China

In this briefing:

1. HK Connect Discovery Weekly: China Tower, Geely, COFCO Meat (2019-02-15)
2. Last Week in GER Research: API/Sigma, M1, Eclipx/Mcmillan and Hansoh IPO
3. Trade Talks/Tech Trouble/ Rural Revival/Data Digest /Bad Bonds
4. ECM Weekly (16 February 2019) – ByteDance, Embassy Office REIT, AB InBev Asia, CStone, Dexin

1. HK Connect Discovery Weekly: China Tower, Geely, COFCO Meat (2019-02-15)

In our Discover HK Connect series, we aim to help our investors understand the flow of southbound trades via the Hong Kong Connect, as analyzed by our proprietary data engine. We will discuss the stocks that experienced the most inflow and outflow by mainland investors in the past seven days.

We split the stocks eligible for the Hong Kong Connect trade into three groups: component stocks in the HSCEI index, stocks with a market capitalization between USD 1 billion and USD 5 billion, and stocks with a market capitalization between USD 500 million and USD 1 billion.

In this week’s HK Connect Discovery, we highlight the continuous inflow to China Tower prior to lock-up expiry,  positive news development for automobile stocks, and the pork cycle beneficiary. 

2. Last Week in GER Research: API/Sigma, M1, Eclipx/Mcmillan and Hansoh IPO

In this version of the GER weekly research wrap, we assess the bump prospects in the Australian Pharma Industries (API AU) / Sigma Healthcare (SIG AU) potential merger. Arun updates on M1 Ltd (M1 SP) which could be delisted following an unconditional offer. In addition, we dig into the trading update for Eclipx (ECX AU) and assess the risks that Mcmillan Shakespeare (MMS AU) could walk away from the deal. Finally, we initiate on the IPO of Hansoh Pharmaceutical (HANSOH HK). A calendar of upcoming catalysts is also attached. 

More details can be found below. 

Best of luck for the new week – Rickin, Venkat and Arun

3. Trade Talks/Tech Trouble/ Rural Revival/Data Digest /Bad Bonds

China News That Matters

• Will tariff hike be delayed to May?
• Like rugby without the All Blacks!
• Funding the farmers – with better financial services
• Good signs, bad signs
• High time for a check-up

4. ECM Weekly (16 February 2019) – ByteDance, Embassy Office REIT, AB InBev Asia, CStone, Dexin

Aequitas Research puts out a weekly update on the deals that have been covered by Smartkarma Insight Providers recently, along with updates for upcoming IPOs.

Accuracy Rate:

Our overall accuracy rate is 72.1% for IPOs and 63.8% for Placements 

(Performance measurement criteria is explained at the end of the note)

New IPO filings

• Reliance General Insurance (re-filed, India)

Below is a snippet of our IPO tool showing upcoming events for the next week. The IPO tool is designed to provide readers with timely information on all IPO related events (Book open/closing, listing, initiation, lock-up expiry, etc) for all the deals that we have worked on. You can access the tool here or through the tools menu.

News on Upcoming IPOs

• PineBridge-backed Uniparts gets SEBI nod to float IPO
• Cal-Comp Philippines eyes IPO by third quarter
• JERA new president says IPO is an option
• Singapore’s Zalora explores listing to fuel expansion
• S. Korea’s Homeplus files for up to $1.5 bln REIT IPO
• Korean bio unicorn in the making, Voronoi, to join the Kosdaq this year

Smartkarma Community’s this week Analysis on Upcoming IPO

• Homeplus REIT IPO – The Largest Ever REIT IPO in Korea
• Ecopro BM IPO: Valuation Analysis
• Embassy Office Parks REIT – Good Assets but Projections Might Be a Tad Too Bullish
• CStone Pharma (基石药业) IPO: Thoughts on Valuation (Part 2)
• Hansoh Pharma IPO Preview: A Decent Story Tarnished by a Huge Pre-IPO Dividend
• Ab InBev Asia Pre-IPO – A Brief History of the Asia Pacific Operations – Eeking Out Growth in China 
• ByteDance (字节跳动) IPO: How Jinri Toutiao Paves The Way for a Bigger Empire (Part 1)
• ByteDance (字节跳动) IPO: Tiktok the No.1 Short Video App for a Good Reason (Part 2)
• Dreamtech IPO: Valuation Analysis
• Dexin China (德信中国) IPO Review – Key Issues Remain but 9M Results Showed Strong Growth

List of pre-IPO Coverage on Smartkarma

In this briefing:

