TMT/Internet

In this briefing:

1. Samsung Electronics Voluntary Red Flag on 1Q Earnings
2. China Mobile 4Q18 Trends Improved Slightly. It Remains Most Exposed to 5G Capex Uncertainty.
3. China Telecom Mobile Business Recovered in 4Q. Broadly in Line with Expectations
4. China Unicom Weak 4Q18 Mobile Results Offset by Strength in Fixed Line Business
5. SEC 47k Rejection Targets Base Case Support

1. Samsung Electronics Voluntary Red Flag on 1Q Earnings

• SamE voluntarily red flagged its 1Q19 earnings even before 1Q ends. SamE mentioned two things: 1. Falling memory chip prices and 2. slowing demand for display panels. Given the ‘usual’ profit size of DP business, this should be all about memory chips, specifically server DRAM.
• Memory chip price falling should not be enough to explain this much 1Q profit loss. It must be that SamE has decided to reflect huge inventory losses and pay bills from Amazon and Google on the book in this first quarter. Of course, SamE wouldn’t want to talk about this explicitly.
• SamE shares aren’t reacting to this a lot right now. It is mainly because local street already heavily adjusted 1Q OP to as low as ₩6.5~7tril. This 1Q earnings shock factor must have been already reflected into the price. Even below ₩6tril level wouldn’t be taken as a huge surprise.
• SamE said last month that memory sales would be revived starting 2H this year. I think this is still a valid and crucial point. This suggests that server DRAM demand from Amazon and Google will likely be back starting 3Q19. This means SamE is confident that it can handle the server DRAM optimization issue by then.
• I’m still sticking to my previous OP forecast for FY19. It should be ₩8tril more than the current street consensus. At this, SamE Common is trading at a 8.73x PER. SamE is scheduled to deliver 1Q19 interim numbers next week on Apr 5.

2. China Mobile 4Q18 Trends Improved Slightly. It Remains Most Exposed to 5G Capex Uncertainty.

Chris Hoare downgraded China Mobile (941 HK) some time ago on rising concerns that 5G capex would be higher than expected. While China Unicom (762 HK) and China Telecom (728 HK) both laid out very modest 2019 5G capex plans, China Mobile did not.  And despite what we saw as reasonable results, earnings guidance was weak and the lack of a rising dividend payout suggests internal concerns over 5G spending.  We had seen China Mobile as a defensive stock, but recent strong performance and rising 5G worries led us to downgrade our recommendation. It remains at Reduce with a HK$75 target. 

3. China Telecom Mobile Business Recovered in 4Q. Broadly in Line with Expectations

China Telecom (728 HK), having delivered strong revenue growth but weak margins in 3Q18, delivered better 4Q numbers. Like its peers however, the business is under some pressure with ARPUs weak despite strong data growth.  We see the Chinese Telcos as vulnerable to policy demands for accelerated 5G spending. While the market may like the look of a joint roll-out of 5G with China Unicom (762 HK), that may be simplistic. Chris Hoare thinks the cost of a combined roll-out is likely to be even higher than China Mobile (941 HK). Recent price strength makes our Reduce recommendation clearer.

4. China Unicom Weak 4Q18 Mobile Results Offset by Strength in Fixed Line Business

China Unicom’s (762 HK) recent 4Q18 results were not great. The overall figures look ok due to strength in the fixed line business which offset weakness in mobile. However, they were the weakest of the three operators and the stock, which has had a strong run, now looks due for a pause. We have turned more cautious on the Chinese telcos on concerns that 5G spending could be higher than expected. Chris Hoare believes a major reason for the Chinese telcos outperforming in the past year has come from declining capex spending expectations. That trend may now start to reverse. While China Unicom has guided for only modest 5G capex in 2019 the focus will turn to 2020 where it is a much bigger issue and while we expect China Unicom to do a joint roll-out with China Telecom (728 HK) we expect the scale of the spending to be larger than an individual build. 

5. SEC 47k Rejection Targets Base Case Support

Samsung Electronics (005930 KS) met our rally target outlined in 28 January insight SEC and SK Hynix Breakouts at 70.3k. In that insight we outlined the tactical rise would give way to a pullback toward ideal pocket support that would offer a better risk to reward intermediate entry point for SEC.

Multiple rejection at that 47.2-5k barrier call for fresh lows toward preferred pocket and buy support. Only external pressures would adjust our downside bias to lower pattern support that comes in at 35k.

MACD basing support is expected to create a solid support for price on weakness. Risk lies with the MACD slipping back within the pattern range.

In this briefing:

1. Maxis Revenues Stabilizing. Ambitious Long Term Goals in Enterprise and Connectivity
2. Bank of Kyoto – Nintendo Sale A Portent of Changes To Come?
3. Last Week in GER Research: Best World, Graincorp, Myob and New Century IPO

1. Maxis Revenues Stabilizing. Ambitious Long Term Goals in Enterprise and Connectivity

In late January, we upgraded our view on the Malaysian telecom sector after 6 years of being negative. We also and noted that Maxis was best placed to benefit from increased bundling and Enterprise opportunities (due to low cost access to Telekom Malaysia’s (T MK) (TM) fibre infrastructure).  We see signs the current round of results (4Q18) as being supportive of this view. While Maxis 4Q numbers were affected by one offs, the key is a return to service revenue growth while we think the market will view Maxis’ long term revenue guidance positively. Longer term, Maxis announced aggressive longer term revenue targets based on a move into Enterprise and fixed connectivity which should deliver significant revenue growth.

