China

In this briefing:

1. China’s Coal Conundrum
2. Notes from the Silk Road: Nine Dragons Paper Holdings (2689.HK) – Potential Volatility Risk
3. Weekly Oil Views: Crude Rises to 3-Month High but Further Upside May Be Limited

1. China’s Coal Conundrum

Last Friday China torpedoed Australia’s coal imports after announcing that the middle kingdom would no longer accept coal imports from Australia. This leads us to consider some of the energy issues related to China. We write often about coal and the importance it has on China’s energy consumption. 

2. Notes from the Silk Road: Nine Dragons Paper Holdings (2689.HK) – Potential Volatility Risk

On the eve of the Chinese New Year holiday Nine Dragon Paper (NDP) released a profit warning regarding their H1 FY19 fiscal earnings. This warning came ahead of the 26th February 2019 Board Meeting.

Management guidance calls for a decrease for H1-2019 of approximately 45% YoY and revenue line of not less than RMB2.4bn. NDP cites an increase in raw materials and a decrease in the selling price of the products. 

Despite the negative news, the share price has rallied 15% since the announcement. We examine the implications.

3. Weekly Oil Views: Crude Rises to 3-Month High but Further Upside May Be Limited

Another week of US-China negotiations and another big boost to market sentiment. Stock markets as well as crude rallied last week on the back of news from Washington that the US and China were preparing to sign a framework deal in the form of several MoUs covering trade and structural issues.

But there are other economic concerns around the globe, and a preliminary deal between the US and China is not going to curb all the headwinds. Further upside to crude may also be limited because much of the anticipated rapprochement between the two countries has already been factored in. WTI prices stabilising well above the $50/barrel threshold are also likely to support strong growth in US production, which hit the 12 million b/d mark last week.

Nonetheless, there are factors on the supply front that could trigger a spike beyond $70/barrel for Brent, especially if combined with a turnaround in economic and oil demand growth expectations.

If that happens, we believe the Saudis will ease up on over-compliance with their own production cuts, either voluntarily or under renewed pressure from US President Donald Trump.

In this briefing:

1. China’s Coal Conundrum
2. Notes from the Silk Road: Nine Dragons Paper Holdings (2689.HK) – Potential Volatility Risk
3. Weekly Oil Views: Crude Rises to 3-Month High but Further Upside May Be Limited
4. Asia’s External Balances Signal Safety for Investors

1. China’s Coal Conundrum

Last Friday China torpedoed Australia’s coal imports after announcing that the middle kingdom would no longer accept coal imports from Australia. This leads us to consider some of the energy issues related to China. We write often about coal and the importance it has on China’s energy consumption. 

2. Notes from the Silk Road: Nine Dragons Paper Holdings (2689.HK) – Potential Volatility Risk

On the eve of the Chinese New Year holiday Nine Dragon Paper (NDP) released a profit warning regarding their H1 FY19 fiscal earnings. This warning came ahead of the 26th February 2019 Board Meeting.

Management guidance calls for a decrease for H1-2019 of approximately 45% YoY and revenue line of not less than RMB2.4bn. NDP cites an increase in raw materials and a decrease in the selling price of the products. 

Despite the negative news, the share price has rallied 15% since the announcement. We examine the implications.

3. Weekly Oil Views: Crude Rises to 3-Month High but Further Upside May Be Limited

Another week of US-China negotiations and another big boost to market sentiment. Stock markets as well as crude rallied last week on the back of news from Washington that the US and China were preparing to sign a framework deal in the form of several MoUs covering trade and structural issues.

But there are other economic concerns around the globe, and a preliminary deal between the US and China is not going to curb all the headwinds. Further upside to crude may also be limited because much of the anticipated rapprochement between the two countries has already been factored in. WTI prices stabilising well above the $50/barrel threshold are also likely to support strong growth in US production, which hit the 12 million b/d mark last week.

Nonetheless, there are factors on the supply front that could trigger a spike beyond $70/barrel for Brent, especially if combined with a turnaround in economic and oil demand growth expectations.

If that happens, we believe the Saudis will ease up on over-compliance with their own production cuts, either voluntarily or under renewed pressure from US President Donald Trump.

4. Asia’s External Balances Signal Safety for Investors

Asian currencies are, in general, well supported by economic fundamentals in the form of external surpluses and interest rate differentials. Indeed, most Asian currencies display an appreciating bias, contrary to perceptions in 2018 when all of them lost ground to the US dollar. Over the last year the underlying external strength has been reflected in Asian currency appreciation against the US dollar.

