HK/China Equity Long-Short

Osbert Tang, CFA

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>The announcement of "Draft for Comments on the Regulations on the Management of off-campus Training" has led to a 43.6% rebound of the education sector from the 2024 trough.</li>
<li>The "Draft" has cleared regulatory worries on after-school tutoring of high school students and non-academic subjects. For higher education space, we like <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-east-education-holdings" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27843:1" rel="noopener">China East Education (667 HK)</a>. </li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/new-oriental-education-techn" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:32210:1" rel="noopener">New Oriental Education &amp; Techn (9901 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tal-education-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1124:1" rel="noopener">TAL Education (TAL US),</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/gaotu-techedu-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28069:1" rel="noopener">Gaotu Techedu (GOTU US)</a> are the most direct beneficiaries of the "Draft".</li>
</ul>


The announcement of "Draft for Comments on the Regulations on the Management of off-campus Training" has led to a 43.6% rebound of the education sector from the 2024 trough.
The "Draft" has cleared regulatory worries on after-school tutoring of high school students and non-academic subjects. For higher education space, we like China East Education (667 HK). 

New Oriental Education &amp; Techn (9901 HK), TAL Education (TAL US), and Gaotu Techedu (GOTU US) are the most direct beneficiaries of the "Draft".


China Private Education: Trigger for the Sharp Rebound, and What Follows......

Articles from Caixin Global, Caixin Global

Caixin Global

Articles from Caixin Global

Caixin is a media group dedicated to providing financial and business news through periodicals, online content, mobile apps, conferences, books and TV/video programs. Caixin aims to blaze a trail that helps traditional media prosper in the new media age through integrated multimedia platforms.

News from Caixin

Cross Asset Strategy

<ul><li>Xiaohongshu / In Depth: Xiaohongshu’s push to make users open their wallets</li><li>Personnel /: Chinese finance veteran to join World Bank leadership</li><li>Ping An /: Ping An Real Estate gets $1.1 billion credit line as debt pressure mounts</li></ul>

Xiaohongshu / In Depth: Xiaohongshu’s push to make users open their walletsPersonnel /: Chinese finance veteran to join World Bank leadershipPing An /: Ping An Real Estate gets $1.1 billion credit line as debt pressure mounts

CX Daily: Xiaohongshu’s Push to Make Users Open Their Wallets 

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-east-education-holdings" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27843:1" rel="noopener">China East Education (667 HK)</a> is interesting as it is probably the only education company with no debt. Net cash amounted to Rmb2.1bn, or 42% of its market capitalisation. </li>
<li>Earnings have bottomed out and the marginal YoY decline in 1H23 is due to upfront costs for staff recruitment. Its vocational education focus also faces fewer regulatory risks.</li>
<li>We consider it a potential privatisation candidate at 0.8x P/B. Its major shareholders owned 75% of the company, leaving a free float of less than HK$1.4bn.</li>
</ul>



China East Education (667 HK) is interesting as it is probably the only education company with no debt. Net cash amounted to Rmb2.1bn, or 42% of its market capitalisation. 
Earnings have bottomed out and the marginal YoY decline in 1H23 is due to upfront costs for staff recruitment. Its vocational education focus also faces fewer regulatory risks.
We consider it a potential privatisation candidate at 0.8x P/B. Its major shareholders owned 75% of the company, leaving a free float of less than HK$1.4bn.


China East Education (667 HK): Getting More Interesting

<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> appears to be facing the headwinds from higher USD interest rate and reduction in capitalised interest. The intangible write-off is another drag on FY23.</li>
<li>Newly registered students increased 17.8% for FY24. With better average fees, this will help the topline. Our concerns are high finance and operating costs will erode revenue growth.</li>
<li>Consensus is overly aggressive and there are risks of downgrade. Earnings may re-accelerate in the future, but weaker 1H FY24F keeps us on the sideline in the short term. </li>
</ul>



China Education Group (839 HK) appears to be facing the headwinds from higher USD interest rate and reduction in capitalised interest. The intangible write-off is another drag on FY23.
Newly registered students increased 17.8% for FY24. With better average fees, this will help the topline. Our concerns are high finance and operating costs will erode revenue growth.
Consensus is overly aggressive and there are risks of downgrade. Earnings may re-accelerate in the future, but weaker 1H FY24F keeps us on the sideline in the short term. 


