HK/China Equity Long-Short

Osbert Tang, CFA

Equity Bottom-Up

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kunlun-energy-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10054:1" rel="noopener">Kunlun Energy (135 HK)</a> posted a very impressive 1H21 result with profit from continuing operations soared 249.9% YoY. All business segments recorded profitability improvement with very encouraging 46.7% YoY growth for its natural gas sales business. The exploration and production segment also achieved a good turnaround, thanks to a 28.3% YoY increase in average realised oil price.We believe the market should be happy with Kunlun's 1% increase in natural gas sales dollar margin even in a period of rising LNG price. Also, the solid momentum of new projects, which 16 were added in 1H21, compares well with peers. We think there is upside to our earnings forecasts and its current valuation of 11.5x PER (on continuing operations) for FY21 is appealing relative to peers. More updates will be provided after the post-1H21 result call.

Kunlun Energy (135 HK) posted a very impressive 1H21 result with profit from continuing operations soared 249.9% YoY. All business segments recorded profitability improvement with very encouraging 46.7% YoY growth for its natural gas sales business. The exploration and production segment also achieved a good turnaround, thanks to a 28.3% YoY increase in average realised oil price.We believe the market should be happy with Kunlun's 1% increase in natural gas sales dollar margin even in a period of rising LNG price. Also, the solid momentum of new projects, which 16 were added in 1H21, compares well with peers. We think there is upside to our earnings forecasts and its current valuation of 11.5x PER (on continuing operations) for FY21 is appealing relative to peers. More updates will be provided after the post-1H21 result call.

Kunlun Energy (135 HK): Our Initial Thoughts on 1H21 - Sharply Ahead of Expectations

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-gas-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14315:1" rel="noopener">China Gas Holdings (384 HK)</a> has underperformed the gas utilities sector average by a massive 26pp over the last three months. While the dilution from its Apr placement and its Shiyan, Hubei gas project explosion in Jun are reasons, we think that the depressed valuations should have reflected most of the negative concerns. At 12x PER and 1.9x P/B, it is cheaper than peers like <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-resources-gas-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20525:1" rel="noopener">CR Gas (1193 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/enn-energy-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:316:1" rel="noopener">ENN Energy (2688 HK)</a>. We see room to narrow such underperformance.Despite the Shiyan explosion incident, China Gas has managed to sign a strategic cooperation agreement in Aug with Xiangyang, which is the third-largest city in Hubei. We think this suggested that the incident does not have significant impact on its ability to secure projects in the province. Its new businesses include LPG Smart MicroGrid and distributed urban heating are both progressing well, and such initiatives to be potential added drivers. Lastly, its expansion into hydrogen energy on cooperation with <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/cnooc-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:175:1" rel="noopener">CNOOC Ltd (883 HK)</a> may be a wild card in the long term.

China Gas Holdings (384 HK) has underperformed the gas utilities sector average by a massive 26pp over the last three months. While the dilution from its Apr placement and its Shiyan, Hubei gas project explosion in Jun are reasons, we think that the depressed valuations should have reflected most of the negative concerns. At 12x PER and 1.9x P/B, it is cheaper than peers like CR Gas (1193 HK) and ENN Energy (2688 HK). We see room to narrow such underperformance.Despite the Shiyan explosion incident, China Gas has managed to sign a strategic cooperation agreement in Aug with Xiangyang, which is the third-largest city in Hubei. We think this suggested that the incident does not have significant impact on its ability to secure projects in the province. Its new businesses include LPG Smart MicroGrid and distributed urban heating are both progressing well, and such initiatives to be potential added drivers. Lastly, its expansion into hydrogen energy on cooperation with CNOOC Ltd (883 HK) may be a wild card in the long term.

China Gas Holdings (384 HK): Looks like the Negatives Have Been Well Factored In

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kunlun-energy-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10054:1" rel="noopener">Kunlun Energy (135 HK)</a> should have a decent operating performance in 1H21, with good growth achieved for natural gas sales, LPG sales, LNG terminal and also the exploration and production segment. Their performance all look to be ahead of the full-year guidance put forward in FY20 result announcement in Mar 2021 - this is encouraging.Gas project M&amp;A momentum stays decent and, with IRRs of 10-12%, the returns are ahead of the hurdle level of 8%. Following <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-gas-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14315:1" rel="noopener">China Gas Holdings' (384 HK)</a>  Shiyan gas explosion, local governments now prefer large SOEs to invest in projects given their more stringent safety standards, and this is an advantage of Kunlun. The gas industry also entails less regulatory risks amid government's heightened regulatory measures towards various industries lately. The recent pull-back has made valuations even more appealing, in our view.

Kunlun Energy (135 HK) should have a decent operating performance in 1H21, with good growth achieved for natural gas sales, LPG sales, LNG terminal and also the exploration and production segment. Their performance all look to be ahead of the full-year guidance put forward in FY20 result announcement in Mar 2021 - this is encouraging.Gas project M&amp;A momentum stays decent and, with IRRs of 10-12%, the returns are ahead of the hurdle level of 8%. Following China Gas Holdings' (384 HK)  Shiyan gas explosion, local governments now prefer large SOEs to invest in projects given their more stringent safety standards, and this is an advantage of Kunlun. The gas industry also entails less regulatory risks amid government's heightened regulatory measures towards various industries lately. The recent pull-back has made valuations even more appealing, in our view.  