In this briefing:

1. Sharp MoM Decline In January Semi WFE Sales Casts A Spanner In Second Half Recovery Works.

1. Sharp MoM Decline In January Semi WFE Sales Casts A Spanner In Second Half Recovery Works.

According to SEMI, North American (NA) WFE sales for January 2019 fell to $1.9 billion, down ~10% sequentially and ~20% YoY. This was an abrupt reversal of the recovery trend implied by the December 2018 sales of $2.1 billion and is the biggest monthly sales YoY decline since June 2013.

Just as declining monthly WFE sales preceded the current semiconductor downturn by some six months, the continuation of December’s MoM WFE decline reversal trend was a prerequisite for a second half recovery in the broader semiconductor sector. With that trend well and truly broken,  we now anticipate a more delayed, gradual and prolonged recovery, one which is now unlikely to materialise until late third, early fourth quarter 2019. 

In this briefing:

1. Sharp MoM Decline In January Semi WFE Sales Casts A Spanner In Second Half Recovery Works.
2. HK Connect Discovery Weekly: Geely, Great Wall Motor and Sands China (2019-02-22)
3. Hopewell’s Egregiously Bad Offer, But What Can You Do?

1. Sharp MoM Decline In January Semi WFE Sales Casts A Spanner In Second Half Recovery Works.

According to SEMI, North American (NA) WFE sales for January 2019 fell to $1.9 billion, down ~10% sequentially and ~20% YoY. This was an abrupt reversal of the recovery trend implied by the December 2018 sales of $2.1 billion and is the biggest monthly sales YoY decline since June 2013.

Just as declining monthly WFE sales preceded the current semiconductor downturn by some six months, the continuation of December’s MoM WFE decline reversal trend was a prerequisite for a second half recovery in the broader semiconductor sector. With that trend well and truly broken,  we now anticipate a more delayed, gradual and prolonged recovery, one which is now unlikely to materialise until late third, early fourth quarter 2019. 

2. HK Connect Discovery Weekly: Geely, Great Wall Motor and Sands China (2019-02-22)

In our Discover HK Connect series, we aim to help our investors understand the flow of southbound trades via the Hong Kong Connect, as analyzed by our proprietary data engine. We will discuss the stocks that experienced the most inflow and outflow by mainland investors in the past seven days.

We split the stocks eligible for the Hong Kong Connect trade into three groups: component stocks in the HSCEI index, stocks with a market capitalization between USD 1 billion and USD 5 billion, and stocks with a market capitalization between USD 500 million and USD 1 billion.

In this week’s HK Connect Discovery, we highlight the strong inflow to automobile stocks and Sands China. 

3. Hopewell’s Egregiously Bad Offer, But What Can You Do?

The Scheme Document for the privatisation of Hopewell Holdings (54 HK) has been dispatched. The court meeting will be held on the 21 March. The consideration will be paid (on or before) the 14 May.  The IFA (China Tonghai Capital) considers the $38.80/share Offer to be fair & reasonable. The Scheme is conditional on ≥75% for, ≤10% against from disinterested shareholders. As Hopewell is HK-incorporated, there is no “head count ” test.  The full timetable is as follows:

After hearing conflicting opinions on what constitutes a blocking stake, a chat with the banker confirmed the blocking stake, as per the Companies Ordinance, is tied to 63.07% of shares out (i.e. Scheme shareholders – see page 95); whereas the Takeovers Code is tied to 59.42% of shares out. Effectively there are two assessments on the blocking stake and the more stringent (the 59.42% out in this case) prevails. 

With the Offer Price representing a 43% discount to NAV, wider than the largest discount precedent in past nine years (the Glorious Property (845 HK) offer, which incidentally was voted down), the IFA creatively argues that extenuating factors such as the premium to historical price needs to also be taken into account. Hardly original, but that is where investors must decide whether this is as good as it’s going to get – given the Wu family’s control, there will not be a competing offer – or to hold out for a superior price longer term. This is a final offer and it will not be increased.

What the IFA fails to discuss is that the widest successful discount to NAV privatisation was 29.4% for New World China Land (917 HK) in 2016. And all precedent transactions (successful or otherwise) are PRC (mainly) property development related; except for Wheelock which operated property in Hong Kong (like Hopewell) and in Singapore, which was privatised at a 12.1% discount to NAV.