1. Last Week in GER Research: API/Sigma, M1, Eclipx/Mcmillan and Hansoh IPO
2. Trade Talks/Tech Trouble/ Rural Revival/Data Digest /Bad Bonds
3. ECM Weekly (16 February 2019) – ByteDance, Embassy Office REIT, AB InBev Asia, CStone, Dexin

1. Last Week in GER Research: API/Sigma, M1, Eclipx/Mcmillan and Hansoh IPO

In this version of the GER weekly research wrap, we assess the bump prospects in the Australian Pharma Industries (API AU) / Sigma Healthcare (SIG AU) potential merger. Arun updates on M1 Ltd (M1 SP) which could be delisted following an unconditional offer. In addition, we dig into the trading update for Eclipx (ECX AU) and assess the risks that Mcmillan Shakespeare (MMS AU) could walk away from the deal. Finally, we initiate on the IPO of Hansoh Pharmaceutical (HANSOH HK). A calendar of upcoming catalysts is also attached. 

More details can be found below. 

Best of luck for the new week – Rickin, Venkat and Arun

2. Trade Talks/Tech Trouble/ Rural Revival/Data Digest /Bad Bonds

China News That Matters

• Will tariff hike be delayed to May?
• Like rugby without the All Blacks!
• Funding the farmers – with better financial services
• Good signs, bad signs
• High time for a check-up

3. ECM Weekly (16 February 2019) – ByteDance, Embassy Office REIT, AB InBev Asia, CStone, Dexin

Aequitas Research puts out a weekly update on the deals that have been covered by Smartkarma Insight Providers recently, along with updates for upcoming IPOs.

Accuracy Rate:

Our overall accuracy rate is 72.1% for IPOs and 63.8% for Placements 

(Performance measurement criteria is explained at the end of the note)

New IPO filings

• Reliance General Insurance (re-filed, India)

Below is a snippet of our IPO tool showing upcoming events for the next week. The IPO tool is designed to provide readers with timely information on all IPO related events (Book open/closing, listing, initiation, lock-up expiry, etc) for all the deals that we have worked on. You can access the tool here or through the tools menu.

News on Upcoming IPOs

• PineBridge-backed Uniparts gets SEBI nod to float IPO
• Cal-Comp Philippines eyes IPO by third quarter
• JERA new president says IPO is an option
• Singapore’s Zalora explores listing to fuel expansion
• S. Korea’s Homeplus files for up to $1.5 bln REIT IPO
• Korean bio unicorn in the making, Voronoi, to join the Kosdaq this year

Smartkarma Community’s this week Analysis on Upcoming IPO

• Homeplus REIT IPO – The Largest Ever REIT IPO in Korea
• Ecopro BM IPO: Valuation Analysis
• Embassy Office Parks REIT – Good Assets but Projections Might Be a Tad Too Bullish
• CStone Pharma (基石药业) IPO: Thoughts on Valuation (Part 2)
• Hansoh Pharma IPO Preview: A Decent Story Tarnished by a Huge Pre-IPO Dividend
• Ab InBev Asia Pre-IPO – A Brief History of the Asia Pacific Operations – Eeking Out Growth in China 
• ByteDance (字节跳动) IPO: How Jinri Toutiao Paves The Way for a Bigger Empire (Part 1)
• ByteDance (字节跳动) IPO: Tiktok the No.1 Short Video App for a Good Reason (Part 2)
• Dreamtech IPO: Valuation Analysis
• Dexin China (德信中国) IPO Review – Key Issues Remain but 9M Results Showed Strong Growth

List of pre-IPO Coverage on Smartkarma

In this briefing:

1. Ab InBev Asia Pre-IPO – A Brief History of the Asia Pacific Operations – Eeking Out Growth in China

1. Ab InBev Asia Pre-IPO – A Brief History of the Asia Pacific Operations – Eeking Out Growth in China

Anheuser Busch Inbev Sa/Nv (ABI BB), the world’s largest brewer, is looking to list its Asian operations in order to lighten its debt burden. The listing will probably be in Hong Kong and the company could raise around US$5bn at a valuation of around US$70bn, as per media reports, which will make it one of the largest listings for 2019. Earlier this month, the company picked JPM and MS to lead the deal.

When listed, the company will be the third biggest brewer in China and the largest in South Korea and Australia.

While we have to wait for the application proof to be filed later this year to get more details on the operations, in this insight I’ll take a early look at the Asian operations using the data already available in the parent’s annual and quarterly reports. I’ll primarily address where the business is now and how it has shaped up over the past few years.

