HK/China Equity Long-Short

Osbert Tang, CFA

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

Share price of the China Education Sector stocks, particularly the US listed online education ones, are hit hardest on Friday amid the rumoured release of extremely stringent government regulatory changes. The CCPC and State Council official announcement was made on Saturday, and basically removed the survival of online and curriculum-related after-school tutoring classes for Pre-K and compulsory education grades. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/new-oriental-education-tech-grp-adr" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:531:1" rel="noopener">New Oriental Education (EDU US)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tal-education-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1124:1" rel="noopener">TAL Education (TAL US)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/gaotu-techedu-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28069:1" rel="noopener">Gaotu Techedu (GOTU US)</a> all pledged to support the decisions on Saturday night via Weibo.We believe the best way to position in the sector is to focus on higher and vocational education sub-segments. In this regard, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-education-group-holdin" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18218:1" rel="noopener">China Education Group (839 HK)</a> is best positioned given its pure exposure in this market and nil exposure to K-12 schools (online/offline). The 26.3% drop in share price from the peak provides an attractive entry point, in our view. Among the three online education companies, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/new-oriental-education-tech-grp-adr" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:531:1" rel="noopener">New Oriental Education (EDU US)</a> looks comparatively safer due to its buffer from other businesses, but we would warn against the extreme risks associated with bottom-fishing this name.

Share price of the China Education Sector stocks, particularly the US listed online education ones, are hit hardest on Friday amid the rumoured release of extremely stringent government regulatory changes. The CCPC and State Council official announcement was made on Saturday, and basically removed the survival of online and curriculum-related after-school tutoring classes for Pre-K and compulsory education grades. New Oriental Education (EDU US), TAL Education (TAL US) and Gaotu Techedu (GOTU US) all pledged to support the decisions on Saturday night via Weibo.We believe the best way to position in the sector is to focus on higher and vocational education sub-segments. In this regard, China Education Group (839 HK) is best positioned given its pure exposure in this market and nil exposure to K-12 schools (online/offline). The 26.3% drop in share price from the peak provides an attractive entry point, in our view. Among the three online education companies, New Oriental Education (EDU US) looks comparatively safer due to its buffer from other businesses, but we would warn against the extreme risks associated with bottom-fishing this name.

China Private Education: How to Position After the Regulatory Crackdown?

Research on Tech Companies

Evelyn Zhang

A series of recent Chinese policies promoting vocational schools instead of traditional secondary education, and efforts to eliminate after-class cramming makes me to recommend short K12 education related stocks and long vocational training related stocks.

A series of recent Chinese policies promoting vocational schools instead of traditional secondary education, and efforts to eliminate after-class cramming makes me to recommend short K12 education related stocks and long vocational training related stocks.

A Twist of Fate – China’s Suppression of Secondary Education in Favor of Vocational Education

The recent fall in price of many so called “China concept shares” of US listed Chinese companies, has largely been triggered by the passing of the "Holding Foreign Company Accountability Act" (HFCAA).A flock of US listed Chinese companies have since decided to relist in HKSE due to a few reasons:<ol>
<li>The HFCAA causing conflicting compliance requirements with Chinese regulations.</li>
<li>Fear among investors of forced delisting in the US.</li>
<li>HKEX deregulation allowing more Chinese companies to be listed.</li>
<li>The valuation in HK is in sync with the U.S. stock market.</li>
<li>HK attracting more Chinese funds to operate in HKEX.</li>
</ol>

The recent fall in price of many so called “China concept shares” of US listed Chinese companies, has largely been triggered by the passing of the "Holding Foreign Company Accountability Act" (HFCAA).A flock of US listed Chinese companies have since decided to relist in HKSE due to a few reasons:
The HFCAA causing conflicting compliance requirements with Chinese regulations.
Fear among investors of forced delisting in the US.
HKEX deregulation allowing more Chinese companies to be listed.
The valuation in HK is in sync with the U.S. stock market.
HK attracting more Chinese funds to operate in HKEX.


Exit the Dragon – the Mass Exodus of US Listed Chinese Companies

The China Private Education Sector presents an exciting growth story, riding on the increase in spending on education, rise in demand for quality education, support from local governments for private investments and increase in acceptance towards online delivery mode, among others. These positive factors, however, are balanced by the decrease in birth rates and the tight regulatory regime. Despite so, we continue to see good prospects given that earnings growth will remain ahead of the overall market by significant magnitude. Meanwhile, valuations have already returned to more reasonable levels, with investment value started to emerge on some names.Companies in the sector have different focuses, including K-12 education, higher education, vocational education, tutoring (online) and tutoring (online and offline), and we have to be very selective. We prefer companies that focus on higher education which face lower regulatory risks, have a clear defined expansion strategy and specialise in a niche market segment. Out of the ten companies covered in this Smartkarma Original, we put forward <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-education-group-holdin" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18218:1" rel="noopener">China Education Group (839 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tianli-education-internation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27210:1" rel="noopener">Tianli Education (1773 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-yuhua-education" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23627:1" rel="noopener">China Yuhua Education (6169 HK)</a> as our top picks.<h2>What's Original?</h2>This Smartkarma Original takes an in-depth analysis on 10 companies in the Private Education Sector in China, covering stocks listed in the HKEx, NYSE, Shenzhen Stock Exchange as well as dual listings. In the A-share space, we cover <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/wuhu-yaxia-automobile-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9979:1" rel="noopener">Offcn Education Technology (002607 CH)</a>, which is sizeable (market cap of almost HK$210bn) and with unique exposure to the civil servants recruitment examination training.Besides addressing the key evolving trends of the industry and the all-important regulatory issues, we also touched on the private funding aspects for some prominent unlisted companies and the IPO trends of the industry. Where appropriate, we share some of our on-ground experiences with the aim to provide a closer feel on the industry and companies. We hope this Smartkarma Original will be a comprehensive and updated reference for China's Private Education Sector.

