Equity Analyst - Asia Consumer Sector, Investory

Devi Subhakesan

Equity Analyst - Asia Consumer Sector

ASIA CONSUMER: INSIGHTS AND INVESTMENT IDEAS

Investory

Investory is a Singapore-based boutique independent equity research firm founded in January 2017 with a primary focus on consumption themes across Asia-Pacific.

We aim to generate investible ideas based on consumption trends and outlook. We screen our ideas on several parameters - product potential, long-term growth and management commitment being the most critical.  We follow a fundamental analysis approach in our stock selection process and are not restricted by market cap.

We aspire to grow into a leading source of unbiased research, free of conflict of interest, for investors yearning for independent and disciplined analysis. 

We also undertake bespoke research mandates to support our Institutional clients’ investment needs.

Our team comprises of professionals with extensive experience in the Asian equity markets, in areas ranging from research, servicing institutional clients and investment management.

Equity Bottom-Up

SoftBank Group Corp. provides telecommunication services. The Company also operates ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) and fiber optic high-speed Internet connection, e-Commerce businesses, and Internet based advertising and auction businesses.

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<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/softbank-group-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:315:1" rel="noopener">Softbank Group (9984 JP)</a>  reported a record H1 net income of ¥2.9 trillion, driven principally by a USD 14.6 billion fair-value gain from its OpenAI investment and Rights to invest.</li>
<li>The Group fully exited its USD 2.9 billion <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nvidia-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5891:1" rel="noopener">NVIDIA Corp (NVDA US)</a> stake in October, realizing gross gains of USD 2.9 billion on sale proceeds of USD 5.8 billion.</li>
<li>It also sold partial stakes in T-Mobile for USD 9.2 billion and Deutsche Telekom for USD 2.4 billion even as it raised its investment target in OpenAI to USD34.7 Bn.</li>
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Softbank Group (9984 JP)  reported a record H1 net income of ¥2.9 trillion, driven principally by a USD 14.6 billion fair-value gain from its OpenAI investment and Rights to invest.
The Group fully exited its USD 2.9 billion NVIDIA Corp (NVDA US) stake in October, realizing gross gains of USD 2.9 billion on sale proceeds of USD 5.8 billion.
It also sold partial stakes in T-Mobile for USD 9.2 billion and Deutsche Telekom for USD 2.4 billion even as it raised its investment target in OpenAI to USD34.7 Bn.


Softbank Group: Performance Powered by OpenAI. Exits NVIDIA, Bets Big on AI

Grab Holdings Limited operates as a holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, develops delivery management, mobility, financial services, and enterprise software solutions. Grab Holdings serves customers worldwide.

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<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/grab-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26950:1" rel="noopener">Grab Holdings (GRAB US)</a>  delivered solid Q3 2025 results with healthy revenue and margin expansion across segments, but lagged consensus forecasts.</li>
<li>Growth in Q32025 was driven by rising MTU, strong Mart and Advertising momentum among other factors.</li>
<li>Management believes that the growth seen in recent quarters are sustainable, without sacrificing profitability. Raised full year guidance marginally.</li>
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Grab Holdings (GRAB US)  delivered solid Q3 2025 results with healthy revenue and margin expansion across segments, but lagged consensus forecasts.
Growth in Q32025 was driven by rising MTU, strong Mart and Advertising momentum among other factors.
Management believes that the growth seen in recent quarters are sustainable, without sacrificing profitability. Raised full year guidance marginally.


Grab Holdings: Growth Engines Continue to Rev - What’s Powering the Momentum?

Equity Capital Markets

Pony AI Inc. operates as an autonomous vehicle technology company. The Company provides autonomous driving technology solutions to deliver safe, sustainable, and accessible mobility to people and businesses around the world. Pony AI serves customers globally.

