HK/China Equity Long-Short

Osbert Tang, CFA

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-education-group-holdin" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18218:1" rel="noopener">China Education Group (839 HK)</a>'s plunge in share price is due to management's guidance for a 10-15% drop in adjusted net profit, significantly lower than the current consensus.</li>
<li>Its decision to pause dividends for the foreseeable future on debt repayment burden and tight offshore refinancing environment for the sector has further disappointed the market.</li>
<li>Based on guidance, its PER of 3.7x and nil dividend yield for FY25 make it unattractive relative to peers (1.7-2.9x PER). We shy away until things improve.</li>
</ul>



China Education Group (839 HK)'s plunge in share price is due to management's guidance for a 10-15% drop in adjusted net profit, significantly lower than the current consensus.
Its decision to pause dividends for the foreseeable future on debt repayment burden and tight offshore refinancing environment for the sector has further disappointed the market.
Based on guidance, its PER of 3.7x and nil dividend yield for FY25 make it unattractive relative to peers (1.7-2.9x PER). We shy away until things improve.


China Education Group (839 HK): A Large Disappointment

<ul>
<li>Although the reported FY24 net profit plunged 69.7% due to intangible impairments, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-education-group-holdin" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18218:1" rel="noopener">China Education Group (839 HK)</a>'s adjusted net profit grew by 3.3% and adjusted EBITDA by 12.3%.</li>
<li>Based on adjusted net profit, its payout ratio is flat at 40%, implying an 8% dividend yield. This suggests underlying operations are decent and demonstrate confidence in the outlook.</li>
<li>Both tuition and enrollment are expected to sustain growth in FY25, meaning that a consensus forecast of 9% net profit is achievable. Its 4.5x PER does not appear stretched.</li>
</ul>


Although the reported FY24 net profit plunged 69.7% due to intangible impairments, China Education Group (839 HK)'s adjusted net profit grew by 3.3% and adjusted EBITDA by 12.3%.
Based on adjusted net profit, its payout ratio is flat at 40%, implying an 8% dividend yield. This suggests underlying operations are decent and demonstrate confidence in the outlook.
Both tuition and enrollment are expected to sustain growth in FY25, meaning that a consensus forecast of 9% net profit is achievable. Its 4.5x PER does not appear stretched.


China Education Group (839 HK): What's up After the Big Bath?

Asian Hedge Fund Manager, Long Short Equity, Macro

David Mudd

<ul>
<li>HSCI index has seen an outperformance of the consumer discretionary sector since the stimulus announcement while materials and energy sectors have lagged.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pop-mart-international-group-l" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29016:1" rel="noopener">Pop Mart International Group L (9992 HK)</a> announced a blow out 3Q24 revenue number with international revenue up by over 400%. DB raised the its target price to $88.
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/citic-securities-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:463:1" rel="noopener">Citic Securities (H) (6030 HK)</a> was maintained a BUY by Huatai, raising its target price to $28.81.   JP Morgan maintained  OVERWEIGHT on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/new-oriental-education-techn" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:32210:1" rel="noopener">New Oriental Education &amp; Technology (9901 HK).</a>
</li>
</ul>


HSCI index has seen an outperformance of the consumer discretionary sector since the stimulus announcement while materials and energy sectors have lagged.

Pop Mart International Group L (9992 HK) announced a blow out 3Q24 revenue number with international revenue up by over 400%. DB raised the its target price to $88.


Citic Securities (H) (6030 HK) was maintained a BUY by Huatai, raising its target price to $28.81.   JP Morgan maintained  OVERWEIGHT on New Oriental Education &amp; Technology (9901 HK).



BUY/SELL/HOLD: Hong Kong Stock Updates (October 30)

Cross Asset Strategy

<ul>
<li>Hong Kong Dollar continues to trade at the strong end of its band  resulting in upward pressure on HIBOR in turn causing a further unwind of the HKD carry trade.</li>
<li>HSI shows the strongest market breadth in 15 years as nearly all members trade above 200 DMA.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/xtep-international-holdings" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18118:1" rel="noopener">Xtep International (1368 HK)</a> , <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/xiaomi-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24409:1" rel="noopener">Xiaomi Corp (1810 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-education-group-holdin" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18218:1" rel="noopener">China Education Group (839 HK)</a> all had breakouts to form uptrends.  All are part of the consumption sector in China
</li>
</ul>


Hong Kong Dollar continues to trade at the strong end of its band  resulting in upward pressure on HIBOR in turn causing a further unwind of the HKD carry trade.
HSI shows the strongest market breadth in 15 years as nearly all members trade above 200 DMA.

