HK/China Equity Long-Short

Osbert Tang, CFA

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/h-world-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33487:1" rel="noopener">H World Group (1179 HK)</a> has been over-penalised by market weakness as its share price was off 16.8% YTD. It turned around in 3Q23 and guidance for 4Q23 is solid.</li>
<li>Surge in operating and adjusted EBITDA margins indicated high operating leverage. Occupancy has not returned to 2019 level, but there will be more margin expansion when this happens.</li>
<li>55% of rooms in China are of economy type, and 82% are in tier-2 and below cities. Such characteristics allow it to benefit from the prevailing consumption downgrade. </li>
</ul>



H World Group (1179 HK) has been over-penalised by market weakness as its share price was off 16.8% YTD. It turned around in 3Q23 and guidance for 4Q23 is solid.
Surge in operating and adjusted EBITDA margins indicated high operating leverage. Occupancy has not returned to 2019 level, but there will be more margin expansion when this happens.
55% of rooms in China are of economy type, and 82% are in tier-2 and below cities. Such characteristics allow it to benefit from the prevailing consumption downgrade. 


H World Group (1179 HK): Uniquely Well-Placed for Lower-Tier Markets

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>China's announcement of the third batch of international destinations for the resumption of outbound travel will serve as another important catalyst for the rebound of outbound tourism.</li>
<li>The generally weak performance of tourism-related stocks YTD is unjustified. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fosun-tourism-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27439:1" rel="noopener">Fosun Tourism (1992 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-travel-international-investment-hong-kong" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3879:1" rel="noopener">China Travel International (308 HK)</a> have both issued positive profit alerts for 1H23.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/air-china-ltd-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8239:1" rel="noopener">Air China Ltd (H) (753 HK)</a> is also an important beneficiary as international passenger capacity recovers. The release of pent-up demand will have positive implications on passenger yield.</li>
</ul>


China's announcement of the third batch of international destinations for the resumption of outbound travel will serve as another important catalyst for the rebound of outbound tourism.
The generally weak performance of tourism-related stocks YTD is unjustified. Fosun Tourism (1992 HK) and China Travel International (308 HK) have both issued positive profit alerts for 1H23.

Air China Ltd (H) (753 HK) is also an important beneficiary as international passenger capacity recovers. The release of pent-up demand will have positive implications on passenger yield.


China Tourism Sector: Anticipating More Upward Strengths

Tongcheng Travel Holdings  / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tongcheng-travel-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27363:1" rel="noopener">Tongcheng Travel Holdings (780 HK)</a> is best positioned to capture post-COVID travel, especially in lower-tier cities. This is reflected in a 146.5% growth in 3Q23 adjusted net profit.</li>
<li>The cooperation with <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26:1" rel="noopener">Tencent (700 HK)</a> continues to bear fruits and will drive accelerated momentum as it leverages on QQ Browser, Weixin mini-program, and Tencent Docs.</li>
<li>3Q23 net cash increased 1.5x from the end-FY22 level and now represents 10.9% of market capitalisation. Its earnings valuations are attractive relative to both growth and peers.</li>
</ul>



Tongcheng Travel Holdings (780 HK) is best positioned to capture post-COVID travel, especially in lower-tier cities. This is reflected in a 146.5% growth in 3Q23 adjusted net profit.
The cooperation with Tencent (700 HK) continues to bear fruits and will drive accelerated momentum as it leverages on QQ Browser, Weixin mini-program, and Tencent Docs.
3Q23 net cash increased 1.5x from the end-FY22 level and now represents 10.9% of market capitalisation. Its earnings valuations are attractive relative to both growth and peers.


Tongcheng Travel (780 HK): Rides on the Tourism Upswing

<ul>
<li>The 2Q23 earnings performance for China's tourism and hospitality stocks provides clear evidence for the sector's operational recovery. This will become even stronger into 2H23.</li>
<li>Forward bookings for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tongcheng-travel-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27363:1" rel="noopener">Tongcheng Travel (780 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/trip-com-group-ltd-23a341d0-4f63-4175-a8c5-ee990906cacd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:36424:1" rel="noopener">Trip.com Group (9961 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/h-world-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33487:1" rel="noopener">H World Grp (1179 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fosun-tourism-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27439:1" rel="noopener">Fosun Tourism (1992 HK)</a> all point to encouraging underlying demand.</li>
<li>Despite recent strengths in share price, consensus earnings upgrades have made their valuations even cheaper than three months ago.</li>
</ul>


The 2Q23 earnings performance for China's tourism and hospitality stocks provides clear evidence for the sector's operational recovery. This will become even stronger into 2H23.
Forward bookings for Tongcheng Travel (780 HK), Trip.com Group (9961 HK), H World Grp (1179 HK) and Fosun Tourism (1992 HK) all point to encouraging underlying demand.
Despite recent strengths in share price, consensus earnings upgrades have made their valuations even cheaper than three months ago.


