Forensic Analyst

Jason Yap, CFA

Forensic Accounting

In Q1 2021, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jd-com-inc-adr" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:446:1" rel="noopener">JD.com Inc (ADR) (JD US)</a> reported strong topline growth (+39% yoy) that exceeded consensus expectations mainly due to strong user growth (+29% yoy), with more than 500 million reported Annual Active Users (AAU).  Out of which, 80% new active users came from lower tier cities, which reflects JD's strategy shift to target the fast growing lower tier markets (下沉市场) through its newly formed Jingxi business group. 
As JD continues its transition from the largest retail company in China (by revenue) to a supply chain-based technology and service provider, we can likely expect a moderated revenue growth for its core JD Retail business and incremental investments in New Initiatives and its logistics and fulfillment capabilities, with a key focus on Jingxi.
In Q1 2021, JD announced that Jingxi related businesses, will be carved out from JD Retail and reported under the New Businesses segment.  Having grown to a certain size, the change in reporting segment is not a jingxi or surprise. Instead, JD has been telegraphing the growing role of Jingxi and, more broadly, the moderating pace of growth of its core businesses in mature markets during recent quarter-end earnings calls and in related disclosures.   
This article discusses how to analyse earnings calls and disclosures using a forensic approach, with a view to gain relevant insights on JD's future prospects.

In Q1 2021, JD.com Inc (ADR) (JD US) reported strong topline growth (+39% yoy) that exceeded consensus expectations mainly due to strong user growth (+29% yoy), with more than 500 million reported Annual Active Users (AAU).  Out of which, 80% new active users came from lower tier cities, which reflects JD's strategy shift to target the fast growing lower tier markets (下沉市场) through its newly formed Jingxi business group. 
As JD continues its transition from the largest retail company in China (by revenue) to a supply chain-based technology and service provider, we can likely expect a moderated revenue growth for its core JD Retail business and incremental investments in New Initiatives and its logistics and fulfillment capabilities, with a key focus on Jingxi.
In Q1 2021, JD announced that Jingxi related businesses, will be carved out from JD Retail and reported under the New Businesses segment.  Having grown to a certain size, the change in reporting segment is not a jingxi or surprise. Instead, JD has been telegraphing the growing role of Jingxi and, more broadly, the moderating pace of growth of its core businesses in mature markets during recent quarter-end earnings calls and in related disclosures.   
This article discusses how to analyse earnings calls and disclosures using a forensic approach, with a view to gain relevant insights on JD's future prospects. 

JD - Analysing Earnings Calls and Disclosures Using a Forensic Approach

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

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

Event-Driven

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/li-auto-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28812:1" rel="noopener">Li Auto Inc. (LI US)</a> has got approval from the <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> for a dual primary listing. Media reports indicate that the company could raise between US$1bn-2bn in the offering. Based on the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/xpeng-inc-4cc65854-d10c-4d20-bf7e-ca0e016715ff" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33772:1" rel="noopener">XPeng (9868 HK)</a> timeline, Li Auto could list around 6-9 August.<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/xpeng-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29217:1" rel="noopener">Xpeng (XPEV US)</a> / <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/xpeng-inc-4cc65854-d10c-4d20-bf7e-ca0e016715ff" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33772:1" rel="noopener">XPeng (9868 HK)</a> raised US$1.8bn via a dual primary listing earlier this month and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/li-auto-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28812:1" rel="noopener">Li Auto Inc. (LI US)</a> is following closely behind. Maybe <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nio-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27399:1" rel="noopener">NIO Inc (NIO US)</a> comes next.We expect <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/li-auto-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28812:1" rel="noopener">Li Auto Inc. (LI US)</a> to get Fast Entry to the Hang Seng Composite Index (HSCI) though, as a WVR security, the stock will only be eligible for Stock Connect once it has completed 6 months of listing plus 20 trading days.Li Auto could also be included in the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hang-seng-china-enterprises-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22900:1" rel="noopener">Hang Seng China Enterprises Index (HSCEI INDEX)</a> at the December review. This will lead to a further drop in the HSCEI 2022 dividend futures since we do not expect <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/li-auto-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28812:1" rel="noopener">Li Auto Inc. (LI US)</a> to pay dividends in the near future, while the potential deletion is a higher dividend yielding stock.

