Asia Pac ECM and Index Rebal, Shenton Research

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

Asia Pac ECM and Index Rebal

Asia Pac IPO & Placement Research, China Biotech

DZT Research

DZT Research is an independent Asia Pacific equity specialist. Our quantitative research covers index rebalancing flows, alongside exchange data analytics accross Asia Pacific. On the equity capital markets side, we focus on Asia Pacific ECM, especially biotech and TMT. Our lead analyst is frequently cited by international media.

Quantitative Analysis

<ul>
<li>We analyzed the latest HK SFC report for aggregate short position as of Dec 22nd.</li>
<li>Top short increases and decreases were tabulated for one week and four week period. </li>
<li>We highlight short changes in Link Reit, Kuaishou, Ntes, Wuxi Bio.</li>
</ul>


We analyzed the latest HK SFC report for aggregate short position as of Dec 22nd.
Top short increases and decreases were tabulated for one week and four week period. 
We highlight short changes in Link Reit, Kuaishou, Ntes, Wuxi Bio.


HK Short Interest Weekly: Link Reit, Kuaishou, Ntes, Wuxi Bio

HK/China Equity Long-Short

Osbert Tang, CFA

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>While management of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sitc-international-holdings" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15301:1" rel="noopener">SITC International (1308 HK)</a> thinks that the worst is over, we are less positive given the lacklustre demand and the disappointing Jul-Aug market freight rates.</li>
<li>Its gross margin is still significantly ahead of the pre-COVID levels, and financially, its net cash balance has been coming down. The dividend payout ratio has also lowered slightly.</li>
<li>The FY23 consensus earnings forecast is too optimistic given 1H23 net profit is only 33.5% of the full-year estimate. The downside risk will cap near-term share price performance. </li>
</ul>


While management of SITC International (1308 HK) thinks that the worst is over, we are less positive given the lacklustre demand and the disappointing Jul-Aug market freight rates.
Its gross margin is still significantly ahead of the pre-COVID levels, and financially, its net cash balance has been coming down. The dividend payout ratio has also lowered slightly.
The FY23 consensus earnings forecast is too optimistic given 1H23 net profit is only 33.5% of the full-year estimate. The downside risk will cap near-term share price performance. 


SITC International (1308 HK): Uneasy Times

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One, Periscope Analytics

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

Periscope Analytics

Periscope Analytics focuses on event-driven trades across Asia Pacific and provides comprehensive, timely and systematic coverage of index changes to major Asia Pacific indices in a structured manner.

The analysis includes forecasted inclusions and exclusions to all major Asian indices that have significant amount of tracking assets, including estimates of passive buy/sell flow on the stocks. The service also provides commentary and impact of market consultations, ground rule changes, and other events (IPOs, spin-offs, M&A) that could lead to index changes and passive flow.

Periscope Analytics works with multi-strategy hedge funds, proprietary trading firms, stat arb trading groups and long-only investors that invest and trade in the Asia Pacific region with the data being used to trade index rebalances, avoid pre-positioning and passive flow, and to time entry into and exit from stocks.

Event-Driven Trades Across Asia Pacific

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Hang Seng Indexes has started a consultation on the eligibility of Foreign Companies in the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hong-kong-hang-seng-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22899:1" rel="noopener">Hang Seng Index</a>, a review of the seven Industry Groups and number of HK constituents.</li>
<li>We agree that foreign companies should be added to the index, no change needed to the Industry Groups, and the cap on the number of HK constituents should be removed.</li>
<li>There are a few potential adds due to the removal of the cap on HK companies, while there are potential foreign company additions later this year or in 2024.</li>
</ul>


Hang Seng Indexes has started a consultation on the eligibility of Foreign Companies in the Hang Seng Index, a review of the seven Industry Groups and number of HK constituents.
We agree that foreign companies should be added to the index, no change needed to the Industry Groups, and the cap on the number of HK constituents should be removed.
There are a few potential adds due to the removal of the cap on HK companies, while there are potential foreign company additions later this year or in 2024.


HSI Market Consultation: Foreign Companies, Industry Groups, HK Companies

<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>We stay bearish on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sitc-international-holdings" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15301:1" rel="noopener">SITC International (1308 HK)</a> despite record net profit in FY22. The collapse in spot freight rate will take a toll on FY23 earnings.</li>
<li>Management is also conservative on outlook, citing both demand and supply issues. It expects gross margin to return to pre-pandemic levels (17-20%) in the future, vs. 41.8% in 2H22.</li>
<li>Market consensus is just too optimistic, projecting just 37% YoY decline in earnings for FY23. We believe actual earnings may be at least 18-27% lower than current street forecasts. </li>
</ul>


We stay bearish on SITC International (1308 HK) despite record net profit in FY22. The collapse in spot freight rate will take a toll on FY23 earnings.
Management is also conservative on outlook, citing both demand and supply issues. It expects gross margin to return to pre-pandemic levels (17-20%) in the future, vs. 41.8% in 2H22.
Market consensus is just too optimistic, projecting just 37% YoY decline in earnings for FY23. We believe actual earnings may be at least 18-27% lower than current street forecasts. 


SITC International (1308 HK): Still Not Easy to Find the Bright Spot

Hong Kong

SITC International Holdings Co., Ltd. is a leading shipping logistics company in the intra-Asia area. It provides integrated transportation and logistics solutions, including container liner shipping, freight forwarding, shipping agency, and warehousing services. The company was founded in 1991 and is headquartered in Hong Kong.

Price Gauge
52-week Range	0.00 - 0.00
Market Cap (USDm)	0.00
P/E	0.00
Dividend (Yield)	0.00

SITC International (1308 HK)

HK Short Interest Weekly: Link Reit, Kuaishou, Ntes, Wuxi Bio

We analyzed the latest HK SFC report for aggregate short position as of Dec 22nd and highlight short interest changes in Link Reit, Kuaishou, Ntes,...

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM