Equity Analyst, LightStream Research

Shifara Samsudeen, FCMA, CGMA

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.

Event-Driven

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-music-entertainment" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27255:1" rel="noopener">Tencent Music (TME US)</a> announced on Tuesday (31st August) that it has relinquished all of its exclusive music licensing agreements as per the order of the Chinese regulators. It was reported by several news media outlets in July that that the State Administration of Market Regulation (SAMR) in China is likely to order <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-music-entertainment" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27255:1" rel="noopener">Tencent Music (TME US)</a> to give up exclusive rights to music labels and at the same time, impose a fine of RMB500,000 (US$77k) for failing to appropriately report the acquisitions of Kugou and Kuwo in 2016.TME previously had exclusive music licensing agreements with global music streaming giants Warner Music Group (WMG), Universal Music (UMG) and Sony Music in China. The company also previously had exclusive rights to sub-license these catalogs to local rivals in China.TME’s partnerships with these leading music labels have offered the company the content leadership position in music streaming in China. In addition to having exclusive rights to music labels, the company also has established exclusive distribution deals with leading independent artists such as Mandopop Star Jay Chou to further its growth and under the SAMR’s new mandate, TME is allowed to keep its exclusive music deals with these independent artists for a period of 3-years.

Tencent Music (TME US) announced on Tuesday (31st August) that it has relinquished all of its exclusive music licensing agreements as per the order of the Chinese regulators. It was reported by several news media outlets in July that that the State Administration of Market Regulation (SAMR) in China is likely to order Tencent Music (TME US) to give up exclusive rights to music labels and at the same time, impose a fine of RMB500,000 (US$77k) for failing to appropriately report the acquisitions of Kugou and Kuwo in 2016.TME previously had exclusive music licensing agreements with global music streaming giants Warner Music Group (WMG), Universal Music (UMG) and Sony Music in China. The company also previously had exclusive rights to sub-license these catalogs to local rivals in China.TME’s partnerships with these leading music labels have offered the company the content leadership position in music streaming in China. In addition to having exclusive rights to music labels, the company also has established exclusive distribution deals with leading independent artists such as Mandopop Star Jay Chou to further its growth and under the SAMR’s new mandate, TME is allowed to keep its exclusive music deals with these independent artists for a period of 3-years.

TME Facing the Music; Ends Exclusive Music Licensing Deals

Equity Bottom-Up

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26:1" rel="noopener">Tencent (700 HK)</a> reported 2Q2021 results yesterday (18th August) which saw revenues grow 20.3% YoY to RMB138.2bn (vs consensus revenue of RMB138.4bn) while operating profit (non-IFRS) for the quarter increased 14% YoY to RMB42.8bn (IFRS OP of RMB52.5bn vs consensus OP of RMB40.5bn).The revenues of Tencent’s largest segment Internet Value-Added Services showed a further slow-down in growth after seeing strong growth in 2020. However, both online advertising and fintech and business services segments continued to see strong growth in revenues.Tencent has been making into headlines over the past few days with its music streaming arm <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-music-entertainment" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27255:1" rel="noopener">Tencent Music (TME US)</a> being ordered to give up exclusive music licensing rights alongside a fine, the company suspending new user registrations on WeChat briefly and regulators increasingly targeting the country’s online games market.

Tencent (700 HK) reported 2Q2021 results yesterday (18th August) which saw revenues grow 20.3% YoY to RMB138.2bn (vs consensus revenue of RMB138.4bn) while operating profit (non-IFRS) for the quarter increased 14% YoY to RMB42.8bn (IFRS OP of RMB52.5bn vs consensus OP of RMB40.5bn).The revenues of Tencent’s largest segment Internet Value-Added Services showed a further slow-down in growth after seeing strong growth in 2020. However, both online advertising and fintech and business services segments continued to see strong growth in revenues.Tencent has been making into headlines over the past few days with its music streaming arm Tencent Music (TME US) being ordered to give up exclusive music licensing rights alongside a fine, the company suspending new user registrations on WeChat briefly and regulators increasingly targeting the country’s online games market.

Tencent: Weakening Online Games; Cautions Investors that More Regulatory Changes Are to Come

Silver Point

Thomas J. Monaco

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

*Results Deteriorating As Distractions Mount: Tencent Holdings’ (700.HK) [Tencent] 2Q21 GAAP net income declined CNY 5.2 bn (10.8%) on a linked quarter basis – and were of poor quality. Results were challenged by the following: 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; and     *Elephants In The Room: Mainland China's crackdown on capital markets has rapidly expanded under the broad narrative of "financial stability". We have already witnessed fines at Tencent, new user WeChat suspensions,  and Tencent may have to give up its exclusive music rights and possibly dispose of Kuwo and Kugou. Further, there no doubt that Tencent will also follow Alibaba Group (BABA.US) [Alibaba] in their formation of a financial holding company. Its pretty surprising that Tencent refuses to discuss these matters.

*Results Deteriorating As Distractions Mount: Tencent Holdings’ (700.HK) [Tencent] 2Q21 GAAP net income declined CNY 5.2 bn (10.8%) on a linked quarter basis – and were of poor quality. Results were challenged by the following: 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; and     *Elephants In The Room: Mainland China's crackdown on capital markets has rapidly expanded under the broad narrative of "financial stability". We have already witnessed fines at Tencent, new user WeChat suspensions,  and Tencent may have to give up its exclusive music rights and possibly dispose of Kuwo and Kugou. Further, there no doubt that Tencent will also follow Alibaba Group (BABA.US) [Alibaba] in their formation of a financial holding company. Its pretty surprising that Tencent refuses to discuss these matters.   

