Equity Analyst, LightStream Research

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

An equity research analyst with over 7 years of experience in multiple sectors. Previously worked for one of the world's largest asset managers with about USD2.5trn in AUM, covering small and micro-cap companies in the consumer sphere across Europe and developed Asia. Also experienced in covering multiple industries including banking, insurance and asset management, retail, tech, telco and REIT.

Equity Analyst

Dingdong Maicai IPO: Lacks Margin Upside & Fading COVID Impact

Long-Short Analysis on Japan, Asia and the World

LightStream Research

LightStream conducts quantitatively rigorous and data-driven analysis with a focus on Japan and Asia.

We consistently cover the Tech, Consumer and Industrial sectors, and provide ECM and Events coverage more broadly.

We supplement traditional qualitative insights from company relationships with a robust quantitative foundation that examines as much historical data as is available.
We further refine the accuracy of our insights and calls through the use of alternative data to flesh out current trends, and through a valuation framework that emphasises non-superficial peer group selection and a proper attempt to understand the metrics and changes that have driven security valuations in the past.

Equity Capital Markets

<ul>
<li>According to Reuters, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/dingdong-maicia" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33461:1" rel="noopener">Dingdong Maicia (DDL US)</a>, an on-demand fresh produce and grocery delivery platform in China, plans to raise US$500m in its US IPO, which values the company at around US$6.0bn.</li>
<li>Dingdong Maicai’s order fulfilment cost, which includes the amount paid to delivery partners, packaging, and other logistics-related costs, is almost two times the net revenue per order in 2020. Though we expect a gradual increase in net revenue per order, it seems unlikely that the average order fulfilment cost per order will decline sufficiently for Dingdong Maicai to be profitable over the next three to four years.</li>
<li>The fact that the company made an operating loss of RMB 295.5m (41.3% of net revenue) in 1Q20 (when COVID-19 lockdowns increased demand for grocery and fresh produce delivery) is a clear indication that Dingdong Maicai is incapable of becoming profitable through volume growth.</li>
<li>Lately, high growth Chinese e-commerce companies have fallen out of favour with US investors in general, and the worst-affected are the ones generating operating losses. With profitability nowhere in sight for Dingdong Maicai, we think that in terms of risk rewards, older and stable e-commerce names like <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alibaba-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28434:1" rel="noopener">Alibaba Group (9988 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jd-com-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29043:1" rel="noopener">JD.com Inc. (9618 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/vipshop-holdings-ltd-adr" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1088:1" rel="noopener">Vipshop Holdings (VIPS US)</a> offer better risk-adjusted return in the short to medium term.</li>
</ul>


According to Reuters, Dingdong Maicia (DDL US), an on-demand fresh produce and grocery delivery platform in China, plans to raise US$500m in its US IPO, which values the company at around US$6.0bn.
Dingdong Maicai’s order fulfilment cost, which includes the amount paid to delivery partners, packaging, and other logistics-related costs, is almost two times the net revenue per order in 2020. Though we expect a gradual increase in net revenue per order, it seems unlikely that the average order fulfilment cost per order will decline sufficiently for Dingdong Maicai to be profitable over the next three to four years.
The fact that the company made an operating loss of RMB 295.5m (41.3% of net revenue) in 1Q20 (when COVID-19 lockdowns increased demand for grocery and fresh produce delivery) is a clear indication that Dingdong Maicai is incapable of becoming profitable through volume growth.
Lately, high growth Chinese e-commerce companies have fallen out of favour with US investors in general, and the worst-affected are the ones generating operating losses. With profitability nowhere in sight for Dingdong Maicai, we think that in terms of risk rewards, older and stable e-commerce names like Alibaba Group (9988 HK), JD.com Inc. (9618 HK) and Vipshop Holdings (VIPS US) offer better risk-adjusted return in the short to medium term.


Dingdong Maicai: Profitability Is a Tall Order, Even in the Medium-Long Term