In this briefing:
- TRACKING TRAFFIC/Chinese Tourism: HK & Macau Gained ‘Share’ in December, Continuing H218 Trend
- Sumco Reports Solid Growth in Revenue and Operating Profit; Stock Is Still Trading at a Discount
- Exxon and Qatar Proceed with US$10bn Golden Pass LNG Terminal: Positive for Chiyoda and MDR US
1. TRACKING TRAFFIC/Chinese Tourism: HK & Macau Gained ‘Share’ in December, Continuing H218 Trend
Tracking Traffic/Chinese Tourism is the hub for all of our research on China’s tourism sector. This monthly report features analysis of Chinese tourism data, notes from our conversations with industry participants, and links to recent company news and thematic pieces. Our aim is to highlight important trends in China’s tourism sector (and changes to those trends).
In this issue readers can find:
- As it has throughout the latter half of 2018, HK & Macau traffic boomed in December: Over the last several months, we believe Chinese tourists have been staying ‘closer to home’, for a variety of reasons. December’s Chinese outbound tourist figures support this idea, as visits to nearby Hong Kong and Macau surged, and trips to destinations farther afield moderated.
- An analysis of December domestic Chinese travel activity, which remained subdued: Overall domestic travel demand, measured in passenger-kms, grew by 3.4% in December, similar to H118 growth. But while rail and highway travel growth held up relatively well compared to earlier in 2018, air travel in December was again weak relative to H118’s strength, up 9.1% after climbing 13.8% in the first half of the year.
- China-to-USA travel activity continued to weaken in December: US tourist and student visa issuance and visits to Hawaii all declined again in December. We think the declines reflect some Chinese tourists turning cautious on the economy (and thus disposable income), but the declines may also reflect changing Chinese policy.
Although we remain positive on the long-term growth of Chinese tourism, it’s clear that near-term demand growth has slowed, and that Chinese tourists are generally staying closer to home and probably spending less than they were a year ago.
Happy New Year (of the Pig)!
2. Sumco Reports Solid Growth in Revenue and Operating Profit; Stock Is Still Trading at a Discount
Sumco (3436 JP) reported its 4QFY12/18 and Full-year FY12/18 results yesterday (5th February). The company reported double-digit growth in revenue and operating profit for 4QFY12/18 driven by strong demand for semiconductor silicon wafers across all sizes alongside a favourable trend in wafer prices. Revenue grew 17.7% YoY in the 4th quarter, in spite of missing its own top-line estimate by 1.7% and falling a touch below consensus and our estimates. Operating profit increased 57.1% YoY to JPY20.9bn, yet again falling below guidance, consensus and our estimates. The strong growth in operating profit resulted in a 640-bps expansion in the operating profit margin to 25.3% compared to the 18.9% reported in 4QFY12/17.
Sumco Reports Double-Digit Growth in Revenue and Operating Profit While Falling Below Targets
4QFY12/18 (JPYbn) | 4QFY12/17 | 4QFY12/18 | YoY | Actual Vs. Company | Actual Vs. Consensus | Actual Vs. LSR |
Revenue | 70.2 | 82.6 | 17.7% | -1.7% | -1.7% | -1.7% |
Operating Profit | 13.3 | 20.9 | 57.1% | -0.5% | -1.6% | -1.6% |
Operating Profit Margin | 18.9% | 25.3% |
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3. Exxon and Qatar Proceed with US$10bn Golden Pass LNG Terminal: Positive for Chiyoda and MDR US
Qatar Petroleum and Exxon Mobil (XOM US) have taken a positive final investment decision (FID) on the Golden Pass LNG export facility on the US Gulf Coast, one of 25 projects up for FID this year globally. Golden Pass awarded the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts for the project to a joint venture of Chiyoda Corp (6366 JP), Mcdermott Intl (MDR US) and Zachry Group, with the project expected to cost US$10bn and come on line in 2024. We discuss the company impacts, the project detail and market impacts
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