China Archives | Page 146 of 154 | Smartkarma

In this briefing:

1. China East Education (中国东方教育) Pre-IPO – The Company Known for Its Culinary School
2. Korea M&A Spotlight: Will the Nexon Group Sell the Korean or the Japanese Company?
3. Asian Frontier Monitor: One Belt New Road – Here Comes America
4. Futu Holdings Pre-IPO – Great Metrics but in a Commoditised Industry
5. This Week in Blockchain & Cryptos: A Bitcoin Reversal; More Red Flags for Bitmain

1. China East Education (中国东方教育) Pre-IPO – The Company Known for Its Culinary School

China Xinhua Education (2779 HK) listed in Q1 of 2018 and we wrote in our insight that the founder had vocational schools that have been separated from China Xinhua that seemed to be his prized asset. Fast forward to December 2018, the prized asset has finally filed its draft prospectus under the entity China East Education (CEE HK) and it is looking to raise US$400m in its IPO.

In this insight, we will analyze the company’s financial and operating performance, compare it to listed education companies, and provide some questions we have for management.

2. Korea M&A Spotlight: Will the Nexon Group Sell the Korean or the Japanese Company?

According to a local media outlet called Chosun Daily, it stated that one of the bankers in the deal (Deutsche Bank), already sent teaser letters of this deal to Tencent Holdings (700 HK) and KKR and in the teaser letter, it mentioned about potentially selling nearly 47% of Nexon Co Ltd (3659 JP) (Japan).

The question about whether or not Kim Jung-Joo decides to sell NXC Corp (Korea) or Nexon Co Ltd (3659 JP) (Japan) has important consequences not just for him and his family but also to the minority shareholders of Nexon Co Ltd (3659 JP). If Kim Jung-Joo decides to sell NXC Corp (Korea), there may not be much upside for the minority shareholders of Nexon Co Ltd (3659 JP) since current regulations do not require the buyers to pay potentially additional control premium to the minority shareholders as well. 

However, if Kim Jung-Joo decides to sell Nexon Co Ltd (3659 JP) (Japan), there may be an opportunity for the minority shareholders to gain from an additional control premium. We think that this is one of the reasons why Nexon Co Ltd (3659 JP) shares are up 13% YTD as some of the investors may think that there could be a higher probability that Kim Jung-Joo ends up selling Nexon Co Ltd (3659 JP) (Japan), instead of NXC Corp (Korea). 

3. Asian Frontier Monitor: One Belt New Road – Here Comes America

In our third report in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) or One Belt One Road (OBOR) series, we examine a brand-new US strategic initiative to finance emerging markets economies, including OBOR, African, and Latin American countries.

The on-going trade war between China and the US makes the issue very political. Rightfully so, we believe the creation of the International Development Finance Corporation (“IDFC”) could be politically-motivated, but IDFC is no competition to the BRI as the latter deploys much greater funding (about USD40bn a year).

However, we see the merits of IDFC and the positive effects on Emerging Asia. After all, more competition for influence and more fund flow will help fund projects, and, perhaps, help reduce poverty (if good governance is observed). We also expect IDFC’s USD60bn fund to create more investable projects for institutional investors and lower funding cost for countries that need large infrastructure funding and countries that have been suspicious of the BRI such as India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka.

4. Futu Holdings Pre-IPO – Great Metrics but in a Commoditised Industry

Futu Holdings Ltd (FHL US) plans to raise around US$300m in its US IPO. The company is backed by Tencent Holdings (700 HK) , Matrix Partners and Sequoia, who together own over 45% of the company.

The founding team comes mostly from Tencent, which might explain Tencent’s large stake in the company. Growth for the company has been stupendous despite the jittery markets, with margin financing adding to the top-line growth. 

While its low costs will help it to steal clients from the more traditional brokers, other new low-cost brokers seem to be offering similar services at comparable rates. In addition, the company is not licensed or regulated by any entities in China, despite the majority of its client base being Chinese nationals. Furthermore, the company plans to expand into newer overseas market where it doesn’t seem to have much of a cost advantage.

5. This Week in Blockchain & Cryptos: A Bitcoin Reversal; More Red Flags for Bitmain

The year 2018 was not the brightest for cryptocurrencies; Bitcoin (XBTUSD CURNCY) fell around 70% during 2018 and top altcoins like Ethereum (ETH BGN CURNCY), Ripple and Bitcoin Cash were also down around 80%, 85% and 95% respectively during last year. While it is difficult to pinpoint a single reason for this, a number of factors including, rising security concerns, increased scrutiny, failed institutional support and Bitcoin Cash hash wars have collectively contributed to this bearish sentiment in the cryptocurrency markets last year.

