Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

Equity Capital Markets

In this edition of the Smartkarma North Asia Weekly, it summarizes some of the top insights on Smartkarma in the past week covering Japan, HK/China, and the Korean stock markets. The top topics are below:1) POTUS Executive Order: Updated List of Chinese Stocks to Be Deleted by Major Indices2) Kanzhun IPO3) Angelalign IPO 4) China: Allows Families to Have Three Children5) HYBE Rights Offering6) China Infrastructure REITs7) Aihuishou IPO8) Full Truck Alliance IPO9) Enjin IPO10) Xpeng: Positive Momentum Back11) Tesla China Losing Market Share12) CStone Pharma (2616.HK) - Time for a Revaluation13) JD Health Lock-Up Expiration14) Passive Money Tracking KOSPI15) SK IE Tech KOSPI 200 Fast-Entry16) DL Holdings with Recent Tender’s Increased Shares: Index Treatment 17) WH Group (288 HK)

In this edition of the Smartkarma North Asia Weekly, it summarizes some of the top insights on Smartkarma in the past week covering Japan, HK/China, and the Korean stock markets. The top topics are below:1) POTUS Executive Order: Updated List of Chinese Stocks to Be Deleted by Major Indices2) Kanzhun IPO3) Angelalign IPO 4) China: Allows Families to Have Three Children5) HYBE Rights Offering6) China Infrastructure REITs7) Aihuishou IPO8) Full Truck Alliance IPO9) Enjin IPO10) Xpeng: Positive Momentum Back11) Tesla China Losing Market Share12) CStone Pharma (2616.HK) - Time for a Revaluation13) JD Health Lock-Up Expiration14) Passive Money Tracking KOSPI15) SK IE Tech KOSPI 200 Fast-Entry16) DL Holdings with Recent Tender’s Increased Shares: Index Treatment 17) WH Group (288 HK)

Smartkarma North Asia Weekly: POTUS Order, Kanzhun, Angelalign, & 3 Children Policy in China

HK/China Equity Long-Short

Osbert Tang, CFA

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

China kicked off its public infrastructure REIT issuance in Jun with an overwhelmingly positive subscription response from the market. For the 9 REITs in the first batch issuance, average placement allocation rate is 14.5% and public allocation rate is just 6.3%. The fund raised only represented a mere 3.3% average discount to the value of the underlying assets, with toll road dominated the overall mix to account for 40% of the overall amount raised.We think that the good demand is positive for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/zhejiang-expressway-co-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2178:1" rel="noopener">Zhejiang Expressway Co H (576 HK)</a>, which is the only one under our coverage involved in the first batch, paving the way for more future issuance by the company. We continue to see the following names as the major beneficiaries of China's public infrastructure REIT program - <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-communications-construction-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:265:1" rel="noopener">China Communications Construction (1800 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shenzhen-intl-holdings" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9:1" rel="noopener">Shenzhen Intl (152 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sinotrans-limited-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1321:1" rel="noopener">Sinotrans (598 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-everbright-environment-group-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15946:1" rel="noopener">China Everbright Environment (257 HK)</a>.

China kicked off its public infrastructure REIT issuance in Jun with an overwhelmingly positive subscription response from the market. For the 9 REITs in the first batch issuance, average placement allocation rate is 14.5% and public allocation rate is just 6.3%. The fund raised only represented a mere 3.3% average discount to the value of the underlying assets, with toll road dominated the overall mix to account for 40% of the overall amount raised.We think that the good demand is positive for Zhejiang Expressway Co H (576 HK), which is the only one under our coverage involved in the first batch, paving the way for more future issuance by the company. We continue to see the following names as the major beneficiaries of China's public infrastructure REIT program - China Communications Construction (1800 HK), Shenzhen Intl (152 HK), Sinotrans (598 HK) and China Everbright Environment (257 HK). 

China Infrastructure REITs: Excellent First Batch Result - Good for Zhejiang Expressway (576 HK)

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.

