China and US Equity Analyst

Roger Xie

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>The latest wave of COVID-19 infections cast a shadow on store traffic recovery for transportation hubs. Looking forward, there will likely more tightening preventive measurement into Chinese New Year.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yum-china-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23677:1" rel="noopener">Yum China Holdings, Inc (YUMC US)</a> has corrected 30% from its high since July due to the resurge of COVID cases in several cities in China 2nd half of year. </li>
<li>We think risk/reward is more compelling to own <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yum-china-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23677:1" rel="noopener">Yum China Holdings, Inc (YUMC US)</a> as it has resilient business model and proven records to navigate through pandemic. </li>
</ul>


The latest wave of COVID-19 infections cast a shadow on store traffic recovery for transportation hubs. Looking forward, there will likely more tightening preventive measurement into Chinese New Year.

Yum China Holdings, Inc (YUMC US) has corrected 30% from its high since July due to the resurge of COVID cases in several cities in China 2nd half of year. 
We think risk/reward is more compelling to own Yum China Holdings, Inc (YUMC US) as it has resilient business model and proven records to navigate through pandemic. 


Yum China (YUMC.US/9987.HK): Resilient Business Model in the Face of Rising COVID Cases

<ul>
<li>The resurgence of COVID-19 cases has again put the Chinese restaurant sector under pressure. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yum-china-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23677:1" rel="noopener">Yum China Holdings, Inc (YUMC US)</a> released a business update last night. The latest outbreak of COVID-19 Delta variant in China has caused more than 500 of Yum China stores in 17 provinces closed or offering only takeaway and delivery services. Same-store sales in August 2021 declined by mid-teens percentage year over year, or close to an approximately 20% decline compared to August 2019 (or mid-teen decline on year-over-year basis).  Based on current trend, the Company has experienced significant operating deleveraging, adjusted operating profit, which excludes special items, may be reduced by approximately 50% to 60% for the third quarter of 2021, compared to the same period last year. </li>
<li>Other casual dining companies have experienced similar pullback  given the wide spread of Delta variants in China and record flooding in some areas. For example, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jiumaojiu-international-holdings-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28293:1" rel="noopener">Jiumaojiu (9922 HK)</a> Tai Er restaurants and Jiu Mao Jiu restaurants have seen around 10% and 20% decline of same-store sale respectively compared with pre-COVID 2019. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/haidilao-international-holding-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27044:1" rel="noopener">Haidilao (6862 HK)</a> experienced about 30% decline of same-store sale compared with pre-COVID 2019. We believe the latest surge of COVID-19 has the bigger impact on transportation hubs and tourist locations.</li>
<li>To put the comparison in the same context, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yum-china-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23677:1" rel="noopener">Yum China Holdings, Inc (YUMC US)</a> recorded 40-50% same-store sale decline during the initial COVID outbreak in February 2020. Apparently, the scale of recent outbreak is not as big as the initial one. We expect that Yum China is more experienced this time to utilize delivery and take-out options as well. The company is using technology to foster brand loyalty and drive more consistent traffic. Yum China had 330 million members on its rewards app. This has facilitated the shift of sales to various digital platforms (more than 84% of sales were digital in 2020) and enabled the company to collect a vast amount of consumer data.  Through analyzing this data, the group is trying to lock in its customers through personalized menu creations based on each diner’s past order history and local tastes. We continue to believe <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yum-china-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23677:1" rel="noopener">Yum China Holdings, Inc (YUMC US)</a> offers investors better reward/risk potential in China restaurant sector. We reiterate TP US$72 for Yum China, which is based on 30x 2021e P/E. </li>
</ul>


The resurgence of COVID-19 cases has again put the Chinese restaurant sector under pressure. Yum China Holdings, Inc (YUMC US) released a business update last night. The latest outbreak of COVID-19 Delta variant in China has caused more than 500 of Yum China stores in 17 provinces closed or offering only takeaway and delivery services. Same-store sales in August 2021 declined by mid-teens percentage year over year, or close to an approximately 20% decline compared to August 2019 (or mid-teen decline on year-over-year basis).  Based on current trend, the Company has experienced significant operating deleveraging, adjusted operating profit, which excludes special items, may be reduced by approximately 50% to 60% for the third quarter of 2021, compared to the same period last year. 
Other casual dining companies have experienced similar pullback  given the wide spread of Delta variants in China and record flooding in some areas. For example, Jiumaojiu (9922 HK) Tai Er restaurants and Jiu Mao Jiu restaurants have seen around 10% and 20% decline of same-store sale respectively compared with pre-COVID 2019. Haidilao (6862 HK) experienced about 30% decline of same-store sale compared with pre-COVID 2019. We believe the latest surge of COVID-19 has the bigger impact on transportation hubs and tourist locations.
To put the comparison in the same context, Yum China Holdings, Inc (YUMC US) recorded 40-50% same-store sale decline during the initial COVID outbreak in February 2020. Apparently, the scale of recent outbreak is not as big as the initial one. We expect that Yum China is more experienced this time to utilize delivery and take-out options as well. The company is using technology to foster brand loyalty and drive more consistent traffic. Yum China had 330 million members on its rewards app. This has facilitated the shift of sales to various digital platforms (more than 84% of sales were digital in 2020) and enabled the company to collect a vast amount of consumer data.  Through analyzing this data, the group is trying to lock in its customers through personalized menu creations based on each diner’s past order history and local tastes. We continue to believe Yum China Holdings, Inc (YUMC US) offers investors better reward/risk potential in China restaurant sector. We reiterate TP US$72 for Yum China, which is based on 30x 2021e P/E. 


Yum China (YUMC and 9987.HK): Short-Term Pressure Due to Resurge of COVID Cases in China

<ul>
<li>The most positive surprise from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yum-china-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23677:1" rel="noopener">Yum China Holdings, Inc (YUMC US)</a> 2021Q2 earning call is its step-up of new store openings in the quarter and management's projection. The company added 404 new stores and total store counts is up 11% year-over-year. More impressively, management targeted to open 1300 stores (up from prior 1000 stores) this year. If this new store openings trajectory will stay, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yum-china-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23677:1" rel="noopener">Yum China Holdings, Inc (YUMC US)</a> store counts will delivery 10% annual growth rate, which could be the big positive for Yum China long-term profitability. </li>
<li>2021 Q2 system sales are up 14% year-over-year (or 9% above 2019 Q2), and adjusted operating profits (ex-FX) are up 63% year-over-year. Even though KFC's same-store sales were still 7% behind pre-COVID-19 levels, the company was able to offset weaker unit economics with accelerated store openings. Pizza Hut’s accelerating recovery is also a positive surprise. During the same period, commodity costs declining 7% year-over-year. </li>
<li>As China steps up its effort to curb tech giants (such as <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/didi-chuxing-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27467:1" rel="noopener">DiDi Global (DIDI 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> ), the delivery riders' benefits have come to the spotlight. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yum-china-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23677:1" rel="noopener">Yum China Holdings, Inc (YUMC US)</a> owns its delivery fleet and it confirmed to be compliant with applicable laws and regulations. YUMC believes they pay competitive rates to their riders and raised staff wages by 2-3% year-over-year in 1H21. We believe the policy impact on rider benefits is limited.  We continue to believe <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yum-china-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23677:1" rel="noopener">Yum China Holdings, Inc (YUMC US)</a> offers investors better reward/risk potential in China restaurant sector. We reiterate TP US$72 for Yum China, which is based on 30x 2021e P/E. </li>
</ul>


