Category

Equity Bottom-Up

Daily Brief Equity Bottom-Up: Vedanta Demerger: Key Highlights and more

By | Daily Briefs, Equity Bottom-Up

In today’s briefing:

  • Vedanta Demerger: Key Highlights, Value Drivers, and Risks
  • Pinduoduo (PDD): Plunged After Weak Results, But Overly Impacted
  • Metaplanet (3350) | Metaplanet’s Treasury Ambition Grows
  • Gap Inc.: An Insight Into Its Product Innovation & Brand Rejuvenation Efforts & Key Growth Catalysts!
  • IRCON International – Stable Franchise with Long-Term Tailwinds, Near-Term Execution Hurdles
  • The Beat Ideas: Prince Pipes- Margin Recovery and Market Expansion in Full Flow
  • AVGO Results Good. 55-60% AI Growth in 2025, Same in 26. Consensus Is ~10% Too Low, Stock Expensive
  • CrowdStrike Is Replacing Legacy Cybersecurity With Adaptive Models & Lightning-Fast Threat Detection; What’s The Revenue Impact?
  • e.l.f. Beauty Just Acquired rhode—Can This Power Duo Redefine Celebrity Skincare?
  • Guidewire’s Cloud Takeover: How It’s Winning Big With Insurers & Crushing Legacy Systems!


Vedanta Demerger: Key Highlights, Value Drivers, and Risks

By Rahul Jain

  • Latest Update: NCLAT has stayed NCLT’s rejection, allowing Vedanta’s five-way demerger to proceed, with completion targeted by September 2025.
  • Value Concentration: Over 85% of Vedanta’s SOTP value stems from Aluminium and Residual Vedanta, driven by strong EBITDA and asset base.
  • Upside and Risks: SOTP suggests 20%+ upside, but risks include regulatory delays, execution slippage in aluminium/zinc projects, and commodity price volatility.

Pinduoduo (PDD): Plunged After Weak Results, But Overly Impacted

By Ming Lu

  • The stock price plunged by 16% after the 1Q25 results.
  • The two major competitors benefited from the state subsidies, but PDD did not.
  • However, PDD balances well between revenue growth and operating cash flow.

Metaplanet (3350) | Metaplanet’s Treasury Ambition Grows

By Mark Chadwick

  • Metaplanet aims to raise ¥745B via a 555M share issuance to expand its Bitcoin holdings, targeting 100,000 BTC by end-2026.
  • The raise implies significant dilution, but rising share prices and strong NISA retail demand could make the capital goal achievable within 12–18 months.
  • Early investors benefit structurally from raises above NAV, as Metaplanet evolves into a long-term institutional vehicle for Bitcoin exposure and monetary debasement hedging.

Gap Inc.: An Insight Into Its Product Innovation & Brand Rejuvenation Efforts & Key Growth Catalysts!

By Baptista Research

  • The Gap Inc. reported first-quarter fiscal 2025 results showcasing a mix of positive outcomes and ongoing challenges across its portfolio of brands.
  • Highlights of the quarter include improvements in certain financial metrics and continued execution of its strategic initiatives, although the company is facing headwinds primarily related to tariffs which could impact its financial outlook.
  • 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.

IRCON International – Stable Franchise with Long-Term Tailwinds, Near-Term Execution Hurdles

By Rahul Jain

  • FY25 results reflected margin pressure and a 14% revenue decline due to project completions, with FY26 guidance indicating flat revenue and lower core EBITDA margins (5–5.25%).
  • Indian Railways’ capex is expected to grow at a 6–10% CAGR over the next decade, offering sustained demand across new lines, electrification, and safety systems.
  • While valuations appear reasonable, near-term growth visibility remains limited due to a muted order book and transition away from cost-plus contracts.

The Beat Ideas: Prince Pipes- Margin Recovery and Market Expansion in Full Flow

By Sudarshan Bhandari

  • Prince Pipes entered the premium bathware segment with the Aquel acquisition, expanding into lifestyle plumbing beyond traditional piping systems.
  • This move broadens its addressable market and margin profile, creating cross-selling opportunities across its large dealer network.
  • With margin recovery likely and industry destocking easing, Prince Pipes appears well-positioned for rerating and multi-year profit growth.

AVGO Results Good. 55-60% AI Growth in 2025, Same in 26. Consensus Is ~10% Too Low, Stock Expensive

By Nicolas Baratte

  • 2025 AI revenue ~US$19bn, up 55-60% YoY. Similar growth in 2026 or $~30bn. Mngt declined to update 2027 addressable market (SAM), previously stated at $60-90bn. That looks too high.
  • Risk of disappointment for 2027? No, Consensus is too low. Our estimate for 2026 revenue is $79bn versus consensus at $73bn, $95bn in ’27 vs Consensus $83.
  • Consensus for AI stocks is too low. But AVGO is expensive at 33x FY26 Consensus, most likely ~30x and ~25x 2027 if I’m correct. That’s more expensive than NVDA.

CrowdStrike Is Replacing Legacy Cybersecurity With Adaptive Models & Lightning-Fast Threat Detection; What’s The Revenue Impact?

By Baptista Research

  • CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc., a leader in cybersecurity, delivered a robust performance in its fiscal first quarter of 2026, demonstrating both strengths and challenges.
  • The company’s headline achievement was its double-digit million-dollar addition to net new ARR, significantly surpassing expectations and reaching an ending ARR of $4.4 billion.
  • This milestone reinforces its stature as a dominant player in pure-play cybersecurity software at scale.

e.l.f. Beauty Just Acquired rhode—Can This Power Duo Redefine Celebrity Skincare?

By Baptista Research

  • e.l.f. Beauty recently reported its financial performance for the fourth quarter and fiscal year of 2025, characterized by continued momentum and strategic expansion initiatives.
  • The company exhibited a robust growth trajectory, marking its 25th consecutive quarter of net sales growth.
  • For fiscal 2025, net sales increased by 28%, while adjusted EBITDA went up by 26%.

Guidewire’s Cloud Takeover: How It’s Winning Big With Insurers & Crushing Legacy Systems!

By Baptista Research

  • Guidewire Software, Inc.’s latest financial results for the third quarter of fiscal year 2025 demonstrate a mix of robust performance and strategic progress.
  • The company reported a record-breaking quarter in terms of sales activities, showcasing strong demand for its cloud offerings, with Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) reaching $960 million.
  • Notably, Guidewire expects to surpass the $1 billion ARR milestone by the end of the fiscal year, indicating significant traction and growth in their subscription model.

💡 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 Equity Bottom-Up: TSMC (2330.TT; TSM.US): Holds Shareholders’ Meeting on June 3rd. and more

By | Daily Briefs, Equity Bottom-Up

In today’s briefing:

  • TSMC (2330.TT; TSM.US): Holds Shareholders’ Meeting on June 3rd.
  • Keisei Electric (9009) | Neither Hidden nor Structurally Mispriced
  • US – China: Restrictions on Semiconductors Are Getting Worse
  • Asian Equity: Performance of Our Quant Baskets: Indian MidCaps, Asian Dividend Yields Rule the Roost
  • AMD Just Made a Big Move in AI and Co-Packaged Optics: Here’s What Investors Need to Know!
  • Zscaler’s $675 Million Acquisition Of Red Canary—Here’s How It Could Reshape Cybersecurity & The $5 Billion SOC Race!
  • Eli Lilly’s Bold Move: Can the SiteOne Acquisition Knock Vertex Off Its Pain Drug Throne?
  • Check Point Makes A Bold Bet with Veriti: Can Preemptive Security Reinvent Cyber Risk Management?
  • HAL (NSE: HAL) – Strong Visibility, Undervalued Optionality
  • Medical Data Vision Co., Ltd. (3902 JP): Research Update


TSMC (2330.TT; TSM.US): Holds Shareholders’ Meeting on June 3rd.

By Patrick Liao

  • There’s nothing TSMC can do about U.S. tariffs but keep working hard and ensure TSMC’s technology remains the best in the world.
  • Recently, the NT dollar has strengthened by 8%, and our operating margin has dropped by over 3% due to exchange rate fluctuations.
  • If our technology could be stolen so easily, TSMC wouldn’t be where it is today.

