Asian Equities Analyst, Logistics & Transport, Tracking Traffic

Daniel Hellberg

Asian Equities Analyst, Logistics & Transport

Tracking Traffic

Focusing on Asian logistics, transportation, and travel companies

Event-Driven

<p>Earlier this week, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/maanshan-dingtai-rare-a" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4128:1" rel="noopener">S.F. Holding (002352 CH)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yto-express" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20319:1" rel="noopener">YTO Express (600233 CH)</a> became the first two Chinese express companies to report Q320 results.</p><p>Market leader SF Holding continued its recent winning streak in Q3, with Revenue, Gross Profit, and Net EPS climbing YoY by 34%, 25%, and 52%, respectively.</p><p>Meanwhile, YTO Express struggled: Revenue was up 15% YoY on strong volume gains, but Gross Profit declined by 30% YoY and Net EPS fell by 29%. We expect similarly weak results from the other four listed Chinese express companies when they report Q3 earnings in the coming weeks. </p><p>More interesting than the two results themselves is that SF Holding continues to increase its share of the express sector's Gross Profits. From about half of the total in 2017-19, SF Holding's share of the total jumped to over 70% of the total in the first three quarters of 2020. </p><p>Superior profitability matters: it allows SF Holding to invest aggressively in new technologies that should expand its lead over the other express companies. Smaller express companies with declining profitability increasingly face an array of tough choices that include new equity fundraising, CapEx cuts, and lower service quality. </p><p>We believe SF Holding will continue to extend its lead over the rest of the sector, and maintain our BUY rating on the stock. A better way to play sector consolidation, however, could be through <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/best-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:25494:1" rel="noopener">BEST Inc (BEST US)</a>, a small-cap player that could become a potential acquisition target. </p>

Earlier this week, S.F. Holding (002352 CH) and YTO Express (600233 CH) became the first two Chinese express companies to report Q320 results.Market leader SF Holding continued its recent winning streak in Q3, with Revenue, Gross Profit, and Net EPS climbing YoY by 34%, 25%, and 52%, respectively.Meanwhile, YTO Express struggled: Revenue was up 15% YoY on strong volume gains, but Gross Profit declined by 30% YoY and Net EPS fell by 29%. We expect similarly weak results from the other four listed Chinese express companies when they report Q3 earnings in the coming weeks. More interesting than the two results themselves is that SF Holding continues to increase its share of the express sector's Gross Profits. From about half of the total in 2017-19, SF Holding's share of the total jumped to over 70% of the total in the first three quarters of 2020. Superior profitability matters: it allows SF Holding to invest aggressively in new technologies that should expand its lead over the other express companies. Smaller express companies with declining profitability increasingly face an array of tough choices that include new equity fundraising, CapEx cuts, and lower service quality. We believe SF Holding will continue to extend its lead over the rest of the sector, and maintain our BUY rating on the stock. A better way to play sector consolidation, however, could be through BEST Inc (BEST US), a small-cap player that could become a potential acquisition target. 

Divergent Q320 Results from SF Holding & YTO Express Show Pressure to Consolidate Is Building

Financials & FinTech research, Galliano’s Financials Research

Victor Galliano

Financials & FinTech research

Financials & FinTech, EM & Developed Markets

Galliano’s Financials Research

Galliano's Financials Research provides fundamental research in Emerging Markets financials, including FinTech, as well as financials in select Developed Markets.

The investment style applied is generally value oriented, although Growth At Reasonable Price (GARP) strategies can also be used where appropriate. 

Our investment research approach aim is often contrarian, looking to capitalise on overly sceptical or optimistic consensus views. In terms of valuation techniques, the focus is on PBV ratio to ROE, PE multiples and dividend yield, as well as the application of PEG ratios and, where appropriate, Sum of the Parts (SOTP) valuations.

