Global Emerging Market Equities, Propitious Research

Wium Malan, CFA

Global Emerging Market Equities

Independent, Fundamental Quantitative Research

Propitious Research

Fully independent, fundamental and quantitative equity research, focused on companies in the Telecommunication, Media, Technology, Internet and Healthcare sectors in the Global Emerging Markets. Idea generation focused on Quality stocks, trading below their intrinsic Value, with sound Corporate Governance.

Equity Bottom-Up

<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/vipshop-holdings-ltd-adr" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1088:1" rel="noopener">Vipshop Holdings (VIPS US)</a> has had an exceptionally volatile 12 months of trading. Following a &gt;200% share price surge between October 2020 and March 2021, the share price has corrected 77%, wiping out nearly $24bn in market value. The significant sell-off, coupled with less severe earnings expectation downgrades (-18%) from the sell-side, has resulted in Vipshop de-rating from a peak forward PE ratio of 25.3x to only 6.9x, which is the cheapest the stock has ever been. </p>
<p>In this insight, we take a closer look at the meaningful market events which have driven the sell-off in Vipshop as well as the short- and longer-term earnings outlook for the company. </p>
<p>Going into their 3Q21 reporting period, Vipshop is facing an exceptionally high growth base set in the comparative period as well as macro-economic headwinds due to a slowing Chinese economy and retail spending, which could result in the continuation of the earnings downgrade cycle over the short- to medium-term. However, trading on an estimated 5.3x ex-cash forward PE ratio likely implies that the buy-side has factored most of this in and we are nearing the point of peak pessimism.</p>

Vipshop Holdings (VIPS US) has had an exceptionally volatile 12 months of trading. Following a &gt;200% share price surge between October 2020 and March 2021, the share price has corrected 77%, wiping out nearly $24bn in market value. The significant sell-off, coupled with less severe earnings expectation downgrades (-18%) from the sell-side, has resulted in Vipshop de-rating from a peak forward PE ratio of 25.3x to only 6.9x, which is the cheapest the stock has ever been. 
In this insight, we take a closer look at the meaningful market events which have driven the sell-off in Vipshop as well as the short- and longer-term earnings outlook for the company. 
Going into their 3Q21 reporting period, Vipshop is facing an exceptionally high growth base set in the comparative period as well as macro-economic headwinds due to a slowing Chinese economy and retail spending, which could result in the continuation of the earnings downgrade cycle over the short- to medium-term. However, trading on an estimated 5.3x ex-cash forward PE ratio likely implies that the buy-side has factored most of this in and we are nearing the point of peak pessimism.

<p>The Chinese eCommerce sector has been affected by increased regulatory scrutiny from the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) which has been a headwind to most companies in the sector. However, during this time, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/vipshop-holdings-ltd-adr" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1088:1" rel="noopener">Vipshop Holdings (VIPS US)</a> has meaningfully outperformed peers, driven by an acceleration in active user numbers. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alibaba-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28434:1" rel="noopener">Alibaba Group (9988 HK)</a>, in turn, has significantly underperformed peers, driven by an overhaul of regulation affecting, not only, its 33%-owned <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ant-group-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24240:1" rel="noopener">Ant Financial Services Group (6688 HK)</a>, but also its core Chinese marketplace operations. </p><p>Having previously explored the prospects for Alibaba Group in more detail (<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/alibaba-a-detailed-look-at-the-sotp-and-what-that-tells-us-about-the-ant-group-and-core-commerce" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:47981" rel="noopener">Alibaba: A Detailed Look at the SOTP, and What that Tells Us About the Ant Group and Core Commerce</a> ), in this insight, I take a closer look at the comparative valuations between Chinese niche apparel flash sales company, Vipshop Holdings, and Chinese marketplace behemoth, Alibaba Group, as it relates to their regulatory challenges, competitive positioning, and medium-term growth outlook.</p>

