HK/China Equity Long-Short

Osbert Tang, CFA

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<p>The China Private Education Sector presents an exciting growth story, riding on the increase in spending on education, rise in demand for quality education, support from local governments for private investments and increase in acceptance towards online delivery mode, among others. These positive factors, however, are balanced by the decrease in birth rates and the tight regulatory regime. Despite so, we continue to see good prospects given that earnings growth will remain ahead of the overall market by significant magnitude. Meanwhile, valuations have already returned to more reasonable levels, with investment value started to emerge on some names.</p><p>Companies in the sector have different focuses, including K-12 education, higher education, vocational education, tutoring (online) and tutoring (online and offline), and we have to be very selective. We prefer companies that focus on higher education which face lower regulatory risks, have a clear defined expansion strategy and specialise in a niche market segment. Out of the ten companies covered in this Smartkarma Original, we put forward <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-education-group-holdin" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18218:1" rel="noopener">China Education Group (839 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tianli-education-internation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27210:1" rel="noopener">Tianli Education (1773 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-yuhua-education" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23627:1" rel="noopener">China Yuhua Education (6169 HK)</a> as our top picks.</p><h2>What's Original?</h2><p>This Smartkarma Original takes an in-depth analysis on 10 companies in the Private Education Sector in China, covering stocks listed in the HKEx, NYSE, Shenzhen Stock Exchange as well as dual listings. In the A-share space, we cover <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/wuhu-yaxia-automobile-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9979:1" rel="noopener">Offcn Education Technology (002607 CH)</a>, which is sizeable (market cap of almost HK$210bn) and with unique exposure to the civil servants recruitment examination training.</p><p>Besides addressing the key evolving trends of the industry and the all-important regulatory issues, we also touched on the private funding aspects for some prominent unlisted companies and the IPO trends of the industry. Where appropriate, we share some of our on-ground experiences with the aim to provide a closer feel on the industry and companies. We hope this Smartkarma Original will be a comprehensive and updated reference for China's Private Education Sector.</p>

The China Private Education Sector presents an exciting growth story, riding on the increase in spending on education, rise in demand for quality education, support from local governments for private investments and increase in acceptance towards online delivery mode, among others. These positive factors, however, are balanced by the decrease in birth rates and the tight regulatory regime. Despite so, we continue to see good prospects given that earnings growth will remain ahead of the overall market by significant magnitude. Meanwhile, valuations have already returned to more reasonable levels, with investment value started to emerge on some names.Companies in the sector have different focuses, including K-12 education, higher education, vocational education, tutoring (online) and tutoring (online and offline), and we have to be very selective. We prefer companies that focus on higher education which face lower regulatory risks, have a clear defined expansion strategy and specialise in a niche market segment. Out of the ten companies covered in this Smartkarma Original, we put forward China Education Group (839 HK), Tianli Education (1773 HK) and China Yuhua Education (6169 HK) as our top picks.What's Original?This Smartkarma Original takes an in-depth analysis on 10 companies in the Private Education Sector in China, covering stocks listed in the HKEx, NYSE, Shenzhen Stock Exchange as well as dual listings. In the A-share space, we cover Offcn Education Technology (002607 CH), which is sizeable (market cap of almost HK$210bn) and with unique exposure to the civil servants recruitment examination training.Besides addressing the key evolving trends of the industry and the all-important regulatory issues, we also touched on the private funding aspects for some prominent unlisted companies and the IPO trends of the industry. Where appropriate, we share some of our on-ground experiences with the aim to provide a closer feel on the industry and companies. We hope this Smartkarma Original will be a comprehensive and updated reference for China's Private Education Sector.

China Private Education: This Is Where the Future Lies

Head of Research, IPOs & Placements, Aequitas Research

Sumeet Singh

Head of Research, IPOs & Placements

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.

Equity Capital Markets

Alibaba Group Holding  / Equity Capital Markets

<div>
<p>On 24th Mar 2021, Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) issued Amendments, Seeks Public Comment on Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act. On the back of this, large China ADRs fell by 7.5% on average. </p>
<p>We have covered various aspects of this topic before in our prior note, links to which are below. In this note, I'll talk about the SEC updates.</p>
</div>
<div>
<p>In our previous notes:</p>
</div>
<div>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/china-adrs-secondary-listing-deep-dive-yin-and-yang" target="_blank" rel="noopener">China ADRs Secondary Listing Deep-Dive: Yin and Yang,</a> published in Feb 2020,  we looked at the background and rules around undertaking a secondary listing in Hong Kong and then came up with a short-list of companies that might undertake a secondary listing. </li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/china-adrs-secondary-listing-covid-19-has-increased-the-tension-but-narrowed-the-short-list" target="_blank" rel="noopener">In China ADRs Secondary Listing: COVID-19 Has Increased the Tension but Narrowed the Short List</a> published in May 2020, we looked at the recent developments and provided an revised short-list</li>
<li>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/china-adrs-secondary-listing-holding-foreign-companies-accountable-act-i-m-coming-home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">China ADRs Secondary Listing - Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act - I’m Coming Home</a>, published in May 2020, we spoke about the implication of the act which had made its way through the senate.</li>
<li>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/china-adrs-secondary-listing-pipeline-looks-rich-have-three-years-to-move" target="_blank" rel="noopener">China ADRs Secondary Listing - Pipeline Looks Rich, Have Three Years to Move</a>, published in Feb 2021 we looked at the ADR pipeline and spoke about the updates from the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act becoming law and the updates at Hong Kong end as well. </li>
</ul>
</div>


On 24th Mar 2021, Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) issued Amendments, Seeks Public Comment on Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act. On the back of this, large China ADRs fell by 7.5% on average. 
We have covered various aspects of this topic before in our prior note, links to which are below. In this note, I'll talk about the SEC updates.


