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

<p>Airbnb aims to raise around US$2.5bn in its US listing. Airbnb is a global short-stay offering platform. To put it simply, iIt connects hosts, who post available accommodation on Airbnb, with guests, who make bookings for the accommodation. It charges a fee for this service.</p><p>As of 9M20, it had 4 million hosts in more than 220 countries and regions around the world. Since inception, its hosts have welcomed over 825m guest arrivals and have cumulatively earned over $110bn. In 2019, it had 54m active bookers worldwide, who booked 327m nights and experiences on Airbnb.</p><p>Over 2017-19, the company reported steady growth in earnings led by an increase in the number of bookings. Its overall number of guests and hosts have been growing as well, with most metrics heading in the right direction. </p><p>While COVID-19 did take a harsh toll on the company, its quarterly results paint a better picture as compared to its 9M20 numbers. Even during COVID, there have been certain pockets, like domestic and long stay travel which have continued to grow, thus, highlighting the company’s resilience. </p><p>Having said that, Airbnb has failed to explain the reason for the downwards pressure on its 2019 margins. At the same time, the cohorts data highlights the ample other options available to its guests and the severe competition in the industry. </p>

Airbnb aims to raise around US$2.5bn in its US listing. Airbnb is a global short-stay offering platform. To put it simply, iIt connects hosts, who post available accommodation on Airbnb, with guests, who make bookings for the accommodation. It charges a fee for this service.As of 9M20, it had 4 million hosts in more than 220 countries and regions around the world. Since inception, its hosts have welcomed over 825m guest arrivals and have cumulatively earned over $110bn. In 2019, it had 54m active bookers worldwide, who booked 327m nights and experiences on Airbnb.Over 2017-19, the company reported steady growth in earnings led by an increase in the number of bookings. Its overall number of guests and hosts have been growing as well, with most metrics heading in the right direction. While COVID-19 did take a harsh toll on the company, its quarterly results paint a better picture as compared to its 9M20 numbers. Even during COVID, there have been certain pockets, like domestic and long stay travel which have continued to grow, thus, highlighting the company’s resilience. Having said that, Airbnb has failed to explain the reason for the downwards pressure on its 2019 margins. At the same time, the cohorts data highlights the ample other options available to its guests and the severe competition in the industry. 

Airbnb IPO - Time for a Good Break - Even from the Share Lock-Up

IPO and L/S equity, 2015 Starmine top stock picker, Global Equity Research Ltd

Rickin Thakrar

IPO and L/S equity, 2015 Starmine top stock picker

Uncompromised, Independent, Conflict-Free Research

Global Equity Research Ltd

Global Equity Research was started in 2017 by a group of experienced research professionals. It was founded on a passionate belief in the importance and the need for uncompromised, independent, conflict-free research. We aim to provide differentiated and actionable primary and bottom up fundamental research.

Alibaba Group Holding  / Equity Capital Markets

<p>Late Wednesday evening, the US Congress unanimously passed the 'Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act' which is a bill that could block Chinese companies from listing or raising funds in the US. </p><p>This bill has already passed by the Senate and will go to President Trump for the bill to be signed. We believe this is likely and while this bill impacts all foreign companies listed in the US, this could lead to the delisting of numerous Chinese companies listed in the US over the next three years. More details below. </p>

Late Wednesday evening, the US Congress unanimously passed the 'Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act' which is a bill that could block Chinese companies from listing or raising funds in the US. This bill has already passed by the Senate and will go to President Trump for the bill to be signed. We believe this is likely and while this bill impacts all foreign companies listed in the US, this could lead to the delisting of numerous Chinese companies listed in the US over the next three years. More details below. 