Kunlun Energy (135 HK): Positive Takeaways from Discussion with Company

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-gas-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14315:1" rel="noopener">China Gas Holdings (384 HK)</a>'s FY24 result is distorted by non-recurring items and provisions. Adjusted net profit, however, has declined by only 4.3%, and is only 2.6% below consensus. </li>
<li>FY25 guidance looks positive as a 6% increase in dollar margin and a 5% increase in gas volume are expected. The Apr-May operating figures support such projections.</li>
<li>China Gas maintained its DPS despite a drop in reported profit, showcasing its confidence. Assuming the same dividend in FY25 and FY26, it will sit on a yield of 7%. </li>
</ul>



China Gas Holdings (384 HK)'s FY24 result is distorted by non-recurring items and provisions. Adjusted net profit, however, has declined by only 4.3%, and is only 2.6% below consensus. 
FY25 guidance looks positive as a 6% increase in dollar margin and a 5% increase in gas volume are expected. The Apr-May operating figures support such projections.
China Gas maintained its DPS despite a drop in reported profit, showcasing its confidence. Assuming the same dividend in FY25 and FY26, it will sit on a yield of 7%. 


China Gas Holdings (384 HK): Still Warrants a Look

<ul>
<li>We think <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kunlun-energy-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10054:1" rel="noopener">Kunlun Energy (135 HK)</a> will see its operating momentum accelerate in 2H23, leading by better natural gas sales growth and sustained positive dollar margin performance.</li>
<li>It has strengthened its financial position in 1H23, with net cash amounting to 36% of market cap. This has demonstrated its cash-generating capability and controlled capex. </li>
<li>Its 7.0x and 6.6x PERs for FY23 and FY24 are inexpensive. Its annualised ROE of 10.6% is also attractive. There is room for the other businesses to recover in 2H23.</li>
</ul>


We think Kunlun Energy (135 HK) will see its operating momentum accelerate in 2H23, leading by better natural gas sales growth and sustained positive dollar margin performance.
It has strengthened its financial position in 1H23, with net cash amounting to 36% of market cap. This has demonstrated its cash-generating capability and controlled capex. 
Its 7.0x and 6.6x PERs for FY23 and FY24 are inexpensive. Its annualised ROE of 10.6% is also attractive. There is room for the other businesses to recover in 2H23.


Kunlun Energy (135 HK): The Story Is Still Going On

Hong Kong

China Resources Gas Group Ltd distributes natural gas and petroleum gas in the cities of Chengdu, Fuyang, Huaibei, Linhai, Suzhou and Wuxi in the PRC. The Company also operates compressed natural gas filling stations in Chengdu, Nanjing and Wuxi. The group also is involved in bottled liquefied petroleum gas distribution in cities of Fuyang, Suzhou and Wuxi.

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CR Gas (1193 HK)

Kunlun Energy (135 HK): Our Initial Thoughts on 1H21 - Sharply Ahead of Expectations

We think the market should welcome Kunlun's very solid 1H21 result, and particularly its 1% expansion in gas sales dollar margin and the turnaround...

Osbert Tang, CFA

China Gas Holdings (384 HK): Looks like the Negatives Have Been Well Factored In

China Gas' depressed share price should have reflected the negatives related to share placement and Shiyan explosion. Its new business momentum...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Kunlun Energy (135 HK): Positive Takeaways from Discussion with Company

Kunlun Energy should have a decent 1H21 driven by good natural gas sales, LPG sales, LNG terminal and recovery of the exploration and production...

Osbert Tang, CFA

China Gas Holdings (384 HK): Still Warrants a Look

Adjusted FY24 profit shows slight decline, but FY25 guidance looks positive with expected increases in dollar margin and gas volume. Assuming same...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Kunlun Energy (135 HK): The Story Is Still Going On

Kunlun is expected to accelerate its operating momentum in 2H23, driven by increased natural gas sales and a positive dollar margin. Its strong...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Kunlun Energy (135 HK): Our Initial Thoughts on 1H21 - Sharply Ahead of Expectations

We think the market should welcome Kunlun's very solid 1H21 result, and particularly its 1% expansion in gas sales dollar margin and the turnaround...

Osbert Tang, CFA

China Gas Holdings (384 HK): Looks like the Negatives Have Been Well Factored In

China Gas' depressed share price should have reflected the negatives related to share placement and Shiyan explosion. Its new business momentum...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Kunlun Energy (135 HK): Positive Takeaways from Discussion with Company

Kunlun Energy should have a decent 1H21 driven by good natural gas sales, LPG sales, LNG terminal and recovery of the exploration and production...

Osbert Tang, CFA

China Gas Holdings (384 HK): Still Warrants a Look

​Adjusted FY24 profit shows slight decline, but FY25 guidance looks positive with expected increases in dollar margin and gas volume. Assuming same...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Kunlun Energy (135 HK): The Story Is Still Going On

​Kunlun is expected to accelerate its operating momentum in 2H23, driven by increased natural gas sales and a positive dollar margin. Its strong...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Adjusted FY24 profit shows slight decline, but FY25 guidance looks positive with expected increases in dollar margin and gas volume. Assuming same...

Kunlun is expected to accelerate its operating momentum in 2H23, driven by increased natural gas sales and a positive dollar margin. Its strong...