HK/China Equity Long-Short

Osbert Tang, CFA

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>With US interest rate trending up, many of the Hong Kong blue chips are exposed to higher interest expenses from their outstanding debt. We look into who are less vulnerable.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/galaxy-entertainment-group-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:806:1" rel="noopener">Galaxy Entertainment Group (27 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/budweiser-brewing-co-apac-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28077:1" rel="noopener">Budweiser Brewing Company APAC (1876 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/xinyi-solar-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:318:1" rel="noopener">Xinyi Solar (968 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/power-assets-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:788:1" rel="noopener">Power Assets (6 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mtr-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13289:1" rel="noopener">MTR Corp (66 HK)</a> are found to be more immunized.</li>
<li>Most have large cash balance, low leverage and more fixed rate debt. GEG, Bud APAC and Xinyi Solar may even benefit from higher interest income given net cash position.  </li>
</ul>


With US interest rate trending up, many of the Hong Kong blue chips are exposed to higher interest expenses from their outstanding debt. We look into who are less vulnerable.

Galaxy Entertainment Group (27 HK), Budweiser Brewing Company APAC (1876 HK), Xinyi Solar (968 HK), Power Assets (6 HK) and MTR Corp (66 HK) are found to be more immunized.
Most have large cash balance, low leverage and more fixed rate debt. GEG, Bud APAC and Xinyi Solar may even benefit from higher interest income given net cash position.  


Rising US Interest Rate: A Look at Which HK Blue Chips Are Less Vulnerable

Alpha-Centric ESG Research

Kyle Rudden

<ul>
<li>Hang Seng Indexes launched two new sustainability/ESG indexes, the HSI ESG Screened Index and the HSI Low Carbon Index. Hang Seng is doing a good thing; advancing ESG in Asia.</li>
<li>Both are based on the Hang Seng Index. HSI ESG Screened Index is essentially ESG factor-tilted with a minor exclusionary screen. Straightforward, and with top ESG ratings firms behind it.</li>
<li>I do, however, have a few thoughts about the HSI Low Carbon Index. Call them observations, or experienced-based opinions, or similar. Food for thought kind of stuff, nothing critical.  </li>
</ul>


Hang Seng Indexes launched two new sustainability/ESG indexes, the HSI ESG Screened Index and the HSI Low Carbon Index. Hang Seng is doing a good thing; advancing ESG in Asia.
Both are based on the Hang Seng Index. HSI ESG Screened Index is essentially ESG factor-tilted with a minor exclusionary screen. Straightforward, and with top ESG ratings firms behind it.
I do, however, have a few thoughts about the HSI Low Carbon Index. Call them observations, or experienced-based opinions, or similar. Food for thought kind of stuff, nothing critical.  


Hang Seng's New ESG-Themed Indexes Will Help Promote ESG in Asia (Some Thoughts On the Carbon Index)

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One, Periscope Analytics

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>The December rebalance of the HSI, HSCEI and HSTECH indices will use today's closing prices to cap the index constituents at 8%. This will lead to large flows.</li>
<li>The largest passive outflows as a result of capping will be on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/meituan-dianping" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26970:1" rel="noopener">Meituan (3690 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26:1" rel="noopener">Tencent (700 HK)</a> due to their weight exceeding 8% in all three indices.</li>
<li>There are large funding outflows (in terms of days of ADV to trade) on quite a few Hong Kong property stocks as well as stocks from the financials sector.</li>
</ul>


The December rebalance of the HSI, HSCEI and HSTECH indices will use today's closing prices to cap the index constituents at 8%. This will lead to large flows.
The largest passive outflows as a result of capping will be on Meituan (3690 HK) and Tencent (700 HK) due to their weight exceeding 8% in all three indices.
There are large funding outflows (in terms of days of ADV to trade) on quite a few Hong Kong property stocks as well as stocks from the financials sector.


HSI, HSCEI, HSTECH: December Rebalance Flows Post Capping

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

<div>
<p>After rejecting two earlier proposals, Aussie poles and wires company <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/spark-infrastructure-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:595:1" rel="noopener">Spark Infrastructure (SKI AU)</a> entered into a Scheme Implementation Agreement on the <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02409984-2A1317108?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">23 August</a> with KKR, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board, and Public Sector Pension Investment Board.</p>
</div>
<div>
<p>The Offer Price of $2.95 cash per stapled security comprised cash of $2.7675, plus Spark's 1H21 interim distribution of 6.25¢, plus a franked special distribution expected of ~12¢. The interim dividend was announced on the <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02390377-2A1306991?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">1 July</a> and went ex on the <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02390377-2A1306991?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">7 July</a>, with a record date of the 8 July, therefore the implied Scheme Consideration is A$2.8875/share.</p>
<p>The Scheme Booklet has now been <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02438132-2A1332160?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">dispatched</a>. The Scheme Meeting will be held on the 22 November, with an expected implementation date on the 22 December. The Independent Expert has concluded that "<em>the Schemes are fair and reasonable and in the best interests of Scheme Securityholders, in the absence of a superior proposal</em>".</p>
<p>This looks done and has not once closed through terms. The Offer remains subject to FIRB approval.</p>
</div>


After rejecting two earlier proposals, Aussie poles and wires company Spark Infrastructure (SKI AU) entered into a Scheme Implementation Agreement on the 23 August with KKR, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board, and Public Sector Pension Investment Board.