In this briefing:

1. Last Week in GER Research: API/Sigma, M1, Eclipx/Mcmillan and Hansoh IPO
2. Trade Talks/Tech Trouble/ Rural Revival/Data Digest /Bad Bonds
3. ECM Weekly (16 February 2019) – ByteDance, Embassy Office REIT, AB InBev Asia, CStone, Dexin
4. Dexin China (德信中国) IPO Review – Key Issues Remain but 9M Results Showed Strong Growth
5. ByteDance (字节跳动) IPO: Tiktok the No.1 Short Video App for a Good Reason (Part 2)

1. Last Week in GER Research: API/Sigma, M1, Eclipx/Mcmillan and Hansoh IPO

In this version of the GER weekly research wrap, we assess the bump prospects in the Australian Pharma Industries (API AU) / Sigma Healthcare (SIG AU) potential merger. Arun updates on M1 Ltd (M1 SP) which could be delisted following an unconditional offer. In addition, we dig into the trading update for Eclipx (ECX AU) and assess the risks that Mcmillan Shakespeare (MMS AU) could walk away from the deal. Finally, we initiate on the IPO of Hansoh Pharmaceutical (HANSOH HK). A calendar of upcoming catalysts is also attached. 

More details can be found below. 

Best of luck for the new week – Rickin, Venkat and Arun

2. Trade Talks/Tech Trouble/ Rural Revival/Data Digest /Bad Bonds

China News That Matters

• Will tariff hike be delayed to May?
• Like rugby without the All Blacks!
• Funding the farmers – with better financial services
• Good signs, bad signs
• High time for a check-up

3. ECM Weekly (16 February 2019) – ByteDance, Embassy Office REIT, AB InBev Asia, CStone, Dexin

Aequitas Research puts out a weekly update on the deals that have been covered by Smartkarma Insight Providers recently, along with updates for upcoming IPOs.

Accuracy Rate:

Our overall accuracy rate is 72.1% for IPOs and 63.8% for Placements 

(Performance measurement criteria is explained at the end of the note)

New IPO filings

• Reliance General Insurance (re-filed, India)

Below is a snippet of our IPO tool showing upcoming events for the next week. The IPO tool is designed to provide readers with timely information on all IPO related events (Book open/closing, listing, initiation, lock-up expiry, etc) for all the deals that we have worked on. You can access the tool here or through the tools menu.

News on Upcoming IPOs

• PineBridge-backed Uniparts gets SEBI nod to float IPO
• Cal-Comp Philippines eyes IPO by third quarter
• JERA new president says IPO is an option
• Singapore’s Zalora explores listing to fuel expansion
• S. Korea’s Homeplus files for up to $1.5 bln REIT IPO
• Korean bio unicorn in the making, Voronoi, to join the Kosdaq this year

Smartkarma Community’s this week Analysis on Upcoming IPO

• Homeplus REIT IPO – The Largest Ever REIT IPO in Korea
• Ecopro BM IPO: Valuation Analysis
• Embassy Office Parks REIT – Good Assets but Projections Might Be a Tad Too Bullish
• CStone Pharma (基石药业) IPO: Thoughts on Valuation (Part 2)
• Hansoh Pharma IPO Preview: A Decent Story Tarnished by a Huge Pre-IPO Dividend
• Ab InBev Asia Pre-IPO – A Brief History of the Asia Pacific Operations – Eeking Out Growth in China 
• ByteDance (字节跳动) IPO: How Jinri Toutiao Paves The Way for a Bigger Empire (Part 1)
• ByteDance (字节跳动) IPO: Tiktok the No.1 Short Video App for a Good Reason (Part 2)
• Dreamtech IPO: Valuation Analysis
• Dexin China (德信中国) IPO Review – Key Issues Remain but 9M Results Showed Strong Growth

List of pre-IPO Coverage on Smartkarma

4. Dexin China (德信中国) IPO Review – Key Issues Remain but 9M Results Showed Strong Growth

Dexin China Holdings (2019 HK) (Dexin) is looking to raise up to US$220m in its upcoming IPO. We have covered the company in our previous insight, Dexin China (德信中国) Pre-IPO – Related Party Transactions and Partial Asset Listing.

While details of Huzhou’s property growth has been provided and showed that the city is growing the fastest compared to Hangzhou and Wenzhou, other concerns such as related party transactions and the partial listing of assets remain.

In this insight, we will provide updates on the company’s 9M 2018 financials, details of the cornerstone investor, and valuation compared to listed peers. We will also run the deal through our framework.