Keisei Electric (9009) | Neither Hidden nor Structurally Mispriced

By Mark Chadwick

  • Keisei’s OLC stake distorts valuation optics, but is already transparently priced by the market.
  • Activist criticism over “true” ROE reflects accounting semantics, not hidden inefficiency.
  • Core business plus OLC stake offers modest returns; upside exists, but hardly suggestive of chronic long-term underperformance

US – China: Restrictions on Semiconductors Are Getting Worse

By Nicolas Baratte

  • Nvidia H20 sales to China were barred last month. Nvidia first mentioned designing a new China-specific chip. Maybe not: it looks very difficult to work around the updated US limits
  • Semiconductor design software was barred last week. Synopsys suspended its guidance. My industry checks suggests that the ban applies to Xiaomi (ie the new smartphone chip) and to Lenovo. 
  • Hanmi Semi stopped shipping TC Bonder to Chinese clients. This is critical to make HBM memory that goes into AI processors.

Asian Equity: Performance of Our Quant Baskets: Indian MidCaps, Asian Dividend Yields Rule the Roost

By Manishi Raychaudhuri

  • Of our seven quantitative stock baskets, four have operated for more than three months. We measure the performances of these four – Consistent Compounders, SMID Compounders, Dividend Yielders, Indian Mid-Caps.
  • Consistent Compounders, though up since inception, has underperformed MXASJ mildly. SMID Compounders has underperformed sharply. Asian Dividend Yielders has outperformed handsomely and Indian Mid-Caps, by a stupendous margin.
  • We think the Indian mid-cap basket could take a short-term breather. The Dividend Yield basket could outperform, as investors’ preference for yields in uncertain times could continue for now.

AMD Just Made a Big Move in AI and Co-Packaged Optics: Here’s What Investors Need to Know!

By Baptista Research

  • In a strategic move underscoring its ambitions in AI infrastructure and next-gen interconnects, AMD recently acquired Silicon Valley-based Enosemi, a startup specializing in photonic integrated circuits.
  • The acquisition is part of AMD’s broader effort to catch up with competitors like Nvidia, Intel, and Broadcom in the co-packaged optics (CPO) space, a technology increasingly viewed as essential for building high-bandwidth, energy-efficient AI systems.
  • Enosemi, founded in 2023 by semiconductor engineers Ari Novack and Matthew Streshinsky, had previously collaborated with AMD on photonics development and brings with it a small but elite team of PhD-level engineers.

Zscaler’s $675 Million Acquisition Of Red Canary—Here’s How It Could Reshape Cybersecurity & The $5 Billion SOC Race!

By Baptista Research

  • Zscaler, a major force in cloud-based cybersecurity, has officially signed a definitive agreement to acquire Red Canary, a recognized leader in Managed Detection and Response (MDR), in a strategic push to redefine security operations through AI and data integration.
  • The acquisition, expected to close in August 2025, marks Zscaler’s second major deal in the past 18 months after acquiring Avalor, a security data fabric provider.
  • Red Canary brings more than $140 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR), a seasoned MDR go-to-market team, and agentic AI workflows already deployed in production.

Eli Lilly’s Bold Move: Can the SiteOne Acquisition Knock Vertex Off Its Pain Drug Throne?

By Baptista Research

  • Eli Lilly and Company has made a decisive move to expand its footprint in neuroscience and pain management by announcing its acquisition of SiteOne Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotech focused on developing non-opioid pain treatments.
  • The deal, valued at up to $1 billion including milestones, centers around STC-004, a Phase 2-ready NaV1.8 inhibitor that could become a next generation oral pain medication.
  • The acquisition underscores Lilly’s broader ambition to lead in addiction-free, chronic pain solutions at a time when regulatory and societal pressures around opioid misuse continue to rise.

Check Point Makes A Bold Bet with Veriti: Can Preemptive Security Reinvent Cyber Risk Management?

By Baptista Research

  • In a strategic move that signals a shift toward automated, prevention-first cybersecurity, Check Point Software Technologies has announced its acquisition of Veriti Cybersecurity, a pioneering Israeli startup specializing in preemptive threat exposure management.
  • The transaction, valued at over $100 million, is expected to close by the end of Q2 2025 and marks the first major acquisition under new CEO Nadav Zafrir.
  • The deal comes at a time when Check Point is pushing hard on its hybrid mesh architecture vision and doubling down on its Infinity Platform to unify security across endpoints, cloud, and networks.

HAL (NSE: HAL) – Strong Visibility, Undervalued Optionality

By Rahul Jain

  • Over FY22–FY25, HAL’s revenue grew at a CAGR of ~8%, while PAT rose at ~15% CAGR, with the order book doubling to ₹1.89 lakh Cr, providing LT visibility.
  • India’s defence indigenization drive, large platform rollouts (LCA Mk1A, LUH, AMCA, engines), positions HAL to address a Rs3–4 lakh Cr opportunity over the next 5–10 years, including exports.
  • Despite strong earnings growth, zero debt, and long-term JV upside (e.g., Safran engine), HAL trades at a P/E of ~33–38×, below many peers, indicating room for re-rating.

Medical Data Vision Co., Ltd. (3902 JP): Research Update

By Nippon Investment Bespoke Research UK

  • Medical Data Vision [MDV] reported FY25 Q1 (Dec year-end) results with sales coming in largely in line with the firm’s guidance while operating profit [OP] was higher than expected.
  • The firm produced Q1 gross profit [GP] of1,085mil (+3.8% YoY) and OP of ¥17mil (-67.6% YoY) on sales of ¥1,532mil (+10.4% YoY).
  • Ther firm’s profit targets remain unchanged, guiding for FY25 OP of ¥2,600mil and RP of ¥2,500mil.

💡 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 Equity Bottom-Up: Japan Post Bank: From Stagnation to Opportunity and more

By | Daily Briefs, Equity Bottom-Up

In today’s briefing:

  • Japan Post Bank: From Stagnation to Opportunity
  • CMOC Group Limited (HKEX: 3993) – High-Growth, Low-Cost Producer Positioned for Re-Rating
  • Intel @ BofA Securities 2025 Global Technology Conference
  • Shriram Pistons & Rings Ltd: Powering Forward with Precision and Purpose
  • NAVA Limited (NAVA.IN): Diversified Growth, Strong Financials, and Strategic Global Expansion
  • Gujarat Fluorochemicals Limited: Robust Core Business Performance and EV Ramp-Up
  • Kilburn Engineering: Record Performance and Robust Growth Outlook
  • Time Technoplast Limited: Value-Added Products and Composites Drive Strong Performance
  • AVIC (9554 JP) – System in Place for Rapid In-House Launch of Live Commerce Business
  • Chow Tai Fook (1929 HK) – H2FY25 Outlook, Cost Management & Pricing Optimization to Drive Growth.


Japan Post Bank: From Stagnation to Opportunity

By Rikki Malik

  • Non-Controversial changes in asset allocation will provide a big boost to earnings.
  • Demand problems brewing in the JGB market may provide the catalyst
  • The path is clear to enter new businesses after parent lowers  stake below 50%

CMOC Group Limited (HKEX: 3993) – High-Growth, Low-Cost Producer Positioned for Re-Rating

By Rahul Jain

  • EBITDA more than doubled (25% CAGR) over 3 years, with copper and cobalt output up ~3.5x and ~5.7x on ramp-up of TFM and KFM.
  • $4.3 bn invested in DRC; low-cost leaching drives margins; gold entry via Cangrejos adds diversification and long-term optionality.
  • Strong cash flows, growth pipeline, and ~4x EV/EBITDA valuation position CMOC for sustained upside amid rising energy transition metal demand.

Intel @ BofA Securities 2025 Global Technology Conference

By William Keating

  • Intel Products CEO Michelle Johnston Holthaus reveals that the company is now also including Samsung as a second foundry option
  • The practice of Intel offering OEM incentives appears to be coming to the end of its unnatural life as LBT sets the tone. Great news for AMD I would think.
  • Further investment in A14 capacity will now be contingent on having customers committing to taking up that capacity. No more build it and they will come a la Mr. Gelsinger. 

