Emerging Market Links + The Week Ahead (February 2, 2026)
US dollar blues re-ordering Asian portfolios, Starbucks China improves, China luxury slump eases, is TSMC limiting the AI "boom," KOSDAQ surges, EM stock picks and the week ahead for emerging markets.
The Asset has reported that US dollar blues re-ordering Asian portfolios đď¸
The DXY measures the greenback against a basket of six major world currencies ( euro, yen, pound sterling, Canadian dollar, Swedish krona (SEK ), and Swiss franc), with the euro carrying the most weight. Hovering at 95.60 means the dollar has effectively erased all its gains from the last four years, returning to levels not seen since early 2022.
For the past few years, the dollar was the âking of the hillâ due to high US interest rates, but breaking below 96.00 suggests that the âKing Dollarâ era is officially under siege, according to analysts.
However, some reality checks:
Either have also pointed out:
The US has never cancelled its currency (e.g. a 1960 US dollar is worth at least its face value and more to a collector) - unlike pretty much every European and other countries who do so on a regular basis [Armstrong]âŚ
A currencyâs strength is not just about how much gold or natural resources a country has as then Russia or Saudi Arabia would have the worldâs most valuable currencies and the Euro/Pound etc would be weak. Its also a reflection of a countryâs people and their productivity (+ economy)âŚ
The Dollarâs reserve currency status is backed up and enforced by a nuclear arsenal and the most powerful military in the world - no other military comes close to it...
If the USA âpulls back the legionsâ (as in what the Roman empire did in later years), then thatâs a bad sign for the Dollar [Ed Dowd] e.g. if the sea lanes, etc. can no longer be kept openâŚ
I would add that very few people in the global elite/professional classes actually wants to live in Moscow/Beijing/Shanghai or Sochi/Hainan Island, etc. or park their money there. They want to live in NYC/London/Paris or Miami/CĂ´te dâAzur/Cayman Islands/Switzerland or maybe more neutral Dubai/Singapore, etc. And those are also the places they tend to want their wealth stashedâŚ
Finally, I still have to do a December and January for đ Emerging Market Stock Picks (November 2025) type stock posts. Hopefully I can get a December one out this week without having to first add too may stocks to our Frontier & Emerging Market Stock Index.
đŹ Emerging Market Stock Pick Tear Sheets
$ = behind a paywall
đ˛đž The Edge Billion Ringgit Club (BRC) 2025 Award Winners Partially $
Malaysian stock pick winners of The Edge Billion Ringgit Club 2025 Awards - Growth in profit after tax over three years, returns to shareholders over three years, return on equity over three years etc
đ EM Fund Stock Picks & Country Commentaries (February 1, 2026) Partially $
Indian stocks & AI, branded jewellery market, Donroe Doctrine + tariff macro/market impacts, CEE market returns, Latin Americaâs resource potential, plenty of December/Q4 fund updates, etc.
đ°đŹ Emerging Market Stock Picks / Stock Research
$ = Behind a paywall / đď¸ = Link to an archived article (Note: Seeking Alpha earnings/conference etc. presentations are typically not paywalled) / â = Article archiving may not be working properly
đ Asia
đ US dollar blues re-ordering Asian portfolios (The Asset) đď¸
Greenback plunge triggers rush to safe-haven gold, making US tech stocks look sluggish
The US dollar index ( DXY ) has cratered to a four-year low, hovering near the 95.60 mark on Wednesday ( January 28 ). For Asian investors, this isnât just a âstory from Washingtonâ but represents a seismic shift that is re-ordering their portfolios.
The DXY measures the greenback against a basket of six major world currencies ( euro, yen, pound sterling, Canadian dollar, Swedish krona (SEK ), and Swiss franc), with the euro carrying the most weight. Hovering at 95.60 means the dollar has effectively erased all its gains from the last four years, returning to levels not seen since early 2022.
For the past few years, the dollar was the âking of the hillâ due to high US interest rates, but breaking below 96.00 suggests that the âKing Dollarâ era is officially under siege, according to analysts.
đ¨đł China / đđ° Hong Kong / đ˛đ´ Macau
đ¨đł Goldman Sees More Than $500 Billion Flow Into Chinese Stocks in 2026 (Caixin) $
Goldman Sachs expects Chinese equities to attract 3.6 trillion yuan ($518 billion) in fresh domestic capital this year, betting that rising corporate earnings will drive a sustained market recovery.
The forecast, presented in Hong Kong by Goldmanâs chief China equity strategist Kinger Lau, underpins the bankâs overweight stance on Chinese stocks in the Asia-Pacific region, at a time when broader market sentiment on China remains cautious.
đ¨đł China Brokerages Poised for Profit Surge in Bull Market (Caixin) $
A group of listed Chinese securities firms expected profits to have risen sharply in 2025, buoyed by a strong equity rally, with mergers also beginning to deliver gains.
As of late Wednesday, 12 listed brokerages had released upbeat earnings forecasts or preliminary results, signaling a broad improvement from a weak prior year.
The upswing followed a policy shift in late 2024 that lifted market sentiment and drove a sharp rise in trading activity.
đ¨đł 2026 watchlist: My thoughts and equity picks for the year ahead Part 2 (Dragon Invest)
Will the year of the Horse deliver galloping stock returns
Tak Lee Machinery Holdings Ltd (HKG: 2102)
Tak Lee Machinery Holdings Limited is a Hong Kong-based heavy equipment sales, leasing, and after-sales service provider that is the sole authorized Hitachi dealer in Hong Kong and Macau, along with other smaller brands like LaBounty and Ramfos.
Luxshare Precision Industry (SHE: 002475)
Luxshare Precision is a global leader in precision components and smart manufacturing. Its core edge lies in a multi-engine growth model: Appleâs AI hardware upgrade cycle, high-margin automotive electronics (post-Leoni acquisition), and AI-driven data center components.
Inspur Digital Enterprise Technology Ltd (HKG: 0596 / FRA: L1CC)
Inspur Digital Enterprise is the most undervalued play to get exposure to Chinaâs enterprise digital transformation sector. Inspur is catapulated by its dual exposure to cloud and AI and a high-stickiness SOE client base and massive potential upside from potential Hong Kong Stock Connect inclusion and AI-driven margin expansion.
JCET Group (SHA: 600584)
JCET is the largest OSAT in mainland China and top 3 globally (behind ASE and Amkor), with a market position built on full-spectrum advanced packaging capabilities, global operational diversification, and exposure to high-growth end-markets including AI, high-performance computing (HPC), automotive, and storage.
Chongqing Changan Automobile (SHE: 000625 / 200625)
Changan Automobile is a top-tier Chinese domestic passenger vehicle leader and central SOE auto flagship marquee undergoing a full pivot from traditional ICE cars to an intelligent low-carbon mobility tech firm, underpinned by a tiered new energy brand matrix, in-house core tech, large-scale manufacturing, and accelerating globalization.
đ¨đł East Buy rides into Chinaâs instant commerce war zone (Bamboo Works)
The e-commerce companyâs move is the latest development in its gradual transformation into an online version of Costco and Samâs Club
East Buy Holding Ltd (HKG: 1797 / OTCMKTS: KLTHF) is building up same-day delivery capabilities in its top 10 markets, and plans to trial instant retail fulfillment capabilities in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou
The companyâs stock rallied 14% after it announced the moves, contained in its latest financial report that showed it returned to profitability in the first half of its fiscal year
đ¨đł TCL Electronics dazzles with upbeat guidance, Sony venture (Bamboo Works)
The leading TV maker said its profit rose strongly last year, boosted by strong performance for large display models, as it announced a new joint venture with Sony
TCL Electronics Limited (HKG: 1070 / FRA: TC2A / OTCMKTS: TCLHF) said it expects to report its adjusted net profit rose 45% to 60% last year on strong sales for its large-sized displays
Separately, the leading TV and display maker announced the formation of a joint venture with Sony Group Corp (NYSE: SONY) to expand its home entertainment products
đ¨đł Montage Technology H Share Listing (6809 HK): Valuation Insights (Smartkarma) $
Montage Technology Co Ltd (SHA: 688008), the worldâs largest memory interconnect chip supplier, has launched an H Share listing to raise US$902 million.
I discussed the H Share listing in Montage Technology H Share Listing: The Investment Case. The price momentum is strong amid a well-documented surge in memory chip prices.
The proposed AH discount of 41.3% (based on the 29 January A Share price) is attractive. Overall, I would participate in the listing.
đ¨đł Montage Technology (6809 HK): US$1bn Offering at a Near 50% Discount to A-Shares (Smartkarma) $
Montage Technology Co Ltd (SHA: 688008) could raise up to HK$8.1bn (US$1.04bn) in its Montage Technology (6809 HK) listing if the Overallotment Option is exercised.
Nearly half the base offering is allocated to cornerstone investors; those shares are locked up for 6 months. That eliminates the already small possibility of early inclusion to global indexes.
Montage Technology (6809 HK) should be added to Southbound Stock Connect from the open of trading on 9 March following the end of the Price Stabilisation period.
đ¨đł Ford held talks with Chinaâs Xiaomi over EV partnership (FT) $ đď¸
Ford has held talks with electric vehicle maker Xiaomi (HKG: 1810 / SGX: HXXD / FRA: 3CP / OTCMKTS: XIACF) over a partnership that would pave the way for Chinese carmakers to gain a foothold in the US, according to four people familiar with the talks.
While the discussions were preliminary, Ford has explored forming a joint venture with Xiaomi to manufacture EVs in the US, according to the people.
đ¨đł China Merchants Bank falters as economic slowdown wipes out growth (Bamboo Works)
Operating income growth for the bank, considered one of the most market-oriented among Chinaâs big state-run lenders, came to a standstill in 2025
China Merchants Bank (SHA: 600036 / HKG: 3968 / OTCMKTS: CIHKY / OTCMKTS: CIHHF)âs operating income increased by just 0.01% last year, while its net profit grew by an only slightly better 1.2%
The results show that growth is stalling in a slowing Chinese economy for the high-margin retail products that give the bank its competitive edge
đ¨đł In Depth: Vankeâs Debt Spiral Reveals Limits of Chinaâs Real Estate Backstop (Caixin) $
Real estate giant Vanke (SHE: 000002 / HKG: 2202 / FRA: 18V / OTCMKTS: CHVKF / CHVKY) secured a last-minute extension on a batch of domestic bonds between Jan. 21 and 27, narrowly averting a default that could have rippled through the nationâs battered property market.
The reprieve capped a months-long standoff with creditors and marked a critical turning point for the developer, long viewed as one of the industryâs most resilient players. The deal came just as former Chairman Yu Liang, who had led the company for over a decade, disappeared from public view after stepping down. Yu has been unreachable since his retirement was formally completed in early January, a development that has fueled speculation among sources that he may have been taken away by authorities.
đ¨đł Zijin to Buy Canadian Miner for $4 Billion as Gold Prices Hit Records (Caixin) $
Zijin Mining Group (SHA: 601899 / HKG: 2899 / FRA: FJZB / OTCMKTS: ZIJMF), Chinaâs largest gold producer, plans to acquire Canadian miner Allied Gold Corp (NYSE: AAUC) for C$5.5 billion ($4 billion), securing large-scale gold assets in Africa as bullion prices hit record highs.
Marking the largest acquisition in Zijinâs history, the deal underscores the companyâs aggressive drive to expand its global reserve base and production capacity to capitalize on the precious metalâs historic rally, which saw prices breach $5,100 an ounce for the first time on Monday.
đ¨đł In an increasingly uncertain environment, DPC Dash starts 2026 with a bang (Bamboo Works)
The Dominoâs Pizza master franchisee for Mainland China opened 90 new stores in the first 24 days of January, bringing its total store count to 1,405, the same as its ticker number
DPC Dash (HKG: 1405 / FRA: X12 / OTCMKTS: DPCDF) opened 307 stores last year, raising its total to 1,315 at the end of December and reaching its annual target of 300 new stores
The Dominoâs master franchisee for Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao is increasingly seeking the right balance between expansion and profitability
đ¨đł Starbucks China Revenue Jumps Amid Restructuring Push (Caixin) $
Starbucks Corp (NASDAQ: SBUX) reported a strong fourth quarter in China as the U.S. coffee chain restructures its operations in the worldâs second-largest economy.
During the three-month period, Starbucks generated revenue of $823 million in the Chinese market where it runs 8,011 stores, up 11% year-on-year, according to its earnings report released Wednesday.