2. Bank of Kyoto – Nintendo Sale A Portent of Changes To Come?

On Friday 22 February after the close, Nintendo Co Ltd (7974 JP) announced a buyback (E, J), a share cancellation (E, J), and a public equity offering of secondary shares (J-only). This kind of event is not abnormal in a year when profits are weaker and share prices are down. Cross-holders often sell shares into the end of the year in order to realise profits and let unrealised gains from the balance sheet filter into the income statement.

This time it is five sellers from four banks which all hail from the area: Bank Of Kyoto (8369 JP), Nomura Trust (which holds shares in a trust account for the MUFJ Bank pension fund as a beneficiary), Mitsubishi Ufj Financial (8306 JP)‘s MUFJ Bank, Resona Holdings (8308 JP), and Shiga Bank (8366 JP). The MUFJ Bank holdings likely originate from Sanwa Bank which was Osaka-based before merging with BOT-Mitsubishi almost 15 years ago, and Resona is also from Osaka – next door to Kyoto where Nintendo was founded – and Shiga Bank is the prefecture next door.

This would look like a normal sell-down… except for one thing.

There was a note in the announcement to the effect that “in the context of how companies deal with their policy cross-holdings becoming the subject of greater focus, we confirmed that several shareholders desired to sell shares, and as a company subject to such cross-holdings, we are conducting the above-mentioned Offering.”

The “greater focus” comes from the both the change in the Japan Corporate Governance Code which was introduced last spring and went live June 1st (discussed in Japan’s Corporate Governance Code Amendments – A Much Bigger Stick for Activists and Stewards) which raised the bar for disclosure of reasons, and results, of such policy crossholdings in a revised version of Principle 1.4, and an example of how a board should make decisions and execute an unwind of corporate crossholdings. This example was given by Japan Exchange Group (8697 JP) itself regarding the TSE’s stake of 4.95% in Singapore Exchange (SGX SP) and was discussed in Japan Crossholdings: Japan Exchange’s Sale of SGX Shares Sets A Precedent – Watch Closely.  

In the TSE crossholding of SGX situation, the sale was not the most important part. The explanation of how the Board came to its decision and what they decided to do about it was important. 

On the other hand, Japan’s Corporate Governance Code (the Code), which was introduced in 2015, requires listed companies to examine and explain the economic rationale and future outlook of holding shares of other listed companies for reasons other than pure investment purposes. Following a review of the requirements under the Code, JPX reached the conclusion that the existing cooperative relationship with SGX would continue even without holding the shares of SGX.       [my bold]

The Japan Exchange Group had now provided the example for why even companies with cooperative business relationships should not own cross-holdings. And it is, if active stewards of capital choose to make it so, more subtle. Shareholders have even an even better pressure point. IF a company’s cooperative relationship with another company would not survive the unwinding of cross-holdings to improve capital efficiency for both sides, is that company truly independent? Is that company beholden to the company whose shares it holds? Is the cross-holding board doing its job?

And the Japan Exchange Group had said it would unwind its holdings of SGX over three years, so as not to overly impact the market for SGX shares. This provided an example of HOW to unwind, in addition to the WHY to unwind announced above.

The BIG QUESTION (And Nothing Else Matters)

The big question here is whether the reasoning for selling is really because of the new focus on policy cross-holdings, or it is just Bank of Kyoto and other banks trying to top up profit before the end of the fiscal year, using heretofore unrealised gains.

The Nintendo-specific situation is discussed in Nintendo Offering & Buyback: The Import & The Dynamics. 

An analysis of the Bank of Kyoto-specific situation is discussed below.

3. Last Week in GER Research: Best World, Graincorp, Myob and New Century IPO

In this version of the GER weekly research wrap, we assess the controversy surrounding potentially inflated revenue concerns for Best World International (BEST SP) . Secondly, we dig into the latest M&A situation for Graincorp Ltd A (GNC AU) amidst a testy AGM and a slow resolution to a binding bid which may limit a bump. In addition, we update on the KKR bid for MYOB Group Ltd (MYO AU) which Arun contends is unlikely to receive a counter bid due to KKR’s blocking stake. Finally, we initiate on the IPO of hotelier Zhejiang New Century Hotel Management Group (ZHEKAIH 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

In this briefing:

1. Bank of Kyoto – Nintendo Sale A Portent of Changes To Come?
2. Last Week in GER Research: Best World, Graincorp, Myob and New Century IPO

1. Bank of Kyoto – Nintendo Sale A Portent of Changes To Come?

On Friday 22 February after the close, Nintendo Co Ltd (7974 JP) announced a buyback (E, J), a share cancellation (E, J), and a public equity offering of secondary shares (J-only). This kind of event is not abnormal in a year when profits are weaker and share prices are down. Cross-holders often sell shares into the end of the year in order to realise profits and let unrealised gains from the balance sheet filter into the income statement.

This time it is five sellers from four banks which all hail from the area: Bank Of Kyoto (8369 JP), Nomura Trust (which holds shares in a trust account for the MUFJ Bank pension fund as a beneficiary), Mitsubishi Ufj Financial (8306 JP)‘s MUFJ Bank, Resona Holdings (8308 JP), and Shiga Bank (8366 JP). The MUFJ Bank holdings likely originate from Sanwa Bank which was Osaka-based before merging with BOT-Mitsubishi almost 15 years ago, and Resona is also from Osaka – next door to Kyoto where Nintendo was founded – and Shiga Bank is the prefecture next door.

