Asian Hedge Fund Manager, Long Short Equity, Macro

David Mudd

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>China is rapidly integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics into its industrial sector to cement its position as a global leader in high-tech manufacturing.</li>
<li>With technological prowess, a large, established manufacturing base, and government support, Chinese factories will dominate automated manufacturing globally for the foreseeable future.</li>
<li>We look at a basket of Chinese manufacturers who are benefiting from automation with AI and robotics.  All the companies export a substantial portion of their products.</li>
</ul>


China is rapidly integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics into its industrial sector to cement its position as a global leader in high-tech manufacturing.
With technological prowess, a large, established manufacturing base, and government support, Chinese factories will dominate automated manufacturing globally for the foreseeable future.
We look at a basket of Chinese manufacturers who are benefiting from automation with AI and robotics.  All the companies export a substantial portion of their products.


CHINA: Industrial Manufacturing Companies Up Their Game With Robotics!

HK/China Equity Long-Short

Osbert Tang, CFA

<ul>
<li>1H25 earnings of our coverage are generally weaker than expected, with a 5.9% growth; for 2H25, the consensus forecasts point to a further slowdown to 4%. </li>
<li>The Chinese airlines, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shanghai-electric-group-company-limited-d542164d-4d5a-4ce0-b33e-5fe6bc34722c" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8777:1" rel="noopener">Shanghai Electric Group (2727 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sany-heavy-equipment-intl" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11104:1" rel="noopener">Sany Heavy Equipment (631 HK)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-travel-international-investment-hong-kong" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3879:1" rel="noopener">China Travel International Investment (308 HK)</a> exhibit the best YoY growth in 2H25. </li>
<li>Container shipping and trade-related companies like <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-cosco-holdings-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:286:1" rel="noopener">COSCO Shipping Holdings (1919 HK)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/orient-overseas-international" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:801:1" rel="noopener">Orient Overseas International (316 HK)</a> are expected to see earnings plunge in 2H25.</li>
</ul>


1H25 earnings of our coverage are generally weaker than expected, with a 5.9% growth; for 2H25, the consensus forecasts point to a further slowdown to 4%. 
The Chinese airlines, Shanghai Electric Group (2727 HK), Sany Heavy Equipment (631 HK), and China Travel International Investment (308 HK) exhibit the best YoY growth in 2H25. 
Container shipping and trade-related companies like COSCO Shipping Holdings (1919 HK), and Orient Overseas International (316 HK) are expected to see earnings plunge in 2H25.


China Strategy: 1H25 Roundup and Implications for 2H25

Cross Asset Strategy

<ul>
<li>Hong Kong Alpha portfolio gained 11.34% in October outperforming its benchmark and HK indexes.  The portfolio's Sharpe ratio increased to 2.91 and the beta and correlation to its benchmark decreased.</li>
<li>The Hong Kong Alpha portfolio is generating significant alpha (idiosyncratic) returns since launch, with 40% of returns represented by superior stock selection, with the remaining due to sector weighting.</li>
<li>
At the end of August, we bought <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/luk-fook-holdings-intl-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19054:1" rel="noopener">Luk Fook</a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/luk-fook-holdings-intl-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19054:1" rel="noopener"> Holdin</a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/luk-fook-holdings-intl-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19054:1" rel="noopener">gs</a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/luk-fook-holdings-intl-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19054:1" rel="noopener"> Intl (590 HK)</a> for the portfolio as retail demand for gold products in mainland China increases.
</li>
</ul>


Hong Kong Alpha portfolio gained 11.34% in October outperforming its benchmark and HK indexes.  The portfolio's Sharpe ratio increased to 2.91 and the beta and correlation to its benchmark decreased.
The Hong Kong Alpha portfolio is generating significant alpha (idiosyncratic) returns since launch, with 40% of returns represented by superior stock selection, with the remaining due to sector weighting.

At the end of August, we bought Luk Fook Holdings Intl (590 HK) for the portfolio as retail demand for gold products in mainland China increases.



<ul>
<li>The Hong Kong Alpha portfolio outperformed its benchmark and all Hong Kong indexes in July.  The portfolio achieved these results while increasing its Sharpe ratio and reducing beta and volatility.</li>
<li>The shift to the healthcare and materials sectors since Liberation Day in April has aided the portfolio's performance.  The consumer staples sector lost momentum, and we exited some positions there.</li>
<li>The HSI now trades above its long-term resistance levels for the first time since 2022.  This signals a good time to rotate back into market leaders in tech.</li>
</ul>


The Hong Kong Alpha portfolio outperformed its benchmark and all Hong Kong indexes in July.  The portfolio achieved these results while increasing its Sharpe ratio and reducing beta and volatility.
The shift to the healthcare and materials sectors since Liberation Day in April has aided the portfolio's performance.  The consumer staples sector lost momentum, and we exited some positions there.
The HSI now trades above its long-term resistance levels for the first time since 2022.  This signals a good time to rotate back into market leaders in tech.


