Global TMT analyst with Asia ex-Japan focus.

Mitchell Kim

Equity Bottom-Up

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26:1" rel="noopener">Tencent Holdings (700 HK)</a> shares slid 18% in the two months after reaching the record high on 25 January 2021. The shares have been under pressure mostly on regulatory risks along with Alibaba.  As Tencent reported solid 4Q20 earnings on 24 March 2021, many of the Chinese Internet stocks took a hit on news that Chinese Internet platforms may be “encouraged” to contribute their digital payment and eCommerce transaction data to a joint venture company overseeing such lucrative data collection. While this news has been slowly reverberating since the beginning of the year, we are likely to have more clarity in the coming months. Our preliminary view on the Fintech risk is that Tencent will likely face a smaller impact than <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alibaba-group-holding-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:787:1" rel="noopener">Alibaba Group (BABA US)</a>  – albeit, Alibaba shares have more than fully reflected such known risk, in our view – because Tenpay has a smaller exposure to consumer loans.  We will cover this discussion at another time. While investors certain can blame such share overhang risks undercutting the bullish momentum from the beginning of the year, we flag that Tencent’s results hint that the company’s benefit from the COVID-19 is fading.  Our key observations from the results are:<ul>
<li>
The online game growth of 2Q-3Q20 is not sustainable.  The growth for 2020 was impressive and the 4Q20 growth was still solid but there are signs that the growth is slowing even with new game introductions.  We estimate online game revenue growth to slow to 25% in 2021. </li>
<li>
Online advertising revenue growth re-accelerated marginally in 2020.  Tencent’s social advertising growth is gaining momentum as P4P is picking up with Moments ads.  We estimate advertising revenue growth remains stable at 19% in 2021. </li>
<li>
 Fintech growth is promising, notwithstanding the government risk.  4Q20 growth remained healthy at 29%.  We believe 19% growth in 2021e is achievable.   </li>
</ul>Valuation: Our SOTP based on 2020 valuation comparables suggests a fair value at over HKD700, but there is a lower upside as we roll over to 2021 valuation comps.  Even though operating metrics still look solid, Tencent’s risk-return profile looks less compelling despite the 18% fall.

Tencent Holdings (700 HK) shares slid 18% in the two months after reaching the record high on 25 January 2021. The shares have been under pressure mostly on regulatory risks along with Alibaba.  As Tencent reported solid 4Q20 earnings on 24 March 2021, many of the Chinese Internet stocks took a hit on news that Chinese Internet platforms may be “encouraged” to contribute their digital payment and eCommerce transaction data to a joint venture company overseeing such lucrative data collection. While this news has been slowly reverberating since the beginning of the year, we are likely to have more clarity in the coming months. Our preliminary view on the Fintech risk is that Tencent will likely face a smaller impact than Alibaba Group (BABA US)  – albeit, Alibaba shares have more than fully reflected such known risk, in our view – because Tenpay has a smaller exposure to consumer loans.  We will cover this discussion at another time. While investors certain can blame such share overhang risks undercutting the bullish momentum from the beginning of the year, we flag that Tencent’s results hint that the company’s benefit from the COVID-19 is fading.  Our key observations from the results are:

The online game growth of 2Q-3Q20 is not sustainable.  The growth for 2020 was impressive and the 4Q20 growth was still solid but there are signs that the growth is slowing even with new game introductions.  We estimate online game revenue growth to slow to 25% in 2021. 

Online advertising revenue growth re-accelerated marginally in 2020.  Tencent’s social advertising growth is gaining momentum as P4P is picking up with Moments ads.  We estimate advertising revenue growth remains stable at 19% in 2021. 

 Fintech growth is promising, notwithstanding the government risk.  4Q20 growth remained healthy at 29%.  We believe 19% growth in 2021e is achievable.   
Valuation: Our SOTP based on 2020 valuation comparables suggests a fair value at over HKD700, but there is a lower upside as we roll over to 2021 valuation comps.  Even though operating metrics still look solid, Tencent’s risk-return profile looks less compelling despite the 18% fall.     

