Asian Equities Analyst, Logistics & Transport, Tracking Traffic

Daniel Hellberg

Asian Equities Analyst, Logistics & Transport

Independent and original Asian investment research

Aletheia Capital

Aletheia Capital (HK) Ltd. (previously known as Asianomics) combines the extensive knowledge of its experienced team with technology and regulatory changes to disrupt Global Markets business in Asia. The firm is completely independent with no conflicts of interest either on Investment Banking advisory or Capital Markets execution.

Equity Bottom-Up

<h2>Growth of low end driven by Pinduoduo</h2>
<p>The growth of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pinduoduo-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27250:1" rel="noopener">Pinduoduo (PDD US)</a> has spurred growth in China’s express market over the last two years, accounting for 60% or more of incremental growth in parcel volume in 2018. PDD’s emergence has boosted parcel volume growth, but this gift has come at a price: to win business from the merchants operating on PDD’s platform, express companies must offer rock-bottom pricing.</p>
<h2>Volume growth a nice gift, but it comes with a price</h2>
<p>PDD’s emergence offers strong volume growth, accompanied by downward pressure on pricing and margins. To combat these pressures, express companies must aggressively pursue parcel volume share in order to reduce unit costs (and thereby limit margin erosion). With most small express players squeezed out, we believe price competition among the remaining express firms is intensifying, with average parcel pricing down by 12-16% YoY in recent months.</p>
<h2>At high end of express &amp; logistics, less competition</h2>
<p>Away from intensifying competition at the low-end of the express sector, the high-end of China’s express segment features pockets of growth with muted competition. In time-definite (i.e., ‘overnight’) express, international express, supply chain management, and cold-chain logistics, providers tend to compete based on service levels, and their customers tend to be less price-sensitive than those at the low-end of the market. Underlying demand for these services is powered by a gradual ‘consumption upgrade’, helping merchants move high-value goods faster and more reliably compared to mainstream express products. We believe these segments offer shelter from the price competition that has emerged at the low-end of the express sector.</p>
<h2>Express market is bifurcating</h2>
<p>We see two distinct segments developing within express. At the low end, most of the listed express companies are aggressively pursuing volume share gains in order to reduce costs so they can profitably handle the low-priced parcels that are driving sector growth. Meanwhile, at the high end, SF Holding is successfully courting customers who value speed and reliability ahead of low prices. We expect profitability in this latter segment to remain fairly stable, while at the low end we expect profitability to continue eroding.</p>
<h2>Low-end pressure adds to rising capex demand, sliding returns</h2>
<p>The development of a bifurcated market comes at the same time most Chinese express companies are already facing pressures on cash flow and profitability. We believe most of the listed express companies are increasing capital expenditures in order to expand ‘last mile’ service and to build out needed infrastructure in smaller cities and rural areas. We suspect initial returns on these types of investments will be low, compounding downward pressure on margins related to PDD’s rise.</p>
<h2>Focus on high end should produce better results going forward</h2>
<p>Strong downward pressures on margins will make it increasingly difficult for most express companies to convert strong top-line growth into attractive earnings growth. In the medium-term, we believe companies with limited exposure to low-end parcel volumes are more likely to generate attractive strongest earnings growth. </p>

Growth of low end driven by Pinduoduo
The growth of Pinduoduo (PDD US) has spurred growth in China’s express market over the last two years, accounting for 60% or more of incremental growth in parcel volume in 2018. PDD’s emergence has boosted parcel volume growth, but this gift has come at a price: to win business from the merchants operating on PDD’s platform, express companies must offer rock-bottom pricing.
Volume growth a nice gift, but it comes with a price
PDD’s emergence offers strong volume growth, accompanied by downward pressure on pricing and margins. To combat these pressures, express companies must aggressively pursue parcel volume share in order to reduce unit costs (and thereby limit margin erosion). With most small express players squeezed out, we believe price competition among the remaining express firms is intensifying, with average parcel pricing down by 12-16% YoY in recent months.
At high end of express &amp; logistics, less competition
Away from intensifying competition at the low-end of the express sector, the high-end of China’s express segment features pockets of growth with muted competition. In time-definite (i.e., ‘overnight’) express, international express, supply chain management, and cold-chain logistics, providers tend to compete based on service levels, and their customers tend to be less price-sensitive than those at the low-end of the market. Underlying demand for these services is powered by a gradual ‘consumption upgrade’, helping merchants move high-value goods faster and more reliably compared to mainstream express products. We believe these segments offer shelter from the price competition that has emerged at the low-end of the express sector.
Express market is bifurcating
We see two distinct segments developing within express. At the low end, most of the listed express companies are aggressively pursuing volume share gains in order to reduce costs so they can profitably handle the low-priced parcels that are driving sector growth. Meanwhile, at the high end, SF Holding is successfully courting customers who value speed and reliability ahead of low prices. We expect profitability in this latter segment to remain fairly stable, while at the low end we expect profitability to continue eroding.
Low-end pressure adds to rising capex demand, sliding returns
The development of a bifurcated market comes at the same time most Chinese express companies are already facing pressures on cash flow and profitability. We believe most of the listed express companies are increasing capital expenditures in order to expand ‘last mile’ service and to build out needed infrastructure in smaller cities and rural areas. We suspect initial returns on these types of investments will be low, compounding downward pressure on margins related to PDD’s rise.
Focus on high end should produce better results going forward
Strong downward pressures on margins will make it increasingly difficult for most express companies to convert strong top-line growth into attractive earnings growth. In the medium-term, we believe companies with limited exposure to low-end parcel volumes are more likely to generate attractive strongest earnings growth. 

