China Gaming Restrictions Redux – Market Seems to Be in Denial

Tencent Holdings – Modern Day Opium War

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Silver Point

Thomas J. Monaco

Independent Insight Provider

Silver Point is a boutique research firm that focuses on the broader financial services sector, with a particular focus on troubled institutions globally. 

Asia Ex Japan

Equity Bottom-Up

*Why Do They Always Do This?: At a competitor conference, management ridiculously diminished government allegations. Tencent Holdings (700.HK) [Tencent] should simply answer “yes, we made mistakes and pushed the envelope but we are actively rectifying these issues. Its going to be painful for investors as we address the government's numerous over the near-term”;  
*Elephant In The Room: Mainland China's crackdown on capital markets activities has rapidly expanded under the broad narrative of "financial stability". There remains no doubt, in our view, that Tencent will follow Alibaba Group (BABA.US) [Alibaba] in the formation of a financial holding company. It’s pretty surprising that Tencent refuses to discuss this matter when financial services are the largest component of earnings and growth; and    
*Results Have Also Deteriorated As Distractions Mount: Tencent’s 2Q21 GAAP net income declined CNY 5.2 bn (10.8%) linked quarter – and were of poor quality. Results were challenged by: cost of revenue increase; operating expense increase; losses in associates; higher impairment charges; and weaker online games. Were it not for the artificially lower tax rate, results would have been even more challenged.

*Why Do They Always Do This?: At a competitor conference, management ridiculously diminished government allegations. Tencent Holdings (700.HK) [Tencent] should simply answer “yes, we made mistakes and pushed the envelope but we are actively rectifying these issues. Its going to be painful for investors as we address the government's numerous over the near-term”;  
*Elephant In The Room: Mainland China's crackdown on capital markets activities has rapidly expanded under the broad narrative of "financial stability". There remains no doubt, in our view, that Tencent will follow Alibaba Group (BABA.US) [Alibaba] in the formation of a financial holding company. It’s pretty surprising that Tencent refuses to discuss this matter when financial services are the largest component of earnings and growth; and    
*Results Have Also Deteriorated As Distractions Mount: Tencent’s 2Q21 GAAP net income declined CNY 5.2 bn (10.8%) linked quarter – and were of poor quality. Results were challenged by: cost of revenue increase; operating expense increase; losses in associates; higher impairment charges; and weaker online games. Were it not for the artificially lower tax rate, results would have been even more challenged.       

Tencent Holdings – Incredulous Management