Asian Equities Analyst, Logistics & Transport, Tracking Traffic

Daniel Hellberg

Asian Equities Analyst, Logistics & Transport

Equity Capital Markets

Alibaba Group Holding  / Equity Capital Markets

To match service levels offered by <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/446" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:446:1">JD.com Inc (ADR) (JD US)</a> and leading express carrier <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/4128" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4128:1">S.F. Holding Co Ltd (002352 CH)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/787" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:787:1">Alibaba Group Holding Ltd (BABA US)</a> and its logistics partners are making a belated push to invest in first- and last-mile parcel delivery capacity. BABA and its partners have so far avoided making the large investments needed to control 100% of their parcel delivery networks. Instead of direct ownership of first- and last-mile assets, BABA has tried to rely upon the 'transparency' provided by its technologically sophisticated logistics subsidiary, CaiNiao Network (CN). But five years after BABA set up CN, JD.com's continued lead in logistics quality and logistics speed -- confirmed in private surveys of Chinese consumers -- seems to have convinced BABA and its partners that they must finally take the plunge.Battle lines in this coming logistics war have been drawn over the past year or so. JD.com established JD Logistics in April 2017, and the private company recently raised US$2.5 bn at a valuation of US$13.4 bn. SF Express -- China's largest express carrier by revenue -- already offers first- and last-mile delivery, and has shown a willingness to butt heads with BABA. The five smaller express companies aligned with BABA have recently announced moves that will bring them even closer to the e-commerce giant; there are also indications these express companies are stepping up their own first- and last-mile investments at the behest of BABA.For the five carriers aligned with BABA, a belated push into ownership of first- and last-mile service will require an enormous increase in capital expenditures. The five carriers had combined capex of about 8.3 bn RMB in 2017; we estimate the push to acquire control of first- and last-mile capacity could require additional annual capex of 25 bn RMB or more over the next few years (BABA itself had CapEx of 29.8 bn RMB in its latest fiscal year). Such a dramatic increase in capital spending -- assuming it is mainly shouldered by the express companies -- will require significant, dilutive fundraising by these five express carriers over the next few years; we also anticipate initial returns on these investments will be very low.Alternatively, if it is BABA's private logistics subsidiary CN that does the heavy lifting, this would likely bring forward the timing of that company's IPO (it was valued at US$20 bn in a September 2017 funding round). We do not believe the expansion of first- and last-mile capacity is part of CN's projected total CapEx of 100 bn RMB between 2017-2021. The ultimate beneficiary of this costly expansion of express networks? Alibaba, of course. As a result of the expected push into first- and last-mile delivery, the e-commerce giant will likely end up with deeper reach and faster, more reliable delivery service. These improvements should allow it to retain its position as China's pre-eminent e-commerce company. The apparent asymmetry of expected capex and expected benefits from first- and last-mile investments -- express companies invest, BABA reaps the benefits -- suggests a pair trade: Long BABA against Short positions in China's express companies.

To match service levels offered by JD.com Inc (ADR) (JD US) and leading express carrier S.F. Holding Co Ltd (002352 CH), Alibaba Group Holding Ltd (BABA US) and its logistics partners are making a belated push to invest in first- and last-mile parcel delivery capacity. BABA and its partners have so far avoided making the large investments needed to control 100% of their parcel delivery networks. Instead of direct ownership of first- and last-mile assets, BABA has tried to rely upon the 'transparency' provided by its technologically sophisticated logistics subsidiary, CaiNiao Network (CN). But five years after BABA set up CN, JD.com's continued lead in logistics quality and logistics speed -- confirmed in private surveys of Chinese consumers -- seems to have convinced BABA and its partners that they must finally take the plunge.Battle lines in this coming logistics war have been drawn over the past year or so. JD.com established JD Logistics in April 2017, and the private company recently raised US$2.5 bn at a valuation of US$13.4 bn. SF Express -- China's largest express carrier by revenue -- already offers first- and last-mile delivery, and has shown a willingness to butt heads with BABA. The five smaller express companies aligned with BABA have recently announced moves that will bring them even closer to the e-commerce giant; there are also indications these express companies are stepping up their own first- and last-mile investments at the behest of BABA.For the five carriers aligned with BABA, a belated push into ownership of first- and last-mile service will require an enormous increase in capital expenditures. The five carriers had combined capex of about 8.3 bn RMB in 2017; we estimate the push to acquire control of first- and last-mile capacity could require additional annual capex of 25 bn RMB or more over the next few years (BABA itself had CapEx of 29.8 bn RMB in its latest fiscal year). Such a dramatic increase in capital spending -- assuming it is mainly shouldered by the express companies -- will require significant, dilutive fundraising by these five express carriers over the next few years; we also anticipate initial returns on these investments will be very low.Alternatively, if it is BABA's private logistics subsidiary CN that does the heavy lifting, this would likely bring forward the timing of that company's IPO (it was valued at US$20 bn in a September 2017 funding round). We do not believe the expansion of first- and last-mile capacity is part of CN's projected total CapEx of 100 bn RMB between 2017-2021. The ultimate beneficiary of this costly expansion of express networks? Alibaba, of course. As a result of the expected push into first- and last-mile delivery, the e-commerce giant will likely end up with deeper reach and faster, more reliable delivery service. These improvements should allow it to retain its position as China's pre-eminent e-commerce company. The apparent asymmetry of expected capex and expected benefits from first- and last-mile investments -- express companies invest, BABA reaps the benefits -- suggests a pair trade: Long BABA against Short positions in China's express companies.