This would look like a normal sell-down… except for one thing.

There was a note in the announcement to the effect that “in the context of how companies deal with their policy cross-holdings becoming the subject of greater focus, we confirmed that several shareholders desired to sell shares, and as a company subject to such cross-holdings, we are conducting the above-mentioned Offering.”

The “greater focus” comes from the both the change in the Japan Corporate Governance Code which was introduced last spring and went live June 1st (discussed in Japan’s Corporate Governance Code Amendments – A Much Bigger Stick for Activists and Stewards) which raised the bar for disclosure of reasons, and results, of such policy crossholdings in a revised version of Principle 1.4, and an example of how a board should make decisions and execute an unwind of corporate crossholdings. This example was given by Japan Exchange Group (8697 JP) itself regarding the TSE’s stake of 4.95% in Singapore Exchange (SGX SP) and was discussed in Japan Crossholdings: Japan Exchange’s Sale of SGX Shares Sets A Precedent – Watch Closely.  

In the TSE crossholding of SGX situation, the sale was not the most important part. The explanation of how the Board came to its decision and what they decided to do about it was important. 

On the other hand, Japan’s Corporate Governance Code (the Code), which was introduced in 2015, requires listed companies to examine and explain the economic rationale and future outlook of holding shares of other listed companies for reasons other than pure investment purposes. Following a review of the requirements under the Code, JPX reached the conclusion that the existing cooperative relationship with SGX would continue even without holding the shares of SGX.       [my bold]

The Japan Exchange Group had now provided the example for why even companies with cooperative business relationships should not own cross-holdings. And it is, if active stewards of capital choose to make it so, more subtle. Shareholders have even an even better pressure point. IF a company’s cooperative relationship with another company would not survive the unwinding of cross-holdings to improve capital efficiency for both sides, is that company truly independent? Is that company beholden to the company whose shares it holds? Is the cross-holding board doing its job?

And the Japan Exchange Group had said it would unwind its holdings of SGX over three years, so as not to overly impact the market for SGX shares. This provided an example of HOW to unwind, in addition to the WHY to unwind announced above.

The BIG QUESTION (And Nothing Else Matters)

The big question here is whether the reasoning for selling is really because of the new focus on policy cross-holdings, or it is just Bank of Kyoto and other banks trying to top up profit before the end of the fiscal year, using heretofore unrealised gains.

The Nintendo-specific situation is discussed in Nintendo Offering & Buyback: The Import & The Dynamics. 

An analysis of the Bank of Kyoto-specific situation is discussed below.

2. Last Week in GER Research: Best World, Graincorp, Myob and New Century IPO

In this version of the GER weekly research wrap, we assess the controversy surrounding potentially inflated revenue concerns for Best World International (BEST SP) . Secondly, we dig into the latest M&A situation for Graincorp Ltd A (GNC AU) amidst a testy AGM and a slow resolution to a binding bid which may limit a bump. In addition, we update on the KKR bid for MYOB Group Ltd (MYO AU) which Arun contends is unlikely to receive a counter bid due to KKR’s blocking stake. Finally, we initiate on the IPO of hotelier Zhejiang New Century Hotel Management Group (ZHEKAIH 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

In this briefing:

1. China Mobile 4Q18 Trends Improved Slightly. It Remains Most Exposed to 5G Capex Uncertainty.
2. China Telecom Mobile Business Recovered in 4Q. Broadly in Line with Expectations
3. China Unicom Weak 4Q18 Mobile Results Offset by Strength in Fixed Line Business
4. SEC 47k Rejection Targets Base Case Support
5. Yunji IPO Preview: Balance Sheet Points to Waning Engagement

1. China Mobile 4Q18 Trends Improved Slightly. It Remains Most Exposed to 5G Capex Uncertainty.

Chris Hoare downgraded China Mobile (941 HK) some time ago on rising concerns that 5G capex would be higher than expected. While China Unicom (762 HK) and China Telecom (728 HK) both laid out very modest 2019 5G capex plans, China Mobile did not.  And despite what we saw as reasonable results, earnings guidance was weak and the lack of a rising dividend payout suggests internal concerns over 5G spending.  We had seen China Mobile as a defensive stock, but recent strong performance and rising 5G worries led us to downgrade our recommendation. It remains at Reduce with a HK$75 target. 

2. China Telecom Mobile Business Recovered in 4Q. Broadly in Line with Expectations

China Telecom (728 HK), having delivered strong revenue growth but weak margins in 3Q18, delivered better 4Q numbers. Like its peers however, the business is under some pressure with ARPUs weak despite strong data growth.  We see the Chinese Telcos as vulnerable to policy demands for accelerated 5G spending. While the market may like the look of a joint roll-out of 5G with China Unicom (762 HK), that may be simplistic. Chris Hoare thinks the cost of a combined roll-out is likely to be even higher than China Mobile (941 HK). Recent price strength makes our Reduce recommendation clearer.

3. China Unicom Weak 4Q18 Mobile Results Offset by Strength in Fixed Line Business

China Unicom’s (762 HK) recent 4Q18 results were not great. The overall figures look ok due to strength in the fixed line business which offset weakness in mobile. However, they were the weakest of the three operators and the stock, which has had a strong run, now looks due for a pause. We have turned more cautious on the Chinese telcos on concerns that 5G spending could be higher than expected. Chris Hoare believes a major reason for the Chinese telcos outperforming in the past year has come from declining capex spending expectations. That trend may now start to reverse. While China Unicom has guided for only modest 5G capex in 2019 the focus will turn to 2020 where it is a much bigger issue and while we expect China Unicom to do a joint roll-out with China Telecom (728 HK) we expect the scale of the spending to be larger than an individual build. 

