HK/China Equity Long-Short

Osbert Tang, CFA

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Stable cement price, good cost control, and a better base for comparison will lift <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/anhui-conch-cement-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:159:1" rel="noopener">Anhui Conch Cement (914 HK)</a>'s profitability recovery in 2-4Q24.  <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/anhui-gourgen-traffic-cons-a" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:30237:1" rel="noopener"></a>
</li>
<li>Anhui Conch's earnings outperformed in 1Q24. Its peers are making losses and hence will reduce excess supply. Stabilisation of the real estate market will lower the pressure on demand.</li>
<li>Net cash equals 46% of the current share price, and its valuations (both PER and P/B) are inexpensive relative to peers and ROE.  </li>
</ul>


Stable cement price, good cost control, and a better base for comparison will lift Anhui Conch Cement (914 HK)'s profitability recovery in 2-4Q24.  

Anhui Conch's earnings outperformed in 1Q24. Its peers are making losses and hence will reduce excess supply. Stabilisation of the real estate market will lower the pressure on demand.
Net cash equals 46% of the current share price, and its valuations (both PER and P/B) are inexpensive relative to peers and ROE.  


Anhui Conch Cement (914 HK): Increasingly Favourable Odds

Equity Analyst

Steve Zhou, CFA

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/anhui-conch-cement-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:159:1" rel="noopener">Anhui Conch Cement (914 HK)</a> is trading at a historical low forward P/B of 0.5x, compared to an average of 1.2x for the last decade. </li>
<li>In the long term, China cement will likely see much lower volume and lower cement prices in the short term, but eventually rising cement prices due to better supply picture. </li>
<li>As the lowest cost producer, Anhui Conch stands a very good chance to win out in the long term and potentially more than double its current market share. </li>
</ul>



Anhui Conch Cement (914 HK) is trading at a historical low forward P/B of 0.5x, compared to an average of 1.2x for the last decade. 
In the long term, China cement will likely see much lower volume and lower cement prices in the short term, but eventually rising cement prices due to better supply picture. 
As the lowest cost producer, Anhui Conch stands a very good chance to win out in the long term and potentially more than double its current market share. 


Anhui Conch Cement (914 HK):  Where Are We In The Cycle?

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>Although 5% GDP growth target for 2023 is at the low end of market speculation of 5.5-6%, we think this reflects the government's conservative stance amid post-COVID recovery. </li>
<li>A 0.2pp higher budget deficit and a special purpose bond quota of Rmb3.8trn suggested that government spending will stay as important economic driver.</li>
<li>Consumption is another major stimulus for economic growth, and more supportive measures will be rolled out - we have seen many cities planning to hand out consumption vouchers.</li>
</ul>


Although 5% GDP growth target for 2023 is at the low end of market speculation of 5.5-6%, we think this reflects the government's conservative stance amid post-COVID recovery. 
A 0.2pp higher budget deficit and a special purpose bond quota of Rmb3.8trn suggested that government spending will stay as important economic driver.
Consumption is another major stimulus for economic growth, and more supportive measures will be rolled out - we have seen many cities planning to hand out consumption vouchers.


China NPC: Implications of Government Working Report 2023

China Conch Venture Holdings / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-conch-venture-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19943:1" rel="noopener">China Conch Venture Holdings (586 HK)</a> is now at negative stub value, the low-end since 2020. This is despite a 16.4% growth in 1H22 core earnings to Rmb542m.</li>
<li>The company's waste-to-energy (WTE) capacity will increase by 25% in FY23 and its internal target calls for an earnings CAGR of 33% between FY21 and FY25 for WTE segment.</li>
<li>We should not underestimate the potential from new business initiatives including cathode and anode materials and lithium battery recycling. They have good medium-to-long term exposure to China's new energy industry.</li>
</ul>



China Conch Venture Holdings (586 HK) is now at negative stub value, the low-end since 2020. This is despite a 16.4% growth in 1H22 core earnings to Rmb542m.
The company's waste-to-energy (WTE) capacity will increase by 25% in FY23 and its internal target calls for an earnings CAGR of 33% between FY21 and FY25 for WTE segment.
We should not underestimate the potential from new business initiatives including cathode and anode materials and lithium battery recycling. They have good medium-to-long term exposure to China's new energy industry.


