subject to satisfactory due diligence, Potentia could increase its offer from A$2.00 to A$2.20-2.30 per share.
  • Alludo’s A$2.15 off-market takeover offer is its best and final offer. Alludo’s offer is subject to a 50.1% minimum acceptance condition (currently at 12.53%) and closes on 3 March.
  • Potentia’s dogged pursuit despite the Board’s stonewalling suggests a desire to get a deal done. At the last close, the gross spread to Potentia’s potential offer is 2.3% to 7.0%.

UBTech Robotics IPO Preview

By Douglas Kim

  • UBTech Robotics is trying to complete its IPO in Hong Kong in the coming weeks. UBTech Robotics is a leading artificial intelligence based robotics company headquartered in China.
  • UBTech Robotics received very fat valuations in the past couple of years. Back in January 2021, it was reported that the company’s valuation reached as high as $7 billion.
  • In China’s smart education robot based solution market, UBTech Robotics is the number one player. 

Nitro Software: Potentia Still In The Mix As DD Granted

By David Blennerhassett

  • Adobe rival Nitro Software Ltd (NTO AU) has granted Potentia Capital due diligence through to the 22 February on the possibility it sweetens its Offer to A$2.20-A$2.30/share. 
  • Alludo’s hands are tied to its A$2.15/share Offer price, which it has declared ‘best and final’ and will not be increased – even if a superior proposal emerges.
  • But Potentia pitching an Offer A$0.01/share above Alludo’s Offer won’t be sufficient for Alludo and other shareholders to tender. 

IIJ (Buy) – Q3 22 Results Reaction: Solid Quarter as Recurring Sales Expand

By Kirk Boodry

  • IIJ delivered double-digit revenue growth for a third consecutive quarter as corporate demand for digitization remains robust
  • In addition the expected expansion of cloud (+15%) and security service (+21%) sales, mobile sales grew 9% as IIJ moved clearly past the impact of industrywide rate reductions
  • Quarterly EBITDA reached a record high even with modest margin contraction YoY

Fujifilm: Robust Quarter; Recent M&A to Drive Healthcare and Materials Biz Further

By Shifara Samsudeen, ACMA, CGMA

  • FUJIFILM Holdings (4901 JP) delivered 3QFY03/2023 results today. Revenue and OP increased 13.5% and 4.1% YoY respectively to JPY744.4bn (consensus JPY717.1bn) and JPY81.8bn (consensus JPY80.0bn).
  • Covid-19 related projects running its course had a slight impact on  healthcare segment but we would not be too worried as new product launches and markets will offset that decline.
  • Market continues to value Fujifilm as an image company and not a healthcare stock and there is more than 30% upside to the current share price.

ATEN: The Inevitable Push Out

By Hamed Khorsand

  • ATEN reported better than expected fourth quarter results, but it was the lack of quantitative revenue guidance that garnering all the attention
  • We had highlighted increased macro risks in our January update leading to 2023 becoming dependent on the second half of the year.
  • The first quarter is seasonally the slowest period of the year for ATEN, which could be the reason for management taking a conservative approach with 2023 guidance.

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Daily Brief Australia: Nitro Software Ltd, Lithium Power International and more

By | Australia, Daily Briefs

In today’s briefing:

  • Nitro Software (NTO AU): Potentia Finally Secures Due Diligence
  • Lithium Power International – Lithium price upgrade calls for higher valuation

Nitro Software (NTO AU): Potentia Finally Secures Due Diligence

By Arun George

  • Nitro Software Ltd (NTO AU) has finally granted Potentia due diligence access until 22 February. Subject to satisfactory due diligence, Potentia could increase its offer from A$2.00 to A$2.20-2.30 per share.
  • Alludo’s A$2.15 off-market takeover offer is its best and final offer. Alludo’s offer is subject to a 50.1% minimum acceptance condition (currently at 12.53%) and closes on 3 March.
  • Potentia’s dogged pursuit despite the Board’s stonewalling suggests a desire to get a deal done. At the last close, the gross spread to Potentia’s potential offer is 2.3% to 7.0%.

Lithium Power International – Lithium price upgrade calls for higher valuation

By Edison Investment Research

We have raised our near-term lithium price expectations to reflect the current supply/demand cycle and upgraded our long-run (post 2031) price forecasts (from US$17,000/t to US$22,500/t LCE) to reflect lithium’s high demand growth and highly concentrated supply fundamentals. On the back of this, our valuation of Lithium Power International (LPI) has increased from A$1.24/share to A$1.42/share assuming the full project equity dilution. We have also updated our model to reflect 100% consolidation of the Maricunga project as well as LPI’s (now somewhat more dilutive) lower share price.


