Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

Last year, the major gas pipeline companies owned by the SOEs all announced they were selling their intercity infrastructure and port offloading and storage operations to a new SOE called PipeChina. A few SOEs signed Sale and Purchase agreements in mid-2020. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kunlun-energy-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10054:1" rel="noopener">Kunlun Energy (135 HK)</a> signed theirs in December. For Kunlun, that agreement went through at the end of March. The bulk of the payment should have gone through at the end of April, and When Kunlun reported its earnings in late March, it reported full-year on an ongoing basis with the Discontinued Assets representing a different set of numbers. At that point, Kunlun became an energy distribution company which was primarily a city gas company, and a big pile of cash. As <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/osbert-tang-cfa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:3879" rel="noopener">Osbert Tang, CFA</a> discussed in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/kunlun-energy-135-hk-a-fantastic-1q21-at-kunlun-gas" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:50930" rel="noopener">Kunlun Energy (135 HK): A Fantastic 1Q21 at Kunlun Gas</a> the largest contributor to the remaining business had a "fantastic Q1". Year-on-year results this year were always going to be "good" simply because of the growth from start of year to end of year in 2020. Straightline serial no-growth in 2021 would still have resulted in year-on-year growth, which itself seemed not to be in the minds of analysts looking at the pro-forma post-sale Kunlun. Surprisingly, since the announcement in December that the trade had been done, while Kunlun is up, because others are up just as much, the relative cheapness of Kunlun vs peers has actually increased.Below are data/visualizations suggesting how to look at Kunlun today.

Last year, the major gas pipeline companies owned by the SOEs all announced they were selling their intercity infrastructure and port offloading and storage operations to a new SOE called PipeChina. A few SOEs signed Sale and Purchase agreements in mid-2020. Kunlun Energy (135 HK) signed theirs in December. For Kunlun, that agreement went through at the end of March. The bulk of the payment should have gone through at the end of April, and When Kunlun reported its earnings in late March, it reported full-year on an ongoing basis with the Discontinued Assets representing a different set of numbers. At that point, Kunlun became an energy distribution company which was primarily a city gas company, and a big pile of cash. As Osbert Tang, CFA discussed in Kunlun Energy (135 HK): A Fantastic 1Q21 at Kunlun Gas the largest contributor to the remaining business had a "fantastic Q1". Year-on-year results this year were always going to be "good" simply because of the growth from start of year to end of year in 2020. Straightline serial no-growth in 2021 would still have resulted in year-on-year growth, which itself seemed not to be in the minds of analysts looking at the pro-forma post-sale Kunlun. Surprisingly, since the announcement in December that the trade had been done, while Kunlun is up, because others are up just as much, the relative cheapness of Kunlun vs peers has actually increased.Below are data/visualizations suggesting how to look at Kunlun today. 

Kunlun Energy (135 HK) Approaching The Special Div - Still The Wrong Price

HK/China Equity Long-Short

Osbert Tang, CFA

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>We think <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kunlun-energy-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10054:1" rel="noopener">Kunlun Energy (135 HK)</a> will see its operating momentum accelerate in 2H23, leading by better natural gas sales growth and sustained positive dollar margin performance.</li>
<li>It has strengthened its financial position in 1H23, with net cash amounting to 36% of market cap. This has demonstrated its cash-generating capability and controlled capex. </li>
<li>Its 7.0x and 6.6x PERs for FY23 and FY24 are inexpensive. Its annualised ROE of 10.6% is also attractive. There is room for the other businesses to recover in 2H23.</li>
</ul>


We think Kunlun Energy (135 HK) will see its operating momentum accelerate in 2H23, leading by better natural gas sales growth and sustained positive dollar margin performance.
It has strengthened its financial position in 1H23, with net cash amounting to 36% of market cap. This has demonstrated its cash-generating capability and controlled capex. 
Its 7.0x and 6.6x PERs for FY23 and FY24 are inexpensive. Its annualised ROE of 10.6% is also attractive. There is room for the other businesses to recover in 2H23.


Kunlun Energy (135 HK): The Story Is Still Going On

<ul>
<li>While <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-gas-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14315:1" rel="noopener">China Gas Holdings (384 HK)</a> expects better gas dollar margin HoH, there are still high profit uncertainties and its full-year operational guidance does not look exciting.</li>
<li>The expectation of flat to 10% YoY decline in new residential household connections is not encouraging. With 1H FY23 profit only amounted to 42% of consensus, we see downgrade risks.</li>
<li>Despite achieving positive free cash flow, its high gearing of 69.9% (+4pp HoH) is still very stretched relative to peers. We prefer <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kunlun-energy-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10054:1" rel="noopener">Kunlun Energy (135 HK)</a>.</li>
</ul>


While China Gas Holdings (384 HK) expects better gas dollar margin HoH, there are still high profit uncertainties and its full-year operational guidance does not look exciting.
The expectation of flat to 10% YoY decline in new residential household connections is not encouraging. With 1H FY23 profit only amounted to 42% of consensus, we see downgrade risks.
Despite achieving positive free cash flow, its high gearing of 69.9% (+4pp HoH) is still very stretched relative to peers. We prefer Kunlun Energy (135 HK).


