HK/China Equity Long-Short

Osbert Tang, CFA

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>Business transformation has supported share price of many companies in 2021, and we expect transformation will stay as an important theme for 2022 with more companies making related announcements.</li>
<li>We highlighted some interesting names in this theme including <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yanzhou-coal-mining-company-limited-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:384:1" rel="noopener">Yankuang Energy Group Co (1171 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/anhui-conch-cement-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:159:1" rel="noopener">Anhui Conch Cement (914 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-energy-engineering-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:21017:1" rel="noopener">China Energy Engineering (3996 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shenzhen-expressway-co-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2875:1" rel="noopener">Shenzhen Expressway Co (548 HK)</a>. </li>
<li>While some have already seen share price rallied, many are still lagging other transformation plays. They are also mostly trading on low multiples with transformation potential not yet fully reflected.</li>
</ul>


Business transformation has supported share price of many companies in 2021, and we expect transformation will stay as an important theme for 2022 with more companies making related announcements.
We highlighted some interesting names in this theme including Yankuang Energy Group Co (1171 HK), Anhui Conch Cement (914 HK), China Energy Engineering (3996 HK) and Shenzhen Expressway Co (548 HK). 
While some have already seen share price rallied, many are still lagging other transformation plays. They are also mostly trading on low multiples with transformation potential not yet fully reflected.


Business Transformation Is the Theme in 2022 and Some Interesting Companies to Watch

Equity Bottom-Up

Zhejiang Expressway Co H / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>We believe there is room for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/zhejiang-expressway-co-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2178:1" rel="noopener">Zhejiang Expressway Co H (576 HK)</a> to raise dividend payout ratio moderately, following that of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/anhui-expressway-co-ltd-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5236:1" rel="noopener">Anhui Expressway (995 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shenzhen-expressway-co-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2875:1" rel="noopener">Shenzhen Expressway (548 HK)</a>. </li>
<li>It has a comparable gearing with SZEX, positive earnings outlook, improved operating cash flow and manageable capex which all are supportive to raise payout ratio.</li>
<li>If it increases to 55% payout, versus an average of 45.6% previously, we estimate the stock is trading on attractive dividend yield of 11.3% and 12.4%, respectively for FY21-22.</li>
</ul>


We believe there is room for Zhejiang Expressway Co H (576 HK) to raise dividend payout ratio moderately, following that of Anhui Expressway (995 HK) and Shenzhen Expressway (548 HK). 
It has a comparable gearing with SZEX, positive earnings outlook, improved operating cash flow and manageable capex which all are supportive to raise payout ratio.
If it increases to 55% payout, versus an average of 45.6% previously, we estimate the stock is trading on attractive dividend yield of 11.3% and 12.4%, respectively for FY21-22.


Zhejiang Expressway (576 HK): Is There Any Room for Higher Dividend Payout?

Shenzhen International / Equity Bottom-Up

We consider the plan by <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shenzhen-international-holdings-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9:1" rel="noopener">Shenzhen International (152 HK)</a> to dispose of its 35.7% direct stake in the Meilin Checkpoint Project a strategic move to move forward its earnings and cash flow from the development. Under normal course, it will have to wait for another 2-3 years to realise such gains and cash. In our view, investors should welcome this decision as the move will also cover an earnings gap in FY21 originally left over from FY20 due to a lack of exceptional gain in this year.With a potential capital gain of Rmb2.9bn (HK$3.5bn), SZI is likely to record a historical high net profit for FY21. Moreover, its track record of sharing exceptional gain with investors through special dividends may mean a dividend yield of 12% for FY21 based on the current share price. The enriched financial position will also provide SZI more resources for pursuing logistics expansion, and it has just announced a logistics acquisition in Pingshan, Shenzhen.

We consider the plan by Shenzhen International (152 HK) to dispose of its 35.7% direct stake in the Meilin Checkpoint Project a strategic move to move forward its earnings and cash flow from the development. Under normal course, it will have to wait for another 2-3 years to realise such gains and cash. In our view, investors should welcome this decision as the move will also cover an earnings gap in FY21 originally left over from FY20 due to a lack of exceptional gain in this year.With a potential capital gain of Rmb2.9bn (HK$3.5bn), SZI is likely to record a historical high net profit for FY21. Moreover, its track record of sharing exceptional gain with investors through special dividends may mean a dividend yield of 12% for FY21 based on the current share price. The enriched financial position will also provide SZI more resources for pursuing logistics expansion, and it has just announced a logistics acquisition in Pingshan, Shenzhen.   

