Forensic Analyst

Jason Yap, CFA

Forensic Accounting

The State Administration for Market Regulation, China's antitrust regulator, imposed a fine of RMB3.4 billion (USD530 million) on food delivery group <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/meituan-dianping" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26970:1" rel="noopener">Meituan (3690 HK)</a> for abusing its market position and ordered the company to rectify its operations.Amongst other required remedial actions, Meituan was ordered to return deposit money to merchants. Merchant had reportedly used deposits, algorithms, and data to ensure that its restaurant merchants remained loyal to the platform, according to an <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/8862b118-75ad-45b1-85df-b3fa09d26ac3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">FT article</a>. This begs the question. Why are merchant deposits required by e-commerce companies like Meituan, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alibaba-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28434:1" rel="noopener">Alibaba Group (9988 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pinduoduo-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27250:1" rel="noopener">Pinduoduo (PDD US)</a>? After all, most of the merchant transactions are 3P, which means the platforms do not carry any inventory risk and therefore do not need merchant deposits to offset risks. Could it be to increase switching costs or even to hold merchants ransom as the FT article suggests. In this Insight, we discuss how merchant deposits and merchant payables have been used as a means to pad operating cashflows (even though they are not strictly free cashflows), particularly for fast growing e-commerce platforms.Further, we have seen the "walled gardens" of China's tech giants <a href="https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3148572/big-techs-walled-gardens-start-crack-tencent-vows-follow-beijings" target="_blank" rel="noopener">start to crack</a> - in other words, merchants can freely switch platforms taking away merchant deposits with them, which could potentially affect cashflows.

The State Administration for Market Regulation, China's antitrust regulator, imposed a fine of RMB3.4 billion (USD530 million) on food delivery group Meituan (3690 HK) for abusing its market position and ordered the company to rectify its operations.Amongst other required remedial actions, Meituan was ordered to return deposit money to merchants. Merchant had reportedly used deposits, algorithms, and data to ensure that its restaurant merchants remained loyal to the platform, according to an FT article. This begs the question. Why are merchant deposits required by e-commerce companies like Meituan, Alibaba Group (9988 HK) and Pinduoduo (PDD US)? After all, most of the merchant transactions are 3P, which means the platforms do not carry any inventory risk and therefore do not need merchant deposits to offset risks. Could it be to increase switching costs or even to hold merchants ransom as the FT article suggests. In this Insight, we discuss how merchant deposits and merchant payables have been used as a means to pad operating cashflows (even though they are not strictly free cashflows), particularly for fast growing e-commerce platforms.Further, we have seen the "walled gardens" of China's tech giants start to crack - in other words, merchants can freely switch platforms taking away merchant deposits with them, which could potentially affect cashflows.  

Merchant Deposits and Payables to Pad Cashflows - Who's Culpable?

In Q1 2021, <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> reported strong topline growth (+39% yoy) that exceeded consensus expectations mainly due to strong user growth (+29% yoy), with more than 500 million reported Annual Active Users (AAU).  Out of which, 80% new active users came from lower tier cities, which reflects JD's strategy shift to target the fast growing lower tier markets (下沉市场) through its newly formed Jingxi business group. 
As JD continues its transition from the largest retail company in China (by revenue) to a supply chain-based technology and service provider, we can likely expect a moderated revenue growth for its core JD Retail business and incremental investments in New Initiatives and its logistics and fulfillment capabilities, with a key focus on Jingxi.
In Q1 2021, JD announced that Jingxi related businesses, will be carved out from JD Retail and reported under the New Businesses segment.  Having grown to a certain size, the change in reporting segment is not a jingxi or surprise. Instead, JD has been telegraphing the growing role of Jingxi and, more broadly, the moderating pace of growth of its core businesses in mature markets during recent quarter-end earnings calls and in related disclosures.   
This article discusses how to analyse earnings calls and disclosures using a forensic approach, with a view to gain relevant insights on JD's future prospects.

In Q1 2021, JD.com Inc (ADR) (JD US) reported strong topline growth (+39% yoy) that exceeded consensus expectations mainly due to strong user growth (+29% yoy), with more than 500 million reported Annual Active Users (AAU).  Out of which, 80% new active users came from lower tier cities, which reflects JD's strategy shift to target the fast growing lower tier markets (下沉市场) through its newly formed Jingxi business group. 
As JD continues its transition from the largest retail company in China (by revenue) to a supply chain-based technology and service provider, we can likely expect a moderated revenue growth for its core JD Retail business and incremental investments in New Initiatives and its logistics and fulfillment capabilities, with a key focus on Jingxi.
In Q1 2021, JD announced that Jingxi related businesses, will be carved out from JD Retail and reported under the New Businesses segment.  Having grown to a certain size, the change in reporting segment is not a jingxi or surprise. Instead, JD has been telegraphing the growing role of Jingxi and, more broadly, the moderating pace of growth of its core businesses in mature markets during recent quarter-end earnings calls and in related disclosures.   
This article discusses how to analyse earnings calls and disclosures using a forensic approach, with a view to gain relevant insights on JD's future prospects. 