4. SEC 47k Rejection Targets Base Case Support

Samsung Electronics (005930 KS) met our rally target outlined in 28 January insight SEC and SK Hynix Breakouts at 70.3k. In that insight we outlined the tactical rise would give way to a pullback toward ideal pocket support that would offer a better risk to reward intermediate entry point for SEC.

Multiple rejection at that 47.2-5k barrier call for fresh lows toward preferred pocket and buy support. Only external pressures would adjust our downside bias to lower pattern support that comes in at 35k.

MACD basing support is expected to create a solid support for price on weakness. Risk lies with the MACD slipping back within the pattern range.

5. Yunji IPO Preview: Balance Sheet Points to Waning Engagement

Yunji Inc. (YJ US) is a leading membership-based social e-commerce platform in China which primarily sells merchandise through its Yunji app. Yunji is also referred to as a multi-level revenue sharing platform as the business model is based on providing incentives to members to promote products and invite new members through their social networks. Yunji is seeking to raise $200 million through a Nasdaq IPO.

In this briefing:

1. NTT Docomo Share Cancellation

1. NTT Docomo Share Cancellation

On Friday 22 February after the close, NTT Docomo Inc (9437 JP)announced (E) that it would cancel 447,067,906 shares (11.82% of issued shares before the cancellation) of Treasury shares on the 28th of February.

The buyback has already occurred. This is largely technical. But it has an interesting side effect.

In this briefing:

1. SEC 47k Rejection Targets Base Case Support
2. Yunji IPO Preview: Balance Sheet Points to Waning Engagement
3. Micron. Things May Be Getting Worse But They Are Still Remarkably Good.
4. Pinterest IPO Preview
5. Tesla: Would the Last One Off the Sinking Ship Please Turn Off the Lights?

1. SEC 47k Rejection Targets Base Case Support

Samsung Electronics (005930 KS) met our rally target outlined in 28 January insight SEC and SK Hynix Breakouts at 70.3k. In that insight we outlined the tactical rise would give way to a pullback toward ideal pocket support that would offer a better risk to reward intermediate entry point for SEC.

Multiple rejection at that 47.2-5k barrier call for fresh lows toward preferred pocket and buy support. Only external pressures would adjust our downside bias to lower pattern support that comes in at 35k.

MACD basing support is expected to create a solid support for price on weakness. Risk lies with the MACD slipping back within the pattern range.

2. Yunji IPO Preview: Balance Sheet Points to Waning Engagement

Yunji Inc. (YJ US) is a leading membership-based social e-commerce platform in China which primarily sells merchandise through its Yunji app. Yunji is also referred to as a multi-level revenue sharing platform as the business model is based on providing incentives to members to promote products and invite new members through their social networks. Yunji is seeking to raise $200 million through a Nasdaq IPO.

3. Micron. Things May Be Getting Worse But They Are Still Remarkably Good.

On Thursday March 21’st 2019, Micron announced latest quarter (Q2FY19) revenues of $5.8 billion, at the bottom end of their forecast range and down 26% sequentially. The midrange of their forecast for the current quarter (Q3FY19) will see revenues drop another 17% sequentially to $4.8 billion, roughly equivalent to the same quarter two years ago. On the earnings call, CEO Sanjay Mehrotra stated that the company would be cutting back both DRAM and NAND production by ~5% in response to a further deterioration in the CY2019 demand outlook. Furthermore, he refused to be drawn as to whether or not the current quarter would be the downturn trough despite reiterating his belief in the widely anticipated 2H CY2019 recovery thesis.

The challenging environment notwithstanding, there were some key positives also from the earnings call. The company is taking decisive and unprecedented actions to reduce their bit supply, actions we believe will be matched by Samsung Electronics  and SK Hynix. Gross margin coming into this downturn was a historic high at 61% and NAND gross margins have remained in the high 30% range despite ASP’s falling for five of the past six quarters. Furthermore, as forecasted three months ago, Micron still expects DRAM bit shipments to increase in the current quarter.

Integrating the latest updates from company, we now model Micron revenues declining for two further quarters to reach a trough at $4.5 billion in the company’s Q4FY19. We further model net income in the trough quarter at $1 billion. Thereafter we model a return to modest, sustained growth in the following quarters. Yes, things may be getting worse for Micron but they are still remarkably good.

4. Pinterest IPO Preview

Pinterest Inc (PINS US), a leading digital media platform in the US, is getting ready for an IPO in the next several weeks. In our view, this is one of the most exciting global tech IPOs since the Elastic NV (ESTC US) IPO in October 2018. Pinterest has one of those rare combinations of strong sales growth, leading website brand awareness, loyal users network effect, and a clear path to profitability. Pinterest was most recently valued at $12.3 billion in private market valuation when it raised $150 million in 2017. 

One of the attractive features about Pinterest is the fact that it has a very loyal user base among moms in the US. According to the company,  about two thirds of its total user base are female, mostly in the US. Nearly 8 out of 10 moms (who are often the decision makers for purchasing household goods) and about half of the millennials in the US regularly use Pinterest.  

