HK/China Equity Long-Short

Osbert Tang, CFA

Equity Bottom-Up

Shenzhen International / Equity Bottom-Up

Share price of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shenzhen-intl-holdings" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9:1" rel="noopener">Shenzhen Intl (152 HK)</a> (SZI) has been under pressure lately due to concerns on the proposed acquisition of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/suning-com-co-ltd-a" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9178:1" rel="noopener">Suning.com (002024 CH)</a> and weakened performance on its 49%-owned Shenzhen Airlines (SZA). However, now that it decided not to go ahead on Suning.com and there are signs of recovery at SZA, the still-depressed valuation (0.61x P/B, 5-year low) is unwarranted, in our opinion.Its core logistics segment performed well in 1H21, achieving higher occupancy which is supportive to rental income, and the expansion in project portfolio should be an added driver. The proposed acquisition of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shenzhen-investment-holdings-bay-area-development" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12134:1" rel="noopener">Shenzhen Investment Holdings Bay Area Development (737 HK)</a> by its subsidiary <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shenzhen-expressway-co-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2875:1" rel="noopener">Shenzhen Expressway Co H (548 HK)</a> should also generate good cash flow with upside from its land assets. Long-term, the transformation of South China Logistics Park may potentially create another successful story similar to its Qianhai project. At FY21F dividend yield of 8%, we believe SZI is very attractive at the current level.

Share price of Shenzhen Intl (152 HK) (SZI) has been under pressure lately due to concerns on the proposed acquisition of Suning.com (002024 CH) and weakened performance on its 49%-owned Shenzhen Airlines (SZA). However, now that it decided not to go ahead on Suning.com and there are signs of recovery at SZA, the still-depressed valuation (0.61x P/B, 5-year low) is unwarranted, in our opinion.Its core logistics segment performed well in 1H21, achieving higher occupancy which is supportive to rental income, and the expansion in project portfolio should be an added driver. The proposed acquisition of Shenzhen Investment Holdings Bay Area Development (737 HK) by its subsidiary Shenzhen Expressway Co H (548 HK) should also generate good cash flow with upside from its land assets. Long-term, the transformation of South China Logistics Park may potentially create another successful story similar to its Qianhai project. At FY21F dividend yield of 8%, we believe SZI is very attractive at the current level.

Shenzhen Intl (152 HK): What's Wrong Recently?

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.

Event-Driven

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/qilu-expressway-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27431:1" rel="noopener">Qilu Expressway Co Ltd (1576 HK)</a> is an expressway operator with the concession rights to construct and operate the Jihe Expressway, the Deshang Expressway and the Shennan Expressway. Revenue is derived primarily from tolls collected from users of the expressways. Qilu listed its H-shares on 19 July 2018 at HK$2.50 per H-share to raise net proceeds of HK$1,172.12 million ($151 million). Due to the completion of the merger by absorption of Qilu Transportation by Shandong Hi-Speed Group on 16 November 2020, Shandong Hi-Speed Group and Shandong Hi-Speed Investment owned 38.93% and 5.19% of the outstanding shares. Subsequently, public shareholders accounted for 19.81% of the outstanding shares, which falls below the minimum public float requirement. To date, Shandong Hi-Speed Group has failed to address the minimum public float requirement by its fulfilling its plan to dispose of its H-shares to independent third parties.Today, Qilu entered a trading halt pending the release of an announcement pursuant to the Code on Takeovers and Mergers. Subsequently, Qilu disclosed that <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shandong-hi-speed-co-ltd-a" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7178:1" rel="noopener">Shandong Hi Speed Co Ltd A (600350 CH)</a> intends to acquire the 778.5 million domestic shares (86.50% of domestic shares, 38.93% of outstanding shares) held by Shandong Hi-Speed Group. Post-completion, Qilu’s direct controlling shareholder will be changed from Shandong Hi-Speed Group to Shandong Hi-Speed which may trigger a mandatory general offer for all the shares under Rule 26.1 of the Takeovers code, unless it is granted a waiver from the Executive. Notably, Shandong Hi-Speed and Shandong Hi-Speed Group will jointly seek a waiver from the Executive.<div class="content-highlight">We note that on 20 August 2020, Shandong Hi-Speed Group was granted a waiver from a mandatory general offer by the Executive in relation to the merger by absorption of Qilu Transportation by Shandong Hi-Speed Group. We think that the Executive will grant a similar waiver for the proposed share acquisition. In combination with ongoing challenges to satisfy the minimum public float requirement, we would not chase the shares. </div>

