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.

Equity Bottom-Up

Several news media outlets reported in September that ByteDance (1439927D CH) has made plans to launch a music streaming app in China later this year. The online music streaming market in China is long dominated by Tencent Music who previously held exclusive music licensing agreements with global music streaming giants Warner Music Group (WMG), Universal Music (UMG) and Sony Music in China. However, TME was ordered to give-up these exclusive music licensing agreements by the country’s market regulator SAMR (state Administration of Market Regulation) and the company announced in August that it has relinquished all of its exclusive music licensing agreements as per the order of the Chinese regulators.TME’s shares are currently trading at US$6.87 per ADR at its all-time low and the shares are down 77.4% compared to its peak of US$30.42 per ADR in mid-March.

TME: ByteDance’s Entry into Music Streaming to Further Threaten TME’s Dominance

Silver Point

Thomas J. Monaco

Independent Insight Provider

Silver Point is a boutique research firm that focuses on the broader financial services sector, with a particular focus on troubled institutions globally. 

Asia Ex Japan

*Being “Seriously Dealt” With: No sooner than Tencent Holdings’ (700.HK) [Tencent] virtual call ended with a competitor dismissing new gaming restrictions did the mainland Chinese regulator haul in gaming industry executives for a complete dressing down. It’s probably fair to say, Tencent’s recent hubris was their Jack Ma moment. It kind of makes one wonder what the authorities have planned next for Tencent. As the screws continue to tighten, the question becomes whether or not Tencent can narrow the regulatory discount, or whether these issues will remain a persistent overhang?; *As We’ve Just Learned - Ignoring It, Doesn’t Make It Go Away: Mainland China's crackdown on capital markets activities has rapidly expanded under the broad narrative of "financial stability". There remains no doubt, in our view, that Tencent will follow Alibaba Group (BABA.US) [Alibaba] in the formation of a financial holding company. It’s pretty surprising that Tencent refuses to discuss this matter when financial services are the largest component of earnings and growth; and *Prior To The War On Gaming, Results Have Already Deteriorated: Tencent’s 2Q21 GAAP net income declined CNY 5.2 bn (10.8%) linked quarter – and were of poor quality. Results were challenged by: cost of revenue increase; operating expense increase; losses in associates; higher impairment charges; and weaker online games. Were it not for the artificially lower tax rate, results would have been even more challenged.

*Being “Seriously Dealt” With: No sooner than Tencent Holdings’ (700.HK) [Tencent] virtual call ended with a competitor dismissing new gaming restrictions did the mainland Chinese regulator haul in gaming industry executives for a complete dressing down. It’s probably fair to say, Tencent’s recent hubris was their Jack Ma moment. It kind of makes one wonder what the authorities have planned next for Tencent. As the screws continue to tighten, the question becomes whether or not Tencent can narrow the regulatory discount, or whether these issues will remain a persistent overhang?; *As We’ve Just Learned - Ignoring It, Doesn’t Make It Go Away: Mainland China's crackdown on capital markets activities has rapidly expanded under the broad narrative of "financial stability". There remains no doubt, in our view, that Tencent will follow Alibaba Group (BABA.US) [Alibaba] in the formation of a financial holding company. It’s pretty surprising that Tencent refuses to discuss this matter when financial services are the largest component of earnings and growth; and *Prior To The War On Gaming, Results Have Already Deteriorated: Tencent’s 2Q21 GAAP net income declined CNY 5.2 bn (10.8%) linked quarter – and were of poor quality. Results were challenged by: cost of revenue increase; operating expense increase; losses in associates; higher impairment charges; and weaker online games. Were it not for the artificially lower tax rate, results would have been even more challenged.    

Tencent Holdings – Modern Day Opium War

Event-Driven

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-music-entertainment" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27255:1" rel="noopener">Tencent Music (TME US)</a> announced on Tuesday (31st August) that it has relinquished all of its exclusive music licensing agreements as per the order of the Chinese regulators. It was reported by several news media outlets in July that that the State Administration of Market Regulation (SAMR) in China is likely to order <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-music-entertainment" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27255:1" rel="noopener">Tencent Music (TME US)</a> to give up exclusive rights to music labels and at the same time, impose a fine of RMB500,000 (US$77k) for failing to appropriately report the acquisitions of Kugou and Kuwo in 2016.TME previously had exclusive music licensing agreements with global music streaming giants Warner Music Group (WMG), Universal Music (UMG) and Sony Music in China. The company also previously had exclusive rights to sub-license these catalogs to local rivals in China.TME’s partnerships with these leading music labels have offered the company the content leadership position in music streaming in China. In addition to having exclusive rights to music labels, the company also has established exclusive distribution deals with leading independent artists such as Mandopop Star Jay Chou to further its growth and under the SAMR’s new mandate, TME is allowed to keep its exclusive music deals with these independent artists for a period of 3-years.

Tencent Music (TME US) announced on Tuesday (31st August) that it has relinquished all of its exclusive music licensing agreements as per the order of the Chinese regulators. It was reported by several news media outlets in July that that the State Administration of Market Regulation (SAMR) in China is likely to order Tencent Music (TME US) to give up exclusive rights to music labels and at the same time, impose a fine of RMB500,000 (US$77k) for failing to appropriately report the acquisitions of Kugou and Kuwo in 2016.TME previously had exclusive music licensing agreements with global music streaming giants Warner Music Group (WMG), Universal Music (UMG) and Sony Music in China. The company also previously had exclusive rights to sub-license these catalogs to local rivals in China.TME’s partnerships with these leading music labels have offered the company the content leadership position in music streaming in China. In addition to having exclusive rights to music labels, the company also has established exclusive distribution deals with leading independent artists such as Mandopop Star Jay Chou to further its growth and under the SAMR’s new mandate, TME is allowed to keep its exclusive music deals with these independent artists for a period of 3-years.

