Global TMT analyst with Asia ex-Japan focus.

Mitchell Kim

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

The China National Bureau of Statistics retail sales data for June 2021 appears to show a softer YoY growth compared to an outlier growth in 1Q21, but the 2YR CAGR of 17% outpaced 1Q21's 15%. (See April and May sales tracker in the report, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/china-online-retail-sales-tracker-april-and-may-sales-growth-slows-on-unfavorable-comps" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:53557" rel="noopener">China Online Retail Sales Tracker: April and May Sales Growth Slows on Unfavorable Comps</a>.)  This solid online spending growth suggests China's consumption remains robust and the Chinese e-commerce names could receive greater attention from global investors especially if a rotation from the developed market to emerging market ensues. The solid growth of online sales is positive for all online platforms including <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><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jd-com-inc-adr" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:446:1" rel="noopener">JD.com Inc (ADR) (JD US)</a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alibaba-group-holding-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:787:1" rel="noopener">,  and  </a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/vipshop-holdings-ltd-adr" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1088:1" rel="noopener">Vipshop Holdings (VIPS US).</a>I like all three names as they currently trade at attractive valuations, but VIPS stands out with its nearly single-digit forward P/E and favorable operating metrics.  I am less sanguine on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pinduoduo-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27250:1" rel="noopener">Pinduoduo (PDD US)</a> because of its high marketing cost-powered business model despite its industry-leading growth.        <h3>Key takeaways from China retail sales data: </h3><ul>
<li>
Total retail sales grew 14% YoY in 2Q21, lower than the 34% growth in 1Q21, but on a 2-year CAGR accelerated in 2Q21 to 4.8% from 3.8% in 1Q21. </li>
<li>In 2Q21, apparel and cosmetics categories (total including offline and online) grew solid 19% and 16%, while household appliances sales growth was more muted at 5%.    </li>
<li>
Online sales (physical goods) grew 9% YoY in 2Q21, lower than 24% in 1Q21, but 2YR CAGR was 17% and 15%, respectively.  Because the soft YoY comparison may not do much to thaw investor sentiment on Chinese e-commerce, but I believe the current adverse optics provides opportunities.   </li>
<li>
Online sales for apparel-related categories along with general merchandise grew 13% ( by my estimate) for 2Q21 compared to 40% and 21%, respectively, for 1Q21.  However, again, on a 2YR CAGR basis, 2Q21 growth of 10.3% outpaced 1Q21's 9.3%.   Vipshop's revenue growth outpaced online apparel growth by 11% points in 1Q21.  This trend is expected to continue in 2Q21, especially when considering the 6/18 Festival promotions. </li>
</ul>

The China National Bureau of Statistics retail sales data for June 2021 appears to show a softer YoY growth compared to an outlier growth in 1Q21, but the 2YR CAGR of 17% outpaced 1Q21's 15%. (See April and May sales tracker in the report, China Online Retail Sales Tracker: April and May Sales Growth Slows on Unfavorable Comps.)  This solid online spending growth suggests China's consumption remains robust and the Chinese e-commerce names could receive greater attention from global investors especially if a rotation from the developed market to emerging market ensues. The solid growth of online sales is positive for all online platforms including Alibaba Group (BABA US), JD.com Inc (ADR) (JD US),  and  Vipshop Holdings (VIPS US).I like all three names as they currently trade at attractive valuations, but VIPS stands out with its nearly single-digit forward P/E and favorable operating metrics.  I am less sanguine on Pinduoduo (PDD US) because of its high marketing cost-powered business model despite its industry-leading growth.        Key takeaways from China retail sales data: 

Total retail sales grew 14% YoY in 2Q21, lower than the 34% growth in 1Q21, but on a 2-year CAGR accelerated in 2Q21 to 4.8% from 3.8% in 1Q21. 
In 2Q21, apparel and cosmetics categories (total including offline and online) grew solid 19% and 16%, while household appliances sales growth was more muted at 5%.    

Online sales (physical goods) grew 9% YoY in 2Q21, lower than 24% in 1Q21, but 2YR CAGR was 17% and 15%, respectively.  Because the soft YoY comparison may not do much to thaw investor sentiment on Chinese e-commerce, but I believe the current adverse optics provides opportunities.   

Online sales for apparel-related categories along with general merchandise grew 13% ( by my estimate) for 2Q21 compared to 40% and 21%, respectively, for 1Q21.  However, again, on a 2YR CAGR basis, 2Q21 growth of 10.3% outpaced 1Q21's 9.3%.   Vipshop's revenue growth outpaced online apparel growth by 11% points in 1Q21.  This trend is expected to continue in 2Q21, especially when considering the 6/18 Festival promotions. 


