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Daily Briefs

Daily Brief Thematic (Sector/Industry): Ohayo Japan | Constructive US-China Trade Talks and more

By | Daily Briefs, Thematic (Sector/Industry)

In today’s briefing:

  • Ohayo Japan | Constructive US-China Trade Talks
  • Japan Morning Connection: Big Print for Corning Will Drive DC and Optical Connectivity Plays
  • Who Is Paying Dividends? Singaporean Companies with Upcoming Dividend Ex-Dates Next Week
  • What’s New(S) In Amsterdam – 29 July (Heineken | Philips | JET | E-Com | Housing Market)


Ohayo Japan | Constructive US-China Trade Talks

By Mark Chadwick

  • US stocks declined Tuesday as investors digested mixed corporate earnings and economic data ahead of the Federal Reserve’s rate decision.
  • US and Chinese trade negotiators concluded two days of talks in Stockholm Tuesday without announcing an immediate tariff delay, though officials indicated progress was made
  • Advantest raised its fiscal 2026 net profit forecast by 43 billion yen to 222 billion yen, a 37% year-on-year increase and second consecutive record high

Japan Morning Connection: Big Print for Corning Will Drive DC and Optical Connectivity Plays

By Andrew Jackson

  • HDD names taking a hit in later trading after Seagate miss. Watch the likes of Hoya, TDK and Minebea Misumi for weakness.
  • Boeing down despite numbers good on better FCF, although 787 deliveries read’s well for carbon fiber names the Heavies.
  • NEC beat points to plenty of room for further upside, while Advantest numbers may lead to tough QoQ comps for 2Q.

Who Is Paying Dividends? Singaporean Companies with Upcoming Dividend Ex-Dates Next Week

By GEMS Research – Aletheia Capital

  • Several Singapore-listed companies are scheduled to pay dividends this week, offering income opportunities for investors.
  • Duty Free International (DFIL SP) will go ex-dividend on July 23, 2025, with a declared payout of SGD 0.00165 per share, payable on August 6.
  • This will be followed by SIA Engineering (SIE SP), which will go ex-dividend on July 28 for a SGD 0.07 dividend. SATS Ltd (SATS SP) will offer SGD 0.035, with an ex-date on July 30 and payout scheduled for August 15.

What’s New(S) In Amsterdam – 29 July (Heineken | Philips | JET | E-Com | Housing Market)

By The IDEA!

  • Heineken | no real triggers for the near term; October may bring more clarity
  • The key-question that remains after yesterday’s earnings call is whether Heineken’s decision to hold on to its earlier FY25 guidance is an attempt to under promise and overdeliver or rather a signal that the current market environment is still rather challenging.
  • In case of the latter, management would have an additional buffer to avoid new disappointments.

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Daily Brief Australia: Ampol, Magellan Financial, S&P/ASX 200, Regal Partners, Artemis Resources, Boss Energy and more

By | Australia, Daily Briefs

In today’s briefing:

  • Ampol (ALD AU) Vs. Woodside Energy (WDS AU): Mean-Reversion Signal in Aussie Energy
  • Credit Corp (CCP AU) Vs. Magellan Financial (MFG AU): Mean Reversion Meets Momentum
  • S&P/ASX 200 Tactical Outlook Ahead of Australia’s Earnings Season Kickoff
  • Regal Partners Recovers Performance Fee Mojo
  • Hybridan Small Cap Feast: 21/07/2025
  • Honeymoon Uncertainty Clouds Boss’ Outlook


Ampol (ALD AU) Vs. Woodside Energy (WDS AU): Mean-Reversion Signal in Aussie Energy

By Gaudenz Schneider

  • Context: The Ampol (ALD AU) vs. Woodside (WDS AU) price-ratio has diverged more than two standard deviations from its one-year average – a classic signal for a potential mean-reversion trade.
  • Highlights: Going long Ampol (ALD AU) and short Woodside (WDS AU) targets a 7% return if the price ratio reverts to its one-standard-deviation threshold.
  • Why Read: Essential for quantitative traders seeking mean-reversion opportunities, with detailed execution framework, risk management protocols, and historical simulation showing the statistical basis for this relative value play.

Credit Corp (CCP AU) Vs. Magellan Financial (MFG AU): Mean Reversion Meets Momentum

By Gaudenz Schneider

  • Context: The Credit Corp (CCP AU) vs. Magellan Financial (MFG AU) price-ratio has deviated more than two standard deviations from its one-year average, presenting a potential relative value opportunity.
  • Highlights: This Insight challenges the typical mean-reversion narrative—strong momentum, company fundamentals, and catalysts suggest the pair could set up either way.
  • Why Read: Essential for quantitative traders seeking mean-reversion opportunities, with detailed execution framework, risk management protocols, and statistical signals supporting this relative value play.