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Daily Brief Consumer: Samyang Foods, Fancl Corp, Sumitomo Electric Industries and more

By | Consumer, Daily Briefs

In today’s briefing:

  • KOSPI 200 Ad-Hoc Change: Hyundai Greenfood Out & Samyang Foods Fresh Buy-In on April 10
  • FANCL: The Flagship FANCL Brand in Trouble
  • Sumitomo Electric Industries (5802 JP) – LT Momentum Confirms Material Upside Potential in 2023

KOSPI 200 Ad-Hoc Change: Hyundai Greenfood Out & Samyang Foods Fresh Buy-In on April 10

By Sanghyun Park

  • From a trading perspective, we should pay attention to the KOSPI 200 corporate actions in Hyundai Department Group’s demerger events, as both companies are KOSPI 200 constituents.
  • Hyundai Green Food’s surviving company won’t beat the cutoff, resulting in a KOSPI 200 constituent change on April 10. Samyang Foods will be a new addition.
  • Even the size of KOSPI 200 ETFs that will likely go into mechanical trading on April 10 will cause a significant price impact from a day trading perspective.

FANCL: The Flagship FANCL Brand in Trouble

By Oshadhi Kumarasiri

  • Fancl Corp (4921 JP) delivered 3QFY23 results yesterday, which saw revenue and operating profit decrease by 2.5% and 5.0% YoY respectively to ¥28.3bn (consensus ¥29.8bn) and ¥3.1bn (consensus ¥3.4bn).
  • Cosmetics growth being the main reason for Fancl’s FY+2 EV/OP of 22.4x, recent trends look scary with cosmetics revenue and OP down 24% and 27% respectively from the pre-COVID level.
  • Therefore, we would look to short Fancl expecting shares to fall around 25-30% in the short term.

Sumitomo Electric Industries (5802 JP) – LT Momentum Confirms Material Upside Potential in 2023

By David Coloretti, CMT

  • At TMA we deliver high probability outcomes by focusing on our 3 pillars of technical analysis. •1) Response to key levels. •2) Price action. •3) Momentum confirmation.
  • Q1 2023 is confirming that the base built around the historically significant 50 quarter MA since Q3 2021 is likely to be a material LT bottom.
  • Both price action and LT momentum triggers (particularly the quarterly RSI) are confirming a sustainable LT uptrend in 2023 and potentially well into 2024. Potential 20% upswing.

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Daily Brief Financials: Bank Of Ayudhya, Lippo Karawaci, IndiaFirst Life Insurance and more

By | Daily Briefs, Financials

In today’s briefing:

  • Bank Of Ayudhya (BAY TB) – Thai Retail Wizard Moving to ASEAN
  • Morning Views Asia: Adani Green Energy, Lippo Karawaci
  • IndiaFirst Life Insurance Pre-IPO – Hardly Stands Out as One of the Smallest Players

Bank Of Ayudhya (BAY TB) – Thai Retail Wizard Moving to ASEAN

By Angus Mackintosh

  • Bank Of Ayudhya (BAY TB), now branded as Krungsri, is a unique Thai bank with high-quality retail exposure, a low-risk corporate loan book, and a growing SME book. 
  • The bank is growing its digital exposure through its KMB app, its GO app for auto customers plus its UChoose lifestyle app and it collaborates with Grab and Shopee.
  • Krungsri’s move to acquire Nomura Thailand’s broking business and its acquisition of Home Credit in Indonesia and the Philippines provide an additional edge and ASEAN exposure. Valuations are inexpensive.

Morning Views Asia: Adani Green Energy, Lippo Karawaci

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.


IndiaFirst Life Insurance Pre-IPO – Hardly Stands Out as One of the Smallest Players

By Ethan Aw

  • IndiaFirst Life Insurance (1083896D IN) is looking to raise about US$250m in its upcoming India IPO. 
  • IndiaFirst Life Insurance (IFLI) is a private life insurer in India with a product portfolio of retail and group products, ranging across different segments. 
  • Its GWP and AUM have grown over the track record period. However, bottomline growth has on the other hand, declined further. 

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