HK/China Equity Long-Short

Osbert Tang, CFA

Equity Bottom-Up

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kunlun-energy-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10054:1" rel="noopener">Kunlun Energy (135 HK)</a> posted a very impressive 1H21 result with profit from continuing operations soared 249.9% YoY. All business segments recorded profitability improvement with very encouraging 46.7% YoY growth for its natural gas sales business. The exploration and production segment also achieved a good turnaround, thanks to a 28.3% YoY increase in average realised oil price.We believe the market should be happy with Kunlun's 1% increase in natural gas sales dollar margin even in a period of rising LNG price. Also, the solid momentum of new projects, which 16 were added in 1H21, compares well with peers. We think there is upside to our earnings forecasts and its current valuation of 11.5x PER (on continuing operations) for FY21 is appealing relative to peers. More updates will be provided after the post-1H21 result call.

Kunlun Energy (135 HK) posted a very impressive 1H21 result with profit from continuing operations soared 249.9% YoY. All business segments recorded profitability improvement with very encouraging 46.7% YoY growth for its natural gas sales business. The exploration and production segment also achieved a good turnaround, thanks to a 28.3% YoY increase in average realised oil price.We believe the market should be happy with Kunlun's 1% increase in natural gas sales dollar margin even in a period of rising LNG price. Also, the solid momentum of new projects, which 16 were added in 1H21, compares well with peers. We think there is upside to our earnings forecasts and its current valuation of 11.5x PER (on continuing operations) for FY21 is appealing relative to peers. More updates will be provided after the post-1H21 result call.

Kunlun Energy (135 HK): Our Initial Thoughts on 1H21 - Sharply Ahead of Expectations

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-gas-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14315:1" rel="noopener">China Gas Holdings (384 HK)</a> has underperformed the gas utilities sector average by a massive 26pp over the last three months. While the dilution from its Apr placement and its Shiyan, Hubei gas project explosion in Jun are reasons, we think that the depressed valuations should have reflected most of the negative concerns. At 12x PER and 1.9x P/B, it is cheaper than peers like <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-resources-gas-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20525:1" rel="noopener">CR Gas (1193 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/enn-energy-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:316:1" rel="noopener">ENN Energy (2688 HK)</a>. We see room to narrow such underperformance.Despite the Shiyan explosion incident, China Gas has managed to sign a strategic cooperation agreement in Aug with Xiangyang, which is the third-largest city in Hubei. We think this suggested that the incident does not have significant impact on its ability to secure projects in the province. Its new businesses include LPG Smart MicroGrid and distributed urban heating are both progressing well, and such initiatives to be potential added drivers. Lastly, its expansion into hydrogen energy on cooperation with <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/cnooc-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:175:1" rel="noopener">CNOOC Ltd (883 HK)</a> may be a wild card in the long term.

China Gas Holdings (384 HK) has underperformed the gas utilities sector average by a massive 26pp over the last three months. While the dilution from its Apr placement and its Shiyan, Hubei gas project explosion in Jun are reasons, we think that the depressed valuations should have reflected most of the negative concerns. At 12x PER and 1.9x P/B, it is cheaper than peers like CR Gas (1193 HK) and ENN Energy (2688 HK). We see room to narrow such underperformance.Despite the Shiyan explosion incident, China Gas has managed to sign a strategic cooperation agreement in Aug with Xiangyang, which is the third-largest city in Hubei. We think this suggested that the incident does not have significant impact on its ability to secure projects in the province. Its new businesses include LPG Smart MicroGrid and distributed urban heating are both progressing well, and such initiatives to be potential added drivers. Lastly, its expansion into hydrogen energy on cooperation with CNOOC Ltd (883 HK) may be a wild card in the long term.

China Gas Holdings (384 HK): Looks like the Negatives Have Been Well Factored In

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kunlun-energy-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10054:1" rel="noopener">Kunlun Energy (135 HK)</a> should have a decent operating performance in 1H21, with good growth achieved for natural gas sales, LPG sales, LNG terminal and also the exploration and production segment. Their performance all look to be ahead of the full-year guidance put forward in FY20 result announcement in Mar 2021 - this is encouraging.Gas project M&amp;A momentum stays decent and, with IRRs of 10-12%, the returns are ahead of the hurdle level of 8%. Following <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-gas-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14315:1" rel="noopener">China Gas Holdings' (384 HK)</a>  Shiyan gas explosion, local governments now prefer large SOEs to invest in projects given their more stringent safety standards, and this is an advantage of Kunlun. The gas industry also entails less regulatory risks amid government's heightened regulatory measures towards various industries lately. The recent pull-back has made valuations even more appealing, in our view.

