HK/China Equity Long-Short

Osbert Tang, CFA

Equity Bottom-Up

Despite the good share price performance after going ex-dividends, <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> still has significant upside potential, in our view. YTD, industry and peer figures have already showed a very solid underlying picture of China's gas consumption market. We updated our financial projections to incorporate the good 1Q21 result of Kunlun Gas, particularly to reflect the lower-than-expected minority interests which means that its wholly-owned subsidiaries are more profitable than non-wholly-owned which is a fact likely to be missed by the market.We project 3-year EPS CAGR of 20% for Kunlun's continuing operations, with ROE of 10.9% for FY22; and the stock trades on just 10.9x PER for FY21F and 0.9x P/B for FY22F. Such growth, return and valuation metrics clearly put the stock in an attractive zone relative to the peers' multiples - average sector growth is 15.9% at PER of 15.6x and average ROE of 17.7% at 2.2x P/B. More importantly, we see its net cash over the next two years to amount to 26-37% of the current share price.

Despite the good share price performance after going ex-dividends, Kunlun Energy (135 HK) still has significant upside potential, in our view. YTD, industry and peer figures have already showed a very solid underlying picture of China's gas consumption market. We updated our financial projections to incorporate the good 1Q21 result of Kunlun Gas, particularly to reflect the lower-than-expected minority interests which means that its wholly-owned subsidiaries are more profitable than non-wholly-owned which is a fact likely to be missed by the market.We project 3-year EPS CAGR of 20% for Kunlun's continuing operations, with ROE of 10.9% for FY22; and the stock trades on just 10.9x PER for FY21F and 0.9x P/B for FY22F. Such growth, return and valuation metrics clearly put the stock in an attractive zone relative to the peers' multiples - average sector growth is 15.9% at PER of 15.6x and average ROE of 17.7% at 2.2x P/B. More importantly, we see its net cash over the next two years to amount to 26-37% of the current share price.

Kunlun Energy (135 HK): Updated Financial Projections Point to Still Very Undemanding Valuations

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

This is a warning insight. It is not actionable per se. It is designed to be informative. The dividend payment ex-dates are confusing. Some people are confusing. This insight hopes to put that right in the safest way possible so investors do not make an error on what will be a one-time 30% dividend.

This is a warning insight. It is not actionable per se. It is designed to be informative. The dividend payment ex-dates are confusing. Some people are confusing. This insight hopes to put that right in the safest way possible so investors do not make an error on what will be a one-time 30% dividend. 

Kunlun Energy (135) - Be Careful Of The Special Div Dates

Last year, the major gas pipeline companies owned by the SOEs all announced they were selling their intercity infrastructure and port offloading and storage operations to a new SOE called PipeChina. A few SOEs signed Sale and Purchase agreements in mid-2020. <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> signed theirs in December. For Kunlun, that agreement went through at the end of March. The bulk of the payment should have gone through at the end of April, and When Kunlun reported its earnings in late March, it reported full-year on an ongoing basis with the Discontinued Assets representing a different set of numbers. At that point, Kunlun became an energy distribution company which was primarily a city gas company, and a big pile of cash. As <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/osbert-tang-cfa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:3879" rel="noopener">Osbert Tang, CFA</a> discussed in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/kunlun-energy-135-hk-a-fantastic-1q21-at-kunlun-gas" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:50930" rel="noopener">Kunlun Energy (135 HK): A Fantastic 1Q21 at Kunlun Gas</a> the largest contributor to the remaining business had a "fantastic Q1". Year-on-year results this year were always going to be "good" simply because of the growth from start of year to end of year in 2020. Straightline serial no-growth in 2021 would still have resulted in year-on-year growth, which itself seemed not to be in the minds of analysts looking at the pro-forma post-sale Kunlun. Surprisingly, since the announcement in December that the trade had been done, while Kunlun is up, because others are up just as much, the relative cheapness of Kunlun vs peers has actually increased.Below are data/visualizations suggesting how to look at Kunlun today.

