Senior Credit Analyst, Lucror Analytics

Leonard Law, CFA

Senior Credit Analyst

High Yield Experts

Lucror Analytics

Lucror Analytics is a leading credit and ESG research specialist and a provider of technology solutions for differentiated fixed income strategies. Our roots are in bottom-up fundamental credit analysis with a specialization in high yield corporate credits from Europe, Asia and Latin America. We are one of few research specialists integrating ESG considerations with fundamental credit research through a dedicated ESG platform. Our ESG assessment covers five key criteria: Disclosure, E,S, & G Pillars, Controversies, ESG Impact on Credit and ESG Momentum.

Recognizing the importance and value-add of Factor Investing in fixed income, Lucror developed the Smart Quant Navigator (SQN), an intuitive platform that helps clients devise and implement factor-based strategies ranging from pure quant to active fundamental, with integrated ESG.

Our company has been at the forefront of developments in the fixed income markets, identifying opportunities and consistently delivering new products and value-adding solutions to clients. Lucror has close relationships with the largest and most reputable asset managers, family offices, hedge funds, investment and wealth managers globally.

Credit

We view ENN Energy as “Low Risk” on the LARA scale. This reflects the company’s large scale and diversified business profile across Mainland China as well as its robust financial position, with low leverage. These are balanced against ENN Energy's exposure to commodity price risks and potential changes in government policies. In addition, the company has ongoing related-party transactions. Our fundamental Credit Bias on ENN Energy is “Stable”, supported by the defensive nature of the industry and the company’s good cash-flow generation. ENN Energy has maintained c. 1.0x net leverage over the past five years. Controversies are "Immaterial" and the ESG Impact on Credit is "Neutral”. While natural gas is a fossil fuel, it has a lower carbon footprint compared to coal, and has been regarded as a "transition fuel" for countries currently dependent on coal (e.g. China and Indonesia). This will likely support strong gas demand over the next decade, particularly in developing countries. We have a "Hold" recommendation on the XINAOG notes, with the 2.625 '30s at 83.9/5.6%/5.7 years.

  We view ENN Energy as “Low Risk” on the LARA scale. This reflects the company’s large scale and diversified business profile across Mainland China as well as its robust financial position, with low leverage. These are balanced against ENN Energy's exposure to commodity price risks and potential changes in government policies. In addition, the company has ongoing related-party transactions.   Our fundamental Credit Bias on ENN Energy is “Stable”, supported by the defensive nature of the industry and the company’s good cash-flow generation. ENN Energy has maintained c. 1.0x net leverage over the past five years.   Controversies are "Immaterial" and the ESG Impact on Credit is "Neutral”. While natural gas is a fossil fuel, it has a lower carbon footprint compared to coal, and has been regarded as a "transition fuel" for countries currently dependent on coal (e.g. China and Indonesia). This will likely support strong gas demand over the next decade, particularly in developing countries.   We have a "Hold" recommendation on the XINAOG notes, with the 2.625 '30s at 83.9/5.6%/5.7 years. 

ENN Energy - Tear Sheet - Lucror Analytics

HK/China Equity Long-Short

Osbert Tang, CFA

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>Many have missed out on the 14%, or 2,300 points, rally of the HSI in the last 9 trading days. There are still several stocks that look interesting now.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/li-auto-inc-3dbe6187-544f-40dd-b9f9-72fba9c0110e" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33811:1" rel="noopener">Li Auto (2015 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/link-reit" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:872:1" rel="noopener">Link REIT (823 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-mengniu-dairy-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:354:1" rel="noopener">China Mengniu Dairy Co (2319 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hang-lung-properties-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:49:1" rel="noopener">Hang Lung Properties (101 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/galaxy-entertainment-group-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:806:1" rel="noopener">Galaxy Entertainment Group (27 HK)</a> are massive laggards YTD.</li>
<li>As they have only experienced limited rebounds from the 19-Apr trough, they are set to catch up. Also, their earnings prospects look positive this year. </li>
</ul>


Many have missed out on the 14%, or 2,300 points, rally of the HSI in the last 9 trading days. There are still several stocks that look interesting now.

Li Auto (2015 HK), Link REIT (823 HK), China Mengniu Dairy Co (2319 HK), Hang Lung Properties (101 HK) and Galaxy Entertainment Group (27 HK) are massive laggards YTD.
As they have only experienced limited rebounds from the 19-Apr trough, they are set to catch up. Also, their earnings prospects look positive this year. 


HK Strategy: Where Are the Short-Term Opportunities?