5. ByteDance (字节跳动) IPO: Tiktok the No.1 Short Video App for a Good Reason (Part 2)

In our first insight (link here) covering ByteDance, we discuss ByteDance’s app matrix, the differentiating factors of ByteDance and the key difference between its Jinri Toutiao app and Tencent News. 

In this insight, we will discuss in details its next blockbuster app, Tiktok. Similar to Jinri Toutiao, it is utilizing AI technology for content curation. In addition to that, the app also uses AI technology to beautify content producers. Compared to text-based content, the short-video content is more viral. 

In the next insight, we will look at the company’s overseas expansion, past series of financing and valuation. 

In this briefing:

1. Trade Talks/Tech Trouble/ Rural Revival/Data Digest /Bad Bonds
2. ECM Weekly (16 February 2019) – ByteDance, Embassy Office REIT, AB InBev Asia, CStone, Dexin
3. Dexin China (德信中国) IPO Review – Key Issues Remain but 9M Results Showed Strong Growth
4. ByteDance (字节跳动) IPO: Tiktok the No.1 Short Video App for a Good Reason (Part 2)
5. Ab InBev Asia Pre-IPO – A Brief History of the Asia Pacific Operations – Eeking Out Growth in China

1. Trade Talks/Tech Trouble/ Rural Revival/Data Digest /Bad Bonds

China News That Matters

• Will tariff hike be delayed to May?
• Like rugby without the All Blacks!
• Funding the farmers – with better financial services
• Good signs, bad signs
• High time for a check-up

2. ECM Weekly (16 February 2019) – ByteDance, Embassy Office REIT, AB InBev Asia, CStone, Dexin

Aequitas Research puts out a weekly update on the deals that have been covered by Smartkarma Insight Providers recently, along with updates for upcoming IPOs.

Accuracy Rate:

Our overall accuracy rate is 72.1% for IPOs and 63.8% for Placements 

(Performance measurement criteria is explained at the end of the note)

New IPO filings

• Reliance General Insurance (re-filed, India)

Below is a snippet of our IPO tool showing upcoming events for the next week. The IPO tool is designed to provide readers with timely information on all IPO related events (Book open/closing, listing, initiation, lock-up expiry, etc) for all the deals that we have worked on. You can access the tool here or through the tools menu.

News on Upcoming IPOs

• PineBridge-backed Uniparts gets SEBI nod to float IPO
• Cal-Comp Philippines eyes IPO by third quarter
• JERA new president says IPO is an option
• Singapore’s Zalora explores listing to fuel expansion
• S. Korea’s Homeplus files for up to $1.5 bln REIT IPO
• Korean bio unicorn in the making, Voronoi, to join the Kosdaq this year

Smartkarma Community’s this week Analysis on Upcoming IPO

• Homeplus REIT IPO – The Largest Ever REIT IPO in Korea
• Ecopro BM IPO: Valuation Analysis
• Embassy Office Parks REIT – Good Assets but Projections Might Be a Tad Too Bullish
• CStone Pharma (基石药业) IPO: Thoughts on Valuation (Part 2)
• Hansoh Pharma IPO Preview: A Decent Story Tarnished by a Huge Pre-IPO Dividend
• Ab InBev Asia Pre-IPO – A Brief History of the Asia Pacific Operations – Eeking Out Growth in China 
• ByteDance (字节跳动) IPO: How Jinri Toutiao Paves The Way for a Bigger Empire (Part 1)
• ByteDance (字节跳动) IPO: Tiktok the No.1 Short Video App for a Good Reason (Part 2)
• Dreamtech IPO: Valuation Analysis
• Dexin China (德信中国) IPO Review – Key Issues Remain but 9M Results Showed Strong Growth

List of pre-IPO Coverage on Smartkarma

3. Dexin China (德信中国) IPO Review – Key Issues Remain but 9M Results Showed Strong Growth

Dexin China Holdings (2019 HK) (Dexin) is looking to raise up to US$220m in its upcoming IPO. We have covered the company in our previous insight, Dexin China (德信中国) Pre-IPO – Related Party Transactions and Partial Asset Listing.

While details of Huzhou’s property growth has been provided and showed that the city is growing the fastest compared to Hangzhou and Wenzhou, other concerns such as related party transactions and the partial listing of assets remain.

In this insight, we will provide updates on the company’s 9M 2018 financials, details of the cornerstone investor, and valuation compared to listed peers. We will also run the deal through our framework.

4. ByteDance (字节跳动) IPO: Tiktok the No.1 Short Video App for a Good Reason (Part 2)

In our first insight (link here) covering ByteDance, we discuss ByteDance’s app matrix, the differentiating factors of ByteDance and the key difference between its Jinri Toutiao app and Tencent News. 

