HK/China Equity Long-Short

Osbert Tang, CFA

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-east-education-holdings" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27843:1" rel="noopener">China East Education (667 HK)</a> remains well-positioned in the government's support of vocational education, despite its YTD outperformance.</li>
<li>Higher average tuition per student, better cost control, accelerating growth in the "Fashion and Beauty" segment,  and new course introduction are the main profit drivers.</li>
<li>Net cash equals 17.2% of the share price, while other peers are struggling with debt repayment. Coupled with stronger earnings CAGR, its premium PERs are justified.</li>
</ul>



China East Education (667 HK) remains well-positioned in the government's support of vocational education, despite its YTD outperformance.
Higher average tuition per student, better cost control, accelerating growth in the "Fashion and Beauty" segment,  and new course introduction are the main profit drivers.
Net cash equals 17.2% of the share price, while other peers are struggling with debt repayment. Coupled with stronger earnings CAGR, its premium PERs are justified.


China East Education (667 HK): In an Excellent Position

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-east-education-holdings" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27843:1" rel="noopener">China East Education (667 HK)</a>'s 1H24 result is impressive with a 58% YoY increase in adjusted net profit. Good cost control is a key contributing factor. </li>
<li>Profitability has improved in all business segments. Its strategy to focus on higher-value courses has led to further improvement in annualised tuition per student. </li>
<li>The 1H24 result equals 68% of the full-year consensus, implying an upside in market expectations. Its net cash, at 35% of market capitalisation, is unmatched by peers.</li>
</ul>



China East Education (667 HK)'s 1H24 result is impressive with a 58% YoY increase in adjusted net profit. Good cost control is a key contributing factor. 
Profitability has improved in all business segments. Its strategy to focus on higher-value courses has led to further improvement in annualised tuition per student. 
The 1H24 result equals 68% of the full-year consensus, implying an upside in market expectations. Its net cash, at 35% of market capitalisation, is unmatched by peers.


China East Education (667 HK): Rock Solid Improvements

<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 plunge in share price is due to management's guidance for a 10-15% drop in adjusted net profit, significantly lower than the current consensus.</li>
<li>Its decision to pause dividends for the foreseeable future on debt repayment burden and tight offshore refinancing environment for the sector has further disappointed the market.</li>
<li>Based on guidance, its PER of 3.7x and nil dividend yield for FY25 make it unattractive relative to peers (1.7-2.9x PER). We shy away until things improve.</li>
</ul>



China Education Group (839 HK)'s plunge in share price is due to management's guidance for a 10-15% drop in adjusted net profit, significantly lower than the current consensus.
Its decision to pause dividends for the foreseeable future on debt repayment burden and tight offshore refinancing environment for the sector has further disappointed the market.
Based on guidance, its PER of 3.7x and nil dividend yield for FY25 make it unattractive relative to peers (1.7-2.9x PER). We shy away until things improve.


China Education Group (839 HK): A Large Disappointment

<ul>
<li>Although the reported FY24 net profit plunged 69.7% due to intangible impairments, <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 adjusted net profit grew by 3.3% and adjusted EBITDA by 12.3%.</li>
<li>Based on adjusted net profit, its payout ratio is flat at 40%, implying an 8% dividend yield. This suggests underlying operations are decent and demonstrate confidence in the outlook.</li>
<li>Both tuition and enrollment are expected to sustain growth in FY25, meaning that a consensus forecast of 9% net profit is achievable. Its 4.5x PER does not appear stretched.</li>
</ul>


Although the reported FY24 net profit plunged 69.7% due to intangible impairments, China Education Group (839 HK)'s adjusted net profit grew by 3.3% and adjusted EBITDA by 12.3%.
Based on adjusted net profit, its payout ratio is flat at 40%, implying an 8% dividend yield. This suggests underlying operations are decent and demonstrate confidence in the outlook.
Both tuition and enrollment are expected to sustain growth in FY25, meaning that a consensus forecast of 9% net profit is achievable. Its 4.5x PER does not appear stretched.


China Education Group (839 HK): What's up After the Big Bath?

