Category

Daily Briefs

Daily Brief South Korea: Orion Corp, Doosan Robotics and more

By | Daily Briefs, South Korea

In today’s briefing:

  • 2024 High Conviction: Orion Corp
  • 2024 High Conviction – Doosan Robotics – Levitating


2024 High Conviction: Orion Corp

By Douglas Kim

  • We are positive on Orion Corp. Regardless of the overall market movement next year (up or down), we believe Orion Corp could outperform KOSPI in the next 6-12 months.
  • The company has millions of loyal customers in major overseas countries including China, Russia, and Vietnam. Despite difficult operating conditions, Orion continues to generate stable growth in sales and profits.
  • Orion Corp’s valuations are attractive. Orion Corp is currently trading at 2024E EV/EBITDA of 4.4x (42% lower than average valuation multiple from 2019 to 2023).

2024 High Conviction – Doosan Robotics – Levitating

By Ethan Aw

  • In Oct 23, Doosan Robotics (454910 KS) raised around US$318m through its Korean IPO, after pricing the IPO at the top end of the range at KRW26,000/share.
  • Doosan Robotics (DR) manufactures and sells collaborative robots (Cobots). The firm’s product portfolio primarily includes different series of robot arms as well as its coffee module.
  • In this note, we will talk about the company’s past performance and future prospects.

💡 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 Indonesia: Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone, Sumber Alfaria Trijaya Tbk Pt, AAC Technologies Holdings and more

By | Daily Briefs, Indonesia

In today’s briefing:

  • Weekly Wrap – 24 Nov 2023
  • Sumber Alfaria Trijaya (AMRT IJ) – Ongoing Momentum Sustained
  • Asia Trade Book – November 2023 – Lucror Analytics


Weekly Wrap – 24 Nov 2023

By Charles Macgregor

Lucror Analytics Weekly Wraps provide an overview of all Morning Views comments and reports published by our analyst team in the past week, and also showcase a list of the most-read reports.

In this Insight:

  1. Agung Podomoro Land
  2. China Jinmao Holdings
  3. Geely Auto
  4. First Pacific Co
  5. Reliance Industries

and more…


Sumber Alfaria Trijaya (AMRT IJ) – Ongoing Momentum Sustained

By Angus Mackintosh

  • A company visit with Sumber Alfaria Trijaya revealed confidence in the outlook with its more aggressive store expansion on track, as it nearly draws level with Indomaret.
  • The company remains focused on expanding its Lawson convenience store outlets plus larger size Midi outlets. Its membership scheme is growing fast with 10m shopping once a week. 
  • Sumber Alfaria Trijaya (AMRT IJ) remains a core retail holding, with its premium valuation justified by its strong growth prospects, with estimated 2-year Forward EPS growth of +25% and +17%. 

Asia Trade Book – November 2023 – Lucror Analytics

By Charles Macgregor

The Asia Trade Book for November 2023 includes a summary of our recommendations, as well as our high-conviction ideas. The report also features relative-value charts and lists of the bonds across Asia HY and crossover credits.

Please reach out to our analysts to discuss any of these ideas, or other trade recommendations from our Asia coverage.


💡 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 China: Cathay Pacific Airways, Meituan, Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone, JD.com , New Horizon Health , Hang Seng Index, Kuaishou Technology, AAC Technologies Holdings and more

By | China, Daily Briefs

In today’s briefing:

  • Cathay Pacific (293 HK, BUY, TP HK$9.90): Inputs from Analyst Briefing
  • [Meituan (3690 HK, BUY, TP HK$128) Target Price Change]: Douyin’s Near-Term Impact Is Overrated… BUY
  • Weekly Wrap – 24 Nov 2023
  • JD.com: Test of Investor Resolve as Selling Continues
  • 2024 High Conviction – New Horizon Health – Overhangs Are Over, Upgraded ’23 Guidance
  • EQD | Volatility Update: Weekly Review of Vol Changes and Best Trades-Giving Thanks
  • [Kuaishou (1024 HK, BUY, TP HK$78) TP Change]: Refined Operation Supports Sustainable Growth
  • Asia Trade Book – November 2023 – Lucror Analytics


