HK/China Equity Long-Short

Osbert Tang, CFA

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/dongfang-electric-corporation-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1251:1" rel="noopener">Dongfang Electric (1072 HK)</a> reached another record year with net profit surging 24.2% in FY23. Favourable product mix has benefited gross margin which expanded 0.8pp YoY.</li>
<li>Record new orders of Rmb86.5bn (+31.9% YoY) have been signed and there is a recovery in momentum in 4Q23. Its end-FY23 backlog should be enough to cover 3.1x FY24F revenue.</li>
<li>DEC is well-positioned to capture the demand for hydrogen energy and power storage. With 19.3% 3-year earnings CAGR, its 5.1x PER and 8.2% dividend yield are attractive.</li>
</ul>



Dongfang Electric (1072 HK) reached another record year with net profit surging 24.2% in FY23. Favourable product mix has benefited gross margin which expanded 0.8pp YoY.
Record new orders of Rmb86.5bn (+31.9% YoY) have been signed and there is a recovery in momentum in 4Q23. Its end-FY23 backlog should be enough to cover 3.1x FY24F revenue.
DEC is well-positioned to capture the demand for hydrogen energy and power storage. With 19.3% 3-year earnings CAGR, its 5.1x PER and 8.2% dividend yield are attractive.


Dongfang Electric (1072 HK): Good Profit, Record Orders

<ul>
<li>The collapse in share price of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/dongfang-electric-corporation-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1251:1" rel="noopener">Dongfang Electric (1072 HK)</a> is too excessive. The concerns on margin and orders are overplayed and its latest financial result is solid.</li>
<li>Recurring profit surged 24.8% in 3Q23 and gross margin expanded both YoY and QoQ. For 9M23, new orders rose 19.2% to reach 98% of full-year FY22 level.</li>
<li>We estimate backlog at Rmb197bn, or 3x consensus FY23F revenue, and this provides excellent protection to forward earnings. Its 5.8x and 4.4x PERs are just too undervalued.</li>
</ul>


The collapse in share price of Dongfang Electric (1072 HK) is too excessive. The concerns on margin and orders are overplayed and its latest financial result is solid.
Recurring profit surged 24.8% in 3Q23 and gross margin expanded both YoY and QoQ. For 9M23, new orders rose 19.2% to reach 98% of full-year FY22 level.
We estimate backlog at Rmb197bn, or 3x consensus FY23F revenue, and this provides excellent protection to forward earnings. Its 5.8x and 4.4x PERs are just too undervalued.


Dongfang Electric (1072 HK): We See an Opportunity

<ul>
<li>The market should be happy with the 43.9% YoY growth in recurring earnings at <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/dongfang-electric-corporation-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1251:1" rel="noopener">Dongfang Electric (1072 HK)</a> in 1Q23. Gross margin of 18.7% is the highest since 2Q21.</li>
<li>New orders surged 26.1% YoY and 92.4% QoQ to a record Rmb22.6bn in 1Q23. We estimate backlog equals to 1.42x FY23F consensus revenue, meaning a very secured pipeline.</li>
<li>While EPS dilution is a concern, this has already been reflected in share price. The acquisitions of subsidiaries will enhance FY23 earnings. Its 8x PER and 0.8x P/B are inexpensive.</li>
</ul>


The market should be happy with the 43.9% YoY growth in recurring earnings at Dongfang Electric (1072 HK) in 1Q23. Gross margin of 18.7% is the highest since 2Q21.
New orders surged 26.1% YoY and 92.4% QoQ to a record Rmb22.6bn in 1Q23. We estimate backlog equals to 1.42x FY23F consensus revenue, meaning a very secured pipeline.
While EPS dilution is a concern, this has already been reflected in share price. The acquisitions of subsidiaries will enhance FY23 earnings. Its 8x PER and 0.8x P/B are inexpensive.


Dongfang Electric (1072 HK): Profit Surged, Record New Orders Signed

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>Supportive policies from central and local governments on the development of the hydrogen energy industry have boosted the share prices of the sector (up 12.3% YTD).</li>
<li>Inner Mongolia has eased regulations on electrolysis water hydrogen production projects while Shandong has waived hydrogen-powered vehicle tolls on highways. </li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/beijing-sinohytec-co-ltd-57df3cd9-bd23-4f74-899b-d589f67fa85f" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:36866:1" rel="noopener">Beijing SinoHytec (2402 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/weichai-power-co-ltd-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12508:1" rel="noopener">Weichai Power (2338 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/dongyue-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20429:1" rel="noopener">Dongyue Group (189 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/cimc-enric-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:47:1" rel="noopener">CIMC Enric (3899 HK)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/dongfang-electric-corporation-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1251:1" rel="noopener">Dongfang Electric (1072 HK)</a> have recorded good progress in hydrogen business.</li>
</ul>


Supportive policies from central and local governments on the development of the hydrogen energy industry have boosted the share prices of the sector (up 12.3% YTD).
Inner Mongolia has eased regulations on electrolysis water hydrogen production projects while Shandong has waived hydrogen-powered vehicle tolls on highways. 

Beijing SinoHytec (2402 HK), Weichai Power (2338 HK), Dongyue Group (189 HK), CIMC Enric (3899 HK), and Dongfang Electric (1072 HK) have recorded good progress in hydrogen business.


China's Hydrogen Economy: Re-Igniting Interests

<ul>
<li>The YTD underperformance of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/dongfang-electric-corporation-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1251:1" rel="noopener">Dongfang Electric (1072 HK)</a> has put it on very attractive PER of 5.8x for FY23. More importantly, it has delivered both earnings and new order growth. </li>
<li>Financial position has improved with net cash of Rmb16.5bn and its recurring earnings soared 26.5% at 1H23. The adverse economic environment has not had an impact on its operations.</li>
<li>New orders amounted to Rmb48.9bn (+33.3% YoY), a record high, and we estimate backlog at Rmb166bn. This equals 2.5x FY23F revenue and suggests forward earnings are well covered.</li>
</ul>


The YTD underperformance of Dongfang Electric (1072 HK) has put it on very attractive PER of 5.8x for FY23. More importantly, it has delivered both earnings and new order growth. 
Financial position has improved with net cash of Rmb16.5bn and its recurring earnings soared 26.5% at 1H23. The adverse economic environment has not had an impact on its operations.
New orders amounted to Rmb48.9bn (+33.3% YoY), a record high, and we estimate backlog at Rmb166bn. This equals 2.5x FY23F revenue and suggests forward earnings are well covered.


Dongfang Electric (1072 HK): Don't Miss Out on This Undervalued Play

China

Dongfang Electric Corporation Limited manufactures and sells hydro and steam power generators and AC/DC electric motors. The Company also provides repair, upgrade, maintenance, and other services for the products.

Dongfang Electric (1072 HK)