IPOs and Catalysts/Events, Global Equity Research Ltd

Arun George

IPOs and Catalysts/Events

Uncompromised, Independent, Conflict-Free Research

Global Equity Research Ltd

Global Equity Research was started in 2017 by a group of experienced research professionals. It was founded on a passionate belief in the importance and the need for uncompromised, independent, conflict-free research. We aim to provide differentiated and actionable primary and bottom up fundamental research.

Equity Capital Markets

<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/foru-worldwide-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33314:1" rel="noopener">Foru Worldwide (FOYO US)</a> is the largest technology-driven road freight transportation platform in China as measured by revenue in 2020, according to CIC. ForU claims to have fully digitalized every step of freight transportation by offering a Freight-as-a-Service (FaaS) service to shippers. ForU is seeking to raise $500 million through a Nasdaq listing, according to press reports. ForU is backed by <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jd-logistics" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31500:1" rel="noopener">JD Logistics (2618 HK)</a> which owns 6.3% of the outstanding shares. </p><div class="content-highlight"><p>At first sight, ForU recent results look stunning due to fast-paced growth and declining loss margin. However, a closer look, suggests that the business faces several challenges and the financials on a normalised basis appears to be middling at best. Overall, we are inclined to give the ForU IPO a pass.    </p></div><p>As an aside, for readers interested in the upcoming JD Logistics IPO, we highlight some of our coverage - <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/jd-logistics-ipo-initiation-the-flow-of-things" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:48279" rel="noopener">JD Logistics IPO Initiation: The Flow of Things</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/jd-logistics-ipo-valuation-insights" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:51524" rel="noopener">JD Logistics IPO: Valuation Insights</a>. </p>

Foru Worldwide (FOYO US) is the largest technology-driven road freight transportation platform in China as measured by revenue in 2020, according to CIC. ForU claims to have fully digitalized every step of freight transportation by offering a Freight-as-a-Service (FaaS) service to shippers. ForU is seeking to raise $500 million through a Nasdaq listing, according to press reports. ForU is backed by JD Logistics (2618 HK) which owns 6.3% of the outstanding shares. At first sight, ForU recent results look stunning due to fast-paced growth and declining loss margin. However, a closer look, suggests that the business faces several challenges and the financials on a normalised basis appears to be middling at best. Overall, we are inclined to give the ForU IPO a pass.    As an aside, for readers interested in the upcoming JD Logistics IPO, we highlight some of our coverage - JD Logistics IPO Initiation: The Flow of Things and JD Logistics IPO: Valuation Insights. 

<div><p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jd-logistics" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31500:1" rel="noopener">JD Logistics (2618 HK)</a> is the largest player in China’s integrated supply chain logistics services market, with a 2.2% revenue market share in 2019, according to CIC. At the mid-point of the IPO price range of HK$39.36-43.36 per share, the net proceeds are HK$24,713 million ($3.2 billion). JD Logistics will price its IPO this Friday (21 May). The offer has received a strong reception, with the retail offer oversubscribed 200x and the international offer fully subscribed, according to press reports. </p></div><div><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/jd-logistics-ipo-prioritizing-market-share-gains-over-margins" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:50976" rel="noopener">JD Logistics IPO: Prioritizing Market Share Gains over Margins</a>, we noted that the PHIP which discloses the 2020 results and recent developments underscore the positives which are strong growth, rising margin and cash generation. However, the outlook is mixed as JD Logistics cautions that it will pursue market share gains at the cost of profitability over the medium term. We opined that JD Logistics has the right ingredients to ride out the industry’s current price-competitive dynamics and deliver good shareholder returns over the medium term. </p></div><div><div><div class="content-highlight"><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/jd-logistics-ipo-valuation-insights" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:51524" rel="noopener">JD Logistics IPO: Valuation Insights</a>, we noted that the IPO price range is attractive, particularly in the context of JD Logistics' positioning and higher than peers forecasted growth. In this note, we present our base-case DCF valuation and present a valuation sensitivity analysis around market share and margin forecasts. </p></div></div></div>