Asian Hedge Fund Manager, Long Short Equity, Macro

David Mudd

Pop Mart International Group L / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>HSCI index has seen an outperformance of the consumer discretionary sector since the stimulus announcement while materials and energy sectors have lagged.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pop-mart-international-group-l" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29016:1" rel="noopener">Pop Mart International Group L (9992 HK)</a> announced a blow out 3Q24 revenue number with international revenue up by over 400%. DB raised the its target price to $88.
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/citic-securities-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:463:1" rel="noopener">Citic Securities (H) (6030 HK)</a> was maintained a BUY by Huatai, raising its target price to $28.81.   JP Morgan maintained  OVERWEIGHT on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/new-oriental-education-techn" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:32210:1" rel="noopener">New Oriental Education &amp; Technology (9901 HK).</a>
</li>
</ul>


HSCI index has seen an outperformance of the consumer discretionary sector since the stimulus announcement while materials and energy sectors have lagged.

Pop Mart International Group L (9992 HK) announced a blow out 3Q24 revenue number with international revenue up by over 400%. DB raised the its target price to $88.


Citic Securities (H) (6030 HK) was maintained a BUY by Huatai, raising its target price to $28.81.   JP Morgan maintained  OVERWEIGHT on New Oriental Education &amp; Technology (9901 HK).



BUY/SELL/HOLD: Hong Kong Stock Updates (October 30)

China

China New University operates private universities in Central and South West China.

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China New Higher Education (2001 HK)

China East Education (667 HK): In an Excellent Position

CEE is thriving with strong government support, higher tuition, cost control, growth in "Fashion and Beauty" segment, new course introduction, and...

Osbert Tang, CFA

China East Education (667 HK): Rock Solid Improvements

China East Education’s FY24 earnings of Rmb512.6m (+88%) beat the consensus forecast (Rmb419.5m) by a significant margin. Its 2H24 adjusted net...

Osbert Tang, CFA

China Education Group (839 HK): A Large Disappointment

CEG's share price plunged on the back of lower profit and a decision to pause dividends due to high debt repayment and tight refinancing. Its...

Osbert Tang, CFA

China Education Group (839 HK): What's up After the Big Bath?

CEG reported a 69.7% drop in FY24 net profit due to impairments, but adjusted figures show growth in profit and EBITDA. With a flat payout ratio,...

Osbert Tang, CFA

BUY/SELL/HOLD: Hong Kong Stock Updates (October 30)

The consumer discretionary sector shows increased momentum in Hong Kong. Pop Mart beat on 3Q revenue with 440% growth in revenue outside China....

David Mudd

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

China East Education (667 HK): In an Excellent Position

​CEE is thriving with strong government support, higher tuition, cost control, growth in "Fashion and Beauty" segment, new course introduction, and...

Osbert Tang, CFA

China East Education (667 HK): Rock Solid Improvements

China East Education’s FY24 earnings of Rmb512.6m (+88%) beat the consensus forecast (Rmb419.5m) by a significant margin. Its 2H24 adjusted net...

Osbert Tang, CFA

China Education Group (839 HK): A Large Disappointment

​CEG's share price plunged on the back of lower profit and a decision to pause dividends due to high debt repayment and tight refinancing. Its...

Osbert Tang, CFA

China Education Group (839 HK): What's up After the Big Bath?

​CEG reported a 69.7% drop in FY24 net profit due to impairments, but adjusted figures show growth in profit and EBITDA. With a flat payout ratio,...

Osbert Tang, CFA

BUY/SELL/HOLD: Hong Kong Stock Updates (October 30)

The consumer discretionary sector shows increased momentum in Hong Kong. Pop Mart beat on 3Q revenue with 440% growth in revenue outside China....

David Mudd

CEE is thriving with strong government support, higher tuition, cost control, growth in "Fashion and Beauty" segment, new course introduction, and...

CEG's share price plunged on the back of lower profit and a decision to pause dividends due to high debt repayment and tight refinancing. Its...

CEG reported a 69.7% drop in FY24 net profit due to impairments, but adjusted figures show growth in profit and EBITDA. With a flat payout ratio,...