HK/China Equity Long-Short

Osbert Tang, CFA

Equity Bottom-Up

We touched base with <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> to seek answers on five questions that we think are of significant interests to investors. These include topics on the impact of the rally in LNG price, mechanism for retail gas price adjustment, outlook for dollar margin, impact on the terminal and processing segment, gas volume availability and the future of the E&amp;P segment. These questions are all well answered by Kunlun's management.Overall, based on our discussions, the impact of higher LNG price on Kunlun's profitability and dollar margin should be manageable. It has secured enough gas sources and there should not be worries on shortage. We also anticipate the earnings volatility caused by the upstream E&amp;P business will be sharply lower in two to three years' time; and with better earnings stability and quality, Kunlun should continue to see re-rating.

We touched base with Kunlun Energy (135 HK) to seek answers on five questions that we think are of significant interests to investors. These include topics on the impact of the rally in LNG price, mechanism for retail gas price adjustment, outlook for dollar margin, impact on the terminal and processing segment, gas volume availability and the future of the E&amp;P segment. These questions are all well answered by Kunlun's management.Overall, based on our discussions, the impact of higher LNG price on Kunlun's profitability and dollar margin should be manageable. It has secured enough gas sources and there should not be worries on shortage. We also anticipate the earnings volatility caused by the upstream E&amp;P business will be sharply lower in two to three years' time; and with better earnings stability and quality, Kunlun should continue to see re-rating.

Kunlun Energy (135 HK): Five Questions to Management Get Answered

<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> disclosed that it has reached agreement to dispose of its 25% stake in the K&amp;K oilfields in Azerbaijan. Although the transaction is relatively small given that it does not pass the 5% threshold of the listing rule, we still think such a small move has big positive meaning. In our view, the disposal marks an important step in its plan to exit the volatile Exploration &amp; Production segment which dragged on its valuation; and the market should welcome this.The current high oil price environment is good for Kunlun from both an operational and a transactional point of view. We estimate that at crude oil price of US$75/bbl, the E&amp;P segment may bring in an addition of at least Rmb300-400m of pre-tax profit in 2H21. Despite the good share price movement YTD (+73% including dividends), it is still trading on just 11x PER for FY21, the cheapest among its key peers. The removal of a volatile E&amp;P segment from its business portfolio should narrow Kunlun's discount, in our view.

Kunlun Energy (135 HK) disclosed that it has reached agreement to dispose of its 25% stake in the K&amp;K oilfields in Azerbaijan. Although the transaction is relatively small given that it does not pass the 5% threshold of the listing rule, we still think such a small move has big positive meaning. In our view, the disposal marks an important step in its plan to exit the volatile Exploration &amp; Production segment which dragged on its valuation; and the market should welcome this.The current high oil price environment is good for Kunlun from both an operational and a transactional point of view. We estimate that at crude oil price of US$75/bbl, the E&amp;P segment may bring in an addition of at least Rmb300-400m of pre-tax profit in 2H21. Despite the good share price movement YTD (+73% including dividends), it is still trading on just 11x PER for FY21, the cheapest among its key peers. The removal of a volatile E&amp;P segment from its business portfolio should narrow Kunlun's discount, in our view. 