China Gas Holdings (384 HK): Still Not Meeting Expectations

<ul>
<li>Core net profit rose a healthy 10.9% at <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/enn-energy-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:316:1" rel="noopener">ENN Energy (2688 HK)</a> in 1H22 despite challenges from pandemic lockdowns and surge in input costs.</li>
<li>We expect to see sequential improvement in both dollar margin for gas sales and overall gross margin in 2H22. Excellent integrated energy pipeline should add to earnings momentum.</li>
<li>Gearing improved 2.2pp in 1H22 and there is more room to deleverage in 2H22. While the stock's valuation is not particularly cheap, it has probably already hit the trough. </li>
</ul>


Core net profit rose a healthy 10.9% at ENN Energy (2688 HK) in 1H22 despite challenges from pandemic lockdowns and surge in input costs.
We expect to see sequential improvement in both dollar margin for gas sales and overall gross margin in 2H22. Excellent integrated energy pipeline should add to earnings momentum.
Gearing improved 2.2pp in 1H22 and there is more room to deleverage in 2H22. While the stock's valuation is not particularly cheap, it has probably already hit the trough. 


ENN Energy (2688 HK): Seeing Sign of an Upturn

<ul>
<li>We continued to be cautious on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-gas-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14315:1" rel="noopener">China Gas Holdings (384 HK)</a> given the challenges faced. It guided for a flat dollar margin in FY23 but we think this is optimistic.</li>
<li>Connection fees are likely to stay under pressure after a 42.1% decline in FY22. It only projects 2.6-2.9m new residential connections for FY23, compared with 2.9m in FY22.</li>
<li>Although China Gas is now the cheapest Hong Kong-listed China gas utilities company, it takes time to regain market confidence. At similar valuation, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kunlun-energy-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10054:1" rel="noopener">Kunlun Energy (135 HK)</a> looks more interesting. </li>
</ul>


We continued to be cautious on China Gas Holdings (384 HK) given the challenges faced. It guided for a flat dollar margin in FY23 but we think this is optimistic.
Connection fees are likely to stay under pressure after a 42.1% decline in FY22. It only projects 2.6-2.9m new residential connections for FY23, compared with 2.9m in FY22.
Although China Gas is now the cheapest Hong Kong-listed China gas utilities company, it takes time to regain market confidence. At similar valuation, Kunlun Energy (135 HK) looks more interesting. 


China Gas Holdings (384 HK): Not Giving It the Benefit of Doubt

China

Bestsun Energy Co., Ltd is a natural gas distributor. The Company invests in natural gas pipelines, liquefied natural gas, and natural gas vehicle fillings stations. Bestsun also provides gas appliances, installations, and maintenances.

Price Gauge
52-week Range	0.00 - 0.00
Market Cap (USDm)	0.00
P/E	0.00
Dividend (Yield)	0.00

Bestsun Energy Co (600681 CH)

Kunlun Energy (135 HK) Approaching The Special Div - Still The Wrong Price

Kunlun has outperformed its peers since the announcement of the disposal of its pipeline business. There is one week til the ex-date of the special...

Travis Lundy

Kunlun Energy (135 HK): The Story Is Still Going On

Kunlun is expected to accelerate its operating momentum in 2H23, driven by increased natural gas sales and a positive dollar margin. Its strong...

Osbert Tang, CFA

China Gas Holdings (384 HK): Still Not Meeting Expectations

1H FY23 result is disappointing and we see downside risks for consensus forecasts. We think 2H earnings will be at best flattish and its high...

Osbert Tang, CFA

ENN Energy (2688 HK): Seeing Sign of an Upturn

Dollar margin recovery, strong integrated energy pipeline and value added business growth are key drivers for ENN Energy in 2H22 and FY23....

Osbert Tang, CFA

China Gas Holdings (384 HK): Not Giving It the Benefit of Doubt

China Gas has a diasppointing FY22 and we think its operating and financial guidances for FY23 are likely to be optimistic. We prefer Kunlun Energy...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Kunlun Energy (135 HK) Approaching The Special Div - Still The Wrong Price

Kunlun has outperformed its peers since the announcement of the disposal of its pipeline business. There is one week til the ex-date of the special...

Travis Lundy

Kunlun Energy (135 HK): The Story Is Still Going On

​Kunlun is expected to accelerate its operating momentum in 2H23, driven by increased natural gas sales and a positive dollar margin. Its strong...

Osbert Tang, CFA

China Gas Holdings (384 HK): Still Not Meeting Expectations

1H FY23 result is disappointing and we see downside risks for consensus forecasts. We think 2H earnings will be at best flattish and its high...

Osbert Tang, CFA

ENN Energy (2688 HK): Seeing Sign of an Upturn

Dollar margin recovery, strong integrated energy pipeline and value added business growth are key drivers for ENN Energy in 2H22 and FY23....

Osbert Tang, CFA

China Gas Holdings (384 HK): Not Giving It the Benefit of Doubt

China Gas has a diasppointing FY22 and we think its operating and financial guidances for FY23 are likely to be optimistic. We prefer Kunlun Energy...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Kunlun is expected to accelerate its operating momentum in 2H23, driven by increased natural gas sales and a positive dollar margin. Its strong...