Event-Driven

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/qilu-expressway-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27431:1" rel="noopener">Qilu Expressway Co Ltd (1576 HK)</a> is an expressway operator with the concession rights to construct and operate the Jihe Expressway, the Deshang Expressway and the Shennan Expressway. Revenue is derived primarily from tolls collected from users of the expressways. Qilu listed its H-shares on 19 July 2018 at HK$2.50 per H-share to raise net proceeds of HK$1,172.12 million ($151 million). Due to the completion of the merger by absorption of Qilu Transportation by Shandong Hi-Speed Group on 16 November 2020, Shandong Hi-Speed Group and Shandong Hi-Speed Investment owned 38.93% and 5.19% of the outstanding shares. Subsequently, public shareholders accounted for 19.81% of the outstanding shares, which falls below the minimum public float requirement. To date, Shandong Hi-Speed Group has failed to address the minimum public float requirement by its fulfilling its plan to dispose of its H-shares to independent third parties.Today, Qilu entered a trading halt pending the release of an announcement pursuant to the Code on Takeovers and Mergers. Subsequently, Qilu disclosed that <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shandong-hi-speed-co-ltd-a" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7178:1" rel="noopener">Shandong Hi Speed Co Ltd A (600350 CH)</a> intends to acquire the 778.5 million domestic shares (86.50% of domestic shares, 38.93% of outstanding shares) held by Shandong Hi-Speed Group. Post-completion, Qilu’s direct controlling shareholder will be changed from Shandong Hi-Speed Group to Shandong Hi-Speed which may trigger a mandatory general offer for all the shares under Rule 26.1 of the Takeovers code, unless it is granted a waiver from the Executive. Notably, Shandong Hi-Speed and Shandong Hi-Speed Group will jointly seek a waiver from the Executive.<div class="content-highlight">We note that on 20 August 2020, Shandong Hi-Speed Group was granted a waiver from a mandatory general offer by the Executive in relation to the merger by absorption of Qilu Transportation by Shandong Hi-Speed Group. We think that the Executive will grant a similar waiver for the proposed share acquisition. In combination with ongoing challenges to satisfy the minimum public float requirement, we would not chase the shares. </div>

Qilu Expressway Co Ltd (1576 HK) is an expressway operator with the concession rights to construct and operate the Jihe Expressway, the Deshang Expressway and the Shennan Expressway. Revenue is derived primarily from tolls collected from users of the expressways. Qilu listed its H-shares on 19 July 2018 at HK$2.50 per H-share to raise net proceeds of HK$1,172.12 million ($151 million). Due to the completion of the merger by absorption of Qilu Transportation by Shandong Hi-Speed Group on 16 November 2020, Shandong Hi-Speed Group and Shandong Hi-Speed Investment owned 38.93% and 5.19% of the outstanding shares. Subsequently, public shareholders accounted for 19.81% of the outstanding shares, which falls below the minimum public float requirement. To date, Shandong Hi-Speed Group has failed to address the minimum public float requirement by its fulfilling its plan to dispose of its H-shares to independent third parties.Today, Qilu entered a trading halt pending the release of an announcement pursuant to the Code on Takeovers and Mergers. Subsequently, Qilu disclosed that Shandong Hi Speed Co Ltd A (600350 CH) intends to acquire the 778.5 million domestic shares (86.50% of domestic shares, 38.93% of outstanding shares) held by Shandong Hi-Speed Group. Post-completion, Qilu’s direct controlling shareholder will be changed from Shandong Hi-Speed Group to Shandong Hi-Speed which may trigger a mandatory general offer for all the shares under Rule 26.1 of the Takeovers code, unless it is granted a waiver from the Executive. Notably, Shandong Hi-Speed and Shandong Hi-Speed Group will jointly seek a waiver from the Executive.We note that on 20 August 2020, Shandong Hi-Speed Group was granted a waiver from a mandatory general offer by the Executive in relation to the merger by absorption of Qilu Transportation by Shandong Hi-Speed Group. We think that the Executive will grant a similar waiver for the proposed share acquisition. In combination with ongoing challenges to satisfy the minimum public float requirement, we would not chase the shares. 

Qilu Expressway’s Largest Shareholder Seeks Another MGO Waiver

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

<div>
On the 12 August last year, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/qilu-expressway-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27431:1" rel="noopener">Qilu Expressway Co Ltd (1576 HK)</a> <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2020/0812/2020081201368.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> its largest shareholder Qilu Transportation would be merged and absorbed by Shandong Hi-Speed Group (SHSG). The absorption simplified the holdings of Shandong SASAC, the ultimate parent of both Qilu Transportation and SHSG, into Qilu.
</div>
<div>
The restructuring triggered an obligation for SHSG to make a mandatory general offer for all shares not owned, and SHSG and Qilu Transportation jointly made an application to the SFC to waive this obligation, which was granted on the <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2020/0821/2020082100191.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">20 August</a>. 
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<div>
There was also the issue over the resulting free float, as the public float would fall below the minimum prescribed percentage of 25% under the restructuring. The restructuring was completed on the <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2020/1117/2020111700550.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">17 November</a> and an application for a  "waiver from strict compliance" with the public float was concurrently lodged, and subsequently granted on the 20 November, with an <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2021/0504/2021050400876.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">extension granted</a> to the 30 June 2021 in which to comply.
<h3>The New News</h3>
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<div>
Qilu has now <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2021/0513/2021051300351.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> SHSG  plans to inject 778.5mn domestics shares, or 38.93% of Qilu, into Shandong Hi-Speed, an entity 70.91% controlled by SHSG.
The completion of this restructuring also triggers an MGO - unless a waiver is granted. 
This all looks like history repeating itself. Don't expect an MGO to unfold.
</div>
<div>
More below the fold.
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On the 12 August last year, Qilu Expressway Co Ltd (1576 HK) announced its largest shareholder Qilu Transportation would be merged and absorbed by Shandong Hi-Speed Group (SHSG). The absorption simplified the holdings of Shandong SASAC, the ultimate parent of both Qilu Transportation and SHSG, into Qilu.


