HK/China Equity Long-Short

Osbert Tang, CFA

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>We stay bearish on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sitc-international-holdings" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15301:1" rel="noopener">SITC International (1308 HK)</a> despite record net profit in FY22. The collapse in spot freight rate will take a toll on FY23 earnings.</li>
<li>Management is also conservative on outlook, citing both demand and supply issues. It expects gross margin to return to pre-pandemic levels (17-20%) in the future, vs. 41.8% in 2H22.</li>
<li>Market consensus is just too optimistic, projecting just 37% YoY decline in earnings for FY23. We believe actual earnings may be at least 18-27% lower than current street forecasts. </li>
</ul>


We stay bearish on SITC International (1308 HK) despite record net profit in FY22. The collapse in spot freight rate will take a toll on FY23 earnings.
Management is also conservative on outlook, citing both demand and supply issues. It expects gross margin to return to pre-pandemic levels (17-20%) in the future, vs. 41.8% in 2H22.
Market consensus is just too optimistic, projecting just 37% YoY decline in earnings for FY23. We believe actual earnings may be at least 18-27% lower than current street forecasts. 


SITC International (1308 HK): Still Not Easy to Find the Bright Spot

Asia Pac IPO & Placement Research, China biotech, Aequitas Research

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

Asia Pac IPO & Placement Research, China biotech

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.

Quantitative Analysis

<ul>
<li>We analyzed the latest HK SFC report for aggregate short position as of Dec 16th. </li>
<li>Top short increases and decreases were tabulated for one week and four week period. </li>
<li>We highlight short changes in SITC, CMB, Hua Hong Semiconductor, Yum China, Wharf Real Estate.</li>
</ul>


We analyzed the latest HK SFC report for aggregate short position as of Dec 16th. 
Top short increases and decreases were tabulated for one week and four week period. 
We highlight short changes in SITC, CMB, Hua Hong Semiconductor, Yum China, Wharf Real Estate.


HK Short Interest Weekly: SITC, CMB, Hua Hong Semiconductor, Yum China, Wharf Real Estate

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>Weaker OECD demand, diversification of supply chain out of China, lesser room for Rmb depreciation and high base effects all suggest challenging export environment for China in 2023. </li>
<li>We expect 5-10% drop in China's export in next year, against consensus of 0.2% growth. Except ASEAN, exports to all major trading partners are already deep in negative in Nov.</li>
<li>Long-Haul container shipping is the most disastrous, while port and logistics sectors are less vulnerable. We think <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sitc-international-holdings" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15301:1" rel="noopener">SITC International (1308 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sinotrans-limited-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1321:1" rel="noopener">Sinotrans (598 HK)</a> will fare better than others.</li>
</ul>


Weaker OECD demand, diversification of supply chain out of China, lesser room for Rmb depreciation and high base effects all suggest challenging export environment for China in 2023. 
We expect 5-10% drop in China's export in next year, against consensus of 0.2% growth. Except ASEAN, exports to all major trading partners are already deep in negative in Nov.
Long-Haul container shipping is the most disastrous, while port and logistics sectors are less vulnerable. We think SITC International (1308 HK) and Sinotrans (598 HK) will fare better than others.


China's Export Outlook 2023: How Port, Shipping and Logistics Fare?

Research from Quam Securities, Quam Securities

Quam Securities Research

Research from Quam Securities

Quam Securities

Since its inception in 1986, Quam Securities Limited (Quam Securities) has grown to become one of the few mid-tier securities brokerages in Hong Kong with global execution capabilities for both private and institutional clients. It boasts a well-established network in Greater China including Taiwan and in major world markets through the Global Alliance Partners (GAP). Quam Securities is well-positioned not only to harness and drive business within the China Tonghai International Financial Limited but also between China and the world markets.

<ul style="list-style-type: disc;"><li>Shipping rates continued their downtrend last week with the WCI Composite Container Index fell 5.4% w/w and the rate for one of the mostly watched key routes, SH-to-LA falling 9.2%</li><li>Dry bulk rates fell even more with the Baltic Dry Bulk Index falling 15.4% w/w and the latest level of 1082 basically normalized to pre-pandemic levels</li><li>Crude oil tanker rate was flat w/w and continued to outperform the other two sectors</li></ul>

Shipping rates continued their downtrend last week with the WCI Composite Container Index fell 5.4% w/w and the rate for one of the mostly watched key routes, SH-to-LA falling 9.2%Dry bulk rates fell even more with the Baltic Dry Bulk Index falling 15.4% w/w and the latest level of 1082 basically normalized to pre-pandemic levelsCrude oil tanker rate was flat w/w and continued to outperform the other two sectors

Tactical Trade Idea – Shipping Sector : Shipping Rates Remained Under Pressure

Orient Overseas International / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>1H22 is a fantastic period for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/orient-overseas-international" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:801:1" rel="noopener">Orient Overseas International (316 HK)</a> with record earnings. However, with retreat in freight rates YTD, it is likely to mark the cycle peak.</li>
<li>OOIL has not seen the usual peak season for transpacific market yet.  Also, supply pressure is mounting as record vessel delivery is scheduled for the next two years.</li>
<li>The elevated share price has not reflected that profitability will decline in FY23 and FY24. We see significant downside risk as the market becomes more realistic on earnings.</li>
</ul>


1H22 is a fantastic period for Orient Overseas International (316 HK) with record earnings. However, with retreat in freight rates YTD, it is likely to mark the cycle peak.
OOIL has not seen the usual peak season for transpacific market yet.  Also, supply pressure is mounting as record vessel delivery is scheduled for the next two years.
The elevated share price has not reflected that profitability will decline in FY23 and FY24. We see significant downside risk as the market becomes more realistic on earnings.


Orient Overseas Intl (316 HK): Don't Overlook the Downhill Risks

Hong Kong

SITC International Holdings Company Ltd. offers marine shipping services.  The Company offers container liner shipping, freight forwarding, customs clearance, shipping agency, and ship brokerage services.  SITC operates in Asia.

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SITC International (1308 HK)