Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Equity Bottom-Up

As fallout from the Trump Executive Order on Chinese military companies, the NYSE decided to delist the ADRs of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-mobile-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27:1" rel="noopener">China Mobile (941 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-telecom-corp-ltd-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1015:1" rel="noopener">China Telecom Corp Ltd (H) (728 HK)</a> and US Persons were obliged to cease investment into the stocks wherever they were listed. The H-Shares of both fell, then rose sharply one what was seen as "National Team buying." Southbound investment in the two names increased, and almost immediately the two companies set to work to "find alternative capital markets opportunities."The idea that <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-telecom-corp-ltd-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1015:1" rel="noopener">China Telecom Corp Ltd (H) (728 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-mobile-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27:1" rel="noopener">China Mobile (941 HK)</a> would eventually list their shares in the mainland was deemed an almost foregone conclusion when China introduced the idea of China Depositary Receipts with a <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/pilot-program-on-china-depositary-receipts-launched-expect-the-big-5-to-prep-quickly" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pilot Programme announced in April 2018</a>.In mid-March, China Telecom announced its <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2021/0317/2021031700304.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">proposal</a>, and in late April announced that it had applied and the CSRC had accepted its application for an A-Share listing. In late May, China Mobile announced its intention to apply shortly, as discussed in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/china-mobile-941-hk-it-could-have-been-done-better-but-it-ain-t-bad-for-hs" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:52018" rel="noopener">China Mobile (941 HK) - It Could Have Been Done Better, But It Ain't Bad for Hs</a>.In that piece, I noted my objection to the way the planned capital raise was presented, but also noted that the details were bullish for H-share investors for both stocks. The market hasn't reacted that well to the proposals (the blue lines in the charts below). <section class="figure"><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/214/186/original/Screenshot+2021-06-21+at+9.48.55+AM.png?1624240150" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="214186"></figure></section></section><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/214/175/original/Screenshot+2021-06-21+at+9.45.38+AM.png?1624239961" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="214175"></figure></section>One of the reasons was hidden in the back of the <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2021/0524/2021052400195.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Circular</a> for China Mobile, which was almost word-for-word the same as the <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2021/0317/2021031700304.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Announcement</a> for China Telecom.It was a combination of Shareholder Return and Price Stabilization Obligation. <div class="content-highlight">This morning, China Telecom has <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2021/0621/2021062100289.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> that it will adjust the Dividend Policy to a 60% payout ratio, lifting it later to 70%. </div>

As fallout from the Trump Executive Order on Chinese military companies, the NYSE decided to delist the ADRs of China Mobile (941 HK) and China Telecom Corp Ltd (H) (728 HK) and US Persons were obliged to cease investment into the stocks wherever they were listed. The H-Shares of both fell, then rose sharply one what was seen as "National Team buying." Southbound investment in the two names increased, and almost immediately the two companies set to work to "find alternative capital markets opportunities."The idea that China Telecom Corp Ltd (H) (728 HK) and China Mobile (941 HK) would eventually list their shares in the mainland was deemed an almost foregone conclusion when China introduced the idea of China Depositary Receipts with a Pilot Programme announced in April 2018.In mid-March, China Telecom announced its proposal, and in late April announced that it had applied and the CSRC had accepted its application for an A-Share listing. In late May, China Mobile announced its intention to apply shortly, as discussed in China Mobile (941 HK) - It Could Have Been Done Better, But It Ain't Bad for Hs.In that piece, I noted my objection to the way the planned capital raise was presented, but also noted that the details were bullish for H-share investors for both stocks. The market hasn't reacted that well to the proposals (the blue lines in the charts below). One of the reasons was hidden in the back of the Circular for China Mobile, which was almost word-for-word the same as the Announcement for China Telecom.It was a combination of Shareholder Return and Price Stabilization Obligation. This morning, China Telecom has announced that it will adjust the Dividend Policy to a 60% payout ratio, lifting it later to 70%. 