Therein lies the dilemma – what is a fair and reasonable discount to NAV for a Hong Kong investment property play? With limited precedents, it is challenging to categorically reach an opinion. And that is the disingenuous conclusion from the IFA that the premium to last close and with reference to historical pricing, is in effect the overriding reason to conclude the Offer is reasonable. I would argue the Wu family has made a low-ball offer for what is essentially an investment property play with quantifiable asset value.

A blocking sake is 5.9% or 51.6mn shares. First Eagle, which recently voted down the Guoco Group Ltd (53 HK) privatisation that was pitched at a ~25% discount to NAV, holds 2.7% (according to CapIQ).

Trading at a wide gross/annualised return of 7%/37.5%, reflecting the risk to completion, and the significant downside should the scheme be voted down. Tough one – the premium to last close and with reference to the 10-year price performance, should be sufficient to get it over the line, and the basis for this “bullish” insight. But only for the brave.

In this briefing:

1. Jinxin Fertility (锦欣生殖) Pre-IPO: Strong Foothold in Sichuan but Weak Sentiment for Sector
2. Dali Foods (3799:HK) FY18 Results: Revenue Growth Collapses in H2, But Margins Hold Up So Far
3. Ping An Bank: Not Cheap Enough
4. StubWorld: Naspers Embeds Another Layer Into Tencent
5. Ruhnn (如涵) IPO Review – Expensive Influence

1. Jinxin Fertility (锦欣生殖) Pre-IPO: Strong Foothold in Sichuan but Weak Sentiment for Sector

Jinxin Fertility, a leading privately owned assisted reproductive service provider in China and the US, refiled to list in Hong Kong. Per news reports, the company planned to raise up to USD 500 million. In this insight, we will cover the following topics:

• Business lines and its hospitals
• The assisted reproductive service industry
• Key risks
• Shareholders and use of proceeds
• Our early thoughts on valuation

2. Dali Foods (3799:HK) FY18 Results: Revenue Growth Collapses in H2, But Margins Hold Up So Far

We launched coverage of Dali Foods Group (3799 HK) in February with a Sell rating and a HK$4.18 target price. FY18 financial results, which were released late Tuesday March 26th, appear to confirm at least half of our negative thesis (slowing revenue growth), though the other half (margin compression) has failed to materialize so far.

Dali Foods appears to have met — just — the FY18 consensus EPS target of HK$0.307 per share. The company cut its Final dividend from HK$0.10 to HK$0.075 per share. 

However, the pace of revenue growth plummeted in H218. From solid growth of +11.4% YoY in H118, H218 revenues actually declined by -0.6% YoY in the latter half of the year. This result was beyond even our pessimistic view and we believe bulls on the company will be forced to revisit their overly optimistic assumptions about double-digit revenue growth in 2019e.

Besides assuming slower revenue growth going forward, the other leg of our negative thesis on Dali Foods was the expectation of margin compression due to rising raw materials costs, specifically for paper and key food and beverage ingredients. Although H218 gross margin declined versus H217 (to 37.7% from 37.8%), it did so only marginally, and probably due to a change in product mix (ie, a decline in high-margin beverage sales). 

After reviewing FY and H218 results, we see no reasons to change our negative view of Dali Foods, and our HK$4.18 price target (-26% potential downside) and Sell rating remain unchanged.

3. Ping An Bank: Not Cheap Enough

Ping An Bank Co Ltd A (000001 CH) results show gradual erosion in fundamental trends. We believe that positive fundamental momentum (within our quantamental approach) leads to higher stock prices.

Behind the headline numbers, there lies an acute rise in funding costs in excess of the growth in interest income on earnings assets. As elsewhere in China, there is a festering asset quality issue too. While not as toxic versus diverse peers, it is notable: the impaired asset portfolio more than doubled YoY.

Valuations are not especially cheap relative to the region (including Japan). Franchise Valuation at 10% and P/Book of 0.94x are at a premium to the regional medians of 8% and 0.77x, respectively. The Total Return Ratio is <1x.

In conclusion, we do not see a lot that has changed for the better at Ping An Bank (funding, liquidity, efficiency, profitability and asset quality) though the headline deterioration is not so drastic. Underlying concerns lie with core interest income generation given sky-high funding expenses and pervasive asset quality issues.

4. StubWorld: Naspers Embeds Another Layer Into Tencent

This week in StubWorld …

• There is no apparent value enhancement to Naspers Ltd (NPN SJ)‘s spinning-off and separately listing Tencent Holdings (700 HK), while there is no change in governance and no monetisation at the parent level.