In this note we take a look at several top cryptocurrency and blockchain developments from last year, to see how they would fare going into 2019.

This is a collaborative report between Douglas Kim and myself.

In this briefing:

1. China Tobacco International IPO: Heavy Regulation, Declining Margins – A Bit Late to IPO Party
2. China Tobacco International (IPO): The Monopolist Will Not Recover
3. RRR Rate Cut in China
4. FX Reserves in China
5. Healius (HLS AU): Bid Rejection Provides Option Value

1. China Tobacco International IPO: Heavy Regulation, Declining Margins – A Bit Late to IPO Party

China Tobacco International (GHALPZ CH) is a subsidiary and offshore unit of China National Tobacco Corp., a state-owned enterprise (SOE). The company procures tobacco leaves from regions around the world and exports tobacco leaf products and branded cigarettes to the duty-free outlets outside China’s customs area and in Southeast Asia.

The IPO is expected to raise US$100M and the company expects to use the proceeds to expand market share, acquire new cigarette brands, working capital, and other corporate purposes.                      

2. China Tobacco International (IPO): The Monopolist Will Not Recover

• China Tobacco International (HK) Co. Ltd. plans to go public on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
• The state-owned company holds monopolistic positions in tobacco leaf export, tobacco leaf import, and cigarette export.
• Both revenue growth and margins declined year-over-year in the first three quarters of 2018.
• We believe the China cigarette market will not recover, as all signals suggest weak demand.

3. RRR Rate Cut in China

The big news in Chinese finance was the PBOC announcing Friday that it was cutting the RRR rate. Rather than what you can read in the press, we want to focus on a variety of factors which may not be as widely recognized.

4. FX Reserves in China

FX reserves are up by about 10 billion dollars, which against a back drop of the size of FX and the Chinese economy is basically no change. They have been oddly flat over the past two years. Yet, the noise is really just that, the FX increase is so small that we believe it is a non-starter.

5. Healius (HLS AU): Bid Rejection Provides Option Value

Healius (HLS AU), formerly known as Primary Health Care (PRY AU), is a leading Australian owner of GP clinics and pathology centres. Healius just took four days to reject Jangho Group Co Ltd A (601886 CH)’s 3 January 2018 proposal of A$3.25 cash per share as it “is opportunistic and fundamentally undervalues Healius.”

In this briefing:

1. Ten Years On – Asia Outperforms Advanced Economies
2. Futu Holdings IPO Preview: Running Out of Steam
3. Asian Credit Monitor: 2019 Portfolio Strategy, US Rate Trajectory, China Reform Pause
4. Weekly Oil Views: Crude Remains at the Mercy of Fickle Financial Markets
5. Healius And The (Likely) First Salvo

1. Ten Years On – Asia Outperforms Advanced Economies

You might be surprised to learn that in the ten years to 2017 Asia has outperformed advanced economies. Despite extraordinary monetary and fiscal stimulus and the damaging dollar-demand deflationary policies of the ECB, BoJ and BoE, the region is 188% larger in US dollar terms compared with 2007 while US dollar GDP per capita income is 170% higher. The parallel numbers for the advanced countries – the US, euro-area and Japan combined- are 19% and 13%. Asian stock markets have underperformed since 2010 but we believe that investors are still to fully acknowledge Asia’s strong growth fundamentals. Combined with cheap valuations there is significant upside for Asian equity markets.

2. Futu Holdings IPO Preview: Running Out of Steam

Futu Holdings Ltd (FHL US) is the fourth largest online broker in Hong Kong. Futu has filed for a Nasdaq IPO to raise $300 million, down from an earlier indication of a $500 million raise according to press reports. Futu is backed by Tencent Holdings (700 HK) (38.2% shareholder), Matrix Partners (6.1%) and Sequoia Capital (4.0%).

3. Asian Credit Monitor: 2019 Portfolio Strategy, US Rate Trajectory, China Reform Pause

If we had to make a base observation for Asia credit markets over 2018, it was certainly caught “wrong-footed” like most of its other risky asset counterparts. The combination of a more hawkish Fed in 2018, global quantitative tightening, late-cycle economic conditions, volatility and a strong USD have all served to impact almost all the asset classes negatively. According to some asset allocators, the only asset class which returned positive in 2018 was cash, every other traditional asset class saw losses.

USD direction will further dictate the impact on overall Asian risk, in our view, with many undervalued Asian currencies following their sharp declines in 2018. One of our scenarios includes a range-bound USD in 1H19, followed by a possible reversal in 2H19 on any dovish Fed policy/US economic weakness. In this case, it has the potential to attract incremental portfolio inflows back into Asian risk. We expect a slightly tighter bias in monetary policy in most Asia ex-Japan nations which is supportive for their respective currencies.

In 2019, risk-reward dynamics have improved particularly for Asian investment grade (“IG”) where we see more limited MTM pressure. We expect a more defensive market at least in 1H19 which supports our heavier IG bias. We suspect larger investors would continue to reallocate depending on the outcomes of the China-US trade dispute and their view on US risk (arguably near its last late-cycle expansion legs). We continue to be extremely selective in Asian high yield (“HY”) which have been impacted by idiosyncratic situations including credit deterioration and rising defaults. Exogenous factors such as the potential for “fallen angel” risk (i.e. a migration from issuers on the cusp of IG, “BBB-”  into HY) as well as net portfolio outflows from HY, EM and leveraged loan funds are ongoing concerns. Despite cheaper valuations in Asian HY, we still see skewed risk-reward (with larger potential risks).

In the US, our base case expects the Fed to hike 1-2 times (quarter point each) for 2019, premised on still below-trend inflation and external factors. We think it is near the tail-end of its current tightening cycle, but we would continue to monitor the US supply-side (labour markets, employment gaps, prices) for further clues. A sustained upshot to the previous factors may have the potential to prolong the Fed’s tightening cycle.

On China’s side, we have seen a critical reversal in policy towards selective expansion/accommodation again as economic reforms instituted 3 years ago have been reprioritized. China’s difficult task to balance growth targets and restructure its economy is a perennial issue. We would also expect defaults to remain elevated domestically/internationally as a new paradigm of credit investing takes root in China.

Finally, we would like to wish our readers luck in investing and trading in the year ahead.

4. Weekly Oil Views: Crude Remains at the Mercy of Fickle Financial Markets

It has been anything but a happy start to 2019 for the stock markets, which remained under pressure as trading resumed in the new year. A clutch of weak manufacturing data for December – from China to the eurozone and the US – soured the mood for investors through last week. 

That was followed by a rare revenue warning from Apple Inc (AAPL US) , citing slowing sales in China, which drew fresh attention to the vulnerability of American companies from the bitter trade war between the world’s two largest economies. The only assets that seemed to be in favour were the safe havens such as Gold (GOLD COMDTY) and the Japanese yen. 

Beijing provided the first major lift to market sentiment on Friday, by lowering the reserve requirement ratio for Chinese banks, in a bid to inject more cash into the system. US Fed Chairman Jerome Powell signalling a “patient” approach to monetary policy in a panel discussion in Atlanta later in the day and a strong US jobs report for December completed the trinity of factors that closed the week with a rally in stock markets as well as crude. 

Brent and WTI closed nearly 2% higher on the day, just above $57 and just under $48 respectively. Sentiment in the oil market was boosted by initial surveys showing a surprisingly large drop in OPEC production in December.

OPEC/non-OPEC cuts of 1.2 million b/d took effect on January 1 and should yield results in the coming weeks, but we expect crude to remain largely beholden to the twists and turns in the global economy. Just as in the broader financial markets, so in the oil markets, all eyes will now turn to the high-level trade negotiations between the US and China, due to be held in Beijing over January 7-8.  

5. Healius And The (Likely) First Salvo

Healius (HLS AU) (until last month known as Primary Health Care Limited), a leading owner of general practice clinics and pathology centres in Australia, announced an unsolicited and conditional proposal (including DD) from Jangho Group Co Ltd A (601886 CH) at A$3.25/share (~10x FY19 EV/EBITDA) in a A$2.0bn deal.  Jangho currently holds a 15.9% stake in Healius and has been on the shareholder register for two years.

The Offer price translates to a 33.2% premium to the undisturbed price but below the 12-month high of A$4.09 in March 2018. Optically and when referenced to closest peer Sonic Healthcare (SHL AU), the offer price appears light.

Reflecting the long laundry list of conditions attached to this indicative offer, such as securing debt financing and various regulatory approvals in China and Australia, notably data security, this indicative deal is trading wide at a gross/annualized spread of 25%/47%, assuming a deal completion date in early August.