Tencent (700 HK): Taking Foot Off the Pedal

We have been flagging that despite the appeal of ultra-growth the risk-return favors the downside on both operating momentum and valuations.  In our last report, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/pinduoduo-pdd-us-know-when-to-fold-know-when-to-run" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:48659" rel="noopener">Pinduoduo (PDD US): Know When to Fold, Know When to Run</a>, we highlighted that <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alibaba-group-holding-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:787:1" rel="noopener">Alibaba Group (BABA US)</a> offers much better value than PDD on P/GMV.  PDD's share price fell 18% in the month of March, but the stock still trades at a 29% premium to BABA shares (however, we do note the share overhang on BABA shares from the anti-monopoly uncertainty in the near-term.)   In this report, we highlight four charts that would make PDD holders nervous:<ol>
<li>
P/Sales chart – PDD trades at 3x BABA’s multiple.  PDD is not profitable.  BABA’s operating margin was 22% in the Dec quarter and 72% EBITA margin for the marketplace. </li>
<li>Once the growth rate breaks below 100%, the rate of deceleration is rapid.  Take a look at <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>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jd-com-inc-adr" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:446:1" rel="noopener">JD.com Inc (ADR) (JD US)</a>, and BABA’s historical revenue deceleration rates.  PDD’s revenue growth in 2020 fell to 62% (normalized to exclude merchandise sales) from 130% in 2019.</li>
<li>
GMV (Gross Merchandise Value) growth continued to decelerate in 4Q20.  PDD needs both buyer number and revenue per buyer increase to grow 30%+ respectably to maintain 60%+ revenue growth.  PDD recorded 35% and 23% growth, respectively, in 4Q20. </li>
<li>The path to profitability remains unclear.  Gross margin continues to come under pressure and operating loss margin widened instead of narrowing QoQ, excluding the new merchandise sales. We don't see meaningful evidence of ready to turn profitable yet, although the new merchandise sales appear to be margin accretive.         </li>
</ol>

We have been flagging that despite the appeal of ultra-growth the risk-return favors the downside on both operating momentum and valuations.  In our last report, Pinduoduo (PDD US): Know When to Fold, Know When to Run, we highlighted that Alibaba Group (BABA US) offers much better value than PDD on P/GMV.  PDD's share price fell 18% in the month of March, but the stock still trades at a 29% premium to BABA shares (however, we do note the share overhang on BABA shares from the anti-monopoly uncertainty in the near-term.)   In this report, we highlight four charts that would make PDD holders nervous:

P/Sales chart – PDD trades at 3x BABA’s multiple.  PDD is not profitable.  BABA’s operating margin was 22% in the Dec quarter and 72% EBITA margin for the marketplace. 
Once the growth rate breaks below 100%, the rate of deceleration is rapid.  Take a look at Vipshop Holdings (VIPS US), JD.com Inc (ADR) (JD US), and BABA’s historical revenue deceleration rates.  PDD’s revenue growth in 2020 fell to 62% (normalized to exclude merchandise sales) from 130% in 2019.

GMV (Gross Merchandise Value) growth continued to decelerate in 4Q20.  PDD needs both buyer number and revenue per buyer increase to grow 30%+ respectably to maintain 60%+ revenue growth.  PDD recorded 35% and 23% growth, respectively, in 4Q20. 
The path to profitability remains unclear.  Gross margin continues to come under pressure and operating loss margin widened instead of narrowing QoQ, excluding the new merchandise sales. We don't see meaningful evidence of ready to turn profitable yet, although the new merchandise sales appear to be margin accretive.         


Pin Duo Duo (PDD US): Four Charts To Make You Want to Run

Global Emerging Market Equities, Propitious Research

Wium Malan, CFA

Global Emerging Market Equities

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. 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.

