HK/China Equity Long-Short

Osbert Tang, CFA

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/air-china-ltd-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8239:1" rel="noopener">Air China Ltd (H) (753 HK)</a> has disposed of a 1.61% stake in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/cathay-pacific-airways-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:243:1" rel="noopener">Cathay Pacific Airways (293 HK)</a> at HK$12.22. After this, it will remain CX's second-largest shareholder.</li>
<li>Assuming an end-Mar completion of Qatar Airways' stake buyback, EPS will be enhanced by 1.7% and 3.7%, respectively, slightly lower than previously estimated.</li>
<li>Sustained uptrend in passenger traffic and load factor will support earnings. With 16% ROE for FY25-27, its 1.3x 12-month forward P/B is inexpensive.</li>
</ul>



Air China Ltd (H) (753 HK) has disposed of a 1.61% stake in Cathay Pacific Airways (293 HK) at HK$12.22. After this, it will remain CX's second-largest shareholder.
Assuming an end-Mar completion of Qatar Airways' stake buyback, EPS will be enhanced by 1.7% and 3.7%, respectively, slightly lower than previously estimated.
Sustained uptrend in passenger traffic and load factor will support earnings. With 16% ROE for FY25-27, its 1.3x 12-month forward P/B is inexpensive.


Cathay Pacific (293 HK): Stay Positive Despite Small Disposal by Air China

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/cathay-pacific-airways-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:243:1" rel="noopener">Cathay Pacific Airways (293 HK)</a>'s buyback of Qatar Airways' 9.57% stake should enhance its FY26F EPS and ROE by 4.6% and 0.36pp, respectively. </li>
<li>With passenger traffic and load factor continuing to recover, the consensus forecast of a 24.2% YoY earnings decline in 2H25 is too conservative, suggesting upside surprise. </li>
<li>Its FY25-27F ROE is a record since 2013, with potential to trade up to 1.65x P/B (30%+ upside). It is also possible to be included in the HSI again.</li>
</ul>



Cathay Pacific Airways (293 HK)'s buyback of Qatar Airways' 9.57% stake should enhance its FY26F EPS and ROE by 4.6% and 0.36pp, respectively. 
With passenger traffic and load factor continuing to recover, the consensus forecast of a 24.2% YoY earnings decline in 2H25 is too conservative, suggesting upside surprise. 
Its FY25-27F ROE is a record since 2013, with potential to trade up to 1.65x P/B (30%+ upside). It is also possible to be included in the HSI again.


Cathay Pacific (293 HK): Buyback of Qatar-Owned Shares Is Positive

Asian Hedge Fund Manager, Long Short Equity, Macro

David Mudd

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/first-pacific-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:173:1" rel="noopener">First Pacific Co (142 HK)</a> is a Southeast Asian conglomerate that has been handicapped by its listing in the Hong Kong market over the last several years.</li>
<li>As Southeast Asian markets (Indonesia and Philippines) begin to re-rate on the back of a more accommodating Fed policy, First Pacific is beginning to participate in the uptrend.</li>
<li>Metro Pacific Investments Corp (MPIC), the second largest piece of the company's NAV has been active in acquiring more infrastructure assets since being privatized last year.</li>
</ul>



First Pacific Co (142 HK) is a Southeast Asian conglomerate that has been handicapped by its listing in the Hong Kong market over the last several years.
As Southeast Asian markets (Indonesia and Philippines) begin to re-rate on the back of a more accommodating Fed policy, First Pacific is beginning to participate in the uptrend.
Metro Pacific Investments Corp (MPIC), the second largest piece of the company's NAV has been active in acquiring more infrastructure assets since being privatized last year.


BUY: First Pacific Company (142 HK): Right Stock Trapped in the Wrong Market

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Yesterday afternoon (5th Dec), <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/swire-pacific-ltd-cl-a" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10433:1" rel="noopener">Swire Pacific (A) (19 HK)</a> (and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/swire-pacific-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23726:1" rel="noopener">Swire Pacific (B) (87 HK)</a>) <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2023/1205/2023120501177.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> a large (HK$6bn) buyback.</li>
<li>The response this morning sees Swire A up 14.4% (as I type), and 11.8% for Swire Bs.</li>
<li>I still like the idea of buying Swire A and Swire B outright here.</li>
</ul>


Yesterday afternoon (5th Dec), Swire Pacific (A) (19 HK) (and Swire Pacific (B) (87 HK)) announced a large (HK$6bn) buyback.
The response this morning sees Swire A up 14.4% (as I type), and 11.8% for Swire Bs.
I still like the idea of buying Swire A and Swire B outright here.