The Chinese eCommerce sector has been affected by increased regulatory scrutiny from the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) which has been a headwind to most companies in the sector. However, during this time, Vipshop Holdings (VIPS US) has meaningfully outperformed peers, driven by an acceleration in active user numbers. Alibaba Group (9988 HK), in turn, has significantly underperformed peers, driven by an overhaul of regulation affecting, not only, its 33%-owned Ant Financial Services Group (6688 HK), but also its core Chinese marketplace operations. Having previously explored the prospects for Alibaba Group in more detail (Alibaba: A Detailed Look at the SOTP, and What that Tells Us About the Ant Group and Core Commerce ), in this insight, I take a closer look at the comparative valuations between Chinese niche apparel flash sales company, Vipshop Holdings, and Chinese marketplace behemoth, Alibaba Group, as it relates to their regulatory challenges, competitive positioning, and medium-term growth outlook.

Long/Short: Alibaba/Vipshop, a Comparative Valuation

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/miniso-group-holdings" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29673:1" rel="noopener">MINISO Group Holdings (MNSO US)</a> is the largest global branded variety retailer of lifestyle products, with a 5.2% market share of the GMV of the global branded variety retail market in 2019, according to Frost &amp; Sullivan. Miniso has launched its IPO at a price range of $16.50-18.50 per ADS. At the mid-point of the IPO price range, Miniso will raise net proceeds of $504.2 million. </p><div><div><div class="content-highlight"><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/miniso-group-ipo-initiation-chain-reaction" target="_blank" rel="noopener">our initiation note</a>, we stated that setting aside the short-term negative impact due to COVID-19, Miniso presents a unique opportunity to gain exposure to the global branded variety retail market which is driven by consumers’ increasing focus on product design and value for money. We opined that Miniso’s fundamentals offer more positives than negatives. Overall, our valuation analysis suggests that the IPO price range is attractive.</p></div></div></div>

MINISO Group Holdings (MNSO US) is the largest global branded variety retailer of lifestyle products, with a 5.2% market share of the GMV of the global branded variety retail market in 2019, according to Frost &amp; Sullivan. Miniso has launched its IPO at a price range of $16.50-18.50 per ADS. At the mid-point of the IPO price range, Miniso will raise net proceeds of $504.2 million. In our initiation note, we stated that setting aside the short-term negative impact due to COVID-19, Miniso presents a unique opportunity to gain exposure to the global branded variety retail market which is driven by consumers’ increasing focus on product design and value for money. We opined that Miniso’s fundamentals offer more positives than negatives. Overall, our valuation analysis suggests that the IPO price range is attractive.

Equity Analyst, LightStream Research

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Equity Analyst

Long-Short Analysis on Japan, Asia and the World

LightStream Research

LightStream conducts quantitatively rigorous and data-driven analysis with a focus on Japan and Asia.

We consistently cover the Tech, Consumer and Industrial sectors, and provide ECM and Events coverage more broadly.

We supplement traditional qualitative insights from company relationships with a robust quantitative foundation that examines as much historical data as is available.
We further refine the accuracy of our insights and calls through the use of alternative data to flesh out current trends, and through a valuation framework that emphasises non-superficial peer group selection and a proper attempt to understand the metrics and changes that have driven security valuations in the past.

Pan Pacific International Holdings / Equity Bottom-Up

<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pan-pacific-international-holdings-corporation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pan Pacific International Holdings (7532 JP)</a>, (PPI) (formerly Don Quijote) has been the best-performing general retailer in Japan over the last six months, rising by 21%. Only drugstore and grocery store chains have performed better in the Retail Sector which fell by 3.1%, while the TOPIX index declined by 8.4%. In the DETAIL section below, we explain why we believe PPI has further upside.</p>

Pan Pacific International Holdings (7532 JP), (PPI) (formerly Don Quijote) has been the best-performing general retailer in Japan over the last six months, rising by 21%. Only drugstore and grocery store chains have performed better in the Retail Sector which fell by 3.1%, while the TOPIX index declined by 8.4%. In the DETAIL section below, we explain why we believe PPI has further upside.