S&P/ASX 200 Tactical Outlook Ahead of Australia’s Earnings Season Kickoff

By Nico Rosti

  • The Australian Earnings Season will begin in early August. The S&P/ASX 200 (AS51 INDEX) suffered a minor setback last week, closed the week down but it’s already rallying higher.
  • Our profit target for this rally is 8824 (Q2 resistance target). It could go a bit higher than that but we think it will not reach Q3 resistance at 8996.
  • If for some reason the index returns below last week’s Close, the next support level to watch is 8605 (Q2). 

Regal Partners Recovers Performance Fee Mojo

By FNArena

  • Auguring well for upcoming interim results, Regal Partners has provided a positive quarterly update showing a rebound for funds under management and performance fees.
  • -Regal Partners’ positive June quarter update -FUM and performance fees rebound -Management raises normalised profit guidance -Share price undervalued, suggests Bell Potter

Hybridan Small Cap Feast: 21/07/2025

By Hybridan

  • A medical technology Company focused on the durable healing of wounds and the prevention of amputations announces its trading update for the six months ended 30 June 2025 as well as an update to FY 2025 guidance.
  • The Company expects to report revenue for the Period of not less than $31m (H1 2024: $26.3m), representing growth of not less than 18% (H1 2024: 26.4%).
  • In the first three months of the Period, the Company recorded revenue growth of approximately 26%. 

Honeymoon Uncertainty Clouds Boss’ Outlook

By FNArena

  • Boss Energy’s FY26 guidance raised doubts over Honeymoon’s ability to reach nameplate capacity, clouding the outlook and raising valuation concerns.
  • -Boss Energy’s operational update triggers share price sell-off -Feasibility study assumptions questioned, given FY26 guidance -Nameplate capacity concerns for Honeymoon translate into much lower valuations/price targets -Expert study will commence shortly, but with no end date yet confirmed

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Daily Brief Equity Bottom-Up: Severfield — Upside risks to margins and profits and more

By | Daily Briefs, Equity Bottom-Up

In today’s briefing:

  • Severfield — Upside risks to margins and profits
  • Taiwan Tech Weekly: Mediatek Reportedly Bests Broadcom for Meta Custom Chip Win; Semi Key Indicators
  • A Disappointment in the Works for New Dividend Tax Policy in Korea?
  • Renesas 2Q25: Revenue Inflexion Is Visible but Management Cautious
  • Japanese Midcap Banks – Iyogin Holdings (5830 JP) Is Our Top Pick
  • Vanguard (5347.TT): FX Impact; Mild Recovery, Slightly Better Than 3Q25 Preview.
  • Ampol (ALD AU) Vs. Woodside Energy (WDS AU): Mean-Reversion Signal in Aussie Energy
  • 55 SGX Stocks Up >15% in a Month – EQDP Attracting Investor Attention
  • Yageo’s AI-Driven Momentum and Strategic Expansion Through Shibaura Acquisition
  • EDG: Drill Results Continue to Roll In; Strong Antimony Intersection


Severfield — Upside risks to margins and profits

By Edison Investment Research

Severfield has suffered greatly in the last 12 months, but the outlook appears to be improving as the order book is expanding and the low embedded margins within it wash out over the next 12 months or so. Furthermore, we anticipate the recruitment of a new chief executive ‘imminently’ and the company could return to paying dividends in the current year if the outlook and balance sheet improve sufficiently. Margin recovery could imply that risks are to the upside in FY27.


Taiwan Tech Weekly: Mediatek Reportedly Bests Broadcom for Meta Custom Chip Win; Semi Key Indicators

By Vincent Fernando, CFA

  • MediaTek Reportedly Wins Meta’s 2nm AI Chip Order Over Broadcom
  • Memory Monitor: SK Hynix Vs. Micron — Different Speeds & Focus, Same Structural Shift 
  • Semi Key Indicators Q2 2025: PC, Smartphone Unit Shipments, Global Semi & WFE Sales All Looking Good 

A Disappointment in the Works for New Dividend Tax Policy in Korea?

By Douglas Kim

  • There is a brewing disagreement among many members of the National Assembly in Korea regarding the new dividend tax policy.
  • A key controversial issue is dividend taxes on dividends exceeding 300 million won. There is a room for some disappointment in the works regarding tax reductions on dividends.
  • Instead of 25% tax rate for this dividend income bracket (exceeding 300 million won), there has been an increasing pressure by the ruling party to raise this rate to 35%.