JD Logistics (2618 HK) is the largest player in China’s integrated supply chain logistics services market, with a 2.2% revenue market share in 2019, according to CIC. At the mid-point of the IPO price range of HK$39.36-43.36 per share, the net proceeds are HK$24,713 million ($3.2 billion). JD Logistics will price its IPO this Friday (21 May). The offer has received a strong reception, with the retail offer oversubscribed 200x and the international offer fully subscribed, according to press reports. In JD Logistics IPO: Prioritizing Market Share Gains over Margins, we noted that the PHIP which discloses the 2020 results and recent developments underscore the positives which are strong growth, rising margin and cash generation. However, the outlook is mixed as JD Logistics cautions that it will pursue market share gains at the cost of profitability over the medium term. We opined that JD Logistics has the right ingredients to ride out the industry’s current price-competitive dynamics and deliver good shareholder returns over the medium term. In JD Logistics IPO: Valuation Insights, we noted that the IPO price range is attractive, particularly in the context of JD Logistics' positioning and higher than peers forecasted growth. In this note, we present our base-case DCF valuation and present a valuation sensitivity analysis around market share and margin forecasts. 

JD Logistics IPO: Valuation Scenario Analysis

<div><p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jd-logistics" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31500:1" rel="noopener">JD Logistics (2618 HK)</a> is the largest player in China’s integrated supply chain logistics services market, with a 2.2% revenue market share in 2019, according to CIC. JD Logistics was founded with the formation of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jd-com-inc-adr" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:446:1" rel="noopener">JD.com Inc (ADR) (JD US)</a>’s in-house logistics department in 2007.</p></div><div><p>At the proposed IPO price range of HK$39.36-43.36 per share, JD Logistics will have a market cap of HK$239,766-264,132 million ($30.9-34.0 billion). At the mid-point of the IPO price range, the net proceeds are HK$24,713 million ($3.2 billion). Seven cornerstone investors will purchase $1.5 billion worth of the offer shares (47.16% of the offer shares at the mid-point of the IPO price range). The cornerstone investors are <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/softbank-group-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:315:1" rel="noopener">Softbank Group (9984 JP)</a>, Temasek, Tiger Global, China Structural Reform Fund, Blackstone,  Matthews Funds and Oaktree. </p></div><div><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/jd-logistics-ipo-initiation-the-flow-of-things" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:48279" rel="noopener">JD Logistics IPO Initiation: The Flow of Things</a>, we stated that JD Logistics is an indirect play on the shift of some customer behaviour permanently to online shopping, particularly in fast-moving consumer goods. We concluded that JD Logistics fundamentals are attractive and it remains well-placed to address consumers demand faster and more flexible supply chain logistics services.</p></div><div><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/jd-logistics-ipo-prioritizing-market-share-gains-over-margins" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:50976" rel="noopener">JD Logistics IPO: Prioritizing Market Share Gains over Margins</a>,  we noted that the PHIP which discloses the 2020 results and recent developments underscore the positives which are strong growth, rising margin and cash generation. However, the outlook is mixed as JD Logistics cautions that it will pursue market share gains at the cost of profitability over the medium term. We opined that JD Logistics has the right ingredients to ride out the industry’s current price-competitive dynamics and deliver good shareholder returns over the medium term. </p></div><div><div><div class="content-highlight"><p>Overall, based on valuation analysis, we think that the IPO price range is attractive, particularly in the context of JD Logistics' positioning and higher than peers forecasted growth. </p></div></div></div>