The most positive surprise from Yum China Holdings, Inc (YUMC US) 2021Q2 earning call is its step-up of new store openings in the quarter and management's projection. The company added 404 new stores and total store counts is up 11% year-over-year. More impressively, management targeted to open 1300 stores (up from prior 1000 stores) this year. If this new store openings trajectory will stay, Yum China Holdings, Inc (YUMC US) store counts will delivery 10% annual growth rate, which could be the big positive for Yum China long-term profitability. 
2021 Q2 system sales are up 14% year-over-year (or 9% above 2019 Q2), and adjusted operating profits (ex-FX) are up 63% year-over-year. Even though KFC's same-store sales were still 7% behind pre-COVID-19 levels, the company was able to offset weaker unit economics with accelerated store openings. Pizza Hut’s accelerating recovery is also a positive surprise. During the same period, commodity costs declining 7% year-over-year. 
As China steps up its effort to curb tech giants (such as DiDi Global (DIDI US) , Alibaba Group (BABA US) ), the delivery riders' benefits have come to the spotlight. Yum China Holdings, Inc (YUMC US) owns its delivery fleet and it confirmed to be compliant with applicable laws and regulations. YUMC believes they pay competitive rates to their riders and raised staff wages by 2-3% year-over-year in 1H21. We believe the policy impact on rider benefits is limited.  We continue to believe Yum China Holdings, Inc (YUMC US) offers investors better reward/risk potential in China restaurant sector. We reiterate TP US$72 for Yum China, which is based on 30x 2021e P/E. 


Yum China (YUMC and 9987.HK): Accelerating New Store Openings to Improve Long-Term Profitability

Asian Insight Provider - Actionable ideas, CrossASEAN Research

Henry Soediarko

Asian Insight Provider - Actionable ideas

CrossASEAN Research

At CrossASEAN Research we strive to produce unbiased and differentiated on the ground insights on companies across South East Asia. Our Research is produced for the most part after face to face meetings and conversations with company management to dig deep into the long term vision and strategy of the companies we cover. We seek to deliver investable and actionable themes on sectors and markets across SE Asia, often in collaboration with other Insight Providers across the region, pooling the vast experience of the analysts within the Smartkarma Ecosystem. We also offer bespoke work and tailor made trips for our clients. 

Insights across South East Asia

<p>There are many reasons to like <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/vitasoy-intl-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2807:1" rel="noopener">Vitasoy Intl Holdings (345 HK)</a> as the go-to consumer stock in Hong Kong with a China expansion as the growth catalyst, healthy product that caters to plenty of Asians particularly those who are lactose intolerant.</p><p>Like a lot of Hong Kong-originated companies, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/vitasoy-intl-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2807:1" rel="noopener">Vitasoy Intl Holdings (345 HK)</a> has been expanding its presence in Mainland China due to the sheer population size and Vitasoy has conquered the Hong Kong market. The question is in which market segment they are trying to compete - the plant-based drink or the dairy milk market? Both are filled with innovative competitors and customers who understand that dairy milk has a higher protein and calcium content. As China makes up more than 60% of the business, the performance in China matters more than the stable business in HK. I am less positive about this and there are more downside rather than upside for the time being. </p>

There are many reasons to like Vitasoy Intl Holdings (345 HK) as the go-to consumer stock in Hong Kong with a China expansion as the growth catalyst, healthy product that caters to plenty of Asians particularly those who are lactose intolerant.Like a lot of Hong Kong-originated companies, Vitasoy Intl Holdings (345 HK) has been expanding its presence in Mainland China due to the sheer population size and Vitasoy has conquered the Hong Kong market. The question is in which market segment they are trying to compete - the plant-based drink or the dairy milk market? Both are filled with innovative competitors and customers who understand that dairy milk has a higher protein and calcium content. As China makes up more than 60% of the business, the performance in China matters more than the stable business in HK. I am less positive about this and there are more downside rather than upside for the time being. 

Vitasoy (345): Does the Chinese like Soymilk?

Head of Research, IPOs & Placements, Aequitas Research

Sumeet Singh

Head of Research, IPOs & Placements

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.