Shriram Pistons & Rings Ltd: Powering Forward with Precision and Purpose

By Viral Kishorchandra Shah

  • The company is expanding into EV motors, precision plastics, and exports to over 45 countries worldwide
  • SPRL reported  Rs 36,612 million total income in FY25, with 15.3% YoY growth and a 22.8% EBITDA margin
  • SPRL balances legacy ICE products with new EV, plastics, and non-auto segments for resilient growth

NAVA Limited (NAVA.IN): Diversified Growth, Strong Financials, and Strategic Global Expansion

By Rahul Jain

  • NAVA’s net profit doubled from ₹536 Cr in FY23 to ₹1,091 Cr in FY25, driven by strong power and mining earnings.
  • Maamba Phase II will double Zambian power capacity to 600 MW by FY27 with $400M investment. Zambia agri projects in avocado and sugar aim for diversified, steady revenue from FY27.
  • NAVA has become debt-free, strengthening its balance sheet. Improved credit ratings reflect steady profits, healthy cash flows, and low debt risk.

Gujarat Fluorochemicals Limited: Robust Core Business Performance and EV Ramp-Up

By Sudarshan Bhandari

  • Gujarat Fluorochemicals (FLUOROCH IN) reported strong consolidated Q4FY25 financials, driven by fluoropolymers, with significant PAT growth and reduced net debt.
  • This indicates sustained momentum in core fluoropolymers, potential for significant revenue contribution from the new EV business in the coming years, and an improved balance sheet supporting future investments.
  • Capex of INR 1,600 crs in FY26 funded via external accruals will expand EV and fluoropolymer capacities, enabling long-term growth across energy, mobility, and specialty segments.

Kilburn Engineering: Record Performance and Robust Growth Outlook

By Sudarshan Bhandari

  • Kilburn Engineering (KEL IN) achieved highest-ever standalone/consolidated revenue and EBITDA, completed two strategic acquisitions (ME Energy, Monga Strayfield), and secured record orders, particularly entering the Nuclear sector.
  • The performance validates the company’s strategy of diversification and inorganic growth, providing strong visibility for future revenue with 50% growth target for FY26 .
  • The strong execution, robust order book, and confident management guidance reinforce a positive outlook, suggesting significant growth potential building on recent strategic moves.

Time Technoplast Limited: Value-Added Products and Composites Drive Strong Performance

By Sudarshan Bhandari

  • Strong FY25 financial performance driven by volume growth outpacing revenue, significant PAT increase, and improved margins, particularly from higher-growth value-added and composite product segments.
  • The strategic focus on higher-margin value-added products, especially composites, is enhancing profitability (margins, ROCE) and positioning the company for future growth in key sectors like clean energy and sustainability.
  • The consistent execution on strategic targets (ROCE, debt reduction, composite growth) strengthens conviction in the management’s ability to deliver and capitalize on emerging opportunities, despite some project timeline shifts.

AVIC (9554 JP) – System in Place for Rapid In-House Launch of Live Commerce Business

By Sessa Investment Research

  • Over the past six months, AViC’s share price has undergone a major re-rate.
  • Its closing price on May 16, 2025, the day after Q2 FY2025/9 results announcement, stood at JPY 1,825, up 67.6% from the closing price of JPY 1,089 on November 14, 2024, when it announced FY2024/9 results.
  • Based on the projected EPS of JPY 73.59 for FY2025/9, the Company’s share looks to be trading at a premium with a forward P/E ratio of 24.8x. 

Chow Tai Fook (1929 HK) – H2FY25 Outlook, Cost Management & Pricing Optimization to Drive Growth.

By Sreemant Dudhoria

  • Despite short-term demand headwinds, Chow Tai Fook Jewellery (1929 HK) remains well-positioned for structural growth via product premiumization(e.g.,CTF Rouge,Palace Museum), omni-channel scaling, and selective global expansion in culturally aligned markets.
  • Company continues to defend margins through product mix optimization (fixed-price gold up to 25.6% of gold RSV),disciplined SG&A control, and aggressive retail network rationalization.
  • Trading at ~26xx TTM P/E, it commands premium to peers, backed by industry-leading ROE (~25%),brand strength,and high dividend payout (~79%), though clear earnings rebound remains key to justify the multiple.

💡 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 Equity Bottom-Up: StubWorld: DFI Exits Robinson Retail and more

By | Daily Briefs, Equity Bottom-Up

In today’s briefing:

  • StubWorld: DFI Exits Robinson Retail
  • Xiaomi (1810 HK): 1Q25, Home Appliance Up by 59% and Capacities Under Construction
  • TSMC Wafer Price Increase ~30-40% at Each Node (N2-A16-A14), that Will Eventually Limit Demand
  • Smartphone 2025 Shipments Revised Down, PC Revised Up (IDC). Mediatek a Tad Expensive, TSMC Cheaper.
  • [Xiaomi Inc. (1810 HK, BUY, TP HK$55) TP Change]: Trade-In Subsidy Is Still the Main Driver
  • Plover Bay (1523 HK): Preview On Earnings For H1 2025
  • VEON US: Pakistan Towers Sale Frees Capital for Digital Growth in Core Market Ahead of Ukraine IPO
  • AFT Pharmaceuticals — Setting the stage for sustained long-term growth
  • Eurasia Mining- Initiation of Coverage
  • Digital Hearts Holdings (3676 JP) – Poised to Enjoy Higher Profitability


StubWorld: DFI Exits Robinson Retail

By David Blennerhassett


Xiaomi (1810 HK): 1Q25, Home Appliance Up by 59% and Capacities Under Construction

By Ming Lu

  • In 1Q25, total revenue grew by 47% YoY with home appliance up by 59% YoY.
  • Both home appliance and electric vehicle will expand their capacities.
  • The stock has an upside of 29% and a price target of HK$66 for the next twelve months.

TSMC Wafer Price Increase ~30-40% at Each Node (N2-A16-A14), that Will Eventually Limit Demand

By Nicolas Baratte

  • A N3 wafer costs US$20k. Taiwan news mention N2 price at $30k, 16A at $45k. That’s a bit inflated but price increase at each node will be a hefty ~30-40%. 
  • It will become difficult for PC, Smartphone to absorb a US$40k wafer cpst, or to use the chip’s performance in these devices. The addressable market will shrink: AI, Networking, Server. 
  • TSMC’s growth will come more from wafer price increase than from volume growth. It’s already the case! Could be a problem for Semi Production Equipment vendors: scale will be smaller.

Smartphone 2025 Shipments Revised Down, PC Revised Up (IDC). Mediatek a Tad Expensive, TSMC Cheaper.

By Nicolas Baratte

  • IDC has revised down 2025 Smartphone unit growth from 2.3% to 0.6%; increased PC from 3.7% to 4.5% but expects a decline in 2026. 
  • The positive for Mediatek is AI in Mobile chips, but it’s a secondary driver compared to AI ASIC design. Mediatek stock is more expensive than TSMC despite lower visibility.
  • I don’t see any stock for which PC is a positive. The risk remain over-estimating replacement demand ahead of Windows 10 end-of-support in Oct-25.

[Xiaomi Inc. (1810 HK, BUY, TP HK$55) TP Change]: Trade-In Subsidy Is Still the Main Driver

By Eric Wen

  • Xiaomi reported C1Q25 top line, non-IFRS operating income and IFRS net profit 2.0%, 41% and 57% vs. our estimate. 
  • While there are a few product positives supporting outperformance, the main driver is still trade-in subsidy (TIS), which will start to end in C3Q25;
  • We continue to view Xiaomi as having an enviable market position as a “Huawei without the sanctions”, its valuation has also become very rich.

Plover Bay (1523 HK): Preview On Earnings For H1 2025

By Sameer Taneja

  • We expect the Trump tariffs announced on Taiwan (base for suppliers/production of Plover Bay) to slightly affect growth rates for H1 FY25 and estimate a 15%/13% YoY revenue/profit growth number. 
  • A 32% tariff was imposed on Taiwan suppliers; however, electronic items, including routers, were subsequently excluded. Nonetheless, overall business sentiment had already been negatively impacted before these adjustments.
  • Trading at 19.4x FY25e earnings (assuming a reversion to 15% growth), the stock is somewhat fairly valued, although we love this name’s execution and long-term track record. 

