Left Brain Right B - the DBS Vickers Securities Equities Research
Left Brain Right B - the DBS Vickers Securities Equities Research
Left Brain Right B - the DBS Vickers Securities Equities Research
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Regional Equity Strategy 4Q 2009<br />
Country Assessment<br />
Sector recommendation and stock picks for China (Cont’d)<br />
SECTOR REMARKS STOCK SELECTION<br />
China Consumer -<br />
Food & Beverages<br />
Neutral<br />
China Consumer -<br />
Retail<br />
Neutral<br />
Industrial<br />
Transportation -<br />
Marine<br />
Cautious<br />
The 1H09 results reported by F&B players were in general in line or above expectations, especially<br />
on <strong>the</strong> margin front where margin expansion was stronger than previously forecasted. Better<br />
impact from lower material costs aside, this also indicated improvement on product mix, which<br />
has been especially notable for market leaders. Despite some rebounds in raw material prices and<br />
in fuel costs were noted in recent months, <strong>the</strong>ir levels are still lower than of last year and hence<br />
positive margin impact should sustain in <strong>the</strong> 2H09. This, coupled with resilient demand for most<br />
of <strong>the</strong> F&B products (hence better earnings visibilities), should likely support current valuation<br />
premiums. We recommend investors to focus on those with lagging valuations such as China<br />
Yurun and China Mengniu.<br />
Retail sales growth in China stabilised at a mid-teens y-o-y rate and grew 15.4% for Aug09 and<br />
15.1% for 8M09. For enterprises above designated size, retail sales expansion of most sectors<br />
registered a supportive trend. They included a growth of 34.5% for automobile, 23.3% for<br />
clothing, 12.7% for grain & oil, and 10.9% for household electric appliances. All <strong>the</strong>se data firmly<br />
indicate that <strong>the</strong> Chinese retail environment continues to recover. While fundamental<br />
improvement kicks in, current