China Telecom (728 HK) Ups Div Payout Policy - There's a Plan Here. Expect China Mobile to Follow

Event-Driven

In very early January, the NYSE decided that <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-mobile-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27:1" rel="noopener">China Mobile (941 HK)</a> ADRs needed to be delisted. Then they didn't need to be delisted. Then they again needed to be delisted and we are on a path to seeing that complete shortly.The stock was subject to Trump's Executive Order 13959 regarding Communist Chinese Military Companies as were the shares of other Chinese telcos and China Mobile shares were deleted from global indices. That event marked a local low in the first week of January and shares promptly rallied 30%, later settling at an easy 15-20% above the index deletion point. This, and the fact that China a couple of years ago created a method for overseas-jurisdiction Chinese companies to list in China - particularly for very high market cap "tech" companies aiming to take market share from the US for its high-trading value "exported tickers" meant that at some point, the Chinese telcos creating a secondary listing in China was not going to be a surprise. Taking the example of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-telecom-corp-ltd-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1015:1" rel="noopener">China Telecom Corp Ltd (H) (728 HK)</a> which received permission in April to list its shares in mainland markets, on 17 May China Mobile announced its board had decided to pursue a <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2021/0517/2021051701190.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Proposed RMB Share Issue</a>.A week later, and we have a <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2021/0524/2021052400195.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Circular</a>.China Mobile shareholders are being asked to accept that management issue some RMB 50+bn of shares for the stated purpose of investing in "the development of premium 5G networks, the development of new infrastructure for cloud resources, the development of gigabit broadband and smart home, the development of smart mid-end platform, the research and development of the next-generation information technology and digitalized and intelligent ecosystem."That sounds reasonable enough as a concept, but it ignores the fact that China Mobile has nine times that much money in available cash. and eight times that amount in net cash + securities holdings.If China Mobile shares were trading at a high multiple, this might be forgivable, but the shares are trading at a forward adjusted EV/EBITDA multiple of 1.6x and an ex-net cash &amp; securities PER of less than 4x. There are mitigants here. There is possible pricing at a premium to the Hs. There are "price stabilization measures". There are "shareholder return" measures. Some of these might be really worthwhile. The governance issues involved in this Circular and project remain problematic. But there are little stars here, twinkling in the darkness. More below the fold.

In very early January, the NYSE decided that China Mobile (941 HK) ADRs needed to be delisted. Then they didn't need to be delisted. Then they again needed to be delisted and we are on a path to seeing that complete shortly.The stock was subject to Trump's Executive Order 13959 regarding Communist Chinese Military Companies as were the shares of other Chinese telcos and China Mobile shares were deleted from global indices. That event marked a local low in the first week of January and shares promptly rallied 30%, later settling at an easy 15-20% above the index deletion point. This, and the fact that China a couple of years ago created a method for overseas-jurisdiction Chinese companies to list in China - particularly for very high market cap "tech" companies aiming to take market share from the US for its high-trading value "exported tickers" meant that at some point, the Chinese telcos creating a secondary listing in China was not going to be a surprise. Taking the example of China Telecom Corp Ltd (H) (728 HK) which received permission in April to list its shares in mainland markets, on 17 May China Mobile announced its board had decided to pursue a Proposed RMB Share Issue.A week later, and we have a Circular.China Mobile shareholders are being asked to accept that management issue some RMB 50+bn of shares for the stated purpose of investing in "the development of premium 5G networks, the development of new infrastructure for cloud resources, the development of gigabit broadband and smart home, the development of smart mid-end platform, the research and development of the next-generation information technology and digitalized and intelligent ecosystem."That sounds reasonable enough as a concept, but it ignores the fact that China Mobile has nine times that much money in available cash. and eight times that amount in net cash + securities holdings.If China Mobile shares were trading at a high multiple, this might be forgivable, but the shares are trading at a forward adjusted EV/EBITDA multiple of 1.6x and an ex-net cash &amp; securities PER of less than 4x. There are mitigants here. There is possible pricing at a premium to the Hs. There are "price stabilization measures". There are "shareholder return" measures. Some of these might be really worthwhile. The governance issues involved in this Circular and project remain problematic. But there are little stars here, twinkling in the darkness. More below the fold.