Kunlun Energy (135 HK) should have a decent operating performance in 1H21, with good growth achieved for natural gas sales, LPG sales, LNG terminal and also the exploration and production segment. Their performance all look to be ahead of the full-year guidance put forward in FY20 result announcement in Mar 2021 - this is encouraging.Gas project M&amp;A momentum stays decent and, with IRRs of 10-12%, the returns are ahead of the hurdle level of 8%. Following China Gas Holdings' (384 HK)  Shiyan gas explosion, local governments now prefer large SOEs to invest in projects given their more stringent safety standards, and this is an advantage of Kunlun. The gas industry also entails less regulatory risks amid government's heightened regulatory measures towards various industries lately. The recent pull-back has made valuations even more appealing, in our view.  

Kunlun Energy (135 HK): Positive Takeaways from Discussion with Company

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-gas-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14315:1" rel="noopener">China Gas Holdings (384 HK)</a>'s FY24 result is distorted by non-recurring items and provisions. Adjusted net profit, however, has declined by only 4.3%, and is only 2.6% below consensus. </li>
<li>FY25 guidance looks positive as a 6% increase in dollar margin and a 5% increase in gas volume are expected. The Apr-May operating figures support such projections.</li>
<li>China Gas maintained its DPS despite a drop in reported profit, showcasing its confidence. Assuming the same dividend in FY25 and FY26, it will sit on a yield of 7%. </li>
</ul>



China Gas Holdings (384 HK)'s FY24 result is distorted by non-recurring items and provisions. Adjusted net profit, however, has declined by only 4.3%, and is only 2.6% below consensus. 
FY25 guidance looks positive as a 6% increase in dollar margin and a 5% increase in gas volume are expected. The Apr-May operating figures support such projections.
China Gas maintained its DPS despite a drop in reported profit, showcasing its confidence. Assuming the same dividend in FY25 and FY26, it will sit on a yield of 7%. 


China Gas Holdings (384 HK): Still Warrants a Look

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>SOUTHBOUND was again a net buyer, for HK$27.2bn this week, on small two-way volumes. <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> dominated as it reached dividend ex-date. Other high-div SOEs also saw buying.</li>
<li>It is not clear how much of this is H/A discounts, expected dividend tax removal, and the KPIs for SOE CEOs to raise prices and payout ratios, but it continues.</li>
<li>Valuations are acceptable. Flows are good. Policy changes are afoot. SOUTHBOUND may continue to see inflows - national team and otherwise.</li>
</ul>


SOUTHBOUND was again a net buyer, for HK$27.2bn this week, on small two-way volumes. China Mobile (941 HK) dominated as it reached dividend ex-date. Other high-div SOEs also saw buying.
It is not clear how much of this is H/A discounts, expected dividend tax removal, and the KPIs for SOE CEOs to raise prices and payout ratios, but it continues.
Valuations are acceptable. Flows are good. Policy changes are afoot. SOUTHBOUND may continue to see inflows - national team and otherwise.


HK Connect SOUTHBOUND Flows (To 7 June 2024); China Mobile, Energy, Financials All Bought Bigly

China

Enn Natural Gas Co.,Ltd. offers natural gas engineering services. The Company provides natural gas engineering investment, gas station construction, and energy equipment distribution services. Enn Natural Gas also operates coal materials, chemicals,  and biopharmaceutical products trading businesses.

Shenzhen Gas Corporation Ltd., supplies gas in Shenzhen. The Company business includes wholesale of gas, pipeline and the supply of bottled gas, investment and construction in the distribution network of gas transmission.

Foran Energy Group Co.,Ltd. operates as a natural gas production company. The Company mainly offers liquefied and compressed natural gas transmission and distribution services. Foran Energy Group also provides natural gas high pressure pipe network construction services.

Xinjiang Xintai Natural Gas Co., Ltd. distributes and sells natural, liquefied petroleum, and manufactured gases throughout China.

Shaan Xi Provincial Natural Gas Company Ltd. transports natural gas through pipelines.

Shaanxi Provincial Natural Gas Co, Ltd. (002267 CH)

Chongqing Gas Group Corporation Limited supplies gas, installs gas facilities and equipment in Chongqing.

Xinjiang Haoyuan Gas Company Limited processes, sells, services and delivers natural gas. The Company's main products include delivery and sale of natural gas, and home residents pipeline installation services.

China Tian Lun Gas Holdings Ltd. processes and distributes natural gas through urban pipelines.  The Company operates in Henan Province, China.  China Tian Lun Gas also operates a compressed natural gas filling station.

Huadian Power International Corporation Limited generates and sells electricity which is all fed into the Shandong Provincial Grid operated by Shandong Electric Power (Group) Corporation (SEPCO), the immediate holding company of the Company.  The Company also sells heat.

China Longyuan Power Group Corp Ltd designs, develops, manages, and operates wind farms.  The Company also sells the electricity generated by the wind farms.

TOKYO GAS CO., LTD. produces and supplies liquefied natural gas to Tokyo and the surrounding areas.  The Company maintains and manages gas supply equipment and sells air conditioning appliances.  Tokyo Gas operates power generation business as well.

Petronas Gas Berhad processes and separates natural gas into its components from the gas field offshore Terengganu. The Company stores, transports, and distributes these components as well as trades utilities to petrochemical plants.