The companyâs China business saw comparable store sales grow 7% during the period after years of stagnation, driven by a 5% rise in comparable transactions and a 2% jump in average ticket, the report said.
đ¨đł Pop Mart (9992 HK): PUCKY - How a Lucky Plush Drove Shares up 30%. (Smartkarma) $
Pop Mart International Group (HKG: 9992 / FRA: 735 / OTCMKTS: PMRTY / POPMF) stock was up 7% yesterday and 30% since January 16th, after the launch of âPUCKYâ Tap tap series of plush pendant blind boxes on January 15th.
This new blind-box series is reported to have created a social media buzz with official stocks being sold out quickly leading to a boost in secondary market demand and prices.
It is too early to conclude if this blind box series can recreate the Labubu magic but by adding an interactive music function, Pop Mart has caught buyer attention again.
đ¨đł Chinaâs Luxury Slump Eases in 2025 as Shoppers Shift to Domestic Market (Caixin) $
The Chinese mainlandâs personal luxury market showed signs of stabilization in 2025, with a modest recovery in the final quarter as consumers shifted spending back to domestic channels.
Sales for the year fell by 3% to 5%, a significant improvement from the 17% to 19% decline in 2024, according to a report [Chinaâs personal luxury market contracts 3%â5% in 2025 but shows signs of recovery] released Thursday by Bain & Company.
This stabilization signals a potential turning point for a sector that has long been a key growth engine for global luxury brands. However, consumption habits are shifting, with an increasing focus on value and experiential luxury. Bain expects the market to resume moderate growth in 2026, reaffirming the Chinese mainlandâs crucial role in the global luxury industry despite recent slowdowns.
đ¨đł Anta Looks to Turn Around Puma in $1.8 Billion Deal (Caixin) $
ANTA Sports Products (HKG: 2020 / FRA: AS7 / OTCMKTS: ANPDY / OTCMKTS: ANPDF) has agreed to acquire a 29.06% stake in PUMA SE from the Pinault familyâs investment vehicle for 1.5 billion euros (about $1.8 billion), becoming the single largest shareholder in the German sportswear maker.
The transaction underscores the global expansion of the Chinese athletic apparel giant, which is betting on its ability to revitalize the struggling German brand much as it has with previous acquisitions like Fila in China and Amer Sports (NYSE: AS).
đ¨đł Kintor regeneration advances with new marketing partnership (Bamboo Works)
The company says its new tie-up with Dekai Pharma involving its KX-826 hair-loss treatment could be worth 100 million yuan in sales
Kintor Pharmaceutical (HKG: 9939 / OTCMKTS: KNTPF) shares rallied more than 8% in the three trading days after announcing a marketing partnership for its hair loss treatment
The company began as a cancer treatment specialist, but has abandoned that business and is rebranding as a maker of more mainstream skin and hair loss treatments
đ¨đł Joinnâs âjumpingâ monkey market hides core weakness (Bamboo Works)
Despite announcing a sharp profit surge, the lab animal providerâs stock ticked up by just a muted 3% over the next three trading days
Joinn Laboratories China (SHA: 603127 / HKG: 6127) has built up a reserve of around 25,000 laboratory monkeys using a counter-cyclical strategy, creating a significant resource-based moat for its business
While laboratory monkeys are unlikely to be fully replaced in drug safety testing over the short term, the trend toward technological substitution is irreversible
đ¨đł Eastroc Beverage Hong Kong IPO Preview (Douglas Research Insights) $
Eastroc Beverage Group Co Ltd (SHA: 605499) (9980 HK) is getting ready to complete its IPO in Hong Kong next week. The company is selling 40.9 million shares for HK$248 each
The company plans to raise up to HK$10.1 billion (US$1.3 billion). This would suggest a market cap of about US$21 billion.
Eastroc Beverage is one of the largest functional beverage companies in China and the dominant domestic energy drink producer, with its Eastroc Special Drink product having displaced Red Bull product.
đđ° Medical Beauty Plays in Hong Kong: Perfect/Water Oasis and Flameglow: A Better Retail Environment? (Smartkarma) $
If Perfect Medical Health Management (HKG: 1830 / OTCMKTS: PFSMF) replicates in H1FY26 earnings, a 15 HKD cent dividend implies a 12.5% dividend yield on the current share price (100% payout ratio).
The semiâannual results suggest modest improvement in retail sales, though management of most firms (except Fameglow Holdings Ltd (HKG: 8603)) remain guarded in their outlooks.
In order of preference, currently Water Oasis Group Limited (HKG: 1161 / OTCMKTS: WOSSF) seems the safest bet, followed by Perfect Medical Health (1830 HK). While Flameglowâs growth is good, margins are a question mark.
đđ° Eastroc Beverage Hong Kong IPO Valuation Analysis (Douglas Research Insights) $
Our base case valuation of Eastroc Beverage Group Co Ltd (SHA: 605499) is target market cap of HK$234.7 billion (US$30.1 billion).
This is 41% higher than the expected market cap of HK$166.4 billion at the high end of the IPO price range. Given the solid upside, we have a Positive View.
Our base case valuation is based on P/E of 29.6x our estimated net profit of RMB7.1 billion (2027E). Eastroc Beverage has higher sales growth rate and ROE than its comps.
đđ° Muyuan Foods Hong Kong IPO Preview (Douglas Research Insights) $
Muyuan Foods Co Ltd (SHE: 002714) is getting ready to complete its Hong Kong IPO on 6 February 2026. This listing involves an offering of 273.95 million H shares.
The offer price is capped at HK$39 per share. The offering involves raising approximately HK$10.7 billion ($1.4 billion USD).
Muyuan Foods is the largest company globally in the hog farming industry by both production capacity and hog sales volume.
đđ° Sa Sa spruces up sales but will it be just a cosmetic lift? (Bamboo Works)
The Hong Kong drugstore chain [Sa Sa International Holdings Ltd (HKG: 0178)] has delivered double-digit growth in quarterly sales, driven by tourist and online spending, after axeing its Chinese stores
Third-quarter revenue rose 12.5%, boosted by higher same-store sales in its core markets of Hong Kong and Macao
E-commerce revenue climbed 14.9% after a switch to online-only sales in mainland China, but the share of overall turnover barely increased
đ˛đ´ Challenging growth path for Macauâs average GGR per visitor this year, says CreditSights (GGRAsia)
Credit and market research provider CreditSights Inc says it expects Macauâs casino gross gaming revenue (GGR) to post a âlow-to-mid-single digitâ growth in full-year 2026, though average GGR per visitor would in likelihood see a âmore difficult pathâ for growth.
In a Monday report, the institution noted that while Macauâs casino GGR last year rose 9.1 percent year-on-year to MOP247.40 billion (US$30.86 billion), the GGR per visitor stood at MOP6,174, which it said was down 5 percent year-on-year.
âThe full year GGR growth was largely driven by the VIP segment, which had jumped to 24 percent year-on-year (2024: +21 percent year-on-year) in 2025 and now forms 27 percent of the total 2025 GGR (2024: 24 percent),â wrote CreditSightsâ analysts Nicholas Chen and David Bussey.
đ˛đ´ Macauâs January GGR US$2.8bln, up 24pct from a year earlier (GGRAsia)
Macau casino gross gaming revenue (GGR) for January was just over MOP22.63 billion (US$2.81 billion), showed government data issued on Sunday.
The figure was up 24.0 percent compared to January 2025âs MOP18.25 billion. Judged month-on-month, it was an 8.4-percent increase on Decemberâs MOP20.89 billion.
That is according to figures disclosed by Macauâs casino regulator, the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau.
In a January 26 memo, banking group JP Morgan said Macau GGR had been âsteady and solidâ for the first 25 days of the month, at an average of MOP712 million per day.
đ˛đ´ Macauâs 2025 GDP up 4.7pct y-o-y, helped by surge in visitors in final three months (GGRAsia)
Macauâs 2025 gross domestic product (GDP) grew 4.7 percent year-on-year in real terms, to MOP417.28 billion (US$51.89 billion), helped by a surge in fourth-quarter visitors that pushed that quarterâs GDP expansion to 7.6 percent year-on-year.
Performance in the three months to December 31 was driven by factors including âsurging visitor arrivals resulting from the hosting of numerous large-scale events⌠and government efforts to attract visitorsâ, said the cityâs Statistics and Census Service in a Friday statement.
đ˛đ´ Macau EBITDA below expectations as promotional competition intense: Sands China management (GGRAsia)
Patrick Dumont, president and chief operating officer of Las Vegas Sands (NYSE: LVS), says that while the fourth quarter of 2025 âmay not have produced the resultsâ that the group expected in terms of Macau earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA), the company is seeing âgrowth, better market positioning, revenue share growth,â and is âheading in the right directionâ.
He was speaking on a Wednesday call to discuss its fourth-quarter earnings announced that day.
The groupâs Macau unit, Sands China (HKG: 1928 / FRA: 599A / OTCMKTS: SCHYY / OTCMKTS: SCHYF), reported adjusted property EBITDA of US$608 million for the three months to December 31, up 6.5 percent from the prior-year period.
đ˛đ´ Sands China 4Q EBITDA margin âreally badâ but management thinks can eventually hit US$2.7bln annualised EBITDA: analysts (GGRAsia)
Fourth-quarter results for Sands China (HKG: 1928 / FRA: 599A / OTCMKTS: SCHYY / OTCMKTS: SCHYF), the Macau operation of Las Vegas Sands (NYSE: LVS), saw a âbig miss on margin,â said a Thursday note from banking group JP Morgan, after the parent issued group-wide figures overnight on Wednesday.
The bank said Sands Chinaâs fourth-quarter luckâadjusted earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of US$582 million were down 3 percent sequentially and down 2 percent year-on-year.
That was 5 percent below JP Morganâs estimates âdespite our recent cut,â said the institution.
âThe culprit was marginsâ, wrote JP Morgan analysts DS Kim, Selina Li, and Lindsey Qian, describing Sands Chinaâs fourth-quarter EBITDA margin as âreally badâ.
đšđź Taiwan
đšđź Taiwan Dual-Listings Monitor: Massive TSMC Spread Breakdown (Smartkarma) $
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) (NYSE: TSM): +17.2% Premium; Massive Spread Breakdown; Opens New Long Opportunity
United Microelectronics Corp (TPE: 2303 / NYSE: UMC): +2.7% Premium; Historically Extreme Premium a Good Level to Short
ChipMOS Technologies (TPE: 8150 / NASDAQ: IMOS): -3.0% Discount; Opportunity to Go Long the ADR Spread
đšđź United Microelectronics: A Clash Of Expectations And Reality; Reality Wins (Rating Upgrade) (Seeking Alpha) $ đď¸
đšđź United Microelectronics Corporation 2025 Q4 - Results - Earnings Call Presentation (Seeking Alpha)
đ United Microelectronics Corp (TPE: 2303 / NYSE: UMC) - Global semiconductor foundry. đź đˇď¸
đšđź ASE Technology: AI Is Driving A Great LEAP Forward (Seeking Alpha) $ đď¸
đ ASE Technology Holding (NYSE: ASX) - Independent semiconductor manufacturing services in assembly, test, materials & design manufacturing. đź đˇď¸
đšđź GUCâs 3nm Breakout Quarter Reveals How Taiwanâs ASIC Leaders Are Capturing AI Chip Demand (Smartkarma) $
3nm and below now accounts for 48% of total revenue, up from near-zero two years ago, as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) (NYSE: TSM) affiliate Global Unichip Corp (TPE: 3443) becomes the go-to partner for hyperscaler custom silicon
Full-Year revenue grew 36% to NT$34.1bn, outpacing the broader semiconductor industry as custom AI chip demand accelerates
Companies like Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Meta have publicly discussed or deployed custom chips for AI inference and training, and GUCâs results suggest these programs are reaching meaningful volume.
đšđź Silicon Valley Thinks TSMC is Braking the AI Boom (Asianometry) 20:330 Minutes
Stratechery has a recent piece out titled TSMC Risk, in which he calls out Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) (NYSE: TSM)âs conservatism as costing the American hyperscalers âhundreds of billionsâ in revenue. Before we continue, I want to disclose that I work with Ben. The Asianometry newsletter runs on his platform Passport, and I am friendly with him. I am not trying to flame him. But I am hearing many similar views in the Silicon Valley Borg. That TSMC is the âbrakeâ or âlimiterâ on the AI boom. As if theyâre the reason why we donât have AGI yet. Because they didnât and still donât BELIEVE. If we can ever say that a company that spent $41 billion of capital expenditure in 2025 with another $53-56 billion in 2026 is sitting on its hands doing nothing. And to be clear, I largely agree with Benâs final message. TSMC having 90% share of the AI chip market looks pretty unhealthy. I was supposed to be working on video about bananas, but I had to do this first. In todayâs video, a few scattered thoughts on TSMC taking away the AI punch bowl.
