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Smartkarma Daily Briefs

Daily Brief Utilities: ENN Energy and more

By | Daily Briefs, Utilities Sector

In today’s briefing:

  • Weekly Deals Digest (31 Aug) – ENN Energy, Shengjing, Ashimori, Carenet, Shibaura, Mayne, Aux


Weekly Deals Digest (31 Aug) – ENN Energy, Shengjing, Ashimori, Carenet, Shibaura, Mayne, Aux

By Arun George


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Daily Brief Industrials: Deere & Co, Stantec , Applied Industrial Tech, InterGlobe Aviation Ltd, Vertiv Holdings Co, Elbit Systems , Asia File Corp and more

By | Daily Briefs, Industrials

In today’s briefing:

  • Deere & Company: Precision Agriculture Technology Integration & International Market Expansion Are Propelling Its Future Growth!
  • Stantec Inside the Data Center Boom: What 100+ Projects Reveal About Its Future!
  • Applied Industrial Technologies (AIT): A Closer Look At Its Strategy & Recent Margin Initiatives!
  • Quiddity Leaderboard BSE ​​​​SENSEX Dec25: Tech Mahindra Likely to Escape Sensex Deletion
  • Vertiv’s AI Bet: What The Waylay Acquisition Could Mean For The Data Center Titan!
  • Elbit Systems: Will $1.6 Billion European Contracts Help Build Its Market Position?
  • Asia File Update : Value Remains There


Deere & Company: Precision Agriculture Technology Integration & International Market Expansion Are Propelling Its Future Growth!

By Baptista Research

  • Deere & Company’s third-quarter earnings report presents a mixed outlook for the company, marked by ongoing challenges due to global uncertainties and shifting market dynamics, tempered with strategic operational efficiencies and modest positive trends in some segments.
  • The segments of Production and Precision Agriculture, Small Agriculture and Turf, and Construction and Forestry each tell a distinct story of both struggle and strategic positioning.
  • Baptista Research looks to evaluate the different factors that could influence the company’s price in the near future and attempts to carry out an independent valuation of the company using a Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) methodology.

Stantec Inside the Data Center Boom: What 100+ Projects Reveal About Its Future!

By Baptista Research

  • Stantec’s second quarter of 2025 presents a mixed picture, with various factors suggesting both opportunities and challenges for potential investors.
  • The company reported net revenue of $1.6 billion, marking a 6.9% increase compared to the previous year.
  • This growth was primarily driven by a 4.8% in organic growth, pointing to consistent demand across its operations, particularly in sectors like water, transportation, mining, energy, and mission-critical projects.

Applied Industrial Technologies (AIT): A Closer Look At Its Strategy & Recent Margin Initiatives!

By Baptista Research

  • Applied Industrial Technologies demonstrated a strong performance in the fiscal year 2025, marked by record sales, EBITDA, and earnings per share (EPS) amidst a muted demand backdrop.
  • The company achieved a fullyear EPS growth of 4%, surpassing its initial guidance, and expanded its gross margins by nearly 50 basis points to exceed 30% for the first time.
  • The strategic acquisition of Hydradyne, Applied’s largest in six years, contributed materially to inorganic growth, emphasizing the company’s capital deployment capacity and strategic expansion efforts.

Quiddity Leaderboard BSE ​​​​SENSEX Dec25: Tech Mahindra Likely to Escape Sensex Deletion

By Janaghan Jeyakumar, CFA

  • BSE SENSEX represents the 30 largest stocks listed in the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) of India.
  • In this insight, we take a look at the Potential ADDs/DELs for the BSE SENSEX Index in the December 2025 index rebal event.
  • As things stand, there will be no index changes for the BSE SENSEX index.

Vertiv’s AI Bet: What The Waylay Acquisition Could Mean For The Data Center Titan!