Battle Lines Drawn As BABA Builds Out First/Last-Mile Capacity; But Who Will Fund 75+ Bn CNY CapEx?

Blue Lotus Non US Internet research, Blue Lotus Research Institute

Ying Pan

Blue Lotus Non US Internet research

China growth and global non-US Internet equities

Blue Lotus Research Institute

Blue Lotus Research is a Hong Kong Type 4 Licensed investment advisory firm focusing on Chinese growth equities and global non-US Internet equities

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>With consumption in the doldrums, one would expect none growing at double digits. This is actually not the case; </li>
<li>Further, how many Chinese Growth Equity names are accelerating in growth in the second half? Quite a lot;</li>
<li>We reiterate our view that Chinese Internet names are took-all winners with strong pricing power, which are showing when they need to. The weak market sentiment is self-fulfilling.</li>
</ul>


With consumption in the doldrums, one would expect none growing at double digits. This is actually not the case; 
Further, how many Chinese Growth Equity names are accelerating in growth in the second half? Quite a lot;
We reiterate our view that Chinese Internet names are took-all winners with strong pricing power, which are showing when they need to. The weak market sentiment is self-fulfilling.


How Many Chinese Growth Equity Names Are Growing at Double Digits?

US-EU Index Rebalances / Quantitative Researcher, Ortex

Dimitris Ioannidis

US-EU Index Rebalances / Quantitative Researcher

Global Financial Data and Analytics Platform

Ortex

ORTEX is a global financial data and analytics platform providing real-time securities lending and short interest data, index rebalance data, holdings and insider transactions, trading signals, corporate actions and news,  stock machine learning and factor scores and other analytics. The majority of the data are downloadable and accessible through APIs.

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/reddit-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:40917:1" rel="noopener">Reddit (RDDT US)</a> is ineligible for inclusion for the upcoming August review because of fcap failing the fcap threshold if it qualifies for the standard segment. </li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/reddit-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:40917:1" rel="noopener">Reddit (RDDT US)</a> is ineligible for inclusion for the upcoming September review because of failing the minimum public voting rights threshold.</li>
<li>The IPO lock-up expiry increases the probability for inclusion in November and December review for US and Global indices. Forecasted demand in December is ~$360m and 2.1 ADV. </li>
</ul>



Reddit (RDDT US) is ineligible for inclusion for the upcoming August review because of fcap failing the fcap threshold if it qualifies for the standard segment. 

Reddit (RDDT US) is ineligible for inclusion for the upcoming September review because of failing the minimum public voting rights threshold.
The IPO lock-up expiry increases the probability for inclusion in November and December review for US and Global indices. Forecasted demand in December is ~$360m and 2.1 ADV. 


Reddit (RDDT): Post-IPO Inclusion in US & Global Indices

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

<ul>
<li>Back on the 19th July, online Q&amp;A play <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/zhihu-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:36660:1" rel="noopener">Zhihu (2390 HK/</a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/zhihu-technology-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:32185:1" rel="noopener">ZH US)</a> announced the <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2024/0719/2024071901181.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">buyback</a> of 46.92mn ordinary A shares (15.9% of shares out) at HK$9.11/share (US$3.50/ADS). </li>
<li>Assuming the buyback is fully taken up, chairman Yuan Zhou's stake will increase to 44.4% from 42.9% currently (held via A shares and the weighted-voting B shares). </li>
<li>The key condition is a simple majority vote from independent shareholders. Zhihu is sitting on  net cash of US$764mn. A significantly larger buyback, or higher price, could have been initiated. </li>
</ul>


Back on the 19th July, online Q&amp;A play Zhihu (2390 HK/ZH US) announced the buyback of 46.92mn ordinary A shares (15.9% of shares out) at HK$9.11/share (US$3.50/ADS). 
Assuming the buyback is fully taken up, chairman Yuan Zhou's stake will increase to 44.4% from 42.9% currently (held via A shares and the weighted-voting B shares). 
The key condition is a simple majority vote from independent shareholders. Zhihu is sitting on  net cash of US$764mn. A significantly larger buyback, or higher price, could have been initiated. 


