Asian Equities Analyst, Logistics & Transport, Tracking Traffic

Daniel Hellberg

Asian Equities Analyst, Logistics & Transport

Tracking Traffic

Focusing on Asian logistics, transportation, and travel companies

Equity Bottom-Up

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Data and anecdotes from a range of sources in December and January show the recovery in Chinese domestic travel demand has stalled. Looking forward, government estimates suggest travel activity over the Lunar New Year holiday in February will also remain muted. 
In the run up to the long holiday period, Chinese officials have responded aggressively to Covid19 outbreaks in several Chinese cities, most of them in Northern China. Until vaccines reach most of the population and prove effective against new variants of the virus, travel demand -- outbound and domestic -- will likely remain depressed. Even a Summer rebound now appears optimistic. 
A combination of hesitant consumers and necessarily aggressive government responses to new outbreaks leaves current travel demand far below normal (2019) levels. The stalled recovery in Chinese travel activity thus lags substantially the return of the Chinese consumer. With few signs of "pent-up" travel demand, it appears Chinese tourists may have altered spending priorities. 
The Chinese travel sector will enjoy easy YoY "comps" in early 2021 as we lap the worst of the Covid19 crisis in H120. However, in the medium-term, we see a "new normal" developing: non-essential travel has become riskier and less attractive, and thus a lower priority for consumers, and this will likely remain the case until Covid19 is put decisively in the rear-view mirror.




Data and anecdotes from a range of sources in December and January show the recovery in Chinese domestic travel demand has stalled. Looking forward, government estimates suggest travel activity over the Lunar New Year holiday in February will also remain muted. 
In the run up to the long holiday period, Chinese officials have responded aggressively to Covid19 outbreaks in several Chinese cities, most of them in Northern China. Until vaccines reach most of the population and prove effective against new variants of the virus, travel demand -- outbound and domestic -- will likely remain depressed. Even a Summer rebound now appears optimistic. 
A combination of hesitant consumers and necessarily aggressive government responses to new outbreaks leaves current travel demand far below normal (2019) levels. The stalled recovery in Chinese travel activity thus lags substantially the return of the Chinese consumer. With few signs of "pent-up" travel demand, it appears Chinese tourists may have altered spending priorities. 
The Chinese travel sector will enjoy easy YoY "comps" in early 2021 as we lap the worst of the Covid19 crisis in H120. However, in the medium-term, we see a "new normal" developing: non-essential travel has become riskier and less attractive, and thus a lower priority for consumers, and this will likely remain the case until Covid19 is put decisively in the rear-view mirror.  

December-January Travel Data Confirm Stalled Domestic Recovery; Weak LNY Unlikely to Help

Asean-focused. Ex-Head of Thai Research

Athaporn Arayasantiparb, CFA

Asean (Thailand) Focused Independent Research

M Corp Review

M Corp is led by Athaporn Arayasantiparb who served as Head of Research for UOB and ANZ in Thailand and was an award-winning telecoms analyst at UBS in 2010 (AsiaMoney Thailand category) and Regional Strategist for DMG in Singapore. Prior to that, he also served as Kasikornbank credit analyst and scholar. He has a total work experience of 17 years, of which 14 were in research and 4 in research management roles. He started his career as an engineer for PTT and currently manages family investments. He holds an MBA from Stern (NYU) and CFA Charter since 2006. Apart from IPO Radar, which focuses on future listings, MCorp Review also provides six on-going thematic series ranked by frequency in descending order, namely: 1) Silicon Stories (technology) 2) Sathorn Series (financial services) 3) Thai-Coons (billionaire origin stories) 4) Reality Check (data-driven, investigative) 5) Thai Media Spotlight; and 6) Thai Macro Watch (global market drivers).

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

In the review, we look at the distressed Thai aviation industry from four key angles. While there is considerable upside to be had from a sectoral turnaround, survival of most local carriers, with the exception of Bangkok Airways, is really at risk, and neither the government nor private sector may be up to the task of rescuing them:<ul>
<li>
The existential crisis. With Bt330bn of debts in default, Thai Airways is the largest bankruptcy in Thai history, 5.5x the size of TPI's case in 1997. Former subsidiary Nok Air and archrival Air Asia are also restructuring. There's no guarantee any of them will survive the crisis.</li>
<li>
The rescue plans &amp; finances involved. Thai Airways will spend Bt3bn hiring Advisors (Baker &amp; Mckenzie, E&amp;Y, and Finansia). The industry will lay off close to 10,000 people (if not more) to cut costs and are now looking for Bt17bn in soft loans. Even in the best case, THAI probably will need 5 years to get back to profitability...if it survives.</li>
<li>
Reliance on domestic travel and non-core revenues. With international tourism basically dried up, airlines increasingly rely on domestic travel, but that hardly fills their collective fleet of 200 planes. With THAI and NOK at negative equity and AAV at 3.5x gearing, they make money wherever they can now in the short term, ignoring all impact on image.</li>
<li>
International travel recovery. In the long run, international tourism recovery is vital. If the three carriers disappear, it could be a windfall for Bangkok Airways and foreign airlines like Emirates. </li>
</ul>