Cathay Pacific (293 HK, BUY, TP HK$9.90): Inputs from Analyst Briefing

By Mohshin Aziz

  • All positives from management: strong demand, loads and yields strong, cargo improving, costs are high but can cope, big profits coming but have to redeem preference shares  
  • The near-term future is a golden runaway for Cathay Pacific. All the parameters are in the right place and we think this will persist until 1H-2024 at the very least 
  • Cathay Pacific is a value BUY, our target price of HK$9.90 (+21% UPSIDE) implies 10x FY2024 PE, parity multiple against its arch-rival Singapore Airlines (SIA SP)

[Meituan (3690 HK, BUY, TP HK$128) Target Price Change]: Douyin’s Near-Term Impact Is Overrated… BUY

By Ying Pan

  • We expect Meituan to report C3Q23 top line, non-GAAP operating profit and GAAP net income 2%, 4% and 20% vs. consensus. Our C4Q23 estimates are 6%, 19%, and 30% …
  • Douyin’s in-store GMV growth decelerated in September/October, per local media. We believe there are two main causes, (1) local life’s share of Douyin video views is around 10%~, which…
  • Douyin’s next threat to Meituan is food delivery, but GMV is less than 1% of Meituan food delivery in 3Q, we estimate. At the current trajectory, we expect Douyin…

Weekly Wrap – 24 Nov 2023

By Charles Macgregor

Lucror Analytics Weekly Wraps provide an overview of all Morning Views comments and reports published by our analyst team in the past week, and also showcase a list of the most-read reports.

In this Insight:

  1. Agung Podomoro Land
  2. China Jinmao Holdings
  3. Geely Auto
  4. First Pacific Co
  5. Reliance Industries

and more…


JD.com: Test of Investor Resolve as Selling Continues

By Steven Holden

  • EM Fund ownership in JD.com continues to fall. Average weights slip to 4-year low as managers close out in large numbers.
  • Between February 2023 and October 2023, there were 56 closures versus 6 openings in JD.com, led by managers at the growth end of the spectrum.
  • Despite this, JD.com is still the 16th most widely held stock globally, with combined AUM among the funds in this analysis of $1.27bn.

2024 High Conviction – New Horizon Health – Overhangs Are Over, Upgraded ’23 Guidance

By Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

  • New Horizon reported a strong 1H2023 results. Company has upgraded its ’23 sales guidance.
  • The company will continue to deliver strong sales growth despite recent anti-corruption movement in China.
  • We believe that the evidence presented by the recent short-selling report is not sound. We believe the impact is over. 

EQD | Volatility Update: Weekly Review of Vol Changes and Best Trades-Giving Thanks

By Simon Harris

  • Weekly summary of vol changes and moves across Global Markets
  • Analysing ATM volatility and skew changes over the last 5 days
  • We suggest a few trades to take advantage of the implied vol surfaces

[Kuaishou (1024 HK, BUY, TP HK$78) TP Change]: Refined Operation Supports Sustainable Growth

By Ying Pan

  • Kuaishou reported revenue/non-GAAP operating profit/GAAP net income 1.13%/35.0%/52.2% vs. our estimation.
  • The bottom-line beats were primarily due to reduced S&M costs related to effective user retention strategies and the operation of the newly constructed data centre in Ulanqab…
  • We maintain our BUY rating and raised TP to HK$78 for a positive outlook in the e-commerce business and viral playlets, stimulating advertising growth…

Asia Trade Book – November 2023 – Lucror Analytics

By Charles Macgregor

The Asia Trade Book for November 2023 includes a summary of our recommendations, as well as our high-conviction ideas. The report also features relative-value charts and lists of the bonds across Asia HY and crossover credits.

Please reach out to our analysts to discuss any of these ideas, or other trade recommendations from our Asia coverage.


💡 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 India: Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone, AAC Technologies Holdings and more

By | Daily Briefs, India

In today’s briefing:

  • Weekly Wrap – 24 Nov 2023
  • Asia Trade Book – November 2023 – Lucror Analytics


Weekly Wrap – 24 Nov 2023

By Charles Macgregor

Lucror Analytics Weekly Wraps provide an overview of all Morning Views comments and reports published by our analyst team in the past week, and also showcase a list of the most-read reports.

In this Insight:

  1. Agung Podomoro Land
  2. China Jinmao Holdings
  3. Geely Auto
  4. First Pacific Co
  5. Reliance Industries

and more…


Asia Trade Book – November 2023 – Lucror Analytics

By Charles Macgregor

The Asia Trade Book for November 2023 includes a summary of our recommendations, as well as our high-conviction ideas. The report also features relative-value charts and lists of the bonds across Asia HY and crossover credits.