The Offer Price of $2.95 cash per stapled security comprised cash of $2.7675, plus Spark's 1H21 interim distribution of 6.25¢, plus a franked special distribution expected of ~12¢. The interim dividend was announced on the 1 July and went ex on the 7 July, with a record date of the 8 July, therefore the implied Scheme Consideration is A$2.8875/share.
The Scheme Booklet has now been dispatched. The Scheme Meeting will be held on the 22 November, with an expected implementation date on the 22 December. The Independent Expert has concluded that "the Schemes are fair and reasonable and in the best interests of Scheme Securityholders, in the absence of a superior proposal".
This looks done and has not once closed through terms. The Offer remains subject to FIRB approval.


Spark (SKI AU): Scheme Booklet Out. Meeting On The 22 November

<div>
<p>After <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02395702-2A1310049?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">rejecting</a> two take-private proposals from PR outfit firm KKR and Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board (OTPPB), Aussie poles and wires company <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/spark-infrastructure-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:595:1" rel="noopener">Spark Infrastructure (SKI AU)</a> has ostensibly supported the Consortium's improved tilt of $2.95/share.</p>
</div>
<div>
<p>The Consortium (KKR/OTPPB)'s latest proposal, up from the initial Offer of $2.70/share, was considered by Spark's board to be in the interest of its shareholders to engage further. As such, Spark has provided the Consortium with due diligence on a non-exclusive basis.</p>
<p>This Offer remains pre-conditional, and is subject to satisfactory DD, together with board approval from both KKR and OTPPB.</p>
<p>A firm Offer, should one unfold, would be subject to FIRB approval, and the approval from Spark's shareholders at a Scheme Meeting.</p>
<p>Yet this looks like a full (er) Offer than the one rejected on the 15 July.</p>
</div>
<div>
<p>More below the fold.</p>
</div>


After rejecting two take-private proposals from PR outfit firm KKR and Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board (OTPPB), Aussie poles and wires company Spark Infrastructure (SKI AU) has ostensibly supported the Consortium's improved tilt of $2.95/share.


The Consortium (KKR/OTPPB)'s latest proposal, up from the initial Offer of $2.70/share, was considered by Spark's board to be in the interest of its shareholders to engage further. As such, Spark has provided the Consortium with due diligence on a non-exclusive basis.
This Offer remains pre-conditional, and is subject to satisfactory DD, together with board approval from both KKR and OTPPB.
A firm Offer, should one unfold, would be subject to FIRB approval, and the approval from Spark's shareholders at a Scheme Meeting.
Yet this looks like a full (er) Offer than the one rejected on the 15 July.


More below the fold.


Spark Infrastructure (SKI AU): KKR & OTPPB Pay Up

Hong Kong

Power Assets Holdings Limited invests in power generation, transmission and distribution as well as gas distribution. The Company has investments in Hong Kong, Australia, Canada, China, New Zealand and Thailand.

Price Gauge
52-week Range	0.00 - 0.00
Market Cap (USDm)	0.00
P/E	0.00
Dividend (Yield)	0.00

Power Assets Holdings (6 HK)

Rising US Interest Rate: A Look at Which HK Blue Chips Are Less Vulnerable

We look at what companies in the Hang Seng Index are more immunized to the rising US interest rate environment; and found the top five are with...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Hang Seng's New ESG-Themed Indexes Will Help Promote ESG in Asia (Some Thoughts On the Carbon Index)

Hang Seng Indexes launched two new sustainability/ESG indexes, the HSI ESG Screened Index and HSI Low Carbon Index. Here is a quick look, and a few...

Kyle Rudden

HSI, HSCEI, HSTECH: December Rebalance Flows Post Capping

The Dec rebalance of the HK indices will use today's closing prices to cap the stocks at 8%. Meituan and Tencent will see large outflows due to...

Brian Freitas

Spark (SKI AU): Scheme Booklet Out. Meeting On The 22 November

Trading tight at a 1.5%/9.1% gross/annualised spread. Looks reasonable. If you are a zero-rate taxpayer, or a low-rate payer, who can reclaim the...

David Blennerhassett

Spark Infrastructure (SKI AU): KKR & OTPPB Pay Up

Assuming ~5 months to complete, this is trading at a gross/annualised return of 5%/12.6%. I don't expect any shareholders to oppose, and FIRB...

David Blennerhassett

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)