The company has a very attractive income statement. Its revenue increased 59% CAGR from 2016 to 2018 and its operating losses have been declining nicely. Operating loss as a percentage of sales declined from 62.9% in 2016 to 9.9% in 2018. 

5. Tesla: Would the Last One Off the Sinking Ship Please Turn Off the Lights?

Roughly nine months ago, as Elon Musk was bizarrely attacking one of the heroes of the Thai rescue mission, we noted in Tesla: As Musk’s Reputation Disintegrates, The Only Positive for the Stock Is Disappearing that

We think it is pertinent to identify the moment when the crowd turns… and we think it just happened.

concluding that

Our main point is that there is now significantly more risk of being long and wrong on Tesla, not just in terms of portfolio performance, but in terms of career risk. With Tesla’s rising profile and increasingly bizarre behaviour the ability to justify being long and wrong is diminishing rapidly.

Since then, the roller-coaster ride has, if anything, been even more volatile and the vehemence of both bulls and bears has not decreased.

With recent developments such as the collapse in unit volumes following the reduction of subsidies for Tesla, the departure of CFO Deepak Ahuja and the underwhelming Model Y reveal, we highlight what we believe are the most important indicators of failure amongst the deluge of bad news, below.

In this briefing:

1. Yunji IPO Preview: Balance Sheet Points to Waning Engagement
2. Micron. Things May Be Getting Worse But They Are Still Remarkably Good.
3. Pinterest IPO Preview
4. Tesla: Would the Last One Off the Sinking Ship Please Turn Off the Lights?
5. Last Week in GER Research: Navitas, Mindtree, PG&E, Delta Electronics, GDS, Myob, Sigma and Ruhnn

1. Yunji IPO Preview: Balance Sheet Points to Waning Engagement

Yunji Inc. (YJ US) is a leading membership-based social e-commerce platform in China which primarily sells merchandise through its Yunji app. Yunji is also referred to as a multi-level revenue sharing platform as the business model is based on providing incentives to members to promote products and invite new members through their social networks. Yunji is seeking to raise $200 million through a Nasdaq IPO.

2. Micron. Things May Be Getting Worse But They Are Still Remarkably Good.

On Thursday March 21’st 2019, Micron announced latest quarter (Q2FY19) revenues of $5.8 billion, at the bottom end of their forecast range and down 26% sequentially. The midrange of their forecast for the current quarter (Q3FY19) will see revenues drop another 17% sequentially to $4.8 billion, roughly equivalent to the same quarter two years ago. On the earnings call, CEO Sanjay Mehrotra stated that the company would be cutting back both DRAM and NAND production by ~5% in response to a further deterioration in the CY2019 demand outlook. Furthermore, he refused to be drawn as to whether or not the current quarter would be the downturn trough despite reiterating his belief in the widely anticipated 2H CY2019 recovery thesis.

The challenging environment notwithstanding, there were some key positives also from the earnings call. The company is taking decisive and unprecedented actions to reduce their bit supply, actions we believe will be matched by Samsung Electronics  and SK Hynix. Gross margin coming into this downturn was a historic high at 61% and NAND gross margins have remained in the high 30% range despite ASP’s falling for five of the past six quarters. Furthermore, as forecasted three months ago, Micron still expects DRAM bit shipments to increase in the current quarter.

Integrating the latest updates from company, we now model Micron revenues declining for two further quarters to reach a trough at $4.5 billion in the company’s Q4FY19. We further model net income in the trough quarter at $1 billion. Thereafter we model a return to modest, sustained growth in the following quarters. Yes, things may be getting worse for Micron but they are still remarkably good.

3. Pinterest IPO Preview

Pinterest Inc (PINS US), a leading digital media platform in the US, is getting ready for an IPO in the next several weeks. In our view, this is one of the most exciting global tech IPOs since the Elastic NV (ESTC US) IPO in October 2018. Pinterest has one of those rare combinations of strong sales growth, leading website brand awareness, loyal users network effect, and a clear path to profitability. Pinterest was most recently valued at $12.3 billion in private market valuation when it raised $150 million in 2017. 

One of the attractive features about Pinterest is the fact that it has a very loyal user base among moms in the US. According to the company,  about two thirds of its total user base are female, mostly in the US. Nearly 8 out of 10 moms (who are often the decision makers for purchasing household goods) and about half of the millennials in the US regularly use Pinterest.  

The company has a very attractive income statement. Its revenue increased 59% CAGR from 2016 to 2018 and its operating losses have been declining nicely. Operating loss as a percentage of sales declined from 62.9% in 2016 to 9.9% in 2018. 

4. Tesla: Would the Last One Off the Sinking Ship Please Turn Off the Lights?

Roughly nine months ago, as Elon Musk was bizarrely attacking one of the heroes of the Thai rescue mission, we noted in Tesla: As Musk’s Reputation Disintegrates, The Only Positive for the Stock Is Disappearing that

We think it is pertinent to identify the moment when the crowd turns… and we think it just happened.

concluding that

Our main point is that there is now significantly more risk of being long and wrong on Tesla, not just in terms of portfolio performance, but in terms of career risk. With Tesla’s rising profile and increasingly bizarre behaviour the ability to justify being long and wrong is diminishing rapidly.

Since then, the roller-coaster ride has, if anything, been even more volatile and the vehemence of both bulls and bears has not decreased.

With recent developments such as the collapse in unit volumes following the reduction of subsidies for Tesla, the departure of CFO Deepak Ahuja and the underwhelming Model Y reveal, we highlight what we believe are the most important indicators of failure amongst the deluge of bad news, below.

