HK/China Equity Long-Short

Osbert Tang, CFA

Equity Bottom-Up

China International Capital Corporation / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>China's securities industry is under a wave of consolidation. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-international-capital-corporation-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1071:1" rel="noopener">China International Capital Corporation (3908 HK)</a> is interesting given its leadership in the investment banking business.</li>
<li>A combination with <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-galaxy-securities-co-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:165:1" rel="noopener">China Galaxy Securities (H) (6881 HK)</a> may bring synergy, given their different focuses. This will create the 3rd largest securities house in China. </li>
<li>Even without a merger, CICC also looks attractive with the US interest rate trending down. It is best set to gain upon the revival of the Hong Kong IPO market. </li>
</ul>


China's securities industry is under a wave of consolidation. China International Capital Corporation (3908 HK) is interesting given its leadership in the investment banking business.
A combination with China Galaxy Securities (H) (6881 HK) may bring synergy, given their different focuses. This will create the 3rd largest securities house in China. 
Even without a merger, CICC also looks attractive with the US interest rate trending down. It is best set to gain upon the revival of the Hong Kong IPO market. 


Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Back in February this year, various media sources reported that the key shareholders of warehouse/fund management play <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/esr-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27983:1" rel="noopener">ESR Group (1821 HK)</a>, were exploring options, including a privatisation.</li>
<li>Long-Term holders Warburg Pincus and Canadian pension fund OMERS hold 14% and 10.7% respectively. ESR co-founders/directors Jeffrey Shen, Stuart Gibson, Charles de Portes, and Hwee Chiang collectively hold another ~23%.</li>
<li>Shares in ESR were <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2024/0513/2024051300060.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">suspended</a> this morning "pursuant to the Hong Kong Code on Takeovers and Mergers".</li>
</ul>


Back in February this year, various media sources reported that the key shareholders of warehouse/fund management play ESR Group (1821 HK), were exploring options, including a privatisation.
Long-Term holders Warburg Pincus and Canadian pension fund OMERS hold 14% and 10.7% respectively. ESR co-founders/directors Jeffrey Shen, Stuart Gibson, Charles de Portes, and Hwee Chiang collectively hold another ~23%.
Shares in ESR were suspended this morning "pursuant to the Hong Kong Code on Takeovers and Mergers".


Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>CSRC's Market Value Management Guidelines will indirectly benefit the H-share stocks with their A-share counterparts with a P/B of below 1x.  </li>
<li>Chinese banks dominated the list with below-book A-shares. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-everbright-bank-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16221:1" rel="noopener">China Everbright Bank (6818 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-citic-bank-corp-ltd-ea6c25fd-4b20-45cb-a4a6-df7a60136f03" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:653:1" rel="noopener">China Citic Bank H (998 HK)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/industrial-and-commercial-bank-of-china-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1119:1" rel="noopener">ICBC (H) (1398 HK)</a> are the prime beneficiaries.</li>
<li>Infrastructure construction companies <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-railway-construction-corp-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:263:1" rel="noopener">China Railway Cons Corp (1186 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-railway-group-ltd-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:264:1" rel="noopener">China Railway Group H (390 HK)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-communications-construction-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:265:1" rel="noopener">China Comm Cons (1800 HK)</a> are also well-positioned to gain.</li>
</ul>


CSRC's Market Value Management Guidelines will indirectly benefit the H-share stocks with their A-share counterparts with a P/B of below 1x.  
Chinese banks dominated the list with below-book A-shares. China Everbright Bank (6818 HK), China Citic Bank H (998 HK), and ICBC (H) (1398 HK) are the prime beneficiaries.
Infrastructure construction companies China Railway Cons Corp (1186 HK), China Railway Group H (390 HK), and China Comm Cons (1800 HK) are also well-positioned to gain.