Conch Venture (586 HK): An Overlooked Value Play

<ul>
<li>China may bring ahead quota for special purpose bond issuance in 2023 to 2H22. This may potentially at Rmb1.5trn (US$220bn), which will provide big boost to the economy.</li>
<li>For 5M22, the three most important areas of spending of local government bond proceeds are urban construction and industrial park, social services and transport infrastructure.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-state-construction-int-l-holdings" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10038:1" rel="noopener">China State Construction Int'l (3311 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/anhui-conch-cement-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:159:1" rel="noopener">Anhui Conch Cement (914 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-railway-group-ltd-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:264:1" rel="noopener">China Railway Group (390 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-conch-venture-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19943:1" rel="noopener">China Conch Venture (586 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/anta-sports-products-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10261:1" rel="noopener">Anta Sports (2020 HK)</a> are the top picks.</li>
</ul>


China may bring ahead quota for special purpose bond issuance in 2023 to 2H22. This may potentially at Rmb1.5trn (US$220bn), which will provide big boost to the economy.
For 5M22, the three most important areas of spending of local government bond proceeds are urban construction and industrial park, social services and transport infrastructure.

China State Construction Int'l (3311 HK), Anhui Conch Cement (914 HK), China Railway Group (390 HK), China Conch Venture (586 HK) and Anta Sports (2020 HK) are the top picks.


China Stimulus: These Are the Key Beneficiaries

China

Anhui Conch Cement Company Limited manufactures cement products. The Company produces silicate cements, slag silicate cements, composite silicate cements, cement clinkers, and other products. Anhui Conch Cement Cement markets its products throughout China and worldwide.

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Anhui Conch Cement (600585 CH)

Anhui Conch Cement (914 HK): Increasingly Favourable Odds

Anhui Conch Cement has rallied 14% in last week on the back of the government’s rescue of the property market through buying of unsold homes by...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Anhui Conch Cement (914 HK): Where Are We In The Cycle?

Anhui Conch Cement is trading at a historical low P/B ratio. As the lowest cost producer, Anhui Conch stands a very good chance to win out in the...

Steve Zhou, CFA

China NPC: Implications of Government Working Report 2023

A 0.2pp higher budget deficit and a Rmb3.8trn special purpose bond quota suggested government spending will remain important economic driver. More...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Conch Venture (586 HK): An Overlooked Value Play

The market has deeply undervalued Conch Venture's waste-to-energy business as reflected by the negative stub value. New business initiatives and...

Osbert Tang, CFA

China Stimulus: These Are the Key Beneficiaries

Potential massive special purpose bond issuance by local governments in 2H22 (brought forward from 2023) will provide a much-needed boost to the...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Anhui Conch Cement (914 HK): Increasingly Favourable Odds

Anhui Conch Cement has rallied 14% in last week on the back of the government’s rescue of the property market through buying of unsold homes by...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Anhui Conch Cement (914 HK): Where Are We In The Cycle?

​Anhui Conch Cement is trading at a historical low P/B ratio. As the lowest cost producer, Anhui Conch stands a very good chance to win out in the...

Steve Zhou, CFA

China NPC: Implications of Government Working Report 2023

A 0.2pp higher budget deficit and a Rmb3.8trn special purpose bond quota suggested government spending will remain important economic driver. More...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Conch Venture (586 HK): An Overlooked Value Play

The market has deeply undervalued Conch Venture's waste-to-energy business as reflected by the negative stub value. New business initiatives and...

Osbert Tang, CFA

China Stimulus: These Are the Key Beneficiaries

Potential massive special purpose bond issuance by local governments in 2H22 (brought forward from 2023) will provide a much-needed boost to the...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Anhui Conch Cement is trading at a historical low P/B ratio. As the lowest cost producer, Anhui Conch stands a very good chance to win out in the...