By Baptista Research

  • Vertiv’s second quarter of 2025 showcased mixed results, providing both opportunities and challenges in its ongoing operational strategy.
  • In terms of financial performance, Vertiv reported an adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.95, representing a substantial 42% increase from the second quarter of 2024.
  • This growth was primarily driven by higher adjusted operating profits and strong performance across regions — notably, sales growth was robust in the Americas and Asia-Pacific (APAC), with respective increases in the mid-40s and mid30s percentages.

Elbit Systems: Will $1.6 Billion European Contracts Help Build Its Market Position?

By Baptista Research

  • Elbit Systems Ltd. reported strong financial results for the second quarter of 2025, showcasing robust year-overyear growth across multiple financial metrics.
  • The company’s revenues for the quarter rose to $1.973 billion, a significant increase from $1.626 billion in the same period in 2024.
  • This growth was driven by heightened sales across all business segments and geographic areas, particularly in Europe.

Asia File Update : Value Remains There

By Punit Khanna

  • Operating results for filing business in line, while consumer business is showing steady growth
  • Stock trades below Cash (RM 1.64) while operating business is available for free
  • Besides Cash the company has property and associates which are available for free

Raising Money for Persons with Disabilities in Singapore

For your kind consideration

This report has been prepared by Vriddhi Consulting, founded by Punit and Debjani Khanna. A portion of the research was contributed by Shubham Khanna, an individual on the autism spectrum.  We are grateful to Smartkarma for providing a platform to share this research and amplify its impact.

All proceeds from the publication of this report will be donated to support people with disabilities in Singapore. If you find this report valuable, we invite you to support our campaign, “Raising Money for Persons with Disabilities in Singapore.” Every contribution directly benefits the Goh Chok Tong Enable Fund and qualifies for a 250% tax deduction for Singapore tax residents.

To contribute, please visit this URL. 


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Daily Brief Industrials: Deere & Co, Stantec , Applied Industrial Tech, InterGlobe Aviation Ltd, Vertiv Holdings Co, Elbit Systems , Asia File Corp and more

By | Daily Briefs, Industrials

In today’s briefing:

  • Deere & Company: Precision Agriculture Technology Integration & International Market Expansion Are Propelling Its Future Growth!
  • Stantec Inside the Data Center Boom: What 100+ Projects Reveal About Its Future!
  • Applied Industrial Technologies (AIT): A Closer Look At Its Strategy & Recent Margin Initiatives!
  • Quiddity Leaderboard BSE ​​​​SENSEX Dec25: Tech Mahindra Likely to Escape Sensex Deletion
  • Vertiv’s AI Bet: What The Waylay Acquisition Could Mean For The Data Center Titan!
  • Elbit Systems: Will $1.6 Billion European Contracts Help Build Its Market Position?
  • Asia File Update : Value Remains There


Deere & Company: Precision Agriculture Technology Integration & International Market Expansion Are Propelling Its Future Growth!

By Baptista Research

  • Deere & Company’s third-quarter earnings report presents a mixed outlook for the company, marked by ongoing challenges due to global uncertainties and shifting market dynamics, tempered with strategic operational efficiencies and modest positive trends in some segments.
  • The segments of Production and Precision Agriculture, Small Agriculture and Turf, and Construction and Forestry each tell a distinct story of both struggle and strategic positioning.
  • Baptista Research looks to evaluate the different factors that could influence the company’s price in the near future and attempts to carry out an independent valuation of the company using a Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) methodology.

Stantec Inside the Data Center Boom: What 100+ Projects Reveal About Its Future!

By Baptista Research

  • Stantec’s second quarter of 2025 presents a mixed picture, with various factors suggesting both opportunities and challenges for potential investors.
  • The company reported net revenue of $1.6 billion, marking a 6.9% increase compared to the previous year.
  • This growth was primarily driven by a 4.8% in organic growth, pointing to consistent demand across its operations, particularly in sectors like water, transportation, mining, energy, and mission-critical projects.

Applied Industrial Technologies (AIT): A Closer Look At Its Strategy & Recent Margin Initiatives!