OSAKA GAS CO., LTD. produces and supplies natural gas primarily in Osaka, Kyoto, and Hyogo areas.  The Company provides gases and energy products for residential, commercial, and industrial customers.  Osaka Gas also constructs and maintains gas supply lines.  In addition, the Company sells gas appliances.

China Resources Gas Group Ltd distributes natural gas and petroleum gas in the cities of Chengdu, Fuyang, Huaibei, Linhai, Suzhou and Wuxi in the PRC. The Company also operates compressed natural gas filling stations in Chengdu, Nanjing and Wuxi. The group also is involved in bottled liquefied petroleum gas distribution in cities of Fuyang, Suzhou and Wuxi.

PetroVietnam Gas JSC transports, stores, and markets petroleum gas.  The Companies products include liquefied petroleum gas, dry gas, compressed natural gas, and liquefied natural gas.  PetroVietnam's services include gas gathering, gas importation, gas transportation and distribution, gas engine development and gas operation and maintenance.

APA Group is a natural gas infrastructure company. The Company owns and or operates gas transmission and distribution assets whose pipelines span every state and territory in mainland Australia. APA Group also holds minority interests in energy infrastructure enterprises.

Southwest Gas Corporation purchases, transports, and distributes natural gas to residential, commercial, and industrial customers in portions of Arizona, Nevada, and California.  The Company also provides construction services to utility companies, including trenching and installation, replacement, and maintenance services for energy distribution systems.

National Fuel Gas Company is an integrated natural gas company with operations in all segments of the natural gas industry, including utility, pipeline and storage, exploration and production, and marketing operations.  The Company operates across the United States.

China Gas Holdings Ltd. invests in, operates and manages natural gas distribution pipelines.  The Company distributes and sells natural gas to residential, commercial and industrial users, and bottles and sells compressed natural gas.  China Gas also constructs and operates gas stations.

UGI Corporation distributes and markets energy products and services.  The Company is a domestic and international distributor of propane.  UGI also distributes and markets natural gas and electricity, and sells related products and services in the Middle Atlantic region of the United States.

ENN Energy Holdings Ltd. distributes natural gas in China.  The Company, through its subsidiaries, invests in, operates, and manages gas pipelines, and sells and distributes piped and bottled gas in China.

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ENN Energy (2688 HK)

Kunlun Energy (135 HK): Our Initial Thoughts on 1H21 - Sharply Ahead of Expectations

We think the market should welcome Kunlun's very solid 1H21 result, and particularly its 1% expansion in gas sales dollar margin and the turnaround...

Osbert Tang, CFA

China Gas Holdings (384 HK): Looks like the Negatives Have Been Well Factored In

China Gas' depressed share price should have reflected the negatives related to share placement and Shiyan explosion. Its new business momentum...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Kunlun Energy (135 HK): Positive Takeaways from Discussion with Company

Kunlun Energy should have a decent 1H21 driven by good natural gas sales, LPG sales, LNG terminal and recovery of the exploration and production...

Osbert Tang, CFA

China Gas Holdings (384 HK): Still Warrants a Look

Adjusted FY24 profit shows slight decline, but FY25 guidance looks positive with expected increases in dollar margin and gas volume. Assuming same...

Osbert Tang, CFA

HK Connect SOUTHBOUND Flows (To 7 June 2024); China Mobile, Energy, Financials All Bought Bigly

Big net buying on HK Connect by SOUTHBOUND. This week it was China Mobile (ex-div on 6 June), energy, and financials again. MMG was sold on the...

Travis Lundy

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Kunlun Energy (135 HK): Our Initial Thoughts on 1H21 - Sharply Ahead of Expectations

We think the market should welcome Kunlun's very solid 1H21 result, and particularly its 1% expansion in gas sales dollar margin and the turnaround...

Osbert Tang, CFA

China Gas Holdings (384 HK): Looks like the Negatives Have Been Well Factored In

China Gas' depressed share price should have reflected the negatives related to share placement and Shiyan explosion. Its new business momentum...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Kunlun Energy (135 HK): Positive Takeaways from Discussion with Company

Kunlun Energy should have a decent 1H21 driven by good natural gas sales, LPG sales, LNG terminal and recovery of the exploration and production...

Osbert Tang, CFA

China Gas Holdings (384 HK): Still Warrants a Look

​Adjusted FY24 profit shows slight decline, but FY25 guidance looks positive with expected increases in dollar margin and gas volume. Assuming same...

Osbert Tang, CFA

HK Connect SOUTHBOUND Flows (To 7 June 2024); China Mobile, Energy, Financials All Bought Bigly

Big net buying on HK Connect by SOUTHBOUND. This week it was China Mobile (ex-div on 6 June), energy, and financials again. MMG was sold on the...

Travis Lundy

Adjusted FY24 profit shows slight decline, but FY25 guidance looks positive with expected increases in dollar margin and gas volume. Assuming same...