The restructuring triggered an obligation for SHSG to make a mandatory general offer for all shares not owned, and SHSG and Qilu Transportation jointly made an application to the SFC to waive this obligation, which was granted on the 20 August. 


There was also the issue over the resulting free float, as the public float would fall below the minimum prescribed percentage of 25% under the restructuring. The restructuring was completed on the 17 November and an application for a  "waiver from strict compliance" with the public float was concurrently lodged, and subsequently granted on the 20 November, with an extension granted to the 30 June 2021 in which to comply.
The New News


Qilu has now announced SHSG  plans to inject 778.5mn domestics shares, or 38.93% of Qilu, into Shandong Hi-Speed, an entity 70.91% controlled by SHSG.
The completion of this restructuring also triggers an MGO - unless a waiver is granted. 
This all looks like history repeating itself. Don't expect an MGO to unfold.


More below the fold.


Qilu Expressway (1576 HK): Deja Vu All Over Again

Equity Bottom-Up

Zhejiang Expressway Co H / Equity Bottom-Up

Recovery of toll road business, sustained operating momentum of securities division and its first-mover issuance of public infrastructure REIT are the key catalysts for the share price of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/zhejiang-expressway-co-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2178:1" rel="noopener">Zhejiang Expressway Co H (576 HK)</a> (ZJEC). Its existing operations have already seen a powerful turnaround in 1Q21 - net profit reached Rmb1.2bn, against losses of Rmb11m a year ago, with most of the strength driven by the toll road segment while profit from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/zheshang-securities-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29981:1" rel="noopener">Zheshang Securities Co Ltd (601878 CH)</a> was up 32.9%. ZJEC has its Hanghui Expressway as the underlying asset in the pioneer public infrastructure REIT issuance currently reviewed by the Shanghai Stock Exchange. To the earliest, the dedicated public investment fund investing in the REIT can be listed in mid-Jun, bringing in a HK$0.45 enhancement to its book value as Hanghui is revalued. This should add to the undemanding 5.4x PER, 0.95x P/B and attractive 9% dividend yield for FY21F as key attractions of the stock.

Recovery of toll road business, sustained operating momentum of securities division and its first-mover issuance of public infrastructure REIT are the key catalysts for the share price of Zhejiang Expressway Co H (576 HK) (ZJEC). Its existing operations have already seen a powerful turnaround in 1Q21 - net profit reached Rmb1.2bn, against losses of Rmb11m a year ago, with most of the strength driven by the toll road segment while profit from Zheshang Securities Co Ltd (601878 CH) was up 32.9%. ZJEC has its Hanghui Expressway as the underlying asset in the pioneer public infrastructure REIT issuance currently reviewed by the Shanghai Stock Exchange. To the earliest, the dedicated public investment fund investing in the REIT can be listed in mid-Jun, bringing in a HK$0.45 enhancement to its book value as Hanghui is revalued. This should add to the undemanding 5.4x PER, 0.95x P/B and attractive 9% dividend yield for FY21F as key attractions of the stock.  

Zhejiang Expressway (576 HK): Reversion to Growth and Kick-Off of REIT Are Clear Positives

China

Zhejiang Expressway Co., Ltd., through its subsidiaries, designs, constructs, operates, and manages high grade roads, as well as develops and operates certain ancillary services, such as technical consultation, advertising, automobile servicing, and fuel facilities.

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Zhejiang Expressway Co H (576 HK)

Smartkarma North Asia Weekly: POTUS Order, Kanzhun, Angelalign, & 3 Children Policy in China

In this edition of the Smartkarma North Asia Weekly, it summarizes some of the top insights on Smartkarma in the past week covering Japan, HK...

Douglas Kim

China Infrastructure REITs: Excellent First Batch Result - Good for Zhejiang Expressway (576 HK)

Good response to the first batch of China public infrastructure REIT issuance indicates investor demand, and this is positive to Zhejiang Exp,...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Qilu Expressway’s Largest Shareholder Seeks Another MGO Waiver

We think that the Executive will grant a similar waiver for the proposed share acquisition. Along with the challenges to satisfy the minimum public...

Arun George

Qilu Expressway (1576 HK): Deja Vu All Over Again

Qilu has announced another restructuring that could trigger an MGO - unless a waiver is granted. This all looks like history repeating itself....

David Blennerhassett

Zhejiang Expressway (576 HK): Reversion to Growth and Kick-Off of REIT Are Clear Positives

Recovery of toll road business, sustained operating momentum of securities division and issuance of public infrastructure REIT are the key...

Osbert Tang, CFA

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