Overseas Chinese Equities, Aequitas Research

Ming Lu

Overseas Chinese Equities

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

<ul class="">
<li>DIDI dominates the car hailing market in China.</li>
<li>DIDI has a second app to defend from the attacks of small companies, but small companies are hard to eliminate.</li>
<li>None of the minor businesses has competitive advantage in their market niches.</li>
<li>On a potential acquirer's angle, the company is at least worth the value of car hailing in China.</li>
</ul>


DIDI dominates the car hailing market in China.
DIDI has a second app to defend from the attacks of small companies, but small companies are hard to eliminate.
None of the minor businesses has competitive advantage in their market niches.
On a potential acquirer's angle, the company is at least worth the value of car hailing in China.


DIDI (滴滴) Pre-IPO: Competitive in Car Hailing, Uncompetitive In "Others", Generally Valuable

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.

<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/didi-chuxing-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27467:1" rel="noopener">DiDi Chuxing (DIDI US)</a>/Xiaoju Kuaizhi is the world's largest mobility technology platform by annual active users and by average daily transactions for the twelve months ended 31 March 2021, according to CIC. Xiaoju Kuaizhi is best known for its <em>DiDi Chuxing</em> app in China where consumers can access mobility and other essential services. Didi is seeking to raise as much as $10 billion through a US listing, according to press reports. Didi is backed by Softbank Vision Fund (21.5% stake), <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/uber-technologies-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:430:1" rel="noopener">Uber (UBER US)</a> (12.8%), <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26:1" rel="noopener">Tencent (700 HK)</a> (6.8%), <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alibaba-group-holding-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:787:1" rel="noopener">Alibaba Group (BABA US)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/toyota-motor-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:73:1" rel="noopener">Toyota Motor (7203 JP)</a>. </p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/didi-chuxing-xiaoju-kuaizhi-initiation-in-for-a-bumpy-ride" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:53014" rel="noopener">Didi Chuxing (Xiaoju Kuaizhi) Initiation: In for a Bumpy Ride?</a>, we opined that Didi’s core china mobility business is heading on the right trajectory with rising growth and improving margin. However, Didi is saddled with two other businesses (international and other initiatives) which are driven by its global ambitions and its desire to provide a broad array of service offerings to consumers and drivers. This ecosystem strategy is sensible for a company that possesses a highly profitable and cash generative core business. Unfortunately, Didi’s core china mobility business is not close to achieving this status and the international and other initiatives business look like unnecessary and costly distractions. </p><p>Today, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/exclusive-chinas-ipo-bound-didi-probed-antitrust-violations-sources-2021-06-17/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reuters reported</a> that China's market regulator (SAMR) has begun an antitrust probe into Didi. SAMR is examining if Didi used any competitive practices that squeezed out smaller rivals unfairly. The regulator is also examining whether the pricing mechanism used by Didi's china mobility business is sufficiently transparent. Didi declined to comment on "<em>unsubstantiated speculation from unnamed source(s).</em>"</p><div class="content-highlight"><p>In this note, we examine the key financial metrics of Didi china mobility and international business to the relevant business units of its peers - Uber, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lyft-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24423:1" rel="noopener">Lyft Inc (LYFT US)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/grabtaxi-holdings-pte-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26950:1" rel="noopener">Grab (0967655D SP)</a>. Our analysis suggests that Didi offers a trade-off between growth and profitability in comparison to its peers. Overall, in combination with the ongoing regulatory overhang, we are inclined to remain on the sidelines.   </p></div>