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>The data in this insight is collated from the "shareholding disclosure" link on the HKEx website.</li>
<li>Often there is a corresponding HKEx announcement on the increase - or decrease - in the shareholding by directors. Or pledging. However, such disclosures are by no means an absolute.</li>
<li>The key stocks mentioned in this regular insight are <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>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pccw-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:873:1" rel="noopener">PCCW Ltd (8 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/wuxi-apptec" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23679:1" rel="noopener">Wuxi Biologics (2269 HK)</a>.</li>
</ul>


The data in this insight is collated from the "shareholding disclosure" link on the HKEx website.
Often there is a corresponding HKEx announcement on the increase - or decrease - in the shareholding by directors. Or pledging. However, such disclosures are by no means an absolute.
The key stocks mentioned in this regular insight are ENN Energy (2688 HK), PCCW Ltd (8 HK) and Wuxi Biologics (2269 HK).


Hong Kong CEO/Director Dealings (17 Nov): ENN's Controlling Shareholder Buying; Li Buys More PCCW

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Core earnings 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> rose 25.2% in FY22, providing solid evidence for its strength against peers. We are delighted to see dollar margin even expanded 4.1%.</li>
<li>Pace of new project addition has not weakened as it secured 25 new projects in FY22. Collectively, they will increase sales volume by 3.2bn cu.m., 7% of FY22 volume.</li>
<li>Net cash of Rmb13.6bn equals 28% of share price, making 8.9% ROE look decent. Market earnings forecast is too low; and even so, it trades on just 7.2x FY23 PER.</li>
</ul>


Core earnings of Kunlun Energy (135 HK) rose 25.2% in FY22, providing solid evidence for its strength against peers. We are delighted to see dollar margin even expanded 4.1%.
Pace of new project addition has not weakened as it secured 25 new projects in FY22. Collectively, they will increase sales volume by 3.2bn cu.m., 7% of FY22 volume.
Net cash of Rmb13.6bn equals 28% of share price, making 8.9% ROE look decent. Market earnings forecast is too low; and even so, it trades on just 7.2x FY23 PER.


Kunlun Energy (135 HK): Rock Solid as Usual

<ul>
<li>Core earnings growth of 14.6% YoY at <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 not very exciting. Gas sales gross profit was down 5% while integrated energy looks better with 51.2% growth.</li>
<li>Management guidance of 12-15% growth in FY22 seems to be optimistic, especially in a period of time where high input cost is likely to eat into margin still.</li>
<li>Valuations are not too stretched, yet not very appealing. Its net debt position also does not compare well with <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> and <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>. </li>
</ul>


Core earnings growth of 14.6% YoY at ENN Energy (2688 HK) is not very exciting. Gas sales gross profit was down 5% while integrated energy looks better with 51.2% growth.
Management guidance of 12-15% growth in FY22 seems to be optimistic, especially in a period of time where high input cost is likely to eat into margin still.
Valuations are not too stretched, yet not very appealing. Its net debt position also does not compare well with CR Gas (1193 HK) and Kunlun Energy (135 HK). 


ENN Energy (2688 HK): Mediocre FY21, Management Update Not Exciting

China

ENN Energy Holdings Ltd. distributes natural gas in China.  The Company, through its subsidiaries, invests in, operates, and manages gas pipelines, and sells and distributes piped and bottled gas in China.

ENN Energy (2688 HK)

ENN Energy - Tear Sheet - Lucror Analytics

We view ENN Energy as “Low Risk” on the LARA scale. This reflects the company’s large scale and diversified business profile across Mainland...

Lucror Analytics

HK Strategy: Where Are the Short-Term Opportunities?

Li Auto, Link REIT, China Mengniu, Hang Lung Properties, and Galaxy Entertainment are massive laggards YTD but the recent rebound from the trough...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Hong Kong CEO/Director Dealings (17 Nov): ENN's Controlling Shareholder Buying; Li Buys More PCCW

ENN Energy (2688 HK)’s controlling shareholder has been aggressively buying. And PCCW’s Richard Li chips away at PCCW Ltd (8 HK), with the NAV...

David Blennerhassett

Kunlun Energy (135 HK): Rock Solid as Usual

Kunlun's core profit growth is decent and, more importantly, demonstrated the resilience of dollar margin. New project flow is encouraging and we...

Osbert Tang, CFA

ENN Energy (2688 HK): Mediocre FY21, Management Update Not Exciting

ENN Energy's FY21 result is not particularly encouraging and we also found management's update on the post-result call not very exciting....

Osbert Tang, CFA