HK/China Equity Long-Short

Osbert Tang, CFA

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-gas-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14315:1" rel="noopener">China Gas Holdings (384 HK)</a> posted weak 1H FY22 result with a 18.6% contraction in core profit, driven primarily by lower new connections and weaker dollar margin for gas sales. </li>
<li>Full-Year guidance on new connections has revised to 3m (vs. 5m) and dollar margin will further contract by HK$0.04-0.06/cu.m. in 2H FY22. Progress on LPG Smart MicroGrid has slowed. </li>
<li>The Shiyan gas explosion looks to have a more long-lasting effect than expected. Also, the need to divert management attention to safety enforcement also weighed on China Gas.</li>
</ul>



China Gas Holdings (384 HK) posted weak 1H FY22 result with a 18.6% contraction in core profit, driven primarily by lower new connections and weaker dollar margin for gas sales. 
Full-Year guidance on new connections has revised to 3m (vs. 5m) and dollar margin will further contract by HK$0.04-0.06/cu.m. in 2H FY22. Progress on LPG Smart MicroGrid has slowed. 
The Shiyan gas explosion looks to have a more long-lasting effect than expected. Also, the need to divert management attention to safety enforcement also weighed on China Gas.


China Gas Holdings (384 HK): Post-Result Call Takeaways, Looks like Not yet Reached the Bottom

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

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-resources-beer-holdings" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:399:1" rel="noopener">China Resources Beer Holdings (291 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/enn-energy-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:316:1" rel="noopener">ENN Energy (2688 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/netease" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29030:1" rel="noopener">NetEase (9999 HK)</a> will be added to the HSI at the close on 3 December.</li>
<li>One-Way turnover is estimated at 5.05% and will result in a one-way trade of HK$10.1bn due to the inclusions, float changes and capping changes.</li>
<li>Currently at 64 members, Hang Seng Indexes is unlikely to reach its 80 index constituent target for the HSI by mid 2022 and the timeline is likely to be extended.</li>
</ul>



China Resources Beer Holdings (291 HK), ENN Energy (2688 HK), JD.com Inc. (9618 HK) and NetEase (9999 HK) will be added to the HSI at the close on 3 December.
One-Way turnover is estimated at 5.05% and will result in a one-way trade of HK$10.1bn due to the inclusions, float changes and capping changes.
Currently at 64 members, Hang Seng Indexes is unlikely to reach its 80 index constituent target for the HSI by mid 2022 and the timeline is likely to be extended.


HSI Index Rebalance: Tiptoeing to the 80 Index Member Target

We came out of the post-1H21 result call of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kunlun-energy-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10054:1" rel="noopener">Kunlun Energy (135 HK)</a> with unchanged positive view, and the message from management suggested that outlook for 2H21 stay promising and the pull-back in share price is unwarranted. We increased our earnings forecasts and based on our latest projections, Kunlun is trading on just 9.2x PER for FY21 (on continuing operations), making it the cheapest among China's gas utilities stocks.We think the good new project momentum, stable margin outlook, commencement of new projects, better profitability at LNG terminals and stronger LPG volume are the major drivers for Kunlun. We estimate an ROE of 10.6% for FY21, and yet it will still be in a net cash position at end-FY21, which compares well with most peers which are at much higher leverage levels.

We came out of the post-1H21 result call of Kunlun Energy (135 HK) with unchanged positive view, and the message from management suggested that outlook for 2H21 stay promising and the pull-back in share price is unwarranted. We increased our earnings forecasts and based on our latest projections, Kunlun is trading on just 9.2x PER for FY21 (on continuing operations), making it the cheapest among China's gas utilities stocks.We think the good new project momentum, stable margin outlook, commencement of new projects, better profitability at LNG terminals and stronger LPG volume are the major drivers for Kunlun. We estimate an ROE of 10.6% for FY21, and yet it will still be in a net cash position at end-FY21, which compares well with most peers which are at much higher leverage levels.