Preceding my comments on Naspers are the weekly setup/unwind tables for Asia-Pacific Holdcos.

These relationships trade with a minimum liquidity threshold of US$1mn on a 90-day moving average, and a % market capitalisation threshold – the $ value of the holding/opco held, over the parent’s market capitalisation, expressed in percent – of at least 20%.

5. Ruhnn (如涵) IPO Review – Expensive Influence

Ruhnn Holding Ltd (RUHN US) is looking to raise up to US$155m in its upcoming IPO. We have previously covered the company’s fundamentals in: Ruhnn (如涵) Pre-IPO Review- Significant Concentration Risk.

In this insight, we will value the company business segments by parts, look at the deal dynamics, and run the deal through our IPO framework.

In this briefing:

1. HK Connect Discovery Weekly: Geely, Great Wall Motor and Sands China (2019-02-22)
2. Hopewell’s Egregiously Bad Offer, But What Can You Do?

1. HK Connect Discovery Weekly: Geely, Great Wall Motor and Sands China (2019-02-22)

In our Discover HK Connect series, we aim to help our investors understand the flow of southbound trades via the Hong Kong Connect, as analyzed by our proprietary data engine. We will discuss the stocks that experienced the most inflow and outflow by mainland investors in the past seven days.

We split the stocks eligible for the Hong Kong Connect trade into three groups: component stocks in the HSCEI index, stocks with a market capitalization between USD 1 billion and USD 5 billion, and stocks with a market capitalization between USD 500 million and USD 1 billion.

In this week’s HK Connect Discovery, we highlight the strong inflow to automobile stocks and Sands China. 

2. Hopewell’s Egregiously Bad Offer, But What Can You Do?

The Scheme Document for the privatisation of Hopewell Holdings (54 HK) has been dispatched. The court meeting will be held on the 21 March. The consideration will be paid (on or before) the 14 May.  The IFA (China Tonghai Capital) considers the $38.80/share Offer to be fair & reasonable. The Scheme is conditional on ≥75% for, ≤10% against from disinterested shareholders. As Hopewell is HK-incorporated, there is no “head count ” test.  The full timetable is as follows:

After hearing conflicting opinions on what constitutes a blocking stake, a chat with the banker confirmed the blocking stake, as per the Companies Ordinance, is tied to 63.07% of shares out (i.e. Scheme shareholders – see page 95); whereas the Takeovers Code is tied to 59.42% of shares out. Effectively there are two assessments on the blocking stake and the more stringent (the 59.42% out in this case) prevails. 

With the Offer Price representing a 43% discount to NAV, wider than the largest discount precedent in past nine years (the Glorious Property (845 HK) offer, which incidentally was voted down), the IFA creatively argues that extenuating factors such as the premium to historical price needs to also be taken into account. Hardly original, but that is where investors must decide whether this is as good as it’s going to get – given the Wu family’s control, there will not be a competing offer – or to hold out for a superior price longer term. This is a final offer and it will not be increased.

What the IFA fails to discuss is that the widest successful discount to NAV privatisation was 29.4% for New World China Land (917 HK) in 2016. And all precedent transactions (successful or otherwise) are PRC (mainly) property development related; except for Wheelock which operated property in Hong Kong (like Hopewell) and in Singapore, which was privatised at a 12.1% discount to NAV.

Therein lies the dilemma – what is a fair and reasonable discount to NAV for a Hong Kong investment property play? With limited precedents, it is challenging to categorically reach an opinion. And that is the disingenuous conclusion from the IFA that the premium to last close and with reference to historical pricing, is in effect the overriding reason to conclude the Offer is reasonable. I would argue the Wu family has made a low-ball offer for what is essentially an investment property play with quantifiable asset value.

A blocking sake is 5.9% or 51.6mn shares. First Eagle, which recently voted down the Guoco Group Ltd (53 HK) privatisation that was pitched at a ~25% discount to NAV, holds 2.7% (according to CapIQ).

Trading at a wide gross/annualised return of 7%/37.5%, reflecting the risk to completion, and the significant downside should the scheme be voted down. Tough one – the premium to last close and with reference to the 10-year price performance, should be sufficient to get it over the line, and the basis for this “bullish” insight. But only for the brave.