China & HK Strategy: Names to Watch for Market Value Management

<ul>
<li>
HK$13.00/Share (deemed final). That's the key takeaway here as the Starwood/Warburg Pincus Consortium (finally) tables a firm offer, by way of a pre-conditional Scheme.</li>
<li>Pre-Conditions are extensive, with a long stop date of the 4th September 2025.</li>
<li>HK$13.00 is below prior expectations of a HK$14+ handle. But with irrevocables of 30.79% of the register (and 51.24% of Scheme shares), this is done. A scrip option is afforded.</li>
</ul>



HK$13.00/Share (deemed final). That's the key takeaway here as the Starwood/Warburg Pincus Consortium (finally) tables a firm offer, by way of a pre-conditional Scheme.
Pre-Conditions are extensive, with a long stop date of the 4th September 2025.
HK$13.00 is below prior expectations of a HK$14+ handle. But with irrevocables of 30.79% of the register (and 51.24% of Scheme shares), this is done. A scrip option is afforded.


<ul>
<li>Back on the 13th May 2024, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/esr-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27983:1" rel="noopener">ESR Group (1821 HK)</a> announced a <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2024/0513/2024051300798.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">delisting proposal</a> from a consortium of investors formed by Starwood Capital Operations, Sixth Street Partners, and SSW Partners.</li>
<li>The consortium initially controlled 15.7%. Warburg (~14%) and ESR founders (~7.4%) tipped in their stakes. As did Qatar (3%) <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2024/1004/2024100401641.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">earlier this month</a>, bringing the collective total to 39.9%.</li>
<li>No terms have been made public. Yesterday a Bloomberg article flagging "an agreement also might not be reached" saw shares freefall. Plus Capital Group recently trimmed its stake.</li>
</ul>


Back on the 13th May 2024, ESR Group (1821 HK) announced a delisting proposal from a consortium of investors formed by Starwood Capital Operations, Sixth Street Partners, and SSW Partners.
The consortium initially controlled 15.7%. Warburg (~14%) and ESR founders (~7.4%) tipped in their stakes. As did Qatar (3%) earlier this month, bringing the collective total to 39.9%.
No terms have been made public. Yesterday a Bloomberg article flagging "an agreement also might not be reached" saw shares freefall. Plus Capital Group recently trimmed its stake.


ESR (1821 HK): Sell First, Ask Questions Later

China

Guolian Securities Co. Ltd. offers financial services. The Company provides securities brokerage, asset management, securities investment, margin trading, share transfer agency, and other financial services.

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Guolian Securities Co Ltd H (1456 HK)

CICC (3908 HK): M&A Possibility

China's securities industry is consolidating. A potential merger between CICC and CGS could create the 3rd largest securities house in China. CICC...

Osbert Tang, CFA

ESR Group (1821 HK): Offer Musings

As it expands throughout the region, it is arguable ESR has been unfairly penalised by HKEx's protracted bear run. A move away from the HKEx does...

David Blennerhassett

China & HK Strategy: Names to Watch for Market Value Management

SASAC issued "Several opinions on improving and strengthening the market value management of listed companies controlled by central enterprises"...

Osbert Tang, CFA

ESR (1821 HK): Sell First, Ask Questions Later

According to Reuters, “a consortium including Starwood Capital Group and Warburg Pincus aims to finalise a deal to take ESR Group private in the...

David Blennerhassett

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52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

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CICC (3908 HK): M&A Possibility

​China's securities industry is consolidating. A potential merger between CICC and CGS could create the 3rd largest securities house in China. CICC...

Osbert Tang, CFA

ESR Group (1821 HK): Offer Musings

As it expands throughout the region, it is arguable ESR has been unfairly penalised by HKEx's protracted bear run. A move away from the HKEx does...

David Blennerhassett

China & HK Strategy: Names to Watch for Market Value Management

SASAC issued "Several opinions on improving and strengthening the market value management of listed companies controlled by central enterprises"...

Osbert Tang, CFA

ESR (1821 HK): HK$13.00/Share Offer

This is a done. Assuming early August completion - or eight months out - I'd pay ~HK$11.85/share for a 15% annualised return; up to HK$12/share if...

David Blennerhassett

ESR (1821 HK): Sell First, Ask Questions Later

According to Reuters, “a consortium including Starwood Capital Group and Warburg Pincus aims to finalise a deal to take ESR Group private in the...

David Blennerhassett

China's securities industry is consolidating. A potential merger between CICC and CGS could create the 3rd largest securities house in China. CICC...