Global TMT analyst with Asia ex-Japan focus.

Mitchell Kim

Equity Bottom-Up

Alibaba Group Holding  / Equity Bottom-Up

<p>Chinese regulators announced a record fine for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alibaba-group-holding-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:787:1" rel="noopener">Alibaba Group (BABA US)</a> amounting to USD2.75 billion for violations related to antitrust regulations.  While the final amount for the fine was previously unknown, the fine itself is not a surprise.  </p><p>We believe this is a positive outcome for Alibaba: </p><ol>
<li>
<strong>We did not see any hint of additional rectifications</strong> related to AML (Anti-monopoly law) other than the penalty amount. (Alibaba has already pledged to modify its "exclusivity" practice to allow for merchants to have greater freedom to list their products on multiple platforms. <strong>Share overhang related to this issue should dissipate. </strong>
</li>
<li>
<strong>Alibaba could have been penalized more severely</strong> (as much as 10% of its revenues for antitrust violations).  The penalty amount represents only about 3.5% of Alibaba's FY20 revenues (4% of CY2019 revenues).</li>
<li><strong>The lower-than-expected fine amount appears to signal that the regulators are not trying to excessively debilitate the industry.  </strong></li>
</ol><p>We have highlighted the AML and the consumer lending regulation risks to be key share overhang on the BABA shares in our February report, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/alibaba-baba-us-ant-group-woes-overly-priced-in" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:48648" rel="noopener">Alibaba (BABA US): Ant Group Woes Overly Priced-In</a>.   We believe BABA shares are undervalued due to the overhang.  The latest regulatory announcement signals the lifting of share overhang related to AML, in our view.  </p>

Chinese regulators announced a record fine for Alibaba Group (BABA US) amounting to USD2.75 billion for violations related to antitrust regulations.  While the final amount for the fine was previously unknown, the fine itself is not a surprise.  We believe this is a positive outcome for Alibaba: 

We did not see any hint of additional rectifications related to AML (Anti-monopoly law) other than the penalty amount. (Alibaba has already pledged to modify its "exclusivity" practice to allow for merchants to have greater freedom to list their products on multiple platforms. Share overhang related to this issue should dissipate. 


Alibaba could have been penalized more severely (as much as 10% of its revenues for antitrust violations).  The penalty amount represents only about 3.5% of Alibaba's FY20 revenues (4% of CY2019 revenues).
The lower-than-expected fine amount appears to signal that the regulators are not trying to excessively debilitate the industry.  
We have highlighted the AML and the consumer lending regulation risks to be key share overhang on the BABA shares in our February report, Alibaba (BABA US): Ant Group Woes Overly Priced-In.   We believe BABA shares are undervalued due to the overhang.  The latest regulatory announcement signals the lifting of share overhang related to AML, in our view.  

Alibaba (BABA US): Record Fine - Grin and Bear It as Better Days Are Ahead

China and US Equity Analyst

Roger Xie

<ul>
<li>HKEx is rising as a global trading venue as secondary-listing Chinese companies are moving to swap their US ADRs to Hong Kong shares. Since <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alibaba-group-holding-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:787:1" rel="noopener">Alibaba Group (BABA US)</a> pioneered the secondary listing scheme in Hong Kong in 2018, the share fungibility has opened the door for swapping its US ADR to Hong Kong. We estimated that 20% of outstanding shares of Alibaba have been moved to Hong Kong.</li>
<li>Some top institutional investors, such as Temasek, Baillie Gifford, and Matthews Asia, are among the major shareholders that have swapped stakes in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alibaba-group-holding-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:787:1" rel="noopener">Alibaba Group (BABA US)</a> US ADRs. This has reflected some strategic consideration to  avoid US sanction and delisting of Chinese tech companies. We expect this trend will likely accelerate in the future. For current 13 dual-listing Chinese ADRs, we expect 30% of total trading volume will be shifted to Hong Kong from US in next 2 years. This is a significant jump from around 18% of trading volume at Hong Kong now. Dual-listing Chinese ADRs at Hong Kong will likely accelerate as well. </li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hong-kong-exchanges-clearing" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:490:1" rel="noopener">HKEX (388 HK)</a>  serves as the only offshore gateway to China capital market. HKEx has consistently enjoyed the superior margin and profitability, given that it can charge higher trading fee rates than other bourses. We forecast Securities ADT of HK$240bn in FY 21 (Hong Kong and Stock Connect Northbound). Given the acceleration of US ADRs conversion, there is risk to the upside of the Securities ADT forecast. We continue to favor <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hong-kong-exchanges-clearing" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:490:1" rel="noopener">HKEX (388 HK)</a> and reiterate HKEx TP HKD 550. </li>
</ul>


