Asia Consumer Research, Investory

Devi Subhakesan

Asia Consumer Research

ASIA CONSUMER: INSIGHTS AND INVESTMENT IDEAS

Investory

Investory is a Singapore-based boutique independent equity research firm founded in January 2017 with a primary focus on consumption themes across Asia-Pacific.

We aim to generate investible ideas based on consumption trends and outlook. We screen our ideas on several parameters - product potential, long-term growth and management commitment being the most critical.  We follow a fundamental analysis approach in our stock selection process and are not restricted by market cap.

We aspire to grow into a leading source of unbiased research, free of conflict of interest, for investors yearning for independent and disciplined analysis. 

We also undertake bespoke research mandates to support our Institutional clients’ investment needs.

Our team comprises of professionals with extensive experience in the Asian equity markets, in areas ranging from research, servicing institutional clients and investment management.

Equity Bottom-Up

Haidilao International Holding / Equity Bottom-Up

In this insight, we discuss why we believe <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/haidilao-international-holding-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27044:1" rel="noopener">Haidilao (6862 HK)</a> at current prices has a higher downside risk versus upside potential given limited visibility of near term operational recovery and its premium valuation.<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/haidilao-international-holding-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27044:1" rel="noopener">Haidilao (6862 HK)</a> had issued a profit warning that it is expected to record a decrease of approximately 90% in net profit for the year ended Dec 2020 versus the previous year; this implies a likely recovery in earnings in 2H2020 vs 1H2020 but not significant enough to match pre-COVID levels nor street estimates. Detailed results are expected this week on March 23rd.We believe <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/haidilao-international-holding-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27044:1" rel="noopener">Haidilao (6862 HK)</a>'s pace of sales recovery to be slower versus QSR peers (1) in the near term from ongoing restrictions in the social and dining scene, following cluster outbreaks, and (2) in the medium term from a shift in customer preference towards off-premise dining. Unlike QSR peer, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yum-china-holdings-inc-0533692c-6dae-4014-baa1-ed0b050638f2" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29259:1" rel="noopener">Yum China Holdings Inc (9987 HK)</a> that managed to recover most of the COVID-led fall in dining demand by growing off-premise dining, we believe  <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/haidilao-international-holding-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27044:1" rel="noopener">Haidilao (6862 HK)</a> may find it difficult to pivot given experiential fine dining was core to its appeal and value positioning. Despite a difficult operating environment, the stock is up 83% YoY; a steep upswing in February this year was led by reports of it being included in HongKong's benchmark HangSeng Index from mid-March.

In this insight, we discuss why we believe Haidilao (6862 HK) at current prices has a higher downside risk versus upside potential given limited visibility of near term operational recovery and its premium valuation.Haidilao (6862 HK) had issued a profit warning that it is expected to record a decrease of approximately 90% in net profit for the year ended Dec 2020 versus the previous year; this implies a likely recovery in earnings in 2H2020 vs 1H2020 but not significant enough to match pre-COVID levels nor street estimates. Detailed results are expected this week on March 23rd.We believe Haidilao (6862 HK)'s pace of sales recovery to be slower versus QSR peers (1) in the near term from ongoing restrictions in the social and dining scene, following cluster outbreaks, and (2) in the medium term from a shift in customer preference towards off-premise dining. Unlike QSR peer, Yum China Holdings Inc (9987 HK) that managed to recover most of the COVID-led fall in dining demand by growing off-premise dining, we believe  Haidilao (6862 HK) may find it difficult to pivot given experiential fine dining was core to its appeal and value positioning. Despite a difficult operating environment, the stock is up 83% YoY; a steep upswing in February this year was led by reports of it being included in HongKong's benchmark HangSeng Index from mid-March.

Haidilao (6862 HK): Hot Pots Don't Pivot Easily.

External broker reports(aggregated public sources), CMB International

CMB International

External broker reports(aggregated public sources)

Incorporated in Hong Kong, supported by the mainland and targeting in global market, CMB International Capital Corporation Limited (“CMBI”) is an integrated financial institution providing comprehensive and professional services. As a wholly-owned subsidiary of China Merchants Bank ("CMB"), by leveraging on the Group’s synergy and coordination in domestic and overseas markets, as well as CMB’s strong resources and outstanding social reputation, CMBI and its subsidiaries have been actively implementing diversified business strategies and set up an overall layout of main business segments including Corporate Finance, Asset Management, Wealth Management, Global Markets and Structured Finance, etc. Adhering to the philosophy of “being clients oriented and increasing our own values by the way of creating value for clients”, CMBI endeavors to provide quality and integrated financial services to institutional, corporate and individual customers both domestic and overseas including Hong Kong IPO sponsorship and underwriting, share placement and rights issue for listed companies, financial advisors, bonds issuance services, asset management, direct investment, wealth management, equity sales and trading, etc.

<ul><li>1H23 result was strong (resilient table turn plus strong margin uptick) but with limited surprises.</li><li>While we are still cautious about the sector in 2H23E, Haidilao is one of our preferred picks, and the next catalyst could be the speed up in store expansion (likely in FY24E).</li><li>We maintain BUY, based on this short-term turnaround. But in long-run, lack of growth drivers is still a big concern. </li></ul>Content is external broker report sourced from online content aggregator through publicly available sources and is displayed below for general informational purposes only. Refer full disclaimer below.

