HK/China Equity Long-Short

Osbert Tang, CFA

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/anta-sports-products-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10261:1" rel="noopener">Anta Sports Products (2020 HK)</a> achieved a decent 3Q23 with sales performance of major brands outperformed. With a low comparison base, 4Q23 sales will be even more impressive. </li>
<li>Indications are that sales for the Golden Week are satisfactory and "double-11" sales are optimistic. The acquisition of MAIA ACTIVE will further add to its product portfolio.</li>
<li>Amer's IPO is another catalyst and reports are that this has been filed in the US. Anta Sports' stake may be valued at US$4bn, almost 12% of its market cap.</li>
</ul>



Anta Sports Products (2020 HK) achieved a decent 3Q23 with sales performance of major brands outperformed. With a low comparison base, 4Q23 sales will be even more impressive. 
Indications are that sales for the Golden Week are satisfactory and "double-11" sales are optimistic. The acquisition of MAIA ACTIVE will further add to its product portfolio.
Amer's IPO is another catalyst and reports are that this has been filed in the US. Anta Sports' stake may be valued at US$4bn, almost 12% of its market cap.


Anta Sports (2020 HK): Bucking the Challenging Trend

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-dongxiang-group-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1068:1" rel="noopener">China Dongxiang (3818 HK)</a> posted good FY22/23 result, supporting by sharp recovery in its investment portfolio contribution. Its apparel business also witnessed narrowing losses.</li>
<li>It trades on 0.2x P/B, with most of book value being cash and investment portfolio. It is true that it deserves a discount but this is just too deep.</li>
<li>Fading pandemic impact should be positive to CNDX's apparel business - it has already witnessed a 5.6pp increase in offline sales. More brand promotion should be a positive driver.</li>
</ul>



China Dongxiang (3818 HK) posted good FY22/23 result, supporting by sharp recovery in its investment portfolio contribution. Its apparel business also witnessed narrowing losses.
It trades on 0.2x P/B, with most of book value being cash and investment portfolio. It is true that it deserves a discount but this is just too deep.
Fading pandemic impact should be positive to CNDX's apparel business - it has already witnessed a 5.6pp increase in offline sales. More brand promotion should be a positive driver.


China Dongxiang (3818 HK): Demonstrating the Capability to Come Back

<ul>
<li>The new share placement of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/anta-sports-products-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10261:1" rel="noopener">Anta Sports Products (2020 HK)</a> has caught the market by surprise, but we think long-term story for the company should not be affected.</li>
<li>With proceeds to be used for repayment of outstanding debts, expansion in China and pursuing SE Asia markets, we should not overlook the benefits to be generated. </li>
<li>An IPO of Amer Sports is clearly brewing and this represents an important catalyst. Anta's 26.4x and 20.9x FY23 and FY24 PERs do not look stretched relative to earnings growth. </li>
</ul>


The new share placement of Anta Sports Products (2020 HK) has caught the market by surprise, but we think long-term story for the company should not be affected.
With proceeds to be used for repayment of outstanding debts, expansion in China and pursuing SE Asia markets, we should not overlook the benefits to be generated. 
An IPO of Amer Sports is clearly brewing and this represents an important catalyst. Anta's 26.4x and 20.9x FY23 and FY24 PERs do not look stretched relative to earnings growth. 


Anta Sports (2020 HK): Our View After Placement

<ul>
<li>With the recent rally in the equity markets in Hong Kong and China, we think the asset play investment thesis for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-dongxiang-group-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1068:1" rel="noopener">China Dongxiang Group Co (3818 HK)</a> has revived.  </li>
<li>We estimate its investment portfolio value may have increased by HK$2bn since end-Sep, yet market capitalisation only rose HK$500m, suggesting still significant 77% discount. </li>
<li>Encouraging recent developments at <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alibaba-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28434:1" rel="noopener">Alibaba Group (9988 HK)</a> and Ant Financial, which both are its holdings, are positive. The reduction is losses for sportswear business is an added driver. </li>
</ul>


With the recent rally in the equity markets in Hong Kong and China, we think the asset play investment thesis for China Dongxiang Group Co (3818 HK) has revived.  
We estimate its investment portfolio value may have increased by HK$2bn since end-Sep, yet market capitalisation only rose HK$500m, suggesting still significant 77% discount. 
Encouraging recent developments at Alibaba Group (9988 HK) and Ant Financial, which both are its holdings, are positive. The reduction is losses for sportswear business is an added driver. 


China Dongxiang (3818 HK): Extremely Deep Discount to Cash and Investments

<ul>
<li>The potential IPO of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/anta-sports-products-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10261:1" rel="noopener">Anta Sports Products (2020 HK)</a>'s 52.7% owned Amer Sports is positive in unlocking the latter's underlying value, though the impact is quite limited.</li>
<li>Assuming a P/S of 1.8x (30% discount to peers) and 25% enlargement in share capital, we estimate the exercise may bring ~HK$6n of potential pre-tax deemed disposal gain.</li>
<li>Although Anta Sports may not receive any cash, it can still pay out special dividends given its Rmb12bn net cash, and this will raise FY23 dividend yield to 3.1%.  </li>
</ul>


The potential IPO of Anta Sports Products (2020 HK)'s 52.7% owned Amer Sports is positive in unlocking the latter's underlying value, though the impact is quite limited.
Assuming a P/S of 1.8x (30% discount to peers) and 25% enlargement in share capital, we estimate the exercise may bring ~HK$6n of potential pre-tax deemed disposal gain.
Although Anta Sports may not receive any cash, it can still pay out special dividends given its Rmb12bn net cash, and this will raise FY23 dividend yield to 3.1%.  


Anta Sports (2020 HK): Assessing the Impact of a Potential Amer Sports IPO

China

China Dongxiang (Group) Co., Ltd. designs, develops, markets, and sells sport-related apparel, footwear, and accessories under brands such as Kappa and Phenix. The company also engages in retail sales of sportswear, investments in financial assets, and other ventures including children's clothing, hotel management, tourism, and real estate. It was founded in 2002 and is headquartered in Beijing, People's Republic of China.

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

China Dongxiang (3818 HK)

Anta Sports (2020 HK): Bucking the Challenging Trend

Anta Sports had a solid 3Q23, with major brand sales outperforming. 4Q23 sales are expected to be even better. Acquisition of MAIA ACTIVE and...

Osbert Tang, CFA