HK/China Equity Long-Short

Osbert Tang, CFA

Equity Bottom-Up

China Tourism Group Duty Free / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Our earnings projections for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-tourism-group-duty-free-corporation-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:36229:1" rel="noopener">China Tourism Group Duty Free Corp Ltd (1880 HK)</a> are 14% and 18% below market consensus respectively. We think these are more realistic expectations.</li>
<li>At IPO price of HK$158, CDFC H-share sits on 23.9x FY23F PER. We think it is difficult to trade above 22x - the average for top consumer discretionary names.</li>
<li>Weakened visitor appetite to Sanya, potentially higher discounts, increase in border opening, higher fixed cost and uncertainties for duty free policies beyond 2025 are negative earnings factors.</li>
</ul>


Our earnings projections for China Tourism Group Duty Free Corp Ltd (1880 HK) are 14% and 18% below market consensus respectively. We think these are more realistic expectations.
At IPO price of HK$158, CDFC H-share sits on 23.9x FY23F PER. We think it is difficult to trade above 22x - the average for top consumer discretionary names.
Weakened visitor appetite to Sanya, potentially higher discounts, increase in border opening, higher fixed cost and uncertainties for duty free policies beyond 2025 are negative earnings factors.


CTG Duty Free (1880 HK): Our Earnings Forecasts and Views on H-Share Fair Value

China Tourism Group Duty Free Corp Ltd / Equity Bottom-Up

<p>We have expressed our positive view on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-tourism-group-duty-free-corp-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12278:1" rel="noopener">China Tourism Group Duty Free Corp Ltd (601888 CH)</a> in various Insights previously. In this Insight, we look at the proposed H-share IPO from the perspective of investors who do not know it well. For seasoned investors in this name, this Insight serves as a summary of our views and provides background details on the proposed IPO.</p><p>Fundamentally speaking, the key positives for CTG Duty Free are: 1.) absolute leadership in China's duty free market, 2.) encouraging growth outlook, and 3.) solid profitability and financial position. Key negatives are: 1.) policy risk and rising competition, 2.) concern on payback of new projects, and 3.) risk of overseas expansion. If the IPO is being priced at the current average H-A discount, it will be on 32.7x FY21F PER, we see this not expensive relative to the premium retailers listed in Hong Kong. </p>

We have expressed our positive view on China Tourism Group Duty Free Corp Ltd (601888 CH) in various Insights previously. In this Insight, we look at the proposed H-share IPO from the perspective of investors who do not know it well. For seasoned investors in this name, this Insight serves as a summary of our views and provides background details on the proposed IPO.Fundamentally speaking, the key positives for CTG Duty Free are: 1.) absolute leadership in China's duty free market, 2.) encouraging growth outlook, and 3.) solid profitability and financial position. Key negatives are: 1.) policy risk and rising competition, 2.) concern on payback of new projects, and 3.) risk of overseas expansion. If the IPO is being priced at the current average H-A discount, it will be on 32.7x FY21F PER, we see this not expensive relative to the premium retailers listed in Hong Kong. 

CTG Duty Free (601888 CH) H-Share Pre-IPO: Fundamentally Speaking

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One, Periscope Analytics

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

Periscope Analytics

Periscope Analytics focuses on event-driven trades across Asia Pacific and provides comprehensive, timely and systematic coverage of index changes to major Asia Pacific indices in a structured manner.

The analysis includes forecasted inclusions and exclusions to all major Asian indices that have significant amount of tracking assets, including estimates of passive buy/sell flow on the stocks. The service also provides commentary and impact of market consultations, ground rule changes, and other events (IPOs, spin-offs, M&A) that could lead to index changes and passive flow.

Periscope Analytics works with multi-strategy hedge funds, proprietary trading firms, stat arb trading groups and long-only investors that invest and trade in the Asia Pacific region with the data being used to trade index rebalances, avoid pre-positioning and passive flow, and to time entry into and exit from stocks.

Event-Driven Trades Across Asia Pacific

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>There are 18 changes for the SSE180 Index that will be implemented at the close of trading on 9 June.</li>
<li>The impact on the stocks is small but this is not a widely tracked index, so there could still be opportunities for some high risk/reward basket trades.</li>
<li>With Northbound Stock Connect eligibility no longer drawing on the SSE180 Index constituents, the index could lose relevance over time.</li>
</ul>


There are 18 changes for the SSE180 Index that will be implemented at the close of trading on 9 June.
The impact on the stocks is small but this is not a widely tracked index, so there could still be opportunities for some high risk/reward basket trades.
With Northbound Stock Connect eligibility no longer drawing on the SSE180 Index constituents, the index could lose relevance over time.