This proposal does, however, indicate Healius was probably oversold.

This morning, Healius’ board rejected the proposal as it was considered opportunistic and fundamentally undervalued the company.

In this briefing:

1. HK Connect Discovery Weekly: CR Beer, Great Wall Motors, and Kingsoft (2019-01-07)
2. Tencent Music: Short Idea on Consumption Slowdown Angle
3. Geely: Worst Case Priced In, Waiting for Sector Headwinds to Abate
4. China Consumables in a Sluggish Economy
5. Asia Gaming Preview 2019: Part Two Picks: Galaxy, MGM China and Nagacorp

1. HK Connect Discovery Weekly: CR Beer, Great Wall Motors, and Kingsoft (2019-01-07)

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 mainlanders in the past seven days.

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

In the past week, there were only three and a half days trading on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange last week. Hence the flow numbers were not as significant as a typical 5 trading day week. Having said that, we find it interesting that the Chinese were buying China Resources Beer Holdin (291 HK), Great Wall Motor Company (H) (2333 HK). In addition, Yichang Hec Changjiang Pharm (1558 HK) is a rare health care stock that experienced inflow last week despite overall poor sector performance last week. 

2. Tencent Music: Short Idea on Consumption Slowdown Angle

• Tencent Music Entertainment (TME US)‘s social entertainment services (discretionary consumption in nature) face more headwinds due to ongoing China (macro) consumption slowdown.
• Moreover, high consensus earnings expectation would make material earnings downgrade a major narrative for TME throughout 2019, in our opinion.
• We initiative coverage on TME with Short/Sell recommendation, with 12-mo PT of US$9.80/ADR (representing a 25% downside potential).

3. Geely: Worst Case Priced In, Waiting for Sector Headwinds to Abate

Geely announced its Dec 2018 car sales volume at 93,333 units (down 39% yoy) and its FY2018 sales volume at 1.5mn units, 6% lower than our estimate of 1.59mn units.

Meanwhile management sets its FY2019 sales target at 1.51mn units, which surprised the market as the market consensus stood at around 1.8mn units. The stock price corrected by 11.3% on Jan 8th, right after the announcement.

In our view, it is reasonable for the management to give a cautious guidance for 2019E. After all, 2019E China’s auto sales volume might drop by 8% yoy.( China Auto Outlook 2019 – Keep Warm, Winter Is Here! )

However, would Geely’s aggressive new model launches sales offset the weak demand on existing models in 2019E? If not how bad it could be? In this report, we have done a scenario analysis. Our analysis shows that the possibility that Geely missing its 2019E guidance is low. Even assuming our worst case scenario, the stock would be at 7.1x P/E and no medium term downside from current levels. 

4. China Consumables in a Sluggish Economy

The PBOC’s desire to loosen up China’s economy is relying on consumers to keep spending. However, as seen in the data below, consumers just are not spending. From cars, to cameras and retail, consumers are increasingly avoiding big ticket items, as China’s consumers look for breathing space.

5. Asia Gaming Preview 2019: Part Two Picks: Galaxy, MGM China and Nagacorp

• Global and Asia headwinds still rattle the gaming sector, but these three companies remain undervalued despite market sentiment.
• Macau’s solid year end performance continues to defy projections, producing a 14% y/y GGR increase.
• Galaxy will benefit disproportionately from the HKMB bridge traffic growth, MGM’s single digit market share will ramp up to double digits and Nagacorp may be the single most siloed gaming operator in all of Asia.

In this briefing:

1. Big Banks – A Crisis of Investor Confidence
2. Chinese Market Sentiment at a Crossroad
3. TRACKING TRAFFIC/Chinese Tourism: Visits to Macau & HK Surge
4. Growing Pains & PBoC Cut/US-China Clash/Railways & Airports & Bonds/More Babies Please/Moon Landing
5. Forecasting the Semiconductor Market

1. Big Banks – A Crisis of Investor Confidence

We analyse the holdings of the world’s largest banks by the 255 global equity funds in our analysis. For each region (America/EMEA/Asia), we have selected the 6 largest banks by total assets, as defined by the S&P Global Market Intelligence Report, 2018.

We find that overall, holdings in these banks are on the decline, and in some cases, investor flight has been acute.  Only 2 of the 18 banks are held overweight by global investors, with Citigroup Inc (C US) and Bnp Paribas (BNP FP) seeing the biggest exodus through 2018.

