Head of Research, IPOs & Placements, Aequitas Research

Sumeet Singh

Head of Research, IPOs & Placements

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.

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>On 28th Mar 2023, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alibaba-group-holding-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:787:1" rel="noopener">Alibaba (ADR) (BABA US)</a> announced that it would adopt a new organizational and governance structure, splitting into six major business groups and other investments.</li>
<li>Alibaba also stated that each of the business groups would be set up as an independent entity with its own board and the groups will eventually seek to list.</li>
<li>In this note, we will talk about some of the company’s investments and how the overall Holdco would look post restructuring.</li>
</ul>


On 28th Mar 2023, Alibaba (ADR) (BABA US) announced that it would adopt a new organizational and governance structure, splitting into six major business groups and other investments.
Alibaba also stated that each of the business groups would be set up as an independent entity with its own board and the groups will eventually seek to list.
In this note, we will talk about some of the company’s investments and how the overall Holdco would look post restructuring.


Alibaba Potential IPOs - The Final Part - Quick Look at Investees and Eventual Holdco

Asian Equities Analyst, Logistics & Transport, Tracking Traffic

Daniel Hellberg

Asian Equities Analyst, Logistics & Transport

Tracking Traffic

Focusing on Asian logistics, transportation, and travel companies

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>Gross margin compression in China's express industry has been going on for years and predates the Covid crisis. But margins have enjoyed a modest recovery since late 2021</li>
<li>Since 2019, margins have fallen and the distribution of profits among China's listed express companies has changed dramatically, with two clear-cut losers</li>
<li>Even though two listed express companies have seen their profitability compressed dramatically, there are no signs of industry consolidation -- and some parties like it that way</li>
</ul>


Gross margin compression in China's express industry has been going on for years and predates the Covid crisis. But margins have enjoyed a modest recovery since late 2021
Since 2019, margins have fallen and the distribution of profits among China's listed express companies has changed dramatically, with two clear-cut losers
Even though two listed express companies have seen their profitability compressed dramatically, there are no signs of industry consolidation -- and some parties like it that way


Chinese Express Consolidation? Lesser Players Battered for Years, But Still No Knockout Punch

External broker reports(aggregated public sources), CMB International

CMB International

External broker reports(aggregated public sources)

Incorporated in Hong Kong, supported by the mainland and targeting in global market, CMB International Capital Corporation Limited (“CMBI”) is an integrated financial institution providing comprehensive and professional services. As a wholly-owned subsidiary of China Merchants Bank ("CMB"), by leveraging on the Group’s synergy and coordination in domestic and overseas markets, as well as CMB’s strong resources and outstanding social reputation, CMBI and its subsidiaries have been actively implementing diversified business strategies and set up an overall layout of main business segments including Corporate Finance, Asset Management, Wealth Management, Global Markets and Structured Finance, etc. Adhering to the philosophy of “being clients oriented and increasing our own values by the way of creating value for clients”, CMBI endeavors to provide quality and integrated financial services to institutional, corporate and individual customers both domestic and overseas including Hong Kong IPO sponsorship and underwriting, share placement and rights issue for listed companies, financial advisors, bonds issuance services, asset management, direct investment, wealth management, equity sales and trading, etc.

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul><li>ZTO delivered impressive reported/core net profit growth of 84%/67% in 1Q23, which is better than expectations.</li><li>Most importantly, ZTO revises up the full year parcel volume growth target to 20-24% YoY (up from 18-22% in Mar), implying 1.5ppt (YoY) potential market share gain.</li><li>Besides, ZTO targets to achieve RMB0.05-0.07 (~5-7%) of unit cost reduction this year. .</li></ul><p><em>Content is external broker report sourced from online content aggregator through publicly available sources and is displayed below for general informational purposes only. Refer full disclaimer below.</em></p>

ZTO delivered impressive reported/core net profit growth of 84%/67% in 1Q23, which is better than expectations.Most importantly, ZTO revises up the full year parcel volume growth target to 20-24% YoY (up from 18-22% in Mar), implying 1.5ppt (YoY) potential market share gain.Besides, ZTO targets to achieve RMB0.05-0.07 (~5-7%) of unit cost reduction this year. .Content is external broker report sourced from online content aggregator through publicly available sources and is displayed below for general informational purposes only. Refer full disclaimer below.

