Forensic Analyst

Jason Yap, CFA

Forensic Accounting

<p>On 6 July 2021, Chinese regulators introduces guidelines for a crackdown on capital markets misconduct including, amongst others, data security lapses and financial fraud.  This article focuses on the financial fraud aspects of the latest guidelines, including how the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/luckin-coffee-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28046:1" rel="noopener">Luckin Coffee (LKNCY US)</a> incident might have been an impetus for the introduction of these guidelines, what the Chinese regulators' attitude had been, and how future developments might unfold.</p>

On 6 July 2021, Chinese regulators introduces guidelines for a crackdown on capital markets misconduct including, amongst others, data security lapses and financial fraud.  This article focuses on the financial fraud aspects of the latest guidelines, including how the Luckin Coffee (LKNCY US) incident might have been an impetus for the introduction of these guidelines, what the Chinese regulators' attitude had been, and how future developments might unfold.

Tougher Chinese Regulatory Oversight of Foreign Listed Chinese Companies (With Caveats)

Equity Analyst, LightStream Research

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Equity Analyst

Long-Short Analysis on Japan, Asia and the World

LightStream Research

LightStream conducts quantitatively rigorous and data-driven analysis with a focus on Japan and Asia.

We consistently cover the Tech, Consumer and Industrial sectors, and provide ECM and Events coverage more broadly.

We supplement traditional qualitative insights from company relationships with a robust quantitative foundation that examines as much historical data as is available.
We further refine the accuracy of our insights and calls through the use of alternative data to flesh out current trends, and through a valuation framework that emphasises non-superficial peer group selection and a proper attempt to understand the metrics and changes that have driven security valuations in the past.

Equity Bottom-Up

Alibaba Group Holding  / Equity Bottom-Up

<p>Mega cap tech stocks rarely underperform the market to the same extent as <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alibaba-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28434:1" rel="noopener">Alibaba Group (9988 HK)</a> during the last seven months, especially with no deterioration in earnings growth potential.</p><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/217/249/original/image_11147906721625671618744.png?1625671621" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="217249"></figure><div class="content-caption"><em>Source: Cap IQ</em></div><p>After trading sideways during May/June 2021, technicals were pointing the right way for the very first time for Alibaba in 2021.</p><p>The stock rallied by 10% in the last week of June to $229.4 per share, causing most of us to assume that Alibaba was making a comeback.</p><p>Unfortunately, the joy lasted just a short time, as Xi Jinping’s government went back on the offence with a broadened crackdown on tech platforms, especially the US-listed Chinese tech companies like the recent ride sharing IPO <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/didi-chuxing-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27467:1" rel="noopener">DiDi Chuxing (DIDI US)</a>.</p><p>After underperforming the S&amp;P for almost seven months, most Chinese technology stocks, especially Alibaba, seem very cheap, but it is not cheap enough to call it a bottom amidst ongoing regulatory crackdowns and the geopolitical rivalry between the US and China. As such, we would not rush to buy any dips and recommend that we wait till the rally well and truly begins.</p>

Mega cap tech stocks rarely underperform the market to the same extent as Alibaba Group (9988 HK) during the last seven months, especially with no deterioration in earnings growth potential.Source: Cap IQAfter trading sideways during May/June 2021, technicals were pointing the right way for the very first time for Alibaba in 2021.The stock rallied by 10% in the last week of June to $229.4 per share, causing most of us to assume that Alibaba was making a comeback.Unfortunately, the joy lasted just a short time, as Xi Jinping’s government went back on the offence with a broadened crackdown on tech platforms, especially the US-listed Chinese tech companies like the recent ride sharing IPO DiDi Chuxing (DIDI US).After underperforming the S&amp;P for almost seven months, most Chinese technology stocks, especially Alibaba, seem very cheap, but it is not cheap enough to call it a bottom amidst ongoing regulatory crackdowns and the geopolitical rivalry between the US and China. As such, we would not rush to buy any dips and recommend that we wait till the rally well and truly begins.

Head of Research, IPOs & Placements, Aequitas Research

Sumeet Singh

Head of Research, IPOs & Placements

IPOs and Placements coverage across Asia Pacific

Aequitas Research

We cover all listing across the Asia Pacific along with follow-up placements. As of Dec 2020, our team had covered 539 IPOs with a hit rate of 73.5% and 685 placements with a hit rate of 66.8%.

We combine fundamental bottom-up views with our proprietary quantitative framework to provide a holistic coverage across new listings and placements. Our coverage includes pre-IPO notes before the deal is launched, follow-up analysis once the deal is live and post-listing trading analysis as well.