2. Chinese Market Sentiment at a Crossroad

Chinese equities face a crossroad to start the year as the market mulls a more serious phase in the structural decline in China’s economy balanced against renewed efforts to stimulate growth in 2019.  The US-China trade dispute and broader US policy shift to contain China’s economic ambitions in high tech industries have contributed to fears of a Chinese led global economic downturn.  But these concerns may ease as China and the US progress through trade negotiations restarted amidst a truce on tariff policy through 1-March.  The AUD and copper prices have been highly correlated with Chinese equities over the last year, highlighting the broader market implications of trade talks this week and renewed Chinese efforts to restore economic confidence.

3. TRACKING TRAFFIC/Chinese Tourism: Visits to Macau & HK Surge

A year ago we began publishing Tracking Traffic/Chinese Tourism as 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:

Although we remain positive on the long-term growth of Chinese tourism, it’s clear that near-term demand has weakened substantially. We continue to take a negative view of travel intermediaries like Ctrip, which face intensifying competition from many sources. We are more positive on the prospects of actual owners of Chinese travel and tourism assets, like hotel chain Huazhu Group (HTHT US) and Air China Ltd (H) (753 HK). 

4. Growing Pains & PBoC Cut/US-China Clash/Railways & Airports & Bonds/More Babies Please/Moon Landing

China News That Matters

• PBoC responds to disappointing start to another year of slowing growth
• Talks planned but US-China “clash of civilisations” deepens
• Ever faster trains, new airports from Beijing to Antarctica – and more debt
• Two-child policy fails to avert demographic crisis
• Beijing nails first ever landing on moon’s far side

5. Forecasting the Semiconductor Market

This is the time of year that Objective Analysis releases its semiconductor forecast.  This post is based upon a video posted on the WeSRCH website that explains the Objective Analysis 2019 semiconductor forecast.

Although accurate semiconductor forecasts are straightforward to produce, the consistently-accurate methodology spelled out in this Insight is rarely used.

The forecast predicts that the downturn that the industry is currently entering will be longer than most, with profits eluding chip companies until 2022.

In this briefing:

1. Sea Ltd: A Surprise Winner in Cut-Throat E-Commerce Battle?
2. Discover SZ/​SH Connect: Foreigners Were Buying Industries and Financials in December
3. Maoyan Entertainment IPO: The Trouble with Blockbusters
4. JD.com (JD): Lawsuit Over, Price Falling Back to First Trading Day, Defensive in Bear Market
5. Global Semiconductor Sales Fall In November 2018. This Is Not A Good Sign.

1. Sea Ltd: A Surprise Winner in Cut-Throat E-Commerce Battle?

• A big takeaway from our conversations with Indo e-commerce industry sources is that they vouch for Shopee’s (Sea Ltd’s (SE US) e-commerce arm) MS gains story in the country.
• Indo e-commerce market has been enjoying super growth period (94% CAGR in 2015-18E) despite three major challenges (logistics, payment and highly subsidized market).
• With SE’s fund raising a matter of when, not if (2H20 as most likely timetable), Shopee’s tremendous progress in key metrics (MS, take rate) provides comfort.
• Assuming fair valuation of US$3 bn (vs. US$1.4 bn implied in SE’s ADR price) for Shopee, 12-mo PT for SE works out to be US$15.73/ADR, representing 43% upside potential.  

2. Discover SZ/​SH Connect: Foreigners Were Buying Industries and Financials in December

In our Discover SZ/SH Connect series, we aim to help our investors understand the flow of northbound trades via the Shanghai Connect and Shenzhen Connect, as analyzed by our proprietary data engine. We will discuss the stocks that experienced the most inflow and outflow by offshore investors in the past seven days.

We split the stocks eligible for the northbound trade into three groups: those with a market capitalization of above USD 5 billion, and those with a market capitalization between USD 1 billion and USD 5 billion.

We note that offshore investors were buying industries and financials in December. Interesting stocks in the north bound trades are Han’S Laser Technology In A (002008 CH), Muyuan Foodstuff Co Ltd A (002714 CH) and  Hangzhou Tigermed Consulting (300347 CH) . 

3. Maoyan Entertainment IPO: The Trouble with Blockbusters

Maoyan Entertainment, formerly Entertainment Plus (EPLUS HK), is the largest online movie ticketing service provider in China. According to press reports, Maoyan has started pre-marketing to raise $0.3 billion (down from earlier indication of $0.5-1.0 billion) through a Hong Kong IPO. Maoyan is backed by Beijing Enlight Media (300251 CH) (20.0% shareholder), Tencent Holdings (700 HK) (16.3% shareholder) and Meituan Dianping (3690 HK) (8.6% shareholder).