ZTO Express (ZTO US) – Best of both worlds

China/Asia TMT

Shawn Yang

China growth and global non-US Internet equities

Blue Lotus Research Institute

Blue Lotus Research is a Hong Kong Type 4 Licensed investment advisory firm focusing on Chinese growth equities and global non-US Internet equities

<ul>
<li>ZTO reported C1Q23 top-line, IFRS EBIT, and non-IFRS net income (3.1%), 30%, and 30% vs. our est. ZTO raised volume est. to 20-24% YoY; </li>
<li>Margin beat as parcel cost was (8%) vs. our est., but we suggest also due to (1) parcel mix improvements, (2) output-based pay, and (3) lower % of KA customers; </li>
<li>Maintain BUY and raise TP to US$ 38 due improving gross profit per parcel and an end in-sight for CAPEX spending. Our TP implies 24x P/2023E.</li>
</ul>


ZTO reported C1Q23 top-line, IFRS EBIT, and non-IFRS net income (3.1%), 30%, and 30% vs. our est. ZTO raised volume est. to 20-24% YoY; 
Margin beat as parcel cost was (8%) vs. our est., but we suggest also due to (1) parcel mix improvements, (2) output-based pay, and (3) lower % of KA customers; 
Maintain BUY and raise TP to US$ 38 due improving gross profit per parcel and an end in-sight for CAPEX spending. Our TP implies 24x P/2023E.


[ZTO Express (ZTO US, BUY, TP US$38) TP Change]: Margin Improves While Capex Intensity Nears Peak

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/zto-express" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23628:1" rel="noopener">ZTO Express (ZTO US)</a> parcel volume increased by 20.5% Y/Y in Q1, better than market growth</li>
<li>Unit prices fell by 3.7%, slightly worse than peers in Q1 2023, and Revenue missed consensus</li>
<li>EPS beat expectations on lower unit costs, and management raised full-year volume target</li>
</ul>



ZTO Express (ZTO US) parcel volume increased by 20.5% Y/Y in Q1, better than market growth
Unit prices fell by 3.7%, slightly worse than peers in Q1 2023, and Revenue missed consensus
EPS beat expectations on lower unit costs, and management raised full-year volume target


ZTO Express Q1 Results Surprise: Despite Lower Pricing, Margins Up Y/Y | Mgmt Raises Volume Guidance

China

ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. operates as an express delivery company. The Company provides express delivery service through their nationwide network, as well as other value-added logistics services. ZTO Express serves customers globally.

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ZTO Express Cayman (ZTO US)

Alibaba Potential IPOs - The Final Part - Quick Look at Investees and Eventual Holdco

Continuining with our series of notes on Alibaba's planned six way reorganisation, in this note, we talk about its investments and eventual holdco.

Sumeet Singh

Chinese Express Consolidation? Lesser Players Battered for Years, But Still No Knockout Punch

Margins in China's express sector have been falling for years. However, there are few signs of consolidation: companies remain profitable, and...

Tracking Traffic

ZTO Express (ZTO US) – Best of both worlds

Most importantly, ZTO revises up the full year parcel volume growth target to 20-24% YoY (up from 18-22% in Mar), implying 1.5ppt (YoY) potential...

CMB International

[ZTO Express (ZTO US, BUY, TP US$38) TP Change]: Margin Improves While Capex Intensity Nears Peak

Margin beat as parcel cost was (8%) vs. our est., we suggest also due to (1) parcel mix improvements, (2) output-based pay, and (3) lower % of KA...

Blue Lotus Research Institute

ZTO Express Q1 Results Surprise: Despite Lower Pricing, Margins Up Y/Y | Mgmt Raises Volume Guidance

ZTO's Q1 results showed strong volume growth, but also weaker unit pricing and a lack of control over SG&A expenses. We retain our negative view on...

Tracking Traffic

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