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 Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Game revenue, accounting for 74% of total revenue, grew by 20% in 3Q20.</li>
<li>The subsidiary, Youdao (DAO), spent more sale and marketing expense than its total revenue.</li>
<li>According to the P/S ratios of US game developers in 2021, we believe NTES will have an upside of 35%.</li>
<li>Please note that one ADS represents 5 shares now, compared to 25 shares in the last quarter.</li>
</ul>


Game revenue, accounting for 74% of total revenue, grew by 20% in 3Q20.
The subsidiary, Youdao (DAO), spent more sale and marketing expense than its total revenue.
According to the P/S ratios of US game developers in 2021, we believe NTES will have an upside of 35%.
Please note that one ADS represents 5 shares now, compared to 25 shares in the last quarter.


NetEase (NTES): In 3Q20, Rapid Growth, Weak Earnings Due to Minor Businesses

ASEAN Insight Provider, CrossASEAN Research

Angus Mackintosh

ASEAN Insight Provider

CrossASEAN Research

At CrossASEAN Research we strive to produce unbiased and differentiated on the ground insights on companies across South East Asia. Our Research is produced for the most part after face to face meetings and conversations with company management to dig deep into the long term vision and strategy of the companies we cover. We seek to deliver investable and actionable themes on sectors and markets across SE Asia, often in collaboration with other Insight Providers across the region, pooling the vast experience of the analysts within the Smartkarma Ecosystem. We also offer bespoke work and tailor made trips for our clients. 

Insights across South East Asia

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sea-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8509:1" rel="noopener">Sea Ltd (SE US)</a> just released its 3Q2020 numbers and yet again hit the ball out of the park on revenue growth, with +110% growth in its digital entertainment (DE) revenues to US$944.7m and +173% growth in its e-commerce (EC) revenues to US$618.7m.
Digital Entertainment revenues grew by +31.9% QoQ in 3Q2020, whilst e-commerce expanded by +39.7% QoQ. Total group revenues for 3Q2020 grew by +98.7% YoY to US$1,212.2m.
The company also registered a positive EBITDA of US$120.4m in 3Q2020 versus (US$30.8m) loss for 3Q2019 and US$7.7m in 2Q2020 but it still booked a net loss of (US$346m) after share-based compensation and changes in the value of the 2017 convertible notes versus (US$175m) in 3Q2019.
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sea-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8509:1" rel="noopener">Sea Ltd (SE US)</a> booked a +99% growth rate in total GAAP revenue US$1.2bn, whilst gross profits grew by +100.6% YoY in 3Q2020 to US$407.6m. Gross merchandise value (GMV) increased +103% to US$9.3bn in 3Q2020. 
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sea-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8509:1" rel="noopener">Sea Ltd (SE US)</a> has yet again demonstrated its ability to lead the pack both through Garena in gaming and Shopee for e-commerce in terms of extraordinary rates of revenue growth, with its digital entertainment effectively bankrolling its e-commerce business.
E-commerce is also marching in the right direction with the EBITDA loss per order continuing to decline QoQ as it winds its way towards profitability, although that will not happen until 2023.
<div class="content-highlight">
Looking out to FY21E, the average EV/Sales for the company's peers stands at 5.5x versus <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sea-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8509:1" rel="noopener">Sea Ltd (SE US)</a> on 9.45x but it is forecast to grow sales at +43.6%, twice the average growth rate of peers. Investors will pay a premium for this growth and its market leadership, with an increasing focus on profitability. 
</div>

Sea Ltd (SE US) just released its 3Q2020 numbers and yet again hit the ball out of the park on revenue growth, with +110% growth in its digital entertainment (DE) revenues to US$944.7m and +173% growth in its e-commerce (EC) revenues to US$618.7m.
Digital Entertainment revenues grew by +31.9% QoQ in 3Q2020, whilst e-commerce expanded by +39.7% QoQ. Total group revenues for 3Q2020 grew by +98.7% YoY to US$1,212.2m.
The company also registered a positive EBITDA of US$120.4m in 3Q2020 versus (US$30.8m) loss for 3Q2019 and US$7.7m in 2Q2020 but it still booked a net loss of (US$346m) after share-based compensation and changes in the value of the 2017 convertible notes versus (US$175m) in 3Q2019.
Sea Ltd (SE US) booked a +99% growth rate in total GAAP revenue US$1.2bn, whilst gross profits grew by +100.6% YoY in 3Q2020 to US$407.6m. Gross merchandise value (GMV) increased +103% to US$9.3bn in 3Q2020. 
Sea Ltd (SE US) has yet again demonstrated its ability to lead the pack both through Garena in gaming and Shopee for e-commerce in terms of extraordinary rates of revenue growth, with its digital entertainment effectively bankrolling its e-commerce business.
E-commerce is also marching in the right direction with the EBITDA loss per order continuing to decline QoQ as it winds its way towards profitability, although that will not happen until 2023.