SSE180 Index Rebalance: Small Impact but Not Widely Tracked

<ul>
<li>In the near-term, China's relaxation of COVID-combating measures will boost consumption and demand for cross-province travel. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-tourism-group-duty-free-corporation-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:36229:1" rel="noopener">China Tourism Group Duty Free Corp Ltd (1880 HK)</a> is a beneficiary.</li>
<li>Hotel bookings in Sanya have surged over the last two days, reflecting positive demand reaction. However, China's full border opening likely in 2023 is a challenge to CDFC.  </li>
<li>Low base in FY22 will drive 45% earnings growth for FY23. However, valuations are not cheap at 33.8x PER for FY23, a significant premium to consumption sector and international peers.</li>
</ul>


In the near-term, China's relaxation of COVID-combating measures will boost consumption and demand for cross-province travel. China Tourism Group Duty Free Corp Ltd (1880 HK) is a beneficiary.
Hotel bookings in Sanya have surged over the last two days, reflecting positive demand reaction. However, China's full border opening likely in 2023 is a challenge to CDFC.  
Low base in FY22 will drive 45% earnings growth for FY23. However, valuations are not cheap at 33.8x PER for FY23, a significant premium to consumption sector and international peers.


CTG Duty Free (1880 HK): Near-Term Positive but It Is Not Cheap at All

Equity Capital Markets

China Tourism Group Duty Free Corp Ltd / Equity Capital Markets

<ul>
<li>At the indicated price range, or 24.8-28.6x PER for FY22F and 16.7-19.2x for FY23F, the H-share IPO of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-tourism-group-duty-free-corp-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12278:1" rel="noopener">China Tourism Group Duty Free Corp (601888 CH)</a> is not attractive enough. </li>
<li>2Q22 net profit is worse than it appears. Recent Sanya lockdown has wiped off half of the summer peak season which may even negatively affect demand during Golden Week.</li>
<li>Consensus forecasts are too optimistic and there may be another 15% downside. Given current macroenvironment, market volatility and earnings uncertainty, risk outweighs return even at the low-end of price range.</li>
</ul>


At the indicated price range, or 24.8-28.6x PER for FY22F and 16.7-19.2x for FY23F, the H-share IPO of China Tourism Group Duty Free Corp (601888 CH) is not attractive enough. 
2Q22 net profit is worse than it appears. Recent Sanya lockdown has wiped off half of the summer peak season which may even negatively affect demand during Golden Week.
Consensus forecasts are too optimistic and there may be another 15% downside. Given current macroenvironment, market volatility and earnings uncertainty, risk outweighs return even at the low-end of price range.


CTG Duty Free (601888 CH) H-Share IPO: 2Q22/Outlook Updates and Valuation Views

China

Wangfujing Group Co., Ltd. owns and operates department stores in Beijing, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Wuhan, and other cities in China.  The Company also develops residential real estate.

Wangfujing Group Co., Ltd. (600859 CH)

SSE180 Index Rebalance: Small Impact but Not Widely Tracked

There are 18 changes for the SSE180 Index in June. The index is not widely tracked and there could be opportunities for long/short basket trades...

Brian Freitas

CTG Duty Free (1880 HK): Near-Term Positive but It Is Not Cheap at All

China's relaxation of COVID control will bring better near-term outlook, as reflected by surge in Sanya's hotel bookings. There are still...

Osbert Tang, CFA

CTG Duty Free (1880 HK): Our Earnings Forecasts and Views on H-Share Fair Value

CDFC's H-share lPO is priced too high relative to fair value based on our earnings forecasts. There are potentially better entry levels when the...

Osbert Tang, CFA

CTG Duty Free (601888 CH) H-Share Pre-IPO: Fundamentally Speaking

In relation to CTG Duty Free's H-share IPO, key positives are: 1.) absolute leadership in China's duty free market, 2.) encouraging growth outlook,...

Osbert Tang, CFA

SSE180 Index Rebalance: Small Impact but Not Widely Tracked

There are 18 changes for the SSE180 Index in June. The index is not widely tracked and there could be opportunities for long/short basket trades...

Brian Freitas

CTG Duty Free (1880 HK): Near-Term Positive but It Is Not Cheap at All

China's relaxation of COVID control will bring better near-term outlook, as reflected by surge in Sanya's hotel bookings. There are still...

Osbert Tang, CFA

CTG Duty Free (601888 CH) H-Share IPO: 2Q22/Outlook Updates and Valuation Views

We consider the indicated price range not attractive enough given current macroenvironment, market volatility and earnings uncertainty. Risk-return...

Osbert Tang, CFA