DiDi Chuxing (DIDI US)/Xiaoju Kuaizhi is the world's largest mobility technology platform by annual active users and by average daily transactions for the twelve months ended 31 March 2021, according to CIC. Xiaoju Kuaizhi is best known for its DiDi Chuxing app in China where consumers can access mobility and other essential services. Didi is seeking to raise as much as $10 billion through a US listing, according to press reports. Didi is backed by Softbank Vision Fund (21.5% stake), Uber (UBER US) (12.8%), Tencent (700 HK) (6.8%), Alibaba Group (BABA US) and Toyota Motor (7203 JP). In Didi Chuxing (Xiaoju Kuaizhi) Initiation: In for a Bumpy Ride?, we opined that Didi’s core china mobility business is heading on the right trajectory with rising growth and improving margin. However, Didi is saddled with two other businesses (international and other initiatives) which are driven by its global ambitions and its desire to provide a broad array of service offerings to consumers and drivers. This ecosystem strategy is sensible for a company that possesses a highly profitable and cash generative core business. Unfortunately, Didi’s core china mobility business is not close to achieving this status and the international and other initiatives business look like unnecessary and costly distractions. Today, Reuters reported that China's market regulator (SAMR) has begun an antitrust probe into Didi. SAMR is examining if Didi used any competitive practices that squeezed out smaller rivals unfairly. The regulator is also examining whether the pricing mechanism used by Didi's china mobility business is sufficiently transparent. Didi declined to comment on "unsubstantiated speculation from unnamed source(s)."In this note, we examine the key financial metrics of Didi china mobility and international business to the relevant business units of its peers - Uber, Lyft Inc (LYFT US) and Grab (0967655D SP). Our analysis suggests that Didi offers a trade-off between growth and profitability in comparison to its peers. Overall, in combination with the ongoing regulatory overhang, we are inclined to remain on the sidelines.   

Xiaoju Kuaizhi (Didi Chuxing) IPO: Growth Vs Margin

<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/didi-chuxing-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27467:1" rel="noopener">DiDi Chuxing (DIDI US)</a>/Xiaoju Kuaizhi is the world's largest mobility technology platform by annual active users and by average daily transactions for the twelve months ended 31 March 2021, according to CIC. Xiaoju Kuaizhi is best known for its <em>DiDi Chuxing</em> app in China where consumers can access mobility and other essential services. It acquired rival Kuaidi Dache in February 2015 for $2.2 billion and then acquired the China operations of Uber Technologies for $7.0 billion in August 2016.  </p><p>Didi is seeking to raise as much as $10 billion through a US listing, according to press reports. Didi is backed by Softbank Vision Fund (21.5% stake), <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/uber-technologies-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:430:1" rel="noopener">Uber (UBER US)</a> (12.8%), <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26:1" rel="noopener">Tencent (700 HK)</a> (6.8%), <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alibaba-group-holding-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:787:1" rel="noopener">Alibaba Group (BABA US)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/toyota-motor-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:73:1" rel="noopener">Toyota Motor (7203 JP)</a>. </p><p>Ride-hailing platforms depend heavily on customers in high-density populated cities. China which has 14 metropolitan areas with a population of over 10 million offers the ideal conditions for ride-hailing platforms to flourish. Didi’s core china mobility business is heading on the right trajectory with rising growth and improving margin. </p><div class="content-highlight"><p>However, Didi is saddled with two other businesses (international and other initiatives) which are driven by its global ambitions and its desire to provide a broad array of service offerings to consumers and drivers. This ecosystem strategy is sensible for a business that is trying to make it costlier for customers to switch to rival platforms by leveraging a core business that is highly profitable and cash generative. Unfortunately, Didi’s core business is not close to achieving this status and the international and other initiatives business look like unnecessary and costly distractions. In combination with the ongoing regulatory overhang and less than ideal financial disclosure, we are inclined to give the Didi IPO a pass.</p></div><p><em><strong>For readers interested in Didi's peers which are also seeking IPOs/SPAC deals, we highlight our research notes:</strong></em> </p><p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/grab-spac-deal-delivering-the-goods" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:50305" rel="noopener">Grab SPAC Deal: Delivering the Goods</a> </p><p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/grab-spac-deal-a-sensible-super-app-valuation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:50344" rel="noopener">Grab SPAC Deal: A Sensible Super-App Valuation?</a> </p><p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/hello-ipo-initiation-goodbye" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:50795" rel="noopener">Hello IPO Initiation: Goodbye</a> </p><p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/hello-ipo-1q21-update-does-not-change-the-avoid-tag" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:51119" rel="noopener">Hello IPO: 1Q21 Update Does Not Change the Avoid Tag</a> </p><p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/dida-ipo-initiation-sharing-a-lift" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:47652" rel="noopener">Dida IPO Initiation: Sharing a Lift</a> </p>