In our previous notes:




China ADRs Secondary Listing Deep-Dive: Yin and Yang, published in Feb 2020,  we looked at the background and rules around undertaking a secondary listing in Hong Kong and then came up with a short-list of companies that might undertake a secondary listing. 

In China ADRs Secondary Listing: COVID-19 Has Increased the Tension but Narrowed the Short List published in May 2020, we looked at the recent developments and provided an revised short-list
In China ADRs Secondary Listing - Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act - I’m Coming Home, published in May 2020, we spoke about the implication of the act which had made its way through the senate.
In China ADRs Secondary Listing - Pipeline Looks Rich, Have Three Years to Move, published in Feb 2021 we looked at the ADR pipeline and spoke about the updates from the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act becoming law and the updates at Hong Kong end as well. 



China ADRs - SEC Notice - Instead of Three, Probably Have Four Years till 2025 - Correction Overdone

<div><p>Bilibili plans to raise around US$3bn in its secondary listing in Hong Kong. </p></div><div><p>We have covered the background of the deal in our earlier notes, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/bilibili-secondary-listing-early-look-will-probably-be-more-like-jd-and-netease" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bilibili Secondary Listing Early Look - Will Probably Be More like JD and NetEase</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/bilibili-secondary-listing-early-look-4q20-results-quick-note" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bilibili Secondary Listing Early Look - 4Q20 Results Quick Note</a>.</p></div><div><p>In this note, we'll touch upon the updates since our last note.</p></div>

Bilibili plans to raise around US$3bn in its secondary listing in Hong Kong. We have covered the background of the deal in our earlier notes, Bilibili Secondary Listing Early Look - Will Probably Be More like JD and NetEase and Bilibili Secondary Listing Early Look - 4Q20 Results Quick Note.In this note, we'll touch upon the updates since our last note.

Bilibili Secondary Listing - Volatile but Should Be Hot

Investment Advisors, JL Warren Capital

Junheng Li

Investment Advisors

JL Warren Capital

JL Warren Capital LLC is a leading independent equity research firm focused on Chinese companies and listed multinationals in China. We employ a bottom-up research approach that takes great care to avoid the acquisition of material non-public information. Through investigative due diligence including channel surveys and interviews, our research helps clients to pinpoint the dislocations in the market.

<p><em>In CY 2018 private AST operators responded to the regulatory tightening by swiftly reigning in their capacity expansions. In July 2018 <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/new-oriental-education-tech-grp-adr" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:531:1" rel="noopener">New Oriental Education (EDU US)</a>  and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tal-education-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1124:1" rel="noopener">TAL Education (TAL US)</a>  guided ~27% and ~45% YoY topline YoY growth in the following summer semesters (August Q 2018, FQ2 19 for TAL, FQ1 19 for EDU), decelerating from 44% and 71% YoY growth in FQ1 2019 ended May 2018, respectively.  Both stocks were massively sold off:  TAL declined by 51% from then all-time high of 47 USD in June to 23 USD in October 2018.   During the same period, EDU dropped 50% from then all-time high of 105 USD (before 10 for 1 stock split on March 2021) in June 2018 to 52 USD in December 2018.   Nevertheless, since then EDU and TAL delivered 198% and 164% return since the beginning of 2019. </em></p>

In CY 2018 private AST operators responded to the regulatory tightening by swiftly reigning in their capacity expansions. In July 2018 New Oriental Education (EDU US)  and TAL Education (TAL US)  guided ~27% and ~45% YoY topline YoY growth in the following summer semesters (August Q 2018, FQ2 19 for TAL, FQ1 19 for EDU), decelerating from 44% and 71% YoY growth in FQ1 2019 ended May 2018, respectively.  Both stocks were massively sold off:  TAL declined by 51% from then all-time high of 47 USD in June to 23 USD in October 2018.   During the same period, EDU dropped 50% from then all-time high of 105 USD (before 10 for 1 stock split on March 2021) in June 2018 to 52 USD in December 2018.   Nevertheless, since then EDU and TAL delivered 198% and 164% return since the beginning of 2019. 

China’s Congress on AST Industry Oversight: Mostly Rhetoric, Little Practicality

IPOs and Catalysts/Events, Global Equity Research Ltd

Arun George

IPOs and Catalysts/Events

Uncompromised, Independent, Conflict-Free Research

Global Equity Research Ltd

Global Equity Research was started in 2017 by a group of experienced research professionals. It was founded on a passionate belief in the importance and the need for uncompromised, independent, conflict-free research. We aim to provide differentiated and actionable primary and bottom up fundamental research.