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<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pony-ai-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:44035:1" rel="noopener">Pony AI </a> , a leading autonomous mbility technology player based in China, proposes to issue no more than 102 million ordinary shares for a secondary listing on the HKEX.</li>
<li>From a commercialization standpoint, Pony is transitioning from pilot programs to scaled operations - 2025 could be a pivotal year of mass production for its 7th generation (Gen-7) Robotaxis.</li>
<li>Pony is also accelerating its global expansion - it recently announced a partnership with Stellantis, to develop Level 4 autonomous vehicles for the European market.</li>
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Pony AI  , a leading autonomous mbility technology player based in China, proposes to issue no more than 102 million ordinary shares for a secondary listing on the HKEX.
From a commercialization standpoint, Pony is transitioning from pilot programs to scaled operations - 2025 could be a pivotal year of mass production for its 7th generation (Gen-7) Robotaxis.
Pony is also accelerating its global expansion - it recently announced a partnership with Stellantis, to develop Level 4 autonomous vehicles for the European market.


Pony AI HK Listing: Turning Driverless Technology into a Commercial Reality

LG Electronics India / Equity Capital Markets

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<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lg-electronics-india" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:44148:1" rel="noopener">LG Electronics India (123D IN)</a> debuts today and is poised for a strong listing pop, supported by record institutional oversubscription and robust grey market premiums.</li>
<li>Retail investor shares saw a modest 3.5x subscription, underscoring the challenge of a billion-dollar IPO with a 35% retail allocation, which necessitated a steep pricing discount.</li>
<li>Post-Debut, LGEIL’s likely market Cap at around USD11.5 bn could surpass its parent, despite 85% parent stake and USD1.3 bn raised from offer for sale of shares in IPO .</li>
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LG Electronics India (123D IN) debuts today and is poised for a strong listing pop, supported by record institutional oversubscription and robust grey market premiums.
Retail investor shares saw a modest 3.5x subscription, underscoring the challenge of a billion-dollar IPO with a 35% retail allocation, which necessitated a steep pricing discount.
Post-Debut, LGEIL’s likely market Cap at around USD11.5 bn could surpass its parent, despite 85% parent stake and USD1.3 bn raised from offer for sale of shares in IPO .


LG Electronics India IPO : Strong Debut Expected. Market Cap May Top Parent’s

Trent Limited operates a chain of retail stores that sell fashion apparel, cosmetics, perfumery products and toiletry items. The Company sells apparel for men, women and children. Trent sells its cosmetics products under the "Westside" and "Trent" brand names.

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<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/trent-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8410:1" rel="noopener">Trent Ltd (TRENT IN)</a> reported first half FY2026 revenue growth at 19%, well below the Street’s full-year consensus estimate of around 26%.</li>
<li>With Zudio store expansion wave now maturing and no new growth engine of comparable scale yet in sight, revenue growth appears to be normalizing to the low double-digit range.</li>
<li>In this context, the stock’s steep valuation multiples (78.5x 1-year forward P/E) look increasingly difficult to justify; as growth expectations are recalibrated a valuation de-rating seems likely.</li>
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Trent Ltd (TRENT IN) reported first half FY2026 revenue growth at 19%, well below the Street’s full-year consensus estimate of around 26%.
With Zudio store expansion wave now maturing and no new growth engine of comparable scale yet in sight, revenue growth appears to be normalizing to the low double-digit range.
In this context, the stock’s steep valuation multiples (78.5x 1-year forward P/E) look increasingly difficult to justify; as growth expectations are recalibrated a valuation de-rating seems likely.


Trent Ltd (TRENT IN): Down 45% from Peak. Why Is It Trending Down?

Equity Research experience of over 20 years include working at leading Asset Management and Brokerage/Investment Banking Firms.  

I focus primarily on the Asia consumer sector and analyse emerging trends and evolving consumption behaviours to publish investment insights on segments where women and/or youth drive purchasing decisions.

My approach combines in-depth industry and company research with rigorous valuation analysis to help investors make informed investment decisions.