4. JD.com (JD): Lawsuit Over, Price Falling Back to First Trading Day, Defensive in Bear Market

• Minnesotan Authorities declined to charge the founder of JD.
• JD’s stock price has already plunged 52% in 2018. We believe JD is a defensive equity for portfolios, as the NASDAQ Composite just plunged 50% at most in the financial crisis of 2008.
• Compared to 2014, today’s JD has a higher market share in the larger e-commerce market. However, JD’s stock price is at the same level as the first trading day in 2014.
• JD continued to generate operating cash inflows in 2018 as previous years despite of its zero net margins.
• We are not concerned about the programmer layoff in December, as we believe JD overly invested in “hi-tech” that will not bring revenues in the near future.
• Based on historical Price / GMV, we believe there is an upside of 270% for JD’s stock price.

5. Global Semiconductor Sales Fall In November 2018. This Is Not A Good Sign.

The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) just announced that worldwide sales of semiconductors reached $41.4 billion for the month of November 2018, an increase of 9.8% YoY, but down 1.1% MoM, the first such decline since February 2018. While the decline is modest and total 2018 total semiconductor sales are on track to reach ~$470 billion for a YoY increase of 15.7%, any decline in what should be peak holiday season is not a good sign. 

Semiconductor sales historically track Wafer Fab Equipment (WFE) sales with a roughly six month time lag. North American WFE sales have been declining each month for the past six months meaning that this latest semiconductor MoM sales decline is right on schedule.  

Leveraging a decade’s worth of historical data, we analyse two key questions that are likely on every investors mind. Firstly,for how long should we expect semiconductor sales to continue their decline. Secondly, how steep should we expect that decline to be?    

In this briefing:

1. Gold: Trade Agreement Could Change the Bullish Narrative
2. Chengdu Expressway (成都高速) IPO Review – Well-Managed but Unexciting
3. Healius (HLS AU): An Unattractive Bid
4. Future Metals Curve in China
5. Weimob IPO Valuation: Optically Cheap

1. Gold: Trade Agreement Could Change the Bullish Narrative

INVESTMENT VIEW:
The same macro factors which knocked more than a third off Apple Inc (AAPL US)‘s share price have lifted Gold (GOLD COMDTY) prices by nearly 10% since Sept-18.  However, we believe the market narrative could swiftly reverse if the US and China reach a trade agreement in the coming weeks.  We would look to press our short on Gold…and even go long Apple. 

2. Chengdu Expressway (成都高速) IPO Review – Well-Managed but Unexciting

Chengdu Expressway Company Limited (1785 HK) is looking to raise US$112m in its upcoming IPO. 

The expressways that CEC operate are integral in Chengdu’s transport network. The expressways have been upgraded and expanded consistently over the past three years which has led to an increase in traffic and toll revenue. However, in terms of valuation, CEC will likely trade at a valuation closer to small expressway peers which implies a 10% downside.

In this insight, we will look at the company’s financial and operational performance, toll payment model, and compare its valuation to Hong Kong-listed expressway peers. We will also run the deal through our IPO framework.

3. Healius (HLS AU): An Unattractive Bid

Healius (HLS AU), formerly known as Primary Health Care (PRY AU), is a leading Australian owner of GP clinics and pathology centres. On 3 January 2018, Healius received an unsolicited and highly conditional proposal from Jangho Group Co Ltd A (601886 CH) for A$3.25 cash per share.

4. Future Metals Curve in China

Metals are an important part of China’s economic prowess. Specifically, metals are a spoke in the economic wheel with fortunes of commodities and real estate all centered around metals. As we look at metals futures, we see that most metals futures are very flat.

5. Weimob IPO Valuation: Optically Cheap

Weimob.com (1260480D CH) is a combination of a SaaS software and an adtech (targeted marketing) business which has started book building to raise gross proceeds of $108-135 million. According to press reports, Weimob is being viewed favourably by investors as it is being offered at a “cheap” valuation of 18-23x 2019 P/E.