In the review, we look at the distressed Thai aviation industry from four key angles. While there is considerable upside to be had from a sectoral turnaround, survival of most local carriers, with the exception of Bangkok Airways, is really at risk, and neither the government nor private sector may be up to the task of rescuing them:

The existential crisis. With Bt330bn of debts in default, Thai Airways is the largest bankruptcy in Thai history, 5.5x the size of TPI's case in 1997. Former subsidiary Nok Air and archrival Air Asia are also restructuring. There's no guarantee any of them will survive the crisis.

The rescue plans &amp; finances involved. Thai Airways will spend Bt3bn hiring Advisors (Baker &amp; Mckenzie, E&amp;Y, and Finansia). The industry will lay off close to 10,000 people (if not more) to cut costs and are now looking for Bt17bn in soft loans. Even in the best case, THAI probably will need 5 years to get back to profitability...if it survives.

Reliance on domestic travel and non-core revenues. With international tourism basically dried up, airlines increasingly rely on domestic travel, but that hardly fills their collective fleet of 200 planes. With THAI and NOK at negative equity and AAV at 3.5x gearing, they make money wherever they can now in the short term, ignoring all impact on image.

International travel recovery. In the long run, international tourism recovery is vital. If the three carriers disappear, it could be a windfall for Bangkok Airways and foreign airlines like Emirates. 


Mission Impossible 2021: Rescuing the Thai Airline Industry

<section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/179/973/original/BANNER-TourDec20.png?1608779882" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="179973"></figure></section>Outbound Chinese tourism activity remained dormant in November. Macau's recovery slowed, and the appearance of a new variant of the Covid19 virus suggests a potential recovery in Chinese outbound travel may be pushed back until at least the middle of 2021, maybe later. To our surprise, the recovery in domestic Chinese tourism also appears to have lost steam in November. Passenger counts at the three major national airlines fell YoY, and overall activity was well below that of October. Chinese consumers remain cautious towards discretionary travel. We believe Chinese travel demand will recover gradually in 2021, and that the recovery could gain momentum in the second half of the year. Still, the emergence of a new strain of the virus will likely cap outbound travel in the near-term, and it also appears the rebound in domestic demand is moderating. For now, we would avoid pricey travel-related stocks like <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/trip-com-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:180:1" rel="noopener">Trip.com (TCOM US)</a>.

Outbound Chinese tourism activity remained dormant in November. Macau's recovery slowed, and the appearance of a new variant of the Covid19 virus suggests a potential recovery in Chinese outbound travel may be pushed back until at least the middle of 2021, maybe later. To our surprise, the recovery in domestic Chinese tourism also appears to have lost steam in November. Passenger counts at the three major national airlines fell YoY, and overall activity was well below that of October. Chinese consumers remain cautious towards discretionary travel. We believe Chinese travel demand will recover gradually in 2021, and that the recovery could gain momentum in the second half of the year. Still, the emergence of a new strain of the virus will likely cap outbound travel in the near-term, and it also appears the rebound in domestic demand is moderating. For now, we would avoid pricey travel-related stocks like Trip.com (TCOM US).

TRACKING TRAFFIC/Chinese Tourism: Domestic Recovery Lost Steam in November

<section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/174/124/original/BANNER-TOURISM.png?1606332998" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="174124"></figure></section>Chinese outbound travel activity remained moribund in October, even after another increase in trips to Macau, which eased some travel restrictions in July. Macau's slow recovery suggests it will take many months for outbound activity to normalize once regional restrictions are lifted. China's 'Golden Week' holiday period was a day longer this year, but by most measures domestic air activity in October remained weak versus 2019. Sequential improvement in RPKs and passenger counts in October was just +5% MoM, roughly in-line with normal seasonality, and travelers are still opting for shorter trips. We believe the pace of recovery in domestic travel is moderating. Can the 2021 Lunar New Year holiday rescue China's travel service providers? Without a relaxation of restrictions in key regional markets, another major holiday travel period could be 'lost', in our opinion. We do not believe improving domestic activity can offset 'lost' outbound travel in Q121.We remain negative on Chinese travel demand. We believe the normalization of domestic and especially outbound activitity will take longer than expected -- no 'snap back' scenario, in other words. Furthermore, we believe underlying demand growth was slowing even before Covid19 hit, and it's become clear that domestic travel activity is unlikely to fully offset 'lost' outbound trips.