Overseas Chinese Equities, Aequitas Research

Ming Lu

Overseas Chinese Equities

IPOs and Placements coverage across Asia Pacific

Aequitas Research

We cover all listing across the Asia Pacific along with follow-up placements. As of Dec 2020, our team had covered 539 IPOs with a hit rate of 73.5% and 685 placements with a hit rate of 66.8%.

We combine fundamental bottom-up views with our proprietary quantitative framework to provide a holistic coverage across new listings and placements. Our coverage includes pre-IPO notes before the deal is launched, follow-up analysis once the deal is live and post-listing trading analysis as well.

<ul>
<li>The real main business, social entertainment, grew by only 7.4% YoY.</li>
<li>The paying user base continued shrinking.</li>
<li>Compared to Kuaishou, we believe the stock has a downside of 22%.</li>
<li>About the minor business, music, please see <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/tencent-music-tme-penalty-not-fatal-but-music-market-bad-enough" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:55447" rel="noopener">Tencent Music (TME): Penalty Not Fatal, But Music Market Bad Enough</a>.</li>
</ul>


The real main business, social entertainment, grew by only 7.4% YoY.
The paying user base continued shrinking.
Compared to Kuaishou, we believe the stock has a downside of 22%.
About the minor business, music, please see Tencent Music (TME): Penalty Not Fatal, But Music Market Bad Enough.


Tencent Music (TME): 2Q21, Slow Main Business

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-music-entertainment" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27255:1" rel="noopener">Tencent Music (TME US)</a> reported its 2Q2021 results on Monday (16th August) which saw revenues growing 15.5% YoY driven by increases in revenue from both Online Music Services and Social Entertainment Services. The adjusted operating profit for the second quarter dropped 31.3% YoY to RMB760m due to a 39.2% YoY increase in general and administrative expenses during the period.In our previous insight <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/tencent-all-bets-are-off" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:55269" rel="noopener">Tencent: All Bets Are Off</a> , we discussed about the ongoing regulatory probe on TME and the regulatory order to give-up its exclusive music licensing agreements. Refer the extract below from our previous insight:<div class="content-highlight">TME has been ordered to relinquish its exclusive licensing agreements with world’s leading music labels including Warner Music Group (WMG), Universal Music Group (UMG) and Sony Music. TME is allowed to keep its exclusive deals with independent artists with a period of about 3-years. According to news media outlets, TME is given a period of 30 days to end these deals.</div>In its 2Q2021 earnings announcement, TME has said that the regulatory order above will have some impact on its business operations, but we have observed that the company’s user matrices and ARPPU have already come under pressure.

Tencent Music (TME US) reported its 2Q2021 results on Monday (16th August) which saw revenues growing 15.5% YoY driven by increases in revenue from both Online Music Services and Social Entertainment Services. The adjusted operating profit for the second quarter dropped 31.3% YoY to RMB760m due to a 39.2% YoY increase in general and administrative expenses during the period.In our previous insight Tencent: All Bets Are Off , we discussed about the ongoing regulatory probe on TME and the regulatory order to give-up its exclusive music licensing agreements. Refer the extract below from our previous insight:TME has been ordered to relinquish its exclusive licensing agreements with world’s leading music labels including Warner Music Group (WMG), Universal Music Group (UMG) and Sony Music. TME is allowed to keep its exclusive deals with independent artists with a period of about 3-years. According to news media outlets, TME is given a period of 30 days to end these deals.In its 2Q2021 earnings announcement, TME has said that the regulatory order above will have some impact on its business operations, but we have observed that the company’s user matrices and ARPPU have already come under pressure.

TME: Says Order on Music Rights Have Some Impact but User No’s and ARPPU Already Under Pressure

China

Tencent Music Entertainment operates an online music entertainment platform in China. The Company offers platform that comprises of online music, recording, music-centric live streaming enabling users to discover, listen, sing, watch, perform, and socialize music.

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Tencent Music (TME US)

TME Facing the Music; Ends Exclusive Music Licensing Deals

TME announced that it has relinquished all of its exclusive music licensing agreements as per the order of the Chinese regulators. These music...

Shifara Samsudeen, FCMA, CGMA

Tencent: Weakening Online Games; Cautions Investors that More Regulatory Changes Are to Come

Tencent's earnings growth has been slowing down after seeing a boom during the pandemic and warned investors that lot of new regulations will be...

Shifara Samsudeen, FCMA, CGMA

Tencent Holdings – Pig Piling

TENCENT: Tencent's QOQ 2Q21 income declined 10.8% due to cost of revenue and opex increases; associate losses; higher impairments; and weak online...

Thomas J. Monaco

Tencent Music (TME): 2Q21, Slow Main Business

The real main business, social entertainment, grew by only 7.4% YoY. The paying user base continued shrinking. Compared to Kuaishou, we believe the...

Ming Lu

TME: Says Order on Music Rights Have Some Impact but User No’s and ARPPU Already Under Pressure

TME has said that the regulatory order to give-up music rights will have some impact on its business operations, but we have observed that the...

Shifara Samsudeen, FCMA, CGMA

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