Equity Capital Markets

Devyani International  / Equity Capital Markets

<div><p>Devyani International Limited (DIL), Yum Brand’s largest franchisor in India, aims to raise around US$250m via its Indian IPO. The IPO will be a mix of primary and secondary shares. </p></div><div><p>DIL operates a chain of quick service restaurants (QSRs) in India. Its core business is to operate KFC, Pizza Hut and Costa Coffee in India. It operated 655 stores across 155 cities in India, as of Mar 2021. These include 264 KFC stores, 297 Pizza Hut stores and 44 Costa Coffee stores. It also operates stores in Nepal and Nigeria for KFC and Pizza Hut. In addition, it also runs its own brands Vaango, Food Street, Masala Twist, Ile Bar, Amreli, and Ckrussh Juice Bar in India. Yum owns over 4% stake in the company.</p></div><div><p>We covered various aspects of the deal in our previous notes, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/devyani-pre-ipo-might-not-do-another-burger-king-india-but-should-be-good" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Devyani Pre-IPO - Might not do another Burger King India but should be good</a>,  <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/devyani-pre-ipo-peer-comparison-slots-in-neatly" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Devyani Pre-IPO - Peer Comparison - Slots in Neatly</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/devyani-pre-ipo-thoughts-on-valuation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Devyani Pre-IPO - Thoughts on Valuation.</a></p></div><div><p>In this note, we will talk about the IPO pricing.</p></div>

Devyani International Limited (DIL), Yum Brand’s largest franchisor in India, aims to raise around US$250m via its Indian IPO. The IPO will be a mix of primary and secondary shares. DIL operates a chain of quick service restaurants (QSRs) in India. Its core business is to operate KFC, Pizza Hut and Costa Coffee in India. It operated 655 stores across 155 cities in India, as of Mar 2021. These include 264 KFC stores, 297 Pizza Hut stores and 44 Costa Coffee stores. It also operates stores in Nepal and Nigeria for KFC and Pizza Hut. In addition, it also runs its own brands Vaango, Food Street, Masala Twist, Ile Bar, Amreli, and Ckrussh Juice Bar in India. Yum owns over 4% stake in the company.We covered various aspects of the deal in our previous notes, Devyani Pre-IPO - Might not do another Burger King India but should be good,  Devyani Pre-IPO - Peer Comparison - Slots in Neatly and Devyani Pre-IPO - Thoughts on Valuation.In this note, we will talk about the IPO pricing.

Devyani IPO - Still Some Upside on Un-Adjusted EBITDA Basis

China

Yum China Holdings, Inc. operates chain restaurants. The Company offers pizza, entrees, pasta, rice dishes, appetizers, soups, vegetables, beverages, and desserts. Yum China Holding conducts its business worldwide.

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Yum China Holdings (YUMC US)

Yum China (YUMC.US/9987.HK): Resilient Business Model in the Face of Rising COVID Cases

We think any share price weakness creates a good opportunity to accumulate Yum China. The risk/reward is more compelling given it has resilient...

Roger Xie

Yum China (YUMC and 9987.HK): Short-Term Pressure Due to Resurge of COVID Cases in China

We believe Yum China Holdings can successfully navigated through the recent surge of COVID cases and can generate sales through delivery and other...

Roger Xie

Yum China (YUMC and 9987.HK): Accelerating New Store Openings to Improve Long-Term Profitability

We believe that Yum China store counts will delivery 10% annual growth rate, which could be the big positive for Yum China long-term profitability.

Roger Xie

Vitasoy (345): Does the Chinese like Soymilk?

The question is in which market segment they are trying to compete - the plant-based drink or the dairy milk market. Vitasoy may want to be clearer...

Henry Soediarko

Devyani IPO - Still Some Upside on Un-Adjusted EBITDA Basis

Devyani International Limited (DIL), Yum Brand’s largest franchisor in India, aims to raise around US$250m via its Indian IPO. The IPO will be a...

Sumeet Singh

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