HK/China Equity Long-Short

Osbert Tang, CFA

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>The 42% collapse in share price 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> (CEG) seems to be overreaction to the speculated regulatory measures which we think many of them are counter-intuitive.</li>
<li>These measures center around the legality of Variable Interest Entity, ban on future M&amp;As, ownership of school assets and prohibition of increase in tuition fee at will.</li>
<li>Higher education, unlike after school tutoring, supports government policy, lightens governments' financial pressure and enhances common prosperity; and CEG remains the best play on this angle. </li>
</ul>


The 42% collapse in share price of China Education Group (839 HK) (CEG) seems to be overreaction to the speculated regulatory measures which we think many of them are counter-intuitive.
These measures center around the legality of Variable Interest Entity, ban on future M&amp;As, ownership of school assets and prohibition of increase in tuition fee at will.
Higher education, unlike after school tutoring, supports government policy, lightens governments' financial pressure and enhances common prosperity; and CEG remains the best play on this angle. 


China Education Group (839 HK): Further Regulatory Headwinds?

Forensic Analyst

Jason Yap, CFA

Forensic Accounting

<ul>
<li>On 16 December 2021, KE Holdings Inc (BEKE US) was target of shortseller Muddy Water's shortsell report, which alleged "significant fraud".  BEKE has since issued a rebuttal. </li>
<li>As shortsell attacks increase in recent years, investors with affected portfolio companies need to find a way to swiftly evaluate and react to shortsell report risks. </li>
<li>In this Insight, we provide a 6 point checklist that investors could use to evaluate such risks and make capital allocation decisions in respect of its portfolio company</li>
</ul>


On 16 December 2021, KE Holdings Inc (BEKE US) was target of shortseller Muddy Water's shortsell report, which alleged "significant fraud".  BEKE has since issued a rebuttal. 
As shortsell attacks increase in recent years, investors with affected portfolio companies need to find a way to swiftly evaluate and react to shortsell report risks. 
In this Insight, we provide a 6 point checklist that investors could use to evaluate such risks and make capital allocation decisions in respect of its portfolio company


KE Holdings (BEKE US)'s Shortsell Report and Rebuttal - Key Takeaways

<ul>
<li>Following share price plunge even with decent FY21 result, most of the risks for <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 (1765 HK)</a> have been released, but its return profile looks more interesting now.</li>
<li>We see bright spots including good cash flow, solid financial position, positive business outlook, new stock option scheme and limited regulatory exposure the key investment merits. </li>
<li>Valuations appear undemanding at 10.4x and 8.4x PERs for FY21 and FY22. They are at premium to <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-yuhua-education" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23627:1" rel="noopener">China Yuhua Education (6169 HK)</a> but discount to <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>. </li>
</ul>


Following share price plunge even with decent FY21 result, most of the risks for Hope Education Group (1765 HK) have been released, but its return profile looks more interesting now.
We see bright spots including good cash flow, solid financial position, positive business outlook, new stock option scheme and limited regulatory exposure the key investment merits. 
Valuations appear undemanding at 10.4x and 8.4x PERs for FY21 and FY22. They are at premium to China Yuhua Education (6169 HK) but discount to China Education Group (839 HK). 


Hope Education (1765 HK): Hopeful or Hopeless?

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-yuhua-education" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23627:1" rel="noopener">China Yuhua Education (6169 HK)</a> has significantly cleaned up its K-9 business by deconsolidated from FY21 result with a Rmb1.04bn one-off losses. Reported profit, however, still reached Rmb824.5m. </li>
<li>The continuing business achieved a profit of Rmb1.2bn, growing by an estimated 48% YoY, suggesting that the higher and vocational segment is operating on a sound basis. </li>
<li>It is in the process to transform three K-9 schools into higher vocational schools. Guidance for FY22 is not less than 20% earnings growth for the continuing business.  </li>
</ul>



China Yuhua Education (6169 HK) has significantly cleaned up its K-9 business by deconsolidated from FY21 result with a Rmb1.04bn one-off losses. Reported profit, however, still reached Rmb824.5m. 
The continuing business achieved a profit of Rmb1.2bn, growing by an estimated 48% YoY, suggesting that the higher and vocational segment is operating on a sound basis. 
It is in the process to transform three K-9 schools into higher vocational schools. Guidance for FY22 is not less than 20% earnings growth for the continuing business.  


China Yuhua Education (6169 HK): Cleaner After a Big Bath?

<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> again announced solid result with adjusted net profit surged by 57.1% to Rmb1.55bn in FY21, ahead of guidance and also better than market expectations.</li>
<li>Management suggests positive FY22 outlook as student recruitment is encouraging, new schools and campuses add momentum and potential acquisitions provide upside. Unified new student enrollment increased 34% YoY.</li>
<li>CEG stays as our top pick in China Private Education Sector, and its PER of 14.5x for FY22F is undemanding given sustained solid earnings outlook and less regulatory exposure.</li>
</ul>



China Education Group (839 HK) again announced solid result with adjusted net profit surged by 57.1% to Rmb1.55bn in FY21, ahead of guidance and also better than market expectations.
Management suggests positive FY22 outlook as student recruitment is encouraging, new schools and campuses add momentum and potential acquisitions provide upside. Unified new student enrollment increased 34% YoY.
CEG stays as our top pick in China Private Education Sector, and its PER of 14.5x for FY22F is undemanding given sustained solid earnings outlook and less regulatory exposure.


China Education Group (839 HK): Post-FY21 Result Call Suggests Robust Year Ahead

China

Gaotu Techedu inc develops educational software. The Company offers online K-12 large class after school tutoring as well as foreign language, professional and other courses. Gaotu Techedu serves students in China

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Gaotu Techedu (GOTU US)

China Education Group (839 HK): Further Regulatory Headwinds?

Regulatory speculations have beaten down CEG but may concerns are counter-intuitive and share price has over-reacted. Private participation in...

Osbert Tang, CFA

KE Holdings (BEKE US)'s Shortsell Report and Rebuttal - Key Takeaways

On 16 Dec 2021, BEKE targeted by Muddy Waters shortsell report. BEKE has since issued a rebuttal. In this Insight, we provide a 6 point checklist...

Jason Yap, CFA

Hope Education (1765 HK): Hopeful or Hopeless?

With a focus on higher education, Hope Education should see lesser regulatory risks. Good cash flow, solid financial position and positive business...

Osbert Tang, CFA

China Yuhua Education (6169 HK): Cleaner After a Big Bath?

A massive cleanup of K-9 segment should clear many uncertainties from the government's regulations. Focusing on higher and vocational colleges will...

Osbert Tang, CFA

China Education Group (839 HK): Post-FY21 Result Call Suggests Robust Year Ahead

After beating expectation in FY21 result, positive outlook will extend into FY22 as student recruitment is encouraging, new schools and campuses...

Osbert Tang, CFA

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