Xtep International (1368 HK) , Xiaomi Corp (1810 HK) and China Education Group (839 HK) all had breakouts to form uptrends.  All are part of the consumption sector in China



Technically Speaking, Breakouts and Breakdowns: HONG KONG (OCTOBER 14)

<ul>
<li>The conglomerate sector continues to show momentum in Hong Kong while the materials and energy sectors lag</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/weibo-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:35280:1" rel="noopener">Weibo (9898 HK)</a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/weibo-corp-adr" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3826:1" rel="noopener">Weibo Corp (WB US)</a> was rated a BUY as valuations and potential catalysts from parent <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alibaba-group-holding-ltd-d7b798e2-202d-4e01-9a1e-799e2ae8f0c7" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28434:1" rel="noopener">Alibaba Group Holding (9988 HK)</a> could support a higher stock price.
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-east-education-holdings" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27843:1" rel="noopener">China East Education (667 HK)</a> was upgraded to BUY with higher higher price target due to profit increase. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/dongfang-electric-corporation-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1251:1" rel="noopener">Dongfang Electric (1072 HK)</a> was initiated with a BUY with strong upside.
</li>
</ul>


The conglomerate sector continues to show momentum in Hong Kong while the materials and energy sectors lag

Weibo (9898 HK)Weibo Corp (WB US) was rated a BUY as valuations and potential catalysts from parent Alibaba Group Holding (9988 HK) could support a higher stock price.


China East Education (667 HK) was upgraded to BUY with higher higher price target due to profit increase. Dongfang Electric (1072 HK) was initiated with a BUY with strong upside.



BUY/SELL/HOLD: Hong Kong Stock Updates (September 21)

China

China New University operates private universities in Central and South West China.

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China New Higher Education (2001 HK)

China Education Group (839 HK): A Large Disappointment

CEG's share price plunged on the back of lower profit and a decision to pause dividends due to high debt repayment and tight refinancing. Its...

Osbert Tang, CFA

China Education Group (839 HK): What's up After the Big Bath?

CEG reported a 69.7% drop in FY24 net profit due to impairments, but adjusted figures show growth in profit and EBITDA. With a flat payout ratio,...

Osbert Tang, CFA

BUY/SELL/HOLD: Hong Kong Stock Updates (October 30)

The consumer discretionary sector shows increased momentum in Hong Kong. Pop Mart beat on 3Q revenue with 440% growth in revenue outside China....

David Mudd

Technically Speaking, Breakouts and Breakdowns: HONG KONG (OCTOBER 14)

HKD strengthens, HIBOR moves higher and HK shorts become more expensive. HK market breadth reached its highest level in 15 years last week. Xtep,...

David Mudd

BUY/SELL/HOLD: Hong Kong Stock Updates (September 21)

Conglomerate stocks in Hong Kong have outperformed this month. Weibo target price is upgraded and Dongfang Electric is intiated BUY. CEE saw a...

David Mudd

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China Education Group (839 HK): A Large Disappointment

​CEG's share price plunged on the back of lower profit and a decision to pause dividends due to high debt repayment and tight refinancing. Its...

Osbert Tang, CFA

China Education Group (839 HK): What's up After the Big Bath?

​CEG reported a 69.7% drop in FY24 net profit due to impairments, but adjusted figures show growth in profit and EBITDA. With a flat payout ratio,...

Osbert Tang, CFA

BUY/SELL/HOLD: Hong Kong Stock Updates (October 30)

The consumer discretionary sector shows increased momentum in Hong Kong. Pop Mart beat on 3Q revenue with 440% growth in revenue outside China....

David Mudd

Technically Speaking, Breakouts and Breakdowns: HONG KONG (OCTOBER 14)

HKD strengthens, HIBOR moves higher and HK shorts become more expensive. HK market breadth reached its highest level in 15 years last week. Xtep,...

David Mudd

BUY/SELL/HOLD: Hong Kong Stock Updates (September 21)

Conglomerate stocks in Hong Kong have outperformed this month. Weibo target price is upgraded and Dongfang Electric is intiated BUY. CEE saw a...

David Mudd

CEG's share price plunged on the back of lower profit and a decision to pause dividends due to high debt repayment and tight refinancing. Its...

CEG reported a 69.7% drop in FY24 net profit due to impairments, but adjusted figures show growth in profit and EBITDA. With a flat payout ratio,...