đšđź Taiwan Semiconductor: The AI Boom Is Coming To An End (Seeking Alpha) $ đď¸
đšđź TSMC Has Become A Buy Again (Rating Upgrade) (Seeking Alpha) $ đď¸
đšđź TSMC: Powers Americaâs AI Boom - Yet, The Valuation Doesnât Make Sense (Seeking Alpha) $ đď¸
đ Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) (NYSE: TSM) - Worldâs largest dedicated independent (pure-play) semiconductor foundry. đź đˇď¸
đšđź TSMC (2330 TT) Tactical View: Navigating the Post-Consensus Revision Adjustment Phase (Smartkarma) $
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) (NYSE: TSM) is a hot stock, but that does not mean it cannot pull back. 7-8 weeks up in a row has become the new normal.
Our model supports a trend up to 10 weeks for the current trend pattern: itâs not saying it will trend for 10 weeks, but it is saying it could.
The breaking point is between 7 and 10, our TIME MODEL shows: if this behavior repeats itself, the stock could rally either for 2 weeks or for another 5 weeks.
đšđź Macronix Shows NOR Flash Cycle Turning as AI Infrastructure Reshapes Memory Demand (Smartkarma) $
Macronix International Co Ltd (TPE: 2337)âs 11pt gross margin recovery shows the NOR Flash downcycle that began in 2022 has rebounded. Good news for Winbond Electronics Corp (TPE: 2344), GigaDevice Semiconductor Inc (SHA: 603986).
AI infrastructure demand is reshaping specialty memory, with server and networking driving NOR growth while NAND supply tightens as fabs prioritize capacity
Product mix transformation and capex discipline have turned free cash flow positive, signaling improved health across the specialty memory sector. After a long downturn, profitability has rebounded significantly.
đ°đˇ Korea
đ°đˇ KOSDAQ in on Fire! Korean Government Encourages Investment in KOSDAQ Companies by Pension Funds (Douglas Research Insights) $
KOSDAQ has been on fire in the past week. KOSDAQ is up 20% in the past one week, outperforming KOSPI which is up 5.4% in the same period.
One of the key reasons why KOSDAQ has been on fire is mainly due to expectation of the Korean government encouraging capital inflow into the KOSDAQ listed companies.
Korean government will encourage investment in the KOSDAQ by incorporating the KOSDAQ index into the evaluation criteria for the management of pension fundsâ assets, which amount to 1,400 trillion won.
đ°đˇ Korea ETF Market Monthly: #1 (January 2026) (Douglas Research Insights) $
We introduce a new monthly publication called Korea ETF Market Monthly. There are 1,068 different ETFs to choose from in Korea.
The top 100 ETFs in Korea totaled 69% of the total ETF market size amount as of 30 January 2026.
Korean ETF market surged in the past two years. ETFs in Korea had total market cap of 346.5 trillion won (end of January 2026), up 179% in two years.
đ°đˇ Kangwon Land Inc 4Q sales up 6pct from a year earlier (GGRAsia)
Kangwon Land (KRX: 035250), operator of a tourism complex (pictured) with the only South Korean casino permitted to serve locals, saw its fourth-quarter sales reach just under KRW365.45 billion (US$256.0 million), up 6.0 percent year-on-year.
For full-year 2025, Kangwon Land Incâs sales amounted to nearly KRW1.48 trillion, up 3.5 percent year-on-year, as disclosed b the company earlier this month.
The fourth-quarter numbers were disclosed in a Wednesday filing to the Korea Exchange. In an earnings deck, the firm said fourth quarter gaming sales accounted for most of overall sales, at KRW325.6 billion.
đ°đˇ Coupang: The âAmazonâ of South Korea (Fiscal.AI)
Today, Coupang, Inc. (NYSE: CPNG) is the leading vertically integrated e-commerce provider in South Korea.
For all intents and purposes, the âAmazon of South Koreaâ analogy is a great fit here.
Coupangâs online marketplace is home to 24.7 million active customers (thatâs ~48% of South Koreaâs entire population), and consists of a mix between 1st party items and items from 3rd party sellers.
A customer can buy just about anything they need on Coupang from everyday necessities to fresh groceries or even a set of new tires for their car.
What truly makes Coupang stand out from other Korean e-commerce providers like NAVER (KRX: 035420 / OTCMKTS: NHNCF) or Gmarket is the speed of delivery. When Bom Kim shelved the initial IPO in 2014, roughly half of Coupangâs customer complaints were about shipping times. To deliver a service that customers couldnât live without, Kim knew they had to start investing heavily in the delivery side of the business.
đ°đˇ LG Display: Going Lower In The Short Term For Several Reasons(Seeking Alpha) $ đď¸
đ°đˇ LG Display: Core Profit Beat And Memory Headwinds Draw Attention (Downgrade) (Seeking Alpha) $ đď¸
đ°đˇ LG Display Co., Ltd. 2025 Q4 - Results - Earnings Call Presentation (Seeking Alpha)
đ LG Display (NYSE: LPL) - Leading display company. Innovative displays & related products through differentiated technologies such as OLED & IPS. đź đˇď¸
đ°đˇ Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. 2025 Q4 - Results - Earnings Call Presentation (Seeking Alpha)
đđ żď¸ Samsung Electronics (KRX: 005930 / 005935 / LON: BC94 / FRA: SSUN / OTCMKTS: SSNLF) - MNC major appliance & consumer electronics corporation. đź đˇď¸
đ°đˇ Samsung Electronics: A 20% Beat in OP for 4Q25 and a Special Dividend of 1.3 Trillion Won (Douglas Research Insights) $
Samsung Electronics (KRX: 005930 / 005935 / LON: BC94 / FRA: SSUN / OTCMKTS: SSNLF) announced that it will pay a special dividend of 1.3 trillion won for 4Q 2025.
Samsung Electronics had excellent results in 4Q 2025. It beat consensus sales and operating profit estimates by 4.8% and 20.1%, respectively in 4Q 2025.
The combination of the company beating the consensus sales and profit estimates and higher special dividends are likely to further boost the positive sentiment on Samsung Electronics.
đ°đˇ SK Hynix: Record Results, Cancellation of Treasury Shares, & Start of an AI Solution Co in the US (Douglas Research Insights) $
SK Hynix (KRX: 000660) achieved record high results in terms of sales and operating profit in 2025, fueled by growing demand for artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductors.
SK Hynix announced that it plans to cancel 15.3 million treasury shares, representing 2.1% of its outstanding shares (728 million) to enhance shareholder value.
SK Hynix announced that it plans to establish an AI solutions company (tentatively named âAI Coâ) in the United States and invest up to US$10 billion (14.3 trillion won).
đ°đˇ Lunit - Rights Offering of 250 Billion Won (Douglas Research Insights) $
After the market close on 30 January, [AI-powered software & solutions for cancer diagnostics & therapeutics] Lunit Inc (KOSDAQ: 328130) announced a rights offering capital raise of about 250 billion won (US$176 million).
The number of shares to be issued is 7,906,816, with a new share price of 31,650 won per share, which is 21% lower than current price of 40,200 won.
Lunit continues to trade at relatively fat valuation multiples. It is trading at P/S of 15.1x in 2026 and 12.9x in 2027.
đ°đˇ DH (Daehan) Shipbuilding - End of Lockup Period for 27% of Outstanding Shares In February (Douglas Research Insights) $
There is an end of lock-up period for 10.27 million shares (27% of outstanding shares) for Daehan Shipbuilding Co Ltd (KRX: 439260) starting 1 February 2026.
This could potentially result in additional selling by insiders which could negatively impact its share price in the coming weeks. We are turning BEARISH on Daehan Shipbuilding.
Order backlog has been worsening in the recent quarters. Valuations are reasonable but not cheap, given the cyclicality of the shipbuilding business.
đ SE Asia
đ˛đž Malaysia âMom-and-Popâ Retailer Eyes $750 Million IPO Valuation (WSJ) $ đď¸
One of Malaysiaâs largest convenience-store chains is planning an initial public offering that would give it a market value of around $750 million, people familiar with the process said.
KK Super Mart is planning to go public in the second half of the year, the people said. The IPO is likely to account for over 25% of its equity value, they added.
The company didnât immediately respond to a request for comment.
Founded in 2001, KK Super Mart also has outlets in India and Nepal that sell daily essentials.
A potential listing would place it alongside peers like mini-market chain 99 Speed Mart Retail Holdings Bhd (KLSE: 99SMART) and dollar-store Eco-Shop Marketing Bhd (KLSE: ECOSHOP), which held Malaysiaâs largest IPOs in 2024 and 2025, respectively.
đ¸đŹ Marina Bay Sands EBTIDA tops US$800mln in 4Q, Sands China sees revenue up 16pct (GGRAsia)
The Marina Bay Sands property in Singapore saw its fourth-quarter adjusted property earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) increase 50.1 percent year-on-year, to US$806 million.
That is according to results published on Wednesday by U.S-based Las Vegas Sands (NYSE: LVS). The company runs the Marina Bay Sands complex (pictured) via its Marina Bay Sands Pte Ltd subsidiary.
âHigh hold on rolling play at Marina Bay Sands positively impacted adjusted property EBITDA by US$45 millionâ in the last quarter of 2025, said Las Vegas Sands.
The propertyâs fourth-quarter net revenues rose 41.0 percent year-on-year, to just over US$1.60 billion.
đ¸đŹ Bitdeer: Markets Are Pricing A Miner, But Full-Stack Compute Ahead (Seeking Alpha) $ đď¸
đ Bitdeer Technologies Group (NASDAQ: BTDR) - Technology company for blockchain & high-performance computing.
đ¸đŹ Keppel DC REIT 2025 Q4 - Results - Earnings Call Presentation (Seeking Alpha)
đđ Keppel DC REIT (SGX: AJBU / OTCMKTS: KPDCF) - First pure-play data centre REIT in Asia. Singapore, Australia, China, Malaysia, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands & UK. đź đˇď¸
đ¸đŹ Frasers Centrepoint Trust 2026 Q1 - Results - Earnings Call Presentation (Seeking Alpha)
đ¸đŹ Frasers Centrepoint Trust (SGX: J69U / OTCMKTS: FRZCF) - REIT. One of the largest suburban retail mall owners in Singapore. đź đˇď¸
đ¸đŹ DBS Group: Thoughts As We Head Into Earnings Season (Seeking Alpha) $ đď¸
đ DBS Group (SGX: D05 / FRA: DEVL / DEV / OTCMKTS: DBSDY / DBSDF) - Financial services group in Asia with a presence in 19 markets: Greater China, Southeast Asia & South Asia. đź đˇď¸
đ¸đŹ Buying DBS Shares: How to Calculate Your Ideal Entry Price (The Smart Investor)
DBS Group (SGX: D05 / FRA: DEVL / DEV / OTCMKTS: DBSDY / DBSDF) is a long-term blue-chip favourite, but price still matters â hereâs a simple framework to help investors calculate a sensible entry price.
Why Entry Price Still Matters for Blue-Chip Stocks
Step 1: Understand DBSâs Earnings Power
Step 2: Use Valuation Benchmarks
Step 3: Factor in Dividend Yield
Step 4: Build Your Ideal Entry Price Range
Step 5: Managing Timing and Execution
Common Mistakes Investors Make When Buying DBS
Get Smart: Should You Buy?
đ¸đŹ DBS Is at an All-Time High. Should I Sell Now? (The Smart Investor)
DBS Group (SGX: D05 / FRA: DEVL / DEV / OTCMKTS: DBSDY / DBSDF) shares are hitting record highs, but for long-term investors, the real question is whether selling now helps or hurts future returns.
The age-old question confronting investors here is, should I continue holding my DBS shares, or is it time to sell?
Why DBS Is Trading at an All-Time High
The Case for Selling DBS Now
The Case for Holding DBS
What Investors Often Overlook
A Smarter Middle Ground: Trim, Donât Exit
Key Questions to Ask Before Selling
Get Smart: Selling Winners Is Harder Than Buying Them
đ¸đŹ 3 Blue-Chip S-REITs to Watch This Week: Capital Recycling Takes Centre Stage (The Smart Investor)
Explore how 3 blue-chip Singapore REITs are pivoting strategies to safeguard unitholder distributions during this upcoming earnings week.