Li Auto Inc. (LI US) has got approval from the HKEX (388 HK) for a dual primary listing. Media reports indicate that the company could raise between US$1bn-2bn in the offering. Based on the XPeng (9868 HK) timeline, Li Auto could list around 6-9 August.Xpeng (XPEV US) / XPeng (9868 HK) raised US$1.8bn via a dual primary listing earlier this month and Li Auto Inc. (LI US) is following closely behind. Maybe NIO Inc (NIO US) comes next.We expect Li Auto Inc. (LI US) to get Fast Entry to the Hang Seng Composite Index (HSCI) though, as a WVR security, the stock will only be eligible for Stock Connect once it has completed 6 months of listing plus 20 trading days.Li Auto could also be included in the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index (HSCEI INDEX) at the December review. This will lead to a further drop in the HSCEI 2022 dividend futures since we do not expect Li Auto Inc. (LI US) to pay dividends in the near future, while the potential deletion is a higher dividend yielding stock.

Li Auto (LI US) Dual Primary Listing: HSCI Fast Entry; HSCEI Dec Inclusion & Div Futures Lower

China and US Equity Analyst

Roger Xie

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<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> June ADT (Average Daily Turnover) has been cooled off from recent high growth, delivering 16% year-over-year growth in the month. This is partially due to the high base from last year and the renewed worry about Beijing's crackdown of big tech in China. For the 1st half in 2021, HKEx ADT has grown an amazing 60% year-over-year. But the volume on derivative market is more muted than investors expect. We expect HKEx will deliver an in-line interim  result on upcoming August 11th.</li>
<li>On the IPO market, HKEx has completed 14 IPO deals in Q2 2021 and raised HK$ 76 billion. The new economy companies have accounted more than 70% of the IPO deals. The significant ones include <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jd-logistics" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31500:1" rel="noopener">JD Logistics (2618 HK)</a> , <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nayuki-holdings" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:32149:1" rel="noopener">Nayuki Holdings (2150 HK)</a> , <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/linklogis" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31126:1" rel="noopener">Linklogis (9959 HK) </a> and Trip.com (9961 HK). We are the believer that HKEx will play a key role on offshore China listings. Ongoing regulatory uncertainty is likely to accelerate the Chinese ADS' to diversify their listing risk and to benefit HKEx as a preferred offshore listing venue. </li>
<li>On the technology front, HKEx has introduced the new digital platform FINI ( Fast Interface for New Issuance) to speed up the IPO process. The new initiative will shorten the time-consuming paper subscriptions and cut IPO process from pricing to listing from T+5 to T+2. This will improve efficiency of pricing and capital usage. And FINI will likely be rolled out in Q4 2022. We remain bullish on <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 have TP HKD 550. </li>
</ul>



HKEX (388 HK) June ADT (Average Daily Turnover) has been cooled off from recent high growth, delivering 16% year-over-year growth in the month. This is partially due to the high base from last year and the renewed worry about Beijing's crackdown of big tech in China. For the 1st half in 2021, HKEx ADT has grown an amazing 60% year-over-year. But the volume on derivative market is more muted than investors expect. We expect HKEx will deliver an in-line interim  result on upcoming August 11th.
On the IPO market, HKEx has completed 14 IPO deals in Q2 2021 and raised HK$ 76 billion. The new economy companies have accounted more than 70% of the IPO deals. The significant ones include JD Logistics (2618 HK) , Nayuki Holdings (2150 HK) , Linklogis (9959 HK)  and Trip.com (9961 HK). We are the believer that HKEx will play a key role on offshore China listings. Ongoing regulatory uncertainty is likely to accelerate the Chinese ADS' to diversify their listing risk and to benefit HKEx as a preferred offshore listing venue. 
On the technology front, HKEx has introduced the new digital platform FINI ( Fast Interface for New Issuance) to speed up the IPO process. The new initiative will shorten the time-consuming paper subscriptions and cut IPO process from pricing to listing from T+5 to T+2. This will improve efficiency of pricing and capital usage. And FINI will likely be rolled out in Q4 2022. We remain bullish on HKEX (388 HK) and have TP HKD 550. 


HKEx(388.HK): Expect Slower Q2 Trading Volume, HKEx to Benefit As Offshore Venue for China Listings