Cross Asset Strategy

<ul>
<li>The Hong Kong market continues to consolidate, holding above its long-term support levels but without the momentum to break out to new highs.</li>
<li>Healthcare is the only sector in positive territory in September.  The materials sector benefited from gains in the gold sector.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/zte-corporation-class-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6922:1" rel="noopener">ZTE (763 HK)</a> is maintained a BUY at CMB International with a +48% 12-month upside target price.  The company is transitioning to international and AI sectors for growth.
</li>
</ul>


The Hong Kong market continues to consolidate, holding above its long-term support levels but without the momentum to break out to new highs.
Healthcare is the only sector in positive territory in September.  The materials sector benefited from gains in the gold sector.

ZTE (763 HK) is maintained a BUY at CMB International with a +48% 12-month upside target price.  The company is transitioning to international and AI sectors for growth.



BUY/SELL/HOLD: Hong Kong Market Update (September 2026)

Hong Kong

Swire Pacific is a diversified global conglomerate with core businesses in property, aviation, beverages, healthcare, and trading & industrial. It holds interests in property development and investment through Swire Properties, airline operations via Cathay Pacific, and is a major Coca-Cola bottler. Swire Pacific Limited was incorporated in 1974 and is headquartered in Hong Kong.

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Swire Pacific (87 HK)

Cathay Pacific (293 HK): Stay Positive Despite Small Disposal by Air China

Air China sells stake in CX but remains the second-largest shareholder. EPS to be enhanced by 1.7-3.7% after Qatar Airways buyback. Traffic...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Cathay Pacific (293 HK): Buyback of Qatar-Owned Shares Is Positive

Cathay Pacific's buyback of Qatar Airways' stake is expected to boost both EPS and ROE for FY26 and FY27, supporting valuations. It may also be...

Osbert Tang, CFA

BUY: First Pacific Company (142 HK): Right Stock Trapped in the Wrong Market

Since our insight on 1st Pac last Sept., the stock has gained 33%. Company had solid 2024 results. MPIC, the undervalued Phil./Indonesia...

David Mudd

StubWorld: Swire's Latest Buyback

Swire Pac is cheap at 0.28x P/B, prior to this latest buyback announcement. The conglomerate may get a boost from recent property tweaks. On...

David Blennerhassett

BUY/SELL/HOLD: Hong Kong Market Update (September 2026)

The Hong Kong market continues to consolidate, holding above its long-term support levels but without the momentum to break out to new highs.

David Mudd

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52-week Range

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Cathay Pacific (293 HK): Stay Positive Despite Small Disposal by Air China

​Air China sells stake in CX but remains the second-largest shareholder. EPS to be enhanced by 1.7-3.7% after Qatar Airways buyback. Traffic...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Cathay Pacific (293 HK): Buyback of Qatar-Owned Shares Is Positive

​Cathay Pacific's buyback of Qatar Airways' stake is expected to boost both EPS and ROE for FY26 and FY27, supporting valuations. It may also be...

Osbert Tang, CFA

BUY: First Pacific Company (142 HK): Right Stock Trapped in the Wrong Market

Since our insight on 1st Pac last Sept., the stock has gained 33%. Company had solid 2024 results. MPIC, the undervalued Phil./Indonesia...

David Mudd

StubWorld: Swire's Latest Buyback

Swire Pac is cheap at 0.28x P/B, prior to this latest buyback announcement. The conglomerate may get a boost from recent property tweaks. On...

David Blennerhassett

BUY/SELL/HOLD: Hong Kong Market Update (September 2026)

The Hong Kong market continues to consolidate, holding above its long-term support levels but without the momentum to break out to new highs.

David Mudd

Air China sells stake in CX but remains the second-largest shareholder. EPS to be enhanced by 1.7-3.7% after Qatar Airways buyback. Traffic...

Cathay Pacific's buyback of Qatar Airways' stake is expected to boost both EPS and ROE for FY26 and FY27, supporting valuations. It may also be...