Asian Equities Analyst, Logistics & Transport, Tracking Traffic

Daniel Hellberg

Asian Equities Analyst, Logistics & Transport

Tracking Traffic

Focusing on Asian logistics, transportation, and travel companies

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>On a combined basis, air travel demand in January-February 2026 was up modestly Y/Y</li>
<li>Chinese carriers face sharply higher international jet fuel prices, up 60%+ vs February</li>
<li>Planned fuel surcharges planned for April could hit consumer demand for air travel</li>
</ul>


On a combined basis, air travel demand in January-February 2026 was up modestly Y/Y
Chinese carriers face sharply higher international jet fuel prices, up 60%+ vs February
Planned fuel surcharges planned for April could hit consumer demand for air travel


Monthly Chinese Tourism Tracker | January-February Growth Softer | Fuel Surcharges Could Hit Demand

<ul>
<li>Slower pace of January activity growth explained by timing of long LNY holidays in 2025/26 </li>
<li>Initial numbers from LNY holiday period show more trips,  but tight purse-strings</li>
<li>Airlines appear to be managing well; a clearer picture of consumer will emerge soon</li>
</ul>


Slower pace of January activity growth explained by timing of long LNY holidays in 2025/26 
Initial numbers from LNY holiday period show more trips,  but tight purse-strings
Airlines appear to be managing well; a clearer picture of consumer will emerge soon


Monthly Chinese Tourism Tracker | January Impacted by LNY Timing | Initial LNY 2026 Numbers So-So

Asian Hedge Fund Manager, Long Short Equity, Macro

David Mudd

Cross Asset Strategy

<ul>
<li>So far, global markets remain optimistic that the damage from the war in Iran will be repaired relatively soon; however, that will change as the war enters its second month.</li>
<li>Asian countries are highly dependent on oil and gas shipments from the Middle East, with airlines, petrochemical companies, and gas distribution companies all negatively affected.</li>
<li>Iran now controls when the flow of energy from the Middle East starts and thereby when the war stops. Gulf countries will not allow Iran to be the Straits gatekeeper.</li>
</ul>


So far, global markets remain optimistic that the damage from the war in Iran will be repaired relatively soon; however, that will change as the war enters its second month.
Asian countries are highly dependent on oil and gas shipments from the Middle East, with airlines, petrochemical companies, and gas distribution companies all negatively affected.
Iran now controls when the flow of energy from the Middle East starts and thereby when the war stops. Gulf countries will not allow Iran to be the Straits gatekeeper.


OIL: When a Short-Term Spike Becomes Long-Term Reality

HK/China Equity Long-Short

Osbert Tang, CFA

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>The airlines and marine transportation sectors are the most exposed to the rise in Brent oil prices caused by the current US-Iran conflicts in the Middle East.</li>
<li>For the airlines, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-eastern-airlines-co-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1079:1" rel="noopener">China Eastern Airlines (670 HK)</a> is the most vulnerable, while <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/cathay-pacific-airways-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:243:1" rel="noopener">Cathay Pacific Airways (293 HK)</a> is relatively more insulated.</li>
<li>For marine transportation, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sitc-international-holdings" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15301:1" rel="noopener">SITC International (1308 HK)</a> is the least exposed, but <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pacific-basin-shipping-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:929:1" rel="noopener">Pacific Basin Shipping (2343 HK)</a> looks to be more negatively affected.</li>
</ul>


The airlines and marine transportation sectors are the most exposed to the rise in Brent oil prices caused by the current US-Iran conflicts in the Middle East.
For the airlines, China Eastern Airlines (670 HK) is the most vulnerable, while Cathay Pacific Airways (293 HK) is relatively more insulated.
For marine transportation, SITC International (1308 HK) is the least exposed, but Pacific Basin Shipping (2343 HK) looks to be more negatively affected.


