HK/China Equity Long-Short

Osbert Tang, CFA

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>The turnaround of sports business at <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-dongxiang-group-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1068:1" rel="noopener">China Dongxiang (3818 HK)</a> is very welcoming. We are glad that sales trend in Oct-Nov is sustained and Phenix brand is well-received.</li>
<li>Reported losses widened as poor market environment enlarged investment losses. However, net cash and investment portfolio are still valued at Rmb8.5bn, or 5.9x its market capitalisation. </li>
<li>CNDX looks comfortably at over 6% full-year dividend yield. Together with just 0.15x P/B, there are enough protections for the downside of the stock.  </li>
</ul>


The turnaround of sports business at China Dongxiang (3818 HK) is very welcoming. We are glad that sales trend in Oct-Nov is sustained and Phenix brand is well-received.
Reported losses widened as poor market environment enlarged investment losses. However, net cash and investment portfolio are still valued at Rmb8.5bn, or 5.9x its market capitalisation. 
CNDX looks comfortably at over 6% full-year dividend yield. Together with just 0.15x P/B, there are enough protections for the downside of the stock.  


China Dongxiang (3818 HK): Turned Around on Sports Business

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

Equity Analyst

Steve Zhou, CFA

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/xtep-international-holdings" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18118:1" rel="noopener">Xtep International (1368 HK)</a> announced an operational update for 4Q23, with retail sales growing more than 30% for the Xtep brand (off of a low base in 4Q22).</li>
<li>The overall quality of the retail sales growth is low, as the growth was mainly driven by higher discount level (around 30% compared to 25-30% in the previous quarter). </li>
<li>I still prefer Anta over Xtep at this stage, as Xtep is more of a beta play if the consumer sentiment turns around in China. </li>
</ul>



Xtep International (1368 HK) announced an operational update for 4Q23, with retail sales growing more than 30% for the Xtep brand (off of a low base in 4Q22).
The overall quality of the retail sales growth is low, as the growth was mainly driven by higher discount level (around 30% compared to 25-30% in the previous quarter). 
I still prefer Anta over Xtep at this stage, as Xtep is more of a beta play if the consumer sentiment turns around in China. 


Xtep International (1368 HK):  Strong Headline Retail Sales Growth In 4Q23 But Quality Is Still Low

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/anta-sports-products-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10261:1" rel="noopener">Anta Sports Products (2020 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/li-ning-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6047:1" rel="noopener">Li Ning (2331 HK)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/xtep-international-holdings" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18118:1" rel="noopener">Xtep International (1368 HK)</a> have announced 1Q24 operational updates, with additional color given in post conference calls.  </li>
<li>Anta: Retail sales started to accelerate in mid-March, and March were better than January and February. </li>
<li>Li Ning:  offline retail sales down low-single-digit in 1Q24, driven by wholesale down mid-single-digit, while retail grew mid-single-digit.  E-commerce grew 20-30% yoy.  </li>
</ul>



Anta Sports Products (2020 HK), Li Ning (2331 HK), and Xtep International (1368 HK) have announced 1Q24 operational updates, with additional color given in post conference calls.  
Anta: Retail sales started to accelerate in mid-March, and March were better than January and February. 
Li Ning:  offline retail sales down low-single-digit in 1Q24, driven by wholesale down mid-single-digit, while retail grew mid-single-digit.  E-commerce grew 20-30% yoy.  


Anta/Li Ning/Xtep:  China Sportswear 1Q24 Update

China

Xtep International Holdings Ltd. designs, manufactures, and markets sportwear. The Company produces footwear, apparel, and accessories.

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Xtep International (1368 HK)

China Dongxiang (3818 HK): Turned Around on Sports Business

Along with the encouraging 3Q FY24 (Oct-Dec 2023) sportswear sales - Kappa brand sales up mid 40%–50% YoY, China Dongxiang has benefited from the...

Osbert Tang, CFA