In this insight, we will discuss in details its next blockbuster app, Tiktok. Similar to Jinri Toutiao, it is utilizing AI technology for content curation. In addition to that, the app also uses AI technology to beautify content producers. Compared to text-based content, the short-video content is more viral. 

In the next insight, we will look at the company’s overseas expansion, past series of financing and valuation. 

5. Ab InBev Asia Pre-IPO – A Brief History of the Asia Pacific Operations – Eeking Out Growth in China

Anheuser Busch Inbev Sa/Nv (ABI BB), the world’s largest brewer, is looking to list its Asian operations in order to lighten its debt burden. The listing will probably be in Hong Kong and the company could raise around US$5bn at a valuation of around US$70bn, as per media reports, which will make it one of the largest listings for 2019. Earlier this month, the company picked JPM and MS to lead the deal.

When listed, the company will be the third biggest brewer in China and the largest in South Korea and Australia.

While we have to wait for the application proof to be filed later this year to get more details on the operations, in this insight I’ll take a early look at the Asian operations using the data already available in the parent’s annual and quarterly reports. I’ll primarily address where the business is now and how it has shaped up over the past few years.

In this briefing:

1. ECM Weekly (16 February 2019) – ByteDance, Embassy Office REIT, AB InBev Asia, CStone, Dexin
2. Dexin China (德信中国) IPO Review – Key Issues Remain but 9M Results Showed Strong Growth
3. ByteDance (字节跳动) IPO: Tiktok the No.1 Short Video App for a Good Reason (Part 2)
4. Ab InBev Asia Pre-IPO – A Brief History of the Asia Pacific Operations – Eeking Out Growth in China

1. ECM Weekly (16 February 2019) – ByteDance, Embassy Office REIT, AB InBev Asia, CStone, Dexin

Aequitas Research puts out a weekly update on the deals that have been covered by Smartkarma Insight Providers recently, along with updates for upcoming IPOs.

Accuracy Rate:

Our overall accuracy rate is 72.1% for IPOs and 63.8% for Placements 

(Performance measurement criteria is explained at the end of the note)

New IPO filings

• Reliance General Insurance (re-filed, India)

Below is a snippet of our IPO tool showing upcoming events for the next week. The IPO tool is designed to provide readers with timely information on all IPO related events (Book open/closing, listing, initiation, lock-up expiry, etc) for all the deals that we have worked on. You can access the tool here or through the tools menu.

News on Upcoming IPOs

• PineBridge-backed Uniparts gets SEBI nod to float IPO
• Cal-Comp Philippines eyes IPO by third quarter
• JERA new president says IPO is an option
• Singapore’s Zalora explores listing to fuel expansion
• S. Korea’s Homeplus files for up to $1.5 bln REIT IPO
• Korean bio unicorn in the making, Voronoi, to join the Kosdaq this year

Smartkarma Community’s this week Analysis on Upcoming IPO

• Homeplus REIT IPO – The Largest Ever REIT IPO in Korea
• Ecopro BM IPO: Valuation Analysis
• Embassy Office Parks REIT – Good Assets but Projections Might Be a Tad Too Bullish
• CStone Pharma (基石药业) IPO: Thoughts on Valuation (Part 2)
• Hansoh Pharma IPO Preview: A Decent Story Tarnished by a Huge Pre-IPO Dividend
• Ab InBev Asia Pre-IPO – A Brief History of the Asia Pacific Operations – Eeking Out Growth in China 
• ByteDance (字节跳动) IPO: How Jinri Toutiao Paves The Way for a Bigger Empire (Part 1)
• ByteDance (字节跳动) IPO: Tiktok the No.1 Short Video App for a Good Reason (Part 2)
• Dreamtech IPO: Valuation Analysis
• Dexin China (德信中国) IPO Review – Key Issues Remain but 9M Results Showed Strong Growth

List of pre-IPO Coverage on Smartkarma

2. Dexin China (德信中国) IPO Review – Key Issues Remain but 9M Results Showed Strong Growth

Dexin China Holdings (2019 HK) (Dexin) is looking to raise up to US$220m in its upcoming IPO. We have covered the company in our previous insight, Dexin China (德信中国) Pre-IPO – Related Party Transactions and Partial Asset Listing.

While details of Huzhou’s property growth has been provided and showed that the city is growing the fastest compared to Hangzhou and Wenzhou, other concerns such as related party transactions and the partial listing of assets remain.

In this insight, we will provide updates on the company’s 9M 2018 financials, details of the cornerstone investor, and valuation compared to listed peers. We will also run the deal through our framework.