Looking out to FY21E, the average EV/Sales for the company's peers stands at 5.5x versus Sea Ltd (SE US) on 9.45x but it is forecast to grow sales at +43.6%, twice the average growth rate of peers. Investors will pay a premium for this growth and its market leadership, with an increasing focus on profitability. 


Sea Ltd (SE US) - Gaming the E-Commerce Epiphany

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

The role of lock-ups in IPOs is, as one journal <a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/1262724?seq=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">put it</a>, a "commitment device to alleviate moral hazard problems".
Lock-ups can be entered into and negotiated with underwriters, as is the case for secondary listings for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/netease" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29030:1" rel="noopener">NetEase (9999 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jd-com-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29043:1" rel="noopener">JD.com (HK) (9618 HK)</a>, amongst others. For primary listings in Hong Kong, there are standard rules as to the lock-up duration.
According to <a href="https://en-rules.hkex.com.hk/rulebook/1007-0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Main Board Rule 10.07(1)</a> (or <a href="https://en-rules.hkex.com.hk/rulebook/1316a" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GEM rule 13.16A(1)</a>), if a person/group of persons is/are listed as the controlling shareholder(s) of the issuer's listing application, shall not (apart from any offer of shares for sale discussed in the listing document):
<ol>
<li>dispose of shares (nor enter into agreements) in a period commencing on the date by reference to which disclosure of the shareholding of the controlling shareholder is made in the listing document and ending on the date which is 6 months from the date of listing (the “First Six-month Period”); and</li>
<li>dispose of shares in the period of 6 months commencing on the date on which the First Six-month Period expires, if immediately following such disposal that person or group of persons would cease to be a controlling shareholder (the “Second Six-month Period”).</li>
</ol>
An example of such wording can be found in Yadong's Group (1795 HK)'s (the most recent Main Board listing) "<a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2020/1117/9515120/2020111700040.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Share Offer - Announcement of allotment results</a>".
For cornerstone investors, the following is often stated in the share offer document:
<blockquote>
Each of the Cornerstone Investors has agreed that it will not, whether directly or indirectly, at any time during the period of six months following the Listing Date, dispose of any of the Offer Shares it has purchased pursuant to the relevant Cornerstone Investment Agreement, save for certain limited circumstances ...
</blockquote>
Every week in my Event SPACE wrap, I flag large moves (~10%) in CCASS holdings over the past week or so, moves that are often outside normal market transactions.  These may be indicative of share pledges.  Or potential takeovers. Or simply help understand volume swings. 
Large movement(s) concerning recently listed companies are likely lock-up related. 
This insight looks at companies that have been listed for nearly six months or 12 months, as a guide to when insiders/controlling shareholders are permitted to sell, potentially depressing prices and creating an overhang.
A summary of Main Board listings in 2020 is attached at the bottom of this insight.

The role of lock-ups in IPOs is, as one journal put it, a "commitment device to alleviate moral hazard problems".
Lock-ups can be entered into and negotiated with underwriters, as is the case for secondary listings for NetEase (9999 HK), JD.com (HK) (9618 HK), amongst others. For primary listings in Hong Kong, there are standard rules as to the lock-up duration.
According to Main Board Rule 10.07(1) (or GEM rule 13.16A(1)), if a person/group of persons is/are listed as the controlling shareholder(s) of the issuer's listing application, shall not (apart from any offer of shares for sale discussed in the listing document):

dispose of shares (nor enter into agreements) in a period commencing on the date by reference to which disclosure of the shareholding of the controlling shareholder is made in the listing document and ending on the date which is 6 months from the date of listing (the “First Six-month Period”); and
dispose of shares in the period of 6 months commencing on the date on which the First Six-month Period expires, if immediately following such disposal that person or group of persons would cease to be a controlling shareholder (the “Second Six-month Period”).

An example of such wording can be found in Yadong's Group (1795 HK)'s (the most recent Main Board listing) "Share Offer - Announcement of allotment results".
For cornerstone investors, the following is often stated in the share offer document:

Each of the Cornerstone Investors has agreed that it will not, whether directly or indirectly, at any time during the period of six months following the Listing Date, dispose of any of the Offer Shares it has purchased pursuant to the relevant Cornerstone Investment Agreement, save for certain limited circumstances ...

