Global TMT analyst with Asia ex-Japan focus.

Mitchell Kim

Equity Bottom-Up

China online physical goods retail sales growth for April and May is tracking well below the 1Q21 level.  While this is largely an optics phenomenon due to unfavorable comparisons with the COVID fueled 2Q20, the upcoming 2Q21 earnings are unlikely to provide a catalyst for ecommerce platforms, in my view. However, with a sharp share price fall in the last 3 months, Vipshop shares now stand out as a value play. <h3>Key takeaways from the China retail sales data for May: </h3><ul>
<li>China overall retail sales growth YoY for May drops to 12.4% from 34% in 1Q21, but it is at near par with 1Q21 on a two-year CAGR basis.     </li>
<li>Online physical goods sales growth YoY for April and May combined is 7.3% YoY, well below the 26% in 1Q21 but at a similar 15% 2 YR CAGR rate.  </li>
<li>The apparel category sales showed relatively stronger growth in April and May.</li>
<li>Overall, Chinese online shopping platform share prices are down 11% to 60% in the last 3 months.  <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>is now back in the value category with the stock trading at 9-10x FY21 earnings (based on consensus EPS and my own estimate). </li>
<li>Consensus estimates for VIPS are likely to continue to fall to rationalize the share price drop.  I see potential value emerging once the revision is complete. </li>
<li>I estimate Vipshop's 2Q21 revenue growth to be 29% YoY, beating consensus estimate and the company's upper range guidance.  <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pinduoduo-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27250:1" rel="noopener">Pinduoduo (PDD US)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alibaba-group-holding-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:787:1" rel="noopener">Alibaba Group (BABA US)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jd-com-inc-adr" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:446:1" rel="noopener">JD.com Inc (ADR) (JD US)</a> will see revenue growth deceleration as well with PDD likely to see largest growth deceleration (excluding direct sales).   </li>
</ul>

China online physical goods retail sales growth for April and May is tracking well below the 1Q21 level.  While this is largely an optics phenomenon due to unfavorable comparisons with the COVID fueled 2Q20, the upcoming 2Q21 earnings are unlikely to provide a catalyst for ecommerce platforms, in my view. However, with a sharp share price fall in the last 3 months, Vipshop shares now stand out as a value play. Key takeaways from the China retail sales data for May: 
China overall retail sales growth YoY for May drops to 12.4% from 34% in 1Q21, but it is at near par with 1Q21 on a two-year CAGR basis.     
Online physical goods sales growth YoY for April and May combined is 7.3% YoY, well below the 26% in 1Q21 but at a similar 15% 2 YR CAGR rate.  
The apparel category sales showed relatively stronger growth in April and May.
Overall, Chinese online shopping platform share prices are down 11% to 60% in the last 3 months.  Vipshop Holdings (VIPS US)is now back in the value category with the stock trading at 9-10x FY21 earnings (based on consensus EPS and my own estimate). 
Consensus estimates for VIPS are likely to continue to fall to rationalize the share price drop.  I see potential value emerging once the revision is complete. 
I estimate Vipshop's 2Q21 revenue growth to be 29% YoY, beating consensus estimate and the company's upper range guidance.  Pinduoduo (PDD US), Alibaba Group (BABA US), and JD.com Inc (ADR) (JD US) will see revenue growth deceleration as well with PDD likely to see largest growth deceleration (excluding direct sales).   


China Online Retail Sales Tracker: April and May Sales Growth Slows on Unfavorable Comps

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.