HK Strategy: Assessing the Oil Vulnerability

<ul>
<li>The appreciation of Rmb will bring benefits to some companies. With a lower USD rate and an inflow of funds to China, this trend is expected to continue into 2026.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/h-world-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33487:1" rel="noopener">H World Group (1179 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-everbright-environment-group-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15946:1" rel="noopener">China Everbright Environment (257 HK)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-national-building-ma-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:184:1" rel="noopener">China National Building Material (3323 HK)</a> are the most likely ones to gain the most.</li>
<li>The newly listed companies in Hong Kong are exposed due to the translation of massive HKD proceeds to Rmb, with the impact on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sicc-co-ltd-e5b2bacc-ed46-4d8e-bfb1-ff952e730eae" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:45752:1" rel="noopener">SICC (2631 HK)</a> being the heaviest. </li>
</ul>


The appreciation of Rmb will bring benefits to some companies. With a lower USD rate and an inflow of funds to China, this trend is expected to continue into 2026.

H World Group (1179 HK), China Everbright Environment (257 HK), and China National Building Material (3323 HK) are the most likely ones to gain the most.
The newly listed companies in Hong Kong are exposed due to the translation of massive HKD proceeds to Rmb, with the impact on SICC (2631 HK) being the heaviest. 


China Strategy: Revisiting the Rmb Appreciation Story

China

Air China Limited provides passenger, cargo, and airline-related services in China.  The Company is primarily based in Beijing and a major hub for domestic and international air transportation.  Air China's airline-related services include aircraft maintenance, repair, overhaul service, ground services, and in-flight catering services.

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Air China Ltd (A) (601111 CH)

Monthly Chinese Tourism Tracker | January-February Growth Softer | Fuel Surcharges Could Hit Demand

On a combined basis, January-February Chinese air travel rose modestly compare to 2025. If carriers follow through with planned fuel surcharges,...

Tracking Traffic

Monthly Chinese Tourism Tracker | January Impacted by LNY Timing | Initial LNY 2026 Numbers So-So

January's Chinese tourism activity data were hurt by the timing of the LNY holiday. We have initial holiday numbers, but we'll get a better sense...

Tracking Traffic

OIL: When a Short-Term Spike Becomes Long-Term Reality

So far, global markets remain optimistic that the damage from the war in Iran will be repaired relatively soon; however, that will change as the...

David Mudd

HK Strategy: Assessing the Oil Vulnerability

Rise in Brent oil prices due to US-Iran conflicts hits airlines and marine transportation sectors as fuel and bunker costs increase, with China...

Osbert Tang, CFA

China Strategy: Revisiting the Rmb Appreciation Story

The Rmb has accelerated its appreciation this year, with a gain of 1.1% against the USD in just under 1.5 months. In 2025, it appreciated 4.3%,...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Monthly Chinese Tourism Tracker | January-February Growth Softer | Fuel Surcharges Could Hit Demand

On a combined basis, January-February Chinese air travel rose modestly compare to 2025. If carriers follow through with planned fuel surcharges,...

Tracking Traffic

Monthly Chinese Tourism Tracker | January Impacted by LNY Timing | Initial LNY 2026 Numbers So-So

January's Chinese tourism activity data were hurt by the timing of the LNY holiday. We have initial holiday numbers, but we'll get a better sense...

Tracking Traffic

OIL: When a Short-Term Spike Becomes Long-Term Reality

So far, global markets remain optimistic that the damage from the war in Iran will be repaired relatively soon; however, that will change as the...

David Mudd

HK Strategy: Assessing the Oil Vulnerability

​Rise in Brent oil prices due to US-Iran conflicts hits airlines and marine transportation sectors as fuel and bunker costs increase, with China...

Osbert Tang, CFA

China Strategy: Revisiting the Rmb Appreciation Story

The Rmb has accelerated its appreciation this year, with a gain of 1.1% against the USD in just under 1.5 months. In 2025, it appreciated 4.3%,...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Rise in Brent oil prices due to US-Iran conflicts hits airlines and marine transportation sectors as fuel and bunker costs increase, with China...