HKEx is rising as a global trading venue as secondary-listing Chinese companies are moving to swap their US ADRs to Hong Kong shares. Since Alibaba Group (BABA US) pioneered the secondary listing scheme in Hong Kong in 2018, the share fungibility has opened the door for swapping its US ADR to Hong Kong. We estimated that 20% of outstanding shares of Alibaba have been moved to Hong Kong.
Some top institutional investors, such as Temasek, Baillie Gifford, and Matthews Asia, are among the major shareholders that have swapped stakes in Alibaba Group (BABA US) US ADRs. This has reflected some strategic consideration to  avoid US sanction and delisting of Chinese tech companies. We expect this trend will likely accelerate in the future. For current 13 dual-listing Chinese ADRs, we expect 30% of total trading volume will be shifted to Hong Kong from US in next 2 years. This is a significant jump from around 18% of trading volume at Hong Kong now. Dual-listing Chinese ADRs at Hong Kong will likely accelerate as well. 

HKEX (388 HK)  serves as the only offshore gateway to China capital market. HKEx has consistently enjoyed the superior margin and profitability, given that it can charge higher trading fee rates than other bourses. We forecast Securities ADT of HK$240bn in FY 21 (Hong Kong and Stock Connect Northbound). Given the acceleration of US ADRs conversion, there is risk to the upside of the Securities ADT forecast. We continue to favor HKEX (388 HK) and reiterate HKEx TP HKD 550. 


Hong Kong Market: Conversion of US ADRs Will Boost HKEx as Global Trading Venue

Global Emerging Market Equities, Propitious Research

Wium Malan, CFA

Global Emerging Market Equities

Independent, Fundamental Quantitative Research

Propitious Research

Fully independent, fundamental and quantitative equity research, focused on companies in the Telecommunication, Media, Technology, Internet and Healthcare sectors in the Global Emerging Markets. Idea generation focused on Quality stocks, trading below their intrinsic Value, with sound Corporate Governance.

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<p>This insight provides a summary of the key news developments impacting the largest countries and constituents of the Global Emerging Markets equity indices.  </p><p><strong><em>Companies mentioned this week:</em></strong></p><p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jd-com-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29043:1" rel="noopener">JD.com Inc. (9618 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/prosus-nv" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28104:1" rel="noopener">Prosus (PRX NA)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/naspers-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:21085:1" rel="noopener">Naspers (NPN SJ)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26:1" rel="noopener">Tencent Holdings (700 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/xiaomi-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24409:1" rel="noopener">Xiaomi Corp (1810 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/anglo-american-plc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:21798:1" rel="noopener">Anglo American (AAL LN)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/axiata-group-berhad" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:944:1" rel="noopener">Axiata Group (AXIATA MK)</a>, GlobalFoundries, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/taiwan-semiconductor-manufacturing-company" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11230:1" rel="noopener">TSMC (2330 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/samsung-electronics-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:191:1" rel="noopener">Samsung Electronics (005930 KS)</a></p>

This insight provides a summary of the key news developments impacting the largest countries and constituents of the Global Emerging Markets equity indices.  Companies mentioned this week:JD.com Inc. (9618 HK), Prosus (PRX NA), Naspers (NPN SJ), Tencent Holdings (700 HK), Xiaomi Corp (1810 HK), Anglo American (AAL LN), Axiata Group (AXIATA MK), GlobalFoundries, TSMC (2330 TT), Samsung Electronics (005930 KS)