China Online Retail Sales Tracker: Steady Recovery in June Without the Optical Illusion

CEO, Rock and Turner

James Emanuel

Rock and Turner

investment advisory company Rock and Turner.

Investment Advisory Company

Equity Bottom-Up

Alibaba Group Holding  / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Alibaba is entirely misunderstood by most investors. It is more an ecosystem than a company as I shall explain.</li>
<li>Combine Amazon including AWS, Ebay, Shopify, Netflix, Paypal, and JPMorgan into a single entity and then you have something similar to Alibaba.</li>
<li>Not only does Alibaba have a very wide moat and durable earnings, but due to geopolitics, the entire Chinese tech sector is currently on sale in the market.</li>
<li>Alibaba is a veritable bargain right now. Don't take my word for it - Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank, Morningstar, and many others agree.</li>
<li>Allow me to guide you to a better understanding of this wonderful opportunity.</li>
</ul>


Alibaba is entirely misunderstood by most investors. It is more an ecosystem than a company as I shall explain.
Combine Amazon including AWS, Ebay, Shopify, Netflix, Paypal, and JPMorgan into a single entity and then you have something similar to Alibaba.
Not only does Alibaba have a very wide moat and durable earnings, but due to geopolitics, the entire Chinese tech sector is currently on sale in the market.
Alibaba is a veritable bargain right now. Don't take my word for it - Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank, Morningstar, and many others agree.
Allow me to guide you to a better understanding of this wonderful opportunity.


Understanding Alibaba, Why It's Better Than Amazon

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.

Equity Capital Markets

Bukalapak.com PT Tbk / Equity Capital Markets

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bukalapak" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33575:1" rel="noopener">Bukalapak (BUKA IJ)</a>, which means 'opening a kiosk' in Indonesian, is a leading e-commerce player in non-Tier 1 cities in Indonesia, with a market share of 35% in 2020 based on GMV (gross merchandise value), according to Frost &amp; Sullivan. Bukalapak carries out its main business activities through the mobile platform Bukalapak and Bukalapak Partners. Bukalapak has increased its IPO size by about a third to $1.5 billion due to strong demand, according to press reports. Bookbuilding will close on 19 July and the shares are set to list on 6 August. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the rate of e-commerce adoption in Indonesia as more consumers are reluctant to travel and started changing their shopping habits to online shopping, due to personal preferences or lockdown restrictions. The share of e-commerce of total retail spending in Indonesia has grown from 5.6% in 2017 to around 22% in 2020 and will reach 35.9% in 2025, according to Frost &amp; Sullivan. <div class="content-highlight">Like its peers, Bukalapak is benefiting from this market tailwind. Bukalapak’s strategy of focusing on consumers in the non-Tier 1 area and the mass market in the Tier 1 area results in a relatively small overlap (less than 20%) between its customers and customers of other online marketplaces such as <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sea-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8509:1" rel="noopener">Sea Ltd (SE US)</a>'s Shopee, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tokopedia-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24239:1" rel="noopener">Tokopedia PT (1087142D IJ)</a> and <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 Lazada. Competitors generally target the affluent segment of the market. Overall, Bukalapak's fundamentals tick all the right boxes of rising monetisation, lower losses and declining cash burn, in our view. We will discuss valuation in our next note. </div>

Bukalapak (BUKA IJ), which means 'opening a kiosk' in Indonesian, is a leading e-commerce player in non-Tier 1 cities in Indonesia, with a market share of 35% in 2020 based on GMV (gross merchandise value), according to Frost &amp; Sullivan. Bukalapak carries out its main business activities through the mobile platform Bukalapak and Bukalapak Partners. Bukalapak has increased its IPO size by about a third to $1.5 billion due to strong demand, according to press reports. Bookbuilding will close on 19 July and the shares are set to list on 6 August. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the rate of e-commerce adoption in Indonesia as more consumers are reluctant to travel and started changing their shopping habits to online shopping, due to personal preferences or lockdown restrictions. The share of e-commerce of total retail spending in Indonesia has grown from 5.6% in 2017 to around 22% in 2020 and will reach 35.9% in 2025, according to Frost &amp; Sullivan. Like its peers, Bukalapak is benefiting from this market tailwind. Bukalapak’s strategy of focusing on consumers in the non-Tier 1 area and the mass market in the Tier 1 area results in a relatively small overlap (less than 20%) between its customers and customers of other online marketplaces such as Sea Ltd (SE US)'s Shopee, Tokopedia PT (1087142D IJ) and Alibaba Group (BABA US)'s Lazada. Competitors generally target the affluent segment of the market. Overall, Bukalapak's fundamentals tick all the right boxes of rising monetisation, lower losses and declining cash burn, in our view. We will discuss valuation in our next note. 