Bifurcated Chinese Express Market Developing

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>In March, the HK Secretary for Financial Services announced a waiver of stamp duty on dual counter trading market making. In November, the Govt of HK <a href="https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202211/18/P2022111800254.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">gazetted</a> a bill.</li>
<li>HKEX launched plans in December. 9 large HK names announced in March they'd apply (Tencent, Kuaishou, Geely, BOC, Anta, AIA, China Resources Beer, Bidu, HKEX). Six more in April.</li>
<li>All the announcements are similar. But one on 21 April caught my eye because it is a big H/A with strong southbound support. That's <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-mobile-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27:1" rel="noopener">China Mobile (941 HK)</a>. </li>
</ul>


In March, the HK Secretary for Financial Services announced a waiver of stamp duty on dual counter trading market making. In November, the Govt of HK gazetted a bill.
HKEX launched plans in December. 9 large HK names announced in March they'd apply (Tencent, Kuaishou, Geely, BOC, Anta, AIA, China Resources Beer, Bidu, HKEX). Six more in April.
All the announcements are similar. But one on 21 April caught my eye because it is a big H/A with strong southbound support. That's China Mobile (941 HK). 


Another Reason To Like China Mobile (941 HK)

HK/China Equity Long-Short

Osbert Tang, CFA

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>Although 5% GDP growth target for 2023 is at the low end of market speculation of 5.5-6%, we think this reflects the government's conservative stance amid post-COVID recovery. </li>
<li>A 0.2pp higher budget deficit and a special purpose bond quota of Rmb3.8trn suggested that government spending will stay as important economic driver.</li>
<li>Consumption is another major stimulus for economic growth, and more supportive measures will be rolled out - we have seen many cities planning to hand out consumption vouchers.</li>
</ul>


Although 5% GDP growth target for 2023 is at the low end of market speculation of 5.5-6%, we think this reflects the government's conservative stance amid post-COVID recovery. 
A 0.2pp higher budget deficit and a special purpose bond quota of Rmb3.8trn suggested that government spending will stay as important economic driver.
Consumption is another major stimulus for economic growth, and more supportive measures will be rolled out - we have seen many cities planning to hand out consumption vouchers.


China NPC: Implications of Government Working Report 2023

David Blennerhassett

<ul>
<li>Screening US-listed China plays with negative EV and positive tailing EBITDA generates eight names. </li>
<li>Of these companies, only two are expected to be EBITDA positive in FY22. </li>
<li>They are <strong><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/joyy-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:285:1" rel="noopener">JOYY (YY US)</a></strong> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sohu-com-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22853:1" rel="noopener"><strong>Sohu.com (SOHU US</strong>)</a>. This insight looks at both names. </li>
</ul>


Screening US-listed China plays with negative EV and positive tailing EBITDA generates eight names. 
Of these companies, only two are expected to be EBITDA positive in FY22. 
They are JOYY (YY US) and Sohu.com (SOHU US). This insight looks at both names. 