3. ByteDance (字节跳动) IPO: Tiktok the No.1 Short Video App for a Good Reason (Part 2)

In our first insight (link here) covering ByteDance, we discuss ByteDance’s app matrix, the differentiating factors of ByteDance and the key difference between its Jinri Toutiao app and Tencent News. 

In this insight, we will discuss in details its next blockbuster app, Tiktok. Similar to Jinri Toutiao, it is utilizing AI technology for content curation. In addition to that, the app also uses AI technology to beautify content producers. Compared to text-based content, the short-video content is more viral. 

In the next insight, we will look at the company’s overseas expansion, past series of financing and valuation. 

4. Ab InBev Asia Pre-IPO – A Brief History of the Asia Pacific Operations – Eeking Out Growth in China

Anheuser Busch Inbev Sa/Nv (ABI BB), the world’s largest brewer, is looking to list its Asian operations in order to lighten its debt burden. The listing will probably be in Hong Kong and the company could raise around US$5bn at a valuation of around US$70bn, as per media reports, which will make it one of the largest listings for 2019. Earlier this month, the company picked JPM and MS to lead the deal.

When listed, the company will be the third biggest brewer in China and the largest in South Korea and Australia.

While we have to wait for the application proof to be filed later this year to get more details on the operations, in this insight I’ll take a early look at the Asian operations using the data already available in the parent’s annual and quarterly reports. I’ll primarily address where the business is now and how it has shaped up over the past few years.

In this briefing:

1. China Rail: Paths to Financial Viability for CRC

1. China Rail: Paths to Financial Viability for CRC

CRC (China Railway Corporation, previously known as MOR) has been questioned about its extremely high liability rate and trillions of debts for years. Some experts believe China shall stop HSR (High Speed Railway) construction to reduce the liability in rail system and lower the financial risk of the society. While others believe a high speed rail transportation system is necessary and would improve the efficiency of the society, because China is the third largest country in the world by geographic area.

In this report, we list three possible solutions for CRC’s liability issue: to increase revenue to cover the Capex; to increase funding from local governments or private sectors; to reduce annual rail investment.

Conclusion:

In our view, China will stop expanding its rail system sooner or later. The main frame of HSR is completed. Only some extension lines are required. If CRC doesn’t start building high speed rails for freight transportation, which was mentioned in 2012-2013, China’s annual rail investment might be reduced after 2023.

Before that, CRC is capable of remain its existing investment amount unchanged, without further increasing the financial risk of China’s banking sector. To reduce its debts, increasing rail investment funding proportion from local governments is still an easier option than increasing CRC’s net profit. Once China reduces its rail investment, CRC would be able to reduce its net gearing significantly. 

In this briefing:

1. China Rail: Paths to Financial Viability for CRC
2. ByteDance (字节跳动) IPO: How Jinri Toutiao Paves The Way for a Bigger Empire (Part 1)

1. China Rail: Paths to Financial Viability for CRC

CRC (China Railway Corporation, previously known as MOR) has been questioned about its extremely high liability rate and trillions of debts for years. Some experts believe China shall stop HSR (High Speed Railway) construction to reduce the liability in rail system and lower the financial risk of the society. While others believe a high speed rail transportation system is necessary and would improve the efficiency of the society, because China is the third largest country in the world by geographic area.

In this report, we list three possible solutions for CRC’s liability issue: to increase revenue to cover the Capex; to increase funding from local governments or private sectors; to reduce annual rail investment.

Conclusion:

In our view, China will stop expanding its rail system sooner or later. The main frame of HSR is completed. Only some extension lines are required. If CRC doesn’t start building high speed rails for freight transportation, which was mentioned in 2012-2013, China’s annual rail investment might be reduced after 2023.

Before that, CRC is capable of remain its existing investment amount unchanged, without further increasing the financial risk of China’s banking sector. To reduce its debts, increasing rail investment funding proportion from local governments is still an easier option than increasing CRC’s net profit. Once China reduces its rail investment, CRC would be able to reduce its net gearing significantly. 

2. ByteDance (字节跳动) IPO: How Jinri Toutiao Paves The Way for a Bigger Empire (Part 1)

ByteDance, an emerging TMT player in China and one of the challengers to the BAT’s dominance in China, is said to be preparing for 2019 listing. It will be the largest Chinese TMT listing this year as the company was valued at USD 75 billion in the pre-IPO fundraising, closed in October 2018. 