Chinese outbound travel activity remained moribund in October, even after another increase in trips to Macau, which eased some travel restrictions in July. Macau's slow recovery suggests it will take many months for outbound activity to normalize once regional restrictions are lifted. China's 'Golden Week' holiday period was a day longer this year, but by most measures domestic air activity in October remained weak versus 2019. Sequential improvement in RPKs and passenger counts in October was just +5% MoM, roughly in-line with normal seasonality, and travelers are still opting for shorter trips. We believe the pace of recovery in domestic travel is moderating. Can the 2021 Lunar New Year holiday rescue China's travel service providers? Without a relaxation of restrictions in key regional markets, another major holiday travel period could be 'lost', in our opinion. We do not believe improving domestic activity can offset 'lost' outbound travel in Q121.We remain negative on Chinese travel demand. We believe the normalization of domestic and especially outbound activitity will take longer than expected -- no 'snap back' scenario, in other words. Furthermore, we believe underlying demand growth was slowing even before Covid19 hit, and it's become clear that domestic travel activity is unlikely to fully offset 'lost' outbound trips. 

TRACKING TRAFFIC/Chinese Tourism: Macau's Slog | Golden Week Fails to Shine | LNY 2021 At Risk?

Equity Capital Markets

Kerry Express Thailand / Equity Capital Markets

In an updated filing, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kerry-express-thailand" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29253:1" rel="noopener">Kerry Express Thailand (KEX TB)</a> indicated it could sell as many as 300 mn new shares in its planned IPO. Many media reports have suggested the company hopes to raise about US$300 mn in the offering, suggesting KEX will come to market at around 30 baht per share.In this note, we try to answer the following questions regarding KEX's valuation:<ul>
<li>What are the most useful 'comps' for KEX? </li>
<li>What are some appropriate valuation multiples to use in comparing KEX to peers?</li>
<li>How does KEX's valuation at 30 baht per share compare to the peer group we've identified?</li>
<li>What factors could support either a premium or discount valuation for KEX versus peers?</li>
</ul>At 30 baht per share (which implies market capitalization of US$1.7 bn), KEX would not be overvalued relative to peers, in our view, and there are reasons KEX could eventually demand a premium valuation relative to other express companies.

In an updated filing, Kerry Express Thailand (KEX TB) indicated it could sell as many as 300 mn new shares in its planned IPO. Many media reports have suggested the company hopes to raise about US$300 mn in the offering, suggesting KEX will come to market at around 30 baht per share.In this note, we try to answer the following questions regarding KEX's valuation:
What are the most useful 'comps' for KEX? 
What are some appropriate valuation multiples to use in comparing KEX to peers?
How does KEX's valuation at 30 baht per share compare to the peer group we've identified?
What factors could support either a premium or discount valuation for KEX versus peers?
At 30 baht per share (which implies market capitalization of US$1.7 bn), KEX would not be overvalued relative to peers, in our view, and there are reasons KEX could eventually demand a premium valuation relative to other express companies.

Kerry Express Thailand (KEX) IPO: Approach to Valuation

Thailand

Nok Airlines PCL operates as an airline carrier in the aviation industry. The Company provides air transportation services for passengers, baggage, and cargo.

Asia Aviation PCL owns a budget airline.  The airline offers low fare flights, online booking, hospitality packages, and courier and cargo services. Asia Aviation serves travelers throughout Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.

Bangkok Aviation Fuel Services Public Company Limited is provider of aviation fuel services including aviation depot and aircraft refueling services at the Bangkok International Airport (Donmuang) and the New Bangkok International Airport at Suvarnabhumi.

WICE Logistics Public Company Limited provides freight shipping services. The Company offers marine freight shipping, air freight shipping and trucking services.

Triple i Logistics Public Company Limited provides logistics services. The Company offers sea and air freight forwarding, warehousing, distribution, shipping, goods transportation, and container depot services. Triple i Logistics serves customers worldwide.

Namyong Terminal PCL is a roll on roll off terminal operator. The Company offers terminal services, car storage areas and warehousing services in Thailand.

Thoresen Thai Agencies PCL is a maritime and commodity-focused business group with Transport, Energy, and Infrastructure businesses in the Asia-Pacific region. The Group's businesses include dry bulk shipping, inter-island petroleum and gas tankering, offshore oil and gas services, coal mining, fertilizer production and distribution, and integrated port and logistics services.