This week, CapitaLand Ascendas REIT (SGX: A17U / OTCMKTS: ACDSF), Frasers Logistics & Commercial Trust (SGX: BUOU / OTCMKTS: FRLOF), and Parkway Life Real Estate Investment Trust (SGX: C2PU) report earnings, each demonstrating a distinct approach to protecting and growing distributions.
Here is what dividend seekers should watch for.
CapitaLand Ascendas REIT (CLAR): The Active Recycler
As Singaporeâs largest industrial REIT, CLAR is currently proving that bigger can indeed be nimbler.
Frasers Logistics & Commercial Trust (FLCT): The Portfolio Sharpener
FLCT is currently a tale of two sectors, and management is making a clear choice.
ParkwayLife REIT: The Contractual Harvester
While others are busy trading properties, ParkwayLife REIT is reaping the rewards of patient, long-term planning.
Get Smart: Distribution Sustainability Requires Active Management
đ¸đŹ 3 Singapore Blue-Chip Stocks That You Can Buy and Pass Down to Your Children (The Smart Investor)
Looking for suitable stocks to hand down to your kids? These three may make the cut.
DBS Group (SGX: D05 / FRA: DEVL / DEV / OTCMKTS: DBSDY / DBSDF)
DBS is no stranger to Singaporeans, being Singaporeâs largest bank by market capitalization.
Singapore Exchange Limited (SGX: S68 / FRA: SOU / SOUU / OTCMKTS: SPXCF / SPXCY)
Singapore Exchange Limited, or SGX, is Singaporeâs sole stock exchange operator.
Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd (SGX: S63 / FRA: SJX / OTCMKTS: SGGKF)
Singapore Technologies Engineering, or STE, is a technology, defence, and engineering group serving customers in the aerospace, smart city, defence, and public security segments.
đ¸đŹ Keppel DC REIT vs. Keppel Corporation: Which Keppel Stock Should Be in Your Portfolio? (The Smart Investor)
Keppel DC REIT and Keppel Corporation offer very different risk-return profiles â hereâs how to decide which Keppel stock best fits your investment goals.
For instance, deciding between Keppel DC REIT (SGX: AJBU / OTCMKTS: KPDCF) and đ Keppel Ltd (SGX: BN4 / FRA: KEP / KEP1 /OTCMKTS: KPELY / KPELF), isnât as straightforward as it looks.
One offers pure-play data centres exposure while the other is a massive conglomerate.
The hard part is choosing which fits your portfolio better: a specialised data centre REIT or a diversified giant.
Letâs examine the key differences and see which name is a better fit for your portfolio.
đ¸đŹ 3 Singapore Stocks Paying Dividends in February 2026 (The Smart Investor)
These three SGX-listed companies are set to reward shareholders next month â but their latest results reveal very different pictures of dividend sustainability.
Kimly Ltd (SGX: 1D0) â The Dividend Standout
Kimly Limited stands as one of Singaporeâs premier coffee shop operators, managing an extensive network of 86 food outlets, 176 stalls, and several restaurants.
Fraser and Neave (SGX: F99 / FRA: FNV2 / OTCMKTS: FNEVF) â Steady Hand Despite Heavy Investment
Fraser and Neave, or F&N, is an established Southeast Asian consumer group with a dominant presence in beverages, dairies, and publishing.
Thai Beverage PCL (SGX: Y92 / OTCMKTS: TBVPF / TBVPY) â Cash Flow Trumps Profits
Thai Beverage, Southeast Asiaâs largest beverage company, manages a diverse portfolio across spirits, beer, food, and non-alcoholic drinks, while holding controlling stakes in Vietnamâs SABECO and a 69.65% interest in Fraser and Neave, Limited.
Get Smart: Follow the Cash
đ¸đŹ Small-Cap Stocks in Singapore: A Smarter Way to Invest (The Smart Investor)
Discover why small-cap stocks in Singapore are a smarter way to invest. Go beyond the STI to find quality businesses hiding in plain sight.
This guide explores the untapped potential within the small-cap space and outlines the essential factors every investor needs to know before venturing beyond the STI.
Why Small-Cap Stocks Make Investors Uncomfortable
What Small-Cap Stocks Really Are in Singapore
The gap between the 30 companies in the STI and the rest of the market is often one of index criteria, not business quality.
Take Vicom Ltd (SGX: WJP), a vehicle inspection specialist with nearly 73% market share, or SBS Transit (SGX: S61), which operates the very MRT lines we use daily.
Why Small Caps Are Often Misjudged
Where Small-Cap Stocks Fit in a Long-Term Portfolio
How We Think About Small-Cap Investing at The Smart Investor
Micro-Mechanics (Holdings) Ltd (SGX: 5DD / OTCMKTS: MCRNF), a precision tools manufacturer, generated S$3.8 million in free cash flow in its latest quarter while holding S$27.2 million in cash and zero debt.
How to Explore Small-Cap Stocks Further
Get Smart: Small Caps Are About Thinking, Not Timing
đ¸đŹ 3 Singapore Blue-Chip Dividend Stocks That Could Benefit from Rising Tourism (The Smart Investor)
Transportation stocks may gain as part of a broader recovery taking shape across Asia's tourism markets.
Singapore Airlines (SGX: C6L / FRA: SIA1 / OTCMKTS: SINGY / SINGF)
Singapore Airlines is Singaporeâs flagship carrier, operating passenger and cargo air transportation through two key brands: Singapore Airlines for full-service and Scoot for low-cost travel.
SATS Ltd (SGX: S58 / FRA: W1J / OTCMKTS: SPASF)
While SIA handles the transport, the infrastructure supporting those flights is also seeing a lift.
ComfortDelGro Corporation (SGX: C52 / FRA: VZ1 / VZ10 / OTCMKTS: CDGLF / CDGLY)
ComfortDelGro is a global land transport company operating in Singapore, Australia, the United Kingdom, and other regions.
Get Smart: Different ways to play the recovery
đ¸đŹ SATSâ Recovery Story: Can the Share Price Finally Take Off? (The Smart Investor)
SATS Ltd (SGX: S58 / FRA: W1J / OTCMKTS: SPASF)â latest results show rising profits, surging free cash flow, and a higher dividend. The question now is whether these improvements are enough to drive a sustained share price recovery.
A Stronger First Half: Growth Across the Board
SATS has two main divisions: gateway services and food solutions.
Generally, its business is benefiting from a recovery in global air travel and cargo volumes, as well as improving operating leverage.
Gateway Services Leads the Recovery
Food Solutions Provides Stability
Dividend Growth Signals Confidence
What Could Hold the Share Price Back
Get Smart: Recovery Is About Cash, Not Just Growth
đšđ The Siam Cement Public Company Limited 2025 Q4 - Results - Earnings Call Presentation (Seeking Alpha)
đšđ Siam Cement PCL (BKK: SCC / SGX: TSCD) - Cement-Building Materials Business, Chemicals Business, Packaging Business & Investment Business. đź đˇď¸
đšđ SCB X Public Company Limited 2025 Q4 - Results - Earnings Call Presentation (Seeking Alpha)
đšđ SCB X PCL (BKK: SCB / SCB-F / FRA: OU80 / OU8) or Siam Commercial Bank - The first Thai bank founded in 1907. đź đˇď¸
đťđł Asian Dividend Gems: Vedan International Holdings (Largest MSG Producer in Vietnam) (Asian Dividend Stocks)
Vedan International (Holdings) Ltd (HKG: 2317) is the dominant producer of MSG in Vietnam. Vedan holds approximately a 55% share of the Vietnamese MSG market.
Vedan provides high dividend yield. Its current dividend yield is estimated to be 10.1%. Its dividend yield averaged 11.8% from 2023 to 2025.
The companyâs gross margin and operating margins have been improving in the past three years. Operating margin recovered from a negative -0.59% in FY2022 to 5.65% TTM.
đŽđł India / South Asia / Central Asia
đŽđł Larsen & Toubro Limited 2026 Q3 - Results - Earnings Call Presentation (Seeking Alpha)
đŽđł Larsen & Toubro (L&T) (NSE: LT / BOM: 500510) - Engineering, procurement & construction projects (EPC). đź
đŽđł MakeMyTrip: Business Should Continue To Grow For A Long Time (Seeking Alpha) $ đď¸
đŽđł Makemytrip (NASDAQ: MMYT) - Online travel services. đź
đŽđł Maruti Suzuki â Right Time to Load; Allâtime Low Channel Inventory; Operating Leverage Kick In (Smartkarma) $
Maruti Suzuki (NSE: MARUTI / BOM: 532500) reported steady Q3 FY2026 performance, excluding the one-offs.
It is entering a phase where demand momentum, sharply lower channel inventory and a visible capacity ramp-up are aligning.
In this insight, we present various points to why it is right time to load up this name and finally on valuation.
đŽđł Waaree Energies Ltd. (WEL): Turning Geopolitical Winds into Structural Tailwinds (Smartkarma) $
Waaree Energies Ltd (NSE: WAAREEENER / BOM: 544277) delivered a stellar performance in Q3 FY26, achieving a record-breaking module production of 3.5 GW and a 118.8% YoY revenue surge.
Management dismissed the U.S. domestic push as a threat, instead positioning it as a strategic growth lever for expanding their global manufacturing footprint
The company is set to overachieve its EBITDA guidance for FY26 of INR 5,500â6,000 Cr , driven by aggressive capacity expansion across the integrated energy transition value chain
đ°đż Kaspi: Why The Shift From P2P To M-Commerce Is The Real Story (Seeking Alpha) $ đď¸
đ°đż KASPI (NASDAQ: KSPI / LON: 80TE / FRA: KKS) - Payments Platform, Marketplace Platform & Fintech Platform. đź
đąđ° đ˛đ´ City of Dreams Sri Lanka quarterly EBITDA at US$4.6mln (GGRAsia)
The City of Dreams Sri Lanka casino resort recorded earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of nearly LKR1.44 billion (US$4.6 million) for the three months to December 31. That is according to information published this week by John Keells Holdings PLC (CSE: JKH), the real-estate developer partner in the complex.
Global casino operator Melco Resorts & Entertainment Ltd (NASDAQ: MLCO) was awarded a licence to run the gaming venue at City of Dreams Sri Lanka, valid for a âterm of 20 years effective from 1 April 2024â, according to previous information from the casino group.
City of Dreams Sri Lanka (pictured), in the capital Colombo, has been described as a US$1.2-billion venture. The complex had an official opening in August last year.
đ Middle East
đŽđą Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited 2025 Q4 - Results - Earnings Call Presentation (Seeking Alpha)
đ Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd (NYSE: TEVA) - Branded-drugs, active pharmaceutical ingredients, contract manufacturing services & out-licensing platform. đź
đ¸đŚ đŚđŞ Businesses fear blowback from Saudi-UAE rift (FT) $ đď¸
Emirates workers have had visas to the kingdom rejected since tensions erupted between the Gulf powerhouses
Tensions between the two traditional allies burst into the open in December after Riyadh alleged that the UAE had supported a Yemeni separatist faction that had launched an offensive against Saudi-backed groups.
Since then, employees at banks, management consultancies, law firms and oil and gas services firms have all faced issues when applying for Saudi visas from the UAE, according to six people whose companies were directly affected. Saudi Arabia has also been making a broader push to encourage businesses to move operations and staff to the kingdom.
đ Africa
đżđŚ Sibanye Stillwater Limited (SBSW) Discusses Group Strategy Update and Emphasis on Safety Priorities - Slideshow (Seeking Alpha)
đżđŚ Sibanye Stillwater: More Gains To Come (Seeking Alpha) $ đď¸
đ Sibanye Stillwater Ltd (JSE: SSW / NYSE: SBSW) - Worldâs largest primary producers of platinum, palladium & rhodium & is a top-tier gold producer. Projects & investments across 5 continents. đź đˇď¸
đ Eastern Europe & Emerging Europe
đşđŚ Kyivstar: Operational Resilience & The Hidden Digital Alpha (Smartkarma) $
Kyivstar Group Ltd (NASDAQ: KYIV) reported preliminary 2025 results, with full results to be released in March.
Revenue and EBITDA growth for 2025 has come in at 25%, roughly in-line with our forecasts.