5. Last Week in GER Research: Navitas, Mindtree, PG&E, Delta Electronics, GDS, Myob, Sigma and Ruhnn

Below is a recap of the key Event-driven, IPO and placement research produced by the Global Equity Research team. This week we highlight Arun’s analysis on the takeover deals for Navitas Ltd (NVT AU) and Mindtree Ltd (MTCL IN) and the valuation range for Delta Electronics Thai (DELTA TB) . In addition, Arun recommends taking the Gds Holdings (Adr) (GDS US) placement while recommending the deal for MYOB Group Ltd (MYO AU) and contends investors may need to be patient for the rejected Sigma Healthcare (SIG AU) deal. Venkat looks into the bankruptcy arbitrage situation for P G & E Corp (PCG US) and contends PG&E has no equity value due to pending litigation risks. Finally, Arun initiates on the IPO of Chinese e-commerce company Ruhnn Holding Ltd (RUHN US)

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

In this briefing:

1. Micron. Things May Be Getting Worse But They Are Still Remarkably Good.
2. Pinterest IPO Preview
3. Tesla: Would the Last One Off the Sinking Ship Please Turn Off the Lights?
4. Last Week in GER Research: Navitas, Mindtree, PG&E, Delta Electronics, GDS, Myob, Sigma and Ruhnn
5. Ruhnn IPO Valuation: Face Value

1. Micron. Things May Be Getting Worse But They Are Still Remarkably Good.

On Thursday March 21’st 2019, Micron announced latest quarter (Q2FY19) revenues of $5.8 billion, at the bottom end of their forecast range and down 26% sequentially. The midrange of their forecast for the current quarter (Q3FY19) will see revenues drop another 17% sequentially to $4.8 billion, roughly equivalent to the same quarter two years ago. On the earnings call, CEO Sanjay Mehrotra stated that the company would be cutting back both DRAM and NAND production by ~5% in response to a further deterioration in the CY2019 demand outlook. Furthermore, he refused to be drawn as to whether or not the current quarter would be the downturn trough despite reiterating his belief in the widely anticipated 2H CY2019 recovery thesis.

The challenging environment notwithstanding, there were some key positives also from the earnings call. The company is taking decisive and unprecedented actions to reduce their bit supply, actions we believe will be matched by Samsung Electronics  and SK Hynix. Gross margin coming into this downturn was a historic high at 61% and NAND gross margins have remained in the high 30% range despite ASP’s falling for five of the past six quarters. Furthermore, as forecasted three months ago, Micron still expects DRAM bit shipments to increase in the current quarter.

Integrating the latest updates from company, we now model Micron revenues declining for two further quarters to reach a trough at $4.5 billion in the company’s Q4FY19. We further model net income in the trough quarter at $1 billion. Thereafter we model a return to modest, sustained growth in the following quarters. Yes, things may be getting worse for Micron but they are still remarkably good.

2. Pinterest IPO Preview

Pinterest Inc (PINS US), a leading digital media platform in the US, is getting ready for an IPO in the next several weeks. In our view, this is one of the most exciting global tech IPOs since the Elastic NV (ESTC US) IPO in October 2018. Pinterest has one of those rare combinations of strong sales growth, leading website brand awareness, loyal users network effect, and a clear path to profitability. Pinterest was most recently valued at $12.3 billion in private market valuation when it raised $150 million in 2017. 

One of the attractive features about Pinterest is the fact that it has a very loyal user base among moms in the US. According to the company,  about two thirds of its total user base are female, mostly in the US. Nearly 8 out of 10 moms (who are often the decision makers for purchasing household goods) and about half of the millennials in the US regularly use Pinterest.  

The company has a very attractive income statement. Its revenue increased 59% CAGR from 2016 to 2018 and its operating losses have been declining nicely. Operating loss as a percentage of sales declined from 62.9% in 2016 to 9.9% in 2018. 

3. Tesla: Would the Last One Off the Sinking Ship Please Turn Off the Lights?

Roughly nine months ago, as Elon Musk was bizarrely attacking one of the heroes of the Thai rescue mission, we noted in Tesla: As Musk’s Reputation Disintegrates, The Only Positive for the Stock Is Disappearing that

We think it is pertinent to identify the moment when the crowd turns… and we think it just happened.

concluding that

Our main point is that there is now significantly more risk of being long and wrong on Tesla, not just in terms of portfolio performance, but in terms of career risk. With Tesla’s rising profile and increasingly bizarre behaviour the ability to justify being long and wrong is diminishing rapidly.

Since then, the roller-coaster ride has, if anything, been even more volatile and the vehemence of both bulls and bears has not decreased.

With recent developments such as the collapse in unit volumes following the reduction of subsidies for Tesla, the departure of CFO Deepak Ahuja and the underwhelming Model Y reveal, we highlight what we believe are the most important indicators of failure amongst the deluge of bad news, below.