<ul>
<li>A pioneer in China’s online discount retail, <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> is currently trading at US$ 17.52 per share, down 62% from the March 2021 peak. Vipshop’s share price momentum unraveled in March 2021 as investors started shifting from growth to value stocks. Vipshop’s decline was further aggravated by the fall of Archegos (held an outsized long position) and weaker than expected Q2 guidance.</li>
<li>At 0.44x FY+2 EV/Sales (past five-year median 0.62x) with around 13.5% revenue CAGR, we think further downside to Vipshop is limited. Moreover, at 6.9x FY+2 EV/EBIT with 19% EBIT CAGR and 8.9x FY+2 PE with 42% EPS CAGR, Vipshop seems to offer more value than most value names in the market.</li>
</ul>


A pioneer in China’s online discount retail, Vipshop Holdings (VIPS US) is currently trading at US$ 17.52 per share, down 62% from the March 2021 peak. Vipshop’s share price momentum unraveled in March 2021 as investors started shifting from growth to value stocks. Vipshop’s decline was further aggravated by the fall of Archegos (held an outsized long position) and weaker than expected Q2 guidance.
At 0.44x FY+2 EV/Sales (past five-year median 0.62x) with around 13.5% revenue CAGR, we think further downside to Vipshop is limited. Moreover, at 6.9x FY+2 EV/EBIT with 19% EBIT CAGR and 8.9x FY+2 PE with 42% EPS CAGR, Vipshop seems to offer more value than most value names in the market.


Vipshop: A Summer Bargain After Archegos Caused a Long Squeeze

Global Emerging Market Equities, Propitious Research

Wium Malan, CFA

Global Emerging Market Equities

Independent, Fundamental Quantitative Research

Propitious Research

Fully independent, fundamental and quantitative equity research, focused on companies in the Telecommunication, Media, Technology, Internet and Healthcare sectors in the Global Emerging Markets. Idea generation focused on Quality stocks, trading below their intrinsic Value, with sound Corporate Governance.

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

This insight provides a summary of the key news developments impacting the largest countries and constituents of the Global Emerging Markets equity indices. 
Companies mentioned this week:
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/prosus-nv" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28104:1" rel="noopener">Prosus (PRX NA)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alibaba-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28434:1" rel="noopener">Alibaba Group (9988 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/baidu-inc-a55ca720-5968-48f0-8194-ac94390d065c" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:32212:1" rel="noopener">Baidu (9888 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bytedance-technology" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27936:1" rel="noopener">ByteDance (1460967D CH)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/naver-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16029:1" rel="noopener">Naver Corp (035420 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/e-mart-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6993:1" rel="noopener">E Mart Inc (139480 KS)</a>

This insight provides a summary of the key news developments impacting the largest countries and constituents of the Global Emerging Markets equity indices. 
Companies mentioned this week:
Prosus (PRX NA), Alibaba Group (9988 HK), Baidu (9888 HK), ByteDance (1460967D CH), Naver Corp (035420 KS), E Mart Inc (139480 KS) 

Global Emerging Markets Weekly: 18 June 2021

Shifara Samsudeen, ACMA, CGMA

Equity Capital Markets

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/aihuishou" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33426:1" rel="noopener">Aihuishou (RERE US)</a> , the pre-owned consumer electronics transaction and services platform in China has announced the indicative price range for its IPO at US$13-15 per ADS. The company plans to issue 16.23m ADSs (18.7m shares including the over-allotment) and each ordinary share represents 1.5 ADSs of the company. At the midpoint of the IPO price range of US$14 per share, Aihuishou will raise net proceeds of US$205.7m at a market capitalisation of US$3.1bn and a post-money enterprise value of US$2.85bn.In our previous insight, we examined Aihuishou’s business model and its financials and concluded that the company’s revenues will continue to see strong growth and at the same time, we expect the company’s profitability to improve going forward.

Aihuishou (RERE US) , the pre-owned consumer electronics transaction and services platform in China has announced the indicative price range for its IPO at US$13-15 per ADS. The company plans to issue 16.23m ADSs (18.7m shares including the over-allotment) and each ordinary share represents 1.5 ADSs of the company. At the midpoint of the IPO price range of US$14 per share, Aihuishou will raise net proceeds of US$205.7m at a market capitalisation of US$3.1bn and a post-money enterprise value of US$2.85bn.In our previous insight, we examined Aihuishou’s business model and its financials and concluded that the company’s revenues will continue to see strong growth and at the same time, we expect the company’s profitability to improve going forward.