In this insight, we will discuss ByteDance’s business, in particular, how the text-based media distribution platform Jinri Toutiao (今日头条) built the foundation of the company, and paved ways for the short-video distribution platform Watermelon Video (西瓜视频), Volcano Video (火山视频), and Tiktok (抖音).

In our next insight, we will discuss how Tiktok became successful and the company’s overseas expansion.

In this briefing:

1. China Rail: Paths to Financial Viability for CRC
2. ByteDance (字节跳动) IPO: How Jinri Toutiao Paves The Way for a Bigger Empire (Part 1)
3. Guangxin Reloads A Peculiar Low-Ball Offer For Xingfa Aluminium

1. China Rail: Paths to Financial Viability for CRC

CRC (China Railway Corporation, previously known as MOR) has been questioned about its extremely high liability rate and trillions of debts for years. Some experts believe China shall stop HSR (High Speed Railway) construction to reduce the liability in rail system and lower the financial risk of the society. While others believe a high speed rail transportation system is necessary and would improve the efficiency of the society, because China is the third largest country in the world by geographic area.

In this report, we list three possible solutions for CRC’s liability issue: to increase revenue to cover the Capex; to increase funding from local governments or private sectors; to reduce annual rail investment.

Conclusion:

In our view, China will stop expanding its rail system sooner or later. The main frame of HSR is completed. Only some extension lines are required. If CRC doesn’t start building high speed rails for freight transportation, which was mentioned in 2012-2013, China’s annual rail investment might be reduced after 2023.

Before that, CRC is capable of remain its existing investment amount unchanged, without further increasing the financial risk of China’s banking sector. To reduce its debts, increasing rail investment funding proportion from local governments is still an easier option than increasing CRC’s net profit. Once China reduces its rail investment, CRC would be able to reduce its net gearing significantly. 

2. ByteDance (字节跳动) IPO: How Jinri Toutiao Paves The Way for a Bigger Empire (Part 1)

ByteDance, an emerging TMT player in China and one of the challengers to the BAT’s dominance in China, is said to be preparing for 2019 listing. It will be the largest Chinese TMT listing this year as the company was valued at USD 75 billion in the pre-IPO fundraising, closed in October 2018. 

In this insight, we will discuss ByteDance’s business, in particular, how the text-based media distribution platform Jinri Toutiao (今日头条) built the foundation of the company, and paved ways for the short-video distribution platform Watermelon Video (西瓜视频), Volcano Video (火山视频), and Tiktok (抖音).

In our next insight, we will discuss how Tiktok became successful and the company’s overseas expansion.

3. Guangxin Reloads A Peculiar Low-Ball Offer For Xingfa Aluminium

Xingfa Aluminium (98 HK) has announced its major shareholder, Guangxin Aluminium (a wholly-owned Guangdong SASAC vehicle), has acquired 5,000 shares, lifting its stake to 30.001%, triggering a mandatory general offer. The offer price is $5.60, a premium of just 2.94% to last close.

Guangxin, together with certain management of Xingfa, attempted to take Xingfa private at $3.70/share back in 1H17. That scheme failed comprehensively, which was a good outcome for minorities as FY17 net income increased 28%. 1H18 profit was also a 25% improvement over the corresponding period.

The offer price is in line to where Xingfa traded last October and 23% below the recent peak back in mid-June 2018. It is also 37% below where China Lesso Group Holdings (2128 HK) acquired its 26.3% stake in April last year.

At a guess, this low-ball offer provides an exit for large(r) investor with regards to Xingfa’s low liquidity. But no irrevocables have been given and the Offer remains conditional on Guangxin holding 50% of the voting votes.

As expected, Xingfa is currently trading 1.4% through terms. For those interested in small-cap, illiquid stocks, I would buy around these levels to play the back-end, or the (remote) possibility of a bump. The offer has not been declared final.

In this briefing:

1. ECM Weekly (16 February 2019) – ByteDance, Embassy Office REIT, AB InBev Asia, CStone, Dexin
2. Dexin China (德信中国) IPO Review – Key Issues Remain but 9M Results Showed Strong Growth
3. ByteDance (字节跳动) IPO: Tiktok the No.1 Short Video App for a Good Reason (Part 2)
4. Ab InBev Asia Pre-IPO – A Brief History of the Asia Pacific Operations – Eeking Out Growth in China
5. Trade War Uncertainty Bites into Investment Spending and Production

1. ECM Weekly (16 February 2019) – ByteDance, Embassy Office REIT, AB InBev Asia, CStone, Dexin

Aequitas Research puts out a weekly update on the deals that have been covered by Smartkarma Insight Providers recently, along with updates for upcoming IPOs.

