Global Emerging Market Equities, Propitious Research

Wium Malan, CFA

Global Emerging Market Equities

Equity Bottom-Up

<p>The Chinese eCommerce sector has been affected by increased regulatory scrutiny from the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) which has been a headwind to most companies in the sector. However, during this time, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/vipshop-holdings-ltd-adr" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1088:1" rel="noopener">Vipshop Holdings (VIPS US)</a> has meaningfully outperformed peers, driven by an acceleration in active user numbers. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alibaba-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28434:1" rel="noopener">Alibaba Group (9988 HK)</a>, in turn, has significantly underperformed peers, driven by an overhaul of regulation affecting, not only, its 33%-owned <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ant-group-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24240:1" rel="noopener">Ant Financial Services Group (6688 HK)</a>, but also its core Chinese marketplace operations. </p><p>Having previously explored the prospects for Alibaba Group in more detail (<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/alibaba-a-detailed-look-at-the-sotp-and-what-that-tells-us-about-the-ant-group-and-core-commerce" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:47981" rel="noopener">Alibaba: A Detailed Look at the SOTP, and What that Tells Us About the Ant Group and Core Commerce</a> ), in this insight, I take a closer look at the comparative valuations between Chinese niche apparel flash sales company, Vipshop Holdings, and Chinese marketplace behemoth, Alibaba Group, as it relates to their regulatory challenges, competitive positioning, and medium-term growth outlook.</p>

The Chinese eCommerce sector has been affected by increased regulatory scrutiny from the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) which has been a headwind to most companies in the sector. However, during this time, Vipshop Holdings (VIPS US) has meaningfully outperformed peers, driven by an acceleration in active user numbers. Alibaba Group (9988 HK), in turn, has significantly underperformed peers, driven by an overhaul of regulation affecting, not only, its 33%-owned Ant Financial Services Group (6688 HK), but also its core Chinese marketplace operations. Having previously explored the prospects for Alibaba Group in more detail (Alibaba: A Detailed Look at the SOTP, and What that Tells Us About the Ant Group and Core Commerce ), in this insight, I take a closer look at the comparative valuations between Chinese niche apparel flash sales company, Vipshop Holdings, and Chinese marketplace behemoth, Alibaba Group, as it relates to their regulatory challenges, competitive positioning, and medium-term growth outlook.

Long/Short: Alibaba/Vipshop, a Comparative Valuation

IPOs and Catalysts/Events, Global Equity Research Ltd

Arun George

IPOs and Catalysts/Events

Uncompromised, Independent, Conflict-Free Research

Global Equity Research Ltd

Global Equity Research was started in 2017 by a group of experienced research professionals. It was founded on a passionate belief in the importance and the need for uncompromised, independent, conflict-free research. We aim to provide differentiated and actionable primary and bottom up fundamental research.

Equity Capital Markets

<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/miniso-group-holdings" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29673:1" rel="noopener">MINISO Group Holdings (MNSO US)</a> is the largest global branded variety retailer of lifestyle products, with a 5.2% market share of the GMV of the global branded variety retail market in 2019, according to Frost &amp; Sullivan. Miniso has launched its IPO at a price range of $16.50-18.50 per ADS. At the mid-point of the IPO price range, Miniso will raise net proceeds of $504.2 million. </p><div><div><div class="content-highlight"><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/miniso-group-ipo-initiation-chain-reaction" target="_blank" rel="noopener">our initiation note</a>, we stated that setting aside the short-term negative impact due to COVID-19, Miniso presents a unique opportunity to gain exposure to the global branded variety retail market which is driven by consumers’ increasing focus on product design and value for money. We opined that Miniso’s fundamentals offer more positives than negatives. Overall, our valuation analysis suggests that the IPO price range is attractive.</p></div></div></div>

MINISO Group Holdings (MNSO US) is the largest global branded variety retailer of lifestyle products, with a 5.2% market share of the GMV of the global branded variety retail market in 2019, according to Frost &amp; Sullivan. Miniso has launched its IPO at a price range of $16.50-18.50 per ADS. At the mid-point of the IPO price range, Miniso will raise net proceeds of $504.2 million. In our initiation note, we stated that setting aside the short-term negative impact due to COVID-19, Miniso presents a unique opportunity to gain exposure to the global branded variety retail market which is driven by consumers’ increasing focus on product design and value for money. We opined that Miniso’s fundamentals offer more positives than negatives. Overall, our valuation analysis suggests that the IPO price range is attractive.

Equity Analyst, LightStream Research

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

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.

Pan Pacific International Holdings / Equity Bottom-Up

<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pan-pacific-international-holdings-corporation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pan Pacific International Holdings (7532 JP)</a>, (PPI) (formerly Don Quijote) has been the best-performing general retailer in Japan over the last six months, rising by 21%. Only drugstore and grocery store chains have performed better in the Retail Sector which fell by 3.1%, while the TOPIX index declined by 8.4%. In the DETAIL section below, we explain why we believe PPI has further upside.</p>

Pan Pacific International Holdings (7532 JP), (PPI) (formerly Don Quijote) has been the best-performing general retailer in Japan over the last six months, rising by 21%. Only drugstore and grocery store chains have performed better in the Retail Sector which fell by 3.1%, while the TOPIX index declined by 8.4%. In the DETAIL section below, we explain why we believe PPI has further upside.

