Analyst

Steve Zhou, CFA

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/west-china-cement-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9423:1" rel="noopener">West China Cement (2233 HK)</a> is a cement company based in Western China.  Sales volume in Africa in 2023 was 2.6 million tons, up 117% from 1.2 million tons in 2022. </li>
<li>The company has 2 million tons of cement capacity in Mozambique, 1.5 million tons in Congo, and 1.3 million tons in Ethiopia.  </li>
<li>The company is trading at 4x 2024E PE.  I believe the risk reward is quite high here. </li>
</ul>



West China Cement (2233 HK) is a cement company based in Western China.  Sales volume in Africa in 2023 was 2.6 million tons, up 117% from 1.2 million tons in 2022. 
The company has 2 million tons of cement capacity in Mozambique, 1.5 million tons in Congo, and 1.3 million tons in Ethiopia.  
The company is trading at 4x 2024E PE.  I believe the risk reward is quite high here. 


West China Cement (2233 HK):  African Cement Play At 4x 2024E PE

Senior Credit Analyst, Lucror Analytics

Leonard Law, CFA

Senior Credit Analyst

High Yield Experts

Lucror Analytics

Lucror Analytics is a leading credit and ESG research specialist and a provider of technology solutions for differentiated fixed income strategies. Our roots are in bottom-up fundamental credit analysis with a specialization in high yield corporate credits from Europe, Asia and Latin America. We are one of few research specialists integrating ESG considerations with fundamental credit research through a dedicated ESG platform. Our ESG assessment covers five key criteria: Disclosure, E,S, & G Pillars, Controversies, ESG Impact on Credit and ESG Momentum.

Recognizing the importance and value-add of Factor Investing in fixed income, Lucror developed the Smart Quant Navigator (SQN), an intuitive platform that helps clients devise and implement factor-based strategies ranging from pure quant to active fundamental, with integrated ESG.

Our company has been at the forefront of developments in the fixed income markets, identifying opportunities and consistently delivering new products and value-adding solutions to clients. Lucror has close relationships with the largest and most reputable asset managers, family offices, hedge funds, investment and wealth managers globally.

Credit

Lucror Analytics Morning Views comprise our fundamental credit analysis, opinions and trade recommendations on high yield issuers in the region, based on key company-specific developments in the past 24 hours. Our Morning Views include a section with a brief market commentary, key market indicators and a macroeconomic and corporate event calendar.<ul><li><a href='#lucror-entity-30639'>Nickel Industries </a></li><li><a href='#lucror-entity-9423'>West China Cement</a></li></ul>

Lucror Analytics Morning Views comprise our fundamental credit analysis, opinions and trade recommendations on high yield issuers in the region, based on key company-specific developments in the past 24 hours. Our Morning Views include a section with a brief market commentary, key market indicators and a macroeconomic and corporate event calendar.Nickel Industries West China Cement

Morning Views Asia: Nickel Industries , West China Cement

West China Cement's (WCC) FY 2023 results were soft, but in line with expectations. The company’s profitability in Mainland China continued to weaken, albeit this was partly offset by rising sales volumes and ASP from its African operations. As a result, operating profit in Africa climbed above that for Mainland China for the first time, with the African segment accounting for 31% of total revenue and 74% of operating profit. In our view, the key risk for investors is WCC’s seemingly relentless expansion in Africa, which is likely to further weaken its leverage. Moreover, we are concerned that further expansion in this region will fundamentally change WCC's risk profile from a relatively stable infrastructure-led Chinese business to one that is highly exposed to event risks in frontier markets. The company's African businesses could be exposed to higher geopolitical, regulatory and ESG risks, which are less well understood by investors.

  West China Cement's (WCC) FY 2023 results were soft, but in line with expectations. The company’s profitability in Mainland China continued to weaken, albeit this was partly offset by rising sales volumes and ASP from its African operations. As a result, operating profit in Africa climbed above that for Mainland China for the first time, with the African segment accounting for 31% of total revenue and 74% of operating profit.   In our view, the key risk for investors is WCC’s seemingly relentless expansion in Africa, which is likely to further weaken its leverage. Moreover, we are concerned that further expansion in this region will fundamentally change WCC's risk profile from a relatively stable infrastructure-led Chinese business to one that is highly exposed to event risks in frontier markets. The company's African businesses could be exposed to higher geopolitical, regulatory and ESG risks, which are less well understood by investors. 

West China Cement - Earnings Flash - FY 2023 Results - Lucror Analytics

Lucror Analytics' ESG Scores are based on a 3-tiered scale and are adjusted for Controversies (if applicable). We assess West China Cement’s ESG as "Adequate", in line with its "Adequate" Environmental and Governance scores. That said, the company's Social pillar is "Weak". Controversies are "Immaterial" and Disclosure is "Adequate".

Lucror Analytics' ESG Scores are based on a 3-tiered scale and are adjusted for Controversies (if applicable).  We assess West China Cement’s ESG as "Adequate", in line with its "Adequate" Environmental and Governance scores. That said, the company's Social pillar is "Weak". Controversies are "Immaterial" and Disclosure is "Adequate". 