Qilu Expressway Co Ltd (1576 HK) is an expressway operator with the concession rights to construct and operate the Jihe Expressway, the Deshang Expressway and the Shennan Expressway. Revenue is derived primarily from tolls collected from users of the expressways. Qilu listed its H-shares on 19 July 2018 at HK$2.50 per H-share to raise net proceeds of HK$1,172.12 million ($151 million). Due to the completion of the merger by absorption of Qilu Transportation by Shandong Hi-Speed Group on 16 November 2020, Shandong Hi-Speed Group and Shandong Hi-Speed Investment owned 38.93% and 5.19% of the outstanding shares. Subsequently, public shareholders accounted for 19.81% of the outstanding shares, which falls below the minimum public float requirement. To date, Shandong Hi-Speed Group has failed to address the minimum public float requirement by its fulfilling its plan to dispose of its H-shares to independent third parties.Today, Qilu entered a trading halt pending the release of an announcement pursuant to the Code on Takeovers and Mergers. Subsequently, Qilu disclosed that Shandong Hi Speed Co Ltd A (600350 CH) intends to acquire the 778.5 million domestic shares (86.50% of domestic shares, 38.93% of outstanding shares) held by Shandong Hi-Speed Group. Post-completion, Qilu’s direct controlling shareholder will be changed from Shandong Hi-Speed Group to Shandong Hi-Speed which may trigger a mandatory general offer for all the shares under Rule 26.1 of the Takeovers code, unless it is granted a waiver from the Executive. Notably, Shandong Hi-Speed and Shandong Hi-Speed Group will jointly seek a waiver from the Executive.We note that on 20 August 2020, Shandong Hi-Speed Group was granted a waiver from a mandatory general offer by the Executive in relation to the merger by absorption of Qilu Transportation by Shandong Hi-Speed Group. We think that the Executive will grant a similar waiver for the proposed share acquisition. In combination with ongoing challenges to satisfy the minimum public float requirement, we would not chase the shares. 

Qilu Expressway’s Largest Shareholder Seeks Another MGO Waiver

Shenzhen Expressway Co H / Equity Bottom-Up

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shenzhen-expressway-co-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2875:1" rel="noopener">Shenzhen Expressway Co H (548 HK)</a> announced a positive profit alert for 1Q21, indicating that its recurring profit will reach about Rmb533m, versus losses of Rmb160m a year ago as the impact of COVID-19 subsided. More importantly, such profit indication is even 10.2% higher than 1Q19, suggesting a full-recovery in traffic and toll revenue momentum.SZ Exp contributed 44.3% of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shenzhen-intl-holdings" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9:1" rel="noopener">Shenzhen Intl (152 HK)</a>'s recurring profit (ex-Shenzhen Airlines) in the last two years. The potential acquisition of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shenzhen-investment-holdings-bay-area-development" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12134:1" rel="noopener">Shenzhen Investment Holdings Bay Area Development (737 HK)</a> has received waiver from the SFC for a mandatory general offer and a successful conclusion should beef up SZ Exp's assets. Lastly, with SZ Exp's target of an estimated 35% increase in its EBITDA, we believe these factors will support SZ Exp's contribution to SZ Int's profit outlook in this year.

Shenzhen Expressway Co H (548 HK) announced a positive profit alert for 1Q21, indicating that its recurring profit will reach about Rmb533m, versus losses of Rmb160m a year ago as the impact of COVID-19 subsided. More importantly, such profit indication is even 10.2% higher than 1Q19, suggesting a full-recovery in traffic and toll revenue momentum.SZ Exp contributed 44.3% of Shenzhen Intl (152 HK)'s recurring profit (ex-Shenzhen Airlines) in the last two years. The potential acquisition of Shenzhen Investment Holdings Bay Area Development (737 HK) has received waiver from the SFC for a mandatory general offer and a successful conclusion should beef up SZ Exp's assets. Lastly, with SZ Exp's target of an estimated 35% increase in its EBITDA, we believe these factors will support SZ Exp's contribution to SZ Int's profit outlook in this year.

Shenzhen Expressway (548 HK): 1Q21 Positive Profit Alert Highly Welcome to Shenzhen Int (152 HK)

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shenzhen-intl-holdings" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9:1" rel="noopener">Shenzhen Intl (152 HK)</a> managed to engine a rebound in 2H20 after the serious negative impact of COVID-19 outbreak on its two key businesses - <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shenzhen-expressway-co-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2875:1" rel="noopener">Shenzhen Expressway Co H (548 HK)</a> and Shenzhen Airlines. Instead of the 20% YoY decline in headline FY20 profit, we think the market's focus should be on the sharp HoH turnaround in its bottomline (excluding one-off items).In the post-FY20 result call, management believes that SZ Int has significant potential to be released in the future. Besides the recovery of logistics, toll road and airlines operations, it will benefit from the expansion in logistics network, securitisation of logistics facilities, contribution from Qianhai project and in the longer term, the transformation and upgrade of South China Logistics Park. We remain positive on SZ Int and believe the stock's current multiples are far from being able to fully reflect its value.

