Asian Equities Analyst, Logistics & Transport, Tracking Traffic

Daniel Hellberg

Asian Equities Analyst, Logistics & Transport

Tracking Traffic

Focusing on Asian logistics, transportation, and travel companies

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Our index suggests pricing momentum remains depressed, but stable in Q3; fuel prices have begun to rise from Q2 lows, but probably don't offer much lift to earnings now</li>
<li>We looked at intra-Asian carrier TS Lines (which applied to list its shares in Hong Kong in April) and provided a quick update on market conditions in the Intra-Asian trade</li>
<li>Shares of a few container shipping companies -- including Evergreen Marine of Taiwan -- have performed well YTD in 2023; we remain positive on the sector's medium-term outlook</li>
</ul>


Our index suggests pricing momentum remains depressed, but stable in Q3; fuel prices have begun to rise from Q2 lows, but probably don't offer much lift to earnings now
We looked at intra-Asian carrier TS Lines (which applied to list its shares in Hong Kong in April) and provided a quick update on market conditions in the Intra-Asian trade
Shares of a few container shipping companies -- including Evergreen Marine of Taiwan -- have performed well YTD in 2023; we remain positive on the sector's medium-term outlook


Monthly Container Shipping Tracker | Rates Stable | Fuel (Barely) Lower Y/Y | (September 2023)

AP Moeller - Maersk A/S / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>On Friday container giant <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ap-moeller-maersk-a-s" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22428:1" rel="noopener">AP Moeller - Maersk A/S (MAERSKB DC)</a> raised FY23 guidance, lifting the bottom of its EBITDA range &amp; increasing target FCF from US$2bn+ to US$3bn+</li>
<li>Despite beating Q2 expectations and raising FY guidance, management warned that the "normalization" of container shipping conditions is taking longer than anticipated</li>
<li>Maersk's shares traded down on the news, but the company's statements confirm our thesis: market conditions in 2023 are not nearly as bad as expected (Maersk's TTM ROIC 34%!)</li>
</ul>


On Friday container giant AP Moeller - Maersk A/S (MAERSKB DC) raised FY23 guidance, lifting the bottom of its EBITDA range &amp; increasing target FCF from US$2bn+ to US$3bn+
Despite beating Q2 expectations and raising FY guidance, management warned that the "normalization" of container shipping conditions is taking longer than anticipated
Maersk's shares traded down on the news, but the company's statements confirm our thesis: market conditions in 2023 are not nearly as bad as expected (Maersk's TTM ROIC 34%!)


Maersk Q2: Raised FY23 Guidance | Beat on Earnings, Too | Takeaway: Conditions Not Disastrous

<ul>
<li>Maersk's Q1 earnings were solid, despite plummeting container rates and volumes. Annualizing Q1 Net Income would give RoE of about 17%, which is a healthy level, in our view. </li>
<li>Q1 EBITDA of US$4 bn is equivalent to 36% to 50% of full-year guidance, which remains unchanged. Maersk indicated Q1 will likely be its most profitable quarter in 2023.</li>
<li>Maersk's result reinforces our view that container rates are bottoming. A related takeaway is that a slowing goods inflation rate could lose a tailwind it's enjoyed since last October.</li>
</ul>


Maersk's Q1 earnings were solid, despite plummeting container rates and volumes. Annualizing Q1 Net Income would give RoE of about 17%, which is a healthy level, in our view. 
Q1 EBITDA of US$4 bn is equivalent to 36% to 50% of full-year guidance, which remains unchanged. Maersk indicated Q1 will likely be its most profitable quarter in 2023.
Maersk's result reinforces our view that container rates are bottoming. A related takeaway is that a slowing goods inflation rate could lose a tailwind it's enjoyed since last October.


Maersk Q1: Earnings Fine | Guidance Intact | Takeaways for Container Shipping (And Inflation)

<ul>
<li>Our measures of momentum and profitability suggest industry bottomed in Q1 2023</li>
<li>In addition, shares of container shipping stocks have stopped reacting to (plentiful) bad news</li>
<li>Outcome of ongoing rate negotiations and Q1 earnings calls will drive near-term performance</li>
</ul>


Our measures of momentum and profitability suggest industry bottomed in Q1 2023
In addition, shares of container shipping stocks have stopped reacting to (plentiful) bad news
Outcome of ongoing rate negotiations and Q1 earnings calls will drive near-term performance


TRACKING TRAFFIC/Container Shipping: Momentum Bottomed | Shares Stabilized | Focus on May News

<ul>
<li>After peaking in H122, container rates have tumbled back to pre-Covid levels in Q123</li>
<li>We believe core profitability has also declined to pre-Covid levels for some carriers</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/evergreen-marine-corp-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15428:1" rel="noopener">Evergreen Marine Corp (2603 TT)</a> no longer looks expensive, trading at 70-75% of replacement  cost.</li>
</ul>


After peaking in H122, container rates have tumbled back to pre-Covid levels in Q123
We believe core profitability has also declined to pre-Covid levels for some carriers

Evergreen Marine Corp (2603 TT) no longer looks expensive, trading at 70-75% of replacement  cost.


TRACKING TRAFFIC / Container Shipping: End of the Rollercoaster Ride

Hong Kong

Shenzhen International Holdings Limited operates as a holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, provides investment, construction, and operation of logistic infrastructure facilities, as well as offers value-added logistic services. Shenzhen International serves customers worldwide.