In this briefing:

1. HK Connect Discovery Weekly: Geely, Great Wall Motor and Sands China (2019-02-22)
2. Hopewell’s Egregiously Bad Offer, But What Can You Do?
3. Yincheng Intl (银城国际) IPO Quick Note: A Highly Levered Nanjing Developer Bet

1. HK Connect Discovery Weekly: Geely, Great Wall Motor and Sands China (2019-02-22)

In our Discover HK Connect series, we aim to help our investors understand the flow of southbound trades via the Hong Kong Connect, as analyzed by our proprietary data engine. We will discuss the stocks that experienced the most inflow and outflow by mainland investors in the past seven days.

We split the stocks eligible for the Hong Kong Connect trade into three groups: component stocks in the HSCEI index, stocks with a market capitalization between USD 1 billion and USD 5 billion, and stocks with a market capitalization between USD 500 million and USD 1 billion.

In this week’s HK Connect Discovery, we highlight the strong inflow to automobile stocks and Sands China. 

2. Hopewell’s Egregiously Bad Offer, But What Can You Do?

The Scheme Document for the privatisation of Hopewell Holdings (54 HK) has been dispatched. The court meeting will be held on the 21 March. The consideration will be paid (on or before) the 14 May.  The IFA (China Tonghai Capital) considers the $38.80/share Offer to be fair & reasonable. The Scheme is conditional on ≥75% for, ≤10% against from disinterested shareholders. As Hopewell is HK-incorporated, there is no “head count ” test.  The full timetable is as follows:

After hearing conflicting opinions on what constitutes a blocking stake, a chat with the banker confirmed the blocking stake, as per the Companies Ordinance, is tied to 63.07% of shares out (i.e. Scheme shareholders – see page 95); whereas the Takeovers Code is tied to 59.42% of shares out. Effectively there are two assessments on the blocking stake and the more stringent (the 59.42% out in this case) prevails. 

With the Offer Price representing a 43% discount to NAV, wider than the largest discount precedent in past nine years (the Glorious Property (845 HK) offer, which incidentally was voted down), the IFA creatively argues that extenuating factors such as the premium to historical price needs to also be taken into account. Hardly original, but that is where investors must decide whether this is as good as it’s going to get – given the Wu family’s control, there will not be a competing offer – or to hold out for a superior price longer term. This is a final offer and it will not be increased.

What the IFA fails to discuss is that the widest successful discount to NAV privatisation was 29.4% for New World China Land (917 HK) in 2016. And all precedent transactions (successful or otherwise) are PRC (mainly) property development related; except for Wheelock which operated property in Hong Kong (like Hopewell) and in Singapore, which was privatised at a 12.1% discount to NAV.

Therein lies the dilemma – what is a fair and reasonable discount to NAV for a Hong Kong investment property play? With limited precedents, it is challenging to categorically reach an opinion. And that is the disingenuous conclusion from the IFA that the premium to last close and with reference to historical pricing, is in effect the overriding reason to conclude the Offer is reasonable. I would argue the Wu family has made a low-ball offer for what is essentially an investment property play with quantifiable asset value.

A blocking sake is 5.9% or 51.6mn shares. First Eagle, which recently voted down the Guoco Group Ltd (53 HK) privatisation that was pitched at a ~25% discount to NAV, holds 2.7% (according to CapIQ).

Trading at a wide gross/annualised return of 7%/37.5%, reflecting the risk to completion, and the significant downside should the scheme be voted down. Tough one – the premium to last close and with reference to the 10-year price performance, should be sufficient to get it over the line, and the basis for this “bullish” insight. But only for the brave.

3. Yincheng Intl (银城国际) IPO Quick Note: A Highly Levered Nanjing Developer Bet

Yincheng International, a China Yangtze delta focused property developer, is raising up to USD 110 million to list on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. In this note, we will cover the following topics:

• The company’s property portfolio
• Financial performance that concerns us
• Shareholders and use of proceeds
• Our view on the deal

In this briefing:

1. HK Connect Discovery Weekly: Geely, Great Wall Motor and Sands China (2019-02-22)
2. Hopewell’s Egregiously Bad Offer, But What Can You Do?
3. Yincheng Intl (银城国际) IPO Quick Note: A Highly Levered Nanjing Developer Bet
4. Another US LNG Project Goes Ahead: Positive for the Contractors; Negative for Others Looking to FID

1. HK Connect Discovery Weekly: Geely, Great Wall Motor and Sands China (2019-02-22)

In our Discover HK Connect series, we aim to help our investors understand the flow of southbound trades via the Hong Kong Connect, as analyzed by our proprietary data engine. We will discuss the stocks that experienced the most inflow and outflow by mainland investors in the past seven days.

We split the stocks eligible for the Hong Kong Connect trade into three groups: component stocks in the HSCEI index, stocks with a market capitalization between USD 1 billion and USD 5 billion, and stocks with a market capitalization between USD 500 million and USD 1 billion.

In this week’s HK Connect Discovery, we highlight the strong inflow to automobile stocks and Sands China. 

2. Hopewell’s Egregiously Bad Offer, But What Can You Do?

The Scheme Document for the privatisation of Hopewell Holdings (54 HK) has been dispatched. The court meeting will be held on the 21 March. The consideration will be paid (on or before) the 14 May.  The IFA (China Tonghai Capital) considers the $38.80/share Offer to be fair & reasonable. The Scheme is conditional on ≥75% for, ≤10% against from disinterested shareholders. As Hopewell is HK-incorporated, there is no “head count ” test.  The full timetable is as follows:

After hearing conflicting opinions on what constitutes a blocking stake, a chat with the banker confirmed the blocking stake, as per the Companies Ordinance, is tied to 63.07% of shares out (i.e. Scheme shareholders – see page 95); whereas the Takeovers Code is tied to 59.42% of shares out. Effectively there are two assessments on the blocking stake and the more stringent (the 59.42% out in this case) prevails. 

With the Offer Price representing a 43% discount to NAV, wider than the largest discount precedent in past nine years (the Glorious Property (845 HK) offer, which incidentally was voted down), the IFA creatively argues that extenuating factors such as the premium to historical price needs to also be taken into account. Hardly original, but that is where investors must decide whether this is as good as it’s going to get – given the Wu family’s control, there will not be a competing offer – or to hold out for a superior price longer term. This is a final offer and it will not be increased.

What the IFA fails to discuss is that the widest successful discount to NAV privatisation was 29.4% for New World China Land (917 HK) in 2016. And all precedent transactions (successful or otherwise) are PRC (mainly) property development related; except for Wheelock which operated property in Hong Kong (like Hopewell) and in Singapore, which was privatised at a 12.1% discount to NAV.

Therein lies the dilemma – what is a fair and reasonable discount to NAV for a Hong Kong investment property play? With limited precedents, it is challenging to categorically reach an opinion. And that is the disingenuous conclusion from the IFA that the premium to last close and with reference to historical pricing, is in effect the overriding reason to conclude the Offer is reasonable. I would argue the Wu family has made a low-ball offer for what is essentially an investment property play with quantifiable asset value.

A blocking sake is 5.9% or 51.6mn shares. First Eagle, which recently voted down the Guoco Group Ltd (53 HK) privatisation that was pitched at a ~25% discount to NAV, holds 2.7% (according to CapIQ).

Trading at a wide gross/annualised return of 7%/37.5%, reflecting the risk to completion, and the significant downside should the scheme be voted down. Tough one – the premium to last close and with reference to the 10-year price performance, should be sufficient to get it over the line, and the basis for this “bullish” insight. But only for the brave.

3. Yincheng Intl (银城国际) IPO Quick Note: A Highly Levered Nanjing Developer Bet

Yincheng International, a China Yangtze delta focused property developer, is raising up to USD 110 million to list on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. In this note, we will cover the following topics:

• The company’s property portfolio
• Financial performance that concerns us
• Shareholders and use of proceeds
• Our view on the deal

4. Another US LNG Project Goes Ahead: Positive for the Contractors; Negative for Others Looking to FID

US private LNG company Venture Global is starting construction on its 10 million ton per annum (mtpa) US LNG export facility in Louisiana after gaining approval from the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). This is positive for the LNG contractor market and we discuss the companies involved in the project. 

This follows final investment decision taken on Golden Pass (Exxon and Qatar Proceed with US$10bn Golden Pass LNG Terminal: Positive for Chiyoda and MDR US) and supports our thesis of a large wave of new projects that will be sanctioned in the coming months (A Huge Wave of New LNG Projects Coming in the Next 18 Months: Positive for The E&C Companies). This was viewed as a relatively speculative project and with aggressively low cost and timing estimates.