Renesas 2Q25: Revenue Inflexion Is Visible but Management Cautious

By Nicolas Baratte

  • 2Q is inline, revenue and margins look like a beat but that’s weaker JPY and higher utilization as the firm is increasing inventory, expecting a better 2H25. 
  • 3Q guide is flat QoQ, the YoY recovery continues (2Q -9%, 3Q -4%). For 4Q, management expects a “modest” flattish or slight increase QoQ, which implies at least +13% YoY
  • The stock is cheap, but “overall demand for automotive, we still have no clue as to how that will unfold” and short-term, Auto growth depends on China

Japanese Midcap Banks – Iyogin Holdings (5830 JP) Is Our Top Pick

By Victor Galliano

  • We update our views on ten Japanese midcap banks focusing on those with large strategic shareholdings relative to market value, as well as beneficiaries of the improving interest rate outlook
  • Our top-rated pick is Iyogin Holdings (5830 JP), with its constructive mix of large strategic holdings, attractive valuations including PTBV ratio and healthy gearing to higher interest rates
  • We also retain Hokuhoku Financial and Hachijuni Bank as buys; Hokuhoku has yet to realize its large strategic holdings whilst Hachijuni has reached its target level for cross-holdings reduction

Vanguard (5347.TT): FX Impact; Mild Recovery, Slightly Better Than 3Q25 Preview.

By Patrick Liao

  • 3Q25 Outlook (based on USD/TWD = 28.7): Wafer Shipments: +7–9% QoQ; ASP: +1–3% QoQ; Gross Margin: 25–27%.
  • Revenue Mix (Industrial, Auto, 3C): Industrial + Automotive: 40%+ (majority industrial; automotive in teens) ; Communication & Computing: 20%+ each ; Consumer: 10%+.
  • 2025 Dividend Policy : Will maintains NT$4.5 per share dividend.

Ampol (ALD AU) Vs. Woodside Energy (WDS AU): Mean-Reversion Signal in Aussie Energy

By Gaudenz Schneider

  • Context: The Ampol (ALD AU) vs. Woodside (WDS AU) price-ratio has diverged more than two standard deviations from its one-year average – a classic signal for a potential mean-reversion trade.
  • Highlights: Going long Ampol (ALD AU) and short Woodside (WDS AU) targets a 7% return if the price ratio reverts to its one-standard-deviation threshold.
  • Why Read: Essential for quantitative traders seeking mean-reversion opportunities, with detailed execution framework, risk management protocols, and historical simulation showing the statistical basis for this relative value play.

55 SGX Stocks Up >15% in a Month – EQDP Attracting Investor Attention

By Devi Subhakesan

  • Singapore’s small- and mid-cap equities have surged over the past month, defying a generally cautious macroeconomic backdrop.
  • The rally is widely linked to expectations of significant capital inflows from the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s (MAS) Equity Market Development Programme (EQDP).
  • A firm Singapore dollar and comparatively attractive dividend yields have further supported investor interest in these stocks.

Yageo’s AI-Driven Momentum and Strategic Expansion Through Shibaura Acquisition

By Vincent Fernando, CFA

  • 2Q25 Results Summary: Reports Broad-Based Growth with Specialty Margin Strength  
  • Yageo Inventory Recovery Marks a Demand-Led Inflection for Hardware Components
  • Update on Shibaura Acquisition: Still on Track, Strategic Synergy in Focus

EDG: Drill Results Continue to Roll In; Strong Antimony Intersection

By Atrium Research

  • This morning, EDG announced assay results for four drill holes at its Reliance Gold Project as part of its 2025 exploration campaign.
  • Today’s highlight hole returned 5.63 g/t Au and 5.12% Sb over 3.3m, representing the best antimony grade over width intersection to date.
  • At current antimony prices, this intercept adds about 10 g/t AuEq (gold equivalent) to the 5.63 g/t gold intercept.

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Daily Brief Credit: Lucror Analytics – Morning Views Asia and more

By | Credit, Daily Briefs

In today’s briefing:

  • Lucror Analytics – Morning Views Asia


Lucror Analytics – Morning Views Asia

By Leonard Law, CFA

  • In today’s Morning Views publication we comment on developments of the following high yield issuers: SJM Holdings, Yinson Production, Adani Green Energy
  • Long-end UST yields rose slightly yesterday, with no macro catalysts and following mixed results for auctions of 2Y and 2Y notes. The yield on the 2Y UST was unchanged at 3.93%, while the yield on the 10Y UST rose 2 bps to 4.41%.
  • Equities held steady at record high levels following the US-EU trade agreement, and on expectations of an extension of the US-China trade truce. The S&P 500 was flat at 6,390, while the Nasdaq was up 0.3% at 21,179.