JD Logistics (2618 HK) is the largest player in China’s integrated supply chain logistics services market, with a 2.2% revenue market share in 2019, according to CIC. JD Logistics was founded with the formation of JD.com Inc (ADR) (JD US)’s in-house logistics department in 2007.At the proposed IPO price range of HK$39.36-43.36 per share, JD Logistics will have a market cap of HK$239,766-264,132 million ($30.9-34.0 billion). At the mid-point of the IPO price range, the net proceeds are HK$24,713 million ($3.2 billion). Seven cornerstone investors will purchase $1.5 billion worth of the offer shares (47.16% of the offer shares at the mid-point of the IPO price range). The cornerstone investors are Softbank Group (9984 JP), Temasek, Tiger Global, China Structural Reform Fund, Blackstone,  Matthews Funds and Oaktree. In JD Logistics IPO Initiation: The Flow of Things, we stated that JD Logistics is an indirect play on the shift of some customer behaviour permanently to online shopping, particularly in fast-moving consumer goods. We concluded that JD Logistics fundamentals are attractive and it remains well-placed to address consumers demand faster and more flexible supply chain logistics services.In JD Logistics IPO: Prioritizing Market Share Gains over Margins,  we noted that the PHIP which discloses the 2020 results and recent developments underscore the positives which are strong growth, rising margin and cash generation. However, the outlook is mixed as JD Logistics cautions that it will pursue market share gains at the cost of profitability over the medium term. We opined that JD Logistics has the right ingredients to ride out the industry’s current price-competitive dynamics and deliver good shareholder returns over the medium term. Overall, based on valuation analysis, we think that the IPO price range is attractive, particularly in the context of JD Logistics' positioning and higher than peers forecasted growth. 

<div>
<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jd-logistics" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31500:1" rel="noopener">JD Logistics (JDL HK)</a> is the largest player in China’s integrated supply chain logistics services market, with a 2.2% revenue market share in 2019, according to CIC. JD Logistics was founded with the formation of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jd-com-inc-adr" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:446:1" rel="noopener">JD.com Inc (ADR) (JD US)</a>’s in-house logistics department in 2007.</p>
<p>JD Logistics is seeking to raise up to $3-4 billion at a $40 billion valuation, according to press reports. Merrill Lynch and Haitong, which are part of the syndicate, have valued JD Logistics at $30.0-45.4 billion and $42.4-44.3 billion, respectively, <a href="https://www.thestandard.com.hk/section-news/section/2/229859/JD-Logistics-gets-ball-rolling-for-US%244b-IPO" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to press reports</a>. </p>
</div><div>
<p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/jd-logistics-ipo-initiation-the-flow-of-things" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:48279" rel="noopener">JD Logistics IPO Initiation: The Flow of Things</a>, we stated that JD Logistics is an indirect play on the shift of some customer behaviour permanently to online shopping, particularly in fast-moving consumer goods. We concluded that JD Logistics fundamentals are attractive and it remains well-placed to address consumers demand faster and more flexible supply chain logistics services.</p>
<p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/jd-logistics-ipo-prioritizing-market-share-gains-over-margins" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:50976" rel="noopener">JD Logistics IPO: Prioritizing Market Share Gains over Margins</a>,  we noted that the PHIP which discloses the 2020 results and recent developments underscore the positives which are strong growth, rising margin and cash generation. However, the outlook is mixed as JD Logistics cautions that it will pursue market share gains at the cost of profitability over the medium term. We opined that JD Logistics has the right ingredients to ride out the industry’s current price-competitive dynamics and deliver good shareholder returns over the medium term. </p>
</div><div><div><div class="content-highlight"><p>In this note, we update our forecasts and valuation presented in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/jd-logistics-ipo-valuation-first-look" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:48384" rel="noopener">JD Logistics IPO: Valuation First Look</a> for the latest set of results and the margin guidance. Overall, based on valuation analysis, we think that the rumoured $40 billion valuation target is fair, particularly in the context of JD Logistics' positioning and higher than peers forecasted growth. </p></div></div></div>


JD Logistics (JDL HK) is the largest player in China’s integrated supply chain logistics services market, with a 2.2% revenue market share in 2019, according to CIC. JD Logistics was founded with the formation of JD.com Inc (ADR) (JD US)’s in-house logistics department in 2007.
JD Logistics is seeking to raise up to $3-4 billion at a $40 billion valuation, according to press reports. Merrill Lynch and Haitong, which are part of the syndicate, have valued JD Logistics at $30.0-45.4 billion and $42.4-44.3 billion, respectively, according to press reports. 