VEON US: Pakistan Towers Sale Frees Capital for Digital Growth in Core Market Ahead of Ukraine IPO

By Vincent Fernando, CFA

  • VEON last week announced it has secured regulatory approvals for its tower asset partnership with Engro Corp in Pakistan, unlocking US$563 million in value. 
  • Cash portion of funds will be paid in tranches and received in Pakistan, with flexibility to upstream capital or reinvest locally.
  • Transaction supports VEON’s ongoing transformation at the Group level and digital growth strategy in Pakistan while offering a roadmap for similar value creation in Ukraine.

AFT Pharmaceuticals — Setting the stage for sustained long-term growth

By Edison Investment Research

AFT Pharmaceuticals reported FY25 revenues of N Z$208m, posting a strong recovery in H2, with dissipating headwinds and traditional H2 seasonality offsetting the softer H1 performance. H225 revenues (N Z$121.3m) grew 40% over H125 and 9% y-o-y, driven by sustained domestic market momentum and international market recovery. The FY25 operating margin of 8.5% (12.4% in FY24) was affected by lower licensing income and investments in marketing, R&D and international expansion, but these investments should deliver upside opportunities in the longer term. The balance sheet remains strong (net debt reduced to N Z$14.5m, 0.7x EBITDA), supporting the announcement of a 1.8c per share dividend (c 17% payout ratio). Management aims to achieve N Z$300m in revenues by end-FY27 and has guided for operating profit of N Z$20–24m in FY26, with increased operating leverage in the medium term. We update our valuation for AFT to N Z$691.4m or N Z$6.59/share, from N Z$697.4m or N Z$6.65/share previously.


Eurasia Mining- Initiation of Coverage

By Optimo Capital

  • Eurasia Mining joined AIM in 1999 as a Russia-focused metals and mining company.
  • Initially in a JV with Anglo Platinum, the company undertook extensive exploration (gold, gold-copper & PGMs) in the Urals and the Kola Peninsula, which led to the West Kytlim and Monchetundra discoveries that Eurasia went on to acquire.
  • The company has successfully advanced battery metals and hydrogen metal mines into production in the Russian Arctic.

Digital Hearts Holdings (3676 JP) – Poised to Enjoy Higher Profitability

By Astris Advisory Japan

  • Q4 FY3/25 results showed OP margin improvement YoY (Q4 FY3/24 6.1%, Q4 FY3/25 6.3%) as both DH Group (formerly Entertainment) and AGEST Group (formerly Enterprise) improved margins, although consolidated OP saw a small decline (-4.1% YoY).
  • DH Group’s segment OP declined (-9.9% YoY), but the segment OP margin improved (Q4 FY3/24 7.1%, Q4 FY3/25 7.3%), reflecting the sale of a low-margin subsidiary.
  • AGEST Group’s segment OP increased (+8.4% YoY) with the improved segment OP margin (Q4 FY3/24 4.5%, Q4 FY3/25 5.1%) on the back of better profitability in overseas QA Solutions than Q4 FY3/24. 

💡 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 Equity Bottom-Up: Grab Holdings’ Fintech Gamble: Will Its Banking Bet Finally Pay Off by 2026? and more

By | Daily Briefs, Equity Bottom-Up

In today’s briefing:

  • Grab Holdings’ Fintech Gamble: Will Its Banking Bet Finally Pay Off by 2026?
  • Taiwan Tech Weekly: Mediatek’s New Chip Could Outperform Apple’s; Samsung Beats TSMC, Wins Nintendo
  • Welspun Living: Navigating with Strategic Diversification and Domestic Focus
  • Ecolab’s AI Mousetraps Are Just the Beginning—Is This the Future of Pest Control?
  • Triveni Engineering & Industries: Mega Restructuring & Stellar Performance
  • The Beat Ideas: Finolex Industries Ltd ~ Vertically Integrated PVC Manufacturer
  • Vesuvius India Ltd (NSE: VESUVIUS) – A High-Quality Play on India’s Steel Upswing
  • Kobo Resources Inc – Mining Monthly: May Edition
  • 2025 Sees Strong Start to Share Buybacks
  • NATCO Pharma Limited: Record Year Performance Overshadowed by Cautious FY26 Outlook


Grab Holdings’ Fintech Gamble: Will Its Banking Bet Finally Pay Off by 2026?

By Baptista Research

  • The recent earnings of Grab Holdings Limited for the first quarter of 2025 presented a mixed picture of the company’s performance and strategic outlook.
  • On the positive side, Grab reported robust growth, with a 17% year-over-year increase in on-demand Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) and a record number of monthly transacting users.
  • This growth translated into another quarter of record revenues.

Taiwan Tech Weekly: Mediatek’s New Chip Could Outperform Apple’s; Samsung Beats TSMC, Wins Nintendo

By Vincent Fernando, CFA

  • Rumors That Mediatek’s Upcoming Chips Could Outperform Apple’s Chips Used in the iPhone 17
  • Samsung Beats TSMC to Win Key Nintendo Switch 2 Contract
  • PC Monitor: Commercial PC Demand Resilient; AI PC Momentum Builds W/ NVDA Blackwell-Powered Launches 

Welspun Living: Navigating with Strategic Diversification and Domestic Focus

By Sudarshan Bhandari

  • FY25 consolidated revenue surpassed INR 10,000 crore mark, increasing 8.9% year-on-year. Emerging businesses contributed over 30% to revenue.  
  • Despite achieving the revenue milestone, Q4 performance and FY25 margins were impacted by cautious customer order patterns due to US tariff uncertainty.  
  • The company is de-risking its geographical exposure by reducing reliance on the US while focusing on the potential from the UK FTA and strengthening its domestic presence, through strategic acquisition.

Ecolab’s AI Mousetraps Are Just the Beginning—Is This the Future of Pest Control?

By Baptista Research

  • In reviewing Ecolab’s first-quarter 2025 financial performance, the company demonstrated notable strengths alongside areas presenting challenges.
  • Ecolab reported double-digit earnings per share (EPS) growth, achieving a 12% increase, even as organic sales climbed by 3%.
  • This robust performance highlights the company’s ability to maintain an upward trajectory despite a weakening demand in some end markets.

Triveni Engineering & Industries: Mega Restructuring & Stellar Performance

By Sudarshan Bhandari

  • Triveni reported record revenue and PAT for Q4 FY25, largely driven by the exceptional performance of the Power Transmission business and improved sugar realisations despite operational challenges
  • The strong performance of the Power Transmission segment and strategic focus on exports highlights its potential as a key growth driver, while the proposed restructuring aims to unlock values.  
  • Company is guiding for improvement in each segment including Sugar, IMIL and transmission in the upcoming year.

The Beat Ideas: Finolex Industries Ltd ~ Vertically Integrated PVC Manufacturer

By Sudarshan Bhandari

  • Finolex Industries (FNXP IN) is a leading, vertically integrated Indian PVC manufacturer, the 2nd largest in PVC resin and 3rd in pipes & fittings, with captive production offering cost advantage.
  • Margin recovery in FY26 is targeted post headwinds faced by industry via pricing correction, improved product mix, enhanced discount management, and cost efficiency programs. 
  • Potential ADD/BIS mandates mid-FY26 may curb Chinese imports, possibly enabling a 5–10% domestic price increase, reshaping the market.

Vesuvius India Ltd (NSE: VESUVIUS) – A High-Quality Play on India’s Steel Upswing

By Rahul Jain

  • Vesuvius India has a strong track record of double-digit revenue and profit growth, supported by robust return ratios like 32% ROCE and a debt-free balance sheet.
  • With ongoing capacity expansions and rising contribution to the parent’s revenue and EBITDA, India is now a key growth engine for the group.
  • Despite premium valuations, the company’s execution strength and industry tailwinds make it a compelling long-term play.

Kobo Resources Inc – Mining Monthly: May Edition

By Atrium Research

  • What you need to know: • The metals and mining market continued its strong run in May, driven by inflationary concerns due to the trade war and geopolitical tensions.
  • • In May, gold was up 1.8%, silver was up 1.7%, and copper was also up 1.7%.
  • The equities outperformed the commodities, with the GDX up 3.3%, GDXJ up 6.4%, SIL up 5.9%, and COPX up 8.7%.

2025 Sees Strong Start to Share Buybacks

By Geoff Howie

  • In the first five months of 2025, 63 primary-listed companies conducted S$930 million in share buybacks, up 84% from 2024.
  • UOB led May buybacks with S$144 million, followed by DBS at S$18 million and Olam Group at S$6 million.
  • STI Banks accounted for 77% of 2025 buybacks, with DBS, UOB, and OCBC launching significant buyback programs.