JD - Analysing Earnings Calls and Disclosures Using a Forensic Approach

In the wake of Alibaba’s below consensus earnings, PDD’s upcoming Q2 2021 results would be informative for investors to ascertain whether there is a sector wide slowdown or PDD benefits as Alibaba relinquishes market share in response to anti-monopoly pressures.
While PDD reported a respectable Q1 2021 performance, there are early signs of a financial and operational performance slowdown if we examine the sequential quarter on quarter financial and operating metrics and operating cashflows, and Q2 2021 results can confirm (or debunk) these preliminarily observed trends.  Further, Q2 2021 results will provide insight as to whether PDD’s asset-heavy strategy for Duo Duo Grocery (DDG) and logistics and fulfilment infrastructure yields any tangible results or instead, becomes a longer term drag on earnings.
We examine these issues and highlight key factors to watch in PDD's upcoming Q2 2021 results.

In the wake of Alibaba’s below consensus earnings, PDD’s upcoming Q2 2021 results would be informative for investors to ascertain whether there is a sector wide slowdown or PDD benefits as Alibaba relinquishes market share in response to anti-monopoly pressures.
While PDD reported a respectable Q1 2021 performance, there are early signs of a financial and operational performance slowdown if we examine the sequential quarter on quarter financial and operating metrics and operating cashflows, and Q2 2021 results can confirm (or debunk) these preliminarily observed trends.  Further, Q2 2021 results will provide insight as to whether PDD’s asset-heavy strategy for Duo Duo Grocery (DDG) and logistics and fulfilment infrastructure yields any tangible results or instead, becomes a longer term drag on earnings.
We examine these issues and highlight key factors to watch in PDD's upcoming Q2 2021 results.  

Pinduoduo - Q2 2021 Preview Through a Forensic Lens

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.

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>PDD’s market cap has exceeded Alibaba’s due to PDD’s overseas performance and price sensitive consumers.</li>
<li>Great Wall Motor plans to enter eight countries in Europe to bypass the investigation on Chinese export subsidies.</li>
<li>ByteDance plans to close its game subsidy and, 2,000 employees may lose their jobs.</li>
</ul>


PDD’s market cap has exceeded Alibaba’s due to PDD’s overseas performance and price sensitive consumers.
Great Wall Motor plans to enter eight countries in Europe to bypass the investigation on Chinese export subsidies.
ByteDance plans to close its game subsidy and, 2,000 employees may lose their jobs.


China Consumption Weekly (4 Dec 2023): PDD, Alibaba, AliHealth, Great Wall Motor, ByteDance

Blue Lotus Non US Internet research, Blue Lotus Research Institute

Ying Pan

Blue Lotus Non US Internet research

China growth and global non-US Internet equities

Blue Lotus Research Institute

Blue Lotus Research is a Hong Kong Type 4 Licensed investment advisory firm focusing on Chinese growth equities and global non-US Internet equities

<ul>
<li>PDD reported C3Q23 top-line, non-GAAP EBIT, and GAAP net profit 9%, (4%) and in-line vs. our estimate, and 28%, 29%, and 42%, vs. consensus respectively.</li>
<li>We estimate that Temu reached positive gross profit for the first time in 3Q, one quarter ahead of our prior estimate.</li>
<li>We believe increased prices on its US platform was the main driver, while it was able to maintain supply prices.</li>
</ul>


PDD reported C3Q23 top-line, non-GAAP EBIT, and GAAP net profit 9%, (4%) and in-line vs. our estimate, and 28%, 29%, and 42%, vs. consensus respectively.
We estimate that Temu reached positive gross profit for the first time in 3Q, one quarter ahead of our prior estimate.
We believe increased prices on its US platform was the main driver, while it was able to maintain supply prices.


[PDD Holdings (PDD US, BUY, TP US$165) TP Change]: PDD and Temu Growth Tailwinds Will Continue

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)

Merchant Deposits and Payables to Pad Cashflows - Who's Culpable?

Merchant deposits and merchant payables have been used to pad operating cashflows (even though they are not free cashflows), particularly for fast...

Jason Yap, CFA

JD - Analysing Earnings Calls and Disclosures Using a Forensic Approach

JD has at times revised disclosures possibly to conceal growth or margin weakness. We discuss how to analyse earnings calls and disclosures using a...

Jason Yap, CFA

Pinduoduo - Q2 2021 Preview Through a Forensic Lens

PDD’s upcoming Q2 2021 results could help investors better understand e-commerce sector and company trends, such as GMV and revenue growth. We...

Jason Yap, CFA

China Consumption Weekly (4 Dec 2023): PDD, Alibaba, AliHealth, Great Wall Motor, ByteDance

PDD’s market cap has exceeded Alibaba’s. Great Wall Motor plans to enter eight countries in Europe. ByteDance plans to close its game subsidy.

Ming Lu