4. Last Week in GER Research: Navitas, Mindtree, PG&E, Delta Electronics, GDS, Myob, Sigma and Ruhnn

Below is a recap of the key Event-driven, IPO and placement research produced by the Global Equity Research team. This week we highlight Arun’s analysis on the takeover deals for Navitas Ltd (NVT AU) and Mindtree Ltd (MTCL IN) and the valuation range for Delta Electronics Thai (DELTA TB) . In addition, Arun recommends taking the Gds Holdings (Adr) (GDS US) placement while recommending the deal for MYOB Group Ltd (MYO AU) and contends investors may need to be patient for the rejected Sigma Healthcare (SIG AU) deal. Venkat looks into the bankruptcy arbitrage situation for P G & E Corp (PCG US) and contends PG&E has no equity value due to pending litigation risks. Finally, Arun initiates on the IPO of Chinese e-commerce company Ruhnn Holding Ltd (RUHN US)

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

5. Ruhnn IPO Valuation: Face Value

Ruhnn Holding Ltd (RUHN US) is an e-commerce platform which drives sales through KOLs (key opinion leaders), backed by Alibaba Group Holding (BABA US) which an 8.6% shareholder. It announced its IPO price range of $11.50-13.50 per ADS. At the mid-point of the IPO price range, Ruhnn will raise net proceeds of $113 million, resulting in a fully diluted market cap of $1 billion.

In this briefing:

1. Pinterest IPO Preview
2. Tesla: Would the Last One Off the Sinking Ship Please Turn Off the Lights?
3. Last Week in GER Research: Navitas, Mindtree, PG&E, Delta Electronics, GDS, Myob, Sigma and Ruhnn
4. Ruhnn IPO Valuation: Face Value
5. Samsung Electronics DRAM Economics: Adj. Valuation Shows Upside Potential at Current Price

1. Pinterest IPO Preview

Pinterest Inc (PINS US), a leading digital media platform in the US, is getting ready for an IPO in the next several weeks. In our view, this is one of the most exciting global tech IPOs since the Elastic NV (ESTC US) IPO in October 2018. Pinterest has one of those rare combinations of strong sales growth, leading website brand awareness, loyal users network effect, and a clear path to profitability. Pinterest was most recently valued at $12.3 billion in private market valuation when it raised $150 million in 2017. 

One of the attractive features about Pinterest is the fact that it has a very loyal user base among moms in the US. According to the company,  about two thirds of its total user base are female, mostly in the US. Nearly 8 out of 10 moms (who are often the decision makers for purchasing household goods) and about half of the millennials in the US regularly use Pinterest.  

The company has a very attractive income statement. Its revenue increased 59% CAGR from 2016 to 2018 and its operating losses have been declining nicely. Operating loss as a percentage of sales declined from 62.9% in 2016 to 9.9% in 2018. 

2. Tesla: Would the Last One Off the Sinking Ship Please Turn Off the Lights?

Roughly nine months ago, as Elon Musk was bizarrely attacking one of the heroes of the Thai rescue mission, we noted in Tesla: As Musk’s Reputation Disintegrates, The Only Positive for the Stock Is Disappearing that

We think it is pertinent to identify the moment when the crowd turns… and we think it just happened.

concluding that

Our main point is that there is now significantly more risk of being long and wrong on Tesla, not just in terms of portfolio performance, but in terms of career risk. With Tesla’s rising profile and increasingly bizarre behaviour the ability to justify being long and wrong is diminishing rapidly.

Since then, the roller-coaster ride has, if anything, been even more volatile and the vehemence of both bulls and bears has not decreased.

With recent developments such as the collapse in unit volumes following the reduction of subsidies for Tesla, the departure of CFO Deepak Ahuja and the underwhelming Model Y reveal, we highlight what we believe are the most important indicators of failure amongst the deluge of bad news, below.

3. Last Week in GER Research: Navitas, Mindtree, PG&E, Delta Electronics, GDS, Myob, Sigma and Ruhnn

Below is a recap of the key Event-driven, IPO and placement research produced by the Global Equity Research team. This week we highlight Arun’s analysis on the takeover deals for Navitas Ltd (NVT AU) and Mindtree Ltd (MTCL IN) and the valuation range for Delta Electronics Thai (DELTA TB) . In addition, Arun recommends taking the Gds Holdings (Adr) (GDS US) placement while recommending the deal for MYOB Group Ltd (MYO AU) and contends investors may need to be patient for the rejected Sigma Healthcare (SIG AU) deal. Venkat looks into the bankruptcy arbitrage situation for P G & E Corp (PCG US) and contends PG&E has no equity value due to pending litigation risks. Finally, Arun initiates on the IPO of Chinese e-commerce company Ruhnn Holding Ltd (RUHN US)

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

4. Ruhnn IPO Valuation: Face Value

Ruhnn Holding Ltd (RUHN US) is an e-commerce platform which drives sales through KOLs (key opinion leaders), backed by Alibaba Group Holding (BABA US) which an 8.6% shareholder. It announced its IPO price range of $11.50-13.50 per ADS. At the mid-point of the IPO price range, Ruhnn will raise net proceeds of $113 million, resulting in a fully diluted market cap of $1 billion.

5. Samsung Electronics DRAM Economics: Adj. Valuation Shows Upside Potential at Current Price

• The market misinterpreted Amazon’s server DRAM demand cut in 4Q18. It wasn’t a sign of falling demand. There isn’t still any convincing sign of server DRAM falling demand. By the time SamE gets the optimization issue right, server DRAM demand of Amazon and Google will come. This will stabilize DRAM price as well. Micron’s production reduction will help it.
• There seem to be several signs that it will be over much sooner than initially feared. I expect it to be over by the end of 2Q. This will lead to a ₩4tril addition quarterly to the current street consensus. At this, current PER falls to 9x.
• SamE got up 6.5% since the Micron announcement. It still seems to have more upside potential even at the current price. Common-1P perspective, I’d wrap up my previous position Samsung Electronics Share Class Trade: Common at +2σ, Expect Reversion After AGM This Week. This paid a 3.3% return. I’d initiate a new one reversely. Common is now at -1.65σ.