By Baptista Research

  • Applied Industrial Technologies demonstrated a strong performance in the fiscal year 2025, marked by record sales, EBITDA, and earnings per share (EPS) amidst a muted demand backdrop.
  • The company achieved a fullyear EPS growth of 4%, surpassing its initial guidance, and expanded its gross margins by nearly 50 basis points to exceed 30% for the first time.
  • The strategic acquisition of Hydradyne, Applied’s largest in six years, contributed materially to inorganic growth, emphasizing the company’s capital deployment capacity and strategic expansion efforts.

Quiddity Leaderboard BSE ​​​​SENSEX Dec25: Tech Mahindra Likely to Escape Sensex Deletion

By Janaghan Jeyakumar, CFA

  • BSE SENSEX represents the 30 largest stocks listed in the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) of India.
  • In this insight, we take a look at the Potential ADDs/DELs for the BSE SENSEX Index in the December 2025 index rebal event.
  • As things stand, there will be no index changes for the BSE SENSEX index.

Vertiv’s AI Bet: What The Waylay Acquisition Could Mean For The Data Center Titan!

By Baptista Research

  • Vertiv’s second quarter of 2025 showcased mixed results, providing both opportunities and challenges in its ongoing operational strategy.
  • In terms of financial performance, Vertiv reported an adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.95, representing a substantial 42% increase from the second quarter of 2024.
  • This growth was primarily driven by higher adjusted operating profits and strong performance across regions — notably, sales growth was robust in the Americas and Asia-Pacific (APAC), with respective increases in the mid-40s and mid30s percentages.

Elbit Systems: Will $1.6 Billion European Contracts Help Build Its Market Position?

By Baptista Research

  • Elbit Systems Ltd. reported strong financial results for the second quarter of 2025, showcasing robust year-overyear growth across multiple financial metrics.
  • The company’s revenues for the quarter rose to $1.973 billion, a significant increase from $1.626 billion in the same period in 2024.
  • This growth was driven by heightened sales across all business segments and geographic areas, particularly in Europe.

Asia File Update : Value Remains There

By Punit Khanna

  • Operating results for filing business in line, while consumer business is showing steady growth
  • Stock trades below Cash (RM 1.64) while operating business is available for free
  • Besides Cash the company has property and associates which are available for free

Raising Money for Persons with Disabilities in Singapore

For your kind consideration

This report has been prepared by Vriddhi Consulting, founded by Punit and Debjani Khanna. A portion of the research was contributed by Shubham Khanna, an individual on the autism spectrum.  We are grateful to Smartkarma for providing a platform to share this research and amplify its impact.

All proceeds from the publication of this report will be donated to support people with disabilities in Singapore. If you find this report valuable, we invite you to support our campaign, “Raising Money for Persons with Disabilities in Singapore.” Every contribution directly benefits the Goh Chok Tong Enable Fund and qualifies for a 250% tax deduction for Singapore tax residents.

To contribute, please visit this URL. 


💡 Before it’s here, it’s on Smartkarma

Sign Up for Free

The Smartkarma Preview Pass is your entry to the Independent Investment Research Network

  • ✓ Unlimited Research Summaries
  • ✓ Personalised Alerts
  • ✓ Custom Watchlists
  • ✓ Company Data and News
  • ✓ Events & Webinars



Daily Brief Private Markets: Tencent’s Uzbekistan Bet: The Beginning Of “Digital Silk Road”? and more

By | Daily Briefs, Private Markets

In today’s briefing:

  • Tencent’s Uzbekistan Bet: The Beginning Of “Digital Silk Road”?


Tencent’s Uzbekistan Bet: The Beginning Of “Digital Silk Road”?

By Alec Tseung

  • Tencent’s recent investment in Uzum marks the first investment by a Chinese tech giant in a local Central Asian startup, signaling a fundamental strategic pivot in the region.
  • Central Asia now presents potential markets for Chinese tech companies, beyond just infrastructure or commodity-focused opportunities, following the execution of the earlier phases of the Belt & Road Initiative.
  • Given Uzbekistan’s larger population and more diversified economy, it is generally seen as better fitted for tech companies’ growth, esp. B2C platforms, compared to Kazakhstan (a raw materials giant).