Equity Capital Markets

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ant-financial-services-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24240:1" rel="noopener">Ant Group (6688 HK)</a> has priced above the initial market capitalisation range of USD200 to USD300bn, at USD317bn including its over-allotment option of shares</li>
<li>Ant’s IPO valuation reflects the assumptions in our ambitious scenario SOTP valuation</li>
<li>Based on earnings and EBITDA multiples, Ant Group looks attractive relative to payments companies and fast growth investment and wealth managers</li>
<li>Ant is at a slight discount to the China MegaTech comparables, and we believe that it warrants a premium valuation to its China peers</li>
<li>Ant’s premium growth potential in digital finance, leveraging off its leading digital payments footprint, indicates further upside potential to the shares post IPO, in our view</li>
<li>Risks to our positive view on Ant Group include increased regulatory restrictions in China, heightened geopolitical tensions impacting demand for the shares at IPO and weaker than expected GDP growth limiting growth potential, especially in China</li>
</ul>



Ant Group (6688 HK) has priced above the initial market capitalisation range of USD200 to USD300bn, at USD317bn including its over-allotment option of shares
Ant’s IPO valuation reflects the assumptions in our ambitious scenario SOTP valuation
Based on earnings and EBITDA multiples, Ant Group looks attractive relative to payments companies and fast growth investment and wealth managers
Ant is at a slight discount to the China MegaTech comparables, and we believe that it warrants a premium valuation to its China peers
Ant’s premium growth potential in digital finance, leveraging off its leading digital payments footprint, indicates further upside potential to the shares post IPO, in our view
Risks to our positive view on Ant Group include increased regulatory restrictions in China, heightened geopolitical tensions impacting demand for the shares at IPO and weaker than expected GDP growth limiting growth potential, especially in China


Ant Group (6688 HK): IPO Pricing Warrants a Re-Rating

Overseas Chinese Equities, Aequitas Research

Ming Lu

Overseas Chinese Equities

IPOs and Placements coverage across Asia Pacific

Aequitas Research

We cover all listing across the Asia Pacific along with follow-up placements. As of Dec 2020, our team had covered 539 IPOs with a hit rate of 73.5% and 685 placements with a hit rate of 66.8%.

We combine fundamental bottom-up views with our proprietary quantitative framework to provide a holistic coverage across new listings and placements. Our coverage includes pre-IPO notes before the deal is launched, follow-up analysis once the deal is live and post-listing trading analysis as well.

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Alibaba allows the five delivery companies it invested in to cut the “to door” service to reduce costs.</li>
<li>On the contrary, JD.com (JD)’s JD Logistics still delivers parcels to consumers' home.</li>
<li>We believe Alibaba is driving consumers to JD.com.</li>
</ul>


Alibaba allows the five delivery companies it invested in to cut the “to door” service to reduce costs.
On the contrary, JD.com (JD)’s JD Logistics still delivers parcels to consumers' home.
We believe Alibaba is driving consumers to JD.com.