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Daily Brief Event-Driven: [Japan Activism/M&A] Hogy Medical (3593) Reportedly Up For Auction – Totally Unsurprising and more

By | Daily Briefs, Event-Driven

In today’s briefing:

  • [Japan Activism/M&A] Hogy Medical (3593) Reportedly Up For Auction – Totally Unsurprising
  • GMO Internet (4784) – GMO Internet Parent Has Been SELLING In The Market
  • CKH (1 HK): Intervention Towards Securing Participation
  • A Tender Offer of JTC by Affirma Capital
  • Hana Micron Split Cancellation: Trades Targeting Position Unwinding and Korea Discount Compression
  • Prosus–JET Arbitrage: Tight Spread, High Certainty Ahead of EC Decision
  • LG CNS IPO Lockup Expiry – US$1.1bn Release, with PE Well in the Money
  • State-Level Regulatory Risks Pose Significant Challenges in TDC’s Acquisition of ProAssurance, Market Underestimates Potential Hurdles


[Japan Activism/M&A] Hogy Medical (3593) Reportedly Up For Auction – Totally Unsurprising

By Travis Lundy

  • Hogy Medical (3593 JP)‘s founder passed and there was a re-arranging of Hoki family deckchairs in 2021. In 2022 there was a BIG buyback from the family at ¥3,130/share.
  • I discussed it here. I suggested that meant accretion, a family willing to sell, and an open register for a cheap company always heavily owned by value investors.
  • The stock went nowhere for 18mos as activists dallied. In 2024 it ran from ¥3,500 to ¥5,000 as Dalton bought 20%. Then they got a board seat. Now takeover noise.

GMO Internet (4784) – GMO Internet Parent Has Been SELLING In The Market

By Travis Lundy

  • I have harped on the fact that GMO Internet Group (9449 JP) has to sell GMO Internet (4784 JP) shares with the goal to get 35% tradable shares by end-2025.
  • I have written about it here, here, here, and here. The price needs to be lower so the parent can launch a HUGE block. The stock must be less squeeze-able.
  • It turns out the parent started selling in the market the day after the Offering was cancelled. The setup is delicious now.

CKH (1 HK): Intervention Towards Securing Participation

By David Blennerhassett

  • Inviting a PRC investor to join the bidding consortium as a significant member, as opposed to a majority player, appears the panacea to get this port deal over the line. 
  • Although CK Hutchison Holdings (1 HK) stopped short of naming the investor, China’s state-owned shipping conglomerate Cosco is widely expected/rumoured to join BlackRock and Swiss-Italian shipping company MSC.
  • Participation through effective intervention? Cosco’s involvement should all-but seal Chinese regulatory approvals. The green light from the US administration, the EU, and other jurisdictions, will pivot off how much involvement. 

A Tender Offer of JTC by Affirma Capital

By Douglas Kim

  • On 28 July, it was announced that Affirma Capital will conduct a tender offer of JTC Inc/Fukuoka (950170 KS) which is a Japanese duty free operator listed on KOSDAQ. 
  • This follows the exercise of a call option on all shares held by former JTC Chairman Gu Cheol-mo. 
  • Despite some recent concerns about travelling to Japan due to Manga driven fears about earthquakes, there are some clear longer term signs that the global travelers visiting Japan are increasing.

Hana Micron Split Cancellation: Trades Targeting Position Unwinding and Korea Discount Compression

By Sanghyun Park

  • The split’s cancellation caught event-driven traders off guard, squeezing shorts and sparking short-covering flows, likely boosting the stock near term and removing governance overhang for a potential rerate.
  • Passive flow shifts as spinco’s planned KOSDAQ 150 inclusion is canceled, reversing early index rebalancing and pre-positioning by passive investors.
  • Hana Micron stays in the index, so no major passive outflows—just some trimming. Trade the short-cover pop, watch for passive cleanup dips as potential re-entry points.

Prosus–JET Arbitrage: Tight Spread, High Certainty Ahead of EC Decision

By Jesus Rodriguez Aguilar

  • Prosus’s €20.30/share offer for JET trades at a 1.1% gross spread with EU clearance due 11 August; implied success probability stands at ~97% based on current market pricing.
  • Offer extended to 1 October to align with EC timeline. Prosus proposes structural remedies—stake cut and board exit from Delivery Hero—to resolve competition overlap in five EU countries.
  • Estimated settlement by mid-October. New entrants see 5.5% annualized return; early investors could realize 9.6%. Downside risk to €12.43 implies a 38% loss if deal breaks unexpectedly.

LG CNS IPO Lockup Expiry – US$1.1bn Release, with PE Well in the Money

By Sumeet Singh

  • LG CNS (064400 KS) raised around US$825m in its Korea IPO in February 2025. LG CNS is a South Korean information technology company.
  • The shares didn’t do much at listing and have only recently moved higher to trade above its IPO price.
  • In this note, we will talk about the lock-up dynamics and updates since our last note.

State-Level Regulatory Risks Pose Significant Challenges in TDC’s Acquisition of ProAssurance, Market Underestimates Potential Hurdles

By Special Situation Investments

  • The merger involves TDC acquiring ProAssurance for $25/share, creating a combined 16% market share in medical malpractice insurance.
  • California regulatory concerns arise due to the combined entity’s 65% market share, potentially impacting merger approval.
  • TDC’s offer price was contingent on regulatory outcomes, with PRA rejecting a structure tying price to regulatory conditions.

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Daily Brief Macro: UK: Loans Secured Despite Tax Hike and more

By | Daily Briefs, Macro

In today’s briefing:

  • UK: Loans Secured Despite Tax Hike
  • [WTI Options Weekly 2025/30] WTI Slips Again as Supply Concerns Outweigh Trade Optimism
  • CX Daily: Succession, Scandal and Bottled Water — the Real Battle at the Heart of Wahaha Court Case
  • Global base oils arb outlook: Week of 28 July
  • [Henry Hub Options Weekly 2025/30] Henry Hub Tumbled as Supply Surged and Sentiment Shifted
  • US: Tariff Deals with Japan, EU, Indonesia, Philippines Sharply Reduce Stagflation Risk
  • Bond Market Monitor: Thailand Unsmiled
  • Asia base oils supply outlook: Week of 28 July
  • Global base oils margins outlook: Week of 28 July
  • Americas/EMEA base oils demand outlook: Week of 28 July


UK: Loans Secured Despite Tax Hike

By Phil Rush

  • Credit extended its rebound far beyond expectations in June. Reformed stamp duty raises costs and housing tenure, but it hasn’t broken the housing or mortgage markets.
  • Demand for loans looks more resilient than banks expected amid easing monetary conditions. Refinancing may not have much effect on cash flow anymore.
  • Higher transaction costs probably won’t break expectations into a downwards spiral, but are now widely cited as a major hurdle, contributing to slower UK activity growth.

[WTI Options Weekly 2025/30] WTI Slips Again as Supply Concerns Outweigh Trade Optimism

By Suhas Reddy

  • WTI crude declined 1.4% for the week ending 25/Jul, pressured by oversupply concerns and renewed U.S. tariff threats, despite midweek gains from inventory draws and trade optimism.
  • The U.S. rig count fell by two to 542, marking its twelfth weekly fall in thirteen weeks. Oil rigs by seven to 415, marking its thirteenth consecutive weekly fall.
  • WTI OI PCR remained at 0.96 on 25/Jul compared to 18/Jul. Call OI inched up by 3.1% WoW, while put OI rose by 3.8%.

CX Daily: Succession, Scandal and Bottled Water — the Real Battle at the Heart of Wahaha Court Case

By Caixin Global

  • Wahaha / Cover Story: Succession, scandal and bottled water — the real battle at the heart of Wahaha court case
  • Funds /In Depth: China’s mutual fund minnows struggle to survive
  • Dam /: China names duo helming construction of world’s largest hydropower dam

Global base oils arb outlook: Week of 28 July

By Iain Pocock

  • India’s imported Group I heavy neutrals base oils cargo price strengthens relative to FOB Asia and Europe prices in July 2025.
  • India’s rising price-differential for Group I SN 500 follows drop in availability of the supplies from Iran especially in recent months.
  • India’s imports of Group I heavy neutrals fall to eighteen-month low in June 2025, mostly because of drop in supplies from Middle East.

[Henry Hub Options Weekly 2025/30] Henry Hub Tumbled as Supply Surged and Sentiment Shifted

By Suhas Reddy

  • For the week ending 25/Jul, Henry Hub dropped 12.8% on the back of mild weather forecasts, record output, and stagnant LNG flows.
  • For the week ending 18/Jul, the EIA reported that U.S. natural gas inventories rose by 23 Bcf, lower than analyst expectations of a 28 Bcf build.
  • Henry Hub OI PCR fell to 0.84 on 25/Jul compared to 18/Jul. Call OI grew by 6.5% WoW, while put OI rose by 3.2%.

US: Tariff Deals with Japan, EU, Indonesia, Philippines Sharply Reduce Stagflation Risk

By Prasenjit K. Basu

  • US tariff agreements have contained tariffs at 10% for the UK, 15% for Japan and the EU, 19% for Indonesia and 20% for Vietnam. Lower tariffs will dampen inflation. 
  • FOMC ought to cut rates now, but may stand on ceremony. The tariffs are nonetheless likely to steadily bolster US manufacturing in H2/2025, with Jun’25 steel output already up 4.6%YoY. 
  • With growth higher than expected, and new revenues of over US$300bn from tariffs, the fiscal deficit should fall below 6% of GDP, allowing bond yields to moderate below 4%. 

Bond Market Monitor: Thailand Unsmiled

By Warut Promboon

  • We chose to objectively focus on Thailand’s institutional debacle in relation to the recent book called “Why Nations Fail”
  • Thai Baht (THB) yields have remained too low, relative to Thailand’s country risk.
  • This report is not so much about the low yield but rather the operating environment which we believe non-Thai investors can appreciate our local point of view.