DiDi Chuxing (DIDI US)/Xiaoju Kuaizhi is the world's largest mobility technology platform by annual active users and by average daily transactions for the twelve months ended 31 March 2021, according to CIC. Xiaoju Kuaizhi is best known for its DiDi Chuxing app in China where consumers can access mobility and other essential services. It acquired rival Kuaidi Dache in February 2015 for $2.2 billion and then acquired the China operations of Uber Technologies for $7.0 billion in August 2016.  Didi is seeking to raise as much as $10 billion through a US listing, according to press reports. Didi is backed by Softbank Vision Fund (21.5% stake), Uber (UBER US) (12.8%), Tencent (700 HK) (6.8%), Alibaba Group (BABA US) and Toyota Motor (7203 JP). Ride-hailing platforms depend heavily on customers in high-density populated cities. China which has 14 metropolitan areas with a population of over 10 million offers the ideal conditions for ride-hailing platforms to flourish. Didi’s core china mobility business is heading on the right trajectory with rising growth and improving margin. However, Didi is saddled with two other businesses (international and other initiatives) which are driven by its global ambitions and its desire to provide a broad array of service offerings to consumers and drivers. This ecosystem strategy is sensible for a business that is trying to make it costlier for customers to switch to rival platforms by leveraging a core business that is highly profitable and cash generative. Unfortunately, Didi’s core business is not close to achieving this status and the international and other initiatives business look like unnecessary and costly distractions. In combination with the ongoing regulatory overhang and less than ideal financial disclosure, we are inclined to give the Didi IPO a pass.For readers interested in Didi's peers which are also seeking IPOs/SPAC deals, we highlight our research notes: Grab SPAC Deal: Delivering the Goods Grab SPAC Deal: A Sensible Super-App Valuation? Hello IPO Initiation: Goodbye Hello IPO: 1Q21 Update Does Not Change the Avoid Tag Dida IPO Initiation: Sharing a Lift 

Didi Chuxing (Xiaoju Kuaizhi) Initiation: In for a Bumpy Ride?

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<div><p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hello-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33031:1" rel="noopener">Hello Inc (1883864D US)</a>, which is backed by <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ant-group-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24240:1" rel="noopener">Ant Financial Services Group (6688 HK)</a>, is China's third-largest local services platform by transaction volume, according to iResearch. Hello offers bike-sharing and e-bike sharing services known as <em>Hello Bike</em> and <em>Hello e-Bike</em>. It also has a carpooling marketplace known as <em>Hello Carpooling</em>. Hello is seeking to raise $1 billion through a Nasdaq listing, according to press reports.   </p></div>
<div>
<p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/hello-ipo-initiation-goodbye" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:50795" rel="noopener">Hello IPO Initiation: Goodbye</a> we stated that Hello’s investor pitch is that its various businesses create a flywheel that drives user spending growth with limited user acquisition costs. However, Hello remains saddled with a core business (shared two-wheeler services) that has challenging prospects due to declining growth, low profitability and high cash burn.</p>
<div class="content-highlight"><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/hello-ipo-1q21-update-does-not-change-the-avoid-tag" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:51119" rel="noopener">Hello IPO: 1Q21 Update Does Not Change the Avoid Tag</a>, we noted that at first glance, the 1Q21 update looks stunning due to accelerating growth and margin progression. However, a closer look, suggests that business continues to face daunting challenges. In this note, we present our forecasts and take the first look at Hello's potential valuation range. </p></div>
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Hello Inc (1883864D US), which is backed by Ant Financial Services Group (6688 HK), is China's third-largest local services platform by transaction volume, according to iResearch. Hello offers bike-sharing and e-bike sharing services known as Hello Bike and Hello e-Bike. It also has a carpooling marketplace known as Hello Carpooling. Hello is seeking to raise $1 billion through a Nasdaq listing, according to press reports.   