NATCO Pharma Limited: Record Year Performance Overshadowed by Cautious FY26 Outlook

By Sudarshan Bhandari

  • Natco Pharma (NTCPH IN) achieved record consolidated revenue and profits in FY25 and holds a strong cash position over INR 3,500 crore.
  • However, the company estimates a significant potential dip in revenue (20%) and profits (30%) for FY26 due to US market pressures and high R&D spend.
  • This signals near-term headwinds, while long-term growth remains tied to pipeline progress, particularly Semaglutide and Resplan launches in India, and strategic acquisitions.

💡 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 Equity Bottom-Up: The TJX Companies: Leveraging Vendor Relationships For A Competitive Edge! and more

By | Daily Briefs, Equity Bottom-Up

In today’s briefing:

  • The TJX Companies: Leveraging Vendor Relationships For A Competitive Edge!
  • Ivanhoe Mines (IVN CN): Seismic Setback Creates a Valuation Gap
  • DigiPlus Interactive (PLUS PM): Galloping Away Into A Strong Q2 FY25
  • Workday Inc.: Will Its WorkdayGO Initiatives Help to Quickly Modernize & Streamline The Enterprise Functions?
  • Nvidia’s $3.4 Trillion AI Empire Is Just Getting Started—You Won’t Believe What’s Next!
  • Target Corporation: Will Its Investments in Digital Fulfillment and Supply Chain Pay Off?
  • How The Home Depot Plans to Capture a $50 Billion Opportunity Amid Economic Uncertainty!
  • Korean Banks; Presidential Election Drives Positive View on Hana (086790 KS) And Woori (316140 KS)
  • Toll Brothers: Will Its Spec Home Strategy & Market Adaptation Be A Breakthrough Move?
  • Zijin Mining (601899 CH / 2899 HK): Evaluating the Impact of Kakula Suspension


The TJX Companies: Leveraging Vendor Relationships For A Competitive Edge!

By Baptista Research

  • The TJX Companies, Inc. reported its first-quarter results for fiscal year 2026, demonstrating resilient performance across its various divisions amidst a challenging macroeconomic environment.
  • The company achieved a 3% increase in comparable store sales, driven by higher customer transactions, with each division—both in the U.S. and internationally—contributing positively.
  • Notable growth was observed in the HomeGoods division, which outperformed its competitors, delivering a 4% increase in comp sales and a 70 basis point improvement in segment profit margin compared to the previous year.

Ivanhoe Mines (IVN CN): Seismic Setback Creates a Valuation Gap

By Rahul Jain

  • Kakula mining is suspended due to seismic activity; dewatering and repairs are ongoing, with potential resolution by late Q3 2025 as operations gradually stabilize.
  • Ivanhoe quadrupled copper output since 2021, maintaining over 55% EBITDA margins through high-grade ore and efficient operations.
  • At US$2,000/t copper reserve value, Ivanhoe offers 40%+ upside—past disruptions like Vale and Freeport saw strong rebounds as uncertainty cleared.

DigiPlus Interactive (PLUS PM): Galloping Away Into A Strong Q2 FY25

By Sameer Taneja

  • DigiPlus Interactive (PLUS PM) reported robust Q1 FY25 results, driven by an increase in MAUs to 7.5 million (6.5 in Q4). The company maintained its market share at ~45%.
  • Net margins expanded 200 bps QoQ (to 18.2%), as the company benefited from a 500 bps reduction in its share of GGR to PAGCOR. 
  • The stock has increased by >400% since January 2024, but it trades at 14.1x FY25 PE, with growth catalysts from the Philippines and Brazil expected in the future. 

Workday Inc.: Will Its WorkdayGO Initiatives Help to Quickly Modernize & Streamline The Enterprise Functions?

By Baptista Research

  • Workday Inc. reported a robust first quarter of fiscal year 2026, demonstrating solid growth in key financial metrics and notable advancements in its strategic initiatives.
  • The company reported a 13% increase in subscription revenue, reaching $2.059 billion, and achieved a non-GAAP operating margin of 30.2%.
  • This performance was driven by strong customer adoption across various industries, solid contributions from their partner ecosystem, and a continued focus on AI innovation.

Nvidia’s $3.4 Trillion AI Empire Is Just Getting Started—You Won’t Believe What’s Next!

By Baptista Research

  • Nvidia’s first-quarter results for fiscal 2026 showcased an extraordinary ability to maintain momentum in the face of geopolitical disruption, marking a defining moment in its trajectory as a dominant AI chipmaker.
  • The company reported a 69% year-over-year revenue surge to $44.1 billion, outperforming expectations despite the mid-April U.S. government ban on H20 GPU sales to China.
  • The data center segment remained the primary growth engine, rising 73% to $39.1 billion, driven by rising AI infrastructure demand and the adoption of its cutting-edge Blackwell architecture.

Target Corporation: Will Its Investments in Digital Fulfillment and Supply Chain Pay Off?

By Baptista Research

  • Target Corporation faced a set of challenging conditions in the first quarter of 2025, significantly impacting its overall performance.
  • The detailed analysis of the quarterly results reveals a balanced mix of positive aspects, setbacks, and strategic adjustments, offering investors insights into the company’s current standing and future priorities.
  • First-quarter sales for Target declined by 2.8%, primarily driven by a decrease in comparable sales of 3.8%.

How The Home Depot Plans to Capture a $50 Billion Opportunity Amid Economic Uncertainty!

By Baptista Research

  • The Home Depot, during its first quarter of fiscal 2025, reported sales of $39.9 billion, which represented a 9.4% increase compared to the same period last year.
  • However, the company’s comparable store sales declined slightly by 0.3%.
  • The U.S. comps showed a modest increase of 0.2%.

Korean Banks; Presidential Election Drives Positive View on Hana (086790 KS) And Woori (316140 KS)

By Victor Galliano

  • The “Value Up” initiative which kicked off in February 2024 has been intended to bring about corporate governance and market reforms which minority and especially foreign investors have long sought
  • So far, these voluntary reforms have brought positive albeit limited benefits to South Korean equities; presidential elections, with potential legislative change, should act as a positive valuation driver
  • We reiterate our positive views on Woori and Hana Financial which are the top banks based on our scorecard; these attributes are due to  attractive valuations and balance sheet credentials

Toll Brothers: Will Its Spec Home Strategy & Market Adaptation Be A Breakthrough Move?

By Baptista Research

  • During its second quarter earnings for fiscal 2025, Toll Brothers, Inc. outlined its financial and operational performance amidst a challenging economic environment, providing insights into its strategies and market outlook.
  • Toll Brothers reported robust financial performance for the second quarter, achieving record second quarter home sales revenue of $2.71 billion, which surpassed the midpoint of their guidance by $236 million.
  • They delivered 2,899 homes at an average selling price of approximately $934,000.

Zijin Mining (601899 CH / 2899 HK): Evaluating the Impact of Kakula Suspension

By Rahul Jain

  • A 4–6 month Kakula disruption could reduce Zijin’s 2025 copper output by 4–8%, cutting EBITDA by ~7–11%.
  • Ramp-Ups at Julong and Čukaru Peki can offset ~60–70% of the lost volume and partially protect margins.
  • Lithium is expected to grow from 8% to 20% of EBITDA by 2028, driven by 300kt LCE capacity from low-cost brine assets.

💡 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 Equity Bottom-Up: Korea Small Cap Gem #35: Aurora World and more

By | Daily Briefs, Equity Bottom-Up

In today’s briefing:

  • Korea Small Cap Gem #35: Aurora World
  • NetEase: Will Its eSports Integration & Expansion Help Establish NetEase As A Prominent Player In The Global Esports Arena?
  • MARA Holdings: Will Its Off-grid Expansion & Energy Partnerships For Sustainable Bitcoin Mining Operations Work Out?
  • Cisco Systems Just Smashed AI Order Expectations—Is Silicon One the Future of Cloud Infrastructure?
  • JFrog: Expanding ML & AI Opportunities in the Platform To Shape the Future!
  • Expedia Group: Diverse B2B Growth Opportunities As a Significant Growth Lever!
  • Dynatrace Inc.: Expansion in Logs & Digital Experience Monitoring to Enhance Competitiveness In The Observability Landscape!
  • DLocal Transforms Regional Playbook With Adaptive Strategy in Argentina
  • Installed Building Products (IBP): Its Efforts Towards Expansion in Heavy Commercial Business & Other Major Drivers!
  • DaVita Incorporated: Phosphate Binders Integration into Dialysis Benefit As A Pivotal Growth Lever!