Asia base oils supply outlook: Week of 28 July

By Iain Pocock

  • Asia’s heavy-grade base oils prices hold at elevated levels vs Singapore gasoil, even if lower than in Q2 2025.
  • Firm heavy-grade margins sustain incentive for refiners to maintain output, even amid signs of pick-up in surplus supplies.
  • Asia’s Group II heavy-grade prices hold at levels that keep open arbitrage from US and keep shut arbitrage to Americas.

Global base oils margins outlook: Week of 28 July

By Iain Pocock

  • Global base oils prices turn more mixed relative to feedstock/competing fuel prices.
  • Light-grade margins face more pressure in Asia than in other markets.
  • Dynamic boosts incentive for adjustments in output in that market, points to more balanced fundamentals in other markets.

Americas/EMEA base oils demand outlook: Week of 28 July

By Iain Pocock

  • US domestic base oils demand shows signs of easing, compounding impact of pick-up in supply.
  • Discount of US Group II export prices to domestic prices widens further, reflecting that dynamic.
  • Weaker domestic demand suggests buyers are now comfortable with existing stock levels to cover requirements over coming weeks and to cover any unexpected disruptions to supply.

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Daily Brief South Korea: Hana Micron Inc, KB Financial, LG CNS and more

By | Daily Briefs, South Korea

In today’s briefing:

  • Hana Micron Split Cancellation: Trades Targeting Position Unwinding and Korea Discount Compression
  • A Disappointment in the Works for New Dividend Tax Policy in Korea?
  • LG CNS IPO Lockup Expiry – US$1.1bn Release, with PE Well in the Money


Hana Micron Split Cancellation: Trades Targeting Position Unwinding and Korea Discount Compression

By Sanghyun Park

  • The split’s cancellation caught event-driven traders off guard, squeezing shorts and sparking short-covering flows, likely boosting the stock near term and removing governance overhang for a potential rerate.
  • Passive flow shifts as spinco’s planned KOSDAQ 150 inclusion is canceled, reversing early index rebalancing and pre-positioning by passive investors.
  • Hana Micron stays in the index, so no major passive outflows—just some trimming. Trade the short-cover pop, watch for passive cleanup dips as potential re-entry points.

A Disappointment in the Works for New Dividend Tax Policy in Korea?

By Douglas Kim

  • There is a brewing disagreement among many members of the National Assembly in Korea regarding the new dividend tax policy.
  • A key controversial issue is dividend taxes on dividends exceeding 300 million won. There is a room for some disappointment in the works regarding tax reductions on dividends.
  • Instead of 25% tax rate for this dividend income bracket (exceeding 300 million won), there has been an increasing pressure by the ruling party to raise this rate to 35%.

LG CNS IPO Lockup Expiry – US$1.1bn Release, with PE Well in the Money

By Sumeet Singh

  • LG CNS (064400 KS) raised around US$825m in its Korea IPO in February 2025. LG CNS is a South Korean information technology company.
  • The shares didn’t do much at listing and have only recently moved higher to trade above its IPO price.
  • In this note, we will talk about the lock-up dynamics and updates since our last note.

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Daily Brief Singapore: Delfi Ltd and more

By | Daily Briefs, Singapore

In today’s briefing:

  • 55 SGX Stocks Up >15% in a Month – EQDP Attracting Investor Attention


55 SGX Stocks Up >15% in a Month – EQDP Attracting Investor Attention

By Devi Subhakesan

  • Singapore’s small- and mid-cap equities have surged over the past month, defying a generally cautious macroeconomic backdrop.
  • The rally is widely linked to expectations of significant capital inflows from the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s (MAS) Equity Market Development Programme (EQDP).
  • A firm Singapore dollar and comparatively attractive dividend yields have further supported investor interest in these stocks.

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Daily Brief United States: BP , Apple , Microsoft Corp, NVIDIA Corp, Whitefiber, Crude Oil, Natural Gas, Base Oil, International Public Partnerships, Proassurance Corp and more

By | Daily Briefs, United States

In today’s briefing:

  • [Earnings Preview] BP Set for Mixed Q2 as Strong Refining and Trading Offset Price Pressures
  • AAPL Q3 Earnings: Misses Are Rare, But Performance a Red Flag
  • MSFT Q4 Earnings: Exceedingly Calm Trading Drags Implied Vol Lower
  • Market Extended Entering Seasonally Weak August; Meaningful Pullback Imminent? Not Likely
  • WhiteFiber, Inc. (WYFI): AI Infrastructure Company Sets Terms for IPO, Data Centers in Focus
  • [WTI Options Weekly 2025/30] WTI Slips Again as Supply Concerns Outweigh Trade Optimism
  • [Henry Hub Options Weekly 2025/30] Henry Hub Tumbled as Supply Surged and Sentiment Shifted
  • Global base oils arb outlook: Week of 28 July
  • International Public Partnerships — Significant new investment opportunity
  • State-Level Regulatory Risks Pose Significant Challenges in TDC’s Acquisition of ProAssurance, Market Underestimates Potential Hurdles