💡 Before it’s here, it’s on Smartkarma

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The Smartkarma Preview Pass is your entry to the Independent Investment Research Network

  • ✓ Unlimited Research Summaries
  • ✓ Personalised Alerts
  • ✓ Custom Watchlists
  • ✓ Company Data and News
  • ✓ Events & Webinars



Daily Brief Energy/Materials: Santos Ltd, Exxon Mobil, Iron Ore, Avery Dennison, MMG Ltd, Westlake Chemical and more

By | Daily Briefs, Energy & Materials Sector

In today’s briefing:

  • (Mostly) Asia-Pac M&A: Santos, Mayne Pharma, Shengjing Bank, Carenet, Austindo Nusantara, Ashimori
  • Exxon’s Secret Russia Talks Signal Energy Market Shock Tied To Trump-Putin Peace Gambit!
  • Iron Ore Giants Stay Bullish on India, China Demand Wobbles
  • Avery Dennison’s $390 Million Flooring Adhesives Bet: Can It Stick?
  • MMG Reports Soaring Output From Peru Copper Mine
  • Westlake Acquires ACI/Perplastic Group: The Hidden Synergies No One’s Talking About!


(Mostly) Asia-Pac M&A: Santos, Mayne Pharma, Shengjing Bank, Carenet, Austindo Nusantara, Ashimori

By David Blennerhassett


Exxon’s Secret Russia Talks Signal Energy Market Shock Tied To Trump-Putin Peace Gambit!

By Baptista Research

  • In a stunning geopolitical development, ExxonMobil has reportedly engaged in secret discussions with Rosneft—Russia’s largest state-owned energy company—regarding a potential return to the Sakhalin-1 oil and gas project.
  • These talks, led by Exxon Senior Vice President Neil Chapman, signal a possible energy détente between Washington and Moscow, tied to broader negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.
  • The meetings were held under U.S. Treasury Department licenses that allow for discussions on stranded assets and involved back-channel diplomacy, including conversations between Exxon CEO Darren Woods and former President Donald Trump.

Iron Ore Giants Stay Bullish on India, China Demand Wobbles

By Umang Agrawal

  • Iron ore miners lift output guidance, signalling confidence despite China’s property slump and slowing steel demand.
  • India emerges as a critical growth driver yet cannot offset China’s structural steel demand weakness.
  • Rising supply from Simandou and peers heightens downside risk, keeping the iron ore outlook cautiously bearish.

Avery Dennison’s $390 Million Flooring Adhesives Bet: Can It Stick?

By Baptista Research

  • Avery Dennison Corporation, a global materials science and manufacturing company, reported its second quarter results ending June 28, 2025.
  • The company delivered adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $2.42, aligning with the previous year’s results.
  • This performance was achieved amid a challenging macroeconomic environment, characterized by trade policy changes impacting its operations, especially within the apparel and retail sectors.

MMG Reports Soaring Output From Peru Copper Mine

By Caixin Global

  • Chinese miner MMG Ltd. saw a dramatic surge in output at its Las Bambas copper mine in Peru in the first half of this year, helped by its efforts to improve its rocky relationship with locals.
  • In the six months through June, the mine produced about 210,000 tons of copper, up 67% year-on-year, with revenue from the project jumping 60% to $2 billion, according to the company’s latest earnings report.
  • Las Bambas accounted for nearly three-fourths of MMG’s total first-half revenue, which rose 47% to $2.8 billion.

Westlake Acquires ACI/Perplastic Group: The Hidden Synergies No One’s Talking About!

