Forensic Analyst

Jason Yap, CFA

Forensic Accounting

<ul>
<li>On 16 December 2021, KE Holdings Inc (BEKE US) was target of shortseller Muddy Water's shortsell report, which alleged "significant fraud".  BEKE has since issued a rebuttal. </li>
<li>As shortsell attacks increase in recent years, investors with affected portfolio companies need to find a way to swiftly evaluate and react to shortsell report risks. </li>
<li>In this Insight, we provide a 6 point checklist that investors could use to evaluate such risks and make capital allocation decisions in respect of its portfolio company</li>
</ul>


On 16 December 2021, KE Holdings Inc (BEKE US) was target of shortseller Muddy Water's shortsell report, which alleged "significant fraud".  BEKE has since issued a rebuttal. 
As shortsell attacks increase in recent years, investors with affected portfolio companies need to find a way to swiftly evaluate and react to shortsell report risks. 
In this Insight, we provide a 6 point checklist that investors could use to evaluate such risks and make capital allocation decisions in respect of its portfolio company


KE Holdings (BEKE US)'s Shortsell Report and Rebuttal - Key Takeaways

HK/China Equity Long-Short

Osbert Tang, CFA

Equity Bottom-Up

Hope Education Group Co Ltd / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Following share price plunge even with decent FY21 result, most of the risks for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hope-education-group-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27321:1" rel="noopener">Hope Education Group (1765 HK)</a> have been released, but its return profile looks more interesting now.</li>
<li>We see bright spots including good cash flow, solid financial position, positive business outlook, new stock option scheme and limited regulatory exposure the key investment merits. </li>
<li>Valuations appear undemanding at 10.4x and 8.4x PERs for FY21 and FY22. They are at premium to <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-yuhua-education" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23627:1" rel="noopener">China Yuhua Education (6169 HK)</a> but discount to <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-education-group-holdin" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18218:1" rel="noopener">China Education Group (839 HK)</a>. </li>
</ul>


Following share price plunge even with decent FY21 result, most of the risks for Hope Education Group (1765 HK) have been released, but its return profile looks more interesting now.
We see bright spots including good cash flow, solid financial position, positive business outlook, new stock option scheme and limited regulatory exposure the key investment merits. 
Valuations appear undemanding at 10.4x and 8.4x PERs for FY21 and FY22. They are at premium to China Yuhua Education (6169 HK) but discount to China Education Group (839 HK). 


Hope Education (1765 HK): Hopeful or Hopeless?

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-yuhua-education" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23627:1" rel="noopener">China Yuhua Education (6169 HK)</a> has significantly cleaned up its K-9 business by deconsolidated from FY21 result with a Rmb1.04bn one-off losses. Reported profit, however, still reached Rmb824.5m. </li>
<li>The continuing business achieved a profit of Rmb1.2bn, growing by an estimated 48% YoY, suggesting that the higher and vocational segment is operating on a sound basis. </li>
<li>It is in the process to transform three K-9 schools into higher vocational schools. Guidance for FY22 is not less than 20% earnings growth for the continuing business.  </li>
</ul>



China Yuhua Education (6169 HK) has significantly cleaned up its K-9 business by deconsolidated from FY21 result with a Rmb1.04bn one-off losses. Reported profit, however, still reached Rmb824.5m. 
The continuing business achieved a profit of Rmb1.2bn, growing by an estimated 48% YoY, suggesting that the higher and vocational segment is operating on a sound basis. 
It is in the process to transform three K-9 schools into higher vocational schools. Guidance for FY22 is not less than 20% earnings growth for the continuing business.  


China Yuhua Education (6169 HK): Cleaner After a Big Bath?

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-education-group-holdin" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18218:1" rel="noopener">China Education Group (839 HK)</a> again announced solid result with adjusted net profit surged by 57.1% to Rmb1.55bn in FY21, ahead of guidance and also better than market expectations.</li>
<li>Management suggests positive FY22 outlook as student recruitment is encouraging, new schools and campuses add momentum and potential acquisitions provide upside. Unified new student enrollment increased 34% YoY.</li>
<li>CEG stays as our top pick in China Private Education Sector, and its PER of 14.5x for FY22F is undemanding given sustained solid earnings outlook and less regulatory exposure.</li>
</ul>



China Education Group (839 HK) again announced solid result with adjusted net profit surged by 57.1% to Rmb1.55bn in FY21, ahead of guidance and also better than market expectations.
Management suggests positive FY22 outlook as student recruitment is encouraging, new schools and campuses add momentum and potential acquisitions provide upside. Unified new student enrollment increased 34% YoY.
CEG stays as our top pick in China Private Education Sector, and its PER of 14.5x for FY22F is undemanding given sustained solid earnings outlook and less regulatory exposure.


China Education Group (839 HK): Post-FY21 Result Call Suggests Robust Year Ahead

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

<ul>
<li>Numerous media accounts have mentioned that Didi could relaunch its ride-hailing app in China by the end of 2021.</li>
<li>In terms of share price trend, it is starting to form an attractive double bottom pattern, with increasing prices on rising volume. </li>
<li>Our base case valuation of DiDi Global is a target price of $12 per share, which represents a 35% upside from current levels.</li>
</ul>


Numerous media accounts have mentioned that Didi could relaunch its ride-hailing app in China by the end of 2021.
In terms of share price trend, it is starting to form an attractive double bottom pattern, with increasing prices on rising volume. 
Our base case valuation of DiDi Global is a target price of $12 per share, which represents a 35% upside from current levels.