[Earnings Preview] BP Set for Mixed Q2 as Strong Refining and Trading Offset Price Pressures

By Suhas Reddy

  • BP’s Q2 2025 revenue is expected to drop 10% QoQ and 10.7% YoY. However, its EPS is projected to rise by 30.8% QoQ but fall by 32% YoY.
  • Lower oil and gas realizations are expected to drag earnings by up to USD 1.1 billion, but strong refining margins and oil trading performance could offset the blow.
  • Options positioning reflects mild bullish sentiment, with traders favouring calls near current levels, suggesting expectations of a modest post-earnings upside.

AAPL Q3 Earnings: Misses Are Rare, But Performance a Red Flag

By John Ley

  • AAPL has been an underperformer since its last earnings report which stands out against the backdrop of a stock that rarely misses earnings expectations.
  • We take a closer look at implied volatility and the earnings-day move priced by the options market.   
  • Volatility metrics and historical earnings reactions are analyzed to help frame expectations.  

MSFT Q4 Earnings: Exceedingly Calm Trading Drags Implied Vol Lower

By John Ley

  • MSFT is set to report Q4 earnings after the market close on Wednesday, July 30.
  • We examine the implied volatility and projected earnings-day move following a near 30% rally since the last report.
  • Volatility metrics and historical earnings reactions are analyzed to help frame expectations.

Market Extended Entering Seasonally Weak August; Meaningful Pullback Imminent? Not Likely

By Joe Jasper

  • We remain near-term bullish since our 4/22/25 Compass, and our intermediate-term outlook remains bullish as well (as of our 5/14/25 Compass).
  • We will maintain our bullish intermediate-term outlook as long as market dynamics remain healthy and SPX is above 6028-6059 (up from 5700-5785 as it is highly unlikely to be tested).
  • Some will point to August seasonality as a reason to be cautious; we simply are not seeing any signs that suggest a meaningful pullback is imminent.

WhiteFiber, Inc. (WYFI): AI Infrastructure Company Sets Terms for IPO, Data Centers in Focus

By IPO Boutique

  • WhiteFiber is offering 7.8 million shares at $15-$17 equating to a potential market cap of $523m-$593m.
  • They are currently a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bit Digital. They intend to sell approximately 22.4% of their issued and outstanding Ordinary Shares to the public as part of this offering.
  • They expect preliminary unaudited revenue from cloud services for the three months ended June 30, 2025 will be $16.1 million to $17.8 million, an increase of  28.7% to 42.3%, respectively.

[WTI Options Weekly 2025/30] WTI Slips Again as Supply Concerns Outweigh Trade Optimism

By Suhas Reddy

  • WTI crude declined 1.4% for the week ending 25/Jul, pressured by oversupply concerns and renewed U.S. tariff threats, despite midweek gains from inventory draws and trade optimism.
  • The U.S. rig count fell by two to 542, marking its twelfth weekly fall in thirteen weeks. Oil rigs by seven to 415, marking its thirteenth consecutive weekly fall.
  • WTI OI PCR remained at 0.96 on 25/Jul compared to 18/Jul. Call OI inched up by 3.1% WoW, while put OI rose by 3.8%.

[Henry Hub Options Weekly 2025/30] Henry Hub Tumbled as Supply Surged and Sentiment Shifted

By Suhas Reddy

  • For the week ending 25/Jul, Henry Hub dropped 12.8% on the back of mild weather forecasts, record output, and stagnant LNG flows.
  • For the week ending 18/Jul, the EIA reported that U.S. natural gas inventories rose by 23 Bcf, lower than analyst expectations of a 28 Bcf build.
  • Henry Hub OI PCR fell to 0.84 on 25/Jul compared to 18/Jul. Call OI grew by 6.5% WoW, while put OI rose by 3.2%.

Global base oils arb outlook: Week of 28 July

By Iain Pocock

  • India’s imported Group I heavy neutrals base oils cargo price strengthens relative to FOB Asia and Europe prices in July 2025.
  • India’s rising price-differential for Group I SN 500 follows drop in availability of the supplies from Iran especially in recent months.
  • India’s imports of Group I heavy neutrals fall to eighteen-month low in June 2025, mostly because of drop in supplies from Middle East.

International Public Partnerships — Significant new investment opportunity

By Edison Investment Research

International Public Partnerships (INPP) has been selected as a preferred bidder on the Sizewell C nuclear power station, a landmark infrastructure project critical to strengthening the UK’s energy security and to meeting the government’s net zero targets. INPP will take a c 3% equity stake in the Sizewell C regulated company and has committed to invest c £250m over the next five years. It expects to fund this through capital recycling, with the share repurchase programme remaining in place. The investment is structured under a regulated model and is expected generate predictable, long-term, inflation-linked cash flows, protected against construction and nuclear-specific risks, and provide capital upside. We expect the ability to recycle capital into attractive, new, long-term investment opportunities, in addition to its immediately accretive share repurchases, to support a continued re-rating of INPP shares.