Kunlun Energy (135 HK): Quick Take After Post-1H21 Call, Stays Positive

We see the 1H21 earnings report of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/enn-energy-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:316:1" rel="noopener">ENN Energy (2688 HK)</a> is a healthy one, given a 18.4% YoY growth in core earnings. Its gross margin contracted 0.7pp YoY with only gas wholesale segment recording margin expansion. In particular, just 11% growth in retail gas gross profit and a Rmb0.05/cu.m. or about 8.2% YoY contraction in dollar margin are concerns.Management expects slower gas sales growth in 2H21 with stable margin. It secured 4 new city-gas projects in 1H21 which looks slow, though the integrated energy segment has 16 new projects. While the 1H21 result itself is not bad, we think its 20.6x PER for FY21 does not provide much upside potential from current level. After a 45% rally YTD and only 9.2% off all-time high, we see risk that ENN is vulnerable to profit-taking in the near term, based on the excuse of weaker-than-expected retail gas business.

We see the 1H21 earnings report of ENN Energy (2688 HK) is a healthy one, given a 18.4% YoY growth in core earnings. Its gross margin contracted 0.7pp YoY with only gas wholesale segment recording margin expansion. In particular, just 11% growth in retail gas gross profit and a Rmb0.05/cu.m. or about 8.2% YoY contraction in dollar margin are concerns.Management expects slower gas sales growth in 2H21 with stable margin. It secured 4 new city-gas projects in 1H21 which looks slow, though the integrated energy segment has 16 new projects. While the 1H21 result itself is not bad, we think its 20.6x PER for FY21 does not provide much upside potential from current level. After a 45% rally YTD and only 9.2% off all-time high, we see risk that ENN is vulnerable to profit-taking in the near term, based on the excuse of weaker-than-expected retail gas business.  

ENN Energy (2688 HK): Concerns on Margin Squeeze, Key Takeaways from Post-Result Call

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

With the Hang Seng Index pulled back by 8.6% from its recent high in late-Jun, we take a look on our universe to identify the key opportunities and risks in our coverage.  In our view, the three stocks that look attractive after the recent market retreat are: 1.) <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sinotrans-limited-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1321:1" rel="noopener">Sinotrans (598 HK)</a>, 2.) <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kunlun-energy-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10054:1" rel="noopener">Kunlun Energy (135 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shenzhen-international-holdings-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9:1" rel="noopener">Shenzhen International (152 HK)</a>. On average, they are off 9.8% from the recent peak.The three stocks to avoid are: 1.) <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/cosco-shipping-energy-tran-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:646:1" rel="noopener">Cosco Shipping Energy Transportation Co. Ltd. (H) (1138 HK)</a>, 2.) <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/beijing-capital-international-airport-bcia" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10626:1" rel="noopener">Beijing Capital International Airport (BCIA) (694 HK)</a> and 3.) <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-maple-leaf-educational" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:78:1" rel="noopener">China Maple Leaf Educational Systems (1317 HK)</a>. They have declined an average of 20.2% from their peak, and despite the low valuations, fundamentals remain unappealing.

With the Hang Seng Index pulled back by 8.6% from its recent high in late-Jun, we take a look on our universe to identify the key opportunities and risks in our coverage.  In our view, the three stocks that look attractive after the recent market retreat are: 1.) Sinotrans (598 HK), 2.) Kunlun Energy (135 HK) and Shenzhen International (152 HK). On average, they are off 9.8% from the recent peak.The three stocks to avoid are: 1.) Cosco Shipping Energy Transportation Co. Ltd. (H) (1138 HK), 2.) Beijing Capital International Airport (BCIA) (694 HK) and 3.) China Maple Leaf Educational Systems (1317 HK). They have declined an average of 20.2% from their peak, and despite the low valuations, fundamentals remain unappealing.  

Three Stocks Look Attractive and Three to Avoid Amid the Sell-Off

Hong Kong

Sinopec Kantons Holdings Limited trades crude oil, petroleum and petrochemical products.  The Company also operates a crude oil jetty and its ancillary facilities and petrol stations.

AAG Energy Holdings Limited is  an energy exploration and development company. The Company engages in coalbed methane exploration and development.

United Energy Group, Ltd. is engaged in the exploration and production of oil and natural gas. The Company owns and operates a producing oilfield Liaohe Province of the P.R. of China and owns an interest in an exploration field in Madura PSC, Java, Indonesia.  UEG mainly engages in the upstream oil and natural gas business.