Every week in my Event SPACE wrap, I flag large moves (~10%) in CCASS holdings over the past week or so, moves that are often outside normal market transactions.  These may be indicative of share pledges.  Or potential takeovers. Or simply help understand volume swings. 
Large movement(s) concerning recently listed companies are likely lock-up related. 
This insight looks at companies that have been listed for nearly six months or 12 months, as a guide to when insiders/controlling shareholders are permitted to sell, potentially depressing prices and creating an overhang.
A summary of Main Board listings in 2020 is attached at the bottom of this insight.

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One, Periscope Analytics

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

Index Rebalance

Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group  / Index Rebalance

The Hang Seng Indexes Company Limited (HSIL) announced the results of its review of the Hang Seng Family of Indexes post market close on 13 November. The constituent changes will be effective after the close of trading on 4 December.For the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hang-seng-china-enterprises-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22900:1" rel="noopener">Hang Seng China Enterprises Index (HSCEI INDEX)</a>, there are 9 inclusions and 9 deletions.The inclusions are <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alibaba-health-information-technology-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:453:1" rel="noopener">Alibaba Health Information Technology (241 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-overseas-land-invest" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:419:1" rel="noopener">China Overseas Land &amp; Investment Ltd (688 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/semiconductor-manufacturing-international-corp-smic" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14231:1" rel="noopener">Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC) (981 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/evergrande-real-estate-group-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:479:1" rel="noopener">Evergrande Real Estate Group (3333 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hansoh-pharmaceutical-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23675:1" rel="noopener">Hansoh Pharmaceutical (3692 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-feihe-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24413:1" rel="noopener">China Feihe (6186 HK)</a>, <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>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jd-com-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29043:1" rel="noopener">JD.com (HK) (9618 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/netease" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29030:1" rel="noopener">NetEase (9999 HK)</a>. The deletions are <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/want-want-china-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:355:1" rel="noopener">Want Want (151 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fosun-international-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:433:1" rel="noopener">Fosun International (656 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-telecom-corp-ltd-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1015:1" rel="noopener">China Telecom Corp Ltd (H) (728 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-taiping-insurance-hldgs-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:489:1" rel="noopener">China Taiping Insurance Hldgs (966 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-citic-bank-corp-ltd-ea6c25fd-4b20-45cb-a4a6-df7a60136f03" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:653:1" rel="noopener">China Citic Bank Corp Ltd H (998 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-shenhua-energy-co-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:382:1" rel="noopener">China Shenhua Energy Co H (1088 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-minsheng-banking-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8983:1" rel="noopener">China Minsheng Banking H (1988 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-vanke-co-ltd-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18368:1" rel="noopener">China Vanke Co Ltd (H) (2202 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/picc-property-casualty-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:350:1" rel="noopener">PICC Property &amp; Casualty H (2328 HK)</a>. One-way turnover is estimated at 10.21% and volumes at the closing auction on 4 December are going to be HUGE. Passive funds will need to trade between 1.5-4.5 days of ADV on the deletions and between 0.5-4 days of ADV on the inclusions.We had picked all 9 inclusions and exclusions, so there are no surprises in the review. That said, the probability of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hansoh-pharmaceutical-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23675:1" rel="noopener">Hansoh Pharmaceutical (3692 HK)</a> being included was the lowest since it was right at the cusp of inclusion, so there could be a pop at the open on Monday. Hansoh, at almost 4 days of ADV, has the biggest impact to buy from passive funds. The corresponding deletion was <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/picc-property-casualty-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:350:1" rel="noopener">PICC Property &amp; Casualty H (2328 HK)</a> and the stock could start trading lower on Monday.