By Baptista Research

  • In a strategic pivot aimed at expanding its foothold in specialty materials, Westlake Corporation recently announced its agreement to acquire the global compounding solutions businesses of the ACI/Perplastic Group.
  • While the sum of the deal remains undisclosed, the implications are far-reaching.
  • ACI, headquartered in Portugal, is a key manufacturer of compounds for the wire and cable industry, posting net sales of approximately €210 million in 2024.

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Daily Brief ECM: Didi Global Q225 Results | Domestic Business Strong | Why a 2025 Listing Still Makes Sense and more

By | Daily Briefs, ECM

In today’s briefing:

  • Didi Global Q225 Results | Domestic Business Strong | Why a 2025 Listing Still Makes Sense
  • Gemvax & Kael – Rights Offering of 249 Billion Won


Didi Global Q225 Results | Domestic Business Strong | Why a 2025 Listing Still Makes Sense

By Daniel Hellberg

  • Q225 saw solid growth & improving margins, driven by strength in China business
  • Lawsuit settlement hit net result in Q225, but investors shrugged off the news
  • We still think Didi could pursue a new listing later in 2025, probably in HK

Gemvax & Kael – Rights Offering of 249 Billion Won

By Douglas Kim

  • On 29 August, Gemvax & Kael (082270 KS) (Gemvax) announced a rights offering capital raise of 249 billion won.
  • Gemvax will issue 6.7 million new shares in this rights offering, representing 16% of its outstanding shares. 
  • The expected rights offering price is 37,100 won which is 13.4% lower than current price. We are negative on this rights offering. 

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Daily Brief TMT/Internet: JFrog, Tencent, Cambricon Technologies Lt, DiDi Global, SoundHound AI , Taiwan Semiconductor (TSMC) – ADR, Ondas Holdings Inc, Maximus Inc, Coherent Inc, Lumentum Holdings and more

By | Daily Briefs, TMT/Internet

In today’s briefing:

  • JFrog’s Artifactory Vision: Could It Become the World’s AI Model Registry?
  • Tencent’s Uzbekistan Bet: The Beginning Of “Digital Silk Road”?
  • STAR50/STAR100 Index Rebalance: Changes & Capping Lead to US$3.3bn Trade
  • Didi Global Q225 Results | Domestic Business Strong | Why a 2025 Listing Still Makes Sense
  • SoundHound: Initiation of Coverage- Why Are They Dominating QSR & Could Their 14
  • Taiwan Dual-Listings Monitor: TSMC Premium Remains Elevated; ASE Drops Down to Near Parity
  • Ondas Grabs 51% Of SPO—What It Means For Defense & Drones!
  • Maximus: Will Innovation in Veteran Services Deliver Game-Changing Results?
  • Coherent’s Data Center Breakthrough: The 1.6-Terabyte Revolution Is Here!
  • Lumentum Holdings: Can Its Transition to 4-Inch Wafers Supercharge Growth?


JFrog’s Artifactory Vision: Could It Become the World’s AI Model Registry?

By Baptista Research

  • JFrog reported their financial results for the second quarter of 2025, highlighting continued growth and strategic execution.
  • Total revenue for the quarter was $127.2 million, marking a 23% increase year-over-year, with cloud revenue growing by 45% to $57.1 million.
  • This growth highlights JFrog’s successful strategy of converting customers with usage above minimum commitments into annual contracts, reinforcing the predictability of revenue streams and strategic focus on cloud services.

Tencent’s Uzbekistan Bet: The Beginning Of “Digital Silk Road”?

By Alec Tseung

  • Tencent’s recent investment in Uzum marks the first investment by a Chinese tech giant in a local Central Asian startup, signaling a fundamental strategic pivot in the region.
  • Central Asia now presents potential markets for Chinese tech companies, beyond just infrastructure or commodity-focused opportunities, following the execution of the earlier phases of the Belt & Road Initiative.
  • Given Uzbekistan’s larger population and more diversified economy, it is generally seen as better fitted for tech companies’ growth, esp. B2C platforms, compared to Kazakhstan (a raw materials giant).