Pan Pacific (Donki): Gross Margin Improvement Suggests Further Upside

TMT & Consumer Independent Equity Research Analyst, Obex Capital Research

Aaron Gabin

TMT & Consumer Independent Equity Research Analyst

TMT & Consumer Independent Equity Research

Obex Capital Research

“Obex” is Latin for Barriers to Entry. Obex Capital Management’s investment philosophy is driven by an intense focus on which business model’s Barriers to Entry are able to withstand the ever increasing competitive disruption in the TMT and Consumer Sectors.

<p>Surveying the retail landscape over the weekend…we think we could see big reversals in the coming weeks for retail stocks.</p><div class="content-highlight"><p>Obex’s fundamental research process is focused on secular change in the TMT and Consumer sectors. We seek to differentiate between fundamental business analysis and security analysis. Before deciding if a security’s pricing and positioning merit a long or short position, we analyze the four pillars of business fundamentals (Secular Factors, TAM, Competitive Advantage, Business Model) in order to determine if this is a “good” or “not so good” opportunity.</p></div>

Surveying the retail landscape over the weekend…we think we could see big reversals in the coming weeks for retail stocks.Obex’s fundamental research process is focused on secular change in the TMT and Consumer sectors. We seek to differentiate between fundamental business analysis and security analysis. Before deciding if a security’s pricing and positioning merit a long or short position, we analyze the four pillars of business fundamentals (Secular Factors, TAM, Competitive Advantage, Business Model) in order to determine if this is a “good” or “not so good” opportunity.

TMT Weekly:  3 Things that Stood Out (In Retail) The Week of 5/​15/​2020

United States

The TJX Companies, Inc. is an off-price apparel and home fashion retailer in the United States and worldwide.  The Company operates off-price retail concepts in the U.S., Canada and Europe that offer a wide range of brand name and designer merchandise.

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Tjx Companies (TJX US)

Vipshop: Cheapest It Has Ever Been

In this insight, we take a closer look at the meaningful market events which have driven the sell-off in Vipshop as well as the short- and longer...

Wium Malan, CFA

Long/Short: Alibaba/Vipshop, a Comparative Valuation

In this insight, I take a closer look at the comparative valuations between Chinese niche apparel flash sales company, Vipshop Holdings, and...

Wium Malan, CFA

MINISO Group IPO: Valuation Insights

MINISO Group Holdings (MNSO US) is the largest global branded variety retailer of lifestyle products, with a 5.2% market share of the GMV of the...

Arun George

Pan Pacific (Donki): Gross Margin Improvement Suggests Further Upside

Pan Pacific International Holdings (7532 JP), (PPI) (formerly Don Quijote) has been the best-performing general retailer in Japan over the last six...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

TMT Weekly: 3 Things that Stood Out (In Retail) The Week of 5/15/2020

Surveying the retail landscape over the weekend…we think we could see big reversals in the coming weeks for retail stocks.Obex’s fundamental...

Aaron Gabin

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Vipshop: Cheapest It Has Ever Been

In this insight, we take a closer look at the meaningful market events which have driven the sell-off in Vipshop as well as the short- and longer...

Wium Malan, CFA

Long/Short: Alibaba/Vipshop, a Comparative Valuation

In this insight, I take a closer look at the comparative valuations between Chinese niche apparel flash sales company, Vipshop Holdings, and...

Wium Malan, CFA

MINISO Group IPO: Valuation Insights

MINISO Group Holdings (MNSO US) is the largest global branded variety retailer of lifestyle products, with a 5.2% market share of the GMV of the...

Arun George

Pan Pacific (Donki): Gross Margin Improvement Suggests Further Upside

Pan Pacific International Holdings (7532 JP), (PPI) (formerly Don Quijote) has been the best-performing general retailer in Japan over the last six...

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

TMT Weekly: 3 Things that Stood Out (In Retail) The Week of 5/​15/​2020

Surveying the retail landscape over the weekend…we think we could see big reversals in the coming weeks for retail stocks.Obex’s fundamental...

Aaron Gabin

TMT Weekly: 3 Things that Stood Out (In Retail) The Week of 5/15/2020