Shenzhen Intl (152 HK): Cashing in Future Earnings

We came back with a positive view on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shenzhen-international-holdings-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9:1" rel="noopener">Shenzhen International (152 HK)</a> after a brief catch-up discussion with the company. For 2H21, we see upside potential in earnings and our takeaways are also encouraging. We see possibility for higher earnings contribution from the Meilin Checkpoint project and logistics business on asset divestment. At just 6x PER, 0.6x P/B (-2 SD below average) and 8.6% dividend yield for FY21, SZI's valuations are attractive relative to the fundamentals.Strategically, the new CEO will foster closer working relations with its parent and affiliates, it is a beneficiary of the Qianhai expansion (as it still has 40% land yet to be developed) and it sees possibility of participation in the booming air cargo terminal business of Air China. We believe the recent share price weakness is a good opportunity for this interesting name in the Greater Bay Area.

We came back with a positive view on Shenzhen International (152 HK) after a brief catch-up discussion with the company. For 2H21, we see upside potential in earnings and our takeaways are also encouraging. We see possibility for higher earnings contribution from the Meilin Checkpoint project and logistics business on asset divestment. At just 6x PER, 0.6x P/B (-2 SD below average) and 8.6% dividend yield for FY21, SZI's valuations are attractive relative to the fundamentals.Strategically, the new CEO will foster closer working relations with its parent and affiliates, it is a beneficiary of the Qianhai expansion (as it still has 40% land yet to be developed) and it sees possibility of participation in the booming air cargo terminal business of Air China. We believe the recent share price weakness is a good opportunity for this interesting name in the Greater Bay Area. 

Shenzhen Intl (152 HK): Positive Highlights from Recent Catch-Up with Company

Share price of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shenzhen-intl-holdings" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9:1" rel="noopener">Shenzhen Intl (152 HK)</a> (SZI) has been under pressure lately due to concerns on the proposed acquisition of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/suning-com-co-ltd-a" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9178:1" rel="noopener">Suning.com (002024 CH)</a> and weakened performance on its 49%-owned Shenzhen Airlines (SZA). However, now that it decided not to go ahead on Suning.com and there are signs of recovery at SZA, the still-depressed valuation (0.61x P/B, 5-year low) is unwarranted, in our opinion.Its core logistics segment performed well in 1H21, achieving higher occupancy which is supportive to rental income, and the expansion in project portfolio should be an added driver. The proposed acquisition of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shenzhen-investment-holdings-bay-area-development" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12134:1" rel="noopener">Shenzhen Investment Holdings Bay Area Development (737 HK)</a> by its subsidiary <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shenzhen-expressway-co-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2875:1" rel="noopener">Shenzhen Expressway Co H (548 HK)</a> should also generate good cash flow with upside from its land assets. Long-term, the transformation of South China Logistics Park may potentially create another successful story similar to its Qianhai project. At FY21F dividend yield of 8%, we believe SZI is very attractive at the current level.

Share price of Shenzhen Intl (152 HK) (SZI) has been under pressure lately due to concerns on the proposed acquisition of Suning.com (002024 CH) and weakened performance on its 49%-owned Shenzhen Airlines (SZA). However, now that it decided not to go ahead on Suning.com and there are signs of recovery at SZA, the still-depressed valuation (0.61x P/B, 5-year low) is unwarranted, in our opinion.Its core logistics segment performed well in 1H21, achieving higher occupancy which is supportive to rental income, and the expansion in project portfolio should be an added driver. The proposed acquisition of Shenzhen Investment Holdings Bay Area Development (737 HK) by its subsidiary Shenzhen Expressway Co H (548 HK) should also generate good cash flow with upside from its land assets. Long-term, the transformation of South China Logistics Park may potentially create another successful story similar to its Qianhai project. At FY21F dividend yield of 8%, we believe SZI is very attractive at the current level.

Shenzhen Intl (152 HK): What's Wrong Recently?

China

Shenzhen Expressway Company Limited offers toll expressway and road construction and investment services. The Company provides expressway operation, maintenance, and service station leasing services. Shenzhen Expressway also conducts real estate development, advertising, and engineering consulting businesses.

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Shenzhen Expressway Company (600548 CH)

Business Transformation Is the Theme in 2022 and Some Interesting Companies to Watch

Business transformation will stay as an important theme for 2022 and we highlight Yankuang Energy, Anhui Conch Cement, China Energy Engineering and...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Zhejiang Expressway (576 HK): Is There Any Room for Higher Dividend Payout?

Higher dividend payout is a possibility and its financial profile can support such increase. At 55% payout (historical average at 45.6%), FY21-22...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Shenzhen Intl (152 HK): Cashing in Future Earnings

The disposal of Meilin Checkpoint Project should be a welcomed move to shift earnings and cash flow ahead. SZI is likely to share with investors...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Shenzhen Intl (152 HK): Positive Highlights from Recent Catch-Up with Company

We believe the takeways from our catch-up with SZE are encouraging, and we see upside potential for earnings in 2H21 to come from both Meilin...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Shenzhen Intl (152 HK): What's Wrong Recently?

SZI's depressed share price has already reflected the concerns of the market, with upside coming from good logistics segment, asset transformation...

Osbert Tang, CFA

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