US Congress Passes Bill that Could Lead to the Delisting of Chinese Companies on US Exchanges

Overseas Chinese Equities, Aequitas Research

Ming Lu

Overseas Chinese Equities

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>The revenue growth rate continued to recover to 29% YoY in 3Q20.</li>
<li>However, the stock price has risen by 180% in the past 7 months.</li>
<li>The operating margin decreased if deducting a value change in investment.</li>
<li>The aggressively expanding business, “Meituan Insta-shopping” (美团闪购), is competing with Alibaba (BABA) and JD.com (JD).</li>
</ul>


The revenue growth rate continued to recover to 29% YoY in 3Q20.
However, the stock price has risen by 180% in the past 7 months.
The operating margin decreased if deducting a value change in investment.
The aggressively expanding business, “Meituan Insta-shopping” (美团闪购), is competing with Alibaba (BABA) and JD.com (JD).


Meituan (3690 HK): Good News, Recovery Continued in 3Q20, Bad News, Overvalued

Pop Mart International Group L / Equity Capital Markets

<div><p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pop-mart-international-group-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29016:1" rel="noopener">POP MART (POP HK)</a>  plans to raise around US$200-300m in its Hong Kong IPO.</p></div><div><p>Pop Mart (PM) is the largest and fastest growing pop toy company in China, in terms of 2019 revenue and revenue CAGR over 2017-19. PM had a 8.5% market share by retail value, making it the largest player in the pop toy retailing market.</p></div><div><p>In our previous insights, we spoke about the positive/negative aspects, peers and valuation, and undertook store and product reviews: </p></div><div><ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/pop-mart-pre-ipo-the-positives-expanding-portfolio-wider-distribution-explosive-earnings-growth" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pop Mart Pre-IPO - The Positives - Expanding Portfolio+Wider Distribution= Explosive Earnings Growth,</a> and</li>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/pop-mart-pre-ipo-the-negatives-is-it-a-brand-owner-or-just-a-retailer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pop Mart Pre-IPO - The Negatives - Is It a Brand Owner or Just a Retailer?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/pop-mart-pre-ipo-peer-set-and-valuation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:41850" rel="noopener">Pop Mart Pre-IPO - Peer Set and Valuation</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/pop-mart-pre-ipo-quick-note-on-the-ground-pop-up-stores-are-effective" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pop Mart Pre-IPO Quick Note - On the Ground - Pop-Up Stores Are Effective</a></li>
</ul></div><div>
<ul><li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/pop-mart-pre-ipo-phip-updates-still-riding-on-past-expansion" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pop Mart Pre-IPO - PHIP Updates - Still Riding on past Expansion</a></li></ul>
<p>In this note, I’ll talk about the updates to valuation post the PHIP updates.</p>
</div>

POP MART (POP HK)  plans to raise around US$200-300m in its Hong Kong IPO.Pop Mart (PM) is the largest and fastest growing pop toy company in China, in terms of 2019 revenue and revenue CAGR over 2017-19. PM had a 8.5% market share by retail value, making it the largest player in the pop toy retailing market.In our previous insights, we spoke about the positive/negative aspects, peers and valuation, and undertook store and product reviews: 

Pop Mart Pre-IPO - The Positives - Expanding Portfolio+Wider Distribution= Explosive Earnings Growth, and
Pop Mart Pre-IPO - The Negatives - Is It a Brand Owner or Just a Retailer?
Pop Mart Pre-IPO - Peer Set and Valuation
Pop Mart Pre-IPO Quick Note - On the Ground - Pop-Up Stores Are Effective

Pop Mart Pre-IPO - PHIP Updates - Still Riding on past Expansion
In this note, I’ll talk about the updates to valuation post the PHIP updates.


Global Emerging Market Equities, Propitious Research

Wium Malan, CFA

Global Emerging Market Equities

<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/naspers-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:21085:1" rel="noopener">Naspers (NPN SJ)</a> gives you deeply discounted exposure to one of the highest quality companies listed in the Emerging Markets, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26:1" rel="noopener">Tencent Holdings (700 HK)</a>. Should you back out the estimated fair values of all investments outside of Prosus’ 31% holding in Tencent from the current Naspers market cap, you are effectively buying exposure to Tencent for only 16.2x 2021F earnings.</p>
<p>Often overlooked, Naspers also gives exposure to a diverse range of online businesses, in differing stages of development, which are likely to structurally benefited from lasting changes to consumer behaviour in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.</p>
<p>Further, Management has signalled their focus on meaningfully reducing its discount to listed net asset value by implementing a $5bn share buyback program, during November 2020, which should also support the share price through volatility in the near term. </p>
<p>The key risk to the investment thesis regards the newly proposed Anti-Monopoly Compliance Guidelines for the Platform Economy released by China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), a clear signal of tougher antitrust regulations going forward. Tencent should, however, be able to manage through these better than the large eCommerce players.</p>