Shenzhen Intl (152 HK) managed to engine a rebound in 2H20 after the serious negative impact of COVID-19 outbreak on its two key businesses - Shenzhen Expressway Co H (548 HK) and Shenzhen Airlines. Instead of the 20% YoY decline in headline FY20 profit, we think the market's focus should be on the sharp HoH turnaround in its bottomline (excluding one-off items).In the post-FY20 result call, management believes that SZ Int has significant potential to be released in the future. Besides the recovery of logistics, toll road and airlines operations, it will benefit from the expansion in logistics network, securitisation of logistics facilities, contribution from Qianhai project and in the longer term, the transformation and upgrade of South China Logistics Park. We remain positive on SZ Int and believe the stock's current multiples are far from being able to fully reflect its value.

Shenzhen Intl (152 HK): Remarkable 2H20; Promising Prospects Revealed in Post-Result Call

We believe the potential acquisition of a 71.83% stake in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shenzhen-investment-holdings-bay-area-development" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12134:1" rel="noopener">Shenzhen Investment Holdings Bay Area Development (737 HK)</a> by <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shenzhen-expressway-co-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2875:1" rel="noopener">Shenzhen Expressway Co H (548 HK)</a> has positive strategic implications on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shenzhen-intl-holdings" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9:1" rel="noopener">Shenzhen Intl (152 HK)</a>. SZ Bay Area Dev's historical stable earnings stream and its net cash balance are other added strengths of the proposed deal. Since the deal is still on a MoU stage, it is too early to discuss on the funding arrangement. However, we prefer SZ Exp issuing new shares as acquisition consideration, as this will be more advantageous to SZ Int. Under this scenario, SZ Int's stake in SZ Exp will dilute to 38% from 52% but the earnings impact is relatively insignificant. The best thing is that without the need to consolidate the heavily leveraged SZ Exp, SZ Int's overall gearing will be lowered and possibly provide more financial muscle for it to focus on logistics expansion.

We believe the potential acquisition of a 71.83% stake in Shenzhen Investment Holdings Bay Area Development (737 HK) by Shenzhen Expressway Co H (548 HK) has positive strategic implications on Shenzhen Intl (152 HK). SZ Bay Area Dev's historical stable earnings stream and its net cash balance are other added strengths of the proposed deal. Since the deal is still on a MoU stage, it is too early to discuss on the funding arrangement. However, we prefer SZ Exp issuing new shares as acquisition consideration, as this will be more advantageous to SZ Int. Under this scenario, SZ Int's stake in SZ Exp will dilute to 38% from 52% but the earnings impact is relatively insignificant. The best thing is that without the need to consolidate the heavily leveraged SZ Exp, SZ Int's overall gearing will be lowered and possibly provide more financial muscle for it to focus on logistics expansion.  

Shenzhen Intl (152 HK): Implications of SZ Exp's Potential Acquisition of SZ Bay Area Dev

China

Shenzhen Expressway Company Limited constructs, manages and operates toll highways and expressways in China.

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Shenzhen Expressway Co H (548 HK)

Shenzhen Intl (152 HK): What's Wrong Recently?

SZI's depressed share price has already reflected the concerns of the market, with upside coming from good logistics segment, asset transformation...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Qilu Expressway’s Largest Shareholder Seeks Another MGO Waiver

We think that the Executive will grant a similar waiver for the proposed share acquisition. Along with the challenges to satisfy the minimum public...

Arun George

Shenzhen Expressway (548 HK): 1Q21 Positive Profit Alert Highly Welcome to Shenzhen Int (152 HK)

Positive profit alert of SZ Exp for 1Q21 should be taken by SZ Int as an ecnouraging sign of recovery in underlying momentum. SZ Exp contributed...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Shenzhen Intl (152 HK): Remarkable 2H20; Promising Prospects Revealed in Post-Result Call

After a good 2H20, we see good future potential at SZ Int and a step up in corporate activities. Its multiples are unable to reflect its recovery...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Shenzhen Intl (152 HK): Implications of SZ Exp's Potential Acquisition of SZ Bay Area Dev

A scenario that SZ Exp issuing new shares for the potential acquisition of SZ Bay Area Dev from its parent will be positive to SZ Int. We believe...

Osbert Tang, CFA

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