HK/China Equity Long-Short

Osbert Tang, CFA

Equity Bottom-Up

Shenzhen Expressway Co H / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shenzhen-expressway-co-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2875:1" rel="noopener">Shenzhen Expressway Co H (548 HK)</a> guided that many drivers are presented for the rest of the year to support growth, after a 24% YoY decline in 1Q22 net profit. </li>
<li>Toll road business should benefit from organic growth and project completions, while clean energy and waste treatment businesses will experience astronomical growth from capacity acquisitions. </li>
<li>There exists room to leverage up for growth as liabilities-to-asset ratio is still 11pp below its tolerance level of 65%. Besides below-average PERs, FY22F yield of 10% is attractive too.</li>
</ul>



Shenzhen Expressway Co H (548 HK) guided that many drivers are presented for the rest of the year to support growth, after a 24% YoY decline in 1Q22 net profit. 
Toll road business should benefit from organic growth and project completions, while clean energy and waste treatment businesses will experience astronomical growth from capacity acquisitions. 
There exists room to leverage up for growth as liabilities-to-asset ratio is still 11pp below its tolerance level of 65%. Besides below-average PERs, FY22F yield of 10% is attractive too.


Shenzhen Expressway (548 HK): Cautiously Optimistic

Zhejiang Expressway Co H / Equity Bottom-Up

<p>After reporting an 8.65x surge in profit in 1H21, we think there are three drivers that should bring better outlook for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/zhejiang-expressway-co-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2178:1" rel="noopener">Zhejiang Expressway Co H (576 HK)</a> (ZJEC) over the next twelve months. These positive factors include further rebound in traffic and toll revenue, additional contribution from new projects and good upside from profit of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/zheshang-securities-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29981:1" rel="noopener">Zheshang Securities Co Ltd (601878 CH)</a>. </p><p>YTD, share price of ZJEC increased by 10%, but we still see good upside potential given that it trades on only 0.9x P/B for FY21 and its ROE for 1H21 already reached 10.1% (before annualised). On earnings valuation, its 5.7x and 5.0x PER for FY21 and FY22, respectively, also appeared very attractive, in our view. </p>

After reporting an 8.65x surge in profit in 1H21, we think there are three drivers that should bring better outlook for Zhejiang Expressway Co H (576 HK) (ZJEC) over the next twelve months. These positive factors include further rebound in traffic and toll revenue, additional contribution from new projects and good upside from profit of Zheshang Securities Co Ltd (601878 CH). YTD, share price of ZJEC increased by 10%, but we still see good upside potential given that it trades on only 0.9x P/B for FY21 and its ROE for 1H21 already reached 10.1% (before annualised). On earnings valuation, its 5.7x and 5.0x PER for FY21 and FY22, respectively, also appeared very attractive, in our view. 

Zhejiang Expressway (576 HK): Drivers in Place for Robust Outlook

Asian Insight Provider - Actionable ideas, CrossASEAN Research

Henry Soediarko

Asian Insight Provider - Actionable ideas

CrossASEAN Research

At CrossASEAN Research we strive to produce unbiased and differentiated on the ground insights on companies across South East Asia. Our Research is produced for the most part after face to face meetings and conversations with company management to dig deep into the long term vision and strategy of the companies we cover. We seek to deliver investable and actionable themes on sectors and markets across SE Asia, often in collaboration with other Insight Providers across the region, pooling the vast experience of the analysts within the Smartkarma Ecosystem. We also offer bespoke work and tailor made trips for our clients. 

Insights across South East Asia

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<p>For investors who are not based in Singapore, the mini lockdown in Singapore has started again due to the sudden increase in the number of community cases which previously was relatively under control. Before one thinks that it is a too-harsh of a policy, the rate of the increase of unlinked community cases in Singapore is high. This matters a lot because every Singapore residents need to check in every establishment using either an Identification card, Trace Together app, or token which has proved to be very effective as for months, most of the COVID-19 cases can be traced and therefore allows the government to take the necessary actions. </p>
<div class="content-highlight">
<p>This time is different. Alongside the third wave that has hit India and Thailand, Singapore, too, is hit. The Singapore government's response to this is very much like the first lock-down (Circuit Breaker), that they minimize public interactions so that the number of community cases does not increase and provide them with the time to perform contact tracing thoroughly. </p>
</div>
<p>In this report, we identify that <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sheng-siong-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6824:1" rel="noopener">Sheng Siong (SSG SP)</a> , <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sea-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8509:1" rel="noopener">Sea Ltd (SE US)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/singapore-post-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:150:1" rel="noopener">Singapore Post (SPOST SP)</a>as winners while <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/comfortdelgro-corp-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:497:1" rel="noopener">Comfortdelgro Corp (CD SP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/genting-singapore-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:439:1" rel="noopener">Genting Singapore (GENS SP)</a>as losers. </p>

For investors who are not based in Singapore, the mini lockdown in Singapore has started again due to the sudden increase in the number of community cases which previously was relatively under control. Before one thinks that it is a too-harsh of a policy, the rate of the increase of unlinked community cases in Singapore is high. This matters a lot because every Singapore residents need to check in every establishment using either an Identification card, Trace Together app, or token which has proved to be very effective as for months, most of the COVID-19 cases can be traced and therefore allows the government to take the necessary actions. 

