China Analyst - Equity Long-Short, Onshore Credit

Osbert Tang, CFA

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>The 1H23 result of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sinotrans-limited-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1321:1" rel="noopener">Sinotrans (598 HK)</a> is unexciting as recurring profit contracted 9.8%. The decline has also accelerated to 13.5% in 2Q23, from just 4.6% in 1Q23. </li>
<li>Weak export (-14.5% YoY in Jul) and poor airfreight price (-45% YoY in Jul) did not bode well for profitability. The flattening of DHL-Sinotrans' contribution also limits earnings upside.</li>
<li>Valuations are inexpensive at 5.3x PER and 9% yield for FY23, but growth outlook is not encouraging. We think it is a good time to take money off the table.</li>
</ul>


The 1H23 result of Sinotrans (598 HK) is unexciting as recurring profit contracted 9.8%. The decline has also accelerated to 13.5% in 2Q23, from just 4.6% in 1Q23. 
Weak export (-14.5% YoY in Jul) and poor airfreight price (-45% YoY in Jul) did not bode well for profitability. The flattening of DHL-Sinotrans' contribution also limits earnings upside.
Valuations are inexpensive at 5.3x PER and 9% yield for FY23, but growth outlook is not encouraging. We think it is a good time to take money off the table.


Sinotrans (598 HK): Challenges Have Not Abated Yet

<ul>
<li>While meeting expectations in 1Q23, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sinotrans-limited-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1321:1" rel="noopener">Sinotrans (598 HK)</a> has relied on a 105.2% surge in other income, mostly government subsidies. Without them, pre-tax profit would have dropped 21%.</li>
<li>For most business areas, volume has come down YoY and QoQ, highlighting challenging operating environment. JV contribution, mostly DHL-Sinotrans, has also declined 11.5% YoY.</li>
<li>While we like its long-term fundamentals and undemanding multiples, we have concerns on near-term headwinds and weakened earnings quality; and risks of profit downgrades.  </li>
</ul>


While meeting expectations in 1Q23, Sinotrans (598 HK) has relied on a 105.2% surge in other income, mostly government subsidies. Without them, pre-tax profit would have dropped 21%.
For most business areas, volume has come down YoY and QoQ, highlighting challenging operating environment. JV contribution, mostly DHL-Sinotrans, has also declined 11.5% YoY.
While we like its long-term fundamentals and undemanding multiples, we have concerns on near-term headwinds and weakened earnings quality; and risks of profit downgrades.  


Sinotrans (598 HK): Still Seeing Uncertainties Ahead

<ul>
<li>While we like <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sinotrans-limited-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1321:1" rel="noopener">Sinotrans (598 HK)</a> in the long term, we are caution that 1Q23 result may be disappointing. Its 4Q22 earnings already showed 49.1% YoY and 73.3% QoQ decline.</li>
<li>Indicators including China's PMI new export orders, export growth, container shipping freight rates (SCFI) and airfreight rates all showed that the recovery trend is weak. </li>
<li>9% of FY22 profit is from exchange gain as Rmb depreciated, and this may not happen again. Consensus forecast of just 10% decline in FY23 net profit seems overly optimistic. </li>
</ul>


While we like Sinotrans (598 HK) in the long term, we are caution that 1Q23 result may be disappointing. Its 4Q22 earnings already showed 49.1% YoY and 73.3% QoQ decline.
Indicators including China's PMI new export orders, export growth, container shipping freight rates (SCFI) and airfreight rates all showed that the recovery trend is weak. 
9% of FY22 profit is from exchange gain as Rmb depreciated, and this may not happen again. Consensus forecast of just 10% decline in FY23 net profit seems overly optimistic. 


Sinotrans (598 HK): We Are Concerned About the near Term Challenges

<ul>
<li>Recurring profit for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sinotrans-limited-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1321:1" rel="noopener">Sinotrans (598 HK)</a> increased 16.4% in 1H22 and improved to 16.6% in 2Q22. The declaration of an interim dividend also highlights management's confidence.</li>
<li>We expect a pick-up in 2H22 as negative impact of the lockdowns faded. Also, contribution from DHL-Sinotrans should return to growth as international express regain momentum.</li>
<li>Strong financial position should allow for higher dividend payout, and currently it is already yielding 10.4%. Its 3.6x PER and 0.4x P/B are cheap, especially relative to ROE of 11.3%.</li>
</ul>


Recurring profit for Sinotrans (598 HK) increased 16.4% in 1H22 and improved to 16.6% in 2Q22. The declaration of an interim dividend also highlights management's confidence.
We expect a pick-up in 2H22 as negative impact of the lockdowns faded. Also, contribution from DHL-Sinotrans should return to growth as international express regain momentum.
Strong financial position should allow for higher dividend payout, and currently it is already yielding 10.4%. Its 3.6x PER and 0.4x P/B are cheap, especially relative to ROE of 11.3%.


Sinotrans (598 HK): Still a Very Decent Performance

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sinotrans-limited-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1321:1" rel="noopener">Sinotrans (598 HK)</a> has confirmed its plan to issue infrastructure REIT using six warehouse logistics assets as underlying assets, and they represents 7.6% of its total warehouse area.</li>
<li>The proposed issuance may boost its value by HK$0.16/share, or 7.3% of share price. Should all 4m sq.m. of warehouse assets are securitised, this may nearly double the stock's price.</li>
<li>Since Jun, Sinotrans has repurchased 14m H-shares, suggesting positive view on outlook. There will be more to come, and as the shares will be cancelled, EPS will be enhanced. </li>
</ul>



Sinotrans (598 HK) has confirmed its plan to issue infrastructure REIT using six warehouse logistics assets as underlying assets, and they represents 7.6% of its total warehouse area.
The proposed issuance may boost its value by HK$0.16/share, or 7.3% of share price. Should all 4m sq.m. of warehouse assets are securitised, this may nearly double the stock's price.
Since Jun, Sinotrans has repurchased 14m H-shares, suggesting positive view on outlook. There will be more to come, and as the shares will be cancelled, EPS will be enhanced. 


Sinotrans (598 HK): How Much Value Can Be Unlocked from Its First REIT?

China

Sinotrans Limited provides integrated logistics services with core service of sea, air, rail and road freight forwarding, express services and shipping agency services.  The Company also provides support services of storage and terminal services, trucking and marine transportation services.

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Sinotrans (598 HK)

Sinotrans (598 HK): Challenges Have Not Abated Yet

Weak export and poor airfreight price did not bode well for profitability. The flattening of DHL-Sinotrans' contribution limits earnings upside. It...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Sinotrans (598 HK): Still Seeing Uncertainties Ahead

1Q23 net profit is supported by 105% surge in subsidies, but their sustainability is unknown. DHL-Sinotrans also saw an 11% profit decline. We...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Sinotrans (598 HK): We Are Concerned About the near Term Challenges

After a weak 4Q22 result, we think there are risks that 1Q23 and 1H23 earnings may not come out as expected. Market consensus forecast of 10% net...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Sinotrans (598 HK): Still a Very Decent Performance

We are positive towards Sinotrans' full-year performance. Its 16.4% growth in 1H22 recurring profit is a good achievement amid the pandemic....

Osbert Tang, CFA

Sinotrans (598 HK): How Much Value Can Be Unlocked from Its First REIT?

Value equals to HK$0.16 per share, or 7.3% of its share price, can be realised from the proposed REIT issuance by Sinotrans. Its recent H-share...

Osbert Tang, CFA

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