Global TMT analyst with Asia ex-Japan focus.

Mitchell Kim

Equity Bottom-Up

Investors' concerns over increasingly expanding regulatory restrictions and the potential market intervention led to a rout of Chinese tech and education stocks over the last several trading sessions. The select 9 Chinese tech stocks I follow collectively lost USD320 billion in value over 20 July to 27 July.  While some of the regulatory risks were known from March 2021, ramifications of the potential value-destroying restrictions on the education companies, termination of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-music-entertainment" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27255:1" rel="noopener">Tencent Music (TME US)'s</a> exclusive rights, and the suspension of new user registration for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26:1" rel="noopener">Tencent (700 HK)</a>'s Wechat spook the market. Tencent's market cap has declined 19% during the seven-day period, which cannot be fully explained by the potential value lost from the recently announced regulatory measures, in my view.  Back in April (see <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/tencent-700-hk-fintech-risk-is-lurking" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:50512" rel="noopener">Tencent (700 HK): Fintech Risk Is Lurking</a>) I pointed out that Tencent shares could be overvalued by 20% on fintech risk alone.  The shares are down nearly 30% since then. I now believe the shares could be undervalued by 10%, notwithstanding the undefined regulatory risks ahead.  Having said that, catching a falling knife is not for the faint-hearted. These stocks rebounded on the US Wednesday trading session, possibly reflecting the sentiment "enough is enough." Bloomberg reported that the securities regulator assured select investment bankers that the education policies are not to be for other industries.     In this report, I summarize the announced regulatory events this year to date and share my thoughts on why the market may be over discounting Tencent's value by looking at the potential value impact of Tencent's fintech value (a reiteration from the April report) and the impact of the value decline of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/didi-chuxing-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27467:1" rel="noopener">DiDi Chuxing (DIDI US)</a> and Tencent Music.

Investors' concerns over increasingly expanding regulatory restrictions and the potential market intervention led to a rout of Chinese tech and education stocks over the last several trading sessions. The select 9 Chinese tech stocks I follow collectively lost USD320 billion in value over 20 July to 27 July.  While some of the regulatory risks were known from March 2021, ramifications of the potential value-destroying restrictions on the education companies, termination of Tencent Music (TME US)'s exclusive rights, and the suspension of new user registration for Tencent (700 HK)'s Wechat spook the market. Tencent's market cap has declined 19% during the seven-day period, which cannot be fully explained by the potential value lost from the recently announced regulatory measures, in my view.  Back in April (see Tencent (700 HK): Fintech Risk Is Lurking) I pointed out that Tencent shares could be overvalued by 20% on fintech risk alone.  The shares are down nearly 30% since then. I now believe the shares could be undervalued by 10%, notwithstanding the undefined regulatory risks ahead.  Having said that, catching a falling knife is not for the faint-hearted. These stocks rebounded on the US Wednesday trading session, possibly reflecting the sentiment "enough is enough." Bloomberg reported that the securities regulator assured select investment bankers that the education policies are not to be for other industries.     In this report, I summarize the announced regulatory events this year to date and share my thoughts on why the market may be over discounting Tencent's value by looking at the potential value impact of Tencent's fintech value (a reiteration from the April report) and the impact of the value decline of DiDi Chuxing (DIDI US) and Tencent Music.          

Tencent (700 HK): When to Catch a Falling Knife

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

*What’s Up With WeChat: Mainland China appears to have taken additional action against Tencent Holdings (700.HK) [Tencent], following Monday’s regulatory edict. Tencent is suspending new user registrations for its WeChat services, as it is undergoing a “security technical upgrade” in accordance with relevant laws and regulations. WeChat is Tencent’s most important business, and dominates mainland Chinese social media; and *Pain Trade Coming:Tencent is widely expected pay a large fine. In addition, Tencent may have to give up its exclusive music rights and possibly dispose of Kuwo and Kugou. Further, we have no doubt that Tencent will also follow Alibaba Group (BABA.US) [Alibaba] in their formation of a financial holding company. For Tencent, WeChat Pay and the broader lending/deposit taking business are likely to be reined-in. At CNY 38.5 bn for full year 2020, FinTech represents a growing 28.8% of revenue – and is a key and growing component of Tencent’s current and future results. No matter what spin that Tencent wants to place on its other businesses, an FHC represents significant downside risks. Earnings will compress, as capital requirements increase.