Kunlun Energy (135 HK): Small Move, Big Meaning

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One, Periscope Analytics

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

Index Rebalance

The September rebalance of the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hong-kong-hang-seng-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22899:1" rel="noopener">Hong Kong Hang Seng Index (HSI INDEX)</a> was implemented at the close of trading on 3 September. Hang Seng Indexes should announce the results of the December 2021 review of the Hang Seng Family of Indexes on 12 November. The constituent changes will be effective after the close of trading on 3 December.The review period for the December rebalance ends on 30 September and stocks that have at least 3 month of trading history by the review meeting date are eligible for inclusion in the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hong-kong-hang-seng-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22899:1" rel="noopener">Hong Kong Hang Seng Index (HSI INDEX)</a>.There were 3 inclusions at the June rebalance and 3 inclusions and 1 exclusion at the September rebalance to take the number of index constituents to 60.With Hang Seng Indexes looking to get up to 80 <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hong-kong-hang-seng-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22899:1" rel="noopener">Hong Kong Hang Seng Index (HSI INDEX)</a> members by mid-2022, there could be 20 inclusions over the next 3 index rebalances.Stocks that are ranked towards the top of their Industry group and are potential inclusions are <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/smoore-international" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28241:1" rel="noopener">Smoore International (6969 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nongfu-spring" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28955:1" rel="noopener">Nongfu Spring (9633 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-resources-beer-holdings" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:399:1" rel="noopener">China Resources Beer Holdings (291 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-resources-mixc-lifestyle-services" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29285:1" rel="noopener">China Resources Mixc Lifestyle Services (1209 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sunac-china-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:240:1" rel="noopener">Sunac China Holdings (1918 HK)</a>, <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>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jd-health-international-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29677:1" rel="noopener">JD Health (6618 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hansoh-pharmaceutical-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23675:1" rel="noopener">Hansoh Pharmaceutical (3692 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-hongqiao-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1909:1" rel="noopener">China Hongqiao (1378 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fosun-international-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:433:1" rel="noopener">Fosun International (656 HK)</a>.Given that the index committee consciously avoided including stocks from sectors that were targeted by tightening regulations in China, this list will be revised closer to the index committee meeting in November. Another factor that will determine the number of inclusions is the turnover at the rebalance - while it is less than 4% now with the 10 inclusions, that number will move higher as stocks move around and there are capping changes on the largest constituents.

The September rebalance of the Hong Kong Hang Seng Index (HSI INDEX) was implemented at the close of trading on 3 September. Hang Seng Indexes should announce the results of the December 2021 review of the Hang Seng Family of Indexes on 12 November. The constituent changes will be effective after the close of trading on 3 December.The review period for the December rebalance ends on 30 September and stocks that have at least 3 month of trading history by the review meeting date are eligible for inclusion in the Hong Kong Hang Seng Index (HSI INDEX).There were 3 inclusions at the June rebalance and 3 inclusions and 1 exclusion at the September rebalance to take the number of index constituents to 60.With Hang Seng Indexes looking to get up to 80 Hong Kong Hang Seng Index (HSI INDEX) members by mid-2022, there could be 20 inclusions over the next 3 index rebalances.Stocks that are ranked towards the top of their Industry group and are potential inclusions are Smoore International (6969 HK), Nongfu Spring (9633 HK), China Resources Beer Holdings (291 HK), China Resources Mixc Lifestyle Services (1209 HK), Sunac China Holdings (1918 HK), China Gas Holdings (384 HK), JD Health (6618 HK), Hansoh Pharmaceutical (3692 HK), China Hongqiao (1378 HK) and Fosun International (656 HK).Given that the index committee consciously avoided including stocks from sectors that were targeted by tightening regulations in China, this list will be revised closer to the index committee meeting in November. Another factor that will determine the number of inclusions is the turnover at the rebalance - while it is less than 4% now with the 10 inclusions, that number will move higher as stocks move around and there are capping changes on the largest constituents.

HSI Index Rebalance Preview: Potential Inclusions in December

IPOs and Catalysts/Events, Global Equity Research Ltd

Arun George

IPOs and Catalysts/Events

Uncompromised, Independent, Conflict-Free Research

Global Equity Research Ltd

Global Equity Research was started in 2017 by a group of experienced research professionals. It was founded on a passionate belief in the importance and the need for uncompromised, independent, conflict-free research. We aim to provide differentiated and actionable primary and bottom up fundamental research.

Event-Driven

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/suchuang-gas-corp-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:304:1" rel="noopener">Suchuang Gas Corp (1430 HK)</a> is the dominant piped natural gas operator in Taicang, Jiangsu Province. After market close on Wednesday, it announced a privatisation offer by way of a scheme of arrangement from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-resources-gas-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20525:1" rel="noopener">CR Gas (1193 HK)</a>. The offeror will offer either a cash alternative (HK$2.50 in cash for each scheme share) or a share alternative (1 new share in HoldCo for every scheme share).The bid represents a premium of 27.6% over the closing price of HK$1.96 per share on the undisturbed date (10 August 2021 prior to irregular price movements) and a premium of 2.9% over the closing price of HK$2.43 per share on the last trading date (13 August 2021 prior to the trading halt). The completion conditions include regulatory approvals from the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council (SASAC) and State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR). As CR Gas is a subsidiary of China Resources (Holdings) Company Limited, an SOE, regulatory approval should be forthcoming. <div class="content-highlight">The key condition precedents are the headcount test along with the scheme approved by at least 75% disinterested shareholders and &lt;10% rejection by all disinterested shareholders. As disinterested scheme shareholders represent 565.4 million shares or 62.61% of shares outstanding, the 10% blocking stake is 56.5 million shares or 6.26% of shares outstanding. Excluding the irrecovables, no disinterested shareholder holds a blocking stake. Overall, we think the offer price is ok and that the privatisation bid will be successful. </div>