State-Level Regulatory Risks Pose Significant Challenges in TDC’s Acquisition of ProAssurance, Market Underestimates Potential Hurdles

By Special Situation Investments

  • The merger involves TDC acquiring ProAssurance for $25/share, creating a combined 16% market share in medical malpractice insurance.
  • California regulatory concerns arise due to the combined entity’s 65% market share, potentially impacting merger approval.
  • TDC’s offer price was contingent on regulatory outcomes, with PRA rejecting a structure tying price to regulatory conditions.

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Daily Brief China: CK Hutchison Holdings, China Huarong Asset Management, WuXi AppTec, Ab&B Bio-Tech, SJM Holdings and more

By | China, Daily Briefs

In today’s briefing:

  • CKH (1 HK): Intervention Towards Securing Participation
  • China Citic Financial (2799 HK): Global Index Inclusion as Valuation Blows Out
  • WuXi AppTec (2359.HK/603259.CH) 25H1 – The Turning Point of Performance Has Been Confirmed
  • Ab&B Bio-Tech (中慧生物) Pre-IPO: PHIP Updates Suggest Competition Intensifying
  • WuXi AppTec (2359 HK): Accelerated Growth and Margin Improvement in 1H; Full-Year Guidance Raise
  • Lucror Analytics – Morning Views Asia


CKH (1 HK): Intervention Towards Securing Participation

By David Blennerhassett

  • Inviting a PRC investor to join the bidding consortium as a significant member, as opposed to a majority player, appears the panacea to get this port deal over the line. 
  • Although CK Hutchison Holdings (1 HK) stopped short of naming the investor, China’s state-owned shipping conglomerate Cosco is widely expected/rumoured to join BlackRock and Swiss-Italian shipping company MSC.
  • Participation through effective intervention? Cosco’s involvement should all-but seal Chinese regulatory approvals. The green light from the US administration, the EU, and other jurisdictions, will pivot off how much involvement. 

China Citic Financial (2799 HK): Global Index Inclusion as Valuation Blows Out

By Brian Freitas


WuXi AppTec (2359.HK/603259.CH) 25H1 – The Turning Point of Performance Has Been Confirmed

By Xinyao (Criss) Wang

  • The trend of performance reversal of WuXi AppTec is clear. The core driving force comes from the explosive growth of TIDES business and the disposal of WuXi XDC shares.
  • Based on strong performance in 25H1, WuXi AppTec expects full-year total revenue of RMB42.5-43.5 billion, up from the prior RMB41.5-43.0 billion. We shared our forecast for the next three years
  • There is a “valuation discount” to reflect geopolitical risks. WuXi AppTec (A-share) is expected to have more upside as the next stage of rise may come more from A-share market

Ab&B Bio-Tech (中慧生物) Pre-IPO: PHIP Updates Suggest Competition Intensifying

By Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

  • China-Based vaccine biopharmaceutical company Ab&B is looking to raise at least US$100 million via a Hong Kong listing. The joint book runners are CITIC and CMBI.
  • In our previous insight, we looked at the story that the company is trying to sell and the influenza vaccine market.
  • In this insight, we look at the latest updates in its PHIP filing.

WuXi AppTec (2359 HK): Accelerated Growth and Margin Improvement in 1H; Full-Year Guidance Raise

By Tina Banerjee

  • WuXi AppTec (2359 HK) has announced better-than-expected 1H25 result, with revenue increasing 21% YoY to RMB21B and adjusted net profit jumping 44% YoY to RMB6B.
  • 1H result was mainly driven by late‑stage clinical and commercial projects. Amid continuous capacity expansion, order backlog reached RMB57B as of June 30, 2025, up 37% YoY.
  • With ongoing demand of the customers and solid execution demonstrated by CRDMO business model in 1H25, Wuxi AppTech raised 2025 revenue growth guidance to 13–17% from 10–15%.

Lucror Analytics – Morning Views Asia

By Leonard Law, CFA

  • In today’s Morning Views publication we comment on developments of the following high yield issuers: SJM Holdings, Yinson Production, Adani Green Energy
  • Long-end UST yields rose slightly yesterday, with no macro catalysts and following mixed results for auctions of 2Y and 2Y notes. The yield on the 2Y UST was unchanged at 3.93%, while the yield on the 10Y UST rose 2 bps to 4.41%.
  • Equities held steady at record high levels following the US-EU trade agreement, and on expectations of an extension of the US-China trade truce. The S&P 500 was flat at 6,390, while the Nasdaq was up 0.3% at 21,179.

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