China Specialist, Auto and Industrial Specialist

Victoria Li

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

Official sales data about China's April auto sector might be released later than usual, due to long holiday of Labour Day in China. Based on available data, we estimate sales growths of both auto sector shipment and end demand in April 2021(vs. April 2019) to accelerate. OEMs shipment accelerated as well, which might be a good sign that chips shortage started easing.According to individual EV makers' latest sales data, China's NEV sales might be flattish MoM. It continues outperforming the overall auto market. In April, Xpeng(XPEV.US) car sales increased slightly MoM, while NIO's (NIO.US) sales decreased slightly MoM due to chip shortage. Li Auto's (LI.US) April sales  grew 13% MoM.

Official sales data about China's April auto sector might be released later than usual, due to long holiday of Labour Day in China. Based on available data, we estimate sales growths of both auto sector shipment and end demand in April 2021(vs. April 2019) to accelerate. OEMs shipment accelerated as well, which might be a good sign that chips shortage started easing.According to individual EV makers' latest sales data, China's NEV sales might be flattish MoM. It continues outperforming the overall auto market. In April, Xpeng(XPEV.US) car sales increased slightly MoM, while NIO's (NIO.US) sales decreased slightly MoM due to chip shortage. Li Auto's (LI.US) April sales  grew 13% MoM.

China Auto: Early Positive Signs of Chips Shortage Easing

We expect market competition in China's BEV segment rise in the next two years. The interesting thing is that most of new models announced/launched lately target C-segment market. The second popular market is A-segment sedan, in which 3 new models were launched and would start delivery by the end of this year.  B-segment has the least new model announced.  Which models would be the best sellers in their target markets? Which OEM/brand would gain solid market position?

We expect market competition in China's BEV segment rise in the next two years. The interesting thing is that most of new models announced/launched lately target C-segment market. The second popular market is A-segment sedan, in which 3 new models were launched and would start delivery by the end of this year.  B-segment has the least new model announced.  Which models would be the best sellers in their target markets? Which OEM/brand would gain solid market position?

Equity Bottom-Up

Launched on April 15th, Geely's highly anticipated EV model, Zeekr 001, beat market expectations by offering reasonable prices and attractive features. Market feedback shows that it's gaining interest from potential buyers who initially target to NIO, Xpeng, BYD Han and Tesla. Please see the details in the note. As a result, it's very likely that Zeekr 001 would become one of the most popular local brand EV models in China market. We believe Geely's valuation re-rating would be triggered. Compared to BYD which trades at 75.8x P/E 2021E due to market's preference on BYD's EV future, Geely trades at 18.7x P/E 2021E based on Bloomberg consensus.Furthermore, Geely and its parent company are seeking for IPO opportunities for Lotus and Zeekr (owned by Geely), and Polestar and Volvo Car (owned by Geely's parent company). These could become Geely's valuation re-rating triggers as well.

Launched on April 15th, Geely's highly anticipated EV model, Zeekr 001, beat market expectations by offering reasonable prices and attractive features. Market feedback shows that it's gaining interest from potential buyers who initially target to NIO, Xpeng, BYD Han and Tesla. Please see the details in the note. As a result, it's very likely that Zeekr 001 would become one of the most popular local brand EV models in China market. We believe Geely's valuation re-rating would be triggered. Compared to BYD which trades at 75.8x P/E 2021E due to market's preference on BYD's EV future, Geely trades at 18.7x P/E 2021E based on Bloomberg consensus.Furthermore, Geely and its parent company are seeking for IPO opportunities for Lotus and Zeekr (owned by Geely), and Polestar and Volvo Car (owned by Geely's parent company). These could become Geely's valuation re-rating triggers as well.

Geely (175.HK): New EV Model Starts New Era

China and US Equity Analyst

Roger Xie

<ul>
<li>HKEx is rising as a global trading venue as secondary-listing Chinese companies are moving to swap their US ADRs to Hong Kong shares. Since <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alibaba-group-holding-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:787:1" rel="noopener">Alibaba Group (BABA US)</a> pioneered the secondary listing scheme in Hong Kong in 2018, the share fungibility has opened the door for swapping its US ADR to Hong Kong. We estimated that 20% of outstanding shares of Alibaba have been moved to Hong Kong.</li>
<li>Some top institutional investors, such as Temasek, Baillie Gifford, and Matthews Asia, are among the major shareholders that have swapped stakes in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alibaba-group-holding-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:787:1" rel="noopener">Alibaba Group (BABA US)</a> US ADRs. This has reflected some strategic consideration to  avoid US sanction and delisting of Chinese tech companies. We expect this trend will likely accelerate in the future. For current 13 dual-listing Chinese ADRs, we expect 30% of total trading volume will be shifted to Hong Kong from US in next 2 years. This is a significant jump from around 18% of trading volume at Hong Kong now. Dual-listing Chinese ADRs at Hong Kong will likely accelerate as well. </li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hong-kong-exchanges-clearing" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:490:1" rel="noopener">HKEX (388 HK)</a>  serves as the only offshore gateway to China capital market. HKEx has consistently enjoyed the superior margin and profitability, given that it can charge higher trading fee rates than other bourses. We forecast Securities ADT of HK$240bn in FY 21 (Hong Kong and Stock Connect Northbound). Given the acceleration of US ADRs conversion, there is risk to the upside of the Securities ADT forecast. We continue to favor <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hong-kong-exchanges-clearing" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:490:1" rel="noopener">HKEX (388 HK)</a> and reiterate HKEx TP HKD 550. </li>
</ul>


HKEx is rising as a global trading venue as secondary-listing Chinese companies are moving to swap their US ADRs to Hong Kong shares. Since Alibaba Group (BABA US) pioneered the secondary listing scheme in Hong Kong in 2018, the share fungibility has opened the door for swapping its US ADR to Hong Kong. We estimated that 20% of outstanding shares of Alibaba have been moved to Hong Kong.
Some top institutional investors, such as Temasek, Baillie Gifford, and Matthews Asia, are among the major shareholders that have swapped stakes in Alibaba Group (BABA US) US ADRs. This has reflected some strategic consideration to  avoid US sanction and delisting of Chinese tech companies. We expect this trend will likely accelerate in the future. For current 13 dual-listing Chinese ADRs, we expect 30% of total trading volume will be shifted to Hong Kong from US in next 2 years. This is a significant jump from around 18% of trading volume at Hong Kong now. Dual-listing Chinese ADRs at Hong Kong will likely accelerate as well. 

