Asian Equities Analyst, Logistics & Transport, Tracking Traffic

Daniel Hellberg

Asian Equities Analyst, Logistics & Transport

Tracking Traffic

Focusing on Asian logistics, transportation, and travel companies

Equity Bottom-Up

After the US market close on Thursday, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/best-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:25494:1" rel="noopener">BEST Inc (BEST US)</a> reported a weak set of Q3 results, as expected. But the company also announced a bold new strategic initiative that should result in a leaner, more focused company.  In addition to winding down its Store+ business (disclosed earlier, please see <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/best-inc-is-closing-its-money-losing-store-business-a-small-but-positive-step-forward" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:45395" rel="noopener">Best Inc. Is Closing Its Money-Losing 'Store+' Business, a Small but Positive Step Forward</a>), Best announced it was considering "strategic options" for its Global, UCargo, and Capital divisions. Going forward, the company will focus on Express, Freight, and Supply Chain Management. We do not believe this strategic decision will lead to a quick turnaround in profitability, but we do believe it makes Best more attractive to an acquirer. Best's decision to exit non-core businesses shows financial pressures are intensifying in China's express sector. This tells us the forces behind consolidation are quickly gaining momentum. We retain our BUY rating on Best, a potential acquisition target.

After the US market close on Thursday, BEST Inc (BEST US) reported a weak set of Q3 results, as expected. But the company also announced a bold new strategic initiative that should result in a leaner, more focused company.  In addition to winding down its Store+ business (disclosed earlier, please see Best Inc. Is Closing Its Money-Losing 'Store+' Business, a Small but Positive Step Forward), Best announced it was considering "strategic options" for its Global, UCargo, and Capital divisions. Going forward, the company will focus on Express, Freight, and Supply Chain Management. We do not believe this strategic decision will lead to a quick turnaround in profitability, but we do believe it makes Best more attractive to an acquirer. Best's decision to exit non-core businesses shows financial pressures are intensifying in China's express sector. This tells us the forces behind consolidation are quickly gaining momentum. We retain our BUY rating on Best, a potential acquisition target. 

Best Inc's Weak Q3 Results Spur 'Strategic Refocusing Plan', Retain BUY

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/zto-express" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23628:1" rel="noopener">ZTO Express (ZTO US)</a> reported Q3 earnings results after the US close on Wednesday. While parcel volume and revenue both showed strong growth -- up 51% and 26% YoY, respectively -- core margins imploded and diluted net earnings per share fell about 10% versus Q3 2019. The collapse of ZTO's core express margins shows ZTO has fallen back to the pack it used to lead convincingly.We also note sharp YoY increases in gross profit from non-express activities, 'other operating income', and tax breaks, all of which flattered the company's weak bottom line. Without these, we estimate net profit would have fallen by around a third in Q3. ZTO's growing reliance on 'other' items indicates worsening earnings quality, in our view. Despite these, ZTO continues to enjoy rich valuation multiples, which we believe is undeserved, given our expectation of continued margin pressure in 2021. We retain our SELL rating on ZTO.

ZTO Express (ZTO US) reported Q3 earnings results after the US close on Wednesday. While parcel volume and revenue both showed strong growth -- up 51% and 26% YoY, respectively -- core margins imploded and diluted net earnings per share fell about 10% versus Q3 2019. The collapse of ZTO's core express margins shows ZTO has fallen back to the pack it used to lead convincingly.We also note sharp YoY increases in gross profit from non-express activities, 'other operating income', and tax breaks, all of which flattered the company's weak bottom line. Without these, we estimate net profit would have fallen by around a third in Q3. ZTO's growing reliance on 'other' items indicates worsening earnings quality, in our view. Despite these, ZTO continues to enjoy rich valuation multiples, which we believe is undeserved, given our expectation of continued margin pressure in 2021. We retain our SELL rating on ZTO. 

ZTO Q3 Results: As Margins Implode, It's Coming 'Back To the Pack', Retain SELL

Equity Capital Markets

Kerry Express Thailand / Equity Capital Markets

In an updated filing, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kerry-express-thailand" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29253:1" rel="noopener">Kerry Express Thailand (KEX TB)</a> indicated it could sell as many as 300 mn new shares in its planned IPO. Many media reports have suggested the company hopes to raise about US$300 mn in the offering, suggesting KEX will come to market at around 30 baht per share.In this note, we try to answer the following questions regarding KEX's valuation:<ul>
<li>What are the most useful 'comps' for KEX? </li>
<li>What are some appropriate valuation multiples to use in comparing KEX to peers?</li>
<li>How does KEX's valuation at 30 baht per share compare to the peer group we've identified?</li>
<li>What factors could support either a premium or discount valuation for KEX versus peers?</li>
</ul>At 30 baht per share (which implies market capitalization of US$1.7 bn), KEX would not be overvalued relative to peers, in our view, and there are reasons KEX could eventually demand a premium valuation relative to other express companies.

In an updated filing, Kerry Express Thailand (KEX TB) indicated it could sell as many as 300 mn new shares in its planned IPO. Many media reports have suggested the company hopes to raise about US$300 mn in the offering, suggesting KEX will come to market at around 30 baht per share.In this note, we try to answer the following questions regarding KEX's valuation:
What are the most useful 'comps' for KEX? 
What are some appropriate valuation multiples to use in comparing KEX to peers?
How does KEX's valuation at 30 baht per share compare to the peer group we've identified?
What factors could support either a premium or discount valuation for KEX versus peers?
At 30 baht per share (which implies market capitalization of US$1.7 bn), KEX would not be overvalued relative to peers, in our view, and there are reasons KEX could eventually demand a premium valuation relative to other express companies.

