Asian Equities Analyst, Logistics & Transport, Tracking Traffic

Daniel Hellberg

Asian Equities Analyst, Logistics & Transport

Tracking Traffic

Focusing on Asian logistics, transportation, and travel companies

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Revenue growth in Q3 (+15.5% Y/Y) held up reasonably well for Trip.com</li>
<li>But core margins continue to deteriorate: Adjusted EBITDA margin down -120 bps Y/Y</li>
<li>We still feel TCOM shares are pricey, and that earnings growth is unimpressive</li>
</ul>


Revenue growth in Q3 (+15.5% Y/Y) held up reasonably well for Trip.com
But core margins continue to deteriorate: Adjusted EBITDA margin down -120 bps Y/Y
We still feel TCOM shares are pricey, and that earnings growth is unimpressive


Trip.com Q325 Results | Revenue Growth OK | Core Margins Still Falling | Avoid

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

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/klook-technology-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:36548:1" rel="noopener">Klook (KLK US)</a>, the largest pan-regional experiences platform in the APAC region, is seeking to raise between US$400 million through a NYSE IPO.    </li>
<li>Founded in 2014, Klook connects travellers with merchants, providing a vast array of activities, tours, attractions, and other travel services across the globe.</li>
<li>The investment case rests on market leadership, healthy GTV growth, establishing a path to sustainable profitability, improving FCF profile and a debt-free balance sheet.  </li>
</ul>



Klook (KLK US), the largest pan-regional experiences platform in the APAC region, is seeking to raise between US$400 million through a NYSE IPO.    
Founded in 2014, Klook connects travellers with merchants, providing a vast array of activities, tours, attractions, and other travel services across the globe.
The investment case rests on market leadership, healthy GTV growth, establishing a path to sustainable profitability, improving FCF profile and a debt-free balance sheet.  


Asian Hedge Fund Manager, Long Short Equity, Macro

David Mudd

Macroeconomics

<ul>
<li>China has announced that it will significantly boost the share of domestic consumption in its next five years, while maintaining tech and manufacturing as top priorities.</li>
<li>The nation's banks will be instrumental in providing consumption financing to spur a virtual growth driver for the economy.  Easing monetary policies will be in addition to the trade-in programs.</li>
<li>Consumer in service sectors like e-commerce, travel &amp; tourism, healthcare, elderly care and AI will benefit from increasing consumption.  Local brands stand to gain market share against foreign competitors.</li>
</ul>


China has announced that it will significantly boost the share of domestic consumption in its next five years, while maintaining tech and manufacturing as top priorities.
The nation's banks will be instrumental in providing consumption financing to spur a virtual growth driver for the economy.  Easing monetary policies will be in addition to the trade-in programs.
Consumer in service sectors like e-commerce, travel &amp; tourism, healthcare, elderly care and AI will benefit from increasing consumption.  Local brands stand to gain market share against foreign competitors.


CHINA HOUSEHOLD CONSUMPTION: Unlocking Growth Potential in Five-Year Plan

<ul>
<li>Growth rates of outbound and domestic air travel slowed again in September</li>
<li>Initial read on Golden Week demand: weak activity growth, weaker spending</li>
<li>In our view, it's increasingly difficult to retain an upbeat view of the sector</li>
</ul>


Growth rates of outbound and domestic air travel slowed again in September
Initial read on Golden Week demand: weak activity growth, weaker spending
In our view, it's increasingly difficult to retain an upbeat view of the sector


Monthly Chinese Tourism Tracker | Pace of Growth Slowed, Again | Golden Week? | October 2025

HK/China Equity Long-Short

Osbert Tang, CFA

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>The top ten highest-yielding stocks under our coverage have an average yield of 7.4% for FY25F and 7.2% for FY26F, attractive amid the declining interest rate environment.</li>
<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>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/anhui-expressway-co-ltd-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5236:1" rel="noopener">Anhui Expressway Co Ltd H (995 HK)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-railway-signal-communication-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:613:1" rel="noopener">China Railway Signal &amp; Communication (3969 HK)</a> are better quality ones with 6-7% average yield.</li>
<li>Chinese airlines are low on yields given they are still loss-making, but they have a good earnings rebound in 2H25, making them suitable for aggressive investors.</li>
</ul>


The top ten highest-yielding stocks under our coverage have an average yield of 7.4% for FY25F and 7.2% for FY26F, attractive amid the declining interest rate environment.

Sinotrans (598 HK), Anhui Expressway Co Ltd H (995 HK), and China Railway Signal &amp; Communication (3969 HK) are better quality ones with 6-7% average yield.
Chinese airlines are low on yields given they are still loss-making, but they have a good earnings rebound in 2H25, making them suitable for aggressive investors.


China & HK Strategy: The High-Yield Playbook

China

Tongcheng Travel Holdings Limited operates as an online travel agency. The Company provides transportation ticketing, accommodation reservation, value added travel products sales, and other services. Tongcheng Travel Holdings provides its services throughout China.

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Tongcheng Travel Holdings (780 HK)

Trip.com Q325 Results | Revenue Growth OK | Core Margins Still Falling | Avoid

Trip.com reported Q3 results on Monday after the US close. Revenue growth was fine, but core margins continue to fall. We view the shares as...

Tracking Traffic

Klook IPO (KLK US): The Investment Case

Klook, the largest pan-regional experiences platform in the APAC region, is seeking to raise between US$400 million through a NYSE IPO. In this...

Arun George

CHINA HOUSEHOLD CONSUMPTION: Unlocking Growth Potential in Five-Year Plan

China has announced that it will significantly boost the share of domestic consumption in its next five years, while maintaining tech and...

David Mudd

Monthly Chinese Tourism Tracker | Pace of Growth Slowed, Again | Golden Week? | October 2025

Chinese travel activity in September slowed, and a first look at Golden Week activity also suggests weak growth in travel and spending. We see few...

Tracking Traffic

China & HK Strategy: The High-Yield Playbook

With the increase in volatility in the near term due to the uncertainties from potentially higher tariffs and the Trump-Xi meeting in APEC, there...

Osbert Tang, CFA

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