Forensic Analyst

Jason Yap, CFA

Forensic Accounting

<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26:1" rel="noopener">Tencent (700 HK)</a>'s share price retreated 3.2% overnight on news that China would restrict playing time for minors to 3 hours a week - that is, 8pm to 9pm time slots on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with an extra hour on public holidays.  The share price erased these losses and recorded an intra-day gain of 3.3% by Tuesday's market close, suggesting that regulatory concerns were assuaged by Tencent's affirmation of low single-digit revenue contribution of minors. </p>
<p>Insight Provider Mio Kato wrote a unique but sensible piece about how the market may have misunderstood the significance of the restrictions, with the implications for the long-term growth of the industry more severe and an appreciation of the relevant issues would come sooner.  A key thrust of the argument is that habit-formation of gaming at an early age would be disrupted to an extent that gaming habits and user time spent do not carry over into adulthood. </p>
<p>Tencent's gaming revenue is derived primarily from the sales of in-game virtual items and the provision of adjacent services.  In this article, we expand on the above argument by highlighting how the habit-formation disruption not only affects user time spent but also have a knock-on impact with respect to in-game virtual item spending, subscription, and IP consumption. </p>
<p>Further, Tencent's revenue recognition on the provision of online games heavily depends on management's assumptions of the gamer's usage profile, which was in turn determined based on past gaming habits. This was historically raised as a Key Audit Matter in Tencent's Audit Opinions. Accordingly, we also discuss in this article how the underlying management assumptions might change as a result of the regulations and consequent impact on Tencent's gaming revenues. </p>

Tencent (700 HK)'s share price retreated 3.2% overnight on news that China would restrict playing time for minors to 3 hours a week - that is, 8pm to 9pm time slots on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with an extra hour on public holidays.  The share price erased these losses and recorded an intra-day gain of 3.3% by Tuesday's market close, suggesting that regulatory concerns were assuaged by Tencent's affirmation of low single-digit revenue contribution of minors. 
Insight Provider Mio Kato wrote a unique but sensible piece about how the market may have misunderstood the significance of the restrictions, with the implications for the long-term growth of the industry more severe and an appreciation of the relevant issues would come sooner.  A key thrust of the argument is that habit-formation of gaming at an early age would be disrupted to an extent that gaming habits and user time spent do not carry over into adulthood. 
Tencent's gaming revenue is derived primarily from the sales of in-game virtual items and the provision of adjacent services.  In this article, we expand on the above argument by highlighting how the habit-formation disruption not only affects user time spent but also have a knock-on impact with respect to in-game virtual item spending, subscription, and IP consumption. 
Further, Tencent's revenue recognition on the provision of online games heavily depends on management's assumptions of the gamer's usage profile, which was in turn determined based on past gaming habits. This was historically raised as a Key Audit Matter in Tencent's Audit Opinions. Accordingly, we also discuss in this article how the underlying management assumptions might change as a result of the regulations and consequent impact on Tencent's gaming revenues. 

Tencent - An Analytical Framework For "Tomorrow's" Gaming Minors

ASEAN Insight Provider, CrossASEAN Research

Angus Mackintosh

ASEAN Insight Provider

CrossASEAN Research

At CrossASEAN Research we strive to produce unbiased and differentiated on the ground insights on companies across South East Asia. Our Research is produced for the most part after face to face meetings and conversations with company management to dig deep into the long term vision and strategy of the companies we cover. We seek to deliver investable and actionable themes on sectors and markets across SE Asia, often in collaboration with other Insight Providers across the region, pooling the vast experience of the analysts within the Smartkarma Ecosystem. We also offer bespoke work and tailor made trips for our clients. 

