Overseas Chinese Equities, Aequitas Research

Ming Lu

Overseas Chinese Equities

IPOs and Placements coverage across Asia Pacific

Aequitas Research

We cover all listing across the Asia Pacific along with follow-up placements. As of Dec 2020, our team had covered 539 IPOs with a hit rate of 73.5% and 685 placements with a hit rate of 66.8%.

We combine fundamental bottom-up views with our proprietary quantitative framework to provide a holistic coverage across new listings and placements. Our coverage includes pre-IPO notes before the deal is launched, follow-up analysis once the deal is live and post-listing trading analysis as well.

Equity Capital Markets

<ul>
<li>The CEO of pre-IPO <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/anjuke" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33003:1" rel="noopener">Anjuke (ANJ HK)</a> said, authorities should fine KE RMB4 billion for its exclusive contracts.</li>
<li>Anjuke’s user base is larger than KE, but its revenue is lower than KE.</li>
<li>We believe KE’s database of real apartments for sale angers Mr. Yao.</li>
<li>We also believe there is no evidence that KE abuses market power.</li>
</ul>
<p>Our previous coverage on KE (BEKE):</p>
<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/ke-beke-the-estate-agency-grew-53-and-housing-market-continues-to-boom" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:49252" rel="noopener">KE (BEKE): The Estate Agency Grew 53% and Housing Market Continues to Boom</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/ke-beke-outperform-competitors-in-booming-property-market" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:47942" rel="noopener">KE (BEKE): Outperform Competitors in Booming Property Market</a> </p>


The CEO of pre-IPO Anjuke (ANJ HK) said, authorities should fine KE RMB4 billion for its exclusive contracts.
Anjuke’s user base is larger than KE, but its revenue is lower than KE.
We believe KE’s database of real apartments for sale angers Mr. Yao.
We also believe there is no evidence that KE abuses market power.

Our previous coverage on KE (BEKE):
KE (BEKE): The Estate Agency Grew 53% and Housing Market Continues to Boom
KE (BEKE): Outperform Competitors in Booming Property Market 

KE (BEKE): Pre-IPO Anjuke Asks Authorities to Fine KE Following Alibaba Case

Equity Bottom-Up

Alibaba Group Holding  / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) fined Alibaba RMB18 billion.</li>
<li>Alibaba had forced retailers to leave competitors via an “either-or” choice since 2015.</li>
<li>The penalty amount is not significant to Alibaba.</li>
<li>We believe that the penalty is just part of SAMR’s action after the new law, but not especially against Alibaba.</li>
<li>We do not believe the penalty will impact Alibaba’s long-term value.</li>
<li>We set an upside of 37% and a price target of USD$306 according to the 3-year P/E average.</li>
</ul>
<p>Our previous coverage on Alibaba:</p>
<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/alibaba-baba-many-positive-signals-in-december-quarter-27-upside" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:47726" rel="noopener">Alibaba (BABA): Many Positive Signals in December Quarter, 27% Upside</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/alibaba-baba-this-online-antitrust-wave-a-risk-but-not-a-massacre" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:46377" rel="noopener">Alibaba (BABA): This Online Antitrust Wave, A Risk, But Not A Massacre</a> </p>


State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) fined Alibaba RMB18 billion.
Alibaba had forced retailers to leave competitors via an “either-or” choice since 2015.
The penalty amount is not significant to Alibaba.
We believe that the penalty is just part of SAMR’s action after the new law, but not especially against Alibaba.
We do not believe the penalty will impact Alibaba’s long-term value.
We set an upside of 37% and a price target of USD$306 according to the 3-year P/E average.

Our previous coverage on Alibaba:
Alibaba (BABA): Many Positive Signals in December Quarter, 27% Upside
Alibaba (BABA): This Online Antitrust Wave, A Risk, But Not A Massacre 

Alibaba (BABA): Fined $2.78 Billion for “Either Or”, But Impact Is Neither Big Nor Long Term

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.