Please reach out to our analysts to discuss any of these ideas, or other trade recommendations from our Asia coverage.


💡 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 Japan: Taisho Pharmaceutical Holdin, Zensho Holdings, Daiichi Kigenso Kagaku Kogyo and more

By | Daily Briefs, Japan

In today’s briefing:

  • Taisho Pharma (4581 JP) – Japan’s Newest Biggest MBO; The Price Is Light!
  • Zensho Holdings (7550) – ¥50bn Offering Is Not Meant For You
  • Taisho Pharmaceutical (4581 JP): MBO Tender Offer at JPY8,620
  • Daiichi Kigenso Kagaku-Kogyo (4082) – Navigating Business Expansion Challenges


Taisho Pharma (4581 JP) – Japan’s Newest Biggest MBO; The Price Is Light!

By Travis Lundy

  • Just past the 22-year anniversary of the deal-break from a previous takeover involving the large OTC drug firm, Taisho Pharmaceutical Holdin (4581 JP) announced an MBO Takeover for the company.
  • Set at a 55.5% premium, it is not particularly surprising as a deal. The family is rolling in their interests. It looks like estate planning. The Board supports and recommends. 
  • Unfortunately, like many recent MBOs, this one is light at 0.85 book where net cash, securities, and net receivables and inventory make up 68% of the takeover price. 

Zensho Holdings (7550) – ¥50bn Offering Is Not Meant For You

By Travis Lundy

  • Zensho Holdings (7550 JP) has had a great couple of years in share price movement. And this year is seeing earnings explode to new highs. M&A and FX.
  • Now they want to build a “war chest” equivalent to 4% of market cap to go do more M&A. 
  • This seems opportunistic. And the shareholder register is extraordinarily lopsided. There is really only one buyer for this deal.

Taisho Pharmaceutical (4581 JP): MBO Tender Offer at JPY8,620

By Arun George

  • Taisho Pharmaceutical Holdin (4581 JP) has recommended an MBO tender offer of JPY8,620 per share, a 55.5% premium to the undisturbed (24 November). 
  • The transaction is a two-step acquisition through a cash tender offer and subsequent squeeze-out. The lower limit of the tender offer is set at a 66.67% ownership ratio.
  • Irrevocables represent a 40.31% ownership ratio. The minimum acceptance condition requires a 44% minority acceptance rate. The offer is attractive vs. historical and peer multiples.

Daiichi Kigenso Kagaku-Kogyo (4082) – Navigating Business Expansion Challenges

By Astris Advisory Japan

  • Q1-2 FY3/2024 results were in line with revised company guidance, highlighting progress in growing prioritized businesses in the Strategic Areas segment such as Healthcare.
  • However, the company is experiencing headwinds due to weakness in demand from the electronics sector and market divergence for EV battery cathode materials.
  • Volumes have also fallen more than anticipated YoY in the legacy Automotive Catalyst Areas. 

💡 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 ESG: Women’s Many Part-Time Jobs and more

By | Daily Briefs, ESG

In today’s briefing:

  • Women’s Many Part-Time Jobs, Few Managerial Positions, and Short Tenure Are the Same Rooted Problems


Women’s Many Part-Time Jobs, Few Managerial Positions, and Short Tenure Are the Same Rooted Problems

By Aki Matsumoto

  • The same problem underlies the fact that women are more likely to be part-time/ non-regular workers, as well as the lower percentage of management positions and shorter length of service.
  • Setting targets and implementing measures for % of female managerial positions is important, since the higher ratio will narrow the gender wage gap, but this alone is not sufficient.
  • It’s necessary to ensure that women have the same position in workplace even if they leave the workforce, and to change social systems and people’s mindset to support child care.