COSCO Shipping Ports Limited, through its subsidiaries, provides shipping container leasing services worldwide.  The Company also operates container terminals and provides container handling, storage, transportation and management services, as well as depot handling and stevedoring services.

COSCO SHIPPING International (Hong Kong) Co., Ltd. provides shipping related services. The Company offers shipping, logistics, shipbuilding and ship repair services, ship trading agency services, marine insurance brokerage services, marine equipment and spare parts, coating products, and marine fuel and other related shipping products. COSCO International serves clients around the world.

Yuexiu Transport Infrastructure Ltd., through its subsidiaries, invests in, develops, operates, and manages toll highways, expressways, and bridges in China.

Yuexiu Transport Infrastructure (1052 HK)

Tianjin Port Development Holdings Limited operates container terminals in China.  The company provides container handling operations, stacking and warehousing services and non-containerized cargo services.

China Infrastructure & Logistics Group Ltd. provides port operation services. The Company offers port and warehouse leasing, container handling, cargo handling, and other services. China Infrastructure & Logistics Group also provides logistics, supply chain management, property management, and other services.

China Infrastructure & Logistics Group  (1719 HK)

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

SITC International Holdings Company Ltd. offers marine shipping services.  The Company offers container liner shipping, freight forwarding, customs clearance, shipping agency, and ship brokerage services.  SITC operates in Asia.

Orient Overseas International Ltd, through its subsidiaries, owns and leases ships, operates terminals, and provides freight forwarding and container transportation services.  The Company also develops and invests in properties, leases equipment, and invests in securities.

Kerry Logistics Network Limited provides logistics services in Asia and internationally. The Company offers integrated logistics services, as well as leases warehousing space in Hong Kong and provides international freight forwarding services.

Auckland International Airport Limited owns and operates the Auckland International Airport.  The Airport includes a single runway, an international terminal and two domestic terminals.  The Airport also has commercial facilities which includes airfreight operations, car rental services, commercial banking center and office buildings.

Qube Holdings Ltd. is a logistics company. The Group operates in divisions covering Automotive, Bulk and General Stevedoring, Landside Logistics and Strategic Development Assets.

Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation operates the high speed railway system (HSR) in Taiwan, running 345 KM from Taipei to Kaohsiung.

Shandong Hi-speed Co Ltd. operates and maintains toll roads, bridges, tunnels, and other infrastructure facilities.  The Company operates the Jiqing Highway, the Taiqu Road, the Jinan-Huanghe Bridge, the Pingyin Bridge, and the Binzhou Bridge. Shandong Hi-speed also retails petroleum products.

Jiangsu Expressway Company Ltd. constructs, operates, manages and maintains expressways in China.  The Company also provides passenger transportation and other ancillary services along including fueling stations, restaurants, car maintenance and repair and advertising.

Atlas Arteria Limted operates as an infrastructure developer and operator. The Company constructs highways, roads, bridges, and tunnels. Atlas Arteria also collects toll. Atlas Arteria serves clients worldwide.

Qingdao Port International Co., Ltd. engages in providing a wide range of port related services, ranging from basic port services, such as stevedoring and  storage services, to ancillary and extended services such  as logistics service sand financing-related services.

Fraport AG Frankfurt Airport Services Worldwide offers airport services. The Company operates the Frankfurt-Main, the airport in Lima, Peru, and the international terminal in Antalya, Turkey. Fraport also provides services to domestic and international carriers including traffic, facility and terminal management, ground handling, and security.

Flughafen Zuerich AG operates the Zurich Airport.  The Company constructs, leases, and maintains airport structures and equipment.

Kobenhavns Lufthavne A/S (Copenhagen Airports A/S - CPH) owns and operates Kastrup, the international airport in Copenhagen, and Roskilde airport.  The Company provides traffic management, maintenance, and security services, as well as manages the Airport Shopping Center and airport projects.  Kobenhavns Lufthavne also has investments in airports in Mexico, England, and China.

China Merchants Holdings International Company Limited, through its subsidiaries and associated companies, operates container and cargo terminals, port transportation, and airport cargo handling.  The Company also manufactures containers, paint, and trailers as well as operates toll road, shipping, property, and dealing securities businesses.

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China Merchants Port (144 HK)

Monthly Container Shipping Tracker | Rates Stable | Fuel (Barely) Lower Y/Y | (September 2023)

According to our index, container shipping price momentum remains depressed, but stable. On the other hand, fuel prices -- a boon to earnings for...

Tracking Traffic

Maersk Q2: Raised FY23 Guidance | Beat on Earnings, Too | Takeaway: Conditions Not Disastrous

Maersk Q2 results beat expectations handily. More importantly, the company raised FY23 guidance for EBITDA and FCF, though management also...

Tracking Traffic

Maersk Q1: Earnings Fine | Guidance Intact | Takeaways for Container Shipping (And Inflation)

Maersk's Q1 result showed a steep Y/Y decline in earnings due to lower rates. But RoE is fine, and the company maintained guidance, which supports...

Tracking Traffic

TRACKING TRAFFIC/Container Shipping: Momentum Bottomed | Shares Stabilized | Focus on May News

Container shipping industry momentum bottomed in Q1, and related shares have stopped reacting to bad news. News and commentary from industry...

Tracking Traffic

TRACKING TRAFFIC / Container Shipping: End of the Rollercoaster Ride

For container rates and profitability, it's been a wild rollercoaster ride over the past three years. But now shares of pure play Evergreen Marine...

Tracking Traffic

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