In JD Logistics IPO Initiation: The Flow of Things, we stated that JD Logistics is an indirect play on the shift of some customer behaviour permanently to online shopping, particularly in fast-moving consumer goods. We concluded that JD Logistics fundamentals are attractive and it remains well-placed to address consumers demand faster and more flexible supply chain logistics services.
In JD Logistics IPO: Prioritizing Market Share Gains over Margins,  we noted that the PHIP which discloses the 2020 results and recent developments underscore the positives which are strong growth, rising margin and cash generation. However, the outlook is mixed as JD Logistics cautions that it will pursue market share gains at the cost of profitability over the medium term. We opined that JD Logistics has the right ingredients to ride out the industry’s current price-competitive dynamics and deliver good shareholder returns over the medium term. 
In this note, we update our forecasts and valuation presented in JD Logistics IPO: Valuation First Look for the latest set of results and the margin guidance. Overall, based on valuation analysis, we think that the rumoured $40 billion valuation target is fair, particularly in the context of JD Logistics' positioning and higher than peers forecasted growth. 

JD Logistics IPO: Valuation and Forecast Update

HK/China Equity Long-Short

Osbert Tang, CFA

Equity Bottom-Up

Shenzhen Expressway Co H / Equity Bottom-Up

<p><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> announced a positive profit alert for 1Q21, indicating that its recurring profit will reach about Rmb533m, versus losses of Rmb160m a year ago as the impact of COVID-19 subsided. More importantly, such profit indication is even 10.2% higher than 1Q19, suggesting a full-recovery in traffic and toll revenue momentum.</p><p>SZ Exp contributed 44.3% 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>'s recurring profit (ex-Shenzhen Airlines) in the last two years. The potential 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> has received waiver from the SFC for a mandatory general offer and a successful conclusion should beef up SZ Exp's assets. Lastly, with SZ Exp's target of an estimated 35% increase in its EBITDA, we believe these factors will support SZ Exp's contribution to SZ Int's profit outlook in this year.</p>

Shenzhen Expressway Co H (548 HK) announced a positive profit alert for 1Q21, indicating that its recurring profit will reach about Rmb533m, versus losses of Rmb160m a year ago as the impact of COVID-19 subsided. More importantly, such profit indication is even 10.2% higher than 1Q19, suggesting a full-recovery in traffic and toll revenue momentum.SZ Exp contributed 44.3% of Shenzhen Intl (152 HK)'s recurring profit (ex-Shenzhen Airlines) in the last two years. The potential acquisition of Shenzhen Investment Holdings Bay Area Development (737 HK) has received waiver from the SFC for a mandatory general offer and a successful conclusion should beef up SZ Exp's assets. Lastly, with SZ Exp's target of an estimated 35% increase in its EBITDA, we believe these factors will support SZ Exp's contribution to SZ Int's profit outlook in this year.

Shenzhen Expressway (548 HK): 1Q21 Positive Profit Alert Highly Welcome to Shenzhen Int (152 HK)

Hong Kong

Shenzhen International Holdings Limited operates as a holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, provides investment, construction, and operation of logistic infrastructure facilities, as well as offers value-added logistic services. Shenzhen International serves customers worldwide.

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Shenzhen International (152 HK)

ForU Worldwide IPO Initiation: Not ForU

ForU is seeking to raise $500 m through a Nasdaq listing. We think that the business faces several challenges and the financials on a normalised...

Arun George

JD Logistics IPO: Valuation Scenario Analysis

JD Logistics will price its IPO this Friday (21 May). We present our base-case DCF valuation and present a valuation sensitivity analysis around...

Arun George

JD Logistics IPO: Valuation Insights

The net proceeds are $3.2 billion at the mid-point of the IPO price range. We think that the IPO price range is attractive due to JD Logistics'...

Arun George

JD Logistics IPO: Valuation and Forecast Update

JD Logistics is set to launch its IPO to raise $3-4 bn in May. The rumoured $40 bn valuation is fair, particularly in the context of its...

Arun George

Shenzhen Expressway (548 HK): 1Q21 Positive Profit Alert Highly Welcome to Shenzhen Int (152 HK)

Positive profit alert of SZ Exp for 1Q21 should be taken by SZ Int as an ecnouraging sign of recovery in underlying momentum. SZ Exp contributed...

Osbert Tang, CFA

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