Asian Equities Analyst, Logistics & Transport, Tracking Traffic

Daniel Hellberg

Asian Equities Analyst, Logistics & Transport

Tracking Traffic

Focusing on Asian logistics, transportation, and travel companies

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<p>Updated with air departure and hotel information on October 30, our Chinese travel tracker dashboard shows a couple of interesting data points this week:</p><ol>
<li>The pace of flight departure growth slowed at the four Mainland Chinese airports we track, while airports <em>outside</em> Mainland China showed solid improvement. This is the opposite of what we've seen in most periods since we launched this product in April 2020.</li>
<li>Average hotel room rates quoted by <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/trip-com-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:180:1" rel="noopener">Trip.com (TCOM US)</a> firmed dramatically, but we worry about a single data point that had an outsized impact on weighted average rates. Even putting this odd figure aside, however, hotel rates improved slightly versus a month ago.</li>
</ol>

Updated with air departure and hotel information on October 30, our Chinese travel tracker dashboard shows a couple of interesting data points this week:
The pace of flight departure growth slowed at the four Mainland Chinese airports we track, while airports outside Mainland China showed solid improvement. This is the opposite of what we've seen in most periods since we launched this product in April 2020.
Average hotel room rates quoted by Trip.com (TCOM US) firmed dramatically, but we worry about a single data point that had an outsized impact on weighted average rates. Even putting this odd figure aside, however, hotel rates improved slightly versus a month ago.


TRACKING TRAFFIC's Travel Tracker Dashboard (October 30): Air Traffic Ex-Mainland China Firms

Equity Bottom-Up

<section class="figure">
<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/168/547/original/BANNER-TOURISM.png?1604062858" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="168547"></figure>
</section>
<p><em>Outbound</em> Chinese travel demand remained weak in September, despite Macau doubling Chinese inbound traffic (again). Activity from China into most regional destinations remained comatose.</p>
<p><em>Domestic</em> Chinese travel demand continued its recovery in September, and one metric even showed a modest YoY improvement. Other measures showed activity still far below year-ago levels. </p>
<p>However, data also show that average domestic air segment length remains depressed, and this suggests consumers remain cautious regarding leisure travel.</p>
<p>We continue to expect only a gradual recovery in tourism and travel demand over the next few months.</p>




Outbound Chinese travel demand remained weak in September, despite Macau doubling Chinese inbound traffic (again). Activity from China into most regional destinations remained comatose.
Domestic Chinese travel demand continued its recovery in September, and one metric even showed a modest YoY improvement. Other measures showed activity still far below year-ago levels. 
However, data also show that average domestic air segment length remains depressed, and this suggests consumers remain cautious regarding leisure travel.
We continue to expect only a gradual recovery in tourism and travel demand over the next few months.

TRACKING TRAFFIC/Chinese Tourism: Outbound: Comatose | Domestic: Fewer, Shorter Trips = New Normal?

HK/China Equity Long-Short

Osbert Tang, CFA

Shanghai International Airport / Equity Bottom-Up

<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shanghai-international-airport-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6511:1" rel="noopener">Shanghai International Airport (600009 CH)</a> logged a loss of Rmb352m in 3Q20, representing a 24.6% QoQ loss narrowing. In absolute terms, it is worse than <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/guangzhou-baiyun-international-airport" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10819:1" rel="noopener">Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (600004 CH)</a> (loss of Rmb131m) and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/beijing-capital-international-airport-bcia" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10626:1" rel="noopener">Beijing Capital International Airport (BCIA) (694 HK)</a> (loss of Rmb347m). However, we still prefer SIAC given its exposure to the gradual recovery in international traffic, growth in freight volume, limited amount of capex and less risk of traffic competition/diversion.</p><p>For GBIA and BCIA, we think that the better 3Q20 results cannot cover the serious structural concerns they are facing. GBIA have worries including competition from other airports, the potential construction of a new airport at the Guangzhou vicinity and the likely rise in capex due to capacity expansion.  Meanwhile, traffic diversion to Beijing Daxing International Airport is still the medium term issue to cap BCIA's pace of recovery.</p>

Shanghai International Airport (600009 CH) logged a loss of Rmb352m in 3Q20, representing a 24.6% QoQ loss narrowing. In absolute terms, it is worse than Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (600004 CH) (loss of Rmb131m) and Beijing Capital International Airport (BCIA) (694 HK) (loss of Rmb347m). However, we still prefer SIAC given its exposure to the gradual recovery in international traffic, growth in freight volume, limited amount of capex and less risk of traffic competition/diversion.For GBIA and BCIA, we think that the better 3Q20 results cannot cover the serious structural concerns they are facing. GBIA have worries including competition from other airports, the potential construction of a new airport at the Guangzhou vicinity and the likely rise in capex due to capacity expansion.  Meanwhile, traffic diversion to Beijing Daxing International Airport is still the medium term issue to cap BCIA's pace of recovery.