STAR50/STAR100 Index Rebalance: Changes & Capping Lead to US$3.3bn Trade

By Brian Freitas

  • There is 1 constituent change for the STAR50 INDEX and 5 changes for the STAR100 Index at the next rebalance that will be implemented at the close on 12 September.
  • We estimate one-way turnover of 6.1% for the SSE STAR50 (STAR50 INDEX) resulting in a round-trip trade of CNY 23.8bn (US$3.3bn).
  • There will be huge capping outflows for Cambricon Technologies Lt (688256 CH) following the massive rally in the stock over the last couple of months.

Didi Global Q225 Results | Domestic Business Strong | Why a 2025 Listing Still Makes Sense

By Daniel Hellberg

  • Q225 saw solid growth & improving margins, driven by strength in China business
  • Lawsuit settlement hit net result in Q225, but investors shrugged off the news
  • We still think Didi could pursue a new listing later in 2025, probably in HK

SoundHound: Initiation of Coverage- Why Are They Dominating QSR & Could Their 14

By Baptista Research

  • SoundHound exhibited a noteworthy performance in the second quarter of 2025, recording its strongest ever quarterly revenue of $42.7 million, a significant surge of 217% compared to the previous year.
  • This growth was primarily driven by substantial advancements in their diverse business verticals: automotive, AI customer service for enterprises, and AI solutions for the restaurant industry.
  • The company highlighted its strategic acquisition initiatives, which have effectively enhanced growth trajectories and solidified its position as a key player in the conversational AI sector.

Taiwan Dual-Listings Monitor: TSMC Premium Remains Elevated; ASE Drops Down to Near Parity

By Vincent Fernando, CFA

  • TSMC: +21.8% Premium; Wait for Higher Premium Before Fresh Short of the Spread
  • UMC: -0.6% Discount; Wait for More Extreme ADR Spread Level
  • ASE: +0.4% Premium; Good Level to Go Long the ADR Spread

Ondas Grabs 51% Of SPO—What It Means For Defense & Drones!

By Baptista Research

  • Ondas Holdings, Inc. reported significant revenue growth in the second quarter of 2025, demonstrating both progress and operational success across its business segments.
  • The company recorded a 500% increase in quarterly revenue, reaching $6.3 million, driven largely by advancements in its Ondas Autonomous Systems (OAS) division.
  • This growth was attributed to successful execution of existing programs and new customer acquisitions in global markets, particularly in defense and homeland security sectors.

Maximus: Will Innovation in Veteran Services Deliver Game-Changing Results?

By Baptista Research

  • Maximus reported strong results for its fiscal year 2025 third quarter.
  • The company’s performance was marked by a significant increase in adjusted diluted earnings per share, which rose 24% year-over-year to $2.16, and a 15% growth in adjusted EBITDA.
  • Revenue for the quarter amounted to $1.35 billion, reflecting a 4.3% organic growth compared to the same period last year.

Coherent’s Data Center Breakthrough: The 1.6-Terabyte Revolution Is Here!

By Baptista Research

  • Coherent Inc.’s fourth quarter and full fiscal year 2025 results reflect both strong performance and some areas of challenges.
  • The company experienced a robust fiscal year with revenue hitting a record $5.81 billion, marking a 23% year-over-year increase.
  • This growth was propelled significantly by the company’s data center and communications business, with data center revenue alone increasing by 61% from the previous year.

Lumentum Holdings: Can Its Transition to 4-Inch Wafers Supercharge Growth?

By Baptista Research

  • Lumentum Holdings recently shared its fourth-quarter and full fiscal year 2025 results, showcasing both strengths and a few areas to monitor.
  • The company, which operates at the forefront of the cloud and AI sector through its advanced photonics solutions, reported a strong performance driven by increased demand for optical components and cloud modules.
  • Significant positives include a noteworthy revenue increase, particularly from the Cloud & Networking segment, which saw a year-over-year growth of 67%.

