China/Asia TMT

Shawn Yang

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>We expect online gaming has a better performance: 1) improved content supply and 2) strong user demand for social interactions in top games like Tencent’s HOK and NetEase’s Egg Party.</li>
<li>We suggest that eCommerce and advertising have relatively weak performances in January because offline consumption enjoyed faster rebound and attracted users away from online platforms.</li>
<li>We are more positive about Tencent in C1Q23, and we expect that major ads platforms like Kuaishou, Baidu, Bili, iQIYI, and Weibo will have the fastest YoY growth in C2Q23.</li>
</ul>


We expect online gaming has a better performance: 1) improved content supply and 2) strong user demand for social interactions in top games like Tencent’s HOK and NetEase’s Egg Party.
We suggest that eCommerce and advertising have relatively weak performances in January because offline consumption enjoyed faster rebound and attracted users away from online platforms.
We are more positive about Tencent in C1Q23, and we expect that major ads platforms like Kuaishou, Baidu, Bili, iQIYI, and Weibo will have the fastest YoY growth in C2Q23.


China Internet CNY Holiday Update: Gaming Performed Better than Ads and ECom

<ul>
<li>We update our China online advertising model and forecast that the industry will reach RMB 1,167 bn with 9.3% YoY in 2023, rebounding from 2.7% YoY in 2022.</li>
<li>Bytedance's slowdown, Tencent's Video Account, and some sectors' uneven faster-than-expected recoveries will be three key themes that could generate investment opportunities in 2023.</li>
<li>We recommend BUY Tencent, BABA, PDD, and Meituan within the sector.</li>
</ul>


We update our China online advertising model and forecast that the industry will reach RMB 1,167 bn with 9.3% YoY in 2023, rebounding from 2.7% YoY in 2022.
Bytedance's slowdown, Tencent's Video Account, and some sectors' uneven faster-than-expected recoveries will be three key themes that could generate investment opportunities in 2023.
We recommend BUY Tencent, BABA, PDD, and Meituan within the sector.


China Online Ads Outlook: A Year of Uneven Recovery

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.

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>On 26th Aug 2022, PCAOB and CSRC announced that they had entered into an agreement granting US authorities access to investigate public accounting firms headquartered in China and HK.</li>
<li>On 2nd Apr 2022, CSRC put out a draft for public comments on the revision of certain provisions which would allow easier access by overseas regulators to China ADRs audits.</li>
<li>In this note, we'll talk about the latest developments and its implications.</li>
</ul>


On 26th Aug 2022, PCAOB and CSRC announced that they had entered into an agreement granting US authorities access to investigate public accounting firms headquartered in China and HK.
On 2nd Apr 2022, CSRC put out a draft for public comments on the revision of certain provisions which would allow easier access by overseas regulators to China ADRs audits.
In this note, we'll talk about the latest developments and its implications.


China ADRs Delisting - Tide Is Turning - Non-HK Listed ADRs Are Already Outperforming

China and US Equity Analyst

Roger Xie

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/weibo-corp-adr" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3826:1" rel="noopener">Weibo Corp (WB US)</a> delivered robust 1Q22 results with ad revenue growing 10% year-over-year and outperforming other Chinese social networks, which underscores Weibo's prominent position for advertisers.</li>
<li>However, widespread lockdowns in China and economic slowdown could pressure Weibo in 2Q, and we expect a gradual recovery in 3Q-4Q with limited visibility. </li>
<li>We like Weibo attractive valuation at 10x forward P/E; it has amassed MAU 582 million till March 2022 and user engagement has been improving.</li>
</ul>



Weibo Corp (WB US) delivered robust 1Q22 results with ad revenue growing 10% year-over-year and outperforming other Chinese social networks, which underscores Weibo's prominent position for advertisers.
However, widespread lockdowns in China and economic slowdown could pressure Weibo in 2Q, and we expect a gradual recovery in 3Q-4Q with limited visibility. 
We like Weibo attractive valuation at 10x forward P/E; it has amassed MAU 582 million till March 2022 and user engagement has been improving.


Weibo (WB US): Ad Growth Clouded by Pandemic and Macro Slowdown

Equity Analyst, LightStream Research

Shifara Samsudeen, ACMA, CGMA

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.

<ul>
<li>IQiyi reported 1Q2022 results last week. Revenue fell 8.7% YoY to RMB 7.3bn (vs consensus RMB 7.22bn) and reported an OP of RMB 93.4m (vs consensus loss of RMB 297m).</li>
<li>Growth in ARM helped offset decline in the number of subscribers for membership revenue. However, online advertising and content distribution both declined due to lack of content and macroeconomic weaknesses.  </li>
<li>IQiyi’s shares have gained 11.2% since its earnings announcement as the company reported an OPM for the first time.</li>
</ul>


IQiyi reported 1Q2022 results last week. Revenue fell 8.7% YoY to RMB 7.3bn (vs consensus RMB 7.22bn) and reported an OP of RMB 93.4m (vs consensus loss of RMB 297m).
Growth in ARM helped offset decline in the number of subscribers for membership revenue. However, online advertising and content distribution both declined due to lack of content and macroeconomic weaknesses.  
IQiyi’s shares have gained 11.2% since its earnings announcement as the company reported an OPM for the first time.


