Technical Analyst, Vermilion Research

Joe Jasper

Technical Analyst

Technical and Quantitative Research

Vermilion Research

Vermilion’s objective is to deliver timely, actionable, and unique technical research to professional investors through the application of our various technical indicators.

Our research strategists seek to highlight securities which we believe are at major inflection points, based on our various technical and quantitative indicators, and offer asymmetric risk/return profiles. Our unique research methodology, centered on relative strength, enables our strategists to deliver superior investment recommendations.

Our process begins by organizing the universe of actively traded stocks into discrete sectors, then into industry groups. We then apply our technical and quantitative tools to identify developing price trends. Once attractive trends are identified within a selected sector or group, we screen for individual stocks which we believe offer the best risk/reward profile. We provide a historical perspective that often reveals, through our long-term charts, how price patterns often repeat themselves over time.

Technical Analysis

<p>Our bullish outlook remains intact and is supported by the absence of breakdowns across major global indexes (MSCI ACWI, ACWI ex-US, EM, and EAFE) and ongoing positive market dynamics. Until this changes, we believe global equities are headed higher in the coming weeks and months.</p>

Our bullish outlook remains intact and is supported by the absence of breakdowns across major global indexes (MSCI ACWI, ACWI ex-US, EM, and EAFE) and ongoing positive market dynamics. Until this changes, we believe global equities are headed higher in the coming weeks and months.

Global Equity Strategy: Stick With Reflation & Reopening Theme

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

<section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/182/768/original/BANNER-BoxDec20.png?1610728156" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="182768"></figure></section><p>[Review rates, volume growth (both strong, again), but note some cracks: US weak retail sales in December vs expectations, rising fuel costs, these threaten positive narrative]</p><p>Wondering about spot container rates versus "achieved" rates? The three Taiwanese carriers show us why spot <em>exposure</em>, not spot <em>rates</em>, is the key determinant of monthly sales momentum. </p><p>Fuel prices continue to rise and are now over 60% higher than they were in April 2020. High and rising fuel prices pose a threat to container carrier profitability in the near-term, in our view. </p><p>We also offer brief notes on ZIM's planned IPO and weak US retail sales in December. We conclude by highlighting YTD share performance and current Price-to-book valuations close to 2.0 times.</p>

[Review rates, volume growth (both strong, again), but note some cracks: US weak retail sales in December vs expectations, rising fuel costs, these threaten positive narrative]Wondering about spot container rates versus "achieved" rates? The three Taiwanese carriers show us why spot exposure, not spot rates, is the key determinant of monthly sales momentum. Fuel prices continue to rise and are now over 60% higher than they were in April 2020. High and rising fuel prices pose a threat to container carrier profitability in the near-term, in our view. We also offer brief notes on ZIM's planned IPO and weak US retail sales in December. We conclude by highlighting YTD share performance and current Price-to-book valuations close to 2.0 times.

TRACKING TRAFFIC/Containers & Air Cargo: Spot Vs 'Achieved' Rates | Fuel Prices Up | US Retail Weak

<section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/180/980/original/BANNER-BoxDec20.png?1609781008" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="180980"></figure></section><p>Within container shipping space, recent share price performance suggests investors believe the benefits of the cyclical upturn will mainly accrue to carriers like <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>.</p><p>To maintain a positive view on container carriers in the near- and medium-term, investors must embrace several key assumptions regarding demand, supply, and fuel prices. We lay out five of these key assumptions and the risks associated with them. </p><p>We conclude that investors may not fully appreciate all the risks facing the sector in early 2021. </p>

Within container shipping space, recent share price performance suggests investors believe the benefits of the cyclical upturn will mainly accrue to carriers like Evergreen Marine Corp (2603 TT).To maintain a positive view on container carriers in the near- and medium-term, investors must embrace several key assumptions regarding demand, supply, and fuel prices. We lay out five of these key assumptions and the risks associated with them. We conclude that investors may not fully appreciate all the risks facing the sector in early 2021. 