In this briefing:

1. Tesla: Would the Last One Off the Sinking Ship Please Turn Off the Lights?
2. Last Week in GER Research: Navitas, Mindtree, PG&E, Delta Electronics, GDS, Myob, Sigma and Ruhnn
3. Ruhnn IPO Valuation: Face Value
4. Samsung Electronics DRAM Economics: Adj. Valuation Shows Upside Potential at Current Price
5. Hitachi Bumps Yungtay Bid to NT$65. Take It.

1. Tesla: Would the Last One Off the Sinking Ship Please Turn Off the Lights?

Roughly nine months ago, as Elon Musk was bizarrely attacking one of the heroes of the Thai rescue mission, we noted in Tesla: As Musk’s Reputation Disintegrates, The Only Positive for the Stock Is Disappearing that

We think it is pertinent to identify the moment when the crowd turns… and we think it just happened.

concluding that

Our main point is that there is now significantly more risk of being long and wrong on Tesla, not just in terms of portfolio performance, but in terms of career risk. With Tesla’s rising profile and increasingly bizarre behaviour the ability to justify being long and wrong is diminishing rapidly.

Since then, the roller-coaster ride has, if anything, been even more volatile and the vehemence of both bulls and bears has not decreased.

With recent developments such as the collapse in unit volumes following the reduction of subsidies for Tesla, the departure of CFO Deepak Ahuja and the underwhelming Model Y reveal, we highlight what we believe are the most important indicators of failure amongst the deluge of bad news, below.

2. Last Week in GER Research: Navitas, Mindtree, PG&E, Delta Electronics, GDS, Myob, Sigma and Ruhnn

Below is a recap of the key Event-driven, IPO and placement research produced by the Global Equity Research team. This week we highlight Arun’s analysis on the takeover deals for Navitas Ltd (NVT AU) and Mindtree Ltd (MTCL IN) and the valuation range for Delta Electronics Thai (DELTA TB) . In addition, Arun recommends taking the Gds Holdings (Adr) (GDS US) placement while recommending the deal for MYOB Group Ltd (MYO AU) and contends investors may need to be patient for the rejected Sigma Healthcare (SIG AU) deal. Venkat looks into the bankruptcy arbitrage situation for P G & E Corp (PCG US) and contends PG&E has no equity value due to pending litigation risks. Finally, Arun initiates on the IPO of Chinese e-commerce company Ruhnn Holding Ltd (RUHN US)

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

3. Ruhnn IPO Valuation: Face Value

Ruhnn Holding Ltd (RUHN US) is an e-commerce platform which drives sales through KOLs (key opinion leaders), backed by Alibaba Group Holding (BABA US) which an 8.6% shareholder. It announced its IPO price range of $11.50-13.50 per ADS. At the mid-point of the IPO price range, Ruhnn will raise net proceeds of $113 million, resulting in a fully diluted market cap of $1 billion.

4. Samsung Electronics DRAM Economics: Adj. Valuation Shows Upside Potential at Current Price

• The market misinterpreted Amazon’s server DRAM demand cut in 4Q18. It wasn’t a sign of falling demand. There isn’t still any convincing sign of server DRAM falling demand. By the time SamE gets the optimization issue right, server DRAM demand of Amazon and Google will come. This will stabilize DRAM price as well. Micron’s production reduction will help it.
• There seem to be several signs that it will be over much sooner than initially feared. I expect it to be over by the end of 2Q. This will lead to a ₩4tril addition quarterly to the current street consensus. At this, current PER falls to 9x.
• SamE got up 6.5% since the Micron announcement. It still seems to have more upside potential even at the current price. Common-1P perspective, I’d wrap up my previous position Samsung Electronics Share Class Trade: Common at +2σ, Expect Reversion After AGM This Week. This paid a 3.3% return. I’d initiate a new one reversely. Common is now at -1.65σ.

5. Hitachi Bumps Yungtay Bid to NT$65. Take It.

This was the basis of the trade. Hitachi Ltd (6501 JP) has been susceptible to pressure for a bump since even before the Tender Offer was announced because of the proxy fight at last year’s board meeting for management rights. Hitachi supported the incumbent who consequently retired as chairman, but kept the continuity. The board was split 6:3. 

Since late January or early February when it became clear that board support for the deal was still split 6:3 and one of the points in a couple of the independent directors’ comments as reasons why the deal was not supported was that Hitachi’s bid at NT$60/share did not match an informal offer from Otis at $63/share, it has been clear that one way to extinguish that criticism was to bid NT$63 or higher. 

And now Hitachi has. After the close on Friday, a release from Yungtay Engineering (1507 TT) hit the mops system saying that Hitachi had amended the Public Purchase statement by raising the Purchase Price to NT$65/share. This is closer to the high end of the original valuations provided by the law firm and public accountancy firms of NT$40.27-68.31 and NT$55.15-67.83. Taiwan Hitachi Elevator released a press release carried by the ChinaTimes here.

Past coverage of this situation can be found at:
28 Oct 2018 – Going Up! Hitachi Tender for Yungtay Engineering (1507 TT)
17 Jan 2019 – Hitachi Tender for Yungtay Engineering Launches
26 Feb 2019 – Yungtay Noises Haven’t Produced a Result Yet
18 Mar 2019 – Yungtay Tummy Rumblings Continue But Not Clear To What Avail