HK/China Equity Long-Short

Osbert Tang, CFA

Equity Bottom-Up

Tongcheng Travel Holdings  / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tongcheng-travel-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27363:1" rel="noopener">Tongcheng Travel Holdings (780 HK)</a>'s 1Q25 adjusted net profit surged 41.1%, suggesting an accelerating momentum. It should continue to outperform <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/trip-com-group-ltd-23a341d0-4f63-4175-a8c5-ee990906cacd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:36424:1" rel="noopener">Trip.com Group (9961 HK)</a>. </li>
<li>Good cost management, even as revenue rose 13.2%, has enhanced adjusted EBITDA margin by 5.3pp YoY - this trend will sustain. </li>
<li>More visa convenience will boost inbound and outbound travel. At end-1Q25, net cash equals 14% of market capitalisation, and it can still generate ROE of 12-15%. </li>
</ul>



Tongcheng Travel Holdings (780 HK)'s 1Q25 adjusted net profit surged 41.1%, suggesting an accelerating momentum. It should continue to outperform Trip.com Group (9961 HK). 
Good cost management, even as revenue rose 13.2%, has enhanced adjusted EBITDA margin by 5.3pp YoY - this trend will sustain. 
More visa convenience will boost inbound and outbound travel. At end-1Q25, net cash equals 14% of market capitalisation, and it can still generate ROE of 12-15%. 


Tongcheng Travel (780 HK): Regaining Momentum, Better Choice than Trip.com

<ul>
<li>The upcoming Chinese New Year travel rush is expected to see air passenger volume reach 80m, a 9.8% increase vs. 2019. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tongcheng-travel-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27363:1" rel="noopener">Tongcheng Travel Holdings (780 HK)</a> is a key beneficiary.</li>
<li>In addition to air ticket booking, Tongcheng can gain from demand for related services and products. The focus on lower-tier cities will make it better satisfy their demand. </li>
<li>Its FY24F PER of 15.2x is lower than sector average of 16.4x, yet 3-year EPS CAGR of 30.7% is higher. Its underperformance against <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/trip-com-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:180:1" rel="noopener">Trip.com (TCOM US)</a> can be reversed.</li>
</ul>


The upcoming Chinese New Year travel rush is expected to see air passenger volume reach 80m, a 9.8% increase vs. 2019. Tongcheng Travel Holdings (780 HK) is a key beneficiary.
In addition to air ticket booking, Tongcheng can gain from demand for related services and products. The focus on lower-tier cities will make it better satisfy their demand. 
Its FY24F PER of 15.2x is lower than sector average of 16.4x, yet 3-year EPS CAGR of 30.7% is higher. Its underperformance against Trip.com (TCOM US) can be reversed.


<ul>
<li>While adjusted net profit of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tongcheng-elong-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27363:1" rel="noopener">Tongcheng Travel Holdings Ltd (780 HK)</a> plummeted in 4Q22, the positive momentum in 1Q23 as revealed supports a sharp recovery in FY23.</li>
<li>Its huge exposure to lower-tier cities will fuel outlook while increase in monetisation will support profitability rebound. Success at Blackwhale membership program is another growth engine.  </li>
<li>Management is confident that revenue growth and better efficiency will lead the return of FY23 margin to pre-pandemic levels. Net cash position (12% of share price) is an added strength. </li>
</ul>


While adjusted net profit of Tongcheng Travel Holdings Ltd (780 HK) plummeted in 4Q22, the positive momentum in 1Q23 as revealed supports a sharp recovery in FY23.
Its huge exposure to lower-tier cities will fuel outlook while increase in monetisation will support profitability rebound. Success at Blackwhale membership program is another growth engine.  
Management is confident that revenue growth and better efficiency will lead the return of FY23 margin to pre-pandemic levels. Net cash position (12% of share price) is an added strength. 


Tongcheng Travel (780 HK): Best for Capturing Lower-Tier Cities' Growth

Covering IPOs, Healthcare and Technology Stocks

Andrei Zakharov

Equity Capital Markets

<ul>
<li>Klook Technology Limited, travel and leisure booking platform company with leadership position in APAC intra-regional travel, aims to raise up to $500M in US IPO.</li>
<li>The company is expected to IPO in December. Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan and Morgan Stanley are leading the offering and Klook will list its ADSs on the NYSE.</li>
<li>My IPO valuation analysis coalesces around initial valuation range between $2.5B and $3.5B for Klook Technology Limited upcoming offering.</li>
</ul>


Klook Technology Limited, travel and leisure booking platform company with leadership position in APAC intra-regional travel, aims to raise up to $500M in US IPO.
The company is expected to IPO in December. Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan and Morgan Stanley are leading the offering and Klook will list its ADSs on the NYSE.
My IPO valuation analysis coalesces around initial valuation range between $2.5B and $3.5B for Klook Technology Limited upcoming offering.