The Shaky Assumptions Behind Recent Strong Performance of Asian Container Carriers

<section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/178/836/original/BANNER-CARGO.png?1608075975" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="178836"></figure></section><p>Strong North American imports continued in November, and it appears the usual peak season may be stretching into mid-December and even January. Average freight rates in November -- spot and contract combined --  rose by about 13% YoY for a second consecutive month. </p><p>But bunker (fuel) prices are also up compared to earlier in 2020. A spike in fuel prices in Q420 will likely eat into the nice gains in profitability shown by many carriers in Q220 and Q320. </p><p>Shares of carriers have performed very well after bottoming in the first half of the year, but in our view valuations now look stretched. Betting on further gains after these stocks have doubled and tripled over the course of a few months is very risky, in our view. </p>

Strong North American imports continued in November, and it appears the usual peak season may be stretching into mid-December and even January. Average freight rates in November -- spot and contract combined --  rose by about 13% YoY for a second consecutive month. But bunker (fuel) prices are also up compared to earlier in 2020. A spike in fuel prices in Q420 will likely eat into the nice gains in profitability shown by many carriers in Q220 and Q320. Shares of carriers have performed very well after bottoming in the first half of the year, but in our view valuations now look stretched. Betting on further gains after these stocks have doubled and tripled over the course of a few months is very risky, in our view. 

TRACKING TRAFFIC/Containers & Air Cargo: Volumes, Rates & Bunker All Firmer | Valuations Get Weird

<section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/172/990/original/BANNER-CARGO.png?1605979844" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="172990"></figure></section><p>Average container rates popped in October, up almost 14% YoY according to our proprietary model. Container volumes out of Asia and into the North American West coast remained firm, too.</p><p>Carriers (and their customers) have once again begun complaining about a shortage of containers at key origins in Asia. We believe this equipment shortage also supports firmer container rates.</p><p>Firming rates and volumes, combined with relatively low fuel prices, are delivering a surprisingly good year to container carriers, Covid19 be damned. But we feel most of the good news has been reflected in share prices, many of which have more than doubled from lows in H1 2020. </p>

Average container rates popped in October, up almost 14% YoY according to our proprietary model. Container volumes out of Asia and into the North American West coast remained firm, too.Carriers (and their customers) have once again begun complaining about a shortage of containers at key origins in Asia. We believe this equipment shortage also supports firmer container rates.Firming rates and volumes, combined with relatively low fuel prices, are delivering a surprisingly good year to container carriers, Covid19 be damned. But we feel most of the good news has been reflected in share prices, many of which have more than doubled from lows in H1 2020. 

TRACKING TRAFFIC/Containers & Air Cargo: October Rates Pop | LA Volumes Strong | Box Shortage?

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)

Global Equity Strategy: Stick With Reflation & Reopening Theme

Our bullish outlook remains intact supported by the absence of breakdowns across major global indexes. Until this changes, we believe global...

Vermilion Research

TRACKING TRAFFIC/Containers & Air Cargo: Spot Vs 'Achieved' Rates | Fuel Prices Up | US Retail Weak

Although December container volumes and average pricing improved, we see increasing risks, including rising fuel prices and lackluster US retail...

Tracking Traffic

The Shaky Assumptions Behind Recent Strong Performance of Asian Container Carriers

Container carriers have performed very well since mid-2020, and we concede we underestimated the strength of spot rates in recent weeks. But...

Tracking Traffic

TRACKING TRAFFIC/Containers & Air Cargo: Volumes, Rates & Bunker All Firmer | Valuations Get Weird

Volumes and average freight rates firmed again in November, but so did fuel prices. Many shares of container carriers also jumped (again) this...

Tracking Traffic

TRACKING TRAFFIC/Containers & Air Cargo: October Rates Pop | LA Volumes Strong | Box Shortage?

Container rates rose again in October, and fuel costs remain low. Although carriers likely continue to enjoy solid profitability, we believe shares...

Tracking Traffic

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