<ul>
<li>For 1H25, the companies under our coverage will report a 16.8% earnings growth. Breaking down by quarter, 2Q25 growth will accelerate to 30.8%, from 14.1% in 1Q25. </li>
<li>The best growth rates are at <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-national-building-ma-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:184:1" rel="noopener">China National Building Material (3323 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-international-capital-corporation-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1071:1" rel="noopener">CICC (3908 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/beijing-capital-international-airport-bcia" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10626:1" rel="noopener">Beijing Capital Intl Airport (694 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tongcheng-travel-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27363:1" rel="noopener">Tongcheng Travel (780 HK)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sitc-international-holdings" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15301:1" rel="noopener">SITC Intl (1308 HK)</a>. </li>
<li>The worst ones are <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-travel-international-investment-hong-kong" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3879:1" rel="noopener">China Travel Intl (308 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/cosco-shipping-energy-tran-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:646:1" rel="noopener">Cosco Shipping Energy Transp (1138 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-southern-airlines-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1078:1" rel="noopener">China Southern Airlines (1055 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-tourism-group-duty-free" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:36229:1" rel="noopener">CTG Duty Free (1880 HK)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pacific-basin-shipping-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:929:1" rel="noopener">Pacific Basin (2343 HK)</a>. </li>
</ul>


For 1H25, the companies under our coverage will report a 16.8% earnings growth. Breaking down by quarter, 2Q25 growth will accelerate to 30.8%, from 14.1% in 1Q25. 
The best growth rates are at China National Building Material (3323 HK), CICC (3908 HK), Beijing Capital Intl Airport (694 HK), Tongcheng Travel (780 HK), and SITC Intl (1308 HK). 
The worst ones are China Travel Intl (308 HK), Cosco Shipping Energy Transp (1138 HK), China Southern Airlines (1055 HK), CTG Duty Free (1880 HK), and Pacific Basin (2343 HK). 


China & HK Strategy: 1H25 Preview - Where Are the Upside and Downside Surprises?

China

Shanghai Electric Group is an integrated equipment manufacturing group specializing in industrial equipment, including new energy, environmental protection, and modern services. It designs, manufactures, and sells products such as nuclear power, wind power, thermal generator sets, power transmission and distribution equipment, elevators, and industrial automation systems. The company is headquartered in Shanghai, China, and traces its roots to 1880.

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Shanghai Electric Group (2727 HK)

CHINA: Industrial Manufacturing Companies Up Their Game With Robotics!

China is rapidly integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics into its industrial sector to cement its position as a global leader in high...

David Mudd

China Strategy: 1H25 Roundup and Implications for 2H25

1H25 earnings weaker than expected with 5.9% growth; 2H25 forecasts show further slowdown to 4%. Chinese airlines and trade-related companies...

Osbert Tang, CFA

HONG KONG ALPHA PORTFOLIO (August 2025)

Hong Kong Alpha portfolio gained 11.34% in October outperforming its benchmark and HK indexes. The portfolio's Sharpe ratio increased to 2.91 and...

David Mudd

HONG KONG ALPHA PORTFOLIO (July 2025)

The Hong Kong Alpha portfolio outperformed its benchmark and all Hong Kong indexes in July. The portfolio achieved these results while increasing...

David Mudd

China & HK Strategy: 1H25 Preview - Where Are the Upside and Downside Surprises?

The companies under our coverage are expected to report 16.8% earnings growth for 1H25, with 2Q25 accelerating to 30.8%. Top performers include...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

CHINA: Industrial Manufacturing Companies Up Their Game With Robotics!

China is rapidly integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics into its industrial sector to cement its position as a global leader in high...

David Mudd

China Strategy: 1H25 Roundup and Implications for 2H25

​1H25 earnings weaker than expected with 5.9% growth; 2H25 forecasts show further slowdown to 4%. Chinese airlines and trade-related companies...

Osbert Tang, CFA

HONG KONG ALPHA PORTFOLIO (August 2025)

Hong Kong Alpha portfolio gained 11.34% in October outperforming its benchmark and HK indexes. The portfolio's Sharpe ratio increased to 2.91 and...

David Mudd

HONG KONG ALPHA PORTFOLIO (July 2025)

The Hong Kong Alpha portfolio outperformed its benchmark and all Hong Kong indexes in July. The portfolio achieved these results while increasing...

David Mudd

China & HK Strategy: 1H25 Preview - Where Are the Upside and Downside Surprises?

The companies under our coverage are expected to report 16.8% earnings growth for 1H25, with 2Q25 accelerating to 30.8%. Top performers include...

Osbert Tang, CFA

1H25 earnings weaker than expected with 5.9% growth; 2H25 forecasts show further slowdown to 4%. Chinese airlines and trade-related companies...