KYIV trades at a deep discount to peers despite 25% 2025 revenue growth and the embedded value of its rapidly growing digital platforms. Maintain Structural Long rating.
đ Latin America
đ Globant: Update For 2026 After Outperformance (Seeking Alpha) $ đď¸
đ Globant (NYSE: GLOB) - Luxembourg HQâd. Argentina-founded IT & software development with a presence in 25+ countries. đź đˇď¸
đ Mercado Libre: The Latin America Winner To Own (Seeking Alpha) $ đď¸
đ MercadoLibre: South Americaâs E-Commerce And Fintech Leader Trading At A Discount (Seeking Alpha) $ đď¸
đ MercadoLibre: Top Quality Stock Deeply Undervalued (Seeking Alpha) $ đď¸
đ MercadoLibre (NASDAQ: MELI) - Uruguay HQâd. The largest online commerce & payments ecosystem in Latin America. đź đˇď¸
đ Pan American Silver: Get Ready For A Potential Q4 Earnings Blowout (Seeking Alpha) $ đď¸
đ Pan American Silver Corp (NYSE: PAAS) - Owns & operates silver & gold mines located throughout the Americas. Canada HQ. đź
đ§đˇ SLC AgrĂcola Looks Undervalued, But Current Trends Arenât Helpful (Seeking Alpha) $ đď¸
đ§đˇ SLC Agricola SA (BVMF: SLCE3 / FRA: GJ9 / OTCMKTS: SLCJY) - One of the worldâs largest grain & fiber producers (cotton, soybean and corn + cattle raising, integrating crop-livestock). đź đˇď¸
đ§đˇ ItaĂş Unibanco: When 15%-Plus A Year Still Isnât Enough (Downgrade) (Seeking Alpha) $ đď¸
đ Itau Unibanco (NYSE: ITUB / BVMF: ITUB3 / ITUB4) - Largest banking institution in Brazil + Latin America. đź đˇď¸
đ§đˇ Banco Bradesco Is No Longer Broken, But Itâs Too Early To Get Aggressive (Seeking Alpha) $ đď¸
đ§đˇ Embraer Remains Undervalued As Margins And Free Cash Flow Improve (Seeking Alpha) $ đď¸
đ Embraer SA (BVMF: EMBR3 / NYSE: ERJ) - The 3rd largest producer of civil aircraft after Boeing & Airbus & the leading provider of regional jets worldwide. đź đˇď¸
đ¨đ´ Mineros S.A.âs Growth Opportunities Gain Market Visibility: More Value In Sight (Seeking Alpha) $ đď¸
đ Mineros SA (TSE: MSA / OTCMKTS: MNSAF) - Gold exploration & production in Colombia & Nicaragua + 20% interest in a property in Chile. Colombia HQ.
đŹđž Guyana â back on the map following Maduroâs arrest (Undervalued Shares)
Venezuela had long threatened to invade neighbouring Guyana â a risk that has now effectively disappeared.
For investors, the more relevant point is economic momentum. Guyana is one of the worldâs fastest-growing economies, having expanded its GDP sevenfold over the past seven years and expecting a further 19.3% growth in 2026.
For a deeper dive into the country's history and the full array of available investments, see "Guyana and the mystery of the largest ranch of the Americas".
There are numerous Guyana-linked stocks listed on Western exchanges, as well as several on the Guyana exchange. Accessing the latter is possible but administratively cumbersome. Many foreign-listed firms, meanwhile, only make a small portion of revenue from the country or suffer from limited liquidity.
Canada-listed Omai Gold Mines Corp (CVE: OMG / FRA: 0N2 / OTCMKTS: OMGGF) has already benefited from the rising gold price, but the stock received an additional boost after Maduro's arrest. When I highlighted it as Guyana's only viable gold miner, its market cap stood at CAD 90m. It now sits around CAD 1.3bn â a tenfold increase. Fittingly, the company's ticker symbol is "OMG", a widely recognised exclamation meaning "Oh My God", used to express shock, surprise, or excitement.
đ˛đ˝ GCC, S.A.B. de C.V. 2025 Q4 - Results - Earnings Call Presentation (Seeking Alpha)
đ˛đ˝ GCC SAB de CV (BMV: GCC / FRA: AK4 / OTCMKTS: GCWOF) - Gray Portland cement, ready-mix concrete, aggregates, coal & construction-related services. đˇď¸
đ˛đ˝ Grupo Financiero Banorte, S.A.B. de C.V. 2025 Q4 - Results - Earnings Call Presentation (Seeking Alpha)
đ˛đ˝ Grupo Financiero Banorte SAB de CV (BMV: GFNORTEO / FRA: 4FN / OTCMKTS: GBOOY / GBOOF) - Leading financial institution in Mexico. đź đˇď¸
đ˛đ˝ Regional S.A.B. de C.V. 2025 Q4 - Results - Earnings Call Presentation (Seeking Alpha)
đ˛đ˝ Regional SAB (BMV: RA / OTCMKTS: RGNLF) aka Banco Regional de Monterrey S.A. or BanRegio - Focused on serving the financial needs of SMEs. đź đˇď¸
đ Global
đ Nebius: The Q4 Results Should Trigger A Rally (Earnings Preview) (Seeking Alpha) $ đď¸
đ Nebius: Ignore The Volatility - Follow The Capacity (Seeking Alpha) $ đď¸
đ Nebius Group NV (NASDAQ: NBIS) - AI-centric cloud platform built for intensive AI workloads. Sold Yandex to a consortium of Russian investors. Retains several businesses outside of Russia. đź đˇď¸
đ
Earnings Calendar
Note: Investing.com has a full calendar for most global stock exchanges BUT you may need an Investing.com account, then hit âFilter,â and select the countries you wish to see company earnings from. Otherwise, purple (below) are upcoming earnings for US listed international stocks (Finviz.com):
đ
Economic Calendar
Click here for the full weekly calendar from Investing.com containing frontier and emerging market economic events or releases (my filter excludes USA, Canada, EU, Australia & NZ).
đłď¸ Election Calendar
Frontier and emerging market highlights (from IFESâs Election Guide calendar):
Japan Japanese House of Representatives 2026-02-08 (d) Confirmed 2024-10-27
Thailand Thai House of Representatives 2026-02-08 (t) Confirmed 2023-05-14
Thailand Thai House of Representatives 2026-02-08 (t) Confirmed 2023-05-14
Bangladesh Bangladeshi National Parliament 2026-02-12 (d) Confirmed 2024-01-07
Bangladesh Referendum 2026-02-12 (d) Confirmed
Colombia Colombian Senate 2026-03-08 (d) Confirmed 2022-03-13
Colombia Colombian House of Representatives 2026-03-08 (d) Confirmed 2022-03-13
Slovenia Slovenian National Assembly 2026-03-22 (t) Confirmed 2022-04-24
Peru Peruvian Congress of the Republic 2026-04-12 (d) Confirmed 2021-04-11
Peru Peruvian Presidency 2026-04-12 (d) Confirmed 2021-04-11
Hungary Hungarian National Assembly 2026-04-30 (t) Date not confirmed 2022-04-03
Cyprus Cypriot House of Representatives 2026-05-31 (t) Date not confirmed 2021-05-30
Colombia Colombian Presidency 2026-05-31 (t) Date not confirmed 2022-06-19
Morocco Moroccan Chamber of Representatives 2026-09-30 (t) Date not confirmed 2021-09-08
Czech Republic Czech Senate 2026-09-30 (t) Date not confirmed 2024-09-27
Russian Federation Russian Federal Duma 2026-09-30 (t) Date not confirmed 2021-09-19
Brazil Brazilian Federal Senate 2026-10-04 (d) Confirmed 2022-10-02
Brazil Brazilian Chamber of Deputies 2026-10-04 (d) Confirmed 2022-10-02
Brazil Brazilian Presidency 2026-10-04 (d) Confirmed 2022-10-30
Israel Israeli Knesset 2026-10-27 (d) Confirmed 2022-11-01
Bulgaria Bulgarian Presidency 2026-11-30 (t) Date not confirmed 2021-11-21
Bahrain Bahraini Council of Representatives 2026-11-30 (t) Date not confirmed 2022-11-12
Viet Nam Vietnamese National Assembly 2026-03-15 (d) Confirmed 2021-05-23
đ
Emerging Market IPO Calendar/Pipeline
Frontier and emerging market highlights from IPOScoop.com and Investing.com (NOTE: For the latter, you need to go to Filter and âSelect Allâ countries to see IPOs on non-USA exchanges):
White Pearl Acquisition WPACU D. Boral Capital (ex-EF Hutton), 10.0M Shares, $10.00-10.00, $100.0 mil, 2/2/2026 Priced
(Incorporated in the British Virgin Islands)
We are a newly established blank check company. We intend to focus on these sectors â FinTech (financial technology), InfoTech (information technology) and business services â in our search for a target company for an acquisition or an initial business combination.
We will primarily seek to acquire one or more businesses with a total enterprise value of between $150 million and $600 million.
CEO Naphat Sirimongkolkasem is also the chairman and the CFO of White Pearl Acquisition. He is the co-founder of Collis Capital, where he worked between 2021 and 2024. He has over a decade of experience in management, business development and capital market transactions, including M&A, fundraising, initial public offerings, and restructurings in Asia. Since 2023, he has served as a director of Bitdeer Technologies Group, a technology company for blockchain and high-performance computing (HPC). Mr. Sirimongkolkasem previously served as the chief financial officer and a director of Blue Safari Group Acquisition Corp. from April 2021, until it consummated a business combination with Bitdeer Technologies Group in April 2023. Since 2023, Mr. Sirimongkolkasem has been the director of First Sino-Asia (Thailand), where he is responsible for operations, business development and investment activities.
(Note: White Pearl Acquisition Corp. priced its SPAC IPO on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in sync with its recently upsized terms in the prospectus: 10 million units at $10.00 each to raise $100 million. Each unit consists of one share of stock and one right to receive one-fifth (1/5th) of a share of stock upon the consummation of an initial business combination. White Pearl Acquisitionâs units are expected to trade on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, on the NASDAQ.)
(Background: White Pearl Acquisition Corp. doubled the size of its SPAC IPO to raise $100 million â 10 million units at $10.00 each â up from 5 million units at $10.00 each to raise $50 million, according to its S-1/A filed on Jan. 16, 2026. White Pearl Acquisition also doubled the size of the rights portion of its unit â so each unit now consists of one right to receive one-fifth (1/5th) of a share of stock upon the consummation of an initial business combination â along with one share of stock, which is the same as before.)
(Background: White Pearl Acquisition Corp. filed its SPAC IPO plans on Oct. 16, 2025, in an S-1 filing: The company is offering 5 million units at $10.00 each to raise $50 million. Each unit consists of one share of stock and one right to receive one-tenth (1/10th) of a share upon the consummation of an initial business combination.)
Jaguar Uranium Corp. JAGU Titan Partners Group, 6.0M Shares, $4.00-6.00, $30.0 mil, 2/3/2026 Tuesday
(Incorporated in British Columbia)
We are based in Canada. We develop nuclear fuel uranium exploration projects in Colombia and Argentina. We are a pre-revenue company focused on three uranium exploration projects â one in Colombia and two in Argentina:
The Berlin Project in Caldas Province, Colombia, is our principal project. Itâs a sedimentary deposit of uranium, vanadium, nickel, phosphate, rare earth elements, molybdenum and zinc. We are located about 12 kilometers from a hydroelectric dam and 65 kilometers from a river port with access to the Caribbean coast.
In Argentina, we are working on the Laguna Project in Chubut Province and the Huemul Project in Mendoza Province.
Note: Net loss is in U.S. dollars for the year that ended Dec. 31, 2024.
(Note: Jaguar Uranium Corp. disclosed the terms for its small IPO â 6 million shares at a price range of $4.00 to $6.00 â to raise $30 million, if priced at the $5.00 mid-point of its range â in an SEC filing dated Jan. 26, 2026. Background: Jaguar Uranium Corp. disclosed its IPO plans in an SEC filing dated Dec. 8, 2025, without revealing the terms. At the time, it was estimated that Jaguar Uraniumâs IPO would raise about $30 million.)
AIGO Holding Ltd. AIGO Eddid Securities USA, 2.0M Shares, $4.00-6.00, $10.0 mil, 2/9/2026 Week of
(Incorporated in the Cayman Islands)
We are a consumer products provider well established in Southern Europe with global operations that extend into geographic regions including Europe, Asia, North America, Latin America, and Africa. In 2024, we generated revenue from approximately 40 countries and regions in four continents.