Negative EVs: JOYY & Sohu's Steep Discount To Net Cash

Forensic Analyst

Jason Yap, CFA

Forensic Accounting

<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nanofilm-technologies-international" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29700:1" rel="noopener">Nanofilm (NANO SP)</a> is a Singapore-based nanotechnology solutions provider. Its principal business is the manufacturing and distribution of advanced materials and nanoproducts for the consumer electronics, communications, and automotive industries.</p><p>Founded in 1999 by Executive Chairman Dr Shi Xu, who was then an associate professor at Nanyang Technology University (NTU)'s School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanofilm raised approximately SGD470.1 million in IPO proceeds in October 2020.</p><p>During its short history as a public company, the company had to endure significant regulator and investor scrutiny following sub-par H1 2021 results and senior management changes, including the abrupt resignations of former CEO, Mr Lee Liang Huang and former COO, Mr Ricky Tan, in quick succession (June and August 2021 respectively). </p><p>Dr Shi, assumed the role of interim CEO, until the <a href="https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/nanofilm-appoints-new-ceo-says-it-continues-to-see-growth-momentum-for-business#:~:text=MAINBOARD%2DLISTED%20Nanofilm%20Technologies%20International,on%20Thursday%20(Oct%2014)." target="_blank" rel="noopener">recent appointment</a> of Mr Gary Ho Hock Yong, as Nanofilm's CEO.  Dr Shi served as the company's CEO from 1999 to 2017. </p><p>On 14 October 2021, Nanofilm provided a business update for Q3 2021, which highlighted continued growth momentum despite a volatile business environment, amid the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain disruptions. </p><p>In this Insight, we examine Nanofilm's financial and business risks based on its IPO prospectus disclosures and certain new risks that emerged given latest available facts and developments, including but not limited to the following: </p><ol>
<li>High Customer Concentration  </li>
<li>Competition from Alternative Products and Solutions</li>
<li>Significant Management Changes </li>
<li>Management Share Disposals </li>
</ol><p>Accordingly, we highlight the key areas of concern for investors. </p>

Nanofilm (NANO SP) is a Singapore-based nanotechnology solutions provider. Its principal business is the manufacturing and distribution of advanced materials and nanoproducts for the consumer electronics, communications, and automotive industries.Founded in 1999 by Executive Chairman Dr Shi Xu, who was then an associate professor at Nanyang Technology University (NTU)'s School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanofilm raised approximately SGD470.1 million in IPO proceeds in October 2020.During its short history as a public company, the company had to endure significant regulator and investor scrutiny following sub-par H1 2021 results and senior management changes, including the abrupt resignations of former CEO, Mr Lee Liang Huang and former COO, Mr Ricky Tan, in quick succession (June and August 2021 respectively). Dr Shi, assumed the role of interim CEO, until the recent appointment of Mr Gary Ho Hock Yong, as Nanofilm's CEO.  Dr Shi served as the company's CEO from 1999 to 2017. On 14 October 2021, Nanofilm provided a business update for Q3 2021, which highlighted continued growth momentum despite a volatile business environment, amid the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain disruptions. In this Insight, we examine Nanofilm's financial and business risks based on its IPO prospectus disclosures and certain new risks that emerged given latest available facts and developments, including but not limited to the following: 
High Customer Concentration  
Competition from Alternative Products and Solutions
Significant Management Changes 
Management Share Disposals 
Accordingly, we highlight the key areas of concern for investors. 

Understanding Nanofilm (Nano SP)'s 3Cs - Customer Concentration, Competition and Management Changes

China

Xiaomi Corporation manufactures communication equipment and parts. The Company produces and sells mobile phones, smart phone software,  set-top boxes, and related accessories. Xiaomi markets its products worldwide.

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Xiaomi Corp (1810 HK)

Bifurcated Chinese Express Market Developing

We will write more about SF Holding soon as the company prepares to seek a secondary listing in Hong Kong. But we believe some of the themes we...

Daniel Hellberg

Another Reason To Like China Mobile (941 HK)

China Mobile remains cheap as it likely has more dividend payout ratio upside as per the plans when the A-shares were listed. Now we are on track...

Travis Lundy

China NPC: Implications of Government Working Report 2023

A 0.2pp higher budget deficit and a Rmb3.8trn special purpose bond quota suggested government spending will remain important economic driver. More...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Negative EVs: JOYY & Sohu's Steep Discount To Net Cash

I'd tilt slightly towards Sohu. It did successfully sell Sogou; whereas Joyy failed to sell YY live. That may provide some insight as to how the...

David Blennerhassett

Understanding Nanofilm (Nano SP)'s 3Cs - Customer Concentration, Competition and Management Changes

In its short listed history, Nanofilm endured significant regulator and investor scrutiny following sub-par results, management share disposals and...

Jason Yap, CFA

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