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.

Equity Bottom-Up

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pinduoduo-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27250:1" rel="noopener">Pinduoduo (PDD US)</a>’s Q1 was not all that bad. Revenue was up 239% YoY to RMB 22.2bn compared to the consensus estimate of RMB 20.6bn. Non-GAAP operating income reached RMB -3.2bn (an OPM of -14.3% compared to OPMs of -54.9%, -5.9%, -2.4% and -4.2% in 1Q20, 2Q20, 3Q20 and 4Q20 respectively) in 1Q21 compared to the consensus estimate of RMB -3.6bn. Yet investors were cautious as shares plunged a 9.9% from the day’s open price of US$ 137.2, to close the day at US$ 123.6 per share. This wasn’t surprising as most tech companies had weak share price performance despite stellar Q1 earnings.

Pinduoduo (PDD US)’s Q1 was not all that bad. Revenue was up 239% YoY to RMB 22.2bn compared to the consensus estimate of RMB 20.6bn. Non-GAAP operating income reached RMB -3.2bn (an OPM of -14.3% compared to OPMs of -54.9%, -5.9%, -2.4% and -4.2% in 1Q20, 2Q20, 3Q20 and 4Q20 respectively) in 1Q21 compared to the consensus estimate of RMB -3.6bn. Yet investors were cautious as shares plunged a 9.9% from the day’s open price of US$ 137.2, to close the day at US$ 123.6 per share. This wasn’t surprising as most tech companies had weak share price performance despite stellar Q1 earnings.

Global TMT analyst with Asia ex-Japan focus.

Mitchell Kim

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pinduoduo-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27250:1" rel="noopener">Pinduoduo (PDD US)'s</a> share price fell 5.5% in the US market after the company reported a 239% revenue growth YoY.   I believe there are three reasons why the market punished the stock (indeed <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/meituan-dianping" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26970:1" rel="noopener">Meituan (3690 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26:1" rel="noopener">Tencent (700 HK), and </a><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><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26:1" rel="noopener"> fell too, but </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><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26:1" rel="noopener"> and </a><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>):<ul>
<li>The company decided against disclosing the TTM GMV.  Why? </li>
<li>The explosive revenue growth was partly due to the direct sales revenue which was recorded in only the last two quarters and the grocery delivery business, which started in August 2020.</li>
<li>The gross profit margin dropped sequentially while the operating loss ratio expanded. As I have noted in my last note and Webinar, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/pin-duo-duo-pdd-us-four-charts-to-make-you-want-to-run" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:49333" rel="noopener">Pin Duo Duo (PDD US): Four Charts To Make You Want to Run</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/smartkarma-webinar-pinduoduo-pdd-us-know-when-to-fold" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:49910" rel="noopener">Smartkarma Webinar | Pinduoduo (PDD US): Know When to Fold</a> when revenue growth starts to slow the path to profit much be shown clearly.  </li>
</ul>I favor <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 then <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> as they offer much more attractive value and less exposed to the domestic counterfeit claims risk and the potential fine for aggressive use of subsidies to acquire customers.

Pinduoduo (PDD US)'s share price fell 5.5% in the US market after the company reported a 239% revenue growth YoY.   I believe there are three reasons why the market punished the stock (indeed Meituan (3690 HK), Tencent (700 HK), and Vipshop Holdings (VIPS US) fell too, but Alibaba Group (BABA US) and JD.com Inc (ADR) (JD US)):
The company decided against disclosing the TTM GMV.  Why? 
The explosive revenue growth was partly due to the direct sales revenue which was recorded in only the last two quarters and the grocery delivery business, which started in August 2020.
The gross profit margin dropped sequentially while the operating loss ratio expanded. As I have noted in my last note and Webinar, Pin Duo Duo (PDD US): Four Charts To Make You Want to Run and Smartkarma Webinar | Pinduoduo (PDD US): Know When to Fold when revenue growth starts to slow the path to profit much be shown clearly.  
I favor Alibaba Group (BABA US) and then JD.com Inc (ADR) (JD US) as they offer much more attractive value and less exposed to the domestic counterfeit claims risk and the potential fine for aggressive use of subsidies to acquire customers.  