Shanghai International Airport (600009 CH): Narrowing Loss in 3Q20

China Southern Airlines / Equity Bottom-Up

<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-southern-airlines-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1078:1" rel="noopener">China Southern Airlines (1055 HK)</a> is the only of the Big Three Chinese airlines to record a profit in 3Q20, thanks to its domestic exposure, good cost management and exchange gain from Rmb/USD appreciation. It logged a profit of Rmb711m in the quarter, significantly ahead of losses of Rmb671m for Air China and Rmb563m for CEA. We believe CSA's solid performance can extend into 4Q20, sustaining its outperformance against these two peers.</p><p>Both CEA and Air China will continue to be weighted down by their international routes, with Air China further suffers from the burden from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/cathay-pacific-airways-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:243:1" rel="noopener">Cathay Pacific Airways (293 HK)</a>. At 0.75x P/B, CSA stays firmly as our top pick in the Chinese airlines sector.   </p>

China Southern Airlines (1055 HK) is the only of the Big Three Chinese airlines to record a profit in 3Q20, thanks to its domestic exposure, good cost management and exchange gain from Rmb/USD appreciation. It logged a profit of Rmb711m in the quarter, significantly ahead of losses of Rmb671m for Air China and Rmb563m for CEA. We believe CSA's solid performance can extend into 4Q20, sustaining its outperformance against these two peers.Both CEA and Air China will continue to be weighted down by their international routes, with Air China further suffers from the burden from Cathay Pacific Airways (293 HK). At 0.75x P/B, CSA stays firmly as our top pick in the Chinese airlines sector.   

China Southern Airlines (1055 HK): Profit, Profit, Profit in 3Q20

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<div>
<p>A Double Dose of StubWorld this week...</p>
</div>
<div>
<div class="content-highlight">
<p>After fourteen consecutive months of total leased office space declining, major Hong Kong property-owners have scant alternatives but to negotiate leases. And like <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/swire-properties-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5775:1" rel="noopener">Swire Properties (1972 HK)</a>, sell non-core assets.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<p>Preceding my comments on Swire are the weekly setup/unwind tables for Asia-Pacific Holdcos.</p>
</div>
<div><hr></div>
<div>
<div>
<div class="content-remarks">
<p>These relationships trade with a minimum liquidity threshold of US$1mn on a 90-day moving average, and a % market capitalisation threshold - the $ value of the holding/opco held, over the parent’s market capitalisation, expressed in percent - of at least 20%.</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>


A Double Dose of StubWorld this week...



After fourteen consecutive months of total leased office space declining, major Hong Kong property-owners have scant alternatives but to negotiate leases. And like Swire Properties (1972 HK), sell non-core assets.



Preceding my comments on Swire are the weekly setup/unwind tables for Asia-Pacific Holdcos.





These relationships trade with a minimum liquidity threshold of US$1mn on a 90-day moving average, and a % market capitalisation threshold - the $ value of the holding/opco held, over the parent’s market capitalisation, expressed in percent - of at least 20%.




StubWorld: Swire Shedding Property Amidst Leasing Funk

China

China Southern Airlines Company Limited provides commercial airline services throughout China, Southeast Asia and other parts of the world.  The Company also provides other airline related services including aircraft maintenance and air catering.

China Eastern Airlines Corporation Limited, together with its subsidiaries, operates in the civil aviation industry. It offers passenger, cargo, mail delivery, ground, cargo handling, and other extended transportation services.

Air China Limited provides passenger, cargo, and airline-related services in China.  The Company is primarily based in Beijing and a major hub for domestic and international air transportation.  Air China's airline-related services include aircraft maintenance, repair, overhaul service, ground services, and in-flight catering services.

Hainan Airlines Co., Ltd. provides passenger and freight air transportation. The Company also provides charter flight services. 

Spring Airlines Co., Ltd. offers air transportation services. The Company provides domestic air transportation, international air transportation, cargo transportation, and other services. Spring Airlines also offers ticket home delivery, insurance transaction, and other services.