In this briefing:

1. Dali Foods (3799:HK) FY18 Results: Revenue Growth Collapses in H2, But Margins Hold Up So Far
2. Ping An Bank: Not Cheap Enough
3. StubWorld: Naspers Embeds Another Layer Into Tencent
4. Ruhnn (如涵) IPO Review – Expensive Influence
5. Yunji (云集) Pre-IPO Review – Poor Disclosure on Data

1. Dali Foods (3799:HK) FY18 Results: Revenue Growth Collapses in H2, But Margins Hold Up So Far

We launched coverage of Dali Foods Group (3799 HK) in February with a Sell rating and a HK$4.18 target price. FY18 financial results, which were released late Tuesday March 26th, appear to confirm at least half of our negative thesis (slowing revenue growth), though the other half (margin compression) has failed to materialize so far.

Dali Foods appears to have met — just — the FY18 consensus EPS target of HK$0.307 per share. The company cut its Final dividend from HK$0.10 to HK$0.075 per share. 

However, the pace of revenue growth plummeted in H218. From solid growth of +11.4% YoY in H118, H218 revenues actually declined by -0.6% YoY in the latter half of the year. This result was beyond even our pessimistic view and we believe bulls on the company will be forced to revisit their overly optimistic assumptions about double-digit revenue growth in 2019e.

Besides assuming slower revenue growth going forward, the other leg of our negative thesis on Dali Foods was the expectation of margin compression due to rising raw materials costs, specifically for paper and key food and beverage ingredients. Although H218 gross margin declined versus H217 (to 37.7% from 37.8%), it did so only marginally, and probably due to a change in product mix (ie, a decline in high-margin beverage sales). 

After reviewing FY and H218 results, we see no reasons to change our negative view of Dali Foods, and our HK$4.18 price target (-26% potential downside) and Sell rating remain unchanged.

2. Ping An Bank: Not Cheap Enough

Ping An Bank Co Ltd A (000001 CH) results show gradual erosion in fundamental trends. We believe that positive fundamental momentum (within our quantamental approach) leads to higher stock prices.

Behind the headline numbers, there lies an acute rise in funding costs in excess of the growth in interest income on earnings assets. As elsewhere in China, there is a festering asset quality issue too. While not as toxic versus diverse peers, it is notable: the impaired asset portfolio more than doubled YoY.

Valuations are not especially cheap relative to the region (including Japan). Franchise Valuation at 10% and P/Book of 0.94x are at a premium to the regional medians of 8% and 0.77x, respectively. The Total Return Ratio is <1x.

In conclusion, we do not see a lot that has changed for the better at Ping An Bank (funding, liquidity, efficiency, profitability and asset quality) though the headline deterioration is not so drastic. Underlying concerns lie with core interest income generation given sky-high funding expenses and pervasive asset quality issues.

3. StubWorld: Naspers Embeds Another Layer Into Tencent

This week in StubWorld …

• There is no apparent value enhancement to Naspers Ltd (NPN SJ)‘s spinning-off and separately listing Tencent Holdings (700 HK), while there is no change in governance and no monetisation at the parent level.

Preceding my comments on Naspers are the weekly setup/unwind tables for Asia-Pacific Holdcos.

These relationships trade with a minimum liquidity threshold of US$1mn on a 90-day moving average, and a % market capitalisation threshold – the $ value of the holding/opco held, over the parent’s market capitalisation, expressed in percent – of at least 20%.

4. Ruhnn (如涵) IPO Review – Expensive Influence

Ruhnn Holding Ltd (RUHN US) is looking to raise up to US$155m in its upcoming IPO. We have previously covered the company’s fundamentals in: Ruhnn (如涵) Pre-IPO Review- Significant Concentration Risk.

In this insight, we will value the company business segments by parts, look at the deal dynamics, and run the deal through our IPO framework.

5. Yunji (云集) Pre-IPO Review – Poor Disclosure on Data

Yunji Inc. (YJ US) is looking to raise about US$200m in its upcoming IPO. 

YJ is a membership-based social e-commerce platform. Growth from FY2016 to FY2018 has been stupendous. Revenue has grown at a 218% CAGR while gross profit grew at 175% CAGR. Losses have been shrinking as a percentage of revenue and the company seems to be close to break even.

However, the disclosure of data is poor. There is no clear explanation how the company has achieved such strong growth in FY2018 without having to provide a proportionately larger incentive in the same period. 