In Hello IPO Initiation: Goodbye we stated that Hello’s investor pitch is that its various businesses create a flywheel that drives user spending growth with limited user acquisition costs. However, Hello remains saddled with a core business (shared two-wheeler services) that has challenging prospects due to declining growth, low profitability and high cash burn.
In Hello IPO: 1Q21 Update Does Not Change the Avoid Tag, we noted that at first glance, the 1Q21 update looks stunning due to accelerating growth and margin progression. However, a closer look, suggests that business continues to face daunting challenges. In this note, we present our forecasts and take the first look at Hello's potential valuation range. 



<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hello-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33031:1" rel="noopener">Hello Inc (1883864D US)</a>, which is backed by <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ant-group-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24240:1" rel="noopener">Ant Financial Services Group (6688 HK)</a>, is China's third-largest local services platform by transaction volume, according to iResearch. Hello offers bike-sharing and e-bike sharing services known as <em>Hello Bike</em> and <em>Hello e-Bike</em>. It also has a carpooling marketplace known as <em>Hello Carpooling</em>. Hello is seeking to raise $1 billion through a Nasdaq listing, according to press reports.   </p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/hello-ipo-initiation-goodbye" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:50795" rel="noopener">Hello IPO Initiation: Goodbye</a> we stated that Hello’s investor pitch is that its various businesses create a flywheel that drives user spending growth with limited user acquisition costs. However, Hello remains saddled with a core business (shared two-wheeler services) that has challenging prospects due to declining growth, low profitability and high cash burn. </p><div class="content-highlight"><p>Hello has released an updated F-1 filing disclosing its 1Q21 performance and other developments. At first glance, the 1Q21 update looks stunning due to accelerating growth and margin progression. However, a closer look, suggests that business continues to face daunting challenges. Overall, we stick to our view to give the Hello IPO a pass.    </p></div>

Hello Inc (1883864D US), which is backed by Ant Financial Services Group (6688 HK), is China's third-largest local services platform by transaction volume, according to iResearch. Hello offers bike-sharing and e-bike sharing services known as Hello Bike and Hello e-Bike. It also has a carpooling marketplace known as Hello Carpooling. Hello is seeking to raise $1 billion through a Nasdaq listing, according to press reports.   In Hello IPO Initiation: Goodbye we stated that Hello’s investor pitch is that its various businesses create a flywheel that drives user spending growth with limited user acquisition costs. However, Hello remains saddled with a core business (shared two-wheeler services) that has challenging prospects due to declining growth, low profitability and high cash burn. Hello has released an updated F-1 filing disclosing its 1Q21 performance and other developments. At first glance, the 1Q21 update looks stunning due to accelerating growth and margin progression. However, a closer look, suggests that business continues to face daunting challenges. Overall, we stick to our view to give the Hello IPO a pass.    

Hello IPO: 1Q21 Update Does Not Change the Avoid Tag

United States

Hello Inc. provides software solutions. The Company offers platform which allows to shared two-wheeler services, a carpooling marketplace, e-scooters, and other services. Hello serves customers in China.

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Hello Inc (1883864D US)

DIDI (滴滴) Pre-IPO: Competitive in Car Hailing, Uncompetitive In "Others", Generally Valuable

DIDI dominates the car hailing market and has a second app to defend from small companies. None of the minor business has advantage in their market...

Ming Lu

Xiaoju Kuaizhi (Didi Chuxing) IPO: Growth Vs Margin

We examine the key financial metrics of Didi to the relevant business units of its peers. Overall, in combination with the ongoing regulatory...

Arun George

Didi Chuxing (Xiaoju Kuaizhi) Initiation: In for a Bumpy Ride?

Didi is seeking to raise as much as $10 bn. Due to the costly distractions of the non-core business, regulatory overhang and less than ideal...

Arun George

Hello IPO: Valuation First Look

Hello is seeking to raise $1 billion through a Nasdaq listing, according to press reports. In this note, we present our forecasts and take the...

Arun George

Hello IPO: 1Q21 Update Does Not Change the Avoid Tag

Hello has released an updated F-1 filing disclosing its 1Q21 performance and other developments. The 1Q21 results suggest that business continues...

Arun George

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