<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/baidu-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:179:1" rel="noopener">Baidu (BIDU US)</a> launched a $3 billion secondary listing in Hong Kong last Thursday evening. Bookbuilding is scheduled to run until the pricing on 17 March. The secondary listing has received good early demand with the books covered on the first day, according to press reports. The H-shares will begin trading on 23 March. </p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/baidu-secondary-listing-searching-for-the-next-big-thing" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:49043" rel="noopener">Baidu Secondary Listing: Searching for the Next Big Thing</a>, we outlined our views on Baidu’ fundamentals and valuation. Baidu is making great strides in expanding its total addressable market (TAM) through ongoing investments. In combination with the potential valuation upside to the last close price (based on SoTP), we concluded that the equity story is attractive. </p><div class="content-highlight"><p>In this note, we will look at Baidu’s potential HK-ADS premium/(discount). Baidu will price its H-shares at a discount to its ADSs to entice investors to participate in the secondary listing. However, market conditions remain volatile and there remains a possibility of a renewed global equity sell-off. Consequently, Baidu will likely price its H-shares at a wider discount than the median HK-ADS discount of previous secondary listings. Overall, Baidu pricing its H-shares at a discount range of 3% to 4% to its ADSs will be reasonable.</p></div>

Baidu (BIDU US) launched a $3 billion secondary listing in Hong Kong last Thursday evening. Bookbuilding is scheduled to run until the pricing on 17 March. The secondary listing has received good early demand with the books covered on the first day, according to press reports. The H-shares will begin trading on 23 March. In Baidu Secondary Listing: Searching for the Next Big Thing, we outlined our views on Baidu’ fundamentals and valuation. Baidu is making great strides in expanding its total addressable market (TAM) through ongoing investments. In combination with the potential valuation upside to the last close price (based on SoTP), we concluded that the equity story is attractive. In this note, we will look at Baidu’s potential HK-ADS premium/(discount). Baidu will price its H-shares at a discount to its ADSs to entice investors to participate in the secondary listing. However, market conditions remain volatile and there remains a possibility of a renewed global equity sell-off. Consequently, Baidu will likely price its H-shares at a wider discount than the median HK-ADS discount of previous secondary listings. Overall, Baidu pricing its H-shares at a discount range of 3% to 4% to its ADSs will be reasonable.

Baidu Secondary Listing: HK-ADS Premium/​(Discount) Views

China

New Oriental Education & Technology Group, Inc. offers educational services. The Company offers foreign language training, test preparation courses for admissions and assessment tests in the United States, the PRC and Commonwealth countries, primary and secondary school education, and other services. New Oriental Education & Technology Group also operates software development.

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New Oriental Education & Techn (EDU US)

China Private Education: This Is Where the Future Lies

Profit growth at China Private Education Sector will speed ahead and outperform overall market significantly. With valuations retreated to more...

Osbert Tang, CFA

China ADRs - SEC Notice - Instead of Three, Probably Have Four Years till 2025 - Correction Overdone

On 24th Mar 2021, SEC issued Amendments, Seeks Public Comment on Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act. On the back of this, large China ADRs...

Sumeet Singh

Bilibili Secondary Listing - Volatile but Should Be Hot

Bilibili plans to raise around US$3bn in its secondary listing in Hong Kong. We have covered the background of the deal in our earlier notes. In...

Sumeet Singh

China’s Congress on AST Industry Oversight: Mostly Rhetoric, Little Practicality

The crackdown on irregular AST businesses, if seriously implemented, will wipe out small operators (mostly mom and pops), and leave the big ones...

JL Warren Capital

Baidu Secondary Listing: HK-ADS Premium/(Discount) Views

Baidu has launched a $3 bn secondary listing in Hong Kong. Due to choppy market conditions, Baidu pricing its H-shares at a discount range of 3% to...

Arun George

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

China Private Education: This Is Where the Future Lies

Profit growth at China Private Education Sector will speed ahead and outperform overall market significantly. With valuations retreated to more...

Osbert Tang, CFA

China ADRs - SEC Notice - Instead of Three, Probably Have Four Years till 2025 - Correction Overdone

On 24th Mar 2021, SEC issued Amendments, Seeks Public Comment on Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act. On the back of this, large China ADRs...

Sumeet Singh

Bilibili Secondary Listing - Volatile but Should Be Hot

Bilibili plans to raise around US$3bn in its secondary listing in Hong Kong. We have covered the background of the deal in our earlier notes. In...

Sumeet Singh

China’s Congress on AST Industry Oversight: Mostly Rhetoric, Little Practicality

The crackdown on irregular AST businesses, if seriously implemented, will wipe out small operators (mostly mom and pops), and leave the big ones...

JL Warren Capital

Baidu Secondary Listing: HK-ADS Premium/​(Discount) Views

Baidu has launched a $3 bn secondary listing in Hong Kong. Due to choppy market conditions, Baidu pricing its H-shares at a discount range of 3% to...

Arun George

Baidu Secondary Listing: HK-ADS Premium/(Discount) Views