IQiyi – Generates Profits for the First Time; Can It Maintain Its Profitability?

China

JOYY Inc. operates a global social media platform. The Company offers platform which enables users to interact with each other in real time through online live media by creating, sharing, and enjoying a vast range of entertainment content and activities. JOYY serves customers in China.

Beijing TRS Information Technology Company Limited develops and markets software and technology services for unstructured data management. The Company provides software products that are enterprise search, content management and text mining.

Focus Technology Co Ltd. provides business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce solutions. The Company provides the supply and the demand sides for the release, search and management services of the transaction information.

Hangzhou Shunwang Technology Co., Ltd. develops and sells Internet entertainment networking platforms.  The Company's products provide safety management, system maintenance service, and entertainment content update service.

Hangzhou Shunwang Technology A (300113 CH)

Shanghai Ganglian E-Commerce Holdings Company Limited provides market information and B2B e-commerce services for steel and steel-related industries. The Company provides market information, research services and also offers business promotion to customers.

Hubei Century Network Technology Co. Ltd. provides internet content and service aggregation platforms. The Company delivers music, games, and other related products.

INESA Intelligent Tech Inc. operates in the IT industry. The Company designs and manages cloud servers and big data applications for businesses. INESA Intelligent also manufactures electronic components.

Longmaster Information & Technology Company Limited provides community-based phonic value-added services. The Company's main product is a large-scale telephone phonic social and entertainment platform.

Longmaster Information&Technology (300288 CH)

21Vianet Group, Inc. provides carrier-neutral Internet data center services. The Company hosts its customers' servers and networking equipment, as well as provides interconnectivity and managed network services to enable customers to deliver data across the Internet. 21Vianet conducts business in Beijing, China.

Beijing Sinnet Technology Company Limited provides customers with broadband access services, IDC and its value-added services, and other internet integrated services. The Company's core business are broadband access services, IDC and its value-added services.

mixi, Inc. operates community style website, mixi.  The Company sells advertising spaces on its website.  mixi also runs online recruiting services for IT related positions.

DeNA Co., Ltd. operates social media site, auction and shopping web site such as Mobage-town and Bidders.  DeNA also provides mobile-related services such as mobile game and community site.

Gogo Inc. provides in-flight connectivity systems and services. The Company offers online aircraft systems, wireless digital entertainment and other services in the commercial and business aviation markets.

Shutterstock Inc. operates a global marketplace for commercial digital imagery. The Company's online marketplace provides a freely searchable library of commercial digital images that our users can pay to license, download and incorporate into their work.

SMS CO.,LTD. is a website operator regarding elderly care.  On its websites, the company provides a variety of information contents related to employment placements for senior care assistants and doctors, as well as medical and nursing qualifications.

Megaport Limited operates as a software-based elastic connectivity provider. The Company develops an elastic connectivity platform that provides customers interconnectivity and flexibility between other networks and cloud providers connected to the platform. Megaport serves customers worldwide.

Cars.com Inc. operates an online automotive platform. The Company offers new and used vehicle listings, expert and consumer reviews, research tools, and other information which helps shoppers to buy, sell, and service their vehicles. Cars.com serves customers in the United States.

SUNeVision Holdings Limited, through its subsidiaries, operates Internet services centers and Information Technology (IT) facilities.  The Company also designs and installs SMATV, structural cabling and security systems as well as provides system development, solutions, and management services.  In addition, Sunevision invests in properties.

QuinStreet Inc. specializes in vertical marketing and media on the Internet. The Company focuses on clients in the education and financial services industries, as well as has a presence in the home services, business-to-business, or B2B, and healthcare industries.

Just Dial Ltd. operates a local search engine that provides comprehensive updated information. The Company offers a search engine that includes a variety of categories such as movies, hotels and resorts, taxis and car rentals, insurance, bars, and nightclubs. Just Dial markets its search engine to users throughout India.

Weibo Corp is a social media platform for people to create, distribute and discover Chinese-language content.  The Company offers users public self-expression in real time with a powerful platform for social interaction, as well as content aggregation and distribution.

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Weibo Corp (WB US)

China Internet CNY Holiday Update: Gaming Performed Better than Ads and ECom

Our recent channel check indicates that online gaming has a better performance than online ads and eCommerce during the Chinese New Year holiday....

Blue Lotus Research Institute

China Online Ads Outlook: A Year of Uneven Recovery

We update our China online advertising model and conclude that Bytedance's slowdown, Tencent's Video Account, and some sectors' uneven recoveries...

Blue Lotus Research Institute

China ADRs Delisting - Tide Is Turning - Non-HK Listed ADRs Are Already Outperforming

On 26th Aug 2022, PCAOB and CSRC announced that they had entered into an agreement granting US authorities access to investigate public accounting...

Sumeet Singh

Weibo (WB US): Ad Growth Clouded by Pandemic and Macro Slowdown

Widespread lockdowns in China could pressure Weibo earning in 2Q. Now valuation is more attractive at 10x forward P/E with improving user engagement.

Roger Xie

IQiyi – Generates Profits for the First Time; Can It Maintain Its Profitability?

Though iQiyi's revenues declined YoY in 1Q2022 due to weaknesses in online ad and content distrbn, the company managed to report operating profits...

Shifara Samsudeen, ACMA, CGMA

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