China Education Group (839 HK): Not so Encouraging in the near Term

<ul>
<li>Adjusted net profit at <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> grew 15.1% in 1H23, accelerated from 5% in 2H22. We are delighted to see resumption of interim DPS at Rmb0.164.</li>
<li>FY23 outlook will be underpinned by higher education student enrollment and tuition increase. Strengthened financial position offers opportunities for both organic and M&amp;A growth.</li>
<li>Potential upside will also come from completion of for-profit conversion at Jiangxi University of Technology. We consider its 7.9x PER, 1x P/B, 13.3% ROE and 5.5% yield attractive.</li>
</ul>


Adjusted net profit at China Education Group (839 HK) grew 15.1% in 1H23, accelerated from 5% in 2H22. We are delighted to see resumption of interim DPS at Rmb0.164.
FY23 outlook will be underpinned by higher education student enrollment and tuition increase. Strengthened financial position offers opportunities for both organic and M&amp;A growth.
Potential upside will also come from completion of for-profit conversion at Jiangxi University of Technology. We consider its 7.9x PER, 1x P/B, 13.3% ROE and 5.5% yield attractive.


China Education Group (839 HK): Sustaining the Healthy Track Record

Hong Kong

Hope Education Group Co, Ltd. offers educational services. The Company provides educational training, knowledge point sharing, activities arrangement, and other services. Hope Education Group offers its services throughout China.

Price Gauge
52-week Range	0.00 - 0.00
Market Cap (USDm)	0.00
P/E	0.00
Dividend (Yield)	0.00

Hope Education Group Co Ltd (1765 HK)

China Private Education: Trigger for the Sharp Rebound, and What Follows......

The "Draft for Comments" of regulations on after-school tutoring has supported the rebound of the education sector. China East Education, New...

Osbert Tang, CFA

CX Daily: Xiaohongshu’s Push to Make Users Open Their Wallets

Xiaohongshu / In Depth: Xiaohongshu’s push to make users open their wallets Social sharing app Xiaohongshu has been talking a big game about its...

Caixin Global

China East Education (667 HK): Getting More Interesting

China East Education is debt-free with strong net cash. Earnings have stabilised, and it faces fewer regulatory risks. It is a potential...

Osbert Tang, CFA

China Education Group (839 HK): Not so Encouraging in the near Term

CEG is facing challenges from higher USD interest rates, reduced capitalised interest, and write-offs. Despite a 17.8% increase in new students,...

Osbert Tang, CFA

China Education Group (839 HK): Sustaining the Healthy Track Record

Higher education student enrollment and tuition increase will support FY23 growth, while stronger financial position offers opportunities for...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

China Private Education: Trigger for the Sharp Rebound, and What Follows......

​The "Draft for Comments" of regulations on after-school tutoring has supported the rebound of the education sector. China East Education, New...

Osbert Tang, CFA

CX Daily: Xiaohongshu’s Push to Make Users Open Their Wallets

Xiaohongshu / In Depth: Xiaohongshu’s push to make users open their wallets Social sharing app Xiaohongshu has been talking a big game about its...

Caixin Global

China East Education (667 HK): Getting More Interesting

​China East Education is debt-free with strong net cash. Earnings have stabilised, and it faces fewer regulatory risks. It is a potential...

Osbert Tang, CFA

China Education Group (839 HK): Not so Encouraging in the near Term

​CEG is facing challenges from higher USD interest rates, reduced capitalised interest, and write-offs. Despite a 17.8% increase in new students,...

Osbert Tang, CFA

China Education Group (839 HK): Sustaining the Healthy Track Record

Higher education student enrollment and tuition increase will support FY23 growth, while stronger financial position offers opportunities for...

Osbert Tang, CFA

The "Draft for Comments" of regulations on after-school tutoring has supported the rebound of the education sector. China East Education, New...

China East Education is debt-free with strong net cash. Earnings have stabilised, and it faces fewer regulatory risks. It is a potential...

CEG is facing challenges from higher USD interest rates, reduced capitalised interest, and write-offs. Despite a 17.8% increase in new students,...