Pinduoduo (PDD US): Three Reasons Why PDD Fell 5.5% After a 239% Growth

<ul>
<li>While Tencent’s 25% YoY total revenue growth in 1Q21 was respectable, extended slow online games revenue growth increases the downside risk for the stock, in my view.  In 2018, Tencent's share price fell from the peak of HKD470 to nearly HKD250 as game revenue growth fell from 30%+ to single digits. </li>
<li> I flagged that <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26:1" rel="noopener">Tencent (700 HK)</a> will not be able to sustain the 30-40% YoY game revenue growth in my report, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/tencent-700-hk-taking-foot-off-the-pedal" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:49643" rel="noopener">Tencent (700 HK): Taking Foot Off the Pedal</a>, after Tencent’s 4Q20 results on 25 March 2021.  In 1Q21, Tencent’s total online game revenue (including smartphone revenues in social media) growth decelerated to 15% YoY, the lowest rate since 3Q19. </li>
<li>
Games revenue growth remains a key share price driver because the segment still contributes 64% of the total gross profit (Game business is the majority of VAS segment) even though it only makes up 40% of the total revenues.</li>
<li> Added to the game revenue slowdown risk, the Fintech restructuring risk is still looming. In my Tencent report, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/tencent-700-hk-fintech-risk-is-lurking" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:50512" rel="noopener">Tencent (700 HK): Fintech Risk Is Lurking</a>, I noted that stricter consumer loan and asset management regulation will adversely impact Tencent shares more than Alibaba because of Tencent’s greater ownership of its fintech business.      </li>
<li>
The saving grace for Tencent in 1Q21 was fintech and cloud businesses.  Fintech and business services (incl Cloud) was the largest growth driver in 1Q21.  However, FinTech Service revenue growth benefitted from the comparison with the stay-at-home law impacted 1Q20.  </li>
<li>
Tencent's 1Q21 results were broadly at par with <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/netease-inc-adr" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:17203:1" rel="noopener">NetEase Inc (NTES US)</a> but underperformed e-commerce platforms' results -- <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>, <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>, 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> -- on revenue, gross profit and operating profit (normalized) growth.  </li>
</ul>


While Tencent’s 25% YoY total revenue growth in 1Q21 was respectable, extended slow online games revenue growth increases the downside risk for the stock, in my view.  In 2018, Tencent's share price fell from the peak of HKD470 to nearly HKD250 as game revenue growth fell from 30%+ to single digits. 
 I flagged that Tencent (700 HK) will not be able to sustain the 30-40% YoY game revenue growth in my report, Tencent (700 HK): Taking Foot Off the Pedal, after Tencent’s 4Q20 results on 25 March 2021.  In 1Q21, Tencent’s total online game revenue (including smartphone revenues in social media) growth decelerated to 15% YoY, the lowest rate since 3Q19. 

Games revenue growth remains a key share price driver because the segment still contributes 64% of the total gross profit (Game business is the majority of VAS segment) even though it only makes up 40% of the total revenues.
 Added to the game revenue slowdown risk, the Fintech restructuring risk is still looming. In my Tencent report, Tencent (700 HK): Fintech Risk Is Lurking, I noted that stricter consumer loan and asset management regulation will adversely impact Tencent shares more than Alibaba because of Tencent’s greater ownership of its fintech business.      

The saving grace for Tencent in 1Q21 was fintech and cloud businesses.  Fintech and business services (incl Cloud) was the largest growth driver in 1Q21.  However, FinTech Service revenue growth benefitted from the comparison with the stay-at-home law impacted 1Q20.  

Tencent's 1Q21 results were broadly at par with NetEase Inc (NTES US) but underperformed e-commerce platforms' results -- Alibaba Group (BABA US), JD.com Inc (ADR) (JD US), and Vipshop Holdings (VIPS US) -- on revenue, gross profit and operating profit (normalized) growth.  


Tencent (700 HK): Take a Deep Breath and Reassess: Online Game Growth Is Slowing

<ul>
<li>
There are only a few large cap stocks in Asia that can deliver on 30%+ revenue growth and trade at 1x P/Sales (TTM) and forward P/E of 40x (on consensus estimate). <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> just happens to be one of them.  </li>
<li>
JD reported the highest topline growth (39% YoY) in the last 5 years, aided by the explosive JD Logistics and marketplace revenue growth.  The stock still trades at 34% below the peak in March. </li>
<li>JD's product revenue growth was 35% YoY, outpacing the China over all online physical goods sales growth of 32%.  This suggests JD is gaining market share. I highlight this trend in my report, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/china-e-commerce-robust-consumption-data-hints-at-online-spending-spree" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:50798" rel="noopener">China E-Commerce: Robust Consumption Data Hints at Online Spending Spree</a>.  </li>
<li>
Some may be concerned over operating margin declining, but I remain constructive as the core business (JD Retail) operating margin hit 4%, second highest level in its history.  However, total Non-GAAP operating profit margin declined to 1.7% from 2.2% in 1Q20.  This was due to investments in JD Logistics capacity and in new businesses -- Jingxi, cloud and AI.  </li>
<li>Risk: The market may hold back its enthusiasm as lower revenue growth relative to 1Q21 is estimated in 2Q21 because of the skewed growth in 2Q20.  Management stressed that similar growth is expected for 1H21 compared to 1Q20.  </li>
</ul>



There are only a few large cap stocks in Asia that can deliver on 30%+ revenue growth and trade at 1x P/Sales (TTM) and forward P/E of 40x (on consensus estimate). JD.com Inc (ADR) (JD US) just happens to be one of them.  

