Forensic Analyst

Jason Yap, CFA

Forensic Accounting

The “double reduction” crackdown on K9 after school tutoring ("AST") that covers primary and middle school curriculums has inflicted major pain on the USD38 billion industry. With the original aim of easing student pressure inside and outside school, it has led to unintended consequences of tutor layoffs, early lease terminations, and fresh anxiety among parents on how to occupy their children's available after school time.
The regulations also shook the confidence of AST investors and enterprises. Weak hands folded by shutting operations, filing for bankruptcy and/or exiting investments while industry leaders with a stronger cash position frown over the best approach to pivot operations.
For industry leaders like <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/new-oriental-education-tech-grp-adr" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:531:1" rel="noopener">New Oriental Education (EDU US)</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>, revenues generated from K9 academic tutoring comprise between 50% to 80% of total revenues. Hence, there is a direct material impact on forward revenue and earnings.  In addition, they will incur one-time costs for, amongst others, staff severance, early lease terminations, and refund liabilities for K9 courses that can no longer be administered.  
In August 2021, Beijing education authorities <a href="https://www.caixinglobal.com/2021-08-16/cover-story-whats-next-for-chinas-after-school-tutoring-industry-101755589.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">extended</a> an olive branch, highlighting that AST companies may switch to sectors that aren’t affected by the new regulations, such as high school tutoring, vocational education, all-round education and adopting hybrid business models. A similar stance might by adopted nationwide and signals (at least some) policy support for the embattled AST sector.
Using TAL Education as a bellwether for the AST sector, we examine the financial and accounting concerns that arise as a direct result of the new regulations. In addition, we analyse the recent exit of a key Convertible Notes investor, who has essentially capitulated in the face of execution uncertainties of TAL's pivot strategy.  Should other investors follow?

The “double reduction” crackdown on K9 after school tutoring ("AST") that covers primary and middle school curriculums has inflicted major pain on the USD38 billion industry. With the original aim of easing student pressure inside and outside school, it has led to unintended consequences of tutor layoffs, early lease terminations, and fresh anxiety among parents on how to occupy their children's available after school time.
The regulations also shook the confidence of AST investors and enterprises. Weak hands folded by shutting operations, filing for bankruptcy and/or exiting investments while industry leaders with a stronger cash position frown over the best approach to pivot operations.
For industry leaders like New Oriental Education (EDU US) and TAL Education (TAL US), revenues generated from K9 academic tutoring comprise between 50% to 80% of total revenues. Hence, there is a direct material impact on forward revenue and earnings.  In addition, they will incur one-time costs for, amongst others, staff severance, early lease terminations, and refund liabilities for K9 courses that can no longer be administered.  
In August 2021, Beijing education authorities extended an olive branch, highlighting that AST companies may switch to sectors that aren’t affected by the new regulations, such as high school tutoring, vocational education, all-round education and adopting hybrid business models. A similar stance might by adopted nationwide and signals (at least some) policy support for the embattled AST sector.
Using TAL Education as a bellwether for the AST sector, we examine the financial and accounting concerns that arise as a direct result of the new regulations. In addition, we analyse the recent exit of a key Convertible Notes investor, who has essentially capitulated in the face of execution uncertainties of TAL's pivot strategy.  Should other investors follow?

TAL Education - Key Investor Capitulates, Should the Rest Follow?

China and US Equity Analyst

Roger Xie

Cross Asset Strategy

<ul>
<li>China’s tech sector has been in the spotlight in recent days. Beijing has released a series of rules aiming to remake private education and tech sectors. to curb cost pressure and better serve ordinary people.  we believe the magnitude of policy change on private education sector is unprecedent, which could surprise investors. This negative sentiments further spurs the fear of  anti-trust and unfair competition scrutiny on China Internet sector. It has led to capital flight from China tech sector. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hang-seng-tech-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31367:1" rel="noopener">Hang Seng Tech Index (HSTECH INDEX)</a> has declined 40% from its high in February this year.</li>
<li>In the newly released policy, the State Council banned foreign capital from investing in education institutions through any approach, including VIE (Variable Interest Entity) structure. This has led to investor concerns whether the ban on foreign investments through VIE will be extended to other sectors. VIE is considered to be the foundation of offshore China ADR listing structure. Our assessment shows that the VIE structure will remain to stay, but the new oversea listings could face more scrutiny from regulators. The paradigm shift could fundamentally benefit <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hong-kong-exchanges-clearing" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:490:1" rel="noopener">HKEX (388 HK)</a> as the preferred listing venue for offshore China ADR. And the dual-listing status for many China tech giants will remain. </li>
<li>China central bank lowered bank reserve requirement ratio early this month and free up US$154bn from the system. The benchmark 10-year treasury  yield hovered around 2.9%  past few weeks indicating plenty of liquidity. Investors have been speculating that LPR (Loan Prime Rate) might be cut further to stimulate the growth. We believe structural monetary policy operations will continue. Likely, more support will be provided toward green energy, innovations and industry upgrade, but it might remain tightening for property and overcapacity sectors. The upcoming Politburo Meeting in end of July could give more hints about monetary policy stance. More than 40% of China A-share companies have released their 1H earning preview, which delivered 120% year-over-year growth (due to low base by pandemic in 2020). We remain sanguine on China equity market outlook in 2H 2021, but would recommend more clarity on policy for China tech giants.</li>
</ul>


China’s tech sector has been in the spotlight in recent days. Beijing has released a series of rules aiming to remake private education and tech sectors. to curb cost pressure and better serve ordinary people.  we believe the magnitude of policy change on private education sector is unprecedent, which could surprise investors. This negative sentiments further spurs the fear of  anti-trust and unfair competition scrutiny on China Internet sector. It has led to capital flight from China tech sector. Hang Seng Tech Index (HSTECH INDEX) has declined 40% from its high in February this year.
In the newly released policy, the State Council banned foreign capital from investing in education institutions through any approach, including VIE (Variable Interest Entity) structure. This has led to investor concerns whether the ban on foreign investments through VIE will be extended to other sectors. VIE is considered to be the foundation of offshore China ADR listing structure. Our assessment shows that the VIE structure will remain to stay, but the new oversea listings could face more scrutiny from regulators. The paradigm shift could fundamentally benefit HKEX (388 HK) as the preferred listing venue for offshore China ADR. And the dual-listing status for many China tech giants will remain. 
China central bank lowered bank reserve requirement ratio early this month and free up US$154bn from the system. The benchmark 10-year treasury  yield hovered around 2.9%  past few weeks indicating plenty of liquidity. Investors have been speculating that LPR (Loan Prime Rate) might be cut further to stimulate the growth. We believe structural monetary policy operations will continue. Likely, more support will be provided toward green energy, innovations and industry upgrade, but it might remain tightening for property and overcapacity sectors. The upcoming Politburo Meeting in end of July could give more hints about monetary policy stance. More than 40% of China A-share companies have released their 1H earning preview, which delivered 120% year-over-year growth (due to low base by pandemic in 2020). We remain sanguine on China equity market outlook in 2H 2021, but would recommend more clarity on policy for China tech giants.


China Equity Strategy: Tug of War, Policy Uncertainty and Plenty Liquidity

Latest News from the World’s Leading Innovators

Granite Bay Capital

An innovation focussed investment company

Granite Bay Capital is an innovation focussed investment company with a deep focus on the companies at the leading edge of innovation across major themes such as AI, ubiquitous computing, sustainability, automation and longevity.

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<h2>Headline Developments</h2>Another bad week for Didi (DIDI) , with the stock plummeting a further 21% after Bloomberg reported that Chinese regulators were weighing up “serious, perhaps unprecedented penalties” which may include a hefty fine (&gt;$2.8b), enforcing a state-owned investment or delisting the company from the NYSE.

Headline DevelopmentsAnother bad week for Didi (DIDI) , with the stock plummeting a further 21% after Bloomberg reported that Chinese regulators were weighing up “serious, perhaps unprecedented penalties” which may include a hefty fine (&gt;$2.8b), enforcing a state-owned investment or delisting the company from the NYSE.

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 class="">
<li>The new rule for tutoring school damaged the prices of Chinese education equities.</li>
<li>The market focuses on the “non-profit” requirement, but we believe “Article 13” is more important.</li>
<li>We believe the authorities try to block all the ways that a tutoring school can continue.</li>
<li>We do not believe this is a “low-price opportunity” after the stock price plunge.</li>
<li>Please also see <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/tal-education-tal-last-summer-for-physical-tutoring-school" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:53714" rel="noopener">TAL Education (TAL): Last Summer for Physical Tutoring School</a> on June 28 before the price plunge.</li>
</ul>


The new rule for tutoring school damaged the prices of Chinese education equities.
The market focuses on the “non-profit” requirement, but we believe “Article 13” is more important.
We believe the authorities try to block all the ways that a tutoring school can continue.
We do not believe this is a “low-price opportunity” after the stock price plunge.
Please also see TAL Education (TAL): Last Summer for Physical Tutoring School on June 28 before the price plunge.