Productive Technologies Company Limited provides productivity solutions to semiconductor and solar cell manufacturers. The Company is engaged in advanced manufacturing of equipment applied in semiconductor and solar power businesses, as well as operates a crude oil asset. Productive Technologies serves customers in China.

China LNG Group Limited is a holding company whose group's principal activities are investment in and trading of assets and engagement in the development of new  energy businesses including investment, construction and operation of LNG filling stations, terminals and related infrastructure, sales and conversion of LNG vehicles and vessels, providing financial leasing service to customers.

Yanchang Petroleum International Limited and its subsidiaries is principally engaged in investments in the oil, gas and energy related business. The Company also invests in oil and gas exploration and operation, and the trading of fuel oil.

Yanchang Petroleum International (346 HK)

Hans Energy Company Limited, through its subsidiaries, operates storage and transshipment of oil and liquid petrochemical products in China.  The Company also manufactures and sells corrugated paper packaging products as well as trades petroleum products.

SouthGobi Resources Ltd. mines metallurgical and thermal coal in Mongolia.  The Company sells its coal to customers in China.

Strong Petrochemical Holdings, Ltd. offers trades of crude oil, petroleum products, and petrochemical products.

JTF International Holdings Limited operates as a holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, refined and blended fuel oil, petrol, and petrochemical products. JTF International Holdings markets its products throughout China.

Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd. explores, imports, refines, and distributes petroleum and its related products.  The Company also manufactures and sells petrochemical products.

China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation produces and trades petroleum and petrochemical products. The Company offers gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, kerosene, ethylene, synthetic fibers, synthetic rubber, synthetic resins, and chemical fertilizers. China Petroleum & Chemical markets its products throughout China.

SK Innovation Co., Ltd. refines, markets, and distributes oil.  The Company produces a variety of petroleum products, such as gasoline, kerosene, liquefied petroleumgas (LPG), and diesel oil.  SK Energy also manufactures petrochemical p roducts, including paraxylene, synthetic resins, styrene monomer, and ethylene.

Washington H. Soul Pattinson & Company Limited is an investment holding company. The Company owns shares and properties, coal mining, bulk handling, commercial television licensee, telecommunications carrier, merchant banking, funds management, pharmaceutical retailing, manufacture, processing and marketing of biscuits and cakes.

Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co. Ltd (SOL AU)

Shanxi Xishan Coal & Electricity Power Co., Ltd. mines and processes coal. The Company also generates electric power.

Range Resources Corporation is an independent oil and gas company  that explore, develops, and acquires oil and gas properties. The Company conducts operations primarily in the Southwestern, Appalachian and Gulf Coast regions of the United States.

Shanxi Lu'an Environmental Energy Development Co., Ltd. mines, processes, and markets low sulfur high quality coal. The company also researches and develops coal and environment protection related technologies.

Shanxi Lu'An Environmental Energy Dev.Co (601699 CH)

Antero Resources Corporation explores, develops, and produces oil and natural gas. The Company focuses on the acquisition, development, and production of unconventional oil and liquids-rich natural gas properties. Antero Resources serves customers in the United States.

Chesapeake Energy Corporation produces oil and natural gas. The Company's operations are focused on discovering, developing, and acquiring conventional and unconventional natural gas reserves onshore in the United States.

PDC Energy, Inc. produces and distributes petroleum products. The Company produces, develops, explores and markets crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids. PDC Energy operates in the United States.

Kunlun Energy Company Ltd, through its subsidiaries, explores and produces crude oil and natural gas in China.

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Kunlun Energy (135 HK)

China Gas Holdings (384 HK): Post-Result Call Takeaways, Looks like Not yet Reached the Bottom

Weaker-than-expected result for 1H FY22 is negative and management turned more cautious on outlook for 2H FY22, pointing to lower new connections...

Osbert Tang, CFA

HSI Index Rebalance: Tiptoeing to the 80 Index Member Target

CR Beer, ENN Energy, JD.com & Netease will join the HSI after the close on 3 Dec. Some were expected, some are surprises. Turnover is 5%+ & the...

Brian Freitas