HK/China Equity Long-Short

Osbert Tang, CFA

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Despite the 21% spike in share price, we believe good student enrollment outlook and earnings prospects of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-education-group-holdin" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18218:1" rel="noopener">China Education Group (839 HK)</a> are still yet to be fully reflected.</li>
<li>The 70.1% YoY surge in approved top-up degree program quotas in China and the guidance for substantial quota increase for bachelor’s degree and junior college programs are both exciting.</li>
<li>Its comprehensive cooperation agreement with Bank of China Jiangxi Branch adds another peace of mind as this suggests support from the state and lowers regulatory risks, in our view.</li>
</ul>


Despite the 21% spike in share price, we believe good student enrollment outlook and earnings prospects of China Education Group (839 HK) are still yet to be fully reflected.
The 70.1% YoY surge in approved top-up degree program quotas in China and the guidance for substantial quota increase for bachelor’s degree and junior college programs are both exciting.
Its comprehensive cooperation agreement with Bank of China Jiangxi Branch adds another peace of mind as this suggests support from the state and lowers regulatory risks, in our view.


China Education Group (839 HK): Further Evidences for Underlying Health

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>China Education Sector, specifically <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-education-group-holdin" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18218:1" rel="noopener">China Education Group (839 HK)</a>, should see better performance in 2022 as regulatory concerns gradually ease. 1H22 result for higher education segment should be a proof.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shenzhen-international-holdings-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9:1" rel="noopener">Shenzhen International (152 HK)</a> could reverse the bad fortune in 2022 on the back of realisation of undervalued assets, expansion of logistics facilities and better performance at Shenzhen Airlines.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-dongxiang-group-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1068:1" rel="noopener">China Dongxiang (3818 HK)</a> remains an undervalued asset play. Its ability to realise value of its investment portfolio, potential resumption of dividend payout and recovery of sportswear business are drivers.</li>
</ul>


China Education Sector, specifically China Education Group (839 HK), should see better performance in 2022 as regulatory concerns gradually ease. 1H22 result for higher education segment should be a proof.

Shenzhen International (152 HK) could reverse the bad fortune in 2022 on the back of realisation of undervalued assets, expansion of logistics facilities and better performance at Shenzhen Airlines.

China Dongxiang (3818 HK) remains an undervalued asset play. Its ability to realise value of its investment portfolio, potential resumption of dividend payout and recovery of sportswear business are drivers.


Our Three Worst Calls in Last Year and Any Room for a Reversal in 2022?

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26:1" rel="noopener">Tencent (700 HK)</a> declared an interim dividend by way of in-specie distribution of JD.com.  That interim dividend is ~ 3.0%. Not phenomenally large, but hints at possibilities to come. </li>
<li>Dye &amp; Durham come over the top with an all-cash bid for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/link-administration-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:970:1" rel="noopener">Link Administration Holdings (LNK AU)</a> as Carlyle remains silent after five weeks of due diligence.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-mobile-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27:1" rel="noopener">China Mobile (941 HK)</a> has priced its A-share IPO at RMB 57.58/share which is slightly disappointing in terms of premium to the H-share.  The "reasoning" is basically hogwash. </li>
</ul>



Tencent (700 HK) declared an interim dividend by way of in-specie distribution of JD.com.  That interim dividend is ~ 3.0%. Not phenomenally large, but hints at possibilities to come. 
Dye &amp; Durham come over the top with an all-cash bid for Link Administration Holdings (LNK AU) as Carlyle remains silent after five weeks of due diligence.

China Mobile (941 HK) has priced its A-share IPO at RMB 57.58/share which is slightly disappointing in terms of premium to the H-share.  The "reasoning" is basically hogwash. 


Last Week in Event SPACE: Tencent /JD.com, Link Admin, China Mobile, Sydney Airport, Katakura

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fosun-international-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:433:1" rel="noopener">Fosun International (656 HK)</a>, the major shareholder of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/babytree-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27351:1" rel="noopener">BabyTree Group (1761 HK)</a>, a maternity and child-focussed community platform in China, is in discussion to increase its holding.</li>
<li>Should this share transfer proceed, it may trigger a mandatory general offer. Other substantial shareholders in BabyTree include <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/tal-education-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1124:1" rel="noopener">TAL Education (TAL US)</a>.</li>
<li>No price was mentioned. BabyTree was listed in November 2018 at $8.80/share. Shares are currently trading at $0.98/share.</li>
</ul>



Fosun International (656 HK), the major shareholder of BabyTree Group (1761 HK), a maternity and child-focussed community platform in China, is in discussion to increase its holding.
Should this share transfer proceed, it may trigger a mandatory general offer. Other substantial shareholders in BabyTree include Alibaba Group (9988 HK) and TAL Education (TAL US).
No price was mentioned. BabyTree was listed in November 2018 at $8.80/share. Shares are currently trading at $0.98/share.


BabyTree (1761 HK): Possible Offer From Fosun

Hope Education Group Co Ltd / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Following share price plunge even with decent FY21 result, most of the risks for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hope-education-group-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27321:1" rel="noopener">Hope Education Group (1765 HK)</a> have been released, but its return profile looks more interesting now.</li>
<li>We see bright spots including good cash flow, solid financial position, positive business outlook, new stock option scheme and limited regulatory exposure the key investment merits. </li>
<li>Valuations appear undemanding at 10.4x and 8.4x PERs for FY21 and FY22. They are at premium to <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-yuhua-education" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23627:1" rel="noopener">China Yuhua Education (6169 HK)</a> but discount to <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-education-group-holdin" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18218:1" rel="noopener">China Education Group (839 HK)</a>. </li>
</ul>


Following share price plunge even with decent FY21 result, most of the risks for Hope Education Group (1765 HK) have been released, but its return profile looks more interesting now.
We see bright spots including good cash flow, solid financial position, positive business outlook, new stock option scheme and limited regulatory exposure the key investment merits. 
Valuations appear undemanding at 10.4x and 8.4x PERs for FY21 and FY22. They are at premium to China Yuhua Education (6169 HK) but discount to China Education Group (839 HK). 


Hope Education (1765 HK): Hopeful or Hopeless?

China

TAL Education Group provides educational services. The Company offers comprehensive tutoring services to students covering core academic subjects such as mathematics, English, Chinese, physics, chemistry, political science, history, and biology. TAL Education Group serves students in China.

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TAL Education (TAL US)

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David Blennerhassett

Hope Education (1765 HK): Hopeful or Hopeless?

With a focus on higher education, Hope Education should see lesser regulatory risks. Good cash flow, solid financial position and positive business...

Osbert Tang, CFA

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