TME Facing the Music; Ends Exclusive Music Licensing Deals

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26:1" rel="noopener">Tencent (700 HK)</a> reported 2Q2021 results yesterday (18th August) which saw revenues grow 20.3% YoY to RMB138.2bn (vs consensus revenue of RMB138.4bn) while operating profit (non-IFRS) for the quarter increased 14% YoY to RMB42.8bn (IFRS OP of RMB52.5bn vs consensus OP of RMB40.5bn).The revenues of Tencent’s largest segment Internet Value-Added Services showed a further slow-down in growth after seeing strong growth in 2020. However, both online advertising and fintech and business services segments continued to see strong growth in revenues.Tencent has been making into headlines over the past few days with its music streaming arm <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-music-entertainment" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27255:1" rel="noopener">Tencent Music (TME US)</a> being ordered to give up exclusive music licensing rights alongside a fine, the company suspending new user registrations on WeChat briefly and regulators increasingly targeting the country’s online games market.

Tencent (700 HK) reported 2Q2021 results yesterday (18th August) which saw revenues grow 20.3% YoY to RMB138.2bn (vs consensus revenue of RMB138.4bn) while operating profit (non-IFRS) for the quarter increased 14% YoY to RMB42.8bn (IFRS OP of RMB52.5bn vs consensus OP of RMB40.5bn).The revenues of Tencent’s largest segment Internet Value-Added Services showed a further slow-down in growth after seeing strong growth in 2020. However, both online advertising and fintech and business services segments continued to see strong growth in revenues.Tencent has been making into headlines over the past few days with its music streaming arm Tencent Music (TME US) being ordered to give up exclusive music licensing rights alongside a fine, the company suspending new user registrations on WeChat briefly and regulators increasingly targeting the country’s online games market.

Tencent: Weakening Online Games; Cautions Investors that More Regulatory Changes Are to Come

*Results Deteriorating As Distractions Mount: Tencent Holdings’ (700.HK) [Tencent] 2Q21 GAAP net income declined CNY 5.2 bn (10.8%) on a linked quarter basis – and were of poor quality. Results were challenged by the following: cost of revenue increase; operating expense increase; losses in associates; higher impairment charges; and weaker online games. Were it not for the artificially lower tax rate, results would have been even more challenged; and     *Elephants In The Room: Mainland China's crackdown on capital markets has rapidly expanded under the broad narrative of "financial stability". We have already witnessed fines at Tencent, new user WeChat suspensions,  and Tencent may have to give up its exclusive music rights and possibly dispose of Kuwo and Kugou. Further, there no doubt that Tencent will also follow Alibaba Group (BABA.US) [Alibaba] in their formation of a financial holding company. Its pretty surprising that Tencent refuses to discuss these matters.

*Results Deteriorating As Distractions Mount: Tencent Holdings’ (700.HK) [Tencent] 2Q21 GAAP net income declined CNY 5.2 bn (10.8%) on a linked quarter basis – and were of poor quality. Results were challenged by the following: cost of revenue increase; operating expense increase; losses in associates; higher impairment charges; and weaker online games. Were it not for the artificially lower tax rate, results would have been even more challenged; and     *Elephants In The Room: Mainland China's crackdown on capital markets has rapidly expanded under the broad narrative of "financial stability". We have already witnessed fines at Tencent, new user WeChat suspensions,  and Tencent may have to give up its exclusive music rights and possibly dispose of Kuwo and Kugou. Further, there no doubt that Tencent will also follow Alibaba Group (BABA.US) [Alibaba] in their formation of a financial holding company. Its pretty surprising that Tencent refuses to discuss these matters.   

China

Tencent Music Entertainment operates an online music entertainment platform in China. The Company offers platform that comprises of online music, recording, music-centric live streaming enabling users to discover, listen, sing, watch, perform, and socialize music.

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Tencent Music (TME US)

TME: ByteDance’s Entry into Music Streaming to Further Threaten TME’s Dominance

ByteDance has made plans to launch a music streaming app in China later this year which is likely to further threaten TME's market dominance as it...

Shifara Samsudeen, ACMA, CGMA

Tencent Holdings – Modern Day Opium War

TENCENT HOLDINGS: The mainland Chinese regulator hauled in gaming industry executives for a complete dressing down over the recent August gaming...

Thomas J. Monaco

TME Facing the Music; Ends Exclusive Music Licensing Deals

TME announced that it has relinquished all of its exclusive music licensing agreements as per the order of the Chinese regulators. These music...

Shifara Samsudeen, ACMA, CGMA

Tencent: Weakening Online Games; Cautions Investors that More Regulatory Changes Are to Come

Tencent's earnings growth has been slowing down after seeing a boom during the pandemic and warned investors that lot of new regulations will be...

Shifara Samsudeen, ACMA, CGMA

Tencent Holdings – Pig Piling

TENCENT: Tencent's QOQ 2Q21 income declined 10.8% due to cost of revenue and opex increases; associate losses; higher impairments; and weak online...

Thomas J. Monaco

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