The Hang Seng Indexes Company Limited (HSIL) announced the results of its review of the Hang Seng Family of Indexes post market close on 13 November. The constituent changes will be effective after the close of trading on 4 December.For the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index (HSCEI INDEX), there are 9 inclusions and 9 deletions.The inclusions are Alibaba Health Information Technology (241 HK), China Overseas Land &amp; Investment Ltd (688 HK), Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC) (981 HK), Evergrande Real Estate Group (3333 HK), Hansoh Pharmaceutical (3692 HK), China Feihe (6186 HK), Haidilao (6862 HK), JD.com (HK) (9618 HK) and NetEase (9999 HK). The deletions are Want Want (151 HK), Fosun International (656 HK), China Telecom Corp Ltd (H) (728 HK), China Taiping Insurance Hldgs (966 HK), China Citic Bank Corp Ltd H (998 HK), China Shenhua Energy Co H (1088 HK), China Minsheng Banking H (1988 HK), China Vanke Co Ltd (H) (2202 HK) and PICC Property &amp; Casualty H (2328 HK). One-way turnover is estimated at 10.21% and volumes at the closing auction on 4 December are going to be HUGE. Passive funds will need to trade between 1.5-4.5 days of ADV on the deletions and between 0.5-4 days of ADV on the inclusions.We had picked all 9 inclusions and exclusions, so there are no surprises in the review. That said, the probability of Hansoh Pharmaceutical (3692 HK) being included was the lowest since it was right at the cusp of inclusion, so there could be a pop at the open on Monday. Hansoh, at almost 4 days of ADV, has the biggest impact to buy from passive funds. The corresponding deletion was PICC Property &amp; Casualty H (2328 HK) and the stock could start trading lower on Monday.

HSCEI Index Rebalance: 9 Adds, 9 Deletes, BIG Turnover

The Hang Seng Indexes Company Limited (HSIL) announced the results of its review of the Hang Seng Family of Indexes post market close on 13 November. The constituent changes will be effective after the close of trading on 4 December.For the Hang Seng TECH Index, there are 2 inclusions and 2 exclusions.The inclusions are <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ming-yuan-cloud-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29268:1" rel="noopener">Ming Yuan Cloud Group (909 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/archosaur-games" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28948:1" rel="noopener">Archosaur Games (9990 HK)</a>, while the deletions are <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hengten-networks-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3296:1" rel="noopener">HengTen Ltd (136 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/netdragon-websoft-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3703:1" rel="noopener">Netdragon Websoft (777 HK)</a>. One way turnover is 7.97% due to the inclusions/ exclusions, capping, and free float changes.Both inclusions have 0.67 days of ADV to buy, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hengten-networks-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3296:1" rel="noopener">HengTen Ltd (136 HK)</a> has 0.6 days of ADV to sell, while <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/netdragon-websoft-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3703:1" rel="noopener">Netdragon Websoft (777 HK)</a> has 1 day of ADV to sell.

The Hang Seng Indexes Company Limited (HSIL) announced the results of its review of the Hang Seng Family of Indexes post market close on 13 November. The constituent changes will be effective after the close of trading on 4 December.For the Hang Seng TECH Index, there are 2 inclusions and 2 exclusions.The inclusions are Ming Yuan Cloud Group (909 HK) and Archosaur Games (9990 HK), while the deletions are HengTen Ltd (136 HK) and Netdragon Websoft (777 HK). One way turnover is 7.97% due to the inclusions/ exclusions, capping, and free float changes.Both inclusions have 0.67 days of ADV to buy, HengTen Ltd (136 HK) has 0.6 days of ADV to sell, while Netdragon Websoft (777 HK) has 1 day of ADV to sell.

Hang Seng TECH Index Rebalance: Two Changes as Assets Continue to Grow

China

NetEase, Inc. is an Internet technology company that develops applications, services and other Internet technologies in China. The Company's core businesses consist of email service, web portal and online entertainment, including online gaming services. NetEase also offers online advertising, search, mobile applications and e-commerce.

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NetEase Inc (NTES US)

NetEase (NTES): In 3Q20, Rapid Growth, Weak Earnings Due to Minor Businesses

Game revenue grew by 20% in 3Q20. The subsidiary, Youdao (DAO), spent more sale and marketing expense than its total revenue. An upside of 35%.

Ming Lu

Sea Ltd (SE US) - Gaming the E-Commerce Epiphany

Sea Ltd (SE US) continues to generate increasingly robust cashflows from its gaming business, which is used to bankroll the growth in its e...

Angus Mackintosh

Hong Kong IPOs: Lock-Up Expiries

A look at companies that have been listed for nearly six/12 months, as a guide to when insiders/controlling shareholders are permitted to sell,...

David Blennerhassett

HSCEI Index Rebalance: 9 Adds, 9 Deletes, BIG Turnover

There are 9 adds and 9 deletes in the upcoming HSCEI rebalance. Turnover at 10%+ is big and there is a lot of short interest on names. The momentum...

Brian Freitas

Hang Seng TECH Index Rebalance: Two Changes as Assets Continue to Grow

The first review of the Hang Seng TECH index has 2 inclusions and 2 deletions. Assets benchmarked to the index are north of US$1.1bn and will...

Brian Freitas

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