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

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jd-com-inc-adr" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:446:1" rel="noopener">JD.com Inc (ADR) (JD US)</a> recorded a banner year in 2020 with GMV and active buyer growths re-accelerating from the slower 2019 (see our results highlights). JD too has been a beneficiary of the online consumption burst in 2020.  The stock price more than doubled from 2019 but its valuations do not appear to be stretched unlike some of its peers.  We believe JD's margin expansion story is unwinding.      We are positive on JD’s operating improvements, and we forecast a continued – albeit slightly muted – operating momentum in 2021. Interestingly, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/coupang" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28425:1" rel="noopener">Coupang (CPNG US)</a> IPO sucked up all the oxygen today. Given the similarity between the two business models, we believe Coupang’s rich valuations make a compelling argument for JD shares, in our view.  We favor JD.com even on growth-adjusted valuations.  In our previous report, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/coupang-cpng-us-going-mano-e-mano-with-jd-com" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:49065" rel="noopener">Coupang (CPNG US): Going Mano E Mano with JD.com</a>, we compare JD’s historical valuations with Coupang.  Based on our estimates, JD trades at 0.3x ‘21e EV/GMV, 0.9x EV/Revenue, and only 6.1x Gross Profit as well as 23.2x ‘21e earnings (excluding net cash).  These are attractive valuations, in our view.

JD.com Inc (ADR) (JD US) recorded a banner year in 2020 with GMV and active buyer growths re-accelerating from the slower 2019 (see our results highlights). JD too has been a beneficiary of the online consumption burst in 2020.  The stock price more than doubled from 2019 but its valuations do not appear to be stretched unlike some of its peers.  We believe JD's margin expansion story is unwinding.      We are positive on JD’s operating improvements, and we forecast a continued – albeit slightly muted – operating momentum in 2021. Interestingly, Coupang (CPNG US) IPO sucked up all the oxygen today. Given the similarity between the two business models, we believe Coupang’s rich valuations make a compelling argument for JD shares, in our view.  We favor JD.com even on growth-adjusted valuations.  In our previous report, Coupang (CPNG US): Going Mano E Mano with JD.com, we compare JD’s historical valuations with Coupang.  Based on our estimates, JD trades at 0.3x ‘21e EV/GMV, 0.9x EV/Revenue, and only 6.1x Gross Profit as well as 23.2x ‘21e earnings (excluding net cash).  These are attractive valuations, in our view. 

Overseas Chinese Equities, Aequitas Research

Ming Lu

Overseas Chinese Equities

IPOs and Placements coverage across Asia Pacific

Aequitas Research

We cover all listing across the Asia Pacific along with follow-up placements. As of Dec 2020, our team had covered 539 IPOs with a hit rate of 73.5% and 685 placements with a hit rate of 66.8%.

We combine fundamental bottom-up views with our proprietary quantitative framework to provide a holistic coverage across new listings and placements. Our coverage includes pre-IPO notes before the deal is launched, follow-up analysis once the deal is live and post-listing trading analysis as well.

<ul>
<li>Kuaishou (1024 HK)’s vice president of community content was arrested for taking bribes.</li>
<li>Alibaba (BABA)’s public relation manager was rumored to jump off the office building in Beijing.</li>
<li>Suning Commerce (002024 CN)’s founder will sell his shareholdings.</li>
</ul>


Kuaishou (1024 HK)’s vice president of community content was arrested for taking bribes.
Alibaba (BABA)’s public relation manager was rumored to jump off the office building in Beijing.
Suning Commerce (002024 CN)’s founder will sell his shareholdings.


China Internet Weekly (Feb 22): Kuaishou VP Arrested, BABA Manager Dead “by Accident”, & Q4 Results

China

Vipshop Holdings Ltd. retails branded products at discount over the Internet. The Company retails through flash sales, in which limited quantities of an item are sold at deep discount for a specified period of time.

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Vipshop Holdings (VIPS US)

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Long/Short: Alibaba/Vipshop, a Comparative Valuation

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China Internet Weekly (Feb 22): Kuaishou VP Arrested, BABA Manager Dead “by Accident”, & Q4 Results

Kuaishou’s vice president was arrested for taking bribes. Alibaba’s manager was rumored to jump off the office building. Suning Commerce’s founder...

Ming Lu

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