💡 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 Thematic (Sector/Industry): China Property Developers In Distress – Weekly News & Announcements Tracker | Nov 17-23 and more

By | Daily Briefs, Thematic (Sector/Industry)

In today’s briefing:

  • China Property Developers In Distress – Weekly News & Announcements Tracker | Nov 17-23, 2023


China Property Developers In Distress – Weekly News & Announcements Tracker | Nov 17-23, 2023

By Robert Ciemniak

  • A weekly curated selection of Chinese news articles and company announcements focused on developers in distress
  • We look for their deals, updates, specific project progress news (‘local signals’), as well as relevant local research commentaries about the market
  • We do not verify the underlying data or provide any opinion, we only select and summarize the information; See direct links to sources

💡 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 ECM: Juniper Hotels Pre-IPO – Has Been Recovering Well and more

By | Daily Briefs, ECM

In today’s briefing:

  • Juniper Hotels Pre-IPO – Has Been Recovering Well
  • Fedbank Financial IPO – Strong Sector Momentum, but This One Doesn’t Seem Particularly Compelling
  • Cirrus Aircraft Pre-IPO – PHIP Updates – Increased Customer Demand Continues to Drive Growth


Juniper Hotels Pre-IPO – Has Been Recovering Well

By Sumeet Singh

  • Juniper Hotels (JH) is looking to raise up to US$217m in its upcoming India IPO.
  • Juniper Hotels is the largest owner by no. of keys of Hyatt affiliated hotels in India as of 2Q23 (30th Jun 23), according to Horwath.
  • The company is jointly held by Saraf Hotels and its affiliate, Juniper Investments and Two Seas Holdings (an indirect subsidiary of Hyatt Hotels Corporation).

Fedbank Financial IPO – Strong Sector Momentum, but This One Doesn’t Seem Particularly Compelling

By Clarence Chu

  • Fedbank Financial Services (0702066D IN) is looking to raise about US$130m in its India IPO.
  • Fedbank Financial Services (Fedbank) is a retail-focused non-banking finance company (NBFC) promoted by The Federal Bank Limited.
  • In this note, we will look at past performance, and share our thoughts on valuation.

Cirrus Aircraft Pre-IPO – PHIP Updates – Increased Customer Demand Continues to Drive Growth

By Ethan Aw

  • Cirrus Aircraft (0153126D US) is looking to raise up to US$200m in its upcoming HK IPO.
  • Cirrus Aircraft designs, develops, manufactures, and sells premium aircrafts. Its two aircraft product lines, the SR2X Series and the Vision Jet, are currently certified and validated in over 60 countries.
  • We had covered the company’s performance in our earlier notes. In this note, we talk about its PHIP updates.

💡 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 Event-Driven: Origin: Brookfield’s “Inferior” Alternative Proposal and more

By | Daily Briefs, Event-Driven

In today’s briefing:

  • Origin: Brookfield’s “Inferior” Alternative Proposal
  • KOSDAQ150 Index Rebalance: 17 Changes a Side; Many Surprises
  • EOFlow (Further) Tests Investor Patience
  • KOSPI200 Index Rebalance: Mostly Expected Though Some Discretion Used
  • CareNet (2150) – Watch the TOPIX Birdy (Smallcap)
  • Origin Energy (ORG AU): Brookfield/EIG’s Latest Effort Falls Flat
  • Understanding & Assessing Yearend Dividend Arbitrage Structure Using Futures in Korea
  • Hollysys (HOLI US): Progress as a Binding Proposal Targeted for Mid-December
  • OreCorp (ORR AU): Silvercorp Returns with a Higher Offer
  • LX International: Positive Impact from Not Participating in Main Bidding for HMM


Origin: Brookfield’s “Inferior” Alternative Proposal

By David Blennerhassett

  • Origin Energy (ORG AU)‘s Scheme vote today was always going to be a tenuous affair with AusSuper’s ~17.5% blocking stake, and Perpetual also firmly in the “against” camp. 
  • The Scheme meeting has now been adjourned. Origin said that based on the proxy votes, it was unlikely the Scheme would have achieved the required 75% approval by shareholders.
  • In addition, the Brookfield-led consortium has pitched a alternative non-binding and indicative proposal which Origin views as inferior to the existing Scheme, and has significant reservations as to its complexity.

KOSDAQ150 Index Rebalance: 17 Changes a Side; Many Surprises

By Brian Freitas

  • There are 17 inclusions and 17 exclusions for the KOSDAQ 150 Index (KOSDQ150 INDEX) at the December rebalance to be implemented at the close on 14 December.
  • While most of the inclusions were expected, there are many differences on the deletes. Trading the strategy becomes tougher with the short sell ban in place.
  • The adds have started to outperform the deletes over the last month and there could be more movement over the next 3 weeks to implementation.