Global Emerging Markets Weekly: 9 April 2021

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One, Periscope Analytics

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

Quantitative Analysis

<div><p>The Asia Short Interest weekly looks at moves in market wide short interest and highlights movements in stock specific short interest across Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Taiwan using the last available data published by the relevant authorities.</p></div><div><p>For the week from 22-26 March, Hong Kong saw shorts rise on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/baidu-inc-a55ca720-5968-48f0-8194-ac94390d065c" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:32212:1" rel="noopener">Baidu (9888 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26:1" rel="noopener">Tencent Holdings (700 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yihai-int-l-holding-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22803:1" rel="noopener">Yihai Int’L Holding (1579 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/beijing-kuaishou-technology-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29725:1" rel="noopener">Kuaishou Technology (1024 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lenovo-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13359:1" rel="noopener">Lenovo (992 HK)</a> while there was short covering on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/meituan-dianping" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26970:1" rel="noopener">Meituan (3690 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sino-biopharmaceutical" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:230:1" rel="noopener">Sino Biopharmaceutical (1177 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/haier-smart-home-co-ltd-b3ef445f-0f54-4586-8c58-9073de98d60e" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31105:1" rel="noopener">Haier Smart Home Co Ltd (6690 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jd-com-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29043:1" rel="noopener">JD.com Inc. (9618 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-literature-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24388:1" rel="noopener">China Literature (772 HK)</a>. Shorts increased in the Communication Services, Financials, Information Technology and Consumer Discretionary sectors.</p></div><div><p>In Japan, stocks that saw the most shorts were <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yaskawa-electric-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2458:1" rel="noopener">Yaskawa Electric (6506 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/base-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28353:1" rel="noopener">BASE Inc (4477 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/toshiba-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:637:1" rel="noopener">Toshiba Corp (6502 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/aeon-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3:1" rel="noopener">Aeon Co Ltd (8267 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/peptidream-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13514:1" rel="noopener">Peptidream Inc (4587 JP)</a> while shorts decreased on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/takeda-pharmaceutical-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11747:1" rel="noopener">Takeda Pharmaceutical (4502 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/monex-group-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14211:1" rel="noopener">Monex Group Inc (8698 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pan-pacific-international-holdings-corporation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13475:1" rel="noopener">Pan Pacific International Holdings (7532 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nexon-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16032:1" rel="noopener">Nexon (3659 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mizuho-financial-group-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:219:1" rel="noopener">Mizuho Financial Group (8411 JP)</a>. Shorts increased in the Industrials sectors, and decreased in the Financials, Communication Services and Health Care sectors.</p></div><div><p>In Korea, shorts decreased on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/celltrion-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:991:1" rel="noopener">Celltrion Inc (068270 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/samsung-biologics-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22932:1" rel="noopener">Samsung Biologics Co., (207940 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/samsung-electronics-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:191:1" rel="noopener">Samsung Electronics (005930 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sk-hynix-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16955:1" rel="noopener">SK Hynix (000660 KS)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hyundai-motor-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:155:1" rel="noopener">Hyundai Motor Co (005380 KS)</a> during the week. </p></div><div><p>Stocks in Taiwan that saw the highest increase in shorts were <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/largan-precision-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9126:1" rel="noopener">Largan Precision (3008 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pegatron-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12852:1" rel="noopener">Pegatron Corp (4938 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yageo-corporation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13212:1" rel="noopener">Yageo Corporation (2327 TT)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/novatek-microelectronics-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10904:1" rel="noopener">Novatek Microelectronics Corp (3034 TT)</a> while shorts were covered on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/unimicron-technology-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18778:1" rel="noopener">Unimicron Technology (3037 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/elite-semiconductor-memory" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9373:1" rel="noopener">Elite Semiconductor Memory (3006 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/au-optronics-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6704:1" rel="noopener">AU Optronics (2409 TT)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/taiwan-semiconductor-manufacturing-company" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11230:1" rel="noopener">TSMC (2330 TT)</a>. </p></div>