Insights across South East Asia

Equity Bottom-Up

<section class="figure"><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bukalapak" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33575:1" rel="noopener">Bukalapak (BUKA IJ)</a> released a strong set of 2Q2021 results with +55.7% growth in TPV bringing 1H2021 TPV (Total Processing Value) growth to +54%. It reported a +37% YoY growth in revenue for 2Q2021.</section>
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<section class="figure"> The company's Mitra business continued to be the key driver, accounting for 48% of TPV in 2Q2021 versus 22% a year ago, with a growth rate of +292% YoY in 2Q2021.</section>
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<section class="figure">There was some reduction in the take-rate in 2Q2021, which some analysts may focus on but this was explained as due to a change in product mix and temporary. We address concerns regarding the take rate later but they seem overdone.</section>
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<section class="figure">Mitra Bukalapak continues to be the main growth engine for the company, with 2Q2021 Mitra TPV increasing by +237% YoY, to IDR14.2tn.</section>
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<p>Mitra Bukalapak’s contribution margin after S&amp;M cost improved from -1.0% of TPV in FY2020 to -0.5% of TPV in Mitra’s operating loss as a ratio to TPV improved from 1.2% in FY20 to 0.6% in 1H2021.</p>
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<section class="figure"><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bukalapak" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33575:1" rel="noopener">Bukalapak (BUKA IJ)</a> management re-iterated its strategy to continue to help enhance the performance of its Mitra's and sellers on the platform following a more of a Shopify model than one like <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/amazon-com-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:409:1" rel="noopener">Amazon.com Inc (AMZN US)</a>.</section>
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<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bukalapak" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33575:1" rel="noopener">Bukalapak (BUKA IJ)</a> maintains that around 90% of its Mitra customers use only <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bukalapak" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33575:1" rel="noopener">Bukalapak (BUKA IJ)</a> given that it addresses many uses and allows them to make more money. </p>
<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tokopedia-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24239:1" rel="noopener">Tokopedia</a> and Shopee are much more reliant on aggressive capital to expand, which is not an effective long-term strategy for Mitra customers. It is also difficult to discount FMCG products for any length of time given that principles keep a handle on price levels.</p>
<p>Management also revealed that its first collaboration with <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/grabtaxi-holdings-pte-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26950:1" rel="noopener">Grab</a> will focus on GrabMart, providing fresh food products for GrabMart's restaurant customers but more collaboration is expected on an incremental basis going forward. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bukalapak" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33575:1" rel="noopener"></a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bukalapak" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33575:1" rel="noopener">Bukalapak (BUKA IJ)</a> management is expecting annual growth in TPV of +50%-75% per annum, with 2022 seen as a potentially even stronger year, with better purchasing power coming through post-pandemic and greater vaccination levels.</p>
<p>The company expects to break even at the EBITDA level by 2023 under current expectations. This accounts for rising revenues, growing take-rates, and lower S&amp;M costs. We continue to take a positive view on the outlook on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bukalapak" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33575:1" rel="noopener">Bukalapak (BUKA IJ)</a> and do not see the short-term contraction in the take-rate as an issue.  Valuations look quite high relative to peers but the company is much closer to breakeven versus peers and given its predominantly 1P model, revenue is not far off the gross profit. </p>
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Bukalapak (BUKA IJ) released a strong set of 2Q2021 results with +55.7% growth in TPV bringing 1H2021 TPV (Total Processing Value) growth to +54%. It reported a +37% YoY growth in revenue for 2Q2021.



 The company's Mitra business continued to be the key driver, accounting for 48% of TPV in 2Q2021 versus 22% a year ago, with a growth rate of +292% YoY in 2Q2021.


There was some reduction in the take-rate in 2Q2021, which some analysts may focus on but this was explained as due to a change in product mix and temporary. We address concerns regarding the take rate later but they seem overdone.




Mitra Bukalapak continues to be the main growth engine for the company, with 2Q2021 Mitra TPV increasing by +237% YoY, to IDR14.2tn.



Mitra Bukalapak’s contribution margin after S&amp;M cost improved from -1.0% of TPV in FY2020 to -0.5% of TPV in Mitra’s operating loss as a ratio to TPV improved from 1.2% in FY20 to 0.6% in 1H2021.





Bukalapak (BUKA IJ) management re-iterated its strategy to continue to help enhance the performance of its Mitra's and sellers on the platform following a more of a Shopify model than one like Amazon.com Inc (AMZN US).