1H23 result was strong (resilient table turn plus strong margin uptick) but with limited surprises.While we are still cautious about the sector in 2H23E, Haidilao is one of our preferred picks, and the next catalyst could be the speed up in store expansion (likely in FY24E).We maintain BUY, based on this short-term turnaround. But in long-run, lack of growth drivers is still a big concern. Content is external broker report sourced from online content aggregator through publicly available sources and is displayed below for general informational purposes only. Refer full disclaimer below.

Haidilao (6862 HK) – Store Expansion May Be the Next Catalyst

Greater China Equity Long/Short Analyst

Eric Chen

<ul>
<li>Positive profit alerts from both Jiumaojiu and Haidilao reflect strong gain in operating efficiency but also point to looming growth deceleration as brands mature.</li>
<li>We see valuation more reasonable due to a combination of sector de-rating in 1H23 and higher visibility into earnings recovery post these profit alerts.</li>
<li>Yum China remains best long-term play in China catering sector in our view. While both Haidilao and Xiabuxiabu present trading opportunity, we are still cautious about Jiumaojiu.</li>
</ul>


Positive profit alerts from both Jiumaojiu and Haidilao reflect strong gain in operating efficiency but also point to looming growth deceleration as brands mature.
We see valuation more reasonable due to a combination of sector de-rating in 1H23 and higher visibility into earnings recovery post these profit alerts.
Yum China remains best long-term play in China catering sector in our view. While both Haidilao and Xiabuxiabu present trading opportunity, we are still cautious about Jiumaojiu.


China Catering Sector: Positioning for Interim Results

Head of Research, IPOs & Placements, Aequitas Research

Sumeet Singh

Head of Research, IPOs & Placements

IPOs and Placements coverage across Asia Pacific

Aequitas Research

We cover all listing across the Asia Pacific along with follow-up placements. As of Dec 2020, our team had covered 539 IPOs with a hit rate of 73.5% and 685 placements with a hit rate of 66.8%.

We combine fundamental bottom-up views with our proprietary quantitative framework to provide a holistic coverage across new listings and placements. Our coverage includes pre-IPO notes before the deal is launched, follow-up analysis once the deal is live and post-listing trading analysis as well.

Equity Capital Markets

Weilong Delicious Global Holdi / Equity Capital Markets

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/weilong-delicious-global-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33378:1" rel="noopener">Weilong Delicious Global (9985 HK)</a>, a spicy snack food company in China, raised around US$130m in its Hong Kong IPO in Dec 2022.</li>
<li>According to F&amp;S, WDG ranked first among spicy snack food enterprises in China, with a market share of 6.2%, and in the seasoned flour product and spicy vegetable snacks categories</li>
<li>In this note, we will talk about the lock-up dynamics and updates since our last note.</li>
</ul>



Weilong Delicious Global (9985 HK), a spicy snack food company in China, raised around US$130m in its Hong Kong IPO in Dec 2022.
According to F&amp;S, WDG ranked first among spicy snack food enterprises in China, with a market share of 6.2%, and in the seasoned flour product and spicy vegetable snacks categories
In this note, we will talk about the lock-up dynamics and updates since our last note.


Weilong Delicious Global IPO Lock-Up - Now for the Re-IPO with 10x Increase in Free Float

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>On 28th Mar 2023, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alibaba-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28434:1" rel="noopener">Alibaba Group (9988 HK)</a> announced that it would adopt a new organizational and governance structure, splitting into six major business groups and other investments.</li>
<li>Alibaba also stated that each of the business groups would be set up as an independent entity with its own board and the groups will eventually seek to list.</li>
<li>Having looked at the past performance of its division, some appear more worthy than others of undertaking a listing in the next year or two.</li>
</ul>


On 28th Mar 2023, Alibaba Group (9988 HK) announced that it would adopt a new organizational and governance structure, splitting into six major business groups and other investments.
Alibaba also stated that each of the business groups would be set up as an independent entity with its own board and the groups will eventually seek to list.
Having looked at the past performance of its division, some appear more worthy than others of undertaking a listing in the next year or two.


Alibaba Potential IPOs - Part 1 - Six Mini-Alibabas - Some Are More Ready than Others to List

China

Haidilao International Holding Ltd. operates Chinese cuisine restaurant brand focusing on hot pot cuisine. The Company provides hot pots, soup bases, dipping sauces, drinks, prepared food, and other products. Haidilao International Holding opens restaurants in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, and the United States.

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Haidilao International Holding (6862 HK)

Haidilao (6862 HK): Hot Pots Don't Pivot Easily.

Downside risks outweigh upside potential given the expected slower pace of sales recovery versus peers and premium valuations. Difficult to pivot...

Devi Subhakesan

Haidilao (6862 HK) – Store Expansion May Be the Next Catalyst

While we are still cautious about the sector in 2H23E, Haidilao is one of our preferred picks, and the next catalyst could be the speed up in store...

CMB International

China Catering Sector: Positioning for Interim Results

Positive profit alerts from both Jiumaojiu and Haidilao highlights both efficiency improvement and growth concerns. We discuss our thoughts about...

Eric Chen

Weilong Delicious Global IPO Lock-Up - Now for the Re-IPO with 10x Increase in Free Float

Weilong Delicious Global (9985 HK), a spicy snack food company in China, raised around US$130m in its Hong Kong IPO in Dec 2022. In this note, we...

Sumeet Singh

Alibaba Potential IPOs - Part 1 - Six Mini-Alibabas - Some Are More Ready than Others to List

Alibaba recently announced that it would adopt a new organizational structure, splitting into six major business groups and other investments. In...

Sumeet Singh

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