China Tourism and Hospitality Industry: Pent-Up Demand Drives Robust Outlook

<ul>
<li>Despite solid 1Q23 result, share price performance for China's tourism and hospitality companies has been unexciting. This is unjustified and we expect a pick-up going forward.</li>
<li>While their earnings multiples are high at 31.0x and 21.6x for FY23 and FY24 respectively, they should be interpreted in the context of impressive FY23-24 average EPS growth of 51.4%.</li>
<li>Anecdotal evidences showed that positive momentum will sustain - <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tongcheng-travel-holdings-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27363:1" rel="noopener">Tongcheng Travel Holdings (780 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/trip-com-group-ltd-23a341d0-4f63-4175-a8c5-ee990906cacd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:36424:1" rel="noopener">Trip.com (9961 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/h-world-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33487:1" rel="noopener">H World Group (1179 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fosun-tourism-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27439:1" rel="noopener">Fosun Tourism (1992 HK)</a> will stay as beneficiaries.</li>
</ul>


Despite solid 1Q23 result, share price performance for China's tourism and hospitality companies has been unexciting. This is unjustified and we expect a pick-up going forward.
While their earnings multiples are high at 31.0x and 21.6x for FY23 and FY24 respectively, they should be interpreted in the context of impressive FY23-24 average EPS growth of 51.4%.
Anecdotal evidences showed that positive momentum will sustain - Tongcheng Travel Holdings (780 HK), Trip.com (9961 HK), H World Group (1179 HK) and Fosun Tourism (1992 HK) will stay as beneficiaries.


China Tourism and Hospitality Industry: Set for Stronger Momentum Ahead

Hong Kong

Fosun Tourism Group operates as a leisure focused integrated tourism group. The Company provides resorts management, tourism destinations development, and other related services. Fosun Tourism Group offers its services worldwide.

Price Gauge
52-week Range	0.00 - 0.00
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Fosun Tourism (1992 HK)

H World Group (1179 HK): Uniquely Well-Placed for Lower-Tier Markets

H World has solid guidance for 4Q23, allowing it to realise operating leverage and margin expansion. Its focus on economy rooms and tier-2 and...

Osbert Tang, CFA

China Tourism Sector: Anticipating More Upward Strengths

China's recent policy to allow visa-free travel for citizens from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia for up to 15 days...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Tongcheng Travel (780 HK): Rides on the Tourism Upswing

Tongcheng is thriving post-COVID, with a 146.5% growth in adjusted net profit in 3Q23. Cooperation with Tencent is driving momentum and...

Osbert Tang, CFA

China Tourism and Hospitality Industry: Pent-Up Demand Drives Robust Outlook

China's tourism-related stocks showed strong 2Q23 earnings recovery, with forward bookings indicating promising demand. Despite higher share...

Osbert Tang, CFA

China Tourism and Hospitality Industry: Set for Stronger Momentum Ahead

We anticipate sustained earnings strength for China's tourism and hospitality industry following impressive 1Q23 results. This should underpin pick...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

H World Group (1179 HK): Uniquely Well-Placed for Lower-Tier Markets

​H World has solid guidance for 4Q23, allowing it to realise operating leverage and margin expansion. Its focus on economy rooms and tier-2 and...

Osbert Tang, CFA

China Tourism Sector: Anticipating More Upward Strengths

China's recent policy to allow visa-free travel for citizens from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia for up to 15 days...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Tongcheng Travel (780 HK): Rides on the Tourism Upswing

​Tongcheng is thriving post-COVID, with a 146.5% growth in adjusted net profit in 3Q23. Cooperation with Tencent is driving momentum and...

Osbert Tang, CFA

China Tourism and Hospitality Industry: Pent-Up Demand Drives Robust Outlook

​China's tourism-related stocks showed strong 2Q23 earnings recovery, with forward bookings indicating promising demand. Despite higher share...

Osbert Tang, CFA

China Tourism and Hospitality Industry: Set for Stronger Momentum Ahead

We anticipate sustained earnings strength for China's tourism and hospitality industry following impressive 1Q23 results. This should underpin pick...

Osbert Tang, CFA

H World has solid guidance for 4Q23, allowing it to realise operating leverage and margin expansion. Its focus on economy rooms and tier-2 and...

Tongcheng is thriving post-COVID, with a 146.5% growth in adjusted net profit in 3Q23. Cooperation with Tencent is driving momentum and...

China's tourism-related stocks showed strong 2Q23 earnings recovery, with forward bookings indicating promising demand. Despite higher share...