AiHuiShou IPO: Peer Comparison and Valuation

<ul>
<li>According to Reuters, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/dingdong-maicia" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33461:1" rel="noopener">Dingdong Maicia (DDL US)</a>, an on-demand fresh produce and grocery delivery platform in China, plans to raise US$500m in its US IPO, which values the company at around US$6.0bn.</li>
<li>Dingdong Maicai’s order fulfilment cost, which includes the amount paid to delivery partners, packaging, and other logistics-related costs, is almost two times the net revenue per order in 2020. Though we expect a gradual increase in net revenue per order, it seems unlikely that the average order fulfilment cost per order will decline sufficiently for Dingdong Maicai to be profitable over the next three to four years.</li>
<li>The fact that the company made an operating loss of RMB 295.5m (41.3% of net revenue) in 1Q20 (when COVID-19 lockdowns increased demand for grocery and fresh produce delivery) is a clear indication that Dingdong Maicai is incapable of becoming profitable through volume growth.</li>
<li>Lately, high growth Chinese e-commerce companies have fallen out of favour with US investors in general, and the worst-affected are the ones generating operating losses. With profitability nowhere in sight for Dingdong Maicai, we think that in terms of risk rewards, older and stable e-commerce names like <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alibaba-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28434:1" rel="noopener">Alibaba Group (9988 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jd-com-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29043:1" rel="noopener">JD.com Inc. (9618 HK)</a> and <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> offer better risk-adjusted return in the short to medium term.</li>
</ul>


According to Reuters, Dingdong Maicia (DDL US), an on-demand fresh produce and grocery delivery platform in China, plans to raise US$500m in its US IPO, which values the company at around US$6.0bn.
Dingdong Maicai’s order fulfilment cost, which includes the amount paid to delivery partners, packaging, and other logistics-related costs, is almost two times the net revenue per order in 2020. Though we expect a gradual increase in net revenue per order, it seems unlikely that the average order fulfilment cost per order will decline sufficiently for Dingdong Maicai to be profitable over the next three to four years.
The fact that the company made an operating loss of RMB 295.5m (41.3% of net revenue) in 1Q20 (when COVID-19 lockdowns increased demand for grocery and fresh produce delivery) is a clear indication that Dingdong Maicai is incapable of becoming profitable through volume growth.
Lately, high growth Chinese e-commerce companies have fallen out of favour with US investors in general, and the worst-affected are the ones generating operating losses. With profitability nowhere in sight for Dingdong Maicai, we think that in terms of risk rewards, older and stable e-commerce names like Alibaba Group (9988 HK), JD.com Inc. (9618 HK) and Vipshop Holdings (VIPS US) offer better risk-adjusted return in the short to medium term.


Dingdong Maicai: Profitability Is a Tall Order, Even in the Medium-Long Term

China

Vipshop Holdings Ltd. retails branded products at discount over the Internet. The Company retails through flash sales, in which limited quantities of an item are sold at deep discount for a specified period of time.

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Vipshop Holdings (VIPS US)

China Online Retail Sales Tracker: April and May Sales Growth Slows on Unfavorable Comps

Online retail sales growth for April and May is tracking well below the 1Q21 level. This is due to optics, but 2Q21 earnings are unlikely to be a...

Mitchell Kim

Vipshop: A Summer Bargain After Archegos Caused a Long Squeeze

Vipshop’s share price momentum unraveled in March 2021 as investors started shifting from growth to value stocks. Vipshop’s decline was further...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Global Emerging Markets Weekly: 18 June 2021

This insight provides a summary of the key news developments impacting the largest countries and constituents of the Global Emerging Markets equity...

Wium Malan, CFA

AiHuiShou IPO: Peer Comparison and Valuation

We believe there will be limited upside to the company’s indicative IPO price range and would be inclined to buy only if the company sets the final...

Shifara Samsudeen, ACMA, CGMA

Dingdong Maicai: Profitability Is a Tall Order, Even in the Medium-Long Term

Most COVID beneficiary stocks in China showcased what they could be in future through their financial results of the COVID-affected first quarter...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

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