Bukalapak IPO Initiation: Island Shopping

APAC IPOs & Placements

Zhen Zhou, Toh

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.

<div><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bukalapak" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33575:1" rel="noopener">Bukalapak (BUKA IJ)</a> is looking to raise up to US$1.13bn in its Indonesia IPO.</div><div>
Bukalapak (BUKA) is an Indonesian e-commerce company. The company operates an online consumer-to-consumer (C2C) marketplace that connects buyers and sellers. The company also operates Mitra Bukalapak (Mitra) which provides online-to-offline (O2O) services to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
In this note, we will look at assumptions, and share our thoughts on valuation.
</div>

Bukalapak (BUKA IJ) is looking to raise up to US$1.13bn in its Indonesia IPO.
Bukalapak (BUKA) is an Indonesian e-commerce company. The company operates an online consumer-to-consumer (C2C) marketplace that connects buyers and sellers. The company also operates Mitra Bukalapak (Mitra) which provides online-to-offline (O2O) services to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
In this note, we will look at assumptions, and share our thoughts on valuation.


Bukalapak IPO - Peers & Valuation - Betting on Its Potential

Silver Point

Thomas J. Monaco

Independent Insight Provider

Silver Point is a boutique research firm that focuses on the broader financial services sector, with a particular focus on troubled institutions globally. 

Asia Ex Japan

*Major US Merchant Deal: Tencent Holding’s (700.HK) [Tencent] Afterpay Touch's (APT.AU) [Afterpay] recently announced an integrated, multi-year national partnership with Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW.AU), the owner of <a href="https://www.westfield.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Westfield</a> shopping centers in the US, to support retailers by offering its Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) to consumers as they return to shopping malls; and*Tencent’s Midas Touch: Tencent continues to hit it out of the park with its Afterpay stake. In addition to its superb return on investment over the past ten months since the stake announcement - -even after giving back some of its gains, this alliance with Australia’s premier financial technology BNPL company is paying dividends to Tencent in numerous other ways.

*Major US Merchant Deal: Tencent Holding’s (700.HK) [Tencent] Afterpay Touch's (APT.AU) [Afterpay] recently announced an integrated, multi-year national partnership with Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW.AU), the owner of Westfield shopping centers in the US, to support retailers by offering its Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) to consumers as they return to shopping malls; and*Tencent’s Midas Touch: Tencent continues to hit it out of the park with its Afterpay stake. In addition to its superb return on investment over the past ten months since the stake announcement - -even after giving back some of its gains, this alliance with Australia’s premier financial technology BNPL company is paying dividends to Tencent in numerous other ways. 

Tencent Holdings – Celebrating The Return Of Retail

China

PDD Holdings Inc. is a multinational commerce group that owns and operates a portfolio of businesses. The Company focuses on digital economy so that local communities and small businesses can benefit from the increased productivity and new opportunities. PDD Holdings has built a network of sourcing, logistics, and fulfillment capabilities for its underlying businesses.

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PDD Holdings (PDD US)

China Online Retail Sales Tracker: Steady Recovery in June Without the Optical Illusion

Consensus revenue estimates for Chinese e-commerce platforms could be too conservative based on comparison to the NBS data. 2Q21 revenue and...

Mitchell Kim

Understanding Alibaba, Why It's Better Than Amazon

Alibaba is entirely misunderstood by most investors. It is more an ecosystem than a company as I shall explain. Combine Amazon including AWS, Ebay,...

James Emanuel

Bukalapak IPO Initiation: Island Shopping

Bukalapak has increased its IPO size by about a third to $1.5 billion due to strong demand. Its fundamentals tick all the right boxes of rising...

Arun George

Bukalapak IPO - Peers & Valuation - Betting on Its Potential

Bukalapak (BUKA) is an Indonesian e-commerce company. In our view, BUKA can trade towards 0.5x P/GMV as of listing which would imply a decent 17 -...

Zhen Zhou, Toh

Tencent Holdings – Celebrating The Return Of Retail

TENCENT HOLDINGS: Tencent's Afterpay recently announced an integrated, multi-year national partnership with Westfield shopping centers in the US,...

Thomas J. Monaco

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