*What’s Up With WeChat: Mainland China appears to have taken additional action against Tencent Holdings (700.HK) [Tencent], following Monday’s regulatory edict. Tencent is suspending new user registrations for its WeChat services, as it is undergoing a “security technical upgrade” in accordance with relevant laws and regulations. WeChat is Tencent’s most important business, and dominates mainland Chinese social media; and *Pain Trade Coming:Tencent is widely expected pay a large fine. In addition, Tencent may have to give up its exclusive music rights and possibly dispose of Kuwo and Kugou. Further, we have no doubt that Tencent will also follow Alibaba Group (BABA.US) [Alibaba] in their formation of a financial holding company. For Tencent, WeChat Pay and the broader lending/deposit taking business are likely to be reined-in. At CNY 38.5 bn for full year 2020, FinTech represents a growing 28.8% of revenue – and is a key and growing component of Tencent’s current and future results. No matter what spin that Tencent wants to place on its other businesses, an FHC represents significant downside risks. Earnings will compress, as capital requirements increase.

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

Last Week in Event SPACE: Evergrande, Spark Infra, Naspers/Prosus, Boral, China Conch Ventures

Latest News from the World’s Leading Innovators

Granite Bay Capital

An innovation focussed investment company

Granite Bay Capital is an innovation focussed investment company with a deep focus on the companies at the leading edge of innovation across major themes such as AI, ubiquitous computing, sustainability, automation and longevity.

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

Headline Developments Apple (AAPL) and Goldman Sachs (GS) are reportedly partnering to launch a buy now, pay later (BNPL) service through Apple Pay, according to Bloomberg .  The service will reportedly allow users to spread payments of their purchases across four interest-free payments every two weeks, or across several months with interest.

Headline Developments Apple (AAPL) and Goldman Sachs (GS) are reportedly partnering to launch a buy now, pay later (BNPL) service through Apple Pay, according to Bloomberg .  The service will reportedly allow users to spread payments of their purchases across four interest-free payments every two weeks, or across several months with interest.

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.

Reuters and other news media outlets reported today 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$30,912) for failing to appropriately report the acquisitions of Kugou and Kuwo in 2016.It was speculated earlier that <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>  would be asked to sell Kuwo and Kugou for not promptly reporting the two acquisitions.

Reuters and other news media outlets reported today 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$30,912) for failing to appropriately report the acquisitions of Kugou and Kuwo in 2016.It was speculated earlier that Tencent Music (TME US)  would be asked to sell Kuwo and Kugou for not promptly reporting the two acquisitions.

TME: May Have to Giveup Exclusive Rights to Music Labels but Unlikely to Be Ordered to Sell Key Apps

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)

Tencent (700 HK): When to Catch a Falling Knife

Chinese tech stocks are reeling from the latest regulatory announcements. Tencent fell 19% in 7 days. Is the time ripe to catch a falling knife?...

Mitchell Kim

Tencent Holdings – Only The Beginning

TENCENT: Mainland China appears to have taken action against Tencent, with suspension of WeChat new user registrations. Tencent is expected pay a...

Thomas J. Monaco

Last Week in Event SPACE: Evergrande, Spark Infra, Naspers/Prosus, Boral, China Conch Ventures

The weekend is here! Pour yourself a coffee, grab a comfortable seat, and sift through a brief summary of insights on various events discussed...

David Blennerhassett

Weekly Innovation Review (WIRE) #40

Headline Developments Apple (AAPL) and Goldman Sachs (GS) are reportedly partnering to launch a buy now, pay later (BNPL) service through Apple

Granite Bay Capital

TME: May Have to Giveup Exclusive Rights to Music Labels but Unlikely to Be Ordered to Sell Key Apps

Though TME could get away with a fine for improper disclosure of its acquisitions of Kugou and Kuwo, having to give up exclusive music label rights...

Shifara Samsudeen, FCMA, CGMA

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