We primarily offer consumers lifestyle products through our various sales channels, with a particular focus on four main product categories: (i) lighting products; (ii) electrical products; (iii) household appliances; and (iv) pet products. Since 2019, we have also been developing and offering IoT-related consumer products.
We have three proprietary brands, namely, AIGOSTARÂŽ, noblezaÂŽ and Taylor SwodenÂŽ, each of which has its distinct product lines, marketing strategies and intended consumers. As of December 31, 2024, we had a 115-member R&D team that is dedicated to research and development of new products tailored to customer needs as well as the development of our IT system. We generate recurring revenue from certain core products as well as revenue from new products we offer to the market.
We sell our products through both offline and online channels. Our offline customers are mainly business entities, including local community stores and/or high-end boutiques, shopping malls, supermarkets and distributors, who purchase products from us, either by directly placing orders with us or through our proprietary apps designed specifically for our offline customers to place orders efficiently, and on-sell them to end consumers. Our online customers are generally users who purchase products directly from us through third-party E-commerce platforms and our proprietary AigoSmart App.
Note: Net income and revenue are in U.S. dollars for the year that ended Dec. 31, 2024.
(Note: AIGO Holding Ltd. is offering 2 million shares at a price range of $4.00 to $6.00 to raise $10 million, according to its F-1 filing dated Aug. 21, 2025.)
Amatuhi Holdings AMTU Spartan Capital, 1.0M Shares, $5.00-5.00, $5.0 mil, 2/9/2026 Week of
(Incorporated in Delaware)
AMATUHI HOLDINGS, Inc., was incorporated on June 24, 2025, in Delaware to act as the holding company of AMATUHI Inc. AMATUHI Inc. (âAMATUHIâ) was incorporated on February 22, 2021, and is an operating company in Japan with the headquarter in Yokohama, Kanagawa, and a branch in Osaka. AMATUHI operates under the âAMANEKUâ brand in Japan.
Our company operates group homes in Japan for people with disabilities under the brand name of âAMANEKU.â âAMANEKUâ is a âcommunal living assistanceâ service based on the âComprehensive Support for Persons with Disabilities Actâ which is implemented based on the self-support benefits provided by the Japanese government under the act. The act supports people who wish to live independently so that they can advance toward their respective goals through communal living in small groups and interaction with the local community.
In the fiscal year that ended March 31, 2025, Amatuhi added 18 group homes and cumulatively operated 29 group homes, according to the prospectus.
AMANEKU provides group homes with Daytime Service Support, which was established as a result of amendments to the Comprehensive Support for Persons with Disabilities Act, that allows for the provision of extensive 24-hour services in response to the increasing aging population and people with disabilities.
Our primary services to the disabled include but are not limited to: Three nutritionally balanced meals daily, counselling and support, assistance with personal care (bathing, dressing, mobility, oral care), medication management, money management, room cleaning, working with medical professionals to provide required medical care and helping our clientele with public assistance, pensions and family matters.
AMANEKU daytime support group homes are mainly two-story buildings with a capacity of 10 residents on each floor. Based on the aging population in Japan, there is a shortage of group homes for people with severe disabilities. Our Company is working to fulfil the needs of the growing disabled population, by providing a number of services to address their needs.
We are reimbursed for the services we provide to disabled people through Japanese government funding issued under the Comprehensive Support for Persons with Disabilities Act.
We are engaged in businesses that support the lives of people with disabilities, including the construction of group homes for people with disabilities and social participation for people with disabilities.
We are specialized in designing, constructing and operating group homes for individuals with disabilities. We also focus on providing supportive living environments, particularly for individuals with significant needs through our Daytime Service Support Type group homes. We are expanding within a market characterized by high demand and insufficient supply, positioning ourselves as a key provider addressing critical social needs related to disability care and housing.
AMATUHI specializes in providing communal living assistance (group homes) as defined under Japanâs âComprehensive Support Law for Persons with Disabilities.â This is a government-regulated sector where services are funded primarily through social security benefits.
Japan Lifestyle No.1 Investment Limited Partnership directly and indirectly controls approximately 95.0% of the voting power of our outstanding capital stock. As a result, it will have the ability to determine all matters requiring approval by stockholders. In other words, the fund will be able to control any action requiring general stockholder approval, including the election of our Board of Directors, the adoption of amendments to our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, and the approval of any merger or sale of substantially all of our assets.
If we obtain a listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market, we will be a âcontrolled companyâ as defined in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5615(c)(1) because more than 50% of our voting power will be held by a single entity â Japan Lifestyle No.1 Investment Limited Partnership â after the offering.
As a âcontrolled company,â we will be exempt under Nasdaq listing standards from certain corporate governance requirements that would otherwise apply to companies that are not controlled, including the requirements that:
(i) a majority of the Board of Directors consist of âindependentâ directors as defined under Nasdaq listing standards,
(ii) we have a nominating and corporate governance committee composed entirely of independent directors with a written committee charter, and
(iii) we have a compensation committee composed entirely of independent directors with a written committee charter.
Note: Net income and revenue are in U.S. dollars for the fiscal year that ended March 31, 2025.
(Note: Amatuhi Holdings filed its S-1 for its small IPO on Sept. 12, 2025, and disclosed the terms â 1 million shares at an assumed IPO price of $5.00 â the mid-point of its $4.00-to-$6.00 price range â to raise $5 million. The holding company is incorporated in Delaware. But the companyâs business is based in Japan.)
DT House Ltd. DTDT American Trust Investment Services, 5.0M Shares, $5.00-5.50, $26.3 mil, 2/9/2026 Week of
(Incorporated in the Cayman Islands)
DT House Ltd. is the holding company of UHAD, UHHK and UFox, our wholly owned subsidiaries. We are headquartered in the UAE.
We began with the establishment of UHHK in 2020. We provide corporate consultancy services in the UAE and Hong Kong on environmental, social and governance (ESG) themes. As part of that work, we provide travel-related services for leisure travelers in the UAE, which includes primarily the sale of tickets to tourist attractions. Our clients are public companies in the United States and Hong Kong, as well as small and medium-sized enterprises and private corporations in the UAE, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia. We have our own AI-driven cloud-based software program.
In June 2024, we launched our travel-related services by acquiring UFox, a company principally engaged in travel-related services in the UAE, with a particular emphasis on eco-friendly and sustainable travel practices. UFox maintains close business relations with various organizations in the MENA Region such as the Union of Overseas Chinese in Saudi Arabia. We believe that our travel-related services could potentially bring about a synergistic effect with our corporate consultancy services if we follow the same set of ESG principles in both segments. Our current plan is to design travel programs based on the sustainable travel concept, such as using alternative transport modes with lower carbon footprints and partnering with eco-friendly hotels.
We offer customizable and hassle-free sustainable travel experiences. Our clients can customize their own tours or subscribe to services on a segmented basis. The major customers of our travel-related services are two online leisure travel platforms, namely, Trip.com Group Limited (Nasdaq: TCOM) and Fliggy international platform (fliggy.com, a member of Alibaba Group (NYSE: BABA) and an online marketplace of tourism products).
Note: Net income and revenue are in U.S. dollars for the 12 months that ended Sept. 30, 2025.
(Note: DT House Ltd. more than doubled its IPOâs size â to 5.0 million shares â up from 2.0 million shares â in an F-1/A filing on Jan. 20, 2026 â after the previous IPO plan was withdrawn, at the companyâs request. The new price range is $5.00 to $5.50 â an increase from the previous range of $4.00 to $5.00.. Under the new terms, DT House Ltd. would raise $26.25 million, if the IPO is priced at $5.25, the mid-point of its new range. Background: DT House Ltd. increased its IPOâs size to 2.0 million shares â up from 1.875 million shares initially â and kept the price range at $4.00 to $5.00 â to raise $9.0 million, according to its F-1/A filing dated Oct. 24, 2025. DT House Ltd. has also named American Trust Investment Services as the sole book-runner, replacing Revere Securities. Background: DT House Ltd. filed its F-1 on March 3, 2025, and disclosed the terms for its IPO: The company is offering 1.875 million shares at a price range of $4.00 to $5.00 to raise $8.44 million, if priced at the mid-point of its range.)
Hartford Creative Group, Inc. (Uplisting) HFUS WestPark Capital, 1.5M Shares, $4.00-4.00, $6.0 mil, 2/9/2026 Week of
Note: This is NOT an IPO. This is a NASDAQ uplisting from the OTC Markets Group â a public offering of 1.5 million shares at an assumed public offering price of $4.00 â to raise $6 million. The last reported sale price of Hartford Creative Groupâs stock on the OTC Market was $4.50 on Dec. 12, 2025, according to the prospectus.
(Incorporated in Nevada)
Disclosure: âWe currently have three subsidiaries located in the Peopleâs Republic of China (the âPRCâ or âChinaâ), and some of our executive officers and directors are located in or have significant ties to China. These ties to China present legal and operational risks to us and our investors, including significant risks related to actions that may be taken by China in the areas of regulatory, liquidity and enforcement, which exist and could affect our current operations and the offering of our securities. For example, if these ties were to cause China to view us as subject to their regulatory authority, China could take actions that could materially hinder or prevent our offering of securities to investors and cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or be worthless.â
Hartford Creative Group, Inc. (âHFUS,â âwe,â âus,â or âCompanyâ) specializes in delivering marketing solutions tailored to businesses of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Our suite of precision marketing services offers cross-media strategies that enable advertisers to effectively target and engage audiences across premier media platforms. We leverage our interconnecting network and keen insights into market demands to develop and implement bespoke marketing initiatives. These initiatives encompass the design, placement, monitoring, and optimization of advertising campaigns.
Navigating the intricate landscape of the modern marketing and sales value chain presents numerous challenges, particularly for enterprises lacking the necessary expertise. Many struggle with creating ample marketing content, devising effective strategies, converting leads, and managing customer relationsâtasks made more daunting by the sheer volume of use cases across diverse marketing channels. According to the publication Digital Transformation Market Size, Share, Growth & Trends Analysis Report By Solution, By Deployment, By Service, By Enterprise Size, By End-use, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2024 â 2030, the global digital transformation market size was estimated at USD 880.3 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27.6% from 2024 to 2030. With 1.02 billion internet users and the worldâs largest social media population, Chinaâs growing economy, booming technology sector, and thriving e-commerce scene make it one of the most intriguing markets in the world today. Social media has long been one of the most important communication channels in China, with the country having the worldâs largest number of social media users at over 983.3 million as of November 2024.
The pent-up demand from social media influencersâ marketing needs on social media apps led the Company to seize the opportunity in providing precise marketing services. As an advertising collaborator of Chinaâs major social media markets, we aim to provide customers with vertical integration services, from early-stage such as advertising video creation, photography and editing, to advertising operation and management on social media apps. Furthermore, we plan to initiate TikTok advertising campaigns overseas and equip our Chinese clientele with the tools to penetrate international markets, including the United States.
We have been committed to building an efficient sales network and mechanism to achieve effective customer coverage and sustainable growth. We seek to maintain mutually beneficial relationships with customers and have gained the trust of many customers across a spectrum of industries, presenting us with further cross-selling and up-selling opportunities. We have built a diversified customer base with a strong willingness to pay. During fiscal year 2025, we have secured advertising service agreements with about 43 customers and received approximately RMB 279.9 million (USD 38.8 million) from these customers. We also entered about 53 supplier contracts for advertising placement and paid RMB 262.6 million (USD 36.4 million) during fiscal year 2025.
During the year ended July 31, 2025, we reported net revenues of $2.0 million, compared to $1.4 million for the same period of 2024, reflecting the launch of our advertising business in January 2024. Net income was $1.1 million, or $0.04 per share, for both the years ended July 31, 2025 and 2024. See âManagementâs Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operationsâ for further discussion.
Based on market research and discussions between the board and third-party suppliers and experts, the Company has further developed a plan of mini-drama business. The Company is strategically positioned to capture considerable market interest and enhance revenue streams from our innovative mini-drama business. While initial steps toward this ambitious goal have been initiated, it is important to note that the commencement and future success of the mini-drama venture are not yet guaranteed.
Our mission is to excel as the premier partner for enterprises worldwide, driving digital and intelligent transformation with unparalleled expertise and commitment.
Note: Net income and revenue are in U.S. dollars for the fiscal year that ended July 31, 2025.