China Mobile (941 HK) - It Could Have Been Done Better, But It Ain't Bad for Hs

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One, Periscope Analytics

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

The Hang Seng Indexes Company Limited (HSIL) announced the results of its review of the Hang Seng Family of Indexes post market close on 21 May. The constituent changes will be effective after the close of trading on 4 June.For the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hang-seng-china-enterprises-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22900:1" rel="noopener">Hang Seng China Enterprises Index (HSCEI INDEX)</a>, there are 2 inclusions and 3 exclusions. This brings the number of index constituents back down to 50.The inclusions are <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/byd-co-ltd-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20962:1" rel="noopener">BYD (1211 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/evergrande-property-services" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:30921:1" rel="noopener">Evergrande Property Services (6666 HK)</a>, while <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/guangdong-investment-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12109:1" rel="noopener">Guangdong Investment (270 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-unicom-hong-kong-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1016:1" rel="noopener">China Unicom Hong Kong (762 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-tower-corp-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27037:1" rel="noopener">China Tower (788 HK)</a> have been deleted from the index. This is exactly in line with our <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/hscei-june-2021-index-rebalance-preview-three-adds-four-deletes-possible" target="_blank" rel="noopener">forecast</a>.One-way turnover is estimated at 8.37% and will result in a one-way trade of HK$5.98bn. The largest passive inflows will be on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/meituan-dianping" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26970:1" rel="noopener">Meituan (3690 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alibaba-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28434:1" rel="noopener">Alibaba Group (9988 HK)</a> as a result of the capping change from 5% to 8%, while the largest outflows will be on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26:1" rel="noopener">Tencent (700 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-construction-bank-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:45:1" rel="noopener">China Construction Bank H (939 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-tower-corp-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27037:1" rel="noopener">China Tower (788 HK)</a>.There are only 10 trading days to implementation of the changes and there should be some impact on the stocks even though the changes were largely expected (at least by us). <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/byd-co-ltd-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20962:1" rel="noopener">BYD (1211 HK)</a> was widely expected to be included but <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/evergrande-property-services" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:30921:1" rel="noopener">Evergrande Property Services (6666 HK)</a> was not on everyone's list. With 4 days ADV to buy on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/evergrande-property-services" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:30921:1" rel="noopener">Evergrande Property Services (6666 HK)</a>, the stock could outperform till implementation date.

The Hang Seng Indexes Company Limited (HSIL) announced the results of its review of the Hang Seng Family of Indexes post market close on 21 May. The constituent changes will be effective after the close of trading on 4 June.For the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index (HSCEI INDEX), there are 2 inclusions and 3 exclusions. This brings the number of index constituents back down to 50.The inclusions are BYD (1211 HK) and Evergrande Property Services (6666 HK), while Guangdong Investment (270 HK), China Unicom Hong Kong (762 HK) and China Tower (788 HK) have been deleted from the index. This is exactly in line with our forecast.One-way turnover is estimated at 8.37% and will result in a one-way trade of HK$5.98bn. The largest passive inflows will be on Meituan (3690 HK) and Alibaba Group (9988 HK) as a result of the capping change from 5% to 8%, while the largest outflows will be on Tencent (700 HK), China Construction Bank H (939 HK) and China Tower (788 HK).There are only 10 trading days to implementation of the changes and there should be some impact on the stocks even though the changes were largely expected (at least by us). BYD (1211 HK) was widely expected to be included but Evergrande Property Services (6666 HK) was not on everyone's list. With 4 days ADV to buy on Evergrande Property Services (6666 HK), the stock could outperform till implementation date. 

HSCEI Index Rebalance: BYD's Double Inclusion; Capping Changes Lead to High Turnover

Global Emerging Market Equities, Propitious Research

Wium Malan, CFA

Global Emerging Market Equities

Independent, Fundamental Quantitative Research

Propitious Research

Fully independent, fundamental and quantitative equity research, focused on companies in the Telecommunication, Media, Technology, Internet and Healthcare sectors in the Global Emerging Markets. Idea generation focused on Quality stocks, trading below their intrinsic Value, with sound Corporate Governance.

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

This insight provides a summary of the key news developments impacting the largest countries and constituents of the Global Emerging Markets equity indices.  Companies mentioned this week:<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/taiwan-semiconductor-manufacturing-company" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11230:1" rel="noopener">TSMC (2330 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26:1" rel="noopener">Tencent (700 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/posco" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:208:1" rel="noopener">Posco (005490 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-mobile-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27:1" rel="noopener">China Mobile (941 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-unicom-hong-kong-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1016:1" rel="noopener">China Unicom Hong Kong (762 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-telecom-corp-ltd-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1015:1" rel="noopener">China Telecom Corp Ltd (H) (728 HK)</a>

This insight provides a summary of the key news developments impacting the largest countries and constituents of the Global Emerging Markets equity indices.  Companies mentioned this week:TSMC (2330 TT), Tencent (700 HK), Posco (005490 KS), China Mobile (941 HK), China Unicom Hong Kong (762 HK), China Telecom Corp Ltd (H) (728 HK)