The China Private Education Sector presents an exciting growth story, riding on the increase in spending on education, rise in demand for quality education, support from local governments for private investments and increase in acceptance towards online delivery mode, among others. These positive factors, however, are balanced by the decrease in birth rates and the tight regulatory regime. Despite so, we continue to see good prospects given that earnings growth will remain ahead of the overall market by significant magnitude. Meanwhile, valuations have already returned to more reasonable levels, with investment value started to emerge on some names.Companies in the sector have different focuses, including K-12 education, higher education, vocational education, tutoring (online) and tutoring (online and offline), and we have to be very selective. We prefer companies that focus on higher education which face lower regulatory risks, have a clear defined expansion strategy and specialise in a niche market segment. Out of the ten companies covered in this Smartkarma Original, we put forward China Education Group (839 HK), Tianli Education (1773 HK) and China Yuhua Education (6169 HK) as our top picks.What's Original?This Smartkarma Original takes an in-depth analysis on 10 companies in the Private Education Sector in China, covering stocks listed in the HKEx, NYSE, Shenzhen Stock Exchange as well as dual listings. In the A-share space, we cover Offcn Education Technology (002607 CH), which is sizeable (market cap of almost HK$210bn) and with unique exposure to the civil servants recruitment examination training.Besides addressing the key evolving trends of the industry and the all-important regulatory issues, we also touched on the private funding aspects for some prominent unlisted companies and the IPO trends of the industry. Where appropriate, we share some of our on-ground experiences with the aim to provide a closer feel on the industry and companies. We hope this Smartkarma Original will be a comprehensive and updated reference for China's Private Education Sector.

China Private Education: This Is Where the Future Lies

Investment Advisors, JL Warren Capital

Junheng Li

Investment Advisors

JL Warren Capital

JL Warren Capital LLC is a leading independent equity research firm focused on Chinese companies and listed multinationals in China. We employ a bottom-up research approach that takes great care to avoid the acquisition of material non-public information. Through investigative due diligence including channel surveys and interviews, our research helps clients to pinpoint the dislocations in the market.

In CY 2018 private AST operators responded to the regulatory tightening by swiftly reigning in their capacity expansions. In July 2018 <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/new-oriental-education-tech-grp-adr" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:531:1" rel="noopener">New Oriental Education (EDU US)</a>  and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tal-education-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1124:1" rel="noopener">TAL Education (TAL US)</a>  guided ~27% and ~45% YoY topline YoY growth in the following summer semesters (August Q 2018, FQ2 19 for TAL, FQ1 19 for EDU), decelerating from 44% and 71% YoY growth in FQ1 2019 ended May 2018, respectively.  Both stocks were massively sold off:  TAL declined by 51% from then all-time high of 47 USD in June to 23 USD in October 2018.   During the same period, EDU dropped 50% from then all-time high of 105 USD (before 10 for 1 stock split on March 2021) in June 2018 to 52 USD in December 2018.   Nevertheless, since then EDU and TAL delivered 198% and 164% return since the beginning of 2019.

In CY 2018 private AST operators responded to the regulatory tightening by swiftly reigning in their capacity expansions. In July 2018 New Oriental Education (EDU US)  and TAL Education (TAL US)  guided ~27% and ~45% YoY topline YoY growth in the following summer semesters (August Q 2018, FQ2 19 for TAL, FQ1 19 for EDU), decelerating from 44% and 71% YoY growth in FQ1 2019 ended May 2018, respectively.  Both stocks were massively sold off:  TAL declined by 51% from then all-time high of 47 USD in June to 23 USD in October 2018.   During the same period, EDU dropped 50% from then all-time high of 105 USD (before 10 for 1 stock split on March 2021) in June 2018 to 52 USD in December 2018.   Nevertheless, since then EDU and TAL delivered 198% and 164% return since the beginning of 2019. 

China’s Congress on AST Industry Oversight: Mostly Rhetoric, Little Practicality

China

New Oriental Education & Technology Group, Inc. offers educational services. The Company offers foreign language training, test preparation courses for admissions and assessment tests in the United States, the PRC and Commonwealth countries, primary and secondary school education, and other services. New Oriental Education & Technology Group also operates software development.

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New Oriental Education & Techn (EDU US)

China Private Education: How to Position After the Regulatory Crackdown?

Focus on higher and vocational education sub-segments is the best position amid regulatory crackdown. For online players, New Oriental looks more...

Osbert Tang, CFA

A Twist of Fate – China’s Suppression of Secondary Education in Favor of Vocational Education

Change is afoot in one of China's main social mobility mechanism, the education system. The country is promoting vocational education in an effort...

Evelyn Zhang

Exit the Dragon – the Mass Exodus of US Listed Chinese Companies

Is US-China financial decoupling affecting the US stock market? What's the future of US listed Chinese companies l? How can investors in China...

Evelyn Zhang

China Private Education: This Is Where the Future Lies

Profit growth at China Private Education Sector will speed ahead and outperform overall market significantly. With valuations retreated to more...

Osbert Tang, CFA

China’s Congress on AST Industry Oversight: Mostly Rhetoric, Little Practicality

The crackdown on irregular AST businesses, if seriously implemented, will wipe out small operators (mostly mom and pops), and leave the big ones...

JL Warren Capital

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