Daily Brief Equity Bottom-Up: Li Ning (2331 HK):  Update On The Name Given Potential Privatization News and more

• According to public news today afternoon during trading hours, the founder and biggest shareholder of Li Ning (2331 HK), Mr. Li Ning, is mulling privatizing the public company. 
• Mr. Li Ning has shown the opposite intention over the last few years, with several major sell-down of stake.
• The company is trading at 16x 2024 PE, with visibility being quite low. 

• We believe revenue will grow by 44% in 2023 according to the sales volume and the price trend.
• We believe net profit will increase by 100%, higher than the company’s estimate.
• We conclude an upside of 54% and a price target of HK$304. Buy.

For our next Corporate Webinar, we are glad to welcome Centurion Corporation’s CEO, Mr Kong Chee Min. 

In the upcoming webinar, Chee Min will share a short company presentation after which, he will engage in a fireside chat with Smartkarma Insight Provider, Angus Mackintosh.

Angus will also be providing an industry overview, featuring landscape commentary and returns analysis. The Corporate Webinar will include a live Q&A session

In the spirit of giving back to our community, one of the attendees will also be awarded an Amazon Kindle as part of our exclusive lucky draw. 

The Corporate Webinar will be hosted on Thursday, 21 March 2024, 19:00 SGT.

About Centurion Corporation 

Centurion Corporation Limited (“Centurion” or the “Company” and together with its subsidiaries, the “Group”) owns, develops and manages quality, purpose-built workers accommodation assets in Singapore and Malaysia, and student accommodation assets in Australia, the United Kingdom (“UK”) and the United States (“US”). The Group owns and manages a strong portfolio of 34 operational accommodation assets totalling approximately 66,607 beds as of 30 September 2023. Centurion’s established portfolio of workers accommodation assets are managed under the “Westlite Accommodation” brand and comprises nine workers accommodation assets in Singapore as well as eight workers accommodation assets in Malaysia. The Group’s student accommodation assets are managed under the “Dwell” brand, with ten assets in the UK, five assets in US and two assets in Australia. With global reach and a clear growth strategy to actively enhance and manage its assets, identify strategic acquisitions and joint ventures, as well as develop customised accommodation management services, Centurion is well-positioned as a leading provider of quality, purpose-built accommodation.

• On’s quarterly results disappoint, triggering a 10% stock drop. Meanwhile, ASICS’ share price is up 43% YTD despite modest performance.
• ASICS shareholders advised to consider profit-taking as stock outpaces fundamentals, faces competition from resurging Nike and fast-growing On
• On’s ambitious growth projections threaten ASICS’ market position, with potential market share parity within three years

• This is a follow-up to our initial report on the APAC Luxury Industry where we were of the belief that small niches within the luxury sector could offer potential opportunities.
• Below, we analyse the recent trends in luxury travel on Minor International (MINT TB), Mandarin Oriental International (MAND SP) and Shiseido Company (4911 JP).
• While travel has rebounded to pre-pandemic levels, Shiseido’s Travel Retail struggles, yet Minor International and Mandarin Oriental are showing signs of improvement. 

• Takashimaya (8233 JP) was founded in 1831 and is the operator of one of the leading department store companies in Japan.
• Takashimaya began applying the Accounting Standard for Revenue Recognition from the beginning of FY02/23.
• Takashimaya Co., Ltd. announced revisions to its full-year earnings forecasts for FY02/24.

• Two activist investors are now on the shareholder registry of Eiken Chemical. 
• Eiken has proactively announced a share buyback to return excess cash holdings. 
• Eiken has a quality underlying business which generates solid FCF yield. Expect higher shareholder returns in the future. 

• Round One Corp (4680 JP) specializes in running amusement complex facilities in Japan, the US, and China.
• FY03/23 results: The company reported sales of JPY142.1bn, operating profit of JPY16.9bn, recurring profit of JPY16.7bn, and net income attributable to owners of the parent of JPY9.7bn.
• In November 2023, the company revised its full-year FY03/24 earnings forecast.

• In Q423 JD Logistics booked 10% top-line growth & solid margin improvement
• We analyze the impacts of JD.com & Deppon Logistics on JD Logistics’ Q423
• Given still-low profitability, JD Logistics does not appear cheap, in our view

• This is our special, one-time report on Guess Inc., a notable entity in the fashion industry that recently made headlines with its strategic acquisition of the New York-based fashion brand Rag & Bone.
• This move signifies a significant leap towards expanding its portfolio and solidifying its presence in the highly competitive fashion sector.
• The announcement was followed by a surge in the company’s stock, further fueled by speculations of a possible take-private initiative.