Global Emerging Markets Weekly: 7 May 2021

Evergrande Property Services / Event-Driven

The Hang Seng Indexes Company Limited (HSIL) will announce the results of the June 2021 review of the Hang Seng Family of Indexes on 21 May. The constituent changes will be effective after the close of trading on 4 June.The review period for the June review ended on 31 March and stocks that had at least 1 month of trading history by that date are eligible for inclusion in the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hang-seng-china-enterprises-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22900:1" rel="noopener">Hang Seng China Enterprises Index (HSCEI INDEX)</a>.<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/baidu-inc-a55ca720-5968-48f0-8194-ac94390d065c" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:32212:1" rel="noopener">Baidu (9888 HK)</a> will be a Fast Entry inclusion into the index at the close of trading on 8 April and no stock will be deleted on that date.At the June review, we see a high probability of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-evergrande-new-energy-vehicle-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:713:1" rel="noopener">Evergrande Auto (708 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/byd-co-ltd-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20962:1" rel="noopener">BYD (1211 HK)</a> and being included in the index, and of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-tower-corp-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27037:1" rel="noopener">China Tower (788 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/guangdong-investment-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12109:1" rel="noopener">Guangdong Investment (270 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-unicom-hong-kong-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1016:1" rel="noopener">China Unicom Hong Kong (762 HK)</a> being deleted from the index.There is a slightly lower probability of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/evergrande-property-services" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:30921:1" rel="noopener">Evergrande Property Services (6666 HK)</a> being included in the index and of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/anhui-conch-cement-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:159:1" rel="noopener">Anhui Conch Cement Co Ltd H (914 HK)</a> being excluded.<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/li-ning-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6047:1" rel="noopener">Li Ning Co Ltd (2331 HK)</a> is a close add and the corresponding deletion is <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shimao-property-holdings-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8375:1" rel="noopener">Shimao Property Holdings (813 HK)</a>.The June review also sees a change in the index methodology where all stocks will be capped at 8% of the index weight.

The Hang Seng Indexes Company Limited (HSIL) will announce the results of the June 2021 review of the Hang Seng Family of Indexes on 21 May. The constituent changes will be effective after the close of trading on 4 June.The review period for the June review ended on 31 March and stocks that had at least 1 month of trading history by that date are eligible for inclusion in the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index (HSCEI INDEX).Baidu (9888 HK) will be a Fast Entry inclusion into the index at the close of trading on 8 April and no stock will be deleted on that date.At the June review, we see a high probability of Evergrande Auto (708 HK) and BYD (1211 HK) and being included in the index, and of China Tower (788 HK), Guangdong Investment (270 HK) and China Unicom Hong Kong (762 HK) being deleted from the index.There is a slightly lower probability of Evergrande Property Services (6666 HK) being included in the index and of Anhui Conch Cement Co Ltd H (914 HK) being excluded.Li Ning Co Ltd (2331 HK) is a close add and the corresponding deletion is Shimao Property Holdings (813 HK).The June review also sees a change in the index methodology where all stocks will be capped at 8% of the index weight.

HSCEI June 2021 Index Rebalance Preview - Three Adds, Four Deletes Possible

China

China Telecom Corporation Limited, through its subsidiaries, provides wireline telephone, data, and Internet, as well as leased line services in China.

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China Telecom Corp Ltd (Adr) (CHA US)

China Telecom (728 HK) Ups Div Payout Policy - There's a Plan Here. Expect China Mobile to Follow

China Telecom ups its dividend payout policy ahead of A-Share listing in order to support higher A-share valuation. The goal is to boost A-share...

Travis Lundy

China Mobile (941 HK) - It Could Have Been Done Better, But It Ain't Bad for Hs

China Mobile will follow China Telecom in issuing A-shares. The constructs are almost identical. Both suggest upside to the Hs, perhaps more for...

Travis Lundy

HSCEI Index Rebalance: BYD's Double Inclusion; Capping Changes Lead to High Turnover

The 2 adds and 3 deletes for the HSCEI are just what we expected. BYD is an inclusion in the HSI too and could move higher over the next 2 weeks....

Brian Freitas

Global Emerging Markets Weekly: 7 May 2021

This insight provides a summary of the key news developments impacting the largest countries and constituents of the Global Emerging Markets equity...

Wium Malan, CFA

HSCEI June 2021 Index Rebalance Preview - Three Adds, Four Deletes Possible

We forecast 3 inclusions and 4 exclusions from the HSCEI at the June review. Along with capping changes, we estimate a one-way turnover of 9.75%....

Brian Freitas

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