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>'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>



China Education Group (839 HK)'s 27.8% growth in net profit affirmed its solid fundamentals and minimal exposure to regulatory risks. We also welcome its resumption of dividends.
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.
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. 


China Education Group (839 HK): Shining Through

Asia Pac ECM and Index Rebal, Shenton Research

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

Asia Pac ECM and Index Rebal

Asia Pac IPO & Placement Research, China Biotech

DZT Research

DZT Research is an independent Asia Pacific equity specialist. Our quantitative research covers index rebalancing flows, alongside exchange data analytics accross Asia Pacific. On the equity capital markets side, we focus on Asia Pacific ECM, especially biotech and TMT. Our lead analyst is frequently cited by international media.

Quantitative Analysis

<ul>
<li>We analyze the weekly Hong Kong Connect flows with our data engine for holding position as of November 4th.</li>
<li>The top stocks by inflows and outflows were tabulated for all market, HSCEI, mid cap and s/mid cap groups.</li>
<li>We highlight inflows into Tencent, Meituan, Wuxi Biologics, Li Ning.</li>
</ul>


We analyze the weekly Hong Kong Connect flows with our data engine for holding position as of November 4th.
The top stocks by inflows and outflows were tabulated for all market, HSCEI, mid cap and s/mid cap groups.
We highlight inflows into Tencent, Meituan, Wuxi Biologics, Li Ning.


Hong Kong Connect Flows (Nov 4th): Tencent, Meituan, Wuxi Biologics, Li Ning

<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> has retreated 23% from recent high with no regulatory and company news. Given its secured earnings growth outlook, we see an opportunity. </li>
<li>We believe drivers are higher enrollment and tuition, further capacity growth, good progress in overseas education and light capex. There are positive developments in these aspects recently. </li>
<li>CEG may return unused share buyback funds to shareholders via dividend, suggesting a potential resumption of payout. At just 5.7x PER for FY23F, its growth prospect is undervalued.</li>
</ul>



China Education Group (839 HK) has retreated 23% from recent high with no regulatory and company news. Given its secured earnings growth outlook, we see an opportunity. 
We believe drivers are higher enrollment and tuition, further capacity growth, good progress in overseas education and light capex. There are positive developments in these aspects recently. 
CEG may return unused share buyback funds to shareholders via dividend, suggesting a potential resumption of payout. At just 5.7x PER for FY23F, its growth prospect is undervalued.


China Education Group (839 HK): Sustaining Growth Trajectory

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hope-education-group-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27321:1" rel="noopener">Hope Education Group Co Ltd (1765 HK)</a> achieved good student enrollment quota increase for 2022/2023 academic year and student recruitment results at overseas schools are also very encouraging. </li>
<li>Improvement in teaching quality and better facilities should narrow the gap of fees per student (Rmb11,814) with the national average (Rmb20,000), driving net profit growth in 3-5 years. </li>
<li>Capex will come down over time given good upside in utilisation and the removal of management fees will relieve financial position. Its relative valuation is also inexpensive. </li>
</ul>



Hope Education Group Co Ltd (1765 HK) achieved good student enrollment quota increase for 2022/2023 academic year and student recruitment results at overseas schools are also very encouraging. 
Improvement in teaching quality and better facilities should narrow the gap of fees per student (Rmb11,814) with the national average (Rmb20,000), driving net profit growth in 3-5 years. 
Capex will come down over time given good upside in utilisation and the removal of management fees will relieve financial position. Its relative valuation is also inexpensive. 


Hope Education (1765 HK): More than Just Hopes

<ul>
<li>Despite the 21% spike in share price, we believe good student enrollment outlook and earnings prospects 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> are still yet to be fully reflected.</li>
<li>The 70.1% YoY surge in approved top-up degree program quotas in China and the guidance for substantial quota increase for bachelor’s degree and junior college programs are both exciting.</li>
<li>Its comprehensive cooperation agreement with Bank of China Jiangxi Branch adds another peace of mind as this suggests support from the state and lowers regulatory risks, in our view.</li>
</ul>


Despite the 21% spike in share price, we believe good student enrollment outlook and earnings prospects of China Education Group (839 HK) are still yet to be fully reflected.
The 70.1% YoY surge in approved top-up degree program quotas in China and the guidance for substantial quota increase for bachelor’s degree and junior college programs are both exciting.
Its comprehensive cooperation agreement with Bank of China Jiangxi Branch adds another peace of mind as this suggests support from the state and lowers regulatory risks, in our view.


China Education Group (839 HK): Further Evidences for Underlying Health

Hong Kong

China Education Group operates private higher and secondary vocational education institutions across Mainland China, Australia, and the UK. The company offers a range of programs including junior college diplomas, bachelor's and master's degrees, continuing education, and vocational training, alongside educational consultancy services. It was founded in 1989 and is headquartered in Central, Hong Kong.

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China Education Group (839 HK)