This time is different. Alongside the third wave that has hit India and Thailand, Singapore, too, is hit. The Singapore government's response to this is very much like the first lock-down (Circuit Breaker), that they minimize public interactions so that the number of community cases does not increase and provide them with the time to perform contact tracing thoroughly. 

In this report, we identify that Sheng Siong (SSG SP) , Sea Ltd (SE US) and Singapore Post (SPOST SP)as winners while Comfortdelgro Corp (CD SP) and Genting Singapore (GENS SP)as losers. 

Singapore Mini Lockdown: Winners and Losers

IPOs and Catalysts/Events, Global Equity Research Ltd

Arun George

IPOs and Catalysts/Events

Uncompromised, Independent, Conflict-Free Research

Global Equity Research Ltd

Global Equity Research was started in 2017 by a group of experienced research professionals. It was founded on a passionate belief in the importance and the need for uncompromised, independent, conflict-free research. We aim to provide differentiated and actionable primary and bottom up fundamental research.

Event-Driven

<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/qilu-expressway-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27431:1" rel="noopener">Qilu Expressway Co Ltd (1576 HK)</a> is an expressway operator with the concession rights to construct and operate the Jihe Expressway, the Deshang Expressway and the Shennan Expressway. Revenue is derived primarily from tolls collected from users of the expressways. Qilu listed its H-shares on 19 July 2018 at HK$2.50 per H-share to raise net proceeds of HK$1,172.12 million ($151 million). </p><p>Due to the completion of the merger by absorption of Qilu Transportation by Shandong Hi-Speed Group on 16 November 2020, Shandong Hi-Speed Group and Shandong Hi-Speed Investment owned 38.93% and 5.19% of the outstanding shares. Subsequently, public shareholders accounted for 19.81% of the outstanding shares, which falls below the minimum public float requirement. To date, Shandong Hi-Speed Group has failed to address the minimum public float requirement by its fulfilling its plan to dispose of its H-shares to independent third parties.</p><p>Today, Qilu entered a trading halt pending the release of an announcement pursuant to the Code on Takeovers and Mergers. Subsequently, Qilu disclosed that <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shandong-hi-speed-co-ltd-a" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7178:1" rel="noopener">Shandong Hi Speed Co Ltd A (600350 CH)</a> intends to acquire the 778.5 million domestic shares (86.50% of domestic shares, 38.93% of outstanding shares) held by Shandong Hi-Speed Group. Post-completion, Qilu’s direct controlling shareholder will be changed from Shandong Hi-Speed Group to Shandong Hi-Speed which may trigger a mandatory general offer for all the shares under Rule 26.1 of the Takeovers code, unless it is granted a waiver from the Executive. Notably, Shandong Hi-Speed and Shandong Hi-Speed Group will jointly seek a waiver from the Executive.</p><div class="content-highlight"><p>We note that on 20 August 2020, Shandong Hi-Speed Group was granted a waiver from a mandatory general offer by the Executive in relation to the merger by absorption of Qilu Transportation by Shandong Hi-Speed Group. We think that the Executive will grant a similar waiver for the proposed share acquisition. In combination with ongoing challenges to satisfy the minimum public float requirement, we would not chase the shares. </p></div>

Qilu Expressway Co Ltd (1576 HK) is an expressway operator with the concession rights to construct and operate the Jihe Expressway, the Deshang Expressway and the Shennan Expressway. Revenue is derived primarily from tolls collected from users of the expressways. Qilu listed its H-shares on 19 July 2018 at HK$2.50 per H-share to raise net proceeds of HK$1,172.12 million ($151 million). Due to the completion of the merger by absorption of Qilu Transportation by Shandong Hi-Speed Group on 16 November 2020, Shandong Hi-Speed Group and Shandong Hi-Speed Investment owned 38.93% and 5.19% of the outstanding shares. Subsequently, public shareholders accounted for 19.81% of the outstanding shares, which falls below the minimum public float requirement. To date, Shandong Hi-Speed Group has failed to address the minimum public float requirement by its fulfilling its plan to dispose of its H-shares to independent third parties.Today, Qilu entered a trading halt pending the release of an announcement pursuant to the Code on Takeovers and Mergers. Subsequently, Qilu disclosed that Shandong Hi Speed Co Ltd A (600350 CH) intends to acquire the 778.5 million domestic shares (86.50% of domestic shares, 38.93% of outstanding shares) held by Shandong Hi-Speed Group. Post-completion, Qilu’s direct controlling shareholder will be changed from Shandong Hi-Speed Group to Shandong Hi-Speed which may trigger a mandatory general offer for all the shares under Rule 26.1 of the Takeovers code, unless it is granted a waiver from the Executive. Notably, Shandong Hi-Speed and Shandong Hi-Speed Group will jointly seek a waiver from the Executive.We note that on 20 August 2020, Shandong Hi-Speed Group was granted a waiver from a mandatory general offer by the Executive in relation to the merger by absorption of Qilu Transportation by Shandong Hi-Speed Group. We think that the Executive will grant a similar waiver for the proposed share acquisition. In combination with ongoing challenges to satisfy the minimum public float requirement, we would not chase the shares. 