Korea Small Cap Gem #35: Aurora World

By Douglas Kim

  • Aurora World is best known for its plush toys (Palm Pals and YooHoo & Friends). It is increasingly trying to leverage its toy character brands to expand into digital contents. 
  • What makes Aurora World so interesting is its excellent fundamentals and deeply discounted valuations relative to The Pinkfong Company (IPO in 2H25) and SAMG Entertainment.
  • Aurora World generated more than 80% of its sales in overseas markets including the United States, U.K., and Hong Kong. 

NetEase: Will Its eSports Integration & Expansion Help Establish NetEase As A Prominent Player In The Global Esports Arena?

By Baptista Research

  • NetEase, during its 2025 first quarter financial results presentation, outlined its performance and future strategies across various segments.
  • The company reported an increase in total net revenue by 7.4% year-over-year, reaching RMB 28.8 billion, driven primarily by its gaming division, which witnessed a 12% increase in revenue.
  • Net revenue from online games was notably high, with a growth of 14% quarter-over-quarter and 15% year-over year, emphasizing the success of titles like “Where Winds Meet” and “Marvel Rivals.” 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.

MARA Holdings: Will Its Off-grid Expansion & Energy Partnerships For Sustainable Bitcoin Mining Operations Work Out?

By Baptista Research

  • MARA Holdings recently held its first quarter 2025 earnings call, offering insights into both its current operations and future strategies.
  • The company faces a mixed landscape shaped by Bitcoin’s fluctuating value, which significantly impacts shareholder sentiment and the company’s stock performance.
  • Notably, MARA aligns with the view of Bitcoin as a macro hedge, comparable to gold, which is particularly relevant amid volatile market conditions.

Cisco Systems Just Smashed AI Order Expectations—Is Silicon One the Future of Cloud Infrastructure?

By Baptista Research

  • Cisco Systems, Inc. exhibited robust performance in its third quarter of fiscal year 2025, surpassing revenue, margins, and earnings expectations.
  • The company reported total revenue of $14.1 billion, marking a substantial 11% year-over-year increase.
  • This growth was driven by significant expansion in product revenue, especially in areas such as networking, which saw an 8% increase, and security, which surged by 54%, primarily due to contributions from Splunk and SASE offerings.

JFrog: Expanding ML & AI Opportunities in the Platform To Shape the Future!

By Baptista Research

  • JFrog’s Q1 2025 financial results reflect both accomplishments and ongoing challenges.
  • The company reported total revenue of $122.4 million, up 22% year-over-year, driven significantly by strong cloud revenue which rose by 42% to $52.6 million.
  • This growth underscores JFrog’s strategic focus on cloud solutions and enterprise migrations toward its SaaS offering.

Expedia Group: Diverse B2B Growth Opportunities As a Significant Growth Lever!

By Baptista Research

  • Expedia Group’s recent financial results for Q1 2025 present a complex blend of performance metrics that reveal both strengths and areas of concern.
  • The company’s gross bookings climbed by 4% to $31.5 billion, while revenue increased by 3% to $3 billion, aligning with expectations but reflecting a modest growth trajectory.
  • The growth has been hampered by weaker travel demand within and into the U.S., despite strong performances elsewhere.

Dynatrace Inc.: Expansion in Logs & Digital Experience Monitoring to Enhance Competitiveness In The Observability Landscape!

By Baptista Research

  • Dynatrace reported a robust performance for the fourth quarter and full fiscal year 2025, showcasing significant accomplishments across various key metrics.
  • The company’s subscription revenue experienced a 20% increase, reaching $1.62 billion, while the Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) stood at $1.73 billion, marking a 17% growth.
  • The non-GAAP operating margin expanded by over 100 basis points, and the pre-tax free cash flow margin improved by roughly 250 basis points, underlining the company’s effective balance between growth and profitability.

DLocal Transforms Regional Playbook With Adaptive Strategy in Argentina

By Baptista Research

  • dLocal delivered a first-quarter 2025 result that showcased both strong financial performance and ongoing strategic advancements, accompanied by notable business developments and challenges.
  • The total payment volume (TPV) reached $8.1 billion, marking a significant 53% growth year-over-year, which further increases to 72% in constant currency terms.
  • This growth was led by robust performance in cross-border payments, particularly in regions like Chile, Pakistan, Nigeria, Turkey, and Brazil across sectors including remittances, commerce, and financial services.

Installed Building Products (IBP): Its Efforts Towards Expansion in Heavy Commercial Business & Other Major Drivers!

By Baptista Research

  • Installed Building Products (IBP) reported its first quarter 2025 financial results, reflecting mixed performance amidst a challenging macroeconomic landscape affecting the construction industry.
  • The company’s performance was impacted by housing market dynamics and adverse weather conditions, although strategic initiatives and a strong operating framework provided some balance.
  • On the positive side, IBP maintained a solid financial base with significant cash flow, highlighting its capacity for growth via acquisitions.

DaVita Incorporated: Phosphate Binders Integration into Dialysis Benefit As A Pivotal Growth Lever!

By Baptista Research

  • DaVita Inc. (DVA) has recently disclosed its financial results for the first quarter of 2025.
  • The company faced significant challenges, most notably a cybersecurity incident, which disrupted operations.
  • Despite these setbacks, DaVita succeeded in maintaining its patient care levels and mitigating the impact on its core services.

💡 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 Equity Bottom-Up: Taiwan Dual-Listings Monitor: TSMC Premium Rises Further and more

By | Daily Briefs, Equity Bottom-Up

In today’s briefing:

  • Taiwan Dual-Listings Monitor: TSMC Premium Rises Further, to Short Level; UMC Discount
  • Samsung Still in the Woods, SK Hynix Still Ahead. China Semi News (Huawei)
  • Texas Roadhouse: A Tale Of Smart Menu Pricing & Inflation Defense Tactics!
  • Asia File Update : 1st Quarter Results
  • Cloudflare Inc.: Expansion in Zero Trust and SASE Solutions & Major Growth Levers!
  • Korean F&B: Focus on Companies With Strongest Export Growth
  • Carvana Co.: Is The Third-Party Marketplace Expansion Its Secret Weapon For Growth?
  • VIAB US – How Paramount Global Is Mastering Linear-Streaming Synergy to Dominate Sports and Series!
  • Royalty Pharma Flexes Financial Muscle: A $723 Million In Share Repurchases & Bold 2025 Outlook!
  • HubSpot Inc.: How Is The Management Executing Mid-Market Expansion to Make Its Business More Resilient To Economic Fluctuations?


Taiwan Dual-Listings Monitor: TSMC Premium Rises Further, to Short Level; UMC Discount

By Vincent Fernando, CFA

  • TSMC: +22% Premium; Consider Shorting ADR Spread at Current Level
  • UMC: -1.4% Discount; Wait for More Extreme Discount Before Going Long the Spread
  • CHT: +0.9% Premium; Can Consider Shorting the Premium at This Level or Higher

Samsung Still in the Woods, SK Hynix Still Ahead. China Semi News (Huawei)

By Nicolas Baratte

  • Samsung 3nm yields improving (50-60%) but still far behind TSMC (85-90%)
  • SK Hynix is finalizing HBM4 agreements with Nvidia, Samsung is still not qualified for HBM3e.
  • Huawei into semiconductor chemicals? The vulnerability is photo-resist, but that’s very hard to do 

Texas Roadhouse: A Tale Of Smart Menu Pricing & Inflation Defense Tactics!

By Baptista Research

  • Texas Roadhouse reported its first quarter financial results, demonstrating both strengths and challenges in its business performance.
  • The company recorded a revenue of over $1.4 billion, with same-store sales increasing by 3.5% and average weekly sales reaching all-time highs.
  • Notably, March experienced the highest weekly sales across Texas Roadhouse’s three brands: Texas Roadhouse, Bubba’s 33, and Jaggers.