Didi Global - Higher Probability of Relaunching Ride Hailing App in China by the End of 2021

China

China Chunlai Education Group Co., Ltd. provides educational services. The Company offers private higher education services and other services. China Chunlai Education Group provides services in China.

China East Education Holdings Limited provides vocational training educational services. The Company offers culinary education, internet technology education, automotive education, and other services. China East Education Holdings provides services in China.

Xiamen Unigroup Xue Co., Ltd. offers various educational services. The Company provides after-school tutoring and education consulting. Unigroup Xue also participates in real estate development and investment activities.

Zhejiang Yasha Decoration Company Ltd. provides decorating services for large-scale infrastructure, high-end luxury hotel and luxury residential property.

Shanghai Xin Nanyang Co., Ltd., through its subsidiaries, manufactures communication products and industrial equipment, develops cable TV network, security trading, and communication systems, provides network integration, education, and precision processing services.

China Kepei Education Group Limited provides educational services. The Company offers high-quality profession-oriented education services and other services. China Kepei Education Group provides services in China.

China YuHua Education operates private education from kindergarten to university in China.

Eastern Pioneer Driving School Co. Ltd. operates as a driving school.  The Company offers training for a variety of vehicles including passenger cars, motorcycles, trucks, and more.

JH Educational Technology Inc. provides education services. The Company offers higher education, secondary education, and other services. JH Educational Technology provides services in China.

Dong Yi Ri Sheng Home Decoration Group Company Limited designs and constructs set decorations, integrates home decoration materials, manufactures wood products and provides organic home decoration solutions, and its franchise business.

Dong Yi Ri Sheng Home Decoratn Gp (002713 CH)

G8 Education Limited provides community-focused child care for families to foster their child's development.  The Company also conducts a range of child care services that includes child care centers acquisition, child care centers management, and industry-related project management, services and consultancy.

Lung Yen Life Service Corp operates a cemetery and offers funeral and disposition services.

AcadeMedia AB provides educational services. The Company offers pre-school, elementary, secondary, vocational, adult education, comprehensive lesson plans, skills training, and professional rehabilitation services. AcadeMedia operates throughout Sweden.

Propel Funeral Partners Limited provides funeral services. The Company owns and operates funeral homes, cemeteries, crematoria, and related assets, as well as offers funeral, cremation, burial, and mortuary services. Propel Funeral Partners serves individuals and families in Australia and New Zealand.

SISB operates a premium K-12 international school in Thailand, adopted Singapore, UK and IBDP curriculum as a blended student pathway in schools. SISB was established in 2001 with the school license under the Private School Act. Currently, there are 6 international schools with over 4,000 students.

Perfect Medical Health Management (previously Perfect Shape Medical Limited) offers slimming and beauty treatments. The Company provides fat softens and dissolves services, laser freckle services, and other services. Perfect Shape Medical offers services in China.

Universal Technical Institute Inc., through its Universal Technical Institute (UTI) campuses, provides technical education training. The Schools, through its UTI campuses, offers automotive, collision repair and refinishing, and diesel training. UTI also offers training in motorcycle, marine, and personal watercraft through its Motorcycle and Marine Mechanics Institutes(MMI).

Universal Technical Institute, Inc (UTI US)

Carriage Services, Inc. operates funeral homes and cemeteries in the United States.  The Company provides a complete range of services relating to funerals, burials, and cremations.  Carriage also sells related products and merchandise such as caskets, burial vaults, garments, and memorials.

Chegg, Inc. provides online educational platform. The Company offers homework help, course selection, note taking, manuals, and textbook rentals services. Chegg serves customers throughout the United States.

The Cross-Harbour (Holdings) Limited, through its subsidiaries, operates a driver training center, tunnel, and electronic tolls. The Company also provides treasury services.

Gaotu Techedu inc develops educational software. The Company offers online K-12 large class after school tutoring as well as foreign language, professional and other courses. Gaotu Techedu serves students in China

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Gaotu Techedu (GOTU US)

KE Holdings (BEKE US)'s Shortsell Report and Rebuttal - Key Takeaways

On 16 Dec 2021, BEKE targeted by Muddy Waters shortsell report. BEKE has since issued a rebuttal. In this Insight, we provide a 6 point checklist...

Jason Yap, CFA

Hope Education (1765 HK): Hopeful or Hopeless?

With a focus on higher education, Hope Education should see lesser regulatory risks. Good cash flow, solid financial position and positive business...

Osbert Tang, CFA

China Yuhua Education (6169 HK): Cleaner After a Big Bath?

A massive cleanup of K-9 segment should clear many uncertainties from the government's regulations. Focusing on higher and vocational colleges will...

Osbert Tang, CFA

China Education Group (839 HK): Post-FY21 Result Call Suggests Robust Year Ahead

After beating expectation in FY21 result, positive outlook will extend into FY22 as student recruitment is encouraging, new schools and campuses...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Didi Global - Higher Probability of Relaunching Ride Hailing App in China by the End of 2021

There have been numerous media accounts in the past two days that have mentioned that DiDi Global (DIDI US) is likely to relaunch its ride-hailing...

Douglas Kim

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