Klook IPO (NYSE: KLK): Fair Valuation Would Be Significantly Above Last Reported Valuation

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/wanda-hotel-development-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15233:1" rel="noopener">Wanda Hotel Development (169 HK)</a>, <a href="https://di.hkex.com.hk/di/NSForm2.aspx?fn=CS20241018E00444&amp;sa2=as&amp;sid=290&amp;corpn=Wanda+Hotel+Development+Co.+Ltd.&amp;sd=24%2f04%2f2024&amp;ed=24%2f04%2f2025&amp;cid=0&amp;sa1=cl&amp;scsd=24%2f04%2f2024&amp;sced=24%2f04%2f2025&amp;sc=169&amp;src=MAIN&amp;lang=EN&amp;g_lang=en&amp;" target="_blank" rel="noopener">65.05%</a> held by Wang Jianlin, is selling its hotel property arm to <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26:1" rel="noopener">Tencent (700 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/trip-com-group-ltd-23a341d0-4f63-4175-a8c5-ee990906cacd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:36424:1" rel="noopener">Trip.com (9961 HK)</a>-backed <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tongcheng-travel-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27363:1" rel="noopener">Tongcheng Travel Holdings (780 HK)</a>.</li>
<li>Wang Jianlin's cash-strapped Dalian Wanda Group has been offloading assets such as the $8.3bn sale of its mall management business to a PAG-led consortium in March last year.</li>
<li>Wanda Hotel proposes distributing all or part of the proceeds from the sale. Given Wang's controlling shareholding, I'd tilt towards the former.</li>
</ul>



Wanda Hotel Development (169 HK), 65.05% held by Wang Jianlin, is selling its hotel property arm to Tencent (700 HK) and Trip.com (9961 HK)-backed Tongcheng Travel Holdings (780 HK).
Wang Jianlin's cash-strapped Dalian Wanda Group has been offloading assets such as the $8.3bn sale of its mall management business to a PAG-led consortium in March last year.
Wanda Hotel proposes distributing all or part of the proceeds from the sale. Given Wang's controlling shareholding, I'd tilt towards the former.


Wanda Hotel (169 HK) To Offload Hotel Management Arm

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)

Tongcheng Travel (780 HK): Regaining Momentum, Better Choice than Trip.com

Tongcheng reports a 41.1% surge in 1Q25 adjusted net profit, driven by good cost control. More visa convenience will boost growth, and it is...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Tongcheng Travel (780 HK): We Are Back

CNY travel rush is expected to boost air passenger volume by 9.8% vs. 2019, benefiting Tongcheng. Its focus on lower-tier cities and strong EPS...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Tongcheng Travel (780 HK): Best for Capturing Lower-Tier Cities' Growth

Positive business momentum in 1Q23 supports a sharp recovery in FY23. Huge exposure to lower-tier cities and increase in monetisation will support...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Klook IPO (NYSE: KLK): Fair Valuation Would Be Significantly Above Last Reported Valuation

Travel booking platform Klook Technology Limited plans to raise up to $500M in upcoming US IPO. In my insight, I discuss IPO valuation scenarios,...

Andrei Zakharov

Wanda Hotel (169 HK) To Offload Hotel Management Arm

Wanda Hotel is selling its hotel property arm to Tencent/Trip.com-backed Tongcheng. Wanda said it will distribute all or part of the proceeds....

David Blennerhassett

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52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

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Tongcheng Travel (780 HK): Regaining Momentum, Better Choice than Trip.com

​Tongcheng reports a 41.1% surge in 1Q25 adjusted net profit, driven by good cost control. More visa convenience will boost growth, and it is...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Tongcheng Travel (780 HK): We Are Back

CNY travel rush is expected to boost air passenger volume by 9.8% vs. 2019, benefiting Tongcheng. Its focus on lower-tier cities and strong EPS...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Tongcheng Travel (780 HK): Best for Capturing Lower-Tier Cities' Growth

Positive business momentum in 1Q23 supports a sharp recovery in FY23. Huge exposure to lower-tier cities and increase in monetisation will support...

Osbert Tang, CFA

Klook IPO (NYSE: KLK): Fair Valuation Would Be Significantly Above Last Reported Valuation

​Travel booking platform Klook Technology Limited plans to raise up to $500M in upcoming US IPO. In my insight, I discuss IPO valuation scenarios,...

Andrei Zakharov

Wanda Hotel (169 HK) To Offload Hotel Management Arm

Wanda Hotel is selling its hotel property arm to Tencent/Trip.com-backed Tongcheng. Wanda said it will distribute all or part of the proceeds....

David Blennerhassett

Tongcheng reports a 41.1% surge in 1Q25 adjusted net profit, driven by good cost control. More visa convenience will boost growth, and it is...

Travel booking platform Klook Technology Limited plans to raise up to $500M in upcoming US IPO. In my insight, I discuss IPO valuation scenarios,...