TAL Education (TAL): In New Rule on Tutoring School, “Article 13” Harsher Than “Non-Profit”

Equity Analyst, LightStream Research

Shifara Samsudeen, ACMA, CGMA

Equity Analyst

Long-Short Analysis on Japan, Asia and the World

LightStream Research

LightStream conducts quantitatively rigorous and data-driven analysis with a focus on Japan and Asia.

We consistently cover the Tech, Consumer and Industrial sectors, and provide ECM and Events coverage more broadly.

We supplement traditional qualitative insights from company relationships with a robust quantitative foundation that examines as much historical data as is available.
We further refine the accuracy of our insights and calls through the use of alternative data to flesh out current trends, and through a valuation framework that emphasises non-superficial peer group selection and a proper attempt to understand the metrics and changes that have driven security valuations in the past.

Event-Driven

China’s new rules and regulations in private tutoring have triggered a massive sell-off in the education companies including <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/gaotu-techedu-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28069:1" rel="noopener">Gaotu Techedu (GOTU US)</a> , <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/new-oriental-education-tech-grp-adr" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:531:1" rel="noopener">New Oriental Education (EDU US)</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> . The new rules announced by Beijing include turning after-school tutoring companies (tutoring on school curriculum) into not-for-profit which would prevent online tutoring platforms from raising foreign capital and at the same time seeking public listing. After-school tutoring is in huge demand in China and soaring tuition fees have become a huge burden on parents and the government of China is attempting to reduce the cost of education in order to encourage couples to have more kids as education accounts for a large share of childcare in China.Similarly, private tutoring in India is in huge demand as a large majority of K-12 school students in the country attend after-school tutoring. Known as tuition culture, it has been prevalent in India for decades which supplements the school education of children. In this insight, we examine the private tutoring market in India (including online) and the likelihood of similar directives (to that of China) and how it could impact the fundamentals and valuations of online education platforms in the country.

China’s new rules and regulations in private tutoring have triggered a massive sell-off in the education companies including Gaotu Techedu (GOTU US) , New Oriental Education (EDU US) and TAL Education (TAL US) . The new rules announced by Beijing include turning after-school tutoring companies (tutoring on school curriculum) into not-for-profit which would prevent online tutoring platforms from raising foreign capital and at the same time seeking public listing. After-school tutoring is in huge demand in China and soaring tuition fees have become a huge burden on parents and the government of China is attempting to reduce the cost of education in order to encourage couples to have more kids as education accounts for a large share of childcare in China.Similarly, private tutoring in India is in huge demand as a large majority of K-12 school students in the country attend after-school tutoring. Known as tuition culture, it has been prevalent in India for decades which supplements the school education of children. In this insight, we examine the private tutoring market in India (including online) and the likelihood of similar directives (to that of China) and how it could impact the fundamentals and valuations of online education platforms in the country.

As China EduTech Goes Not-For-Profit Will India’s Promising Alternatives Fill Their Wake?

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)

TAL Education - Key Investor Capitulates, Should the Rest Follow?

The “double reduction” crackdown has inflicted major pain on the USD38 billion AST industry. Weak hands have folded but TAL strives to pivot....

Jason Yap, CFA

China Equity Strategy: Tug of War, Policy Uncertainty and Plenty Liquidity

We remain sanguine on China equity market outlook in 2H 2021 given the earning growth and plenty liquidity, but would wait for more clarity on...

Roger Xie

Weekly Innovation Review (WIRE) #42

Headline Developments: Another bad week for Didi (DIDI) , with the stock plummeting a further 21% after Bloomberg reported that Chinese regulators...

Granite Bay Capital

TAL Education (TAL): In New Rule on Tutoring School, “Article 13” Harsher Than “Non-Profit”

The market focuses on the “non-profit” requirement, but we believe “Article 13” is fatal. We believe the authorities try to block all the way that...

Ming Lu

As China EduTech Goes Not-For-Profit Will India’s Promising Alternatives Fill Their Wake?

It seems that India’s edutech sector is poised for more .growth which would possibly make it one of the world’s largest edutech markets

Shifara Samsudeen, ACMA, CGMA

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