<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/anjuke" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33003:1" rel="noopener">Anjuke (ANJ HK)</a> is the largest online marketing platform for new and existing properties by revenue in 2020, according to iResearch. Anjuke is a subsidiary of 58.com. Anjuke’s shareholders include <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> (14.3% stake), General Atlantic (7.7%), Warburg Pincus (7.9%), <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/country-garden-holdings-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5225:1" rel="noopener">Country Garden Holdings Co (2007 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/agile-property-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15784:1" rel="noopener">Agile Property Holdings (3383 HK)</a>. It is seeking to raise $1 billion through an HKEx IPO, according to press reports.</p><p>Anjuke is using its core online marketing services business, which is cash generative, to fund its foray into transaction services, a market where <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ke-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29213:1" rel="noopener">KE Holdings Inc (BEKE US)</a> dominates. However, this growth is margin dilutive as transaction services is structurally a lower margin business. We think that the compromise is acceptable as investors continue to be willing to pay up for high-growth tech companies. </p><div class="content-highlight"><p>The key negative is that Anjuke is saddled with debt related to the privatisation of 58.com in September 2020 - <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/58-com-s-privatisation-enters-into-definitive-agreement" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:40366" rel="noopener">58.com’s Privatisation Enters into Definitive Agreement</a>. While the healthy cash generation should comfortably service the debt, potential IPO investors could be turned off by the view that the IPO is a way of the privatisation consortium (which arguably privatised 58.com to the detriment of minorities) to make a quick buck. Notwithstanding the optics of the privatisation and relisting trade which tend to enrich insiders at the expense of minorities, we believe that the Anjuke IPO is worth a close look.</p></div>

Anjuke (ANJ HK) is the largest online marketing platform for new and existing properties by revenue in 2020, according to iResearch. Anjuke is a subsidiary of 58.com. Anjuke’s shareholders include Tencent Holdings (700 HK) (14.3% stake), General Atlantic (7.7%), Warburg Pincus (7.9%), Country Garden Holdings Co (2007 HK) and Agile Property Holdings (3383 HK). It is seeking to raise $1 billion through an HKEx IPO, according to press reports.Anjuke is using its core online marketing services business, which is cash generative, to fund its foray into transaction services, a market where KE Holdings Inc (BEKE US) dominates. However, this growth is margin dilutive as transaction services is structurally a lower margin business. We think that the compromise is acceptable as investors continue to be willing to pay up for high-growth tech companies. The key negative is that Anjuke is saddled with debt related to the privatisation of 58.com in September 2020 - 58.com’s Privatisation Enters into Definitive Agreement. While the healthy cash generation should comfortably service the debt, potential IPO investors could be turned off by the view that the IPO is a way of the privatisation consortium (which arguably privatised 58.com to the detriment of minorities) to make a quick buck. Notwithstanding the optics of the privatisation and relisting trade which tend to enrich insiders at the expense of minorities, we believe that the Anjuke IPO is worth a close look.

Head of Research, IPOs & Placements, Aequitas Research

Sumeet Singh

Head of Research, IPOs & Placements

Alibaba Group Holding  / Equity Capital Markets

<div>
<p>On 24th Mar 2021, Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) issued Amendments, Seeks Public Comment on Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act. On the back of this, large China ADRs fell by 7.5% on average. </p>
<p>We have covered various aspects of this topic before in our prior note, links to which are below. In this note, I'll talk about the SEC updates.</p>
</div>
<div>
<p>In our previous notes:</p>
</div>
<div>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/china-adrs-secondary-listing-deep-dive-yin-and-yang" target="_blank" rel="noopener">China ADRs Secondary Listing Deep-Dive: Yin and Yang,</a> published in Feb 2020,  we looked at the background and rules around undertaking a secondary listing in Hong Kong and then came up with a short-list of companies that might undertake a secondary listing. </li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/china-adrs-secondary-listing-covid-19-has-increased-the-tension-but-narrowed-the-short-list" target="_blank" rel="noopener">In China ADRs Secondary Listing: COVID-19 Has Increased the Tension but Narrowed the Short List</a> published in May 2020, we looked at the recent developments and provided an revised short-list</li>
<li>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/china-adrs-secondary-listing-holding-foreign-companies-accountable-act-i-m-coming-home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">China ADRs Secondary Listing - Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act - I’m Coming Home</a>, published in May 2020, we spoke about the implication of the act which had made its way through the senate.</li>
<li>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/china-adrs-secondary-listing-pipeline-looks-rich-have-three-years-to-move" target="_blank" rel="noopener">China ADRs Secondary Listing - Pipeline Looks Rich, Have Three Years to Move</a>, published in Feb 2021 we looked at the ADR pipeline and spoke about the updates from the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act becoming law and the updates at Hong Kong end as well. </li>
</ul>
</div>