(Note: Hartford Creative Group, Inc. has applied to uplist its stock to the NASDAQ from the OTC Markets Group â and in conjunction with that goal â the company is offering 1.5 million shares at an assumed public offering price of $4.00 per share â to raise $6.0 million, according to an SEC filing â a post-effective amendment â dated Dec. 16, 2025. Background: Hartford Creative Group started its NASDAQ uplisting/public offering process with a plan to offer up to $10 million of stock at an assumed public offering price of $4.00 per share â in an S-1 filing dated Feb. 24, 2025.)
Hillhouse Frontier Holdings HIFI Cathay Securities, 3.8M Shares, $4.00-6.00, $18.8 mil, 2/9/2026 Week of
(Incorporated in Nevada)
We are a luxury vehicle exporter. Through our subsidiary, Hillhouse Capital Group, we run a vehicle export business that specializes in finding premium vehicles in the U.S. and facilitating their shipment to Hong Kong to our client, who distributes the vehicles to its clients in the Peopleâs Republic of China (PRC).
In 2024, Hillhouse Capital Group did 67 vehicle transactions, including 34 with authorized dealerships and 33 with independent dealers. We worked with 15 purchasing agents.
We specialize in exporting U.S. luxury vehicles having MSRPs of at least $80,000, targeting affluent consumers and dealers seeking premium luxury brands, such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi and Cadillac. Unlike smaller industry participantsâtypically family-run businesses that rely on informal sourcing networksâwe operate through a structured purchasing model with authorized dealerships (i.e., purchasing from them through their designated purchasing agents) and independent dealers, ensuring a stable and scalable supply chain.
Fenglong Ma has served as our CEO and our chairman of the board since October 2022. He is a seasoned entrepreneur in international trade and automotive sales. He founded our company in October 2022, leading its strategy, operations, and entry into automotive exports. Previously, he co-founded Qingdao High-End Vehicle Trading Co., and served as general sales manager from January 2020 to September 2022. He was responsible for sales, market expansion, and supply chain management of high-end imported vehicles, establishing strong global partnerships and optimizing procurement processes. He received an associate degree in business management from Mudanjiang Forestry Vocational and Technical College. Mr. Ma is a citizen of the PRC and currently resides in the PRC.
Zheng Wen Tong has served as our chief operating officer since November 2024, overseeing vehicle procurement, logistics, and financial transactions. She has extensive experience in automotive trade and supply chain management. Before this, she was an office manager at TW&EW Service from April 2024 to October 2024 and was employed by Wave Capital Management from January 2022 to March 2024, where she oversaw administrative and supply chain operations. From January 2020 to March 2020, she served as an office manager at Luxury Unlimited Group. She received a diploma in accounting from Shanghai Business Trade College in July 1994. Ms. Tong is a citizen of the United States and currently resides in the United States.
Chihyuan Lin has served as our CFO since February 2025, overseeing financial strategy and operations. He is an experienced financial executive with expertise in strategic financial management, accounting, and SEC reporting. Before joining us, he founded Linck Consulting Inc. in September 2024 and has been serving as its CEO, providing accounting and tax consulting services. From September 2023 to September 2024, he worked as a consultant at 8020 Consulting LLC, focusing on SEC reporting and financial advisory services. Prior to that, from October 2022 to September 2023, he was the senior manager of financial reporting and technical accounting at Tattooed Chef, where he managed SEC filings, financial reporting, and statement consolidation. From October 2021 to October 2022, he held the role of senior manager of financial reporting and analysis at HF Foods Group Inc., overseeing financial reporting and compliance matters. Earlier, from February 2018 to October 2021, he served as the assistant director of finance and assistant controller at Ta Chen International Inc., specializing in operational accounting and financial statement consolidation. Mr. Lin earned a Master of Science degree in accounting from the University of Texas at Dallas on August 12, 2011, and a Master of Science degree in Finance from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign on May 16, 2010. Mr. Lin is a citizen of the United States and currently resides in the United States.
For the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2025, we completed 55 vehicle transactions, all with independent dealers, and did not engage any purchasing agents. We intend to continue to maintain both sourcing models in the futureâ through independent dealers and authorized dealerships â and select the most cost effective option based on prevailing market conditions. During the first, second and third quarters of 2025, we sourced vehicles exclusively from independent dealers because their vehicle prices were more favorable to those of the authorized dealerships. We intend to maintain our sourcing relationships as we believe access to both channels is critical to our maintaining an uninterrupted supply of vehicles.
For the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2024, we completed 52 transactions.
Note: Net income and revenue are in U.S. dollars for the 12 months that ended Sept. 30, 2025.
(Note: Hillhouse Frontier Holdings increased its IPOâs size to 3.75 million shares â triple its size in its initial filing â and kept the price range at $4.00 to $6.00 â to raise $18.75 million, according to an S-1/A filing dated Jan. 15, 2026. Background: Hillhouse Frontier Holdings filed its S-1 for its IPO on July 21, 2025, and disclosed the terms: 1.25 million shares at a price range of $4.00 to $6.00 to raise $6.25 million, if priced at the $5.00 mid-point of its range.)
HW Electro Co., Ltd. (NASDAQ-New Filing) HWEP American Trust Investment Services/WestPark Capital, 4.2M Shares, $4.00-4.00, $16.6 mil, 2/9/2026 Week of
We are the first company in Japan to obtain a license plate number for imported electric light commercial vehicles. We are the second company and also one of the three companies that sell electric light commercial vehicles in Japan as of the date of this prospectus. (Incorporated in Japan)
The electric light commercial vehicles we sell belong to the category of âlight commercial vehicles,â which are commercial carrier vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of no more than 3,500 kilograms.
We commenced selling and delivering two models of electric light commercial vehicles, ELEMO and ELEMO-K, in Japan in April 2022 and July 2022, respectively, and have been working with Cenntro, our cooperating manufacturer, to produce them under our brand, âELEMO,â in its factory in Hangzhou, China. ELEMO is the first electric vehicle we sell and (it) is the second electric light commercial vehicle that has ever been sold in Japan since the commencement of sales of MINICAB-MiEV in December 2011, which was the first electric light commercial vehicle produced by Mitsubishi Motors Corporation. Since June 2023, we have commenced the sales of a new model called âELEMO-L,â a van-type electric vehicle that could be used for commercial and recreational camping purposes, which we expect may enable us to increase consumer market penetration.
Under our Exclusive Basic Transaction Agreement dated March 31, 2021 with Cenntro (the âExclusive Basic Transaction Agreementâ), Cenntro manufactures ELEMO, ELEMO-K, ELEMO-L, and other electric vehicles under the specifications designated by us in their manufacturing factories in China and delivers the electric vehicles to the ports in China designated in the individual agreement for a particular order. We arrange for the shipment from these ports to the Port of Yokohama or other designated ports in Japan. Upon arrival, we transport the vehicles to our research laboratory located in Chiba, Japan, for inspection, and then send them to our business partnersâ facilities, Anest Iwataâs factory in Fukushima, Japan, and TONOXâs factories in Kanagawa, Japan. The specialists of Anest Iwata, a Tokyo Stock Exchange-listed company that specializes in industrial machinery, supplies, and components, and TONOX, a Japanese commercial vehicle manufacturer, modify the vehicles to comply with the regulations and standards for the Japanese market, install the accessories, and undertake the inspection in accordance with our instructions. After the inspection and modifications, we deliver the electric vehicles to the governmental vehicle inspection office, the National Agency for Automotive and Land Transportation Technology, for individual imported vehicle inspection, and the local land transportation office for registration. Upon completion of the individual imported vehicle inspection and registration, we conduct the final inspection in our research laboratory located in Chiba, Japan, and deliver the electric light commercial vehicles to the customers.
Since the inception of our operation, we have been leveraging the customizability and adjustability of our electric light commercial vehicles to attract corporations in different industries and local governments that have varying needs from their departments in Japan. During the fiscal years ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, we sold and delivered 52 and 16 electric light commercial vehicles to 14 and 11 customers, respectively.
Note: Net loss and revenue figures are in U.S. dollars (converted from Japanese yen) for the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, 2024.
(Note â New IPO Plans: HW Electro Co., Ltd. filed an F-1 dated May 8, 2025 â the same date that it withdrew its previous IPO plans in a letter to the SEC. In the new IPO document â the F-1 dated May 8, 2025 â HW Electro Co., Ltd. disclosed that it is offering 4.15 million American Depositary Shares (ADS) at an assumed IPO price of $4.00 to raise $16.6 million. American Trust Investment Services and WestPark Capital are the joint book-runners.)
(Background on Previous IPO plans: Registration Withdrawn on May 8, 2025 â A.C. Sunshine and Univest Securities were the joint book-runners. Note: HW Electro Co., Ltd. filed an F-1MEF to increase its IPOâs size at pricing by 200,000 shares, according to a filing dated Jan. 24, 2025. Note: HW Electro Co., Ltd. filed an F-1/A to increase its IPOâs size to 4.0 million ADS â up from 3.75 million ADS â and increase the assumed IPO price to $4.00 â up from $3.00 â to raise $16.0 million â up from $11.25 million initially â according to an F-1/A filing dated Dec. 23, 2024. In that same filing, AC Sunshine Securities was added as the lead left joint book-runner to work with Univest Securities as the other joint book-runner, and the IPOâs proposed venue was changed to the NASDAQ from the NYSE â American Exchange, with the proposed symbol changed to âHWEPâ from âHWECâ. Note: HW Electro Co., Ltd. filed its new F-1 (prospectus) on April 26, 2024, disclosing plans for its IPO and its listing of American Depositary Shares (ADS) on the NYSE â American Exchange: 3.75 million ADS at an assumed IPO price of $3.00 per ADS. Each ADS represents one ordinary share. Background: HW Electro Co., Ltd. withdrew its previous IPO plans that called for a listing on the NASDAQ with a different proposed symbol.)
Riku Dining Group RIKU Eddid Securities USA, 2.3M Shares, $4.00-6.00, $11.3 mil, 2/9/2026 Week of
(Incorporated in the Cayman Islands)
We operate and franchise Japanese-style restaurants in Canada and Hong Kong:
In Canada â Ajisen Ramen is our franchise. We run four restaurants and we franchise nine more restaurants across Ontario.
In Hong Kong â We have seven restaurants under three franchised brands â Yakiniku Kakura, Yakiniku 802 and Ufufu Cafe.
Note: Net income and revenue are in U.S. dollars for the 12 months that ended March 31, 2025.
(Note: Riku Dining Group disclosed the terms for its IPO in an Oct. 8, 2025, filing with the SEC: The company is offering 2.25 million shares at a price range of $4.00 to $6.00 to raise $11.25 million. Background: Riku Dining Group filed its F-1 for its IPO in September 2025 without disclosing the terms. Estimated IPO proceeds are $16 million.)
Seahawk Recycling Holdings, Inc. SEAH Cathay Securities, 3.8M Shares, $4.00-6.00, $18.8 mil, 2/9/2026 Week of
(Incorporated in the British Virgin Islands)
Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, we are an international recycling company dedicated to advancing sustainable material solutions across East Asia and Southeast Asia. As a committed advocate for environmental sustainability, we have devoted ourselves to promoting the development of a low-carbon and zero-waste global green circular economy by engaging in the trading of recyclable resources such as waste paper and scrap metal.
Our operations are structured around two core business segments: waste paper recycling and scrap metal recycling.
Under our waste paper recycling business, we operate across both the domestic Japanese and international markets by trading two main product categories: waste paper and paper pulp. We source waste papers from collection companies in Japan and supply them to recycled pulp mills or trading companies. In parallel, we purchase paper pulps from recycled pulp mills and supply them to paper manufacturers or trading companies. While our waste paper transactions are primarily domestic, our paper pulp exports serve a broad customer base across East Asia and Southeast Asia.
We also conduct cross-border transactions under our waste paper recycling business by procuring waste paper from suppliers in the U.S. and arranging for direct shipments to pulp mills or paper manufacturers in Malaysia.
Our scrap metal recycling business focuses on the trade of dismantled metal wires and old metal appliances such as motors, engines, air conditioners and refrigerators. For old metal appliances, we acquire these materials from collection companies and supply them to smelters or trading companies, while for dismantled metal wires, we purchase processed and dismantled metal wires such as copper wires, aluminum wires, brass wires and iron wires, from dismantling factories, and then sell them to smelters, or trading firms. While the operations under our scrap metal recycling business are primarily concentrated within Japan due to the heavier nature of these materials, we also export a portion of our dismantled metal wires to our customers in East Asia and Southeast Asia.