In this briefing:

1. Tencent: A Brief Statistical Review of Game Approvals
2. Weimob IPO Quick Take – Less SaaS, More Ads -> Lower Valuation
3. Viva Biotech (维亚生物) IPO: When CRO Becomes Early Stage Biotech Investor
4. Korea M&A Spotlight: Nexon’s Founder Plans to Sell; Will Tencent Buy Nexon?
5. Hansoh Pharma (翰森制药) IPO: Takeaways from Recent 4+7 City Centralized Tender Results

1. Tencent: A Brief Statistical Review of Game Approvals

Paused for eight months, China’s authority resumed the domestic game approval in December. The first batch of 80 games was approved recently.

Since the last round of game application approval, the stock price of Tencent Holdings (700 HK) has fallen by 26%. Stock price reacted positively to the recent progress of game approval. 

In this insight, we try to assess the significance of recent progress with a statistical approach.

2. Weimob IPO Quick Take – Less SaaS, More Ads -> Lower Valuation

Weimob.com (1260480D CH),  a Tencent Holdings (700 HK) and GIC investee company, plans to raise up to US$135m in its Hong Kong IPO.

I’ve covered most aspects of the deal in my earlier insight, Weimob Pre-IPO – Can Be Steamrolled by Tencent, Anytime, where I spoke about the over-reliance on Tencent, high attrition rates and acquisition costs for SMBs, and the increasing contribution of its ads business.

In this insight, I’ll provide an update from the latest filings, comment on valuations and run the deal through our IPO framework.

3. Viva Biotech (维亚生物) IPO: When CRO Becomes Early Stage Biotech Investor

Viva Biotechnology, a China-based drug discovery company, is seeking to raise USD 200m to list on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. In this insight, we cover the following topics:

• Services provided by Viva. 
• Revenue model of the company.
• The CRO market.
• The company’s history and shareholders.
• Our initial thoughts on valuation.

• WuXi Apptec (药明康德) IPO: This A+H Listing Will Be Different
• Frontage Holding (方达控股) IPO: More Disclosure Needed to Understand Moat and Growth Prospect

4. Korea M&A Spotlight: Nexon’s Founder Plans to Sell; Will Tencent Buy Nexon?

It was reported today that Nexon Co Ltd (3659 JP)’s founder Kim Jung-Joo plans to sell a controlling stake in Nexon’s holding company NXC Corp for at least 10 trillion won ($8.9 billion). Kim Jung-Joo and other related parties plan to sell their entire 98.64% stake in NXC Corp, which owns a 47.98% stake in Nexon. The 10 trillion won or more anticipated acquisition price for NXC Corp would include a significant management premium. Nexon Group’s shareholding structure is basically as follows: Kim Jung-Joo → Nexon (Japan) → Nexon Korea → About 10 affiliates. 

One of the reasons why the Nexon’s founder Kim Jung-Joo, who is only 50 years old, is trying to sell his entire stake in Nexon may have been due to the recent allegations about him giving about $380,000 worth of Nexon stock (prior to its listing) to his old high school classmate (who is now a senior public prosecutor) for free. Kim Jung-Joo has repeatedly faced allegations and attended numerous court hearings on this matter in the past two years. He may have gotten a bit tired from all these allegations. 

Given the enormous size of this acquisition, the two leading Korean game companies including NCsoft Corp (036570 KS) and Netmarble Games (251270 KS) are not likely to purchase Nexon. Rather, the leading contender to buy Nexon right now is likely to be Tencent Holdings (700 HK). The sheer huge size of this deal will represent one of the largest M&A deals in Asia in 2019. 

5. Hansoh Pharma (翰森制药) IPO: Takeaways from Recent 4+7 City Centralized Tender Results

Hansoh Pharma, a leading generic pharmaceutical manufacturer, filed an application to list on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. In our previous insight, we have covered the company’s core products and pipeline candidates. We also mentioned the recent regulatory development that affects the industry of generic drug manufacturers, in particular, the recent 4+7 City Centralized Tender Results (4+7 城市药品集中采购). 

• Hansoh Pharma (翰森制药) IPO: A Leading Generic Player with Regulatory Overhang (Part 1)
• WuXi Apptec (药明康德) IPO: This A+H Listing Will Be Different

• Frontage Holding (方达控股) IPO: More Disclosure Needed to Understand Moat and Growth Prospect
• Ascentage Pharma (亚盛医药) IPO: Too Early for an IPO
• Junshi Bioscience (君实医药) IPO: Thoughts on Valuation (Part 2)
• Junshi Bioscience (君实医药) IPO: Early in Application but Behind in Key Indications (Part 1)
• CanSino Biologics (康希诺) IPO: Promising Pre-Clinical Results but Vaccine Scandal Weighs (Part 1)

