Osbert Tang, CFA

China Analyst - Equity Long-Short, Onshore Credit

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Positive response of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-education-group-holdin" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18218:1" rel="noopener">China Education Group (839 HK)</a>'s placement indicated a good return of investor appetite to the sector. Its premium multiples stay well justified even after recent rally. </li>
<li>The HK$1.6bn proceeds will reduce gearing to 29.2% (including contract liabilities) from 41.7% with minimal dilution. Narrowing in valuation gap against asking price of targets means more M&amp;A potential. </li>
<li>More funding for expansion of existing campuses, increase in accommodation and the set up of COVID-19 related curriculum will allow CEG to realise higher revenue per student.</li>
</ul>

Xin Yu, CFA

Equity Analyst

<ul>
<li>China Education Group (CEG) completed the placement of HKD1.61bn on Jan 9.</li>
<li>CEG used to do 2-3 M&amp;As per year and had a decent track record.</li>
<li>CEG also has chances to acquire public companies or their assets.</li>
</ul>

Sumeet Singh

Head of Research, IPOs & Placements

Aequitas Research

IPOs and Placements coverage across Asia Pacific

Equity Capital Markets

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-education-group-holdin" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18218:1" rel="noopener">China Education Group (839 HK)</a> is looking to raise up to US$209m in its top-up placement. </li>
<li>This will be the fourth placement by the group since its listing in 2017, we have earlier looked at the past three placements as well.</li>
<li>In this note, we will look  at the deal dynamics and run the deal through our ECM framework.</li>
</ul>

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-education-group-holdin" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18218:1" rel="noopener">China Education Group (839 HK)</a>'s 27.8% growth in net profit affirmed its solid fundamentals and minimal exposure to regulatory risks. We also welcome its resumption of dividends.</li>
<li>Management expects profitability will be driven by the 48% new student enrollment growth, potential for tuition increase and global education segment recovery. Consensus forecasts are currently too conservative.</li>
<li>Weaker 2H FY22 profit is due to higher depreciation and finance costs but will be absorbed with higher enrollment. Capex will be light and we also like its deleveraging move. </li>
</ul>

<ul>
<li>China private higher education sector is recovering with the supportive government policy</li>
<li>The sector trades at single digit P/E, which is attractive</li>
<li>China Education Group with its largest scale and solid trade record is a good candidate for investment</li>
</ul>

China

China Education Group Holdings Limited offers educational services. The Company provides private universities operating services, education training services, and other services. China Education Group Holdings offers services in Hong Kong.

ADTV (USDm)	0.00
52-week Range	0.00 - 0.00
Market Cap (USDm)	0.00
P/E	0.00
P/B	0.00
EV/EBITDA	0.00
EV/Sales	0.00
Dividend (Yield)	0.00

China Education Group - 839 HK

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