Suchuang Gas Corp (1430 HK) is the dominant piped natural gas operator in Taicang, Jiangsu Province. After market close on Wednesday, it announced a privatisation offer by way of a scheme of arrangement from CR Gas (1193 HK). The offeror will offer either a cash alternative (HK$2.50 in cash for each scheme share) or a share alternative (1 new share in HoldCo for every scheme share).The bid represents a premium of 27.6% over the closing price of HK$1.96 per share on the undisturbed date (10 August 2021 prior to irregular price movements) and a premium of 2.9% over the closing price of HK$2.43 per share on the last trading date (13 August 2021 prior to the trading halt). The completion conditions include regulatory approvals from the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council (SASAC) and State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR). As CR Gas is a subsidiary of China Resources (Holdings) Company Limited, an SOE, regulatory approval should be forthcoming. The key condition precedents are the headcount test along with the scheme approved by at least 75% disinterested shareholders and &lt;10% rejection by all disinterested shareholders. As disinterested scheme shareholders represent 565.4 million shares or 62.61% of shares outstanding, the 10% blocking stake is 56.5 million shares or 6.26% of shares outstanding. Excluding the irrecovables, no disinterested shareholder holds a blocking stake. Overall, we think the offer price is ok and that the privatisation bid will be successful. 

Suchuang Gas’ Privatisation Bid from CR Gas

We came out of the post-1H21 result call of <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> with unchanged positive view, and the message from management suggested that outlook for 2H21 stay promising and the pull-back in share price is unwarranted. We increased our earnings forecasts and based on our latest projections, Kunlun is trading on just 9.2x PER for FY21 (on continuing operations), making it the cheapest among China's gas utilities stocks.We think the good new project momentum, stable margin outlook, commencement of new projects, better profitability at LNG terminals and stronger LPG volume are the major drivers for Kunlun. We estimate an ROE of 10.6% for FY21, and yet it will still be in a net cash position at end-FY21, which compares well with most peers which are at much higher leverage levels.

We came out of the post-1H21 result call of Kunlun Energy (135 HK) with unchanged positive view, and the message from management suggested that outlook for 2H21 stay promising and the pull-back in share price is unwarranted. We increased our earnings forecasts and based on our latest projections, Kunlun is trading on just 9.2x PER for FY21 (on continuing operations), making it the cheapest among China's gas utilities stocks.We think the good new project momentum, stable margin outlook, commencement of new projects, better profitability at LNG terminals and stronger LPG volume are the major drivers for Kunlun. We estimate an ROE of 10.6% for FY21, and yet it will still be in a net cash position at end-FY21, which compares well with most peers which are at much higher leverage levels.

Kunlun Energy (135 HK): Quick Take After Post-1H21 Call, Stays Positive

Hong Kong

China Gas is a leading energy supplier and service provider primarily engaged in the investment, construction, and management of city gas pipeline infrastructure. It distributes natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to residential, industrial, and commercial users, and operates CNG/LNG refilling stations. The company was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in Hong Kong.

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China Gas (384 HK)

Kunlun Energy (135 HK): Five Questions to Management Get Answered

The impact of higher LNG price on the dollar margin and profitability of Kunlun's city gas projects should be manageable. Earnings volatility from...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Kunlun Energy (135 HK): Small Move, Big Meaning

The disposal of the Azerbaijan oilfields, though a small transaction, has significant implication. Kunlun will increasingly become a pure gas...

Osbert Tang, CFA

HSI Index Rebalance Preview: Potential Inclusions in December

There could be 10 inclusions to the HSI at the Dec rebalance to help reach the 80 index member count by mid-2022. Index turnover & regulations will...

Brian Freitas

Suchuang Gas’ Privatisation Bid from CR Gas

Suchuang Gas received a privatisation offer from CR Gas for a cash alternative (HK$2.50) or a share alternative. We think the offer price is ok and...

Arun George

Kunlun Energy (135 HK): Quick Take After Post-1H21 Call, Stays Positive

Our impression on Kunlun remains unchanged after the post-1H21 result call. Outlook is still encouraging and new project momentum is solid. Our...

Osbert Tang, CFA

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