Greater China Equity Long/Short Analyst

Eric Chen

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Sentiment driven rally is fading. Although COVID exit remains swing factor, individual company’s performance will increasingly be driven by their business models.</li>
<li>Our proprietary store expansion framework suggests divergent growth outlook for major players - stretched for Haidilao, moderate for Jiumaojiu and Yum China, and ample for Xiabuxiabu.</li>
<li>Xiabuxiabu is our top pick due to its strong turnaround not yet priced in depressed valuation. We also like Yum China but stay cautious on Jiumaojiu and Haidilao on valuation.     </li>
</ul>


Sentiment driven rally is fading. Although COVID exit remains swing factor, individual company’s performance will increasingly be driven by their business models.
Our proprietary store expansion framework suggests divergent growth outlook for major players - stretched for Haidilao, moderate for Jiumaojiu and Yum China, and ample for Xiabuxiabu.
Xiabuxiabu is our top pick due to its strong turnaround not yet priced in depressed valuation. We also like Yum China but stay cautious on Jiumaojiu and Haidilao on valuation.     


China Catering Sector: In Search of Alpha

Asian Hedge Fund Manager, Long Short Equity, Macro

David Mudd

CK Infrastructure Holdings / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Equity ETF flows in China continued to lead Asia as the "National Team" in China supports market levels during the 3rd Plenum.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ck-infrastructure-holdings-l" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:163:1" rel="noopener">CK Infrastructure Holdings (1038 HK)</a> , <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/genscript-biotech-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:21041:1" rel="noopener">Genscript Biotech (1548 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/boc-aviation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22689:1" rel="noopener">BOC Aviation (2588 HK)</a> saw positive news sentiment and share price movements for the week.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jiumaojiu-international-holdings-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28293:1" rel="noopener">Jiumaojiu (9922 HK)</a> , <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/aluminum-corporation-of-china-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6884:1" rel="noopener">Aluminum Corporation Of China (2600 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-hongqiao-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1909:1" rel="noopener">China Hongqiao (1378 HK)</a> saw negative news sentiment and share price drops for the week.</li>
</ul>


Equity ETF flows in China continued to lead Asia as the "National Team" in China supports market levels during the 3rd Plenum.

CK Infrastructure Holdings (1038 HK) , Genscript Biotech (1548 HK) and BOC Aviation (2588 HK) saw positive news sentiment and share price movements for the week.

Jiumaojiu (9922 HK) , Aluminum Corporation Of China (2600 HK) and China Hongqiao (1378 HK) saw negative news sentiment and share price drops for the week.


The Heat Is On: News Flow and Sentiment in CHINA / HONG KONG (July 19)

Equity Analyst, LightStream Research

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Equity Analyst

Long-Short Analysis on Japan, Asia and the World

LightStream Research

LightStream conducts quantitatively rigorous and data-driven analysis with a focus on Japan and Asia.

We consistently cover the Tech, Consumer and Industrial sectors, and provide ECM and Events coverage more broadly.

We supplement traditional qualitative insights from company relationships with a robust quantitative foundation that examines as much historical data as is available.
We further refine the accuracy of our insights and calls through the use of alternative data to flesh out current trends, and through a valuation framework that emphasises non-superficial peer group selection and a proper attempt to understand the metrics and changes that have driven security valuations in the past.

<ul>
<li>Chinese restaurant sector could see 15% YoY revenue growth in Q1 2023, as Total Retail Sales of Meals in China rose 16.4% YoY during Jan-Feb 2023.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yum-china-holdings-inc-0533692c-6dae-4014-baa1-ed0b050638f2" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29259:1" rel="noopener">Yum China Holdings Inc (9987 HK)</a>'s 1Q23 OP may reach a record high of $350m, and annual profitability is expected to double as restaurant footfall recovers.</li>
<li>We suggest buying Yum China for potential multiple expansion due to rapid profitability growth.</li>
</ul>


Chinese restaurant sector could see 15% YoY revenue growth in Q1 2023, as Total Retail Sales of Meals in China rose 16.4% YoY during Jan-Feb 2023.

Yum China Holdings Inc (9987 HK)'s 1Q23 OP may reach a record high of $350m, and annual profitability is expected to double as restaurant footfall recovers.
We suggest buying Yum China for potential multiple expansion due to rapid profitability growth.


Yum China: Looking Delicious with Record Profits Expected in 1Q23 and Potential for Further Growth

<ul>
<li>China catering players have seen strong recovery during the Chinese New Year starting from Jan 22th, amidst a broad-based revival of the service sector as a whole.</li>
<li>For Xiabuxiabu, latest data points suggest significant progress in turnaround and higher visibility into 2023 performance.</li>
<li>We see upside to our financial projection for 2023 and are more confident that Xiabuxiabu is the most attractively-priced to play re-opening in China catering sector. Expect 50% upside.</li>
</ul>


China catering players have seen strong recovery during the Chinese New Year starting from Jan 22th, amidst a broad-based revival of the service sector as a whole.
For Xiabuxiabu, latest data points suggest significant progress in turnaround and higher visibility into 2023 performance.
We see upside to our financial projection for 2023 and are more confident that Xiabuxiabu is the most attractively-priced to play re-opening in China catering sector. Expect 50% upside.


Xiabuxiabu (520 HK): Strong CNY Bodes Well for the Year of 2023

HK/China Equity Long-Short

Osbert Tang, CFA

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tao-heung" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2668:1" rel="noopener">Tao Heung (573 HK)</a>, a Chinese cuisine restaurant operator, has lost significant shop-days in 1H22 due to the pandemic. However, this is behind us and 2H22 outlook is better.</li>
<li>The recovery of Hong Kong operations will be supported by further relaxation of social distancing measures while, for mainland China, business has rebounded following removal of lockdowns.   </li>
<li>Its Chairman has upped his stake, signaling a vote of confidence. The stock's valuations are not expensive, but given low turnover, there will be potential share price volatility.</li>
</ul>



Tao Heung (573 HK), a Chinese cuisine restaurant operator, has lost significant shop-days in 1H22 due to the pandemic. However, this is behind us and 2H22 outlook is better.
The recovery of Hong Kong operations will be supported by further relaxation of social distancing measures while, for mainland China, business has rebounded following removal of lockdowns.   
Its Chairman has upped his stake, signaling a vote of confidence. The stock's valuations are not expensive, but given low turnover, there will be potential share price volatility.


China

Jiumaojiu International Holdings Limited operates as a holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, focuses on manufactures food products. Jiumaojiu International Holdings serves customers in China.

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Jiumaojiu (9922 HK)

China Catering Sector: In Search of Alpha

Sentiment-driven rally is fading. We expect investors' focus to shift to company fundamental. Our store expansion framework points to Xiabu as the...

Eric Chen

The Heat Is On: News Flow and Sentiment in CHINA / HONG KONG (July 19)

Equity ETF flows in China benefited from National Team buying this week. CK Infrastructure, Genscript Bio and BOC Aviation saw positive news...

David Mudd

Yum China: Looking Delicious with Record Profits Expected in 1Q23 and Potential for Further Growth

Yum China's 1Q23 OP may reach a record high of $350m, and annual profitability is expected to double. Consider buying Yum China for potential...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Xiabuxiabu (520 HK): Strong CNY Bodes Well for the Year of 2023

Strong operating data of Xiabuxiabu Group during CNY highlighted not only very favorable industry tailwinds but also significant progress in...

Eric Chen

Tao Heung (573 HK): Bon Appetit

Tao Heung should have a better 2H22 given recovery of Hong Kong operations as consumer spending improves. Also, mainland China market is not...

Osbert Tang, CFA

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