Naspers (NPN SJ) gives you deeply discounted exposure to one of the highest quality companies listed in the Emerging Markets, Tencent Holdings (700 HK). Should you back out the estimated fair values of all investments outside of Prosus’ 31% holding in Tencent from the current Naspers market cap, you are effectively buying exposure to Tencent for only 16.2x 2021F earnings.
Often overlooked, Naspers also gives exposure to a diverse range of online businesses, in differing stages of development, which are likely to structurally benefited from lasting changes to consumer behaviour in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Further, Management has signalled their focus on meaningfully reducing its discount to listed net asset value by implementing a $5bn share buyback program, during November 2020, which should also support the share price through volatility in the near term. 
The key risk to the investment thesis regards the newly proposed Anti-Monopoly Compliance Guidelines for the Platform Economy released by China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), a clear signal of tougher antitrust regulations going forward. Tencent should, however, be able to manage through these better than the large eCommerce players.

2021 High Conviction: Naspers, Deeply Discounted Exposure to Accelerating Online Sales

China

JD.com Inc is an online direct sales company in China.  The Company offers a wide selection of products through its website and mobile applications.  JD.com sells appliances, computers, digital products, communication products, garments, books, and household items to consumers and vendors.

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JD.com Inc (ADR) (JD US)

US Congress Passes Bill that Could Lead to the Delisting of Chinese Companies on US Exchanges

Late Wednesday evening, the US Congress unanimously passed the 'Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act' which is a bill that could block Chinese...

Rickin Thakrar

Meituan (3690 HK): Good News, Recovery Continued in 3Q20, Bad News, Overvalued

The revenue growth rate continued to recover to 29% YoY in 3Q20. However, the stock price has risen by 180% in the past 7 months.

Ming Lu

Pop Mart Pre-IPO - Valuation Updates

POP MART plans to raise around US$200-300m in its Hong Kong IPO. Pop Mart is the largest and fastest growing pop toy company in China, in terms of...

Sumeet Singh

2021 High Conviction: Naspers, Deeply Discounted Exposure to Accelerating Online Sales

Naspers: Deeply discounted exposure to Tencent, a diverse range of online businesses set to benefit from accelerated online activity post-COVID-19...

Wium Malan, CFA

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Airbnb IPO - Time for a Good Break - Even from the Share Lock-Up

Airbnb aims to raise around US$2.5bn in its US listing. There is lots to like about the company, apart from it lack of lock-up on some shareholders.

Sumeet Singh

US Congress Passes Bill that Could Lead to the Delisting of Chinese Companies on US Exchanges

Late Wednesday evening, the US Congress unanimously passed the 'Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act' which is a bill that could block Chinese...

Rickin Thakrar

Meituan (3690 HK): Good News, Recovery Continued in 3Q20, Bad News, Overvalued

The revenue growth rate continued to recover to 29% YoY in 3Q20. However, the stock price has risen by 180% in the past 7 months.

Ming Lu

Pop Mart Pre-IPO - Valuation Updates

POP MART plans to raise around US$200-300m in its Hong Kong IPO. Pop Mart is the largest and fastest growing pop toy company in China, in terms of...

Sumeet Singh

2021 High Conviction: Naspers, Deeply Discounted Exposure to Accelerating Online Sales

Naspers: Deeply discounted exposure to Tencent, a diverse range of online businesses set to benefit from accelerated online activity post-COVID-19...

Wium Malan, CFA