Bangkok Airways Company Limited offers air transportation services. The Company operates flights and airports to various resort destinations in Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, China, and Japan.

Precious Shipping Public Company Limited is a ship owner providing regional marine shipping services. The Company operates in the tramp freight market sector where its vessels are employed on a time charter as well as voyage charter basis.  Precious Shipping has a network of shipping agents worldwide.

Kiattana Transport PCL provides transportation services.

Air Busan Co., Ltd. operates as an airline company. The Company offers international and domestic flight, hotel, and car booking services. Air busan also provides reissuance of ticket, baggage, airport, and in flight services. Air busan offers services worldwide.

AirAsia X Berhad is a long-haul, low-cost airline based in Malaysia. The Company is an affiliate carrier of the AirAsia Group. AirAsia X offers flights on the Airbus A330-300 aircraft on routes beyond 4 hours flight duration across Asia Pacific and the Middle East.

Skymark Airlines Inc. provides air transportation services.  The Company's services include scheduled flights for passengers and air courier services. Skymark Airlines conducts businesses in Japan.

Icelandair Group hf is a holding company.  The Company, through its subsidiaries, offers scheduled air carrier operations, tourist services and transport operations; buys and sells real estate; and conducts credit operations and other related services.  Icelandair flies between Iceland, Western Europe, and North America.

Spirit Airlines Inc. is a low-fare airline based in Miramar, Florida. The Airline provides low-cost travel opportunities principally to and from South Florida, the Caribbean and Latin America. Spirit Airlines basic service combines with a range of optional services for additional fees, targets price sensitive leisure travelers and travelers visiting friends and relatives.

PT Garuda Indonesia Persero Tbk provides airline services. The Company offers domestic and international flights, online check in, and associated services for passengers, baggage, and cargo.

Gol Linhas Aereas Inteligentes S.A. provides low-fare, non-stop passenger flight services through its fleet of next generation Boeing airplanes.  The company provides domestic flights in Brazil.

Alliance Aviation Services Ltd. is a mining services company. The Company specializes in providing transportation by air of its mining and energy customers' employees and contractors to and from remote locations, ad hoc charter services - operating commercial air charters servicing the needs of Government and corporate customers, and wet leasing services.

Cebu Air, Inc. operates an airline under the Cebu Pacific Air name in the Philippines. It offers scheduled air travel services to passengers, as well as airport-to-airport cargo services on its domestic and international routes. The company also provides ancillary services, such as cancellation and rebooking options; in-flight merchandising, including sale of duty-free products on international flights; baggage services; and travel-related products and services. As of December 31, 2015, Cebu Air, Inc. operated a fleet of 55 aircraft, which includes 8 Airbus A319, 33 Airbus A320, 6 Airbus A330, and 8 ATR 72-500 aircraft. The company has a strategic alliance with Tigerair. Cebu Air, Inc. was incorporated in 1988 and is headquartered in Pasay City, the Philippines. Cebu Air, Inc. is a subsidiary of CPAir Holdings, Inc.

Star Flyer Inc. operates as an airline carrier in the aviation industry. The Company provides air transportation services for passengers, baggage, and cargo. Star Flyer also offers shuttle services between key Japanese cities.

Thai Airways International Public Company Limited is Thailand's national airline providing air transportation, freight and mail services on domestic and international routes including Asia, Europe, North America, Africa and South West Pacific.  The Company is a state enterprise which is controlled by the government and partly owned by the public.

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Thai Airways International (THAI TB)

December-January Travel Data Confirm Stalled Domestic Recovery; Weak LNY Unlikely to Help

The recovery in domestic travel demand stalled again in December, and we believe improvement will be muted in the near-term as officials battle...

Tracking Traffic

Mission Impossible 2021: Rescuing the Thai Airline Industry

Bangkok Airways might be the only survivor amongst the 4 listed carriers. Short term, Thai aviation relies on domestic tourist, but long term,...

Athaporn Arayasantiparb, CFA

TRACKING TRAFFIC/Chinese Tourism: Domestic Recovery Lost Steam in November

It appears the nascent recovery in Chinese domestic tourism activity began to stall in November. Outbound travel activity remains dormant, and even...

Tracking Traffic

TRACKING TRAFFIC/Chinese Tourism: Macau's Slog | Golden Week Fails to Shine | LNY 2021 At Risk?

Chinese travel demand remained weak in October, which included the long Golden Week holiday. Poor outbound travel demand is not a surprise at this...

Tracking Traffic

Kerry Express Thailand (KEX) IPO: Approach to Valuation

What's the right valuation approach to Kerry Express (KEX), which hopes to complete its IPO in Thailand in the coming weeks?

Tracking Traffic

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