HKEX (388 HK)  serves as the only offshore gateway to China capital market. HKEx has consistently enjoyed the superior margin and profitability, given that it can charge higher trading fee rates than other bourses. We forecast Securities ADT of HK$240bn in FY 21 (Hong Kong and Stock Connect Northbound). Given the acceleration of US ADRs conversion, there is risk to the upside of the Securities ADT forecast. We continue to favor HKEX (388 HK) and reiterate HKEx TP HKD 550. 


Hong Kong Market: Conversion of US ADRs Will Boost HKEx as Global Trading Venue

Asian Insight Provider - Actionable ideas, CrossASEAN Research

Henry Soediarko

Asian Insight Provider - Actionable ideas

CrossASEAN Research

At CrossASEAN Research we strive to produce unbiased and differentiated on the ground insights on companies across South East Asia. Our Research is produced for the most part after face to face meetings and conversations with company management to dig deep into the long term vision and strategy of the companies we cover. We seek to deliver investable and actionable themes on sectors and markets across SE Asia, often in collaboration with other Insight Providers across the region, pooling the vast experience of the analysts within the Smartkarma Ecosystem. We also offer bespoke work and tailor made trips for our clients. 

Insights across South East Asia

BYD's battery business has always been less meaningful compared to the automobile and mobile handset business (which investors can access through <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/byd-electronic-international-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1927:1" rel="noopener">BYD Electronics (285 HK)</a>), but the long-term prospect has always been exciting. The recent BYD's Blade battery perks a positive rumor that the company will be able to sell in-vehicle batteries to other EV makers, increasing the group's EBITDA by almost 40% depending on the various scenarios. Investors should be even more excited at the prospect that BYD's battery business can finally contribute to the group's more meaningfully. 
<div class="content-highlight">
Compared to other EV players such as <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tesla-motors-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20279:1" rel="noopener">Tesla Motors (TSLA US)</a> , <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nio-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27399:1" rel="noopener">NIO Inc (NIO US)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/xpeng-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29217:1" rel="noopener">Xpeng (XPEV US)</a> , BYD is trading at 22% PER discount, 32% EV/EBITDA discount, and 22% PBR discount whilst against <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/contemporary-amperex-techn-a" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24404:1" rel="noopener">CATL (A) (300750 CH)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/samsung-sdi-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:503:1" rel="noopener">Samsung SDI (006400 KS)</a> , BYD is trading at 154% PER premium, 61% EV/EBITDA discount and 6% PBR discount. From cash flow multiples (EV/EBITDA), BYD is undervalued compared to the other EV players and battery suppliers. 
</div>
<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/199/873/original/image_90672331821618121444881.png?1618121444" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="199873"></figure>
<div class="content-remarks">
source: Reuters
</div>

BYD's battery business has always been less meaningful compared to the automobile and mobile handset business (which investors can access through BYD Electronics (285 HK)), but the long-term prospect has always been exciting. The recent BYD's Blade battery perks a positive rumor that the company will be able to sell in-vehicle batteries to other EV makers, increasing the group's EBITDA by almost 40% depending on the various scenarios. Investors should be even more excited at the prospect that BYD's battery business can finally contribute to the group's more meaningfully. 

Compared to other EV players such as Tesla Motors (TSLA US) , NIO Inc (NIO US) and Xpeng (XPEV US) , BYD is trading at 22% PER discount, 32% EV/EBITDA discount, and 22% PBR discount whilst against CATL (A) (300750 CH) and Samsung SDI (006400 KS) , BYD is trading at 154% PER premium, 61% EV/EBITDA discount and 6% PBR discount. From cash flow multiples (EV/EBITDA), BYD is undervalued compared to the other EV players and battery suppliers. 



source: Reuters


BYD (1211): In-Vehicle Batteries to Power Growth

China

NIO Inc. manufactures and sells automobiles. The Company offers electric vehicles and parts, as well as provides battery charging services. NIO serves customers worldwide.

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NIO (NIO US)

China Auto: Early Positive Signs of Chips Shortage Easing

Official sales data about China's April auto sector might be released later than usual, due to long holiday of Labour Day in China.

Victoria Li

China EV: Which Is the Next Best Seller?

We expect market competition in China's BEV segment rise in the next two years. The interesting thing is that most of new models announced/launched...

Victoria Li

Geely (175.HK): New EV Model Starts New Era

Launched on April 15th, Geely's highly anticipated EV model, Zeekr 001, beat market expectations by offering reasonable prices and attractive...

Victoria Li

Hong Kong Market: Conversion of US ADRs Will Boost HKEx as Global Trading Venue

We expect 30% of total dual-list China ADR trading volume will be shifted to Hong Kong from US in next 2 years, a significant jump from current...

Roger Xie

BYD (1211): In-Vehicle Batteries to Power Growth

BYD's Blade battery perks a positive rumor that the company will be able to sell in-vehicle batteries to other EVs, increasing the group's EBITDA...

Henry Soediarko

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