HK/China Equity Long-Short

Osbert Tang, CFA

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Despite the plunge in share price after FY22 result, we think <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hope-education-group-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27321:1" rel="noopener">Hope Education Group Co Ltd (1765 HK)</a> has not yet reached its bottom given the challenging outlook faced.</li>
<li>We are concerned about stretched financial position with gearing surged 32.5pp in last year. Heavy capex and need to repay outstanding convertible bonds will strain its cash flow.  </li>
<li>Market earnings expectations are still overly optimistic. New schools looks to drag on near-term margins while surge in staffing, primarily teacher, costs is an added pressure.</li>
</ul>


Despite the plunge in share price after FY22 result, we think Hope Education Group Co Ltd (1765 HK) has not yet reached its bottom given the challenging outlook faced.
We are concerned about stretched financial position with gearing surged 32.5pp in last year. Heavy capex and need to repay outstanding convertible bonds will strain its cash flow.  
Market earnings expectations are still overly optimistic. New schools looks to drag on near-term margins while surge in staffing, primarily teacher, costs is an added pressure.


Hope Education (1765 HK): Have We Reached the Bottom?

<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 27.8% growth in net profit affirmed its solid fundamentals and minimal exposure to regulatory risks. We also welcome its resumption of dividends.</li>
<li>Management expects profitability will be driven by the 48% new student enrollment growth, potential for tuition increase and global education segment recovery. Consensus forecasts are currently too conservative.</li>
<li>Weaker 2H FY22 profit is due to higher depreciation and finance costs but will be absorbed with higher enrollment. Capex will be light and we also like its deleveraging move. </li>
</ul>



China Education Group (839 HK)'s 27.8% growth in net profit affirmed its solid fundamentals and minimal exposure to regulatory risks. We also welcome its resumption of dividends.
Management expects profitability will be driven by the 48% new student enrollment growth, potential for tuition increase and global education segment recovery. Consensus forecasts are currently too conservative.
Weaker 2H FY22 profit is due to higher depreciation and finance costs but will be absorbed with higher enrollment. Capex will be light and we also like its deleveraging move. 


China Education Group (839 HK): Shining Through

<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> has retreated 23% from recent high with no regulatory and company news. Given its secured earnings growth outlook, we see an opportunity. </li>
<li>We believe drivers are higher enrollment and tuition, further capacity growth, good progress in overseas education and light capex. There are positive developments in these aspects recently. </li>
<li>CEG may return unused share buyback funds to shareholders via dividend, suggesting a potential resumption of payout. At just 5.7x PER for FY23F, its growth prospect is undervalued.</li>
</ul>



China Education Group (839 HK) has retreated 23% from recent high with no regulatory and company news. Given its secured earnings growth outlook, we see an opportunity. 
We believe drivers are higher enrollment and tuition, further capacity growth, good progress in overseas education and light capex. There are positive developments in these aspects recently. 
CEG may return unused share buyback funds to shareholders via dividend, suggesting a potential resumption of payout. At just 5.7x PER for FY23F, its growth prospect is undervalued.


China Education Group (839 HK): Sustaining Growth Trajectory

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hope-education-group-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27321:1" rel="noopener">Hope Education Group Co Ltd (1765 HK)</a> achieved good student enrollment quota increase for 2022/2023 academic year and student recruitment results at overseas schools are also very encouraging. </li>
<li>Improvement in teaching quality and better facilities should narrow the gap of fees per student (Rmb11,814) with the national average (Rmb20,000), driving net profit growth in 3-5 years. </li>
<li>Capex will come down over time given good upside in utilisation and the removal of management fees will relieve financial position. Its relative valuation is also inexpensive. </li>
</ul>



Hope Education Group Co Ltd (1765 HK) achieved good student enrollment quota increase for 2022/2023 academic year and student recruitment results at overseas schools are also very encouraging. 
Improvement in teaching quality and better facilities should narrow the gap of fees per student (Rmb11,814) with the national average (Rmb20,000), driving net profit growth in 3-5 years. 
Capex will come down over time given good upside in utilisation and the removal of management fees will relieve financial position. Its relative valuation is also inexpensive. 


Hope Education (1765 HK): More than Just Hopes

<ul>
<li>Despite the 21% spike in share price, we believe good student enrollment outlook and earnings prospects of <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> are still yet to be fully reflected.</li>
<li>The 70.1% YoY surge in approved top-up degree program quotas in China and the guidance for substantial quota increase for bachelor’s degree and junior college programs are both exciting.</li>
<li>Its comprehensive cooperation agreement with Bank of China Jiangxi Branch adds another peace of mind as this suggests support from the state and lowers regulatory risks, in our view.</li>
</ul>


Despite the 21% spike in share price, we believe good student enrollment outlook and earnings prospects of China Education Group (839 HK) are still yet to be fully reflected.
The 70.1% YoY surge in approved top-up degree program quotas in China and the guidance for substantial quota increase for bachelor’s degree and junior college programs are both exciting.
Its comprehensive cooperation agreement with Bank of China Jiangxi Branch adds another peace of mind as this suggests support from the state and lowers regulatory risks, in our view.


China Education Group (839 HK): Further Evidences for Underlying Health

China

XJ International Holdings Co., Ltd. is an investment holding company primarily engaged in providing higher education and secondary vocational education services. The company offers technician education and training, self-study examination, adult education, and technical management and consultancy services, alongside selling textbooks and dormitory bedding. It operates colleges, universities, junior colleges, and technician colleges across China, Malaysia, Thailand, and Hungary. The company was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Chengdu, the People's Republic of China.

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XJ International (1765 HK)

Hope Education (1765 HK): Have We Reached the Bottom?

Outlook for Hope Education is still very challenging given high cost pressure, heavy capex and tight financial position. There are significant...

Osbert Tang, CFA

China Education Group (839 HK): Shining Through

FY23 profit will be driven by a 48% new student enrollment growth, potential for tuition increase and global education segment recovery. The...

Osbert Tang, CFA

China Education Group (839 HK): Sustaining Growth Trajectory

Higher enrollment and tuition, further capacity growth, good progress in overseas education and light capex are developments that will potentially...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Hope Education (1765 HK): More than Just Hopes

The beaten-down stock has a good enrollment quota growth in China and encouraging overseas student recruitment result. Lower capex and removal of...

Osbert Tang, CFA

China Education Group (839 HK): Further Evidences for Underlying Health

Solid growth in approved top-up degree quota brightens CEG's outlook. Even with share price spike, it still trades on cheap 7.1x PER for FY22, with...

Osbert Tang, CFA

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