Last year, the major gas pipeline companies owned by the SOEs all announced they were selling their intercity infrastructure and port offloading and storage operations to a new SOE called PipeChina. A few SOEs signed Sale and Purchase agreements in mid-2020. Kunlun Energy (135 HK) signed theirs in December. For Kunlun, that agreement went through at the end of March. The bulk of the payment should have gone through at the end of April, and When Kunlun reported its earnings in late March, it reported full-year on an ongoing basis with the Discontinued Assets representing a different set of numbers. At that point, Kunlun became an energy distribution company which was primarily a city gas company, and a big pile of cash. As Osbert Tang, CFA discussed in Kunlun Energy (135 HK): A Fantastic 1Q21 at Kunlun Gas the largest contributor to the remaining business had a "fantastic Q1". Year-on-year results this year were always going to be "good" simply because of the growth from start of year to end of year in 2020. Straightline serial no-growth in 2021 would still have resulted in year-on-year growth, which itself seemed not to be in the minds of analysts looking at the pro-forma post-sale Kunlun. Surprisingly, since the announcement in December that the trade had been done, while Kunlun is up, because others are up just as much, the relative cheapness of Kunlun vs peers has actually increased.Below are data/visualizations suggesting how to look at Kunlun today. 

Kunlun Energy (135 HK) Approaching The Special Div - Still The Wrong Price

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

The most important subsidiary and key source of earnings of <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> - unlisted Kunlun Gas - reported a fantastic 42.9% YoY growth in earnings for 1Q21. Even relative to 1Q19, the net profit figure is still 30.8% higher. While gross margin contracted YoY, likely due to higher procurement costs, the exciting volume growth has offset the impact of cost inflation, in our view.Kunlun Gas' 1Q21 net profit already equals to 37.5% of its total in last year, indicating a very positive start for FY21. Moreover, it has a very comfortable gearing of 19.5% and good operating cash flow, meaning that there is no need for it to seek funding from parent Kunlun Energy. Hence, Kunlun Energy can pursue more value-enhancing acquisitions through its cash on hand. All in all, the result implies great start for Kunlun Energy in 1Q21 - Kunlun Gas accounted for 72% of Kunlun Energy's net profit from continuing operations in last year.

The most important subsidiary and key source of earnings of Kunlun Energy (135 HK) - unlisted Kunlun Gas - reported a fantastic 42.9% YoY growth in earnings for 1Q21. Even relative to 1Q19, the net profit figure is still 30.8% higher. While gross margin contracted YoY, likely due to higher procurement costs, the exciting volume growth has offset the impact of cost inflation, in our view.Kunlun Gas' 1Q21 net profit already equals to 37.5% of its total in last year, indicating a very positive start for FY21. Moreover, it has a very comfortable gearing of 19.5% and good operating cash flow, meaning that there is no need for it to seek funding from parent Kunlun Energy. Hence, Kunlun Energy can pursue more value-enhancing acquisitions through its cash on hand. All in all, the result implies great start for Kunlun Energy in 1Q21 - Kunlun Gas accounted for 72% of Kunlun Energy's net profit from continuing operations in last year. 

Kunlun Energy (135 HK): A Fantastic 1Q21 at Kunlun Gas

China

Enn Natural Gas Co.,Ltd. offers natural gas engineering services. The Company provides natural gas engineering investment, gas station construction, and energy equipment distribution services. Enn Natural Gas also operates coal materials, chemicals,  and biopharmaceutical products trading businesses.

Shenzhen Gas Corporation Ltd., supplies gas in Shenzhen. The Company business includes wholesale of gas, pipeline and the supply of bottled gas, investment and construction in the distribution network of gas transmission.

Foran Energy Group Co.,Ltd. operates as a natural gas production company. The Company mainly offers liquefied and compressed natural gas transmission and distribution services. Foran Energy Group also provides natural gas high pressure pipe network construction services.

Xinjiang Xintai Natural Gas Co., Ltd. distributes and sells natural, liquefied petroleum, and manufactured gases throughout China.

Shaan Xi Provincial Natural Gas Company Ltd. transports natural gas through pipelines.

