HK/China Equity Long-Short

Osbert Tang, CFA

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>With an 18.6% growth in 1H22 profit from continuing operations, <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> has not disappointed us. Natural gas sales segment is a bright spot with solid growth.</li>
<li>Net cash swelled to Rmb10.2bn at end-Jun, about 2x more than the level at end-FY21. We estimate this roughly equals to 19% of the current share price. </li>
<li>New project momentum looks healthy and the market seems to have underestimated FY22 earnings. Its 8x and 7.5x PERs for FY22 and FY23 are clearly attractive. </li>
</ul>


With an 18.6% growth in 1H22 profit from continuing operations, Kunlun Energy (135 HK) has not disappointed us. Natural gas sales segment is a bright spot with solid growth.
Net cash swelled to Rmb10.2bn at end-Jun, about 2x more than the level at end-FY21. We estimate this roughly equals to 19% of the current share price. 
New project momentum looks healthy and the market seems to have underestimated FY22 earnings. Its 8x and 7.5x PERs for FY22 and FY23 are clearly attractive. 


Kunlun Energy (135 HK): An Excellent Show

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

The last time I wrote about <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> was in early June 2021 when I discussed the little extra trick one might use to maximise dividend payout. It worked. But I was bullish.At that time, my conclusion was...<blockquote>I am still VERY bullish on Kunlun Energy vs a basket of the three listed HK peers, and at this point, a dollar-neutral position is probably appropriate. </blockquote>The stock was a little wishy-washy the day the Special Dividend went ex- - for whatever reason I do not know - then rallied sharply but since 4 June, though the stock itself rallied 30% from that post ex-div rally to early September, the sharp rise in gas input costs caused the shares to fall back to their post-div rally point last week. However the stock has continued to outperform peers - outperforming a basket of three liquid HK-listed city gas peers by 37.9% since I last wrote (the dots). <section class="figure"><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/237/339/original/Screenshot+2021-10-25+at+6.55.32+PM.png?1635159349" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="237339"></figure></section>But despite that performance... </section>I am still VERY bullish on Kunlun Energy vs a basket of the three listed HK peers, and at this point, EITHER a dollar-neutral position OR an outright long is appropriate. More below the fold.

The last time I wrote about Kunlun Energy (135 HK) was in early June 2021 when I discussed the little extra trick one might use to maximise dividend payout. It worked. But I was bullish.At that time, my conclusion was...I am still VERY bullish on Kunlun Energy vs a basket of the three listed HK peers, and at this point, a dollar-neutral position is probably appropriate. The stock was a little wishy-washy the day the Special Dividend went ex- - for whatever reason I do not know - then rallied sharply but since 4 June, though the stock itself rallied 30% from that post ex-div rally to early September, the sharp rise in gas input costs caused the shares to fall back to their post-div rally point last week. However the stock has continued to outperform peers - outperforming a basket of three liquid HK-listed city gas peers by 37.9% since I last wrote (the dots). But despite that performance... I am still VERY bullish on Kunlun Energy vs a basket of the three listed HK peers, and at this point, EITHER a dollar-neutral position OR an outright long is appropriate. More below the fold. 

Kunlun Energy - People Still Don't Get It So Gas It Up Some More

We touched base with <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> to seek answers on five questions that we think are of significant interests to investors. These include topics on the impact of the rally in LNG price, mechanism for retail gas price adjustment, outlook for dollar margin, impact on the terminal and processing segment, gas volume availability and the future of the E&amp;P segment. These questions are all well answered by Kunlun's management.Overall, based on our discussions, the impact of higher LNG price on Kunlun's profitability and dollar margin should be manageable. It has secured enough gas sources and there should not be worries on shortage. We also anticipate the earnings volatility caused by the upstream E&amp;P business will be sharply lower in two to three years' time; and with better earnings stability and quality, Kunlun should continue to see re-rating.

We touched base with Kunlun Energy (135 HK) to seek answers on five questions that we think are of significant interests to investors. These include topics on the impact of the rally in LNG price, mechanism for retail gas price adjustment, outlook for dollar margin, impact on the terminal and processing segment, gas volume availability and the future of the E&amp;P segment. These questions are all well answered by Kunlun's management.Overall, based on our discussions, the impact of higher LNG price on Kunlun's profitability and dollar margin should be manageable. It has secured enough gas sources and there should not be worries on shortage. We also anticipate the earnings volatility caused by the upstream E&amp;P business will be sharply lower in two to three years' time; and with better earnings stability and quality, Kunlun should continue to see re-rating.

Kunlun Energy (135 HK): Five Questions to Management Get Answered

<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

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): An Excellent Show

Impressive 1H22 result is a clear demonstration of Kunlun's operational strengths and cash generating ability. The market should ease concerns on...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Kunlun Energy - People Still Don't Get It So Gas It Up Some More

There are a few ways to look at Kunlun Energy vs Peers. Traditional measures show Kunlun as dreadfully cheap vs peers. The traditional measures are...

Travis Lundy

Kunlun Energy (135 HK): Five Questions to Management Get Answered

The impact of higher LNG price on the dollar margin and profitability of Kunlun's city gas projects should be manageable. Earnings volatility from...

Osbert Tang, CFA

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

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