For export transactions, we manage the full logistics chain from supplier pickup and port delivery to international shipping, allowing us to ensure timely and cost-effective deliveries.
Note: Net income and revenue are for the fiscal year that ended March 31, 2025.
(Note: Seahawk Recycling Holdings, Inc. nearly doubled the size of its small IPO to raise $19 million â up from $10 million originally â according to its F-1/A filing on Jan. 7, 2026. Seahawk Recycling Holdings now plans to offer 3.75 million shares â up from 2.0 million shares originally â at the price range of $4.00 to $6.00 (same price range as in its initial filing) â to raise $18.75 million, according to its F-1/A filing dated Jan. 7, 2026. Background: Seahaawk Recycling Holdings, Inc. filed its F-1 for its small-cap IPO and disclosed the terms: 2 million shares at a price range of $4.00 to $6.00 to raise $10 million, according to its SEC filing on Sept. 25, 2025.)
AGI AGBK Goldman Sachs/Morgan Stanley/Citigroup/Bradesco BBI/BTG Pactual/ItaĂş BBA/Santander/SOCIETE GENERALE/XP Investments, 43.6M Shares, $15.00-18.00, $720.0 mil, 2/11/2026 Wednesday
(Incorporated in the Cayman Islands)
Our journey began over 25 years ago with a vision from our founder, Mr. Marciano Testa: to make credit more accessible and affordable for the Brazilian consumers who needed it most. While still a college student in 1999, Mr. Testa founded Agiplan, the first building block of what eventually became the Agi that we are today. As our business grew, we identified new opportunities and adapted our strategy to better serve our target customers. In each phase, we strengthened our business, enabling us to offer our consumers greater value.
AGI Inc. is a leading technology-powered provider of specialized financial services in Brazil. We served nearly 6.4 million active clients as of September 30, 2025, helping them to access their social security benefits, severance fund benefits, and public- or private-sector payrolls through innovative secured lending solutions and complementary banking, credit and insurance products tailored to their needs. Social security benefit loans, for example, accounted for 79.2 percent of our total credit portfolio of R$34.5 billion as of September 30, 2025.
Our mission is to revolutionize financial services for the largest and fastest-growing segment of Brazilâs population: individuals who have been underserved by incumbent banks and have not been effectively reached by digital-only banks.
We believe we are one of the most profitable financial institutions in Brazil, based on our annualized return on average equity (ROAE) of 39.1 percent for the nine months that ended September 30, 2025.
We seek to make credit and banking solutions more accessible and affordable for the Brazilian consumers who we believe need it the most, including social security beneficiaries and private- and public-sector workers. We have designed a unique value proposition for this population, who may be older, have a lower income, be less tech-savvy or have less access to education. Our target market: (1) includes 107 million people, comprised of 41.4 million social security beneficiaries, 52.7 million private-sector workers and 12.8 million public-sector workers; and (2) represents a total estimated addressable market of over R$1.9 trillion in financial services as of September 30, 2025, based on data from the Central Bank of Brazil and SUSEP.
Note: Net income and revenue are in U.S. dollars (converted from Brazilâs reais) for the 12 months that ended Sept. 30, 2025.
(Note: AGI disclosed the terms for its IPO on Jan. 29, 2026, in an F-1/A filing: 43.64 million shares at a price range of $15.00 to $18.00 to raise $720 million. Background: AGI filed its F-1 for its IPO on Jan. 14, 2026, without disclosing the terms. Estimated proceeds were $100 million, a placeholder figure. This IPO could raise as much as $1 billion, Bloomberg had reported on Jan. 14, 2026.)
PressLogic PLAI American Trust Investment Services, 1.8M Shares, $4.00-6.00, $9.0 mil, 2/16/2026 Week of
(Incorporated in the Cayman Islands)
We provide digital marketing services to companies in Hong Kong and Taiwan. Our content marketing solutions include a digital marketing solution segment, which offers editorial content, influencer marketing and display advertising, along with advertisements. We run nine proprietary media brands with over 12 million subscribers and followers, including nine websites, five apps, 11 Facebook fanpages, 11 Instagram profiles and eight YouTube channels, as of the date of this prospectus.
Note: Net income and revenue are in U.S. dollars (converted from Hong Kong dollars) for the 12 months that ended June 30, 2025.
(Note: PressLogic filed its F-1/A on Oct. 14, 2025, and disclosed the terms of its small IPO: The company is offering 1.8 million shares at a price range of $4.00 to $6.00 to raise $9.0 million, if priced at the mid-point of its range. Background: PressLogic filed its F-1 to go public in September.)
đ Emerging Market ETF Launches
Climate change and ESG are some recent flavours of the month for most new ETFs. Nevertheless, here are some new frontier and emerging market focused ETFs:
09/13/2025 - WisdomTree Asia Defense Fund - WDAF
08/12/2025 - Neuberger Berman Emerging Markets Debt Hard Currency ETF - NEMD
07/15/2025 - OTG Latin America ETF - OTGL
06/21/2025 - FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF June - TJUN
06/18/2025 - AB Emerging Markets Opportunities ETF - EMOP
06/05/2025 - Harbor Emerging Markets Equity ETF - EPEM
06/03/2025 - Russell Investments Emerging Markets Equity Active ETF - ZJUN
05/30/2025 - Emerging Markets Equity Active ETF - REMG
05/16/2025 - Harbor Emerging Markets Select ETF - EMES
04/02/2025 - Goldman Sachs India Equity ETF - GIND
03/21/2025 - FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - March - TMAR
02/25/2025 - Touchstone Sands Capital Emerging Markets ex-China Growth ETF - TEMX
02/19/2025 - abrdn Emerging Markets Dividend Active ETF - AGEM
02/14/2025 - GMO Beyond China ETF - BCHI
02/06/2025 - PLUS Korea Defense Industry Index ETF - KDEF
01/04/2025 - Simplify China A Shares PLUS Income ETF - CAS
12/24/2024 - FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - December - TDEC - Options
11/19/2024 - Fidelity Fundamental Emerging Markets ETF - FFEM - Equity
11/19/2024 - Fidelity Enhanced Emerging Markets ETF - FEMR - Equity
11/13/2024 - Dimensional Emerging Markets ex China Core Equity ETF - DEXC - Equity
10/07/2024 - First Trust WCM Developing World Equity ETF - WCME - Active, equity
09/20/2024 - FT Vest Emerging Markets Buffer ETF - September - TSEP - Options
09/11/2024 - Polen Capital Emerging Markets ex-China Growth ETF - PCEM - Equity
09/04/2024 - Macquarie Focused Emerging Markets Equity ETF - EMEQ - Active, equity
09/04/2024 - iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Value Factor ETF - EVLU - Equity
09/04/2024 - iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Quality Factor ETF - EQLT - Active, equity
09/04/2024 - SPDR S&P Emerging Markets ex-China ETF - XCNY - Equity, ex-China
08/13/2024 - Simplify Gamma Emerging Market Bond ETF - GAEM - Active, Bond, Latin America
08/13/2024 - Janus Henderson Emerging Markets Debt Hard Currency ETF - JEMB - Currency
07/01/2024 - Innovator Emerging Markets 10 Buffer ETF - EBUF - Equity
05/16/2024 - JPMorgan Active Developing Markets Equity ETF - JADE - Equity
05/09/2024 - WisdomTree India Hedged Equity Fund - INDH - Equity, India
03/19/2024 - Avantis Emerging Markets ex-China Equity ETF - AVXC - Active, equity, ex-China
03/15/2024 - Polen Capital China Growth ETF - PCCE - Active, equity, China
03/04/2024 - Simplify Tara India Opportunities ETF - IOPP - Active, equity, India
02/07/2024 - Direxion Daily MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Bull 2X Shares - XXCH - Equity, leveraged, China
01/11/2024 - Matthews Emerging Markets Discovery Active ETF - MEMS - Active, equity, small caps
01/10/2024 - Matthews China Discovery Active ETF - MCHS - Active, equity, small caps
đ˝ Emerging Market ETF Closures/Liquidations
Frontier and emerging market highlights:
05/20/2025 - KraneShares Dynamic Emerging Markets Strategy ETF - KEM
05/20/2025 - KraneShares MSCI All China Index ETF - KALL
04/08/2025 - First Trust TCW Emerging Markets Debt ETF - EFIX
02/14/2025 - Global X MSCI Emerging Markets Covered Call ETF - EMCC
01/06/2025 - iShares Frontier and Select - FM
10/10/2024 - Pacer CSOP FTSE China A 50 ETF - AFTY
09/26/2024 - American Century Emerging Markets Bond ETF - AEMB
09/19/2024 - KraneShares S&P Pan Asia Dividend Aristocrats Index ETF - KDIV
09/19/2024 - KraneShares CICC China 5G & Semiconductor Index ETF - KFVG
09/05/2024 - Amplify Emerging Markets FinTech ETF - EMFQ
07/27/2024 - iPath GEMS Asia 8 ETN - AYTEF
05/23/2024 - Defiance Israel Fixed Income ETF - CHAI
05/17/2024 - Global X Next Emerging & Frontier ETF - EMFM
03/25/2024 - Global X MSCI Nigeria ETF - NGE
03/21/2024 - VanEck Egypt Index ETF - EGPT
03/14/2024 - KraneShares Bloomberg China Bond Inclusion Index ETF - KBND
03/14/2024 - KraneShares China Innovation ETF - KGRO
03/14/2024 - KraneShares CICC China Consumer Leaders Index ETF - KBUY
03/13/2024 - Xtrackers MSCI All China Equity ETF - CN
03/13/2024 - Xtrackers MSCI China A Inclusion Equity ETF - ASHX
02/16/2024 - Global X MSCI China Real Estate ETF - CHIH
02/16/2024 - Global X MSCI China Biotech Innovation ETF - CHB
02/16/2024 - Global X MSCI China Utilities ETF - CHIU
02/16/2024 - Global X MSCI Pakistan ETF - PAK
02/16/2024 - Global X MSCI China Materials ETF - CHIM
02/16/2024 - Global X MSCI China Health Care ETF - CHIH
02/16/2024 - Global X MSCI China Financials ETF - CHIX
02/16/2024 - Global X MSCI China Information Technology ETF - CHIK
02/16/2024 - Global X MSCI China Consumer Staples ETF - CHIS
02/16/2024 - Global X MSCI China Industrials ETF - CHII
02/16/2024 - Global X MSCI China Energy ETF - CHIE
02/14/2024 - BNY Mellon Sustainable Global Emerging Markets ETF - BKES
01/26/2024 - The WisdomTree Emerging Markets ESG Fund - RESE
Check out our emerging market ETF lists, ADR lists (updated) and closed-end fund (updated) lists (also see our site map + list update status as most ETF lists are updated).
I have changed the front page of www.emergingmarketskeptic.com to mainly consist of links to other emerging market newspapers, investment firms, newsletters, blogs, podcasts and other helpful emerging market investing resources. The top menu includes links to other resources as well as a link to a general EM investing tips / advice feed e.g. links to specific and useful articles for EM investors.
Disclaimer. The information and views contained on this website and newsletter is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice and/or a recommendation. Your use of any content is entirely at your own risk and it is your sole responsibility to evaluate the accuracy, completeness and usefulness of the content. Seek a duly licensed professional for any investment advice. I may have positions in the investments covered. This is not a recommendation to buy or sell any investment mentioned.
Emerging Market Links + The Week Ahead (February 2, 2026) was also published on our website under the Newsletter category.
Hey, great read as always. What's yuan's true liquidity path?
Excellent comprehensive roundup of emerging market developments. The discussion on the dollar's retreat and its impact on Asian portfolios is particularly timely. The DXY falling to 95.60 represents a significant shift in global capital flows.
What I find most interesting is the nuanced analysis contrasting the "dollar collapse" narrative with the reality that there's still no deep, liquid alternative to U.S. Treasuries for parking global capital. The point about the U.S. having never cancelled its currency, unlike many European countries, is often overlooked in these discussions.
The China luxury market stabilization (only -3% to -5% decline in 2025 vs -17% to -19% in 2024) is a notable inflection point worth monitoring. Combined with Starbucks China's 7% comparable store sales growth, we're seeing early signs that Chinese consumer sentiment may be bottoming.
Also valuable: the KOSDAQ surge coverage and the government's plan to encourage pension fund investment. That 20% weekly gain reflects both policy support and improved risk appetite in Korean small caps.
Great work aggregating all these disparate data points into a coherent emerging market narrative.