HK/China Equity Long-Short

Osbert Tang, CFA

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>The oil majors - <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/cnooc-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:175:1" rel="noopener">CNOOC Ltd (883 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-petroleum-chemical-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:369:1" rel="noopener">China Petroleum &amp; Chemical (386 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/petrochina-co-ltd-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:262:1" rel="noopener">PetroChina (857 HK)</a> - are interesting plays on government's plan to boost capital market valuations.</li>
<li>Higher dividend payout, privatisation of undervalued subsidiaries, return to A-shares, share buyback and upping stake by major shareholders are just some example of supporting tactics.</li>
<li>The government may possibly mobilise more offshore funds of SOEs to add stakes. We think ROE expansion and capital market valuations to gain importance in senior management KPIs.</li>
</ul>


The oil majors - CNOOC Ltd (883 HK), China Petroleum &amp; Chemical (386 HK) and PetroChina (857 HK) - are interesting plays on government's plan to boost capital market valuations.
Higher dividend payout, privatisation of undervalued subsidiaries, return to A-shares, share buyback and upping stake by major shareholders are just some example of supporting tactics.
The government may possibly mobilise more offshore funds of SOEs to add stakes. We think ROE expansion and capital market valuations to gain importance in senior management KPIs.


China Oil Sector: A Look from SOE Valuation Enhancement Angle

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>While <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-gas-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14315:1" rel="noopener">China Gas Holdings (384 HK)</a> expects better gas dollar margin HoH, there are still high profit uncertainties and its full-year operational guidance does not look exciting.</li>
<li>The expectation of flat to 10% YoY decline in new residential household connections is not encouraging. With 1H FY23 profit only amounted to 42% of consensus, we see downgrade risks.</li>
<li>Despite achieving positive free cash flow, its high gearing of 69.9% (+4pp HoH) is still very stretched relative to peers. We prefer <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>


While China Gas Holdings (384 HK) expects better gas dollar margin HoH, there are still high profit uncertainties and its full-year operational guidance does not look exciting.
The expectation of flat to 10% YoY decline in new residential household connections is not encouraging. With 1H FY23 profit only amounted to 42% of consensus, we see downgrade risks.
Despite achieving positive free cash flow, its high gearing of 69.9% (+4pp HoH) is still very stretched relative to peers. We prefer Kunlun Energy (135 HK).


China Gas Holdings (384 HK): Still Not Meeting Expectations

<ul>
<li>3Q22 result of Kunlun Gas is weaker than expected, but this is due to lower other income and surge in non-operating expenses. Without them, profit growth is actually more encouraging.</li>
<li>While there is gross margin squeeze on higher input costs, Kunlun managed to reduce operating costs by 14.1%, successfully mitigated the negative impact.</li>
<li>Kunlun Gas contributed 62.5% of 1H22 net profit 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>. Its solid 36.2% 9M22 earnings growth still points to healthy underlying momentum for its parent.</li>
</ul>


3Q22 result of Kunlun Gas is weaker than expected, but this is due to lower other income and surge in non-operating expenses. Without them, profit growth is actually more encouraging.
While there is gross margin squeeze on higher input costs, Kunlun managed to reduce operating costs by 14.1%, successfully mitigated the negative impact.
Kunlun Gas contributed 62.5% of 1H22 net profit of Kunlun Energy (135 HK). Its solid 36.2% 9M22 earnings growth still points to healthy underlying momentum for its parent.


Kunlun Energy (135 HK): Kunlun Gas 3Q22 Masked by Non-Operating Factors

<ul>
<li>With an 18.6% growth in 1H22 profit from continuing operations, <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> has not disappointed us. Natural gas sales segment is a bright spot with solid growth.</li>
<li>Net cash swelled to Rmb10.2bn at end-Jun, about 2x more than the level at end-FY21. We estimate this roughly equals to 19% of the current share price. </li>
<li>New project momentum looks healthy and the market seems to have underestimated FY22 earnings. Its 8x and 7.5x PERs for FY22 and FY23 are clearly attractive. </li>
</ul>


With an 18.6% growth in 1H22 profit from continuing operations, Kunlun Energy (135 HK) has not disappointed us. Natural gas sales segment is a bright spot with solid growth.
Net cash swelled to Rmb10.2bn at end-Jun, about 2x more than the level at end-FY21. We estimate this roughly equals to 19% of the current share price. 
New project momentum looks healthy and the market seems to have underestimated FY22 earnings. Its 8x and 7.5x PERs for FY22 and FY23 are clearly attractive. 


Kunlun Energy (135 HK): An Excellent Show

<ul>
<li>Core net profit rose a healthy 10.9% 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> in 1H22 despite challenges from pandemic lockdowns and surge in input costs.</li>
<li>We expect to see sequential improvement in both dollar margin for gas sales and overall gross margin in 2H22. Excellent integrated energy pipeline should add to earnings momentum.</li>
<li>Gearing improved 2.2pp in 1H22 and there is more room to deleverage in 2H22. While the stock's valuation is not particularly cheap, it has probably already hit the trough. </li>
</ul>


Core net profit rose a healthy 10.9% at ENN Energy (2688 HK) in 1H22 despite challenges from pandemic lockdowns and surge in input costs.
We expect to see sequential improvement in both dollar margin for gas sales and overall gross margin in 2H22. Excellent integrated energy pipeline should add to earnings momentum.
Gearing improved 2.2pp in 1H22 and there is more room to deleverage in 2H22. While the stock's valuation is not particularly cheap, it has probably already hit the trough. 


ENN Energy (2688 HK): Seeing Sign of an Upturn

Hong Kong

Kunlun Energy Company Ltd, through its subsidiaries, explores and produces crude oil and natural gas in China.

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Kunlun Energy (135 HK)

China Oil Sector: A Look from SOE Valuation Enhancement Angle

Higher dividend payout, privatisation of undervalued subsidiaries, return to A-shares, share buyback and upping stake by major shareholders can...

Osbert Tang, CFA

China Gas Holdings (384 HK): Still Not Meeting Expectations

1H FY23 result is disappointing and we see downside risks for consensus forecasts. We think 2H earnings will be at best flattish and its high...

Osbert Tang, CFA