Bukalapak (BUKA IJ) maintains that around 90% of its Mitra customers use only Bukalapak (BUKA IJ) given that it addresses many uses and allows them to make more money. 
Tokopedia and Shopee are much more reliant on aggressive capital to expand, which is not an effective long-term strategy for Mitra customers. It is also difficult to discount FMCG products for any length of time given that principles keep a handle on price levels.
Management also revealed that its first collaboration with Grab will focus on GrabMart, providing fresh food products for GrabMart's restaurant customers but more collaboration is expected on an incremental basis going forward. 
Bukalapak (BUKA IJ) management is expecting annual growth in TPV of +50%-75% per annum, with 2022 seen as a potentially even stronger year, with better purchasing power coming through post-pandemic and greater vaccination levels.
The company expects to break even at the EBITDA level by 2023 under current expectations. This accounts for rising revenues, growing take-rates, and lower S&amp;M costs. We continue to take a positive view on the outlook on Bukalapak (BUKA IJ) and do not see the short-term contraction in the take-rate as an issue.  Valuations look quite high relative to peers but the company is much closer to breakeven versus peers and given its predominantly 1P model, revenue is not far off the gross profit. 









Overseas Chinese Equities, Aequitas Research

Ming Lu

Overseas Chinese Equities

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.

<ul>
<li>The lower growth rate in 2Q21 was due to the high comparison base last year.</li>
<li>The new rule of time limit is not a concern.</li>
<li>The pandemic will pull players back to their mobile phones.</li>
<li>Our concern is expense in minor businesses.</li>
<li>We conclude an upside of 7.6%.</li>
</ul>


The lower growth rate in 2Q21 was due to the high comparison base last year.
The new rule of time limit is not a concern.
The pandemic will pull players back to their mobile phones.
Our concern is expense in minor businesses.
We conclude an upside of 7.6%.


NetEase (NTES): Slower in 2Q21, But Do Not Short It

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

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

Asia Pac IPO & Placement Research, China biotech

<p>We have discussed previously that the Chinese central government could impose tightening measure on online game companies to restrict screen time for the youth. Last night the NPPA announced a notice further tightening the youth playing. In this note, we will take a look at the notice and assess the impact on Tencent and Netease. We are of the view that this policy will have little impact on the two companies. </p>

We have discussed previously that the Chinese central government could impose tightening measure on online game companies to restrict screen time for the youth. Last night the NPPA announced a notice further tightening the youth playing. In this note, we will take a look at the notice and assess the impact on Tencent and Netease. We are of the view that this policy will have little impact on the two companies. 

Tencent/Netease: Online Game Tightening Coming to an End

Japan/Asia Long-Short, LightStream Research

Mio Kato

Japan/Asia Long-Short

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.

<p>Overnight many Chinese gaming-related names fell ~3% on news that China would be restricting playing time for minors to just three hours a week, specifically 20:00-21:00 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The market reaction grossly underestimates how drastic these restrictions will be for gaming companies and seems to simply be superficially looking at the low single-digit revenue contribution percentages of minors.</p>

Overnight many Chinese gaming-related names fell ~3% on news that China would be restricting playing time for minors to just three hours a week, specifically 20:00-21:00 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The market reaction grossly underestimates how drastic these restrictions will be for gaming companies and seems to simply be superficially looking at the low single-digit revenue contribution percentages of minors.

China Gaming Restrictions Are FAR More Severe Than the Market Is Assuming

China

NetEase, Inc. operates as an leading internet technology company providing online services including content, community, communication, and commerce. The Company develops and operates online games, electronic commerce, internet media, innovative business, and other businesses. NetEase expands its businesses to Japan, North American, and other other international markets.

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NetEase (9999 HK)

Tencent - An Analytical Framework For "Tomorrow's" Gaming Minors

Tencent's investors' response to latest online gaming restrictions have been measured due to small revenue contribution from minors. We discuss how...

Jason Yap, CFA

Bukalapak (BUKA IJ) - The Magic of Mitra

Bukalapak released an impressive set of 2Q2021 results, with the MSME Mitra business now close to half its TPV and showing triple-digit YoY growth....

Angus Mackintosh

NetEase (NTES): Slower in 2Q21, But Do Not Short It

The lower growth rate in 2Q21 was due to the high comparison base last year. The new rule of time limit is not a concern. The pandemic will pull...

Ming Lu

Tencent/Netease: Online Game Tightening Coming to an End

Last night the NPPA announced a notice further tightening the youth playing. In this note, we will take a look at the notice and continue to...

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

China Gaming Restrictions Are FAR More Severe Than the Market Is Assuming

We believe the market reaction to China's new gaming restrictions grossly underestimates how drastic the long-term impact will be.

Mio Kato

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