Kerry Express Thailand (KEX) IPO: Approach to Valuation

Event-Driven

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/best-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:25494:1" rel="noopener">BEST Inc (BEST US)</a> announced it will wind down its money-losing Store+ business line. The company had been considering strategic alternatives for Store+ for several quarters. In the US session on Monday, shares traded as high as US$3.65 before falling to US$3.18 at the close. The decision to close Store+ is positive at the margin, in our view. The unit was responsible for outsized adjusted EBITDA losses and added little to growth. The change should free up some working capital and allow management to focus on the Chinese express and freight segments. More importantly, eliminating Store+ (and its losses) makes Best more attractive to potential suitors. Best is likely to disclose operating losses when it reports Q3 results on November 19th. We believe any near-term weakness in the share price could provide an opportunity to add to positions on the expectation of M&amp;A activity in the next 12-18 months. Retain BUY

BEST Inc (BEST US) announced it will wind down its money-losing Store+ business line. The company had been considering strategic alternatives for Store+ for several quarters. In the US session on Monday, shares traded as high as US$3.65 before falling to US$3.18 at the close. The decision to close Store+ is positive at the margin, in our view. The unit was responsible for outsized adjusted EBITDA losses and added little to growth. The change should free up some working capital and allow management to focus on the Chinese express and freight segments. More importantly, eliminating Store+ (and its losses) makes Best more attractive to potential suitors. Best is likely to disclose operating losses when it reports Q3 results on November 19th. We believe any near-term weakness in the share price could provide an opportunity to add to positions on the expectation of M&amp;A activity in the next 12-18 months. Retain BUY

Best Inc. Is Closing Its Money-Losing 'Store+' Business, a Small but Positive Step Forward

Alibaba Group Holding  / Equity Bottom-Up

In the September quarter, revenue growth at <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>'s logistics arm CaiNiao Network accelerated sharply, as the unit continued to grow faster than Alibaba, total eCommerce sales, and China's express market.How has CaiNiao Network managed to grow so much faster than eCommerce and associated logistics spending, and what does it mean for China's listed express companies?In this note we identify likely drivers of CaiNiao's superior sales momentum. We also explain the threat CaiNiao's strength poses to the five express companies in which Alibaba has invested.In our view, CaiNiao's growth will make it tougher for commodity-type express companies to breathe. These companies are already under pressure from declining margins and rising CapEx requirements. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/maanshan-dingtai-rare-a" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4128:1" rel="noopener">S.F. Holding (002352 CH)</a>, which operates mostly outside of Alibaba's orbit and is thus insulated from many of these problems, remains the most attractive name in Chinese express, in our opinion, but <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/best-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:25494:1" rel="noopener">BEST Inc (BEST US)</a> is an interesting play on potential M&amp;A in the sector.

In the September quarter, revenue growth at Alibaba Group (BABA US)'s logistics arm CaiNiao Network accelerated sharply, as the unit continued to grow faster than Alibaba, total eCommerce sales, and China's express market.How has CaiNiao Network managed to grow so much faster than eCommerce and associated logistics spending, and what does it mean for China's listed express companies?In this note we identify likely drivers of CaiNiao's superior sales momentum. We also explain the threat CaiNiao's strength poses to the five express companies in which Alibaba has invested.In our view, CaiNiao's growth will make it tougher for commodity-type express companies to breathe. These companies are already under pressure from declining margins and rising CapEx requirements. S.F. Holding (002352 CH), which operates mostly outside of Alibaba's orbit and is thus insulated from many of these problems, remains the most attractive name in Chinese express, in our opinion, but BEST Inc (BEST US) is an interesting play on potential M&amp;A in the sector. 

As Growth Accelerates, Alibaba's CaiNiao Network Is Pushing Aside Commodity-Type Express Firms

China

ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. operates as an express delivery company. The Company provides express delivery service through their nationwide network, as well as other value-added logistics services. ZTO Express serves customers globally.

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ZTO Express Cayman (ZTO US)

Best Inc's Weak Q3 Results Spur 'Strategic Refocusing Plan', Retain BUY

Best Inc posted weak Q3 results, but the bigger story is a new strategic initiative that should make the company more attractive to a potential...

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ZTO Q3 Results: As Margins Implode, It's Coming 'Back To the Pack', Retain SELL

ZTO reported weak results again in Q3, as a steep decline in margins was partially offset by increased contributions from 'other'. We expect...

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Kerry Express Thailand (KEX) IPO: Approach to Valuation

What's the right valuation approach to Kerry Express (KEX), which hopes to complete its IPO in Thailand in the coming weeks?

Tracking Traffic

Best Inc. Is Closing Its Money-Losing 'Store+' Business, a Small but Positive Step Forward

By closing its money-losing Store+ business, Best makes itself more attractive to a potential acquirer. Any weakness around its release of Q3...

Tracking Traffic

As Growth Accelerates, Alibaba's CaiNiao Network Is Pushing Aside Commodity-Type Express Firms

Amid a price war in China's express sector, the dramatic growth of Alibaba's logistics arm CaiNiao Network is adding to existing pressure on most...

Tracking Traffic

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