Accuracy Rate:

Our overall accuracy rate is 72.1% for IPOs and 63.8% for Placements 

(Performance measurement criteria is explained at the end of the note)

New IPO filings

• Reliance General Insurance (re-filed, India)

Below is a snippet of our IPO tool showing upcoming events for the next week. The IPO tool is designed to provide readers with timely information on all IPO related events (Book open/closing, listing, initiation, lock-up expiry, etc) for all the deals that we have worked on. You can access the tool here or through the tools menu.

News on Upcoming IPOs

• PineBridge-backed Uniparts gets SEBI nod to float IPO
• Cal-Comp Philippines eyes IPO by third quarter
• JERA new president says IPO is an option
• Singapore’s Zalora explores listing to fuel expansion
• S. Korea’s Homeplus files for up to $1.5 bln REIT IPO
• Korean bio unicorn in the making, Voronoi, to join the Kosdaq this year

Smartkarma Community’s this week Analysis on Upcoming IPO

• Homeplus REIT IPO – The Largest Ever REIT IPO in Korea
• Ecopro BM IPO: Valuation Analysis
• Embassy Office Parks REIT – Good Assets but Projections Might Be a Tad Too Bullish
• CStone Pharma (基石药业) IPO: Thoughts on Valuation (Part 2)
• Hansoh Pharma IPO Preview: A Decent Story Tarnished by a Huge Pre-IPO Dividend
• Ab InBev Asia Pre-IPO – A Brief History of the Asia Pacific Operations – Eeking Out Growth in China 
• ByteDance (字节跳动) IPO: How Jinri Toutiao Paves The Way for a Bigger Empire (Part 1)
• ByteDance (字节跳动) IPO: Tiktok the No.1 Short Video App for a Good Reason (Part 2)
• Dreamtech IPO: Valuation Analysis
• Dexin China (德信中国) IPO Review – Key Issues Remain but 9M Results Showed Strong Growth

List of pre-IPO Coverage on Smartkarma

2. Dexin China (德信中国) IPO Review – Key Issues Remain but 9M Results Showed Strong Growth

Dexin China Holdings (2019 HK) (Dexin) is looking to raise up to US$220m in its upcoming IPO. We have covered the company in our previous insight, Dexin China (德信中国) Pre-IPO – Related Party Transactions and Partial Asset Listing.

While details of Huzhou’s property growth has been provided and showed that the city is growing the fastest compared to Hangzhou and Wenzhou, other concerns such as related party transactions and the partial listing of assets remain.

In this insight, we will provide updates on the company’s 9M 2018 financials, details of the cornerstone investor, and valuation compared to listed peers. We will also run the deal through our framework.

3. ByteDance (字节跳动) IPO: Tiktok the No.1 Short Video App for a Good Reason (Part 2)

In our first insight (link here) covering ByteDance, we discuss ByteDance’s app matrix, the differentiating factors of ByteDance and the key difference between its Jinri Toutiao app and Tencent News. 

In this insight, we will discuss in details its next blockbuster app, Tiktok. Similar to Jinri Toutiao, it is utilizing AI technology for content curation. In addition to that, the app also uses AI technology to beautify content producers. Compared to text-based content, the short-video content is more viral. 

In the next insight, we will look at the company’s overseas expansion, past series of financing and valuation. 

4. Ab InBev Asia Pre-IPO – A Brief History of the Asia Pacific Operations – Eeking Out Growth in China

Anheuser Busch Inbev Sa/Nv (ABI BB), the world’s largest brewer, is looking to list its Asian operations in order to lighten its debt burden. The listing will probably be in Hong Kong and the company could raise around US$5bn at a valuation of around US$70bn, as per media reports, which will make it one of the largest listings for 2019. Earlier this month, the company picked JPM and MS to lead the deal.

When listed, the company will be the third biggest brewer in China and the largest in South Korea and Australia.

While we have to wait for the application proof to be filed later this year to get more details on the operations, in this insight I’ll take a early look at the Asian operations using the data already available in the parent’s annual and quarterly reports. I’ll primarily address where the business is now and how it has shaped up over the past few years.

5. Trade War Uncertainty Bites into Investment Spending and Production

Import elasticities. Ease of transferring business between countries. Reliability of alternative supply chains. Time taken to relocate production. The list of unknowns on how easily companies could relocate production from China goes on and on but the bottom line is that uncertainty has been raised and that is bad news for global growth.

In Reality Check: China and the US Trade War, we wrote “Even if the Trade War ends tomorrow, the damage  has already been done”.