HK/China Equity Long-Short

Osbert Tang, CFA

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/enn-energy-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:316:1" rel="noopener">ENN Energy (2688 HK)</a> has suspended trading. The possibilities include privatisation, third-party offer, increase in stake by <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/enn-natural-gas-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16456:1" rel="noopener">ENN Natural Gas (600803 CH)</a>, and a change in control. </li>
<li>It trades on 1.16x 12-month forward P/B, vs. 5-year average of 2.42x and 1.31x since 2024. Given the lower forward ROE, it is difficult to return to the 5-year average.</li>
<li>For PER, it should be higher than <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> but lower than <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>. At 10.8x (average of the two), it equates to HK$74.26.  </li>
</ul>



ENN Energy (2688 HK) has suspended trading. The possibilities include privatisation, third-party offer, increase in stake by ENN Natural Gas (600803 CH), and a change in control. 
It trades on 1.16x 12-month forward P/B, vs. 5-year average of 2.42x and 1.31x since 2024. Given the lower forward ROE, it is difficult to return to the 5-year average.
For PER, it should be higher than China Gas Holdings (384 HK) but lower than CR Gas (1193 HK). At 10.8x (average of the two), it equates to HK$74.26.  


ENN Energy (2688 HK): Privatisation or What? A Look at the Valuations

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

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/enn-energy-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:316:1" rel="noopener">ENN Energy (2688 HK)</a> is in a trading halt “<em>pending the issuance of an announcement pursuant to the Hong Kong Code on Takeovers and Mergers containing inside information of the Company</em>." </li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/enn-natural-gas-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16456:1" rel="noopener">ENN Natural Gas (600803 CH)</a>, also in a trading halt, is likely seeking to privatise ENN through a Cayman scheme. A high AGM minority participation necessitates an attractive offer.</li>
<li>I use several methods to triangulate the likely offer price, which suggests a price range of HK$66.50-85.01, with an average of HK$76.04, a 28% premium to the last close.</li>
</ul>



ENN Energy (2688 HK) is in a trading halt “pending the issuance of an announcement pursuant to the Hong Kong Code on Takeovers and Mergers containing inside information of the Company." 

ENN Natural Gas (600803 CH), also in a trading halt, is likely seeking to privatise ENN through a Cayman scheme. A high AGM minority participation necessitates an attractive offer.
I use several methods to triangulate the likely offer price, which suggests a price range of HK$66.50-85.01, with an average of HK$76.04, a 28% premium to the last close.


ENN Energy (2688 HK): ENN Natural Gas to Launch a Privatisation Offer?

<ul>
<li>Despite <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>'s marginal 3.8% drop in 1H FY25 net profit, it has rebounded from a 25.8% collapse in FY24. It maintained an interim DPS of HK$0.15.</li>
<li>Dollar margin expanded Rmb0.02/cu.m. and gross margin was up 0.8pp. Profit from value-added services grew 15.4%, though overall earnings are dragged by LPG and JVs.</li>
<li>FY25 is a year of profit recovery. Its improving cash flow, reduction in capex, and stronger balance sheet should support a stable dividend, putting it on a 7.8% yield.  </li>
</ul>


Despite China Gas Holdings (384 HK)'s marginal 3.8% drop in 1H FY25 net profit, it has rebounded from a 25.8% collapse in FY24. It maintained an interim DPS of HK$0.15.
Dollar margin expanded Rmb0.02/cu.m. and gross margin was up 0.8pp. Profit from value-added services grew 15.4%, though overall earnings are dragged by LPG and JVs.
FY25 is a year of profit recovery. Its improving cash flow, reduction in capex, and stronger balance sheet should support a stable dividend, putting it on a 7.8% yield.  


China Gas Holdings (384 HK): Earnings Have Stabilised

<ul>
<li>The spin-off of the value-added business (VAS) of <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> may add HK$0.22-0.83/share to the stock price, or 3.4-12.8%, based on our initial assessment.</li>
<li>VAS generated an operating profit of HK$1.58bn in FY24, up by 5.7% YoY. It is significant to China Gas as this accounted for 23.5% of its total segment profit.</li>
<li>The share price has not reacted much to the news because weak Chinese equity market and uncertainties on the upcoming 1H FY25 result. Once cleared, we see good upside.</li>
</ul>


The spin-off of the value-added business (VAS) of China Gas Holdings (384 HK) may add HK$0.22-0.83/share to the stock price, or 3.4-12.8%, based on our initial assessment.
VAS generated an operating profit of HK$1.58bn in FY24, up by 5.7% YoY. It is significant to China Gas as this accounted for 23.5% of its total segment profit.
The share price has not reacted much to the news because weak Chinese equity market and uncertainties on the upcoming 1H FY25 result. Once cleared, we see good upside.


China Gas Holdings (384 HK): Assessing the Spin-Off of Value-Added Business

<ul>
<li>
<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>'s FY24 result is distorted by non-recurring items and provisions. Adjusted net profit, however, has declined by only 4.3%, and is only 2.6% below consensus. </li>
<li>FY25 guidance looks positive as a 6% increase in dollar margin and a 5% increase in gas volume are expected. The Apr-May operating figures support such projections.</li>
<li>China Gas maintained its DPS despite a drop in reported profit, showcasing its confidence. Assuming the same dividend in FY25 and FY26, it will sit on a yield of 7%. </li>
</ul>



China Gas Holdings (384 HK)'s FY24 result is distorted by non-recurring items and provisions. Adjusted net profit, however, has declined by only 4.3%, and is only 2.6% below consensus. 
FY25 guidance looks positive as a 6% increase in dollar margin and a 5% increase in gas volume are expected. The Apr-May operating figures support such projections.
China Gas maintained its DPS despite a drop in reported profit, showcasing its confidence. Assuming the same dividend in FY25 and FY26, it will sit on a yield of 7%. 


China Gas Holdings (384 HK): Still Warrants a Look

Hong Kong

China Gas Holdings Ltd. invests in, operates and manages natural gas distribution pipelines.  The Company distributes and sells natural gas to residential, commercial and industrial users, and bottles and sells compressed natural gas.  China Gas also constructs and operates gas stations.

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

China Gas Holdings (384 HK)

ENN Energy (2688 HK): Privatisation or What? A Look at the Valuations

Possibilities for ENN Energy including privatisation, third-party offer, stake increase by parent, and change in control. A price of at least...

Osbert Tang, CFA

ENN Energy (2688 HK): ENN Natural Gas to Launch a Privatisation Offer?

I use several methods to triangulate the likely offer price, which suggests a price range of HK$66.50-85.01, with an average of HK$76.04, a 28%...

Arun George