The Asia Short Interest weekly looks at moves in market wide short interest and highlights movements in stock specific short interest across Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Taiwan using the last available data published by the relevant authorities.For the week from 22-26 March, Hong Kong saw shorts rise on Baidu (9888 HK), Tencent Holdings (700 HK), Yihai Int’L Holding (1579 HK), Kuaishou Technology (1024 HK) and Lenovo (992 HK) while there was short covering on Meituan (3690 HK), Sino Biopharmaceutical (1177 HK), Haier Smart Home Co Ltd (6690 HK), JD.com Inc. (9618 HK) and China Literature (772 HK). Shorts increased in the Communication Services, Financials, Information Technology and Consumer Discretionary sectors.In Japan, stocks that saw the most shorts were Yaskawa Electric (6506 JP), BASE Inc (4477 JP), Toshiba Corp (6502 JP), Aeon Co Ltd (8267 JP) and Peptidream Inc (4587 JP) while shorts decreased on Takeda Pharmaceutical (4502 JP), Monex Group Inc (8698 JP), Pan Pacific International Holdings (7532 JP), Nexon (3659 JP) and Mizuho Financial Group (8411 JP). Shorts increased in the Industrials sectors, and decreased in the Financials, Communication Services and Health Care sectors.In Korea, shorts decreased on Celltrion Inc (068270 KS), Samsung Biologics Co., (207940 KS), Samsung Electronics (005930 KS), SK Hynix (000660 KS) and Hyundai Motor Co (005380 KS) during the week. Stocks in Taiwan that saw the highest increase in shorts were Largan Precision (3008 TT), Pegatron Corp (4938 TT), Yageo Corporation (2327 TT) and Novatek Microelectronics Corp (3034 TT) while shorts were covered on Unimicron Technology (3037 TT), Elite Semiconductor Memory (3006 TT), AU Optronics (2409 TT) and TSMC (2330 TT). 

Asia Short Interest: Baidu, Kuaishou, Smoore, Yaskawa, BASE, Toshiba, Celltrion, Samsung, Largan

Research on Tech Companies

Evelyn Zhang

<p style="text-align: left;">The recent fall in price of many so called “China concept shares” of US listed Chinese companies, has largely been triggered by the passing of the "Holding Foreign Company Accountability Act" (HFCAA).</p><p style="text-align: left;">A flock of US listed Chinese companies have since decided to relist in HKSE due to a few reasons:</p><ol>
<li>The HFCAA causing conflicting compliance requirements with Chinese regulations.</li>
<li>Fear among investors of forced delisting in the US.</li>
<li>HKEX deregulation allowing more Chinese companies to be listed.</li>
<li>The valuation in HK is in sync with the U.S. stock market.</li>
<li>HK attracting more Chinese funds to operate in HKEX.</li>
</ol>

The recent fall in price of many so called “China concept shares” of US listed Chinese companies, has largely been triggered by the passing of the "Holding Foreign Company Accountability Act" (HFCAA).A flock of US listed Chinese companies have since decided to relist in HKSE due to a few reasons:
The HFCAA causing conflicting compliance requirements with Chinese regulations.
Fear among investors of forced delisting in the US.
HKEX deregulation allowing more Chinese companies to be listed.
The valuation in HK is in sync with the U.S. stock market.
HK attracting more Chinese funds to operate in HKEX.


Exit the Dragon – the Mass Exodus of US Listed Chinese Companies

China

JD.com Inc is an online direct sales company in China.  The Company offers a wide selection of products through its website and mobile applications.  JD.com sells appliances, computers, digital products, communication products, garments, books, and household items to consumers and vendors.

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JD.com Inc (ADR) (JD US)

Alibaba (BABA US): Record Fine - Grin and Bear It as Better Days Are Ahead

A record-setting fine related to the antitrust violations was imposed on Alibaba on Friday. Find out why we think this is a positive outcome for...

Mitchell Kim

Hong Kong Market: Conversion of US ADRs Will Boost HKEx as Global Trading Venue

We expect 30% of total dual-list China ADR trading volume will be shifted to Hong Kong from US in next 2 years, a significant jump from current...

Roger Xie

Global Emerging Markets Weekly: 9 April 2021

This insight provides a summary of the key news developments impacting the largest countries and constituents of the Global Emerging Markets equity...

Wium Malan, CFA

Asia Short Interest: Baidu, Kuaishou, Smoore, Yaskawa, BASE, Toshiba, Celltrion, Samsung, Largan

The Insight looks at large short interest movements across HK, Japan, Korea and Taiwan stocks and highlights large increases/decreases in shorts to...

Brian Freitas

Exit the Dragon – the Mass Exodus of US Listed Chinese Companies

Is US-China financial decoupling affecting the US stock market? What's the future of US listed Chinese companies l? How can investors in China...

Evelyn Zhang

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