JD reported the highest topline growth (39% YoY) in the last 5 years, aided by the explosive JD Logistics and marketplace revenue growth.  The stock still trades at 34% below the peak in March. 
JD's product revenue growth was 35% YoY, outpacing the China over all online physical goods sales growth of 32%.  This suggests JD is gaining market share. I highlight this trend in my report, China E-Commerce: Robust Consumption Data Hints at Online Spending Spree.  

Some may be concerned over operating margin declining, but I remain constructive as the core business (JD Retail) operating margin hit 4%, second highest level in its history.  However, total Non-GAAP operating profit margin declined to 1.7% from 2.2% in 1Q20.  This was due to investments in JD Logistics capacity and in new businesses -- Jingxi, cloud and AI.  
Risk: The market may hold back its enthusiasm as lower revenue growth relative to 1Q21 is estimated in 2Q21 because of the skewed growth in 2Q20.  Management stressed that similar growth is expected for 1H21 compared to 1Q20.  


JD.com (JD US): Robust Growth, Impressive Core Profit

APAC IPOs & Placements

Zhen Zhou, Toh

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.

Event-Driven

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jd-logistics" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31500:1" rel="noopener">JD Logistics (JDL HK)</a> is looking to raise US$4bn in its upcoming Hong Kong IPO and JD.com holds an 81% stake in the company prior to the IPO.In this note, we will look at the impact of JD Logistics’ IPO on JD.com’s valuation.We had previously covered JD Logistics IPO in:<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/jd-logistics-pre-ipo-peer-comparison-shielded-from-price-war" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:50575" rel="noopener">JD Logistics (京东物流) Pre-IPO - Peer Comparison - Shielded from Price War</a> </li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/jd-logistics-pre-ipo-tethered-to-jd-group-and-looking-beyond" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:48396" rel="noopener">JD Logistics (京东物流) Pre-IPO - Tethered to JD Group and Looking Beyond</a> </li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/jd-logistics-pre-ipo-thoughts-on-valuation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:50953" rel="noopener">JD Logistics (京东物流) Pre-IPO - Thoughts on Valuation</a> </li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/jd-logistics-pre-ipo-phip-updates-and-fine-tuning-valuation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:51008" rel="noopener">JD Logistics (京东物流) Pre-IPO - PHIP Updates and Fine-Tuning Valuation</a> </li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/jd-logistics-pre-ipo-index-implications-it-will-cut-close" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:51054" rel="noopener">JD Logistics (京东物流) Pre-IPO - Index Implications - It Will Cut Close</a> </li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/jd-logistics-pre-ipo-bull-bear-case-valuation-sensitivity" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:51105" rel="noopener">JD Logistics (京东物流) Pre-IPO - Bull/Bear Case + Valuation Sensitivity</a> </li>
</ul>

JD Logistics (JDL HK) is looking to raise US$4bn in its upcoming Hong Kong IPO and JD.com holds an 81% stake in the company prior to the IPO.In this note, we will look at the impact of JD Logistics’ IPO on JD.com’s valuation.We had previously covered JD Logistics IPO in:

JD Logistics (京东物流) Pre-IPO - Peer Comparison - Shielded from Price War 

JD Logistics (京东物流) Pre-IPO - Tethered to JD Group and Looking Beyond 

JD Logistics (京东物流) Pre-IPO - Thoughts on Valuation 

JD Logistics (京东物流) Pre-IPO - PHIP Updates and Fine-Tuning Valuation 

JD Logistics (京东物流) Pre-IPO - Index Implications - It Will Cut Close 

JD Logistics (京东物流) Pre-IPO - Bull/Bear Case + Valuation Sensitivity 


JD.com (京东) HoldCo Valuation Quick Note - Impact of JD Logistics (京东物流) IPO

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)

Pinduoduo: Downside Not Fully Priced In

Downward trajectory still seems rather steep for Pinduoduo while other EC names like Alibaba, Vipshop & JD.com offers more downside protection....

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Pinduoduo (PDD US): Three Reasons Why PDD Fell 5.5% After a 239% Growth

Pinduoduo reported 239% revenue growth in 1Q21, but the stock fell 5.5%. I offer three reasons why the stock fell: GMV, revenue, and loss margins.

Mitchell Kim

Tencent (700 HK): Take a Deep Breath and Reassess: Online Game Growth Is Slowing

Tencent's online game revenue growth slowed to 15% YoY. The stock nearly halved in 2018 when the growth rate fell to single digits. Can it happen...

Mitchell Kim

JD.com (JD US): Robust Growth, Impressive Core Profit

When a USD115 billion revenue company is growing 39% YoY and core business operating margin improving 27 bps to 4%, it is hard to sit on the fence....

Mitchell Kim

JD.com (京东) HoldCo Valuation Quick Note - Impact of JD Logistics (京东物流) IPO

JD Logistics (JDL HK) is looking to raise US$4bn in its upcoming Hong Kong IPO and JD.com holds an 81% stake in the company prior to the IPO.

Zhen Zhou, Toh

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