Asia File Update : 1st Quarter Results

By Punit Khanna

  • Operating Business did well with filing revenues marginally declining and food ware business growing
  • One off write off investment in associate and intangible asset
  • Maintain the view that Risk Reward are asymmetrical as the company trades below cash

Cloudflare Inc.: Expansion in Zero Trust and SASE Solutions & Major Growth Levers!

By Baptista Research

  • Cloudflare reported its financial performance for Q1 2025, showcasing several encouraging outcomes along with some aspects that warrant attention.
  • The company achieved a revenue of $479.1 million, marking a 27% increase year-over-year.
  • This growth was primarily driven by the addition of large customers, with 3,527 clients contributing over $100,000 annually—a 23% year-over-year rise.

Korean F&B: Focus on Companies With Strongest Export Growth

By Douglas Kim

  • In this insight, we provide 3 major fundamental criteria for screening major Korean F&B companies. 
  • Three major criteria include 3 years CAGR revenue growth of 5% or more, increase in net margin in 2024, and overseas sales more than 10% of total sales.
  • Of the 30 Korean F&B companies mentioned in this insight, only six companies meet these criteria including Samyang Foods, Orion Corp, Hitejinro, Lotte Wellfood, Daesang Corporation, and Pulmuone.

Carvana Co.: Is The Third-Party Marketplace Expansion Its Secret Weapon For Growth?

By Baptista Research

  • Carvana Co.’s latest earnings for Q1 2025 highlighted several key achievements as well as ongoing challenges.
  • The company reported robust growth across several financial metrics, reflecting the effectiveness of its business model in a competitive and fragmented automotive retail industry.
  • On the positive side, Carvana achieved record retail units sold at 133,898, representing a 46% increase year over-year.

VIAB US – How Paramount Global Is Mastering Linear-Streaming Synergy to Dominate Sports and Series!

By Baptista Research

  • Paramount Global’s Q1 2025 financial results presented a mixed picture of the company’s performance and strategic positioning.
  • On the positive side, Paramount reported a 2% revenue growth, when excluding the Super Bowl, alongside a significant year-over-year improvement in Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) OIBDA by approximately $180 million.
  • The company also generated $123 million in free cash flow, demonstrating efficient cash management amid a challenging advertising environment.

Royalty Pharma Flexes Financial Muscle: A $723 Million In Share Repurchases & Bold 2025 Outlook!

By Baptista Research

  • Royalty Pharma PLC’s recent earnings results for the first quarter of 2025 outline a period of significant financial performance and strategic initiatives.
  • The company reported a 12% increase in royalty receipts, demonstrating solid cash flow stemming from its diversified portfolio.
  • Total portfolio receipts grew by 17%, boosted by variable milestones and contractual payments, indicating a strong top-line performance.

HubSpot Inc.: How Is The Management Executing Mid-Market Expansion to Make Its Business More Resilient To Economic Fluctuations?

By Baptista Research

  • HubSpot reported strong financial results for the first quarter of 2025, reflecting continued growth and strategic momentum.
  • Revenue increased by 18% year-over-year in constant currency, driven by several key trends.
  • The company added over 10,000 net new customers, bringing its total customer base to 258,000, with customer growth driven by platform consolidation, upmarket expansion, and robust downmarket acquisition.

💡 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 Equity Bottom-Up: Smartkarma Corporate Webinar | Sasseur REIT: Unlocking Value in China’s Retail Outlet Industry and more

By | Daily Briefs, Equity Bottom-Up

In today’s briefing:

  • Smartkarma Corporate Webinar | Sasseur REIT: Unlocking Value in China’s Retail Outlet Industry
  • CIT Saves the World from Tariffs, but Not Mazda (7261)
  • NVIDIA Q126. China Restrictions Bring QoQ Growth Screeching To A Halt
  • [Miniso(MNSO US, SELL, TP US$13.5) TP Change]: C1Q25 Review: Low Quality Expansion Bore Bitter Fruit
  • Pitch the PM’s Doug Garber on $TUSK’s mammoth cash balance
  • Nippon Steel (5401 JP): Navigating Decline at Home, Expanding Abroad
  • Industrial Bank Of Korea (024110 KS) Vs. Woori Financial (316140 KS): Pair Trade Signal
  • Occidental Petroleum: Advancements in Low-Carbon Ventures & Other Major Drivers
  • Sarda Energy (SARDA IN): Power-Led Transition with Re-Rating Potential
  • Globus Spirits: Consumer Business Growth &  Manufacturing Stability


Smartkarma Corporate Webinar | Sasseur REIT: Unlocking Value in China’s Retail Outlet Industry

By Smartkarma Research

For our next Corporate Webinar we are glad to welcome Sasseur REIT’s CFO, Mr. Xie Jianfeng, Head of Asset Management, Mr. Cheng Hsing Yuen, and Head of Investor Relations & Capital Markets, Ms. Helen Qiu.

In the upcoming webinar, the Sasseur REIT team will share a short company presentation after which, they will engage in a fireside chat with Smartkarma Insight Provider, Garreth Elston. The Corporate Webinar will include a live Q&A session.

The Corporate Webinar will be hosted on Wednesday, 25 June 2025, 16:30 SGT.

About Sasseur REIT

Sasseur REIT is the first retail outlet mall REIT listed in Asia. Sasseur REIT offers investors
the unique opportunity to invest in the fast-growing retail outlet mall sector in China through
its initial portfolio of four quality retail outlet mall assets strategically located in fast-growing
Chinese cities such as Chongqing, Kunming and Hefei, with a combined net lettable area of
310,241 square metres.

Sasseur REIT is established with the investment strategy to invest principally, directly or
indirectly, in a diversified portfolio of income-producing real estate which is used primarily for
retail outlet mall purposes, as well as real estate-related assets in relation to the foregoing,
with an initial focus on Asia.

You can view their latest factsheet here.

For more information on Sasseur REIT, please visit http://www.sasseurreit.com/


CIT Saves the World from Tariffs, but Not Mazda (7261)

By Michael Allen

  • Mazda leaped upward with other Auto companies following a Court of International Trade ruling that nullified Trump’s reciprocal tariffs but left auto tariffs at 25%.
  • The CIT has historically given presidents much more leeway on rules that the auto tariffs fall under, so challenges to these tariffs are less likely to succeed.
  • The tariff threat to Mazda is existential, and in our view, consensus forecasts have not even begun to appreciate this.

NVIDIA Q126. China Restrictions Bring QoQ Growth Screeching To A Halt

By William Keating

  • NVIDIA reported Q1FY26 revenues of $44.1 billion, up 69% YoY and up 12% QoQ
  • NVIDIA forecasted current quarter revenues of $45.0 billion, marginally up QoQ and weighed down by the loss of around $8 billion in previously anticipated H20 revenues
  • Does China really wish to remain reliant on US infrastructure/platforms for its AI build out indefinitely? I think not. Gradually losing China market was inevitable, even without US restrictions.

[Miniso(MNSO US, SELL, TP US$13.5) TP Change]: C1Q25 Review: Low Quality Expansion Bore Bitter Fruit

By Eric Wen

  • MNSO reported 1Q25 rev. in line with cons. but non-GAAP op. profit 17% below and GAAP net income 33% below cons, 
  • We view MNSO’s store expansion as being below its bar of quality. Downside risks were not fully priced in. Our 2025 revenue/net profit forecasts are 7.0%/8.2% below consensus;
  • We cut the TP from US$16 to US$13.5/ADS and keep the SELL rating.

Pitch the PM’s Doug Garber on $TUSK’s mammoth cash balance

By Yet Another Value Podcast

Mammoth Energy (Tusk) has undergone a transformation and is a potentially undervalued small cap stock with limited downside

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


Nippon Steel (5401 JP): Navigating Decline at Home, Expanding Abroad

By Rahul Jain

  • Nippon Steel targets over 100 Mt capacity by 2030, focusing on global growth as Japan’s domestic demand shrinks.
  • It plans to acquire U.S. Steel for $14.9B and expand in India via AMNS joint ventures.
  • FY24 profit rose 36%, but export reliance, ESG lag, and U.S. deal hurdles pose risks.