• AOBiome Therapeutics IPO: Hope for Natural Therapeutic Treatment
• Stealth Biotherapeutics IPO: Cure the Symptoms but Not the Cause (Part 1)
• Innovent Biologics (信达生物) IPO: Pricing the PD-1 and Biosimilars Competition (Part 2)
• Innovent Biologics (信达生物) IPO: A Major PD-1 MAb Competitor Might Have Just Emerged (Part 1)
• MicuRx Pharma (盟科医药) IPO: Betting on Single Drug in the Not so Attractive Antibiotic Segment
• Hua Medicine (华领医药) IPO: Thoughts on Valuation
• Hua Medicine (华领医药) IPO: Reviving Roche’s Failed Attempt?
• BeiGene (百济神州) IPO: Dual-Listing with Upside Capped in the Near Term
• Ascletis Pharma (歌礼制药) IPO: Valuation Not Justified by Ganovo and Ravidasvir NPV (Part 3)
• Ascletis Pharma (歌礼制药) IPO: Three Valuation Risk Factors (Part 2)
• Ascletis Pharma (歌礼制药) IPO: Emerging Player in the Crowded HCV Drug Market
• China Isotope & Radiation IPO: Oligopoly, Visible Growth and High Barrier to Entry
• Zai Lab IPO: Thoughts on Valuation, Risks and Upsides (Part 2)
• Zai Lab IPO: Experienced Team, Promising In-Licensing Drug Pipeline (Part 1)

In this briefing:

1. Discover HK Connect: Mainlanders Were Buying Pharma and Property Managers in December
2. Weimob IPO: Prospectus Point to Mixed Fundamentals

1. Discover HK Connect: Mainlanders Were Buying Pharma and Property Managers in December

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 mainlanders in the past seven days.

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

2. Weimob IPO: Prospectus Point to Mixed Fundamentals

Weimob.com (1260480D CH) is a combination of a SaaS software and an adtech (targeted marketing) business. It is backed by Tencent Holdings (700 HK), which is 3% shareholder and its largest customer. Weimob has started book building to raise gross proceeds of $108-135 million. Cornerstone investors which include a close associate of Tencent and Huifu Payment Limited (1806 HK) have agreed to purchase $42 million worth of shares in the offering.

In this briefing:

1. China Tobacco International (IPO): The Monopolist Will Not Recover
2. RRR Rate Cut in China
3. FX Reserves in China
4. Healius (HLS AU): Bid Rejection Provides Option Value
5. Ten Years On – Asia Outperforms Advanced Economies

1. China Tobacco International (IPO): The Monopolist Will Not Recover

• China Tobacco International (HK) Co. Ltd. plans to go public on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
• The state-owned company holds monopolistic positions in tobacco leaf export, tobacco leaf import, and cigarette export.
• Both revenue growth and margins declined year-over-year in the first three quarters of 2018.
• We believe the China cigarette market will not recover, as all signals suggest weak demand.

2. RRR Rate Cut in China

The big news in Chinese finance was the PBOC announcing Friday that it was cutting the RRR rate. Rather than what you can read in the press, we want to focus on a variety of factors which may not be as widely recognized.

3. FX Reserves in China

FX reserves are up by about 10 billion dollars, which against a back drop of the size of FX and the Chinese economy is basically no change. They have been oddly flat over the past two years. Yet, the noise is really just that, the FX increase is so small that we believe it is a non-starter.

4. Healius (HLS AU): Bid Rejection Provides Option Value

Healius (HLS AU), formerly known as Primary Health Care (PRY AU), is a leading Australian owner of GP clinics and pathology centres. Healius just took four days to reject Jangho Group Co Ltd A (601886 CH)’s 3 January 2018 proposal of A$3.25 cash per share as it “is opportunistic and fundamentally undervalues Healius.”

5. Ten Years On – Asia Outperforms Advanced Economies

You might be surprised to learn that in the ten years to 2017 Asia has outperformed advanced economies. Despite extraordinary monetary and fiscal stimulus and the damaging dollar-demand deflationary policies of the ECB, BoJ and BoE, the region is 188% larger in US dollar terms compared with 2007 while US dollar GDP per capita income is 170% higher. The parallel numbers for the advanced countries – the US, euro-area and Japan combined- are 19% and 13%. Asian stock markets have underperformed since 2010 but we believe that investors are still to fully acknowledge Asia’s strong growth fundamentals. Combined with cheap valuations there is significant upside for Asian equity markets.