Shaanxi Provincial Natural Gas Co, Ltd. (002267 CH)

Chongqing Gas Group Corporation Limited supplies gas, installs gas facilities and equipment in Chongqing.

Xinjiang Haoyuan Gas Company Limited processes, sells, services and delivers natural gas. The Company's main products include delivery and sale of natural gas, and home residents pipeline installation services.

China Tian Lun Gas Holdings Ltd. processes and distributes natural gas through urban pipelines.  The Company operates in Henan Province, China.  China Tian Lun Gas also operates a compressed natural gas filling station.

Huadian Power International Corporation Limited generates and sells electricity which is all fed into the Shandong Provincial Grid operated by Shandong Electric Power (Group) Corporation (SEPCO), the immediate holding company of the Company.  The Company also sells heat.

China Longyuan Power Group Corp Ltd designs, develops, manages, and operates wind farms.  The Company also sells the electricity generated by the wind farms.

TOKYO GAS CO., LTD. produces and supplies liquefied natural gas to Tokyo and the surrounding areas.  The Company maintains and manages gas supply equipment and sells air conditioning appliances.  Tokyo Gas operates power generation business as well.

Petronas Gas Berhad processes and separates natural gas into its components from the gas field offshore Terengganu. The Company stores, transports, and distributes these components as well as trades utilities to petrochemical plants.

OSAKA GAS CO., LTD. produces and supplies natural gas primarily in Osaka, Kyoto, and Hyogo areas.  The Company provides gases and energy products for residential, commercial, and industrial customers.  Osaka Gas also constructs and maintains gas supply lines.  In addition, the Company sells gas appliances.

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.

PetroVietnam Gas JSC transports, stores, and markets petroleum gas.  The Companies products include liquefied petroleum gas, dry gas, compressed natural gas, and liquefied natural gas.  PetroVietnam's services include gas gathering, gas importation, gas transportation and distribution, gas engine development and gas operation and maintenance.

APA Group is a natural gas infrastructure company. The Company owns and or operates gas transmission and distribution assets whose pipelines span every state and territory in mainland Australia. APA Group also holds minority interests in energy infrastructure enterprises.

Southwest Gas Corporation purchases, transports, and distributes natural gas to residential, commercial, and industrial customers in portions of Arizona, Nevada, and California.  The Company also provides construction services to utility companies, including trenching and installation, replacement, and maintenance services for energy distribution systems.

National Fuel Gas Company is an integrated natural gas company with operations in all segments of the natural gas industry, including utility, pipeline and storage, exploration and production, and marketing operations.  The Company operates across the United States.

China Gas Holdings Ltd. invests in, operates and manages natural gas distribution pipelines.  The Company distributes and sells natural gas to residential, commercial and industrial users, and bottles and sells compressed natural gas.  China Gas also constructs and operates gas stations.

UGI Corporation distributes and markets energy products and services.  The Company is a domestic and international distributor of propane.  UGI also distributes and markets natural gas and electricity, and sells related products and services in the Middle Atlantic region of the United States.

ENN Energy Holdings Ltd. distributes natural gas in China.  The Company, through its subsidiaries, invests in, operates, and manages gas pipelines, and sells and distributes piped and bottled gas in China.

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ENN Energy (2688 HK)

Kunlun Energy (135 HK): Updated Financial Projections Point to Still Very Undemanding Valuations

Our updated financial projections, referencing its valuation relative to peers, point to the fact that there is still very significant upside...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Kunlun Energy (135) - Be Careful Of The Special Div Dates

Kunlun's Special Div is upon us. BE CAREFUL OF YOUR DATES. There appears to be some confusion out there. Check and double check the docs and your...

Travis Lundy

Kunlun Energy (135 HK) Approaching The Special Div - Still The Wrong Price

Kunlun has outperformed its peers since the announcement of the disposal of its pipeline business. There is one week til the ex-date of the special...

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

Kunlun Energy (135 HK): A Fantastic 1Q21 at Kunlun Gas

Kunlun Energy's most important unlisted subsidiary Kunlun Gas achieved net profit growth of 42.9% in 1Q21, and this is an impressive start for the...

Osbert Tang, CFA

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