Alibaba (BABA): Weakening Delivery Service, a Disadvantage Compared to JD.com

Head of Research, IPOs & Placements, Aequitas Research

Sumeet Singh

Head of Research, IPOs & Placements

<div><p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ant-financial-services-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24240:1" rel="noopener">Ant Financial (1051260D CH)</a> aims to raise around USD35bn via a dual listing on both Hong Kong Exchange and Shanghai STAR board. </p></div><div><p>We have covered various aspects of the deal in our earlier notes, link to which are below.</p></div><div><p>In this insight, I'll talk about the deal structure, valuations and look at the early inclusion timelines for the FTSE and MSCI indices.</p></div><div><div><h3>Our previous coverage on Ant Group</h3></div></div><div><ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li dir="ltr"><p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/ant-financial-ipo-early-thought-what-s-new-about-the-listing-news" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ant Financial IPO Early Thought: Understand the Fintech Empire, Growth and Risk Factors</a></p></li>
<li dir="ltr"><p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/ant-financial-ipo-early-thought-understand-the-fintech-empire-growth-and-risk-factors" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ant Financial (蚂蚁金服) IPO Early Thought: What’s New About the Listing News</a></p></li>
<li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/ant-group-ipo-first-take-no-1-fintech-from-all-angles" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ant Group (蚂蚁集团) IPO First-Take: No. 1 Fintech from All Angles</a></li>
<li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/ant-group-ipo-numbers-suggest-it-s-more-tech-than-financials" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ant Group (蚂蚁集团) IPO: Numbers Suggest It’s More Tech than Financials</a></li>
<li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/ant-group-pre-ipo-things-to-clarify-questions-to-ask-falling-fees-margins-cash-flow" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ant Group (蚂蚁集团) Pre-IPO: Things to Clarify/​Questions to Ask - Falling Fees, Margins, Cash Flow</a></li>
<li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/ant-group-pre-ipo-dual-listing-makes-early-index-inclusion-tricky" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ant Group (蚂蚁集团) Pre-IPO: Dual Listing Makes Early Index Inclusion Tricky</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/alipay-s-advantage-over-wechat-pay-in-physical-stores" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AliPay’s Advantage over WeChat Pay in Physical Stores</a></li>
</ul></div><div><ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/ant-group-running-neck-and-neck-with-tencent-in-direct-financial-services" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ant Group (蚂蚁集团) Running Neck and Neck with Tencent in Direct Financial Services</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/ant-group-pre-ipo-impact-assessment-of-the-new-rule-for-financial-holding-companies" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ant Group (蚂蚁集团) Pre-IPO: Impact Assessment of the New Rule for Financial Holding Companies</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/ant-group-pre-ipo-peer-comparison-payments-baffling-scale-small-tweaks-for-large-profits" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ant Group Pre-IPO: Peer Comparison - Payments - Baffling Scale, Small Tweaks for Large Profits</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/ant-group-pre-ipo-peer-comparison-credittech-larger-scale-similar-growth-lower-credit-risk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ant Group Pre-IPO: Peer Comparison - CreditTech - Larger Scale, Similar Growth, Lower Credit Risk</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/ant-group-pre-ipo-first-stab-at-valuation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ant Group Pre-IPO: First Stab at Valuation</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/ant-group-pre-ipo-quick-take-on-ftse-and-msci-s-clearer-guidelines" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ant Group Pre-IPO: Quick Take on FTSE and MSCI’s Clearer Guidelines</a></li>
</ul></div><div><ul style="list-style-type: disc;"><li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/ant-group-pre-ipo-deal-structure-phip-updates-short-term-trades" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ant Group Pre-IPO: Deal Structure, PHIP Updates, Short-Term Trades</a></li></ul></div><ul><li><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/ant-group-pre-ipo-updated-valuation-it-s-going-higher" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ant Group Pre-IPO: Updated Valuation. It’s Going Higher.</a></li></ul>

Ant Financial (1051260D CH) aims to raise around USD35bn via a dual listing on both Hong Kong Exchange and Shanghai STAR board. We have covered various aspects of the deal in our earlier notes, link to which are below.In this insight, I'll talk about the deal structure, valuations and look at the early inclusion timelines for the FTSE and MSCI indices.Our previous coverage on Ant Group
Ant Financial IPO Early Thought: Understand the Fintech Empire, Growth and Risk Factors
Ant Financial (蚂蚁金服) IPO Early Thought: What’s New About the Listing News
Ant Group (蚂蚁集团) IPO First-Take: No. 1 Fintech from All Angles
Ant Group (蚂蚁集团) IPO: Numbers Suggest It’s More Tech than Financials
Ant Group (蚂蚁集团) Pre-IPO: Things to Clarify/​Questions to Ask - Falling Fees, Margins, Cash Flow
Ant Group (蚂蚁集团) Pre-IPO: Dual Listing Makes Early Index Inclusion Tricky
AliPay’s Advantage over WeChat Pay in Physical Stores