Industrial Bank Of Korea (024110 KS) Vs. Woori Financial (316140 KS): Pair Trade Signal

By Gaudenz Schneider

  • The Industrial Bank Of Korea (024110 KS)/ Woori Financial Group (316140 KS) price-ratio has deviated more than two standard deviations from its one-year average, presenting a potential relative value opportunity.
  • The relative value opportunity can be implemented through stocks, derivatives, or as relative over-/underweights in a long only context.
  • This Insight discusses trade setup, statistical properties, factor exposure, and risk management strategies.

Occidental Petroleum: Advancements in Low-Carbon Ventures & Other Major Drivers

By Baptista Research

  • Occidental Petroleum’s recent earnings call for the first quarter of 2025 presented a mixed but detailed view of the company’s operational and financial performance, showcasing both strengths and challenges.
  • The management highlighted a solid execution across its diversified portfolio, despite facing some market headwinds and external uncertainties.
  • On the positive side, Occidental generated $3 billion in operating cash flow before working capital adjustments, maintaining oil and gas production at just over 1.39 million barrels of oil equivalent per day, which aligns with their guidance.

Sarda Energy (SARDA IN): Power-Led Transition with Re-Rating Potential

By Rahul Jain

  • Sarda’s near-term growth will be driven by the full-year contribution from SKS Power, boosting earnings visibility.
  • The business mix is shifting structurally from steel to power, which now contributes over 60% of EBIT. Low leverage at <1x EV/EBITDA is a positive.
  • The recent weakness in spot power prices is seen as temporary; at 15x FY27 EV/EBITDA, the stock offers strong upside.

Globus Spirits: Consumer Business Growth &  Manufacturing Stability

By Sudarshan Bhandari

  • Globus Spirits continues its strategic pivot towards high-margin consumer business, with P&A revenue up 186% in FY25 and Regular & Others up 17%.
  • The manufacturing segment’s margins are stabilising due to favourable government ethanol policies and raw material availability, enhancing overall profitability.
  • This shift, coupled with significant investments in the key Uttar Pradesh market and near completion of major capex, positions the company for continued profitable growth, reinforcing a positive view.

💡 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 Equity Bottom-Up: NVIDIA’s China Dilema Is Worse Than You Think… and more

By | Daily Briefs, Equity Bottom-Up

In today’s briefing:

  • NVIDIA’s China Dilema Is Worse Than You Think…
  • Metaplanet (3350) | The Bitcoin Yield Illusion
  • Nvidia 1Q26: The Good Times Keep Rolling, the Stock Is Not Expensive
  • The AZEK Company: Will Its Recent Mergers & Acquisitions Help Enhance Market Reach & Customer Value?
  • Novo Nordisk Is Capitalizing On The Worldwide Weight Loss BOOM—Here’s What’s Coming!
  • AppLovin Breaks Out of Gaming—Here’s How Its Non-Gaming Ad Surge Is Supercharging Revenues!
  • Deepak Fertilizers Q4 FY25 Update: A Specialty Play, Ready for the Mega Run
  • President Trump “orders US Chip Software Suppliers to Stop Selling to China”
  • Uber Technologies: Adoption & Integration of Autonomous Vehicles In An Attempt To Build A Unique Competitive Edge In Mobility!
  • Disney’s $875 Million Streaming Comeback and UAE Power Move Could Change Everything!


NVIDIA’s China Dilema Is Worse Than You Think…

By William Keating

  • Jensen claims his Taiwan expansion is just about needing more chairs, yet an NVIDIA blog post describes the Santa Clara HQ taking to the skies & landing in Taiwan. 
  • He was critical of US restrictions on China chip exports while in Taipei, yet had nothing to say on the topic while in the White House or the Middle East
  • NVIDIA’s market share in China is down from 95% in 2022 to 50% now, yet the country continues to challenge global AI leadership. That puts NVIDIA in an awkward spot.

Metaplanet (3350) | The Bitcoin Yield Illusion

By Mark Chadwick

  • Metaplanet, the Tokyo-listed firm modelling itself after MicroStrategy, continues to rapidly expand its Bitcoin holdings.
  • For now, equity markets are playing along. Metaplanet’s share price has surged 30% in the past week
  • But with the firm trading at nearly 6x its net asset value, market enthusiasm looks stretched

Nvidia 1Q26: The Good Times Keep Rolling, the Stock Is Not Expensive

By Nicolas Baratte

  • Large impact of H20 discontinued sales to China. Including the impact, 1-2Q26 are inline with consensus. Adding back the H20 missed revenues, 1-2Q26 would have been ~10% above Consensus. 
  • The ramp of GB200 is very impressive, demonstrating Jensen’s point: “it drives down cost and improves quality of response with higher speed”. The Good Times Keep Rolling.
  • This means that Consensus most likely does not need to revise down FY26 forecasts. This means that the stock is cheap-ish, trading at 31x FY26 EPS and 24x FY27.

The AZEK Company: Will Its Recent Mergers & Acquisitions Help Enhance Market Reach & Customer Value?

By Baptista Research

  • AZEK recently shared its second-quarter fiscal 2025 financial results, highlighting both positive performances and notable challenges.
  • The quarter saw consolidated net sales grow by 8% year-over-year to $452 million, while the residential segment led growth with a 9% year-over-year increase in net sales.
  • This robust performance was driven by mid-single-digit sell-through growth and continued expansion in product lines such as TimberTech and AZEK Exteriors.

Novo Nordisk Is Capitalizing On The Worldwide Weight Loss BOOM—Here’s What’s Coming!

By Baptista Research

  • Novo Nordisk A/S reported its financial results for the first quarter of 2025, showcasing strong growth across its operations, though facing certain challenges.
  • The company delivered an 18% increase in sales and a 20% growth in operating profit, reflecting robust demand for its diabetes and obesity treatments.
  • These positive results underscore the company’s ongoing market leadership, with approximately 46 million patients currently benefiting from its treatment solutions.

AppLovin Breaks Out of Gaming—Here’s How Its Non-Gaming Ad Surge Is Supercharging Revenues!

By Baptista Research

  • AppLovin, a leader in performance marketing, has recently announced its first-quarter 2025 financial results, highlighting its robust growth trajectory despite external challenges.
  • The company has navigated market volatility, such as short-seller scrutiny and broader economic conditions, by focusing on emerging opportunities in the advertising sector.
  • This quarter is especially significant due to its strategic decision to divest its games business entirely, further sharpening its focus on advertising technology.

Deepak Fertilizers Q4 FY25 Update: A Specialty Play, Ready for the Mega Run

By Sudarshan Bhandari

  • Deepak Fertilisers & Petro (DFPC IN) reported robust Q4 and full-year FY25 results, crossing INR 10,000 crores in revenue and doubling PAT year-on-year for FY25.
  • The strong financial outcomes validate the company’s strategy of aligning with India’s growth story and transitioning from commodities to higher-margin specialty products.
  • Improved financial health, reduced net debt, and strategic capex nearing completion position DFPCL for future growth and potentially higher profitability despite near-term segment-specific pressures.

President Trump “orders US Chip Software Suppliers to Stop Selling to China”

By Nicolas Baratte

  • China represents ~11% of revenues for Cadence and Synopsys. The weight of China has been declining. 
  • China has a number of startup working on replacement software, the leader is Empyrean – good but some years behind Cadence and Synopsys and focused on legacy chip design. 
  • Between this news today and more restrictions on Nvidia’s sales to China, it looks like more US restrictions will come.

Uber Technologies: Adoption & Integration of Autonomous Vehicles In An Attempt To Build A Unique Competitive Edge In Mobility!

By Baptista Research

  • Uber Technologies’ Q1 2025 earnings call provided insights into the company’s performance, operations, and strategic outlook.
  • The results reflected robust growth across key metrics, albeit in a competitive and dynamic environment.
  • Here’s a synopsis of the key points from the call, reflecting both strengths and challenges faced by the company.

Disney’s $875 Million Streaming Comeback and UAE Power Move Could Change Everything!

By Baptista Research

  • Walt Disney’s second-quarter 2025 earnings report was met with a wave of investor enthusiasm, driving the stock up 11% to over $102.
  • This optimism was not only driven by stronger-than-expected financials but also by the high-profile announcement of a new theme park in Abu Dhabi.
  • The planned park marks Disney’s seventh globally and is set to be developed in collaboration with the Miral Group.

💡 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