Asia L/S Equity PM/Macro/Thematic Idea Generation

Rikki Malik

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>Obvious policy efforts are being made to drive consumption and improve consumer confidence.</li>
<li>Previous attempts have resulted in increased savings but policy direction has changed</li>
<li>Beaten-Up consumer names have a good risk-reward at this stage</li>
</ul>


Obvious policy efforts are being made to drive consumption and improve consumer confidence.
Previous attempts have resulted in increased savings but policy direction has changed
Beaten-Up consumer names have a good risk-reward at this stage


China Crosses the Rubicon - Direct Payments to Kickstart Consumption

HK/China Equity Long-Short

Osbert Tang, CFA

Equity Bottom-Up

Chow Tai Fook Jewellery / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/chow-tai-fook-jewellery-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:549:1" rel="noopener">Chow Tai Fook Jewellery (1929 HK)</a> reported a weaker-than-expected FY24 net profit. Despite having HK$2.2bn net cash, the lack of a special dividend is even more disappointing. </li>
<li>Surge in unrealised loss on gold loans and a YoY contraction in margin have contributed to the poor 2H24 result. Apr-May operating figures showed a deteriorated operating environment.</li>
<li>Lacking a special dividend, CTF no longer looks attractive at the current level. Overoptimistic FY25 and FY26 consensus forecasts mean earnings downgrade pressure. </li>
</ul>



Chow Tai Fook Jewellery (1929 HK) reported a weaker-than-expected FY24 net profit. Despite having HK$2.2bn net cash, the lack of a special dividend is even more disappointing. 
Surge in unrealised loss on gold loans and a YoY contraction in margin have contributed to the poor 2H24 result. Apr-May operating figures showed a deteriorated operating environment.
Lacking a special dividend, CTF no longer looks attractive at the current level. Overoptimistic FY25 and FY26 consensus forecasts mean earnings downgrade pressure. 


Luk Fook Holdings Intl / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Stock price starting to recognise the increase in  Chinese demand for Gold.</li>
<li>Helped by a bottoming and a revival in Hong Kong retail sales and tourist arrivals.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/spdr-gold-shares" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8632:1" rel="noopener">SPDR Gold Shares (GLD US)</a> close to a new all time high</li>
</ul>


Stock price starting to recognise the increase in  Chinese demand for Gold.
Helped by a bottoming and a revival in Hong Kong retail sales and tourist arrivals.

SPDR Gold Shares (GLD US) close to a new all time high


Starting to Glitter (Luk Fook Holdings 590.HK)

<ul>
<li>While China's U-turn on COVID policy is expected to bring consumption rebound in 2023, the near-term surge in infections will weigh negatively on retail sales in Dec and Jan.</li>
<li>Residents are spending more time at home in the first wave, with subways and shopping malls empty. We think this will cast negativity on 4Q22 and 1Q23 consumer discretionary profit.</li>
<li>It is prudent to take some monies off the table, particularly F&amp;B stocks like <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/haidilao-international-holding-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27044:1" rel="noopener">Haidilao (6862 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/xiabuxiabu-catering-mgt-chn-hldgs-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:76:1" rel="noopener">Xiabuxiabu (520 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/helen-s-international-holdings" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:34113:1" rel="noopener">Helen's (9869 HK)</a> which have almost doubled from trough.</li>
</ul>


While China's U-turn on COVID policy is expected to bring consumption rebound in 2023, the near-term surge in infections will weigh negatively on retail sales in Dec and Jan.
Residents are spending more time at home in the first wave, with subways and shopping malls empty. We think this will cast negativity on 4Q22 and 1Q23 consumer discretionary profit.
It is prudent to take some monies off the table, particularly F&amp;B stocks like Haidilao (6862 HK), Xiabuxiabu (520 HK) and Helen's (9869 HK) which have almost doubled from trough.


China COVID Policy: Near-Term Pains for Consumer Discretionary

China Tourism Group Duty Free / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>In the near-term, China's relaxation of COVID-combating measures will boost consumption and demand for cross-province travel. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-tourism-group-duty-free-corporation-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:36229:1" rel="noopener">China Tourism Group Duty Free Corp Ltd (1880 HK)</a> is a beneficiary.</li>
<li>Hotel bookings in Sanya have surged over the last two days, reflecting positive demand reaction. However, China's full border opening likely in 2023 is a challenge to CDFC.  </li>
<li>Low base in FY22 will drive 45% earnings growth for FY23. However, valuations are not cheap at 33.8x PER for FY23, a significant premium to consumption sector and international peers.</li>
</ul>


In the near-term, China's relaxation of COVID-combating measures will boost consumption and demand for cross-province travel. China Tourism Group Duty Free Corp Ltd (1880 HK) is a beneficiary.
Hotel bookings in Sanya have surged over the last two days, reflecting positive demand reaction. However, China's full border opening likely in 2023 is a challenge to CDFC.  
Low base in FY22 will drive 45% earnings growth for FY23. However, valuations are not cheap at 33.8x PER for FY23, a significant premium to consumption sector and international peers.


CTG Duty Free (1880 HK): Near-Term Positive but It Is Not Cheap at All

Hong Kong

Luk Fook Holdings (International) Limited retails jewellery. The Company engages in the sourcing, designing, wholesaling and retailing of a variety of platinum and gold jewellery, gold ornaments, gem-set jewellery, natural jadeites, gemstones, and other related products. Luk Fook offers its products in Hong Kong, Mainland China, Macau, Singapore, the United States and Canada.

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Luk Fook Holdings Intl (590 HK)

China Crosses the Rubicon - Direct Payments to Kickstart Consumption

Policy efforts are shifting towards driving consumption and boosting consumer confidence, presenting a favourable risk-reward opportunity for...

Rikki Malik

Chow Tai Fook (1929 HK): Disappointed

CTF disappoints with poor 2H24 profit and lack of special dividend. Gold loan losses and margin contraction are key reasons. Earnings downgrade...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Starting to Glitter (Luk Fook Holdings 590.HK)

A consumer stock with an attractive valuation and growing earnings as well as a play on Chinese demand for gold and a higher gold price.

Rikki Malik

China COVID Policy: Near-Term Pains for Consumer Discretionary

Near-term negative impact of China's U-turn in COVID policy on consumer discretionary has been underestimated by the market. It is prudent to take...

Osbert Tang, CFA

CTG Duty Free (1880 HK): Near-Term Positive but It Is Not Cheap at All

China's relaxation of COVID control will bring better near-term outlook, as reflected by surge in Sanya's hotel bookings. There are still...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

China Crosses the Rubicon - Direct Payments to Kickstart Consumption

​Policy efforts are shifting towards driving consumption and boosting consumer confidence, presenting a favourable risk-reward opportunity for...

Rikki Malik

Chow Tai Fook (1929 HK): Disappointed

​CTF disappoints with poor 2H24 profit and lack of special dividend. Gold loan losses and margin contraction are key reasons. Earnings downgrade...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Starting to Glitter (Luk Fook Holdings 590.HK)

A consumer stock with an attractive valuation and growing earnings as well as a play on Chinese demand for gold and a higher gold price.

Rikki Malik

China COVID Policy: Near-Term Pains for Consumer Discretionary

Near-term negative impact of China's U-turn in COVID policy on consumer discretionary has been underestimated by the market. It is prudent to take...

Osbert Tang, CFA

CTG Duty Free (1880 HK): Near-Term Positive but It Is Not Cheap at All

China's relaxation of COVID control will bring better near-term outlook, as reflected by surge in Sanya's hotel bookings. There are still...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Policy efforts are shifting towards driving consumption and boosting consumer confidence, presenting a favourable risk-reward opportunity for...

CTF disappoints with poor 2H24 profit and lack of special dividend. Gold loan losses and margin contraction are key reasons. Earnings downgrade...