EOFlow (Further) Tests Investor Patience

By David Blennerhassett

  • Back on the 25 May, when Medtronic Plc (MDT US) enter into a SPA with EOFlow (294090 KS)‘s CEO, with a follow-on Tender Offer, the whole construct looked pretty clean.
  • Then in August Insulet Corp (PODD US) launched its lawsuit, which in hindsight, should have been expected. Then earlier this month, news surfaced concerning a stock-backed loan to the CEO.
  • Now the CEO is selling, presumably to repay his collateralized loan. Shares are down 38% since the resumption of trading, and are now at a whopping 122% spread to terms. 

KOSPI200 Index Rebalance: Mostly Expected Though Some Discretion Used

By Brian Freitas


CareNet (2150) – Watch the TOPIX Birdy (Smallcap)

By Travis Lundy

  • Carenet Inc (2150 JP) is a “medical contents” provider. It acts as a distributor of information to doctors and medical practitioners over the internet, and also consults with pharmaceutical companies.
  • On Wednesday, they announced that they were going to move from TSE Growth to TSE Prime as of 29 November.
  • At ¥31bn market capand this may turn people off, but it may be a treat for some. There is a reason why there are some big holders.

Origin Energy (ORG AU): Brookfield/EIG’s Latest Effort Falls Flat

By Arun George

  • Origin Energy (ORG AU) has postponed its scheme meeting to 4 December after it received a non-binding indicative proposal from Brookfield/EIG to amend the current scheme.
  • The Board admitted the current scheme was likely to be voted down if the meeting was held today. The alternative transaction structure will struggle to gain shareholder support.
  • If Brookfield/EIG walks, the share price will fall, at least in the short term. We think a reasonable deal break price is A$7.40, an 11% downside to the last close.

Understanding & Assessing Yearend Dividend Arbitrage Structure Using Futures in Korea

By Sanghyun Park

  • As the ex-dividend date in Korea has been before the dividend is determined, SSFs trade at a discount based on the anticipated dividend rather than adjusting dividend settlement proceeds explicitly.
  • The current dividend arbitrage yield for the financial companies can be seen as reflecting the postponement of the ex-dividend date to the next year.
  • We should pay attention to those with a significant dividend arbitrage yield but that did not amend their articles of incorporation earlier this year.

Hollysys (HOLI US): Progress as a Binding Proposal Targeted for Mid-December

By Arun George

  • The Hollysys Automation Technologies (HOLI US) Board has finally succumbed to shareholder pressure by targeting a special meeting of shareholders in the week commencing 22 January 2024.
  • The special meeting is a side event as the Board targets a binding proposal by mid-December, with some bidders proceeding to the confirmatory due diligence stage.
  • The BVI takeover structure and Hollysys’ undemanding valuation facilitate a competitive bidding process. A 10% uplift to the current highest offer (Recco’s US$26.50 offer) is possible.

OreCorp (ORR AU): Silvercorp Returns with a Higher Offer

By Arun George

  • Orecorp Ltd (ORR AU) has disclosed a revised offer from Silvercorp Metals (SVM US) at A$0.19 cash per share and 0.0967 SVM shares per ORR share.
  • The revised offer was necessitated due to the decline in SVM shares. Since 7 August, the revised offer is, on average, 7.8% higher than the previous offer.
  • Directors and irrevocables represent around 20% of voting rights. The revised offer should help the scheme get up. At the last close, the gross spread was 8.6%.

LX International: Positive Impact from Not Participating in Main Bidding for HMM

By Douglas Kim

  • LX International announced today that it will not participate in the main bidding to acquire HMM Co.
  • This is likely to have a positive impact on LX International’s share price as many investors are relieved that company will not raise excessive amounts of capital to acquire HMM.
  • In addition, by not acquiring HMM, LX International has enough financial resources to continue to pay high dividends. 

💡 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 Credit: Morning Views Asia: Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone and more

By | Credit, Daily Briefs

In today’s briefing:

  • Morning Views Asia: Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone, Agung Podomoro Land


Morning Views Asia: Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone, Agung Podomoro Land

By Charles Macgregor

Lucror Analytics Morning Views comprise our fundamental credit analysis, opinions and trade recommendations on high yield issuers in the region, based on key company-specific developments in the past 24 hours. Our Morning Views include a section with a brief market commentary, key market indicators and a macroeconomic and corporate event calendar.


💡 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