Ant Group (蚂蚁集团) Running Neck and Neck with Tencent in Direct Financial Services
Ant Group (蚂蚁集团) Pre-IPO: Impact Assessment of the New Rule for Financial Holding Companies
Ant Group Pre-IPO: Peer Comparison - Payments - Baffling Scale, Small Tweaks for Large Profits
Ant Group Pre-IPO: Peer Comparison - CreditTech - Larger Scale, Similar Growth, Lower Credit Risk
Ant Group Pre-IPO: First Stab at Valuation
Ant Group Pre-IPO: Quick Take on FTSE and MSCI’s Clearer Guidelines
Ant Group Pre-IPO: Deal Structure, PHIP Updates, Short-Term TradesAnt Group Pre-IPO: Updated Valuation. It’s Going Higher.

Ant Group IPO: Final Say. Strategics, Index Impact

IPOs and Catalysts/Events, Global Equity Research Ltd

Arun George

IPOs and Catalysts/Events

Uncompromised, Independent, Conflict-Free Research

Global Equity Research Ltd

Global Equity Research was started in 2017 by a group of experienced research professionals. It was founded on a passionate belief in the importance and the need for uncompromised, independent, conflict-free research. We aim to provide differentiated and actionable primary and bottom up fundamental research.

<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ant-financial-services-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24240:1" rel="noopener">Ant Group (1051260D CH)</a> is the leading digital payments provider and leading digital finance platform in China based on total payment volume and transaction volume, respectively, according to iResearch and Oliver Wyman. In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/ant-group-ipo-initiation-it-s-a-bug-s-life" target="_blank" rel="noopener">our initiation note</a>, we stated that Ant is a unique market-leading asset with attractive fundamentals.</p><div class="content-highlight"><p>Ant has launched its concurrent Hong Kong and STAR Market IPO to raise proceeds of $34.4 billion. The offer shares will be split evenly between Hong Kong and Shanghai. At the H share IPO price of HK$80.00, Ant will command a market cap of HK$2,430 billion ($313 billion). Overall, we think that the IPO price is reasonable for a unique market-leading asset with attractive fundamentals.</p></div>

Ant Group (1051260D CH) is the leading digital payments provider and leading digital finance platform in China based on total payment volume and transaction volume, respectively, according to iResearch and Oliver Wyman. In our initiation note, we stated that Ant is a unique market-leading asset with attractive fundamentals.Ant has launched its concurrent Hong Kong and STAR Market IPO to raise proceeds of $34.4 billion. The offer shares will be split evenly between Hong Kong and Shanghai. At the H share IPO price of HK$80.00, Ant will command a market cap of HK$2,430 billion ($313 billion). Overall, we think that the IPO price is reasonable for a unique market-leading asset with attractive fundamentals.

China

Alibaba Group Holding Limited provides online sales services. The Company provides internet infrastructure, electronic commerce, online financial, and internet content services through its subsidiaries. Alibaba Group Holding offers its products and services worldwide.

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Alibaba (9988 HK)

Divergent Q320 Results from SF Holding & YTO Express Show Pressure to Consolidate Is Building

SF Holding posted another set of strong results in Q3, while BABA-aligned YTO Express struggled (again). Our view: SF Holding's rising share of...

Tracking Traffic

Ant Group (6688 HK): IPO Pricing Warrants a Re-Rating

Ant Group's share price at IPO is above the original expected range; still, we expect solid share re-rating potential given its growth prospects...

Victor Galliano

Alibaba (BABA): Weakening Delivery Service, a Disadvantage Compared to JD.com

Alibaba allows the five delivery companies it invested in to cut the “to door” service to reduce costs. On the contrary, JD Logistics still...

Ming Lu

Ant Group IPO: Final Say. Strategics, Index Impact

Ant Group will raise USD35bn via an IPO in HK and Shanghai. We have covered various aspects of the deal in our earlier notes. In this note, I'll...

Sumeet Singh

Ant Group IPO: Valuation Insights

Ant has launched its concurrent Hong Kong and STAR Market IPO to raise $34.4 billion. Overall, we think that the IPO price is reasonable for a...

Arun George

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