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Daily Brief Technical Analysis: Sticking With China; Bullish Outlook Intact. Buys in Consumer Discretionary and more

By | Daily Briefs, Technical Analysis

In today’s briefing:

  • Sticking With China; Bullish Outlook Intact. Buys in Consumer Discretionary, Materials, and Tech


Sticking With China; Bullish Outlook Intact. Buys in Consumer Discretionary, Materials, and Tech

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), with Int’l Compass reports all echoing this sentiment.
  • We will maintain our bullish intermediate-term view as long as market dynamics remain healthy and the SPX and ACWI-US are above 6028-6059 and $119-$121.
  • We remain overweight/continue to have a major focus on China (Shanghai Composite). It continues to offer the most attractive opportunities, with a significant number of today’s recommendations coming from China.

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Daily Brief Financials: DLocal, StoneCo and more

By | Daily Briefs, Financials

In today’s briefing:

  • DLocal Bets Big on Stablecoins: A Hidden Payments Power Play?
  • StoneCo: An Analysis Of Its TPV Growth, Competitive Dynamics & Growth Catalysts!


DLocal Bets Big on Stablecoins: A Hidden Payments Power Play?

By Baptista Research

  • dLocal Limited’s latest earnings report for Q2 2025 highlights a period of strong financial performance, business expansion, and strategic enhancements, although it is tempered by certain macroeconomic risks and strategic decisions impacting the bottom line.
  • On the positive side, the company posted record results across its key financial metrics.
  • Total Payment Volume (TPV) reached an all-time high of $9.2 billion, marking a 53% year-over-year increase.

StoneCo: An Analysis Of Its TPV Growth, Competitive Dynamics & Growth Catalysts!

By Baptista Research

  • StoneCo Ltd., a financial technology firm focusing on financial services for micro, small, and medium-sized businesses (MSMBs) in Brazil, recently underwent significant strategic shifts aligned with its core focus.
  • The company announced the divestiture of its software assets, including the sale of Linx to TOTVS and SimplesVet to PetLove, aiming to reinforce its focus on payments, banking, and credit, which represent 90% of its total addressable market (TAM).
  • With an estimated total value unlocked from these divestitures exceeding BRL 4 billion, the company intends to allocate excess capital in line with shareholder value maximization strategies, primarily through share buybacks if no value-accretive opportunities are found.

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Daily Brief Consumer: Crocs Inc, Giant Network Group Co Ltd, Dongfeng Motor, Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc, Performance Food Group Co, Aptiv PLC, Tapestry Inc, Ford Motor Co, Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. and more

By | Consumer, Daily Briefs

In today’s briefing:

  • Crocs Inc: How Are They Being Impacted By Consumer Dynamics & The Latest Market Trends?
  • Sticking With China; Bullish Outlook Intact. Buys in Consumer Discretionary, Materials, and Tech
  • Last Week In Event SPACE: Dongfeng Motor, Shibaura, HD Hyundai Heavy/HD Hyundai Mipo, Zijin Mining
  • Nexstar Media Group: Strategic M&A & Capital Allocation to Improve Its Competitive Positioning & Fuel Long-Term Growth!
  • Performance Food Group: Can Diversification Across Foodservice
  • Aptiv Is Splitting Up—And The Market’s About To Wake Up
  • Tapestry Inc.: Targeted Brand Investments & Product Innovation to Ensure Brand Remains Relevant & Competitive!
  • Ford’s 7 Million Recalls In 2025: A Red Flag Investors Can’t Ignore!
  • Madison Square Garden (MSG) Sports: Will NBA & NHL Media Deals Cement Its Financial Future?


Crocs Inc: How Are They Being Impacted By Consumer Dynamics & The Latest Market Trends?

By Baptista Research

  • Crocs, Inc. reported a solid performance in the second quarter despite facing ongoing market volatility.
  • The company achieved revenues of $1.1 billion, reflecting a 3% growth from the previous year.
  • Revenues for the Crocs brand alone rose by 4%, reaching $960 million, with a notable 16% growth in international markets.

