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

AP Moeller - Maersk A/S / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Our monthly index suggests that container rates have bottomed, with easier comps in H2</li>
<li>Lower fuel has been a tailwind for carriers for several months, but that could change</li>
<li>We still think the worst has passed for carriers, a few of which have performed well in '23</li>
</ul>


Our monthly index suggests that container rates have bottomed, with easier comps in H2
Lower fuel has been a tailwind for carriers for several months, but that could change
We still think the worst has passed for carriers, a few of which have performed well in '23


Monthly Container Shipping Tracker | Rates Bottoming | Fuel Tailwind Easing? | (August 2023)

<ul>
<li>Maersk's Q1 earnings were solid, despite plummeting container rates and volumes. Annualizing Q1 Net Income would give RoE of about 17%, which is a healthy level, in our view. </li>
<li>Q1 EBITDA of US$4 bn is equivalent to 36% to 50% of full-year guidance, which remains unchanged. Maersk indicated Q1 will likely be its most profitable quarter in 2023.</li>
<li>Maersk's result reinforces our view that container rates are bottoming. A related takeaway is that a slowing goods inflation rate could lose a tailwind it's enjoyed since last October.</li>
</ul>


Maersk's Q1 earnings were solid, despite plummeting container rates and volumes. Annualizing Q1 Net Income would give RoE of about 17%, which is a healthy level, in our view. 
Q1 EBITDA of US$4 bn is equivalent to 36% to 50% of full-year guidance, which remains unchanged. Maersk indicated Q1 will likely be its most profitable quarter in 2023.
Maersk's result reinforces our view that container rates are bottoming. A related takeaway is that a slowing goods inflation rate could lose a tailwind it's enjoyed since last October.


Maersk Q1: Earnings Fine | Guidance Intact | Takeaways for Container Shipping (And Inflation)

<ul>
<li>Our measures of momentum and profitability suggest industry bottomed in Q1 2023</li>
<li>In addition, shares of container shipping stocks have stopped reacting to (plentiful) bad news</li>
<li>Outcome of ongoing rate negotiations and Q1 earnings calls will drive near-term performance</li>
</ul>


Our measures of momentum and profitability suggest industry bottomed in Q1 2023
In addition, shares of container shipping stocks have stopped reacting to (plentiful) bad news
Outcome of ongoing rate negotiations and Q1 earnings calls will drive near-term performance


TRACKING TRAFFIC/Container Shipping: Momentum Bottomed | Shares Stabilized | Focus on May News

<ul>
<li>After peaking in H122, container rates have tumbled back to pre-Covid levels in Q123</li>
<li>We believe core profitability has also declined to pre-Covid levels for some carriers</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/evergreen-marine-corp-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15428:1" rel="noopener">Evergreen Marine Corp (2603 TT)</a> no longer looks expensive, trading at 70-75% of replacement  cost.</li>
</ul>


After peaking in H122, container rates have tumbled back to pre-Covid levels in Q123
We believe core profitability has also declined to pre-Covid levels for some carriers

Evergreen Marine Corp (2603 TT) no longer looks expensive, trading at 70-75% of replacement  cost.


TRACKING TRAFFIC / Container Shipping: End of the Rollercoaster Ride

HK/China Equity Long-Short

Osbert Tang, CFA

Orient Overseas International / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>While <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/orient-overseas-international" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:801:1" rel="noopener">Orient Overseas International (316 HK)</a> will welcome its inclusion in Hang Seng Index, there is risk that it will follow the pattern that new inclusions performed badly post entry.</li>
<li>Globally, many container shipping stocks have retreated from their peaks in Mar this year, but OOIL is still hovering around its peak level, making is susceptible to a correction.</li>
<li>Challenging factors include softening sequential momentum, peaking out of spot rates, weaker demand picture, increase in supply pressure and declining earnings trend are weighing on the industry and the company.</li>
</ul>


While Orient Overseas International (316 HK) will welcome its inclusion in Hang Seng Index, there is risk that it will follow the pattern that new inclusions performed badly post entry.
Globally, many container shipping stocks have retreated from their peaks in Mar this year, but OOIL is still hovering around its peak level, making is susceptible to a correction.
Challenging factors include softening sequential momentum, peaking out of spot rates, weaker demand picture, increase in supply pressure and declining earnings trend are weighing on the industry and the company.


Orient Overseas Intl (316 HK): Cursed by Index Inclusion?

Israel

ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd provides shipping services. The Company offers multi-modal, cargo handling, tariff management, schedule information, and other related services. ZIM Integrated Shipping Services serves clients worldwide.

ZIM Integrated Shipping Services (ZIM US)

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ZIM Integrated Shipping Services (ZIM US)

Monthly Container Shipping Tracker | Rates Bottoming | Fuel Tailwind Easing? | (August 2023)

Our analysis shows pricing momentum for carriers remains depressed, but stable. In other words, conditions are not deteriorating. But fuel prices...

Tracking Traffic

Maersk Q1: Earnings Fine | Guidance Intact | Takeaways for Container Shipping (And Inflation)

Maersk's Q1 result showed a steep Y/Y decline in earnings due to lower rates. But RoE is fine, and the company maintained guidance, which supports...

Tracking Traffic

TRACKING TRAFFIC/Container Shipping: Momentum Bottomed | Shares Stabilized | Focus on May News

Container shipping industry momentum bottomed in Q1, and related shares have stopped reacting to bad news. News and commentary from industry...

Tracking Traffic

TRACKING TRAFFIC / Container Shipping: End of the Rollercoaster Ride

For container rates and profitability, it's been a wild rollercoaster ride over the past three years. But now shares of pure play Evergreen Marine...

Tracking Traffic

Orient Overseas Intl (316 HK): Cursed by Index Inclusion?

While news of HSI inclusion is positive, OOIL is now open to the pattern of post-entry weakness. It is facing more challenges and outperformance...

Osbert Tang, CFA

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