5.3 trillion cigarettes are sold each year to 1 billion smokers. Would be unwise to exclude the industry from your universe just because of ESG / unpopularity.
While volumes have dropped globally, retail value has stayed flat. It would have increased was it not for the stronger dollar since 2014.
Volumes are weak in Japan and flattish in Asia EM
Vaping is to a large extent banned across Asia. Heated tobacco products rule, but only in South Korea / Japan where consumers can afford them. NGPs have no impact on Asian EM tobacco markets.
In Asian EMs on the other hand, what matters is tax policy. It's been a headwind in Malaysia, and to some extent also India and Sri Lanka.
Having the combo of a supportive tax policy, low risk of competition from NGP, low consumption per capita and rising incomes helps catapult earnings growth forward.
It also helps if the multiple is low. But almost the entire industry trades at low teens P/E if not lower.
Here is a map of the major listed tobacco companies in Asia.
I just wrote a post on the Asian tobacco industry on my Substack. Free trial link here:
1/ Indonesia is conducting one of the largest land grabs in modern history.
Since March 2025, the government has seized over 4 million hectares of oil palm plantations. That’s an area the size of Switzerland, or roughly 30% of Indonesia’s total palm oil acreage.
2/ The justification? The government claims these plantations are in protected "forest zones."
But it looks more like outright nationalization. Assets are being transferred to a new SOE, "Agrinas Palma Nusantara," led by retired generals tied to President Prabowo.
3/ This will have broad ramifications. Indonesia produces 58% of the world’s palm oil.
With 30% of the country’s supply now under state control, palm oil prices are likely headed higher. Supply chains for everything from snacks to cosmetics will be affected.
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.@Nate93658762 suggested I read the annual report of Haad Thip HTC TB. Here's what I learnt
Haad Thip is a Coca-Cola bottler in Southern Thailand across 14 provinces. The typical brands, incl Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Minute Maid. Founded in 1969, two manufacturing plants. Seems to be a steady grower. 80% market share in sugar-sweetened soft drinks in the south.
91% sparking beverages and the rest non-carbonated (presumably Minute Maid).
Michael Price: sell when earnings growth is coming to an end, for example 1) when the return on invested capital is declining 2) business recessions are coming 3) industry cycles
Philip Fisher: "If the job has been correctly done when a common stock is purchased, the time to sell it is - almost never"
Exceptions: 1) you made a mistake in your original appraisal 2) the company ceases to qualify under the same appraisal method