In this briefing:

1. China Telecom Mobile Business Recovered in 4Q. Broadly in Line with Expectations
2. China Unicom Weak 4Q18 Mobile Results Offset by Strength in Fixed Line Business
3. F&F: Time to Take Profits – Up 95% This Year Driven by MLB Baseball Hats Potential in China
4. Wesfarmers Puts Out A Bid for Lynas
5. US Lake Charles LNG Liquefaction Plant Tendering for Contractors: Positive for TechnipFMC

1. China Telecom Mobile Business Recovered in 4Q. Broadly in Line with Expectations

China Telecom (728 HK), having delivered strong revenue growth but weak margins in 3Q18, delivered better 4Q numbers. Like its peers however, the business is under some pressure with ARPUs weak despite strong data growth.  We see the Chinese Telcos as vulnerable to policy demands for accelerated 5G spending. While the market may like the look of a joint roll-out of 5G with China Unicom (762 HK), that may be simplistic. Chris Hoare thinks the cost of a combined roll-out is likely to be even higher than China Mobile (941 HK). Recent price strength makes our Reduce recommendation clearer.

2. China Unicom Weak 4Q18 Mobile Results Offset by Strength in Fixed Line Business

China Unicom’s (762 HK) recent 4Q18 results were not great. The overall figures look ok due to strength in the fixed line business which offset weakness in mobile. However, they were the weakest of the three operators and the stock, which has had a strong run, now looks due for a pause. We have turned more cautious on the Chinese telcos on concerns that 5G spending could be higher than expected. Chris Hoare believes a major reason for the Chinese telcos outperforming in the past year has come from declining capex spending expectations. That trend may now start to reverse. While China Unicom has guided for only modest 5G capex in 2019 the focus will turn to 2020 where it is a much bigger issue and while we expect China Unicom to do a joint roll-out with China Telecom (728 HK) we expect the scale of the spending to be larger than an individual build. 

3. F&F: Time to Take Profits – Up 95% This Year Driven by MLB Baseball Hats Potential in China

F&F Co Ltd (007700 KS) shares have been soaring this year (up 95% YTD), versus KOSPI which is up only 5% YTD. F&F Co has been one of the top performing stocks in KOSPI this year. We believe it is time to take profits on this name and take it out of our model portfolio. 

One of the main reasons why F&F Co has been soaring this year has been due to the MLB (Major League Baseball) apparel business expansion in China. In February 2019, F&F Co secured the selling rights of the MLB branded apparel products in China from the MLB headquarters in the US. 

Baseball is becoming increasingly popular in China. According to the Chinese Baseball Association, more than 4 million Chinese play the game. The historical resistance to baseball is breaking down in China. For example, In April 2018, Tencent announced a deal to live stream 125 MLB games on platforms such as its its Tencent Sports app to Chinese audiences via their computers and mobile devices.

4. Wesfarmers Puts Out A Bid for Lynas

This morning, Wesfarmers Ltd (WES AU) announced an indicative, non-binding proposal to the Board of Directors of Lynas Corp Ltd (LYC AU) to acquire Lynas at A$2.25/share, payable in cash in the form of a Scheme of Arrangement.  

This is a 44.7% premium to the one-day price and a 36.4% premium to the 60-day price.

It is, however, a 0% premium to the price at which Lynas was trading on 3 December 2018, the day before the Malaysian Minister for Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate imposed two pre-conditions on the rolling over of the processing licence (later in 2019), and it is a 3.2% premium to the one-year average as of 4 December 2018. On December 5th, the shares fell to A$1.65 and they have not recovered.

David Blennerhassett gave an overview of the license renewal issues and timeline in Lynas: Between a Hard Place and Just Rock just a few weeks ago. It is definitely worth a read as background for those not up to speed on the situation. 

This is very early, non-binding, conditional in the extreme, and conditional non-binding offers are a graveyard of Australian arbitrageurs. The Offer is not all that attractive to boot. But I expect the stock will go up anyway, and that may make for some interesting trading opportunities.

5. US Lake Charles LNG Liquefaction Plant Tendering for Contractors: Positive for TechnipFMC

Energy Transfer LP (ET US) and Royal Dutch Shell (RDSA LN) have signed a Project Framework Agreement to further develop a large-scale LNG export facility in Lake Charles, Louisiana and move toward a potential final investment decision (FID). They have started actively engaging with LNG Engineering, Procurement and Contracting (EPC) companies with a plan to issue an Invitation to Tender (ITT) in the weeks ahead. We look at the potential contract size and winners and also the other US LNG projects that could be negatively impacted. More detail on the LNG project queue for this year in: A Huge Wave of New LNG Projects Coming in the Next 18 Months: Positive for The E&C Companies.