On 24th Mar 2021, Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) issued Amendments, Seeks Public Comment on Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act. On the back of this, large China ADRs fell by 7.5% on average. 
We have covered various aspects of this topic before in our prior note, links to which are below. In this note, I'll talk about the SEC updates.


In our previous notes:




China ADRs Secondary Listing Deep-Dive: Yin and Yang, published in Feb 2020,  we looked at the background and rules around undertaking a secondary listing in Hong Kong and then came up with a short-list of companies that might undertake a secondary listing. 

In China ADRs Secondary Listing: COVID-19 Has Increased the Tension but Narrowed the Short List published in May 2020, we looked at the recent developments and provided an revised short-list
In China ADRs Secondary Listing - Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act - I’m Coming Home, published in May 2020, we spoke about the implication of the act which had made its way through the senate.
In China ADRs Secondary Listing - Pipeline Looks Rich, Have Three Years to Move, published in Feb 2021 we looked at the ADR pipeline and spoke about the updates from the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act becoming law and the updates at Hong Kong end as well. 



China ADRs - SEC Notice - Instead of Three, Probably Have Four Years till 2025 - Correction Overdone

<ul class="">
<li>Revenue grew by 58% yoy in 4Q20 and 53% in 2020.</li>
<li>BEKE broke even in 4Q20 and 2020.</li>
<li>Home sales increased significantly in January and February.</li>
<li>Commission rate has been rising in the market.</li>
<li>We believe the stock price has an upside of 25%.</li>
</ul>


Revenue grew by 58% yoy in 4Q20 and 53% in 2020.
BEKE broke even in 4Q20 and 2020.
Home sales increased significantly in January and February.
Commission rate has been rising in the market.
We believe the stock price has an upside of 25%.


KE (BEKE): The Estate Agency Grew 53% and Housing Market Continues to Boom

China

KE Holdings Inc. operates as an integrated online and offline platform for housing transactions and services. The Company offers existing and new home sales, home rentals, home renovation, real estate financial solutions, and other services. KE Holdings conducts businesses in China.

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KE Holdings (BEKE US)

KE (BEKE): Pre-IPO Anjuke Asks Authorities to Fine KE Following Alibaba Case

Anjuke said, authorities should fine KE for exclusive contracts. We believe KE’s database of real apartments for sale angers Anjuke. We also...

Ming Lu

Alibaba (BABA): Fined $2.78 Billion for “Either Or”, But Impact Is Neither Big Nor Long Term

The penalty amount is not significant to Alibaba. We believe the penalty is just part of authorities’ action after the new law, but not especially...

Ming Lu

Anjuke IPO Initiation: Home Truths

Anjuke is seeking to raise $1 bn through an HKEx IPO. Notwithstanding the optics of the privatisation and relisting trade, we believe that the...

Arun George

China ADRs - SEC Notice - Instead of Three, Probably Have Four Years till 2025 - Correction Overdone

On 24th Mar 2021, SEC issued Amendments, Seeks Public Comment on Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act. On the back of this, large China ADRs...

Sumeet Singh

KE (BEKE): The Estate Agency Grew 53% and Housing Market Continues to Boom

Grew by 58% yoy in 4Q20 and 53% in 2020. Broke even in 4Q20 and 2020. Home sales area increased significantly in January and February. Commission...

Ming Lu

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