Global Emerging Market Equities, Propitious Research

Wium Malan, CFA

Global Emerging Market Equities

Independent, Fundamental Quantitative Research

Propitious Research

Fully independent, fundamental and quantitative equity research, focused on companies in the Telecommunication, Media, Technology, Internet and Healthcare sectors in the Global Emerging Markets. Idea generation focused on Quality stocks, trading below their intrinsic Value, with sound Corporate Governance.

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>The removal of their cross-holding structure has had a negligible effect on the respective discounts to NAV for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/prosus-nv" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28104:1" rel="noopener">Prosus NV (PRX NA)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/naspers-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:21085:1" rel="noopener">Naspers (NPN SJ)</a>.</li>
<li>We have seen a remarkable turnaround in Prosus’s operating performance during FY2024 and the market will focus on whether the new CEO can achieve his ambitions for “profitable growth”.</li>
<li>The open-ended share repurchase program will continue as long as the discount remains “elevated”.</li>
</ul>


The removal of their cross-holding structure has had a negligible effect on the respective discounts to NAV for Prosus NV (PRX NA) and Naspers (NPN SJ).
We have seen a remarkable turnaround in Prosus’s operating performance during FY2024 and the market will focus on whether the new CEO can achieve his ambitions for “profitable growth”.
The open-ended share repurchase program will continue as long as the discount remains “elevated”.


Prosus (PRX-NA): Profitable Growth, Elevated Discount

China

Tencent Holdings Limited operates as an investment holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, provides Internet and mobile value-added services (VAS), online advertising, and e-commerce transactions. Tencent Holdings offers services to users worldwide.

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Tencent (700 HK)

Battle Lines Drawn As BABA Builds Out First/Last-Mile Capacity; But Who Will Fund 75+ Bn CNY CapEx?

As China's largest smart locker company Hive Box prepares for a potential IPO in Hong Kong, we are resurfacing this old insight to help readers...

Daniel Hellberg

How Many Chinese Growth Equity Names Are Growing at Double Digits?

More Chinese growth equity names growing at double digit than single and more are accelerating in growth in C2H24. Pessimism can turn into self...

Blue Lotus Research Institute

Reddit (RDDT): Post-IPO Inclusion in US & Global Indices

Reddit faces potential exclusion in August and September due to failing fcap threshold and public voting rights. The IPO lock-up expiry makes its...

Dimitris Ioannidis

Zhihu (2390 HK/ZH US)'s Cheeky Buyback

This is an interesting, albeit illiquid, Partial Offer. The final pro-ration was ~45% in the partial for Hengdeli, in which the Offer price was...

David Blennerhassett

Prosus (PRX-NA): Profitable Growth, Elevated Discount

In this insight, we analyse Prosus’s discount to NAV, the performance of its underlying consolidated operations, cash flow generation, capital...

Wium Malan, CFA

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52-week Range

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Battle Lines Drawn As BABA Builds Out First/Last-Mile Capacity; But Who Will Fund 75+ Bn CNY CapEx?

As China's largest smart locker company Hive Box prepares for a potential IPO in Hong Kong, we are resurfacing this old insight to help readers...

Daniel Hellberg

How Many Chinese Growth Equity Names Are Growing at Double Digits?

More Chinese growth equity names growing at double digit than single and more are accelerating in growth in C2H24. Pessimism can turn into self...

Blue Lotus Research Institute

Reddit (RDDT): Post-IPO Inclusion in US & Global Indices

​Reddit faces potential exclusion in August and September due to failing fcap threshold and public voting rights. The IPO lock-up expiry makes its...

Dimitris Ioannidis

Zhihu (2390 HK/ZH US)'s Cheeky Buyback

This is an interesting, albeit illiquid, Partial Offer. The final pro-ration was ~45% in the partial for Hengdeli, in which the Offer price was...

David Blennerhassett

Prosus (PRX-NA): Profitable Growth, Elevated Discount

In this insight, we analyse Prosus’s discount to NAV, the performance of its underlying consolidated operations, cash flow generation, capital...

Wium Malan, CFA

Reddit faces potential exclusion in August and September due to failing fcap threshold and public voting rights. The IPO lock-up expiry makes its...