Pan Pacific (Donki): Gross Margin Improvement Suggests Further Upside

TMT & Consumer Independent Equity Research Analyst, Obex Capital Research

Aaron Gabin

TMT & Consumer Independent Equity Research Analyst

TMT & Consumer Independent Equity Research

Obex Capital Research

“Obex” is Latin for Barriers to Entry. Obex Capital Management’s investment philosophy is driven by an intense focus on which business model’s Barriers to Entry are able to withstand the ever increasing competitive disruption in the TMT and Consumer Sectors.

<p>Surveying the retail landscape over the weekend…we think we could see big reversals in the coming weeks for retail stocks.</p><div class="content-highlight"><p>Obex’s fundamental research process is focused on secular change in the TMT and Consumer sectors. We seek to differentiate between fundamental business analysis and security analysis. Before deciding if a security’s pricing and positioning merit a long or short position, we analyze the four pillars of business fundamentals (Secular Factors, TAM, Competitive Advantage, Business Model) in order to determine if this is a “good” or “not so good” opportunity.</p></div>

Surveying the retail landscape over the weekend…we think we could see big reversals in the coming weeks for retail stocks.Obex’s fundamental research process is focused on secular change in the TMT and Consumer sectors. We seek to differentiate between fundamental business analysis and security analysis. Before deciding if a security’s pricing and positioning merit a long or short position, we analyze the four pillars of business fundamentals (Secular Factors, TAM, Competitive Advantage, Business Model) in order to determine if this is a “good” or “not so good” opportunity.

TMT Weekly:  3 Things that Stood Out (In Retail) The Week of 5/​15/​2020

Expert on Japan Retail and Consumer Markets, JapanConsuming

Michael Causton

Expert on Japan Retail and Consumer Markets

Real Insight on Japanese Consumer Markets

JapanConsuming

JapanConsuming is a specialist research firm producing intelligence on Japanese retail and consumer markets. Founded in 2000, JapanConsuming has become the leading provider of insights on Japanese retailers and consumer trends to retailers, brands, government agencies and investors. As well as a highly regarded monthly report on the market, JapanConsuming produces in-depth reports on retail sectors, seminars on key trends and telephone consulting to investors on trends and retailers.

JapanConsuming was founded by Michael Causton and Roy Larke. 

<p>Unlike the US and Europe, Japan had no off-price fashion market to speak of until last year when Geo Holdings, World and Joyful Honda launched Japanese versions of TJ Maxx.</p>
<p>Last month, Don Quijote operator, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pan-pacific-international-holdings-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13475:1" rel="noopener">Pan Pacific International (7532 JP)</a>, weighed in with its own chain, a move that is likely to spark a rush of stores and rapidly increasing popularity among consumers.</p>

Unlike the US and Europe, Japan had no off-price fashion market to speak of until last year when Geo Holdings, World and Joyful Honda launched Japanese versions of TJ Maxx.
Last month, Don Quijote operator, Pan Pacific International (7532 JP), weighed in with its own chain, a move that is likely to spark a rush of stores and rapidly increasing popularity among consumers.

Donki to Ignite Off-Price Retail Market in Japan

United States

The TJX Companies, Inc. is an off-price apparel and home fashion retailer in the United States and worldwide.  The Company operates off-price retail concepts in the U.S., Canada and Europe that offer a wide range of brand name and designer merchandise.

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Tjx Companies (TJX US)

Long/Short: Alibaba/Vipshop, a Comparative Valuation

In this insight, I take a closer look at the comparative valuations between Chinese niche apparel flash sales company, Vipshop Holdings, and...

Wium Malan, CFA

MINISO Group IPO: Valuation Insights

MINISO Group Holdings (MNSO US) is the largest global branded variety retailer of lifestyle products, with a 5.2% market share of the GMV of the...

Arun George

Pan Pacific (Donki): Gross Margin Improvement Suggests Further Upside

Pan Pacific International Holdings (7532 JP), (PPI) (formerly Don Quijote) has been the best-performing general retailer in Japan over the last six...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

TMT Weekly: 3 Things that Stood Out (In Retail) The Week of 5/15/2020

Surveying the retail landscape over the weekend…we think we could see big reversals in the coming weeks for retail stocks.Obex’s fundamental...

Aaron Gabin

Donki to Ignite Off-Price Retail Market in Japan

Unlike the US and Europe, Japan had no off-price fashion market to speak of until last year when Geo Holdings, World and Joyful Honda launched...

Michael Causton

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Long/Short: Alibaba/Vipshop, a Comparative Valuation

In this insight, I take a closer look at the comparative valuations between Chinese niche apparel flash sales company, Vipshop Holdings, and...

Wium Malan, CFA

MINISO Group IPO: Valuation Insights

MINISO Group Holdings (MNSO US) is the largest global branded variety retailer of lifestyle products, with a 5.2% market share of the GMV of the...

Arun George

Pan Pacific (Donki): Gross Margin Improvement Suggests Further Upside

Pan Pacific International Holdings (7532 JP), (PPI) (formerly Don Quijote) has been the best-performing general retailer in Japan over the last six...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

TMT Weekly: 3 Things that Stood Out (In Retail) The Week of 5/​15/​2020

Surveying the retail landscape over the weekend…we think we could see big reversals in the coming weeks for retail stocks.Obex’s fundamental...

Aaron Gabin

Donki to Ignite Off-Price Retail Market in Japan

Unlike the US and Europe, Japan had no off-price fashion market to speak of until last year when Geo Holdings, World and Joyful Honda launched...

Michael Causton

TMT Weekly: 3 Things that Stood Out (In Retail) The Week of 5/15/2020