HK/China Equity Long-Short

Osbert Tang, CFA

Equity Bottom-Up

<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> demonstrates resilience amid market concerns on policy uncertainties by posting a 40.5% growth in 1H22 reported net profit and 20.1% growth in adjusted net profit. </li>
<li>Higher education segment saw 44% profit growth and strengths will sustain into 2H22. Weaker secondary vocational and global education segments will witness a sharp recovery, based on latest application statistics.</li>
<li>CEG has secured increase in tuition and quota in the coming school year, and this will boost FY23 outlook. It opts for an Rmb500m buyback, instead of paying interim dividend.</li>
</ul>



China Education Group (839 HK) demonstrates resilience amid market concerns on policy uncertainties by posting a 40.5% growth in 1H22 reported net profit and 20.1% growth in adjusted net profit. 
Higher education segment saw 44% profit growth and strengths will sustain into 2H22. Weaker secondary vocational and global education segments will witness a sharp recovery, based on latest application statistics.
CEG has secured increase in tuition and quota in the coming school year, and this will boost FY23 outlook. It opts for an Rmb500m buyback, instead of paying interim dividend.


China Education Group (839 HK): Impressive 1H22 Result, Positive Takeaways from Call

Equity, Bottom-up Analyst, Investics Research

Sameer Taneja

Equity, Bottom-up Analyst

Investics Research

It is important to note that the information provided by Investics Research is based on publicly available data and own knowledge, which has been gathered and analyzed from a variety of sources. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information provided, it is not guaranteed to be free from errors or omissions. All forecasts and estimates are based on information that has been obtained from public sources that are considered to be reliable. The sources include but are not limited to, company announcements, exchange filings, presentations, etc. Investics does not guarantee the accuracy and completeness of the forecasts, estimates, and/or other information.

Equity Bottom-up Research

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<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/edvantage-group-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28114:1" rel="noopener">Edvantage Group (382 HK)</a>, a play on higher education and vocation in China, now trades at 4.9x FY22e/3.8x FY23e. Concerns over the regulatory overhang are overdone, although they do exist.</li>
<li>With a 30% payout ratio, the stock now trades at dividend yields of 6.1% FY22e/7.9% FY23e, assuming an EPS CAGR of 30% from FY21-23e. </li>
<li>The company continues to execute positively in its release in Q1 FY22 with a 62% increase in gross profits YoY, and it has low gearing at 21.7%  net debt/equity. </li>
</ul>



Edvantage Group (382 HK), a play on higher education and vocation in China, now trades at 4.9x FY22e/3.8x FY23e. Concerns over the regulatory overhang are overdone, although they do exist.
With a 30% payout ratio, the stock now trades at dividend yields of 6.1% FY22e/7.9% FY23e, assuming an EPS CAGR of 30% from FY21-23e. 
The company continues to execute positively in its release in Q1 FY22 with a 62% increase in gross profits YoY, and it has low gearing at 21.7%  net debt/equity. 


Edvantage - Solid Execution Not Priced In

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>Global EdTech venture funding surged 29% YoY to US$20.8bn in 2021. China saw c.75% YoY decline in EdTech venture funding but India recorded over 60% growth.</li>
<li>Into 2022, we expect EdTech spending and market will continue to grow, venture funding becoming more selective and Asia and workforce are the fastest growing markets.</li>
<li>China stays weak in 1H22 and India will thrive. India has 4 new unicorns in 2021 while none for China. We stick to higher education, not EdTech (tutoring) in China.</li>
</ul>


Global EdTech venture funding surged 29% YoY to US$20.8bn in 2021. China saw c.75% YoY decline in EdTech venture funding but India recorded over 60% growth.
Into 2022, we expect EdTech spending and market will continue to grow, venture funding becoming more selective and Asia and workforce are the fastest growing markets.
China stays weak in 1H22 and India will thrive. India has 4 new unicorns in 2021 while none for China. We stick to higher education, not EdTech (tutoring) in China.


Asia EdTech and China Education: An Update

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<li>The 42% collapse in share price 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> (CEG) seems to be overreaction to the speculated regulatory measures which we think many of them are counter-intuitive.</li>
<li>These measures center around the legality of Variable Interest Entity, ban on future M&amp;As, ownership of school assets and prohibition of increase in tuition fee at will.</li>
<li>Higher education, unlike after school tutoring, supports government policy, lightens governments' financial pressure and enhances common prosperity; and CEG remains the best play on this angle. </li>
</ul>


The 42% collapse in share price of China Education Group (839 HK) (CEG) seems to be overreaction to the speculated regulatory measures which we think many of them are counter-intuitive.
These measures center around the legality of Variable Interest Entity, ban on future M&amp;As, ownership of school assets and prohibition of increase in tuition fee at will.
Higher education, unlike after school tutoring, supports government policy, lightens governments' financial pressure and enhances common prosperity; and CEG remains the best play on this angle. 


China Education Group (839 HK): Further Regulatory Headwinds?

<ul>
<li>China Education Sector, specifically <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>, should see better performance in 2022 as regulatory concerns gradually ease. 1H22 result for higher education segment should be a proof.</li>
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<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shenzhen-international-holdings-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9:1" rel="noopener">Shenzhen International (152 HK)</a> could reverse the bad fortune in 2022 on the back of realisation of undervalued assets, expansion of logistics facilities and better performance at Shenzhen Airlines.</li>
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<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> remains an undervalued asset play. Its ability to realise value of its investment portfolio, potential resumption of dividend payout and recovery of sportswear business are drivers.</li>
</ul>


China Education Sector, specifically China Education Group (839 HK), should see better performance in 2022 as regulatory concerns gradually ease. 1H22 result for higher education segment should be a proof.

Shenzhen International (152 HK) could reverse the bad fortune in 2022 on the back of realisation of undervalued assets, expansion of logistics facilities and better performance at Shenzhen Airlines.

China Dongxiang (3818 HK) remains an undervalued asset play. Its ability to realise value of its investment portfolio, potential resumption of dividend payout and recovery of sportswear business are drivers.


Our Three Worst Calls in Last Year and Any Room for a Reversal in 2022?

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.

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China Education Group (839 HK)