Equity Capital Markets

Alibaba Group Holding  / Equity Capital Markets

<p>In our previous note <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/china-adrs-kanzhun-full-truck-and-didi-regulators-sending-a-message" target="_blank" rel="noopener">China ADRs - Kanzhun, Full Truck and Didi - Regulators Sending a Message,</a> we spoke about the recent crackdown on the three US listed firms. Since then more news has been coming in along the same theme of a general crackdown on overseas listings for Chinese companies. </p>
<div>
<p>We have looked at the ADRs in the past, in our previous notes:</p>
</div>
<div>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/china-adrs-secondary-listing-deep-dive-yin-and-yang" target="_blank" rel="noopener">China ADRs Secondary Listing Deep-Dive: Yin and Yang,</a> published in Feb 2020,  we looked at the background and rules around undertaking a secondary listing in Hong Kong and then came up with a short-list of companies that might undertake a secondary listing. </li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/china-adrs-secondary-listing-covid-19-has-increased-the-tension-but-narrowed-the-short-list" target="_blank" rel="noopener">In China ADRs Secondary Listing: COVID-19 Has Increased the Tension but Narrowed the Short List</a> published in May 2020, we looked at the recent developments and provided an revised short-list</li>
<li>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/china-adrs-secondary-listing-holding-foreign-companies-accountable-act-i-m-coming-home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">China ADRs Secondary Listing - Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act - I’m Coming Home</a>, published in May 2020, we spoke about the implication of the act which had made its way through the senate.</li>
<li>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/china-adrs-secondary-listing-pipeline-looks-rich-have-three-years-to-move" target="_blank" rel="noopener">China ADRs Secondary Listing - Pipeline Looks Rich, Have Three Years to Move</a>, published in Feb 2021 we looked at the ADR pipeline and spoke about the updates from the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act becoming law and the updates at Hong Kong end as well. </li>
<li>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/china-adrs-sec-notice-instead-of-three-probably-have-four-years-till-2025-correction-overdone" target="_blank" rel="noopener">China ADRs - SEC Notice - Instead of Three, Probably Have Four Years till 2025 - Correction Overdone, </a> we spoke about the new SEC notice and its implications. </li>
<li>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/china-adrs-a-new-act-aims-to-put-an-end-to-china-adr-ipos" target="_blank" rel="noopener">China ADRs - A New Act Aims to Put an End to China ADR IPOs</a>, we spoke about the No IPOs for Unaccountable Actors Act, which aims to prohibit IPO on U.S. exchanges for Chinese companies. </li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<p>In this note, we'll talk about the implications of the recent China regulatory announcements.</p>
</div>

In our previous note China ADRs - Kanzhun, Full Truck and Didi - Regulators Sending a Message, we spoke about the recent crackdown on the three US listed firms. Since then more news has been coming in along the same theme of a general crackdown on overseas listings for Chinese companies. 

We have looked at the ADRs in the past, in our previous notes:




China ADRs Secondary Listing Deep-Dive: Yin and Yang, published in Feb 2020,  we looked at the background and rules around undertaking a secondary listing in Hong Kong and then came up with a short-list of companies that might undertake a secondary listing. 

In China ADRs Secondary Listing: COVID-19 Has Increased the Tension but Narrowed the Short List published in May 2020, we looked at the recent developments and provided an revised short-list
In China ADRs Secondary Listing - Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act - I’m Coming Home, published in May 2020, we spoke about the implication of the act which had made its way through the senate.
In China ADRs Secondary Listing - Pipeline Looks Rich, Have Three Years to Move, published in Feb 2021 we looked at the ADR pipeline and spoke about the updates from the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act becoming law and the updates at Hong Kong end as well. 
In China ADRs - SEC Notice - Instead of Three, Probably Have Four Years till 2025 - Correction Overdone,  we spoke about the new SEC notice and its implications. 
In China ADRs - A New Act Aims to Put an End to China ADR IPOs, we spoke about the No IPOs for Unaccountable Actors Act, which aims to prohibit IPO on U.S. exchanges for Chinese companies. 



In this note, we'll talk about the implications of the recent China regulatory announcements.


China ADRs - Now the Message Is Loud and Getting Clearer

<p>Daojia Limited (DL), one of the largest one-stop home services platforms in China, aims to raise at least US$300m in its US IPO, which now may or may not happen. The company is backed by 58.com and Baba.</p><p>DL operates Swan Daojia, a platform where it offers multiple services across categories such as maternity nurse, nanny, housekeeping services, along with training services and SaaS-based solutions.</p>

Daojia Limited (DL), one of the largest one-stop home services platforms in China, aims to raise at least US$300m in its US IPO, which now may or may not happen. The company is backed by 58.com and Baba.DL operates Swan Daojia, a platform where it offers multiple services across categories such as maternity nurse, nanny, housekeeping services, along with training services and SaaS-based solutions.

Daojia Pre-IPO - Can’t Pinpoint the True Growth

Equity Research in HK and Mainland China

Li Tang

<p>Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) announced on its website that it has initiated cybersecurity investigation against <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/didi-chuxing-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27467:1" rel="noopener">DiDi Chuxing (DIDI US)</a> , the ride-hailing giant, in order to "prevent national data security risks, maintain national security, and safeguard public interest".</p>

Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) announced on its website that it has initiated cybersecurity investigation against DiDi Chuxing (DIDI US) , the ride-hailing giant, in order to "prevent national data security risks, maintain national security, and safeguard public interest".

Cybersecurity Watchdog Orders Removal of Didi Chuxing App

China

DiDi Chuxing Incorporated operates passenger transportation platforms. The Company provides mobility solutions, cloud computing and other application based services. DiDi Chuxing serves customers worldwide.

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DiDi Global (DIDI US)

Tougher Chinese Regulatory Oversight of Foreign Listed Chinese Companies (With Caveats)

Chinese regulators just introduced guidelines for crackdown on capital markets misconduct, the latest one-two punch following the Didi debacle. ...

Jason Yap, CFA

Alibaba: Still Too Risky to Own

Mega cap tech stocks rarely underperform the market to the same extent as Alibaba during the last seven months, especially with no deterioration in...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

China ADRs - Now the Message Is Loud and Getting Clearer

In our previous note we spoke about the recent crackdown on the three US listed firms. Since then more news has been coming in along the same theme...

Sumeet Singh

Daojia Pre-IPO - Can’t Pinpoint the True Growth

Daojia Limited (DL), one of the largest one-stop home services platforms in China, aims to raise US$300m in its US IPO, which now may or may not...

Sumeet Singh

Cybersecurity Watchdog Orders Removal of Didi Chuxing App

The investigations could be due to the regulator's desire to send a message that technology firms must ensure data is adequately protected...

Li Tang

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