Asia Pac IPO & Placement Research, China biotech, Aequitas Research

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

Asia Pac IPO & Placement Research, China biotech

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.

Quantitative Analysis

In our weekly HK Connect Flow series, we aim to highlight key stocks and sectors which the mainland investors traded via the southbound Hong Kong Connect, as analyzed by our proprietary data engine. Since the opening of Hong Kong Connect scheme in 2014, southbound Chinese money started to play an increasingly important role in the Hong Kong stock market. In 2020, Southbound trading accounted for 22% of the equity market ADT.  We split the stocks eligible for the Hong Kong Connect trade into three groups: HSCEI component stocks, stocks with a market capitalization between USD 1 billion and USD 5 billion, and stocks with a market capitalization between USD 500 million and USD 1 billion. In this insight, we will highlight inflows into Meituan (3690 HK) and Geely Automobile Holdings Limited (175 HK).

In our weekly HK Connect Flow series, we aim to highlight key stocks and sectors which the mainland investors traded via the southbound Hong Kong Connect, as analyzed by our proprietary data engine.  Since the opening of Hong Kong Connect scheme in 2014, southbound Chinese money started to play an increasingly important role in the Hong Kong stock market. In 2020, Southbound trading accounted for 22% of the equity market ADT.   We split the stocks eligible for the Hong Kong Connect trade into three groups: HSCEI component stocks, stocks with a market capitalization between USD 1 billion and USD 5 billion, and stocks with a market capitalization between USD 500 million and USD 1 billion.  In this insight, we will highlight inflows into Meituan (3690 HK) and Geely Automobile Holdings Limited (175 HK).

Hong Kong Connect Flows: Meituan, Geely Inflows

Telco/Internet specialist

Kirk Boodry

Redex Research

Equity Bottom-Up

Shares of Didi Global appear to have stabilized after regulatory turmoil but whilst the stream of bad news has slowed, the lack of good news (an end to the app ban, any management comments) is also troubling. Even with a hopeful view on the end of regulatory pressure, the company appears less valuable as competition and higher pay for drivers shifts the economics and our new forecasts value the company at $9.74 versus our pre-IPO value of $15.8. We track Didi as part of our Softbank Group coverage.

Shares of Didi Global appear to have stabilized after regulatory turmoil but whilst the stream of bad news has slowed, the lack of good news (an end to the app ban, any management comments) is also troubling. Even with a hopeful view on the end of regulatory pressure, the company appears less valuable as competition and higher pay for drivers shifts the economics and our new forecasts value the company at $9.74 versus our pre-IPO value of $15.8. We track Didi as part of our Softbank Group coverage.

Didi Global - Regulatory Overhang Remains and Long-Term Value Is Falling

Equity Analyst, LightStream Research

Shifara Samsudeen, ACMA, CGMA

Equity Analyst

Long-Short Analysis on Japan, Asia and the World

LightStream Research

LightStream conducts quantitatively rigorous and data-driven analysis with a focus on Japan and Asia.

We consistently cover the Tech, Consumer and Industrial sectors, and provide ECM and Events coverage more broadly.

We supplement traditional qualitative insights from company relationships with a robust quantitative foundation that examines as much historical data as is available.
We further refine the accuracy of our insights and calls through the use of alternative data to flesh out current trends, and through a valuation framework that emphasises non-superficial peer group selection and a proper attempt to understand the metrics and changes that have driven security valuations in the past.

The Chinese mobility technology platform <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/didi-chuxing-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27467:1" rel="noopener">DiDi Global (DIDI US)</a> has had a tough time since its IPO in the US on the 30th of June. Two days after Didi’s IPO debut in the US, The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) announced on 2nd July that it had launched an investigation into Didi to protect national security and the public interest. On 4th July, CAC announced that it had found that Didi’s app had severely violated the country’s data protection laws by illegally collecting and using its users’ personal information and was ordered to remove its app from app stores. According to news media outlets, the Cyberspace Administration has found that the company had illegally collected personal data of its users and was asked to make changes to comply with the country’s data protection rules.According to CIC, Didi operates the world’s largest mobility technology platform based on annual active users and by average daily transactions for the twelve months ended March 2021. Didi priced its IPO at US$14 per ADS and the company’s shares are currently trading at around 40% below its IPO price at US$8.62 per ADS.Since its app ban in July 2021, there has been rumours that the Chinese regulators could impose heavy fines on the company, would be asked to delist from the US Exchange and a complete state takeover of the company. On the other hand, Meituan (Meituan Dache) and other small ride-hailing operators have started to play catch up with Didi losing its momentum with the app ban. Meituan re-launched its stand-alone app for ride-hailing on app stores soon after Didi’s app ban while automaker Geely’s ride-hailing unit Cao Cao Mobility has been raising funds to grab market share from the company.Didi has not yet reported its quarterly earnings for the June quarter nor the company has provided any data for its operations, and in this insight, we present an outlook and our thoughts on the company’s current valuation.