West China Cement - ESG Report - Lucror Analytics

Lucror Analytics Morning Views comprise our fundamental credit analysis, opinions and trade recommendations on high yield issuers in the region, based on key company-specific developments in the past 24 hours. Our Morning Views include a section with a brief market commentary, key market indicators and a macroeconomic and corporate event calendar.<ul><li><a href='#lucror-entity-8108'>Hopson Development</a></li><li><a href='#lucror-entity-13359'>Lenovo</a></li><li><a href='#lucror-entity-2979'>Tata Steel Thailand</a></li><li><a href='#lucror-entity-9423'>West China Cement</a></li></ul>

Lucror Analytics Morning Views comprise our fundamental credit analysis, opinions and trade recommendations on high yield issuers in the region, based on key company-specific developments in the past 24 hours. Our Morning Views include a section with a brief market commentary, key market indicators and a macroeconomic and corporate event calendar.Hopson DevelopmentLenovoTata Steel ThailandWest China Cement

Morning Views Asia: Hopson Development, Lenovo, Tata Steel Thailand, West China Cement

China

China West Construction Group Co., Ltd. is an infrastructure development company. The Company manufactures and sells pre-mixed concretes.

Ningxia Building Materials Group Co., Ltd. manufactures and retails cement, clinker, and unplasticised polyvinyl chloride (UPVC) pipes.

Ningxia Building Materials Group (600449 CH)

Xinjiang Qingsong Building Materials and Chemicals Group Co., Ltd. manufactures and markets cement, cement products, and chemical products.  The Company's products include portland cement, concrete, phosphate fertilizers, and other related products.

BBMG Corporation has operation in manufacturing and sales of cement and modern building materials. The Company also operates in property development, property investment and provision of property management services in China.

Xiamen Wanli Stone Stock Co., Ltd. operates as an integrated stone product company. The Company develops quarries and fabricated stone. Xiamen Wanli Stone produces marble, granite, slate, sandstone, and other stones and services.

Asia Cement China Holdings Corporation manufactures cement in China. The Company excavates the raw materials for, and produces, clinker and different types of cement.

CSG Holding Co. Ltd.  manufactures raw sheets of high-grade float glass, archite ctural glass, delicacy glass, automotive glass, new-typed electronic components, and structure ceramic materials. The Company also operates in real estate development.

Henan Tongli Cement Co., Ltd. produces and sells cement.  The Company's products include ordinary Portland cement, Portland slag cement and other cement equipments.

Shandong Jinjing Science & Technology Stock Co., Ltd. manufactures and markets float glass, coated glass, and ultra-white glass.  The Company's products are used in glass processing and construction industries.

Jilin Yatai (Group) Co., Ltd. is an investment holding company.  Through its subsidiaries, the Company develops real estate, manufactures cement and pharmaceuticals, operates hotels and supermarkets, and supplies heat power.

MITANI SEKISAN CO., LTD. manufactures and sells secondary concrete products such as concrete piles & poles.  The Company also provides engineering works and produces environmental products including concrete blocks and gravel.  Mitani Sekisan operates real estate businesses as well.

Universal Cement Corporation manufactures and markets cement, ready-mixed concrete, clinker, and gypsum boards.  The Company mainly sells its products in Taiwan.

Orient Cement Limited manufactures and distributes cement.

Tipco Asphalt Public Company Limited manufactures and distributes asphalt emulsion for use in construction and maintenance of roads. The Company sells its products in both domestic and export markets.

TPI Polene Public Company Limited manufactures cement and ready-mixed concrete, and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic resin used in production of bags, bottles, water pipes, and coating materials.  It is Thailand's sole producer of low-density polyethylene which is marketed under Polene brand name.  Through joint venture, it also produces frit which is raw material in ceramic industry.

City Cement Company operates a cement plant in Saudi Arabia. The Company produces a wide range of cement products.

Loma Negra Cia Industrial Argentina SA operates as a cement manufacturer. The Company produces cement, masonry cement, aggregates, concrete, and lime. Loma Negra Cia Industrial Argentina serves distributors, concrete producers, and industrial customers worldwide.

Hanil Cement co.,Ltd. operates as a cement manufacturing company. The Company produces and sells cement, special cement, ready mixed concrete products, high solidity admixture, and other products. Hanil Cement markets its products throughout Korea.

Prism Johnson Limited manufactures and sells building materials. The Company offers a wide range of products such as cement, ready-mixed concrete, tiles, bath products, aggregates, sand, sanitary ware, faucets, modular kitchens, marbles, and construction chemicals. Prism Johnson serves customers in India.

Lucky Cement Limited manufactures and sells cement.  The Company's cement brands include Lucky Gold Brand, Lucky Brand, Lucky Star Brand. Lucky Cement's main plant site is located at the District Lucky Marwat in the North West Frontier province of Pakistan.

West China Cement Limited produces and distributes cement products.

Price Gauge
52-week Range	0.00 - 0.00
Market Cap (USDm)	0.00
P/E	0.00
Dividend (Yield)	0.00

West China Cement (2233 HK)