Juneyao Airlines Co. Ltd. supplies air transportation services. The Company provides domestic and international routes for passengers and cargoes. Juneyao Airlines also offers ticket home delivery and electronic ticketing services.

China Express Airlines Co., Ltd. provides air transportation services. The Company offers passenger and freight air transportation, aviation equipment maintenance and aircraft leasing, ticket and hotel booking, consulting, and other services. China Express Airlines serves customers worldwide.

China Express Airlines Co Ltd (002928 CH)

COSCO SHIPPING Holdings Co., Ltd offers marine freight transportation services.  The Company offers container shipping, dry bulk shipping, logistics services, freight forwarding, and terminal and container leasing services internationally.  COSCO SHIPPING Holdings Co., Ltd operates container ships and terminals, and manufactures shipping containers.

S.F. Holding Co., Ltd operates as a holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, provides logistics, order tracking, supply chain management, and warehousing services. S.F. Holding operates worldwide.

Daqin Railway Co., Ltd. mainly provides coal transportation service in Northern China. It also operates passenger transportation business.

Singapore Airlines Limited provides air transportation, engineering, pilot training, air charter, and tour wholesaling services. The Company's airline operation covers Asia, Europe, the Americas, South West Pacific, and Africa.

ANA Holdings Inc provides a variety of air transportation-related services. The Company offers scheduled & unscheduled air passenger services and air courier services. ANA sells aircraft parts and provides travel arrangement & reservation services as well.

United Airlines Holdings Inc is an airline holding company.  The Company owns and operates airlines that transports persons, property and mail throughout the United States and abroad.

Southwest Airlines Co. is a domestic airline that provides primarily short-haul, high-frequency, point-to-point service.  The Company offers flights throughout the United States.

International Consolidated Airlines Group S.A. provides transportation services. The Company offers international and domestic air passenger and cargo transportation services. International Consolidated Airlines Group serves customers worldwide.

International Consolidated Airlines Group (IAG LN)

International Consolidated Airlines Group

LATAM Airlines Group S.A. is an airline that provides both domestic and international flight services.  The Company provides passenger and cargo services to destinations in Chile, South America, the Caribbean, Europe, North America, and the Pacific.  LATAM Airlines operates passenger aircraft and cargo freighters.

InterGlobe Aviation Limited provides passenger airlines services. The Company offers ground management, air transportation, terminal maintenance, and other services. InterGlobe Aviation conducts its business globally.

Turk Hava Yollari Anonim Ortakligi (THY), also known as Turkish Airlines, provides passenger and cargo air transportation services. The Company serves all domestic destinations as well as the Middle East, North America, Europe, Asia, North Africa and South Africa.

Cathay Pacific Airways Limited operates scheduled airline services. The Company also provides related services, including airline catering, aircraft handling, and engineering.

Qantas Airways Limited provides transportation of passengers through two airlines including Qantas (full service carrier) and Jetstar (low cost carrier), operating international, domestic and regional services. The Company also includes Qantas Frequent Flyer and Qantas Freight which generates diverse revenue streams and adds value for customers and investors.

Price Gauge
52-week Range	0.00 - 0.00
Market Cap (USDm)	0.00
P/E	0.00
Dividend (Yield)	0.00

Air China Ltd (A) (601111 CH)

TRACKING TRAFFIC's Travel Tracker Dashboard (October 30): Air Traffic Ex-Mainland China Firms

Air traffic and hotel room rate data from October 30 show an improvement in activity outside Mainland China (albeit from a low base) and improved...

Tracking Traffic

TRACKING TRAFFIC/Chinese Tourism: Outbound: Comatose | Domestic: Fewer, Shorter Trips = New Normal?

September numbers show almost non-existent outbound travel but a continued gradual recovery in domestic travel demand. Shorter average domestic air...

Tracking Traffic

Shanghai International Airport (600009 CH): Narrowing Loss in 3Q20

Shanghai Intl Airport narrowed its loss by 24.6% QoQ to Rmb352m in 3Q20. We like its exposure to the growth in cargo and recovery international...

Osbert Tang, CFA

China Southern Airlines (1055 HK): Profit, Profit, Profit in 3Q20

CSA is the only of the Big Three to record a profit in 3Q20, thanks to its domestic exposure, good cost management and exchange gain from Rmb/USD...

Osbert Tang, CFA

StubWorld: Swire Shedding Property Amidst Leasing Funk

After fourteen consecutive months of total leased office space declining, major Hong Kong property-owners have scant alternatives but to negotiate...

David Blennerhassett

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)