Sticking With China; Bullish Outlook Intact. Buys in Consumer Discretionary, Materials, and Tech

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), with Int’l Compass reports all echoing this sentiment.
  • We will maintain our bullish intermediate-term view as long as market dynamics remain healthy and the SPX and ACWI-US are above 6028-6059 and $119-$121.
  • We remain overweight/continue to have a major focus on China (Shanghai Composite). It continues to offer the most attractive opportunities, with a significant number of today’s recommendations coming from China.

Last Week In Event SPACE: Dongfeng Motor, Shibaura, HD Hyundai Heavy/HD Hyundai Mipo, Zijin Mining

By David Blennerhassett


Nexstar Media Group: Strategic M&A & Capital Allocation to Improve Its Competitive Positioning & Fuel Long-Term Growth!

By Baptista Research

  • Nexstar Media Group’s second quarter of 2025 results revealed a mix of positive achievements and ongoing challenges, shaping a comprehensive investment thesis for the company.
  • The company’s net revenue stood at $1.23 billion, representing a decline of 3.2% compared to last year, largely due to decreased political advertising.
  • Despite this decline, Nexstar’s financial stability was upheld by adjusted EBITDA of $389 million and adjusted free cash flow of $101 million, reflecting effective expense management amidst a challenging advertising landscape.

Performance Food Group: Can Diversification Across Foodservice

By Baptista Research

  • Performance Food Group Company (PFG) has demonstrated strong financial performance in the fiscal year 2025, with promising indications for 2026.
  • The company reported net sales exceeding $63 billion, marking a significant year-over-year increase.
  • This growth was primarily driven by strategic market share gains in the food away-from-home industry and expansion of margins through improving business mix and operational efficiency.

Aptiv Is Splitting Up—And The Market’s About To Wake Up

By Baptista Research

  • Aptiv is no stranger to transformation.
  • Once pegged as a traditional auto-parts supplier, the company is now orchestrating a strategic pivot that could redefine how Wall Street values its business.
  • The upcoming spin-off of its Electrical Distribution Systems (EDS) unit, slated for early 2026, aims to carve out a clearer identity for the remaining core business: a high-growth platform deeply entrenched in advanced safety, automation, electrification, and digital edge computing.

Tapestry Inc.: Targeted Brand Investments & Product Innovation to Ensure Brand Remains Relevant & Competitive!

By Baptista Research

  • Tapestry has reported strong financial performance for fiscal year 2025, with revenue reaching an impressive $7 billion and an operating margin of 20%.
  • The company achieved these results despite a challenging macroeconomic environment, demonstrating the resilience and effectiveness of its strategies.
  • Tapestry has seen significant growth across key regions, particularly North America, China, and Europe, and has successfully attracted 6.8 million new customers in North America alone, with a substantial portion from the Gen Z and millennial demographics.

Ford’s 7 Million Recalls In 2025: A Red Flag Investors Can’t Ignore!

By Baptista Research

  • In a year that was supposed to be about electrification and forward momentum, Ford Motor Company finds itself grappling with a growing crisis: vehicle recalls.
  • As of late August 2025, the automaker has issued 105 separate recall notices, covering nearly 7 million vehicles—a record for the company and for the industry in recent memory.
  • The most recent recall involves 355,656 Fseries trucks from the 2025 and 2026 model years due to potential failures in the instrument panel display.

Madison Square Garden (MSG) Sports: Will NBA & NHL Media Deals Cement Its Financial Future?

By Baptista Research

  • Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. (MSG Sports) reported their fiscal 2025 results, highlighting both achievements and challenges that offer a nuanced perspective on the company’s current standing.
  • The company achieved more than $1 billion in revenues and an adjusted operating income of $38.2 million.
  • Despite this significant revenue figure, the financial year concluded with notable challenges in the fourth quarter, leading to an adjusted operating loss of $16.8 million.

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