Qilu Expressway’s Largest Shareholder Seeks Another MGO Waiver

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

<div>
<p>On the 12 August last year, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/qilu-expressway-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27431:1" rel="noopener">Qilu Expressway Co Ltd (1576 HK)</a> <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2020/0812/2020081201368.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> its largest shareholder Qilu Transportation would be merged and absorbed by Shandong Hi-Speed Group (SHSG). The absorption simplified the holdings of Shandong SASAC, the ultimate parent of both Qilu Transportation and SHSG, into Qilu.</p>
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<div>
<p>The restructuring triggered an obligation for SHSG to make a mandatory general offer for all shares not owned, and SHSG and Qilu Transportation jointly made an application to the SFC to waive this obligation, which was granted on the <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2020/0821/2020082100191.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">20 August</a>. </p>
</div>
<div>
<p>There was also the issue over the resulting free float, as the public float would fall below the minimum prescribed percentage of 25% under the restructuring. The restructuring was completed on the <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2020/1117/2020111700550.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">17 November</a> and an application for a  "<em>waiver from strict compliance</em>" with the public float was concurrently lodged, and subsequently granted on the 20 November, with an <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2021/0504/2021050400876.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">extension granted</a> to the 30 June 2021 in which to comply.</p>
<h3>The New News</h3>
</div>
<div>
<p>Qilu has now <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2021/0513/2021051300351.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> SHSG  plans to inject 778.5mn domestics shares, or 38.93% of Qilu, into Shandong Hi-Speed, an entity 70.91% controlled by SHSG.</p>
<p>The completion of this restructuring also triggers an MGO - unless a waiver is granted. </p>
<p>This all looks like history repeating itself. Don't expect an MGO to unfold.</p>
</div>
<div>
<p>More below the fold.</p>
</div>


On the 12 August last year, Qilu Expressway Co Ltd (1576 HK) announced its largest shareholder Qilu Transportation would be merged and absorbed by Shandong Hi-Speed Group (SHSG). The absorption simplified the holdings of Shandong SASAC, the ultimate parent of both Qilu Transportation and SHSG, into Qilu.


The restructuring triggered an obligation for SHSG to make a mandatory general offer for all shares not owned, and SHSG and Qilu Transportation jointly made an application to the SFC to waive this obligation, which was granted on the 20 August. 


There was also the issue over the resulting free float, as the public float would fall below the minimum prescribed percentage of 25% under the restructuring. The restructuring was completed on the 17 November and an application for a  "waiver from strict compliance" with the public float was concurrently lodged, and subsequently granted on the 20 November, with an extension granted to the 30 June 2021 in which to comply.
The New News


Qilu has now announced SHSG  plans to inject 778.5mn domestics shares, or 38.93% of Qilu, into Shandong Hi-Speed, an entity 70.91% controlled by SHSG.
The completion of this restructuring also triggers an MGO - unless a waiver is granted. 
This all looks like history repeating itself. Don't expect an MGO to unfold.


More below the fold.


Qilu Expressway (1576 HK): Deja Vu All Over Again

China

Jiangsu Expressway Company Ltd. constructs, operates, manages and maintains expressways in China.  The Company also provides passenger transportation and other ancillary services along including fueling stations, restaurants, car maintenance and repair and advertising.

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Jiangsu Expressway (H) (177 HK)

Shenzhen Expressway (548 HK): Cautiously Optimistic

SZEX is expected to gain earnings momentum over the next few quarters as toll traffic recovers, clean energy and waste management capacity...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Zhejiang Expressway (576 HK): Drivers in Place for Robust Outlook

We believe sustained traffic and toll recovery, contribution from new project addition and positive outlook for Zheshang Securities will drive...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Singapore Mini Lockdown: Winners and Losers

In this report, we identify that Sheng Siong (SSG SP) , Sea Ltd (SE US) and Singapore Post (SPOST SP)as winners while Comfortdelgro Corp (CD SP)...

Henry Soediarko

Qilu Expressway’s Largest Shareholder Seeks Another MGO Waiver

We think that the Executive will grant a similar waiver for the proposed share acquisition. Along with the challenges to satisfy the minimum public...

Arun George

Qilu Expressway (1576 HK): Deja Vu All Over Again

Qilu has announced another restructuring that could trigger an MGO - unless a waiver is granted. This all looks like history repeating itself....

David Blennerhassett

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