Equity Analyst, LightStream Research

Farha Sabri

Equity Analyst

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

Douyu International Holdings / Equity Capital Markets

Douyu plans to list on the 16th of July on Nasdaq. Proceeds of the IPO are expected to be utilised to expand on content genres offered and provide premium esports content, improve existing technologies and big data analytics, invest in marketing activities and for general corporate purposes. At the mid-point of the offer price range, the company will raise approx. USD572.8m to carry out the above-mentioned investment activities.Douyu mainly competes with Huya in the game streaming landscape in China. Huya listed in the US in May 2018 and the company has managed to make an operating profit and raise its gross profits in the last year. Meanwhile, Douyu continues to struggle to make operating profits, having just achieved gross profit status in the last fiscal year. Even though the company has a higher user base than Huya, Douyu continues to suffer with regards to efficiently managing costs related to revenue sharing fees and content costs.Huya’s topline and bottomline performance seems much more favourable to us than Douyu’s. According to our estimates, Douyu has an EV of USD3,498m, which iterates to an FY1 EV/sales multiple of 4.4x, which we believe is expensive compared to peers. In comparison, peers Huya and iQiyi are trading at cheaper multiples of 3.4x and 3.1x respectively.

Douyu plans to list on the 16th of July on Nasdaq. Proceeds of the IPO are expected to be utilised to expand on content genres offered and provide premium esports content, improve existing technologies and big data analytics, invest in marketing activities and for general corporate purposes. At the mid-point of the offer price range, the company will raise approx. USD572.8m to carry out the above-mentioned investment activities.Douyu mainly competes with Huya in the game streaming landscape in China. Huya listed in the US in May 2018 and the company has managed to make an operating profit and raise its gross profits in the last year. Meanwhile, Douyu continues to struggle to make operating profits, having just achieved gross profit status in the last fiscal year. Even though the company has a higher user base than Huya, Douyu continues to suffer with regards to efficiently managing costs related to revenue sharing fees and content costs.Huya’s topline and bottomline performance seems much more favourable to us than Douyu’s. According to our estimates, Douyu has an EV of USD3,498m, which iterates to an FY1 EV/sales multiple of 4.4x, which we believe is expensive compared to peers. In comparison, peers Huya and iQiyi are trading at cheaper multiples of 3.4x and 3.1x respectively. 

Douyu IPO: Cost Structure Disadvantage Vs. Huya Implies a Discount Not Premium Is Appropriate