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>It's been a <em>long</em> time since we looked at and wrote about <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/cj-korea-express-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11557:1" rel="noopener">CJ Logistics (000120 KS)</a>. In a note we published here way back in June 2017, we said it was highly unlikely CJ Logistics would see the margin improvement needed to hit analysts' consensus forecast of 6,400 won per share in 2018.</p>
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<p>Specifically, we doubted that higher margins would be driven by growth of the company's <em>Global</em> segment, which includes CJ's international freight forwarding business and several overseas logistics units CJ had acquired in an effort to create a "Pan-Asian Logistics Network".</p>
<p>Since we last wrote about the company, CJ Logistics has apparently abandoned its push to become a major player in logistics <em>outside</em> of Korea, focusing instead on a disparate list of domestic initiatives. Overall profitability remains similar to depressed levels from 3-4 years ago. </p>
<p>Since we last tracked them, CJ Logistics' shares haven't performed well: they're down about 24% compared to their 5-year high reached in mid-2016, though like many stocks they have risen from depressed Q120 levels. Unless CJ Logistics can articulate a winning long-term strategy, and then show consistent progress towards executing it successfully, we would avoid the shares. </p>



It's been a long time since we looked at and wrote about CJ Logistics (000120 KS). In a note we published here way back in June 2017, we said it was highly unlikely CJ Logistics would see the margin improvement needed to hit analysts' consensus forecast of 6,400 won per share in 2018.

Specifically, we doubted that higher margins would be driven by growth of the company's Global segment, which includes CJ's international freight forwarding business and several overseas logistics units CJ had acquired in an effort to create a "Pan-Asian Logistics Network".
Since we last wrote about the company, CJ Logistics has apparently abandoned its push to become a major player in logistics outside of Korea, focusing instead on a disparate list of domestic initiatives. Overall profitability remains similar to depressed levels from 3-4 years ago. 
Since we last tracked them, CJ Logistics' shares haven't performed well: they're down about 24% compared to their 5-year high reached in mid-2016, though like many stocks they have risen from depressed Q120 levels. Unless CJ Logistics can articulate a winning long-term strategy, and then show consistent progress towards executing it successfully, we would avoid the shares. 

CJ Logistics: Still Lacking Focus, Still Unlikely to Reach 6,000+ EPS Any Time Soon

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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

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)

CJ Logistics: Still Lacking Focus, Still Unlikely to Reach 6,000+ EPS Any Time Soon

We check in on CJ Logistics, which appears to have pivoted away from its much-hyped international expansion plan from a few years ago. What hasn't...

Tracking Traffic

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

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