The Chinese mobility technology platform DiDi Global (DIDI US) has had a tough time since its IPO in the US on the 30th of June. Two days after Didi’s IPO debut in the US, The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) announced on 2nd July that it had launched an investigation into Didi to protect national security and the public interest. On 4th July, CAC announced that it had found that Didi’s app had severely violated the country’s data protection laws by illegally collecting and using its users’ personal information and was ordered to remove its app from app stores. According to news media outlets, the Cyberspace Administration has found that the company had illegally collected personal data of its users and was asked to make changes to comply with the country’s data protection rules.According to CIC, Didi operates the world’s largest mobility technology platform based on annual active users and by average daily transactions for the twelve months ended March 2021. Didi priced its IPO at US$14 per ADS and the company’s shares are currently trading at around 40% below its IPO price at US$8.62 per ADS.Since its app ban in July 2021, there has been rumours that the Chinese regulators could impose heavy fines on the company, would be asked to delist from the US Exchange and a complete state takeover of the company. On the other hand, Meituan (Meituan Dache) and other small ride-hailing operators have started to play catch up with Didi losing its momentum with the app ban. Meituan re-launched its stand-alone app for ride-hailing on app stores soon after Didi’s app ban while automaker Geely’s ride-hailing unit Cao Cao Mobility has been raising funds to grab market share from the company.Didi has not yet reported its quarterly earnings for the June quarter nor the company has provided any data for its operations, and in this insight, we present an outlook and our thoughts on the company’s current valuation.

Head of Research, IPOs & Placements, Aequitas Research

Sumeet Singh

Head of Research, IPOs & Placements

Equity Capital Markets

Shanghai MicroPort MedBot Group / Equity Capital Markets

Shanghai MicroPort MedBot Group (MM), a surgical robot company, aims to raise up to US$200m in its Hong Kong IPO.MicroPort MedBot (MM) is a surgical robot company which designs, develops and commercializes surgical robots to assist surgeons in performing complex surgical procedures. It is the only company with a product portfolio covering the five major and fast-growing surgical specialties of laparoscopic, orthopedic, panvascular, natural orifice and percutaneous surgical procedures, as per Frost &amp; Sullivan (F&amp;S).We have looked at the company’s background and products in our earlier notes:<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/microport-medbot-pre-ipo-robodoc-pre-revenue-has-a-large-competitor-but-a-large-market-as-well" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MicroPort MedBot Pre-IPO - RoboDoc - pre-revenue, has a large competitor but a large market as well</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/microport-medbot-pre-ipo-robodoc-phip-updates-and-a-look-at-its-largest-competitor" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MicroPort MedBot Pre-IPO - RoboDoc - PHIP Updates and a Look at Its Largest Competitor, and</a></li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/microport-medbot-pre-ipo-thoughts-on-valuation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MicroPort MedBot Pre-IPO - Thoughts on valuation</a></li>
</ul>In this note, we will run the deal through our ECM framework and comment on valuations.

Shanghai MicroPort MedBot Group (MM), a surgical robot company, aims to raise up to US$200m in its Hong Kong IPO.MicroPort MedBot (MM) is a surgical robot company which designs, develops and commercializes surgical robots to assist surgeons in performing complex surgical procedures. It is the only company with a product portfolio covering the five major and fast-growing surgical specialties of laparoscopic, orthopedic, panvascular, natural orifice and percutaneous surgical procedures, as per Frost &amp; Sullivan (F&amp;S).We have looked at the company’s background and products in our earlier notes:
MicroPort MedBot Pre-IPO - RoboDoc - pre-revenue, has a large competitor but a large market as well
MicroPort MedBot Pre-IPO - RoboDoc - PHIP Updates and a Look at Its Largest Competitor, and
MicroPort MedBot Pre-IPO - Thoughts on valuation
In this note, we will run the deal through our ECM framework and comment on valuations.