Xpeng (9868 HK) listed in Hong Kong on 7 July was added to the Hang Seng Composite Index (HSCI) at the close of trading on 20 July. However, being a WVR security, the stock will not be eligible for Southbound Stock Connect till early 2022.Subject to passing the velocity test, we see Xpeng (9868 HK) as an inclusion in the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hang-seng-china-enterprises-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22900:1" rel="noopener">Hang Seng China Enterprises Index (HSCEI INDEX)</a> at the December rebalance, replacing <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-evergrande-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:479:1" rel="noopener">Evergrande Real Estate Group (3333 HK)</a>.With Hang Seng Indexes treating the stock as a primary listing, HSCEI passive trackers will need to buy a large part of the stock that was offered in Hong Kong. This could push Xpeng (9868 HK) to trade at a premium to <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/xpeng-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29217:1" rel="noopener">Xpeng (XPEV US)</a> and there will be arb opportunities which could result in conversion from the ADS to the HK listing.The inclusion of Xpeng (9868 HK) in the index will push the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hang-seng-china-enterprises-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22900:1" rel="noopener">Hang Seng China Enterprises Index (HSCEI INDEX)</a> 2022 dividend futures lower. With the recent changes in China to companies looking to list on a foreign exchange, the HFCAA, and other structural changes to the index, we prefer a short position in the HSCEI 2022 dividend futures.

Xpeng (9868 HK) listed in Hong Kong on 7 July was added to the Hang Seng Composite Index (HSCI) at the close of trading on 20 July. However, being a WVR security, the stock will not be eligible for Southbound Stock Connect till early 2022.Subject to passing the velocity test, we see Xpeng (9868 HK) as an inclusion in the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index (HSCEI INDEX) at the December rebalance, replacing Evergrande Real Estate Group (3333 HK).With Hang Seng Indexes treating the stock as a primary listing, HSCEI passive trackers will need to buy a large part of the stock that was offered in Hong Kong. This could push Xpeng (9868 HK) to trade at a premium to Xpeng (XPEV US) and there will be arb opportunities which could result in conversion from the ADS to the HK listing.The inclusion of Xpeng (9868 HK) in the index will push the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index (HSCEI INDEX) 2022 dividend futures lower. With the recent changes in China to companies looking to list on a foreign exchange, the HFCAA, and other structural changes to the index, we prefer a short position in the HSCEI 2022 dividend futures.

Xpeng (9868 HK): Potential HSCEI Inclusion & Impact on 2022 Dividends

Telco/Internet specialist

Kirk Boodry

Redex Research

Softbank has boosted its Vision Fund 2 commitments to $40bn even as a series of recent investments have been concurrent with IPOs or just before. These are effectively investments in public equities, nominally what Northstar covers, but with some optionality on a valuation pop if demand is high although that has not happened so far. Confirmation today of a $1.7bn investment in Korean online travel firm Yanolja appears to be an extension of this trend. The series of late-stage investments also highlights a lack of activity at VF2’s collection of SPACs which were created with these kinds of targets in mind. China weakness appears to be settling but Softbank shares remain range-bound at a mid-40% discount to underlying public values.

Softbank has boosted its Vision Fund 2 commitments to $40bn even as a series of recent investments have been concurrent with IPOs or just before. These are effectively investments in public equities, nominally what Northstar covers, but with some optionality on a valuation pop if demand is high although that has not happened so far. Confirmation today of a $1.7bn investment in Korean online travel firm Yanolja appears to be an extension of this trend. The series of late-stage investments also highlights a lack of activity at VF2’s collection of SPACs which were created with these kinds of targets in mind. China weakness appears to be settling but Softbank shares remain range-bound at a mid-40% discount to underlying public values.

Softbank Group - Vision Fund 2’s Late-Private Investments Blur the Lines with Northstar

China

JD Logistics, Inc. offers logistics services. The Company provides cargo transportation, cargo distribution, warehousing, and other services. JD Logistics is located in China.

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JD Logistics (2618 HK)

JD - Analysing Earnings Calls and Disclosures Using a Forensic Approach

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Jason Yap, CFA

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Li Auto is looking to dual-primary list in HK. The stock should get Fast Entry to the HSCI and join Southbound Stock Connect in Q1 2022. Li Auto...

Brian Freitas

HKEx(388.HK): Expect Slower Q2 Trading Volume, HKEx to Benefit As Offshore Venue for China Listings

For the 1st half in 2021, HKEx ADT has grown an amazing 60% year-over-year. But the volume on derivative market is more muted. We expect HKEx will...

Roger Xie

Xpeng (9868 HK): Potential HSCEI Inclusion & Impact on 2022 Dividends

Xpeng (9868 HK) could be added to the HSCEI in December. Limited liquidity in HK could create arb opportunities with XPEV US. Xpeng index inclusion...

Brian Freitas

Softbank Group - Vision Fund 2’s Late-Private Investments Blur the Lines with Northstar

A series of VF investments at or just before the IPO seem to overlap with Northstar's role whilst highlighting a lack of SPAC activity. Meanwhile, ...

Kirk Boodry

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