Asian Equities Analyst, Logistics & Transport, Tracking Traffic

Daniel Hellberg

Asian Equities Analyst, Logistics & Transport

Tracking Traffic

Focusing on Asian logistics, transportation, and travel companies

Equity Bottom-Up

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<p>In this note, we explain how authorities in China measure the development of the country's express parcel delivery industry using the China Express Development Index, or CEDI. </p>
<p>We believe CEDI is worth watching. Its December 2020 performance suggests sector growth is moderating, and that express companies must continue to invest aggressively to lift service levels. </p>
<p>CEDI's recent trends support our investment thesis for the sector, which is that pressure to consolidate is rising here in 2021. We believe <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/best-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:25494:1" rel="noopener">BEST Inc (BEST US)</a> may become an attractive acquisition target over the next 12 months; we rate its shares Buy. </p>




In this note, we explain how authorities in China measure the development of the country's express parcel delivery industry using the China Express Development Index, or CEDI. 
We believe CEDI is worth watching. Its December 2020 performance suggests sector growth is moderating, and that express companies must continue to invest aggressively to lift service levels. 
CEDI's recent trends support our investment thesis for the sector, which is that pressure to consolidate is rising here in 2021. We believe BEST Inc (BEST US) may become an attractive acquisition target over the next 12 months; we rate its shares Buy. 

How Chinese Authorities Measure the Development of the Express Sector, & Why It Matters to Investors

Event-Driven

China Logistics Property Holdings / Event-Driven

<section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/180/424/original/BANNER-TTOtherDec20_GreyOrange.png?1609259067" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="180424"></figure></section><p>On Tuesday <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-logistics-property-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22799:1" rel="noopener">China Logistics Property Holdings (1589 HK)</a> released a statement that confirmed chatter indicating two major shareholders are considering a sale of their stakes, which total 51.5%.</p><p>In this note we attempt to put the potential sale of controlling stakes in CLPH (or the entire company) into context by looking at the 2017 privatization of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/global-logistic-properties-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2894:1" rel="noopener">Global Logistic Properties (GLP SP)</a>, still the largest single owner of modern warehouse space in China. </p><p>We also provide a list of potential acquirers of the CLPH stakes, assuming a sale occurs eventually. In our view, there are at least seven companies that feature the financial might and the relationships needed to acquire CLPH's warehouse assets in China. </p><p>CLPH's shares are up about 35% YTD, but compared to GLP's EV/Portfolio and EV/Completed SQM multiples at the time of its privatization, valuations do not appear stretched. We believe suitors eager to add scarce Chinese warehouse assets could bid shares up above HK$5.0. </p>

On Tuesday China Logistics Property Holdings (1589 HK) released a statement that confirmed chatter indicating two major shareholders are considering a sale of their stakes, which total 51.5%.In this note we attempt to put the potential sale of controlling stakes in CLPH (or the entire company) into context by looking at the 2017 privatization of Global Logistic Properties (GLP SP), still the largest single owner of modern warehouse space in China. We also provide a list of potential acquirers of the CLPH stakes, assuming a sale occurs eventually. In our view, there are at least seven companies that feature the financial might and the relationships needed to acquire CLPH's warehouse assets in China. CLPH's shares are up about 35% YTD, but compared to GLP's EV/Portfolio and EV/Completed SQM multiples at the time of its privatization, valuations do not appear stretched. We believe suitors eager to add scarce Chinese warehouse assets could bid shares up above HK$5.0. 

Major Shareholders of CLPH (1589:HK) Selling! Revisiting Narrative & Valuations

<section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/180/014/original/BANNER-TTOtherDec20_GreyOrange.png?1608832116" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="180014"></figure></section><p>In November, anti-monopoly regulators announced drafts of new rules that will apply to eCommerce 'platform' businesses. And last week authorities announced an anti-monopoly probe into some of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alibaba-group-holding-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:787:1" rel="noopener">Alibaba Group (BABA US)</a>'s anti-competitive practices. We believe the probe could eventually extend to a range of logistics companies linked to Alibaba. </p><p>The ongoing regulator action against Alibaba's "choose one from two" policy and potential future actions against logistics firms linked to the eCommerce giant will have the same effect: to slow down growth. In the case of the Chinese express companies closely linked to Alibaba, regulators' actions merely add to existing pressures to pursue sector consolidation in 2021.</p><p>We recommend investors check out <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/best-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:25494:1" rel="noopener">BEST Inc (BEST US)</a> as a potential acquisition target.</p>

In November, anti-monopoly regulators announced drafts of new rules that will apply to eCommerce 'platform' businesses. And last week authorities announced an anti-monopoly probe into some of Alibaba Group (BABA US)'s anti-competitive practices. We believe the probe could eventually extend to a range of logistics companies linked to Alibaba. The ongoing regulator action against Alibaba's "choose one from two" policy and potential future actions against logistics firms linked to the eCommerce giant will have the same effect: to slow down growth. In the case of the Chinese express companies closely linked to Alibaba, regulators' actions merely add to existing pressures to pursue sector consolidation in 2021.We recommend investors check out BEST Inc (BEST US) as a potential acquisition target.

Alibaba Anti-Trust Probe Could Slow Growth of Chinese Express Companies, Add to M&A Pressures

Equity Capital Markets

Kerry Express Thailand / Equity Capital Markets

<section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/179/974/original/BANNER-TTOtherDec20_GreyOrange.png?1608781028" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="179974"></figure></section><p>In a previous note we argued <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kerry-express-thailand" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29253:1" rel="noopener">Kerry Express Thailand (KEX TB)</a>, at its IPO price of 28 baht per share, was attractively priced relative to comps in the Chinese express sector.</p><p>However, after shares jumped 83% to 51.25 baht in their trading debut on December 24, KEX's EV/Revenue and EV/EBITDA multiples increased substantially (even as its Chinese comps faded).</p><p>A day after its public debut, KEX is still a unique Thai play on eCommerce and the company enjoys strong market position in a growing segment. However, at 50+ baht per share it is no longer cheap.</p><p>By the way, Merry Christmas!</p>

In a previous note we argued Kerry Express Thailand (KEX TB), at its IPO price of 28 baht per share, was attractively priced relative to comps in the Chinese express sector.However, after shares jumped 83% to 51.25 baht in their trading debut on December 24, KEX's EV/Revenue and EV/EBITDA multiples increased substantially (even as its Chinese comps faded).A day after its public debut, KEX is still a unique Thai play on eCommerce and the company enjoys strong market position in a growing segment. However, at 50+ baht per share it is no longer cheap.By the way, Merry Christmas!

Kerry Express Thailand: Just One Day Into Public Life, KEX Suddenly Looks Expensive

HK/China Equity Long-Short

Osbert Tang, CFA

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<p>We see the joint announcement by five ministries/departments on the development of postal and express industry in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area has positive implications on many of the logistics operators in China in the medium to long term. The supporting initiatives range from the strengthening of the strategic hubs of Guangzhou and Shenzhen airports to encouraging more industry consolidations.</p><p>While many companies are expected to benefit from these GBA postal and express policies, we highlight some of the most important ones in this Insight - <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/guangzhou-baiyun-international-airport" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10819:1" rel="noopener">Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (600004 CH)</a> (GBIA) and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shenzhen-airport-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15522:1" rel="noopener">Shenzhen Airport Co A (000089 CH)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-southern-airlines-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1078:1" rel="noopener">China Southern Airlines (1055 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sinotrans-limited-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1321:1" rel="noopener">Sinotrans (598 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kerry-logistics-network-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:367:1" rel="noopener">Kerry Logistics Network (636 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shenzhen-intl-holdings" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9:1" rel="noopener">Shenzhen Intl (152 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/maanshan-dingtai-rare-a" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4128:1" rel="noopener">S.F. Holding (002352 CH)</a>.</p>

We see the joint announcement by five ministries/departments on the development of postal and express industry in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area has positive implications on many of the logistics operators in China in the medium to long term. The supporting initiatives range from the strengthening of the strategic hubs of Guangzhou and Shenzhen airports to encouraging more industry consolidations.While many companies are expected to benefit from these GBA postal and express policies, we highlight some of the most important ones in this Insight - Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (600004 CH) (GBIA) and Shenzhen Airport Co A (000089 CH), China Southern Airlines (1055 HK), Sinotrans (598 HK), Kerry Logistics Network (636 HK), Shenzhen Intl (152 HK) and S.F. Holding (002352 CH).

China Logistics: Key Beneficiaries of China's Greater Bay Area Postal and Express Development

China

S.F. Holding Co., Ltd operates as a holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, provides logistics, order tracking, supply chain management, and warehousing services. S.F. Holding operates worldwide.

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S.F. Holding (002352 CH)

How Chinese Authorities Measure the Development of the Express Sector, & Why It Matters to Investors

Understanding how Chinese authorities measure the development of China's express industry can help investors better evaluate the segment and the...

Tracking Traffic

Major Shareholders of CLPH (1589:HK) Selling! Revisiting Narrative & Valuations

China Logistics Property Holdings isn't cheap, but the potential sale of controlling stakes in the company could draw strong interest from JD.com...

Tracking Traffic

Alibaba Anti-Trust Probe Could Slow Growth of Chinese Express Companies, Add to M&A Pressures

New scrutiny from regulators on Alibaba could result in increased financial pressures on the logistics firms linked to the eCommerce giant.

Tracking Traffic

Kerry Express Thailand: Just One Day Into Public Life, KEX Suddenly Looks Expensive

After it jumped by 83% to 51.25 baht per share in its trading debut, it's suddenly much tougher to argue that KEX is attractively priced versus peers.

Tracking Traffic

China Logistics: Key Beneficiaries of China's Greater Bay Area Postal and Express Development

China's support of postal and express industry development in the Greater Bay Area has positive implications on many logistics companies. We...

Osbert Tang, CFA

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