MicroPort MedBot Pre-IPO - Valuation Appears Reasonable but Sentiment Will Weigh

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

In this insight, we provide a bullish case for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/didi-chuxing-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27467:1" rel="noopener">DiDi Global (DIDI US)</a>. We argue that there are signs that Xi Jinping is starting to soften the brutal crackdown on China's Internet giants including Didi. At a meeting of Communist Party officials on Monday (18 October), <a href="https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/u-listed-chinese-stocks-track-093844642.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Xi Jinping</a> stated that “In recent years, the internet, big data, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, blockchain and other technologies have accelerated their innovation and are increasingly integrated into the entire economy and society.” We believe that this statement is a reflection of a softening stance on the Internet giants in China. Xi understands very well that if the government cracks down on China's tech giants too much, this is likely to crush the technological innovation and research. <div class="content-highlight">
Comparable Companies Valuation Analysis - Based on our revised down sales and earnings estimates of the company, our base case valuation of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/didi-chuxing-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27467:1" rel="noopener">DiDi Global (DIDI US)</a> is implied market cap of $58 billion or target price of $12 per share. This represents a 39% upside to the current price of $8.62.
Given the recent softening stance towards China's Internet tech giants combined with their improving share prices in October, we believe that there is a solid upside for Didi Global and we have a Positive view on this stock at current levels.
Our base case valuation $58 billion market cap is based on EV/S multiple of 1.3x using our estimated sales of 236 billion RMB in 2022, which is 70% discount to the median EV/S valuation multiples of the four comps.
</div>

In this insight, we provide a bullish case for DiDi Global (DIDI US). We argue that there are signs that Xi Jinping is starting to soften the brutal crackdown on China's Internet giants including Didi. At a meeting of Communist Party officials on Monday (18 October), Xi Jinping stated that “In recent years, the internet, big data, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, blockchain and other technologies have accelerated their innovation and are increasingly integrated into the entire economy and society.” We believe that this statement is a reflection of a softening stance on the Internet giants in China. Xi understands very well that if the government cracks down on China's tech giants too much, this is likely to crush the technological innovation and research. 
Comparable Companies Valuation Analysis - Based on our revised down sales and earnings estimates of the company, our base case valuation of DiDi Global (DIDI US) is implied market cap of $58 billion or target price of $12 per share. This represents a 39% upside to the current price of $8.62.
Given the recent softening stance towards China's Internet tech giants combined with their improving share prices in October, we believe that there is a solid upside for Didi Global and we have a Positive view on this stock at current levels.
Our base case valuation $58 billion market cap is based on EV/S multiple of 1.3x using our estimated sales of 236 billion RMB in 2022, which is 70% discount to the median EV/S valuation multiples of the four comps.


Didi Global: Xi Jinping Softening the Brutal Crackdown on China's Internet Giants?

China

Meituan operates as a web based shopping platform for locally found consumer products and retail services. The Company offers deals of the day by selling vouchers on local services and entertainment, dining, delivery, and other services. Meituan provides its services throughout China.

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Meituan (3690 HK)

Hong Kong Connect Flows: Meituan, Geely Inflows

We highlight weekly Hong Kong Connect inflows into Meituan (3690 HK) and Geely Automobile Holdings Limited (175 HK) last week.

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

Didi Global - Regulatory Overhang Remains and Long-Term Value Is Falling

Volatility in Didi shares appear has stabilized after regulatory turmoil but whilst the stream of bad news has slowed, a lack of good news is also...

Kirk Boodry

DiDi: Buckle Up Your Seat Belts

Didi's Shares are currently trading at around 40% below its IPO price and our revised forecasts suggests that there is further upside of around 16...

Shifara Samsudeen, ACMA, CGMA

MicroPort MedBot Pre-IPO - Valuation Appears Reasonable but Sentiment Will Weigh

Shanghai MicroPort MedBot Group (MM), a surgical robot company, aims to raise up to US$200m in its Hong Kong IPO. Valuation appears reasonable but...

Sumeet Singh

Didi Global: Xi Jinping Softening the Brutal Crackdown on China's Internet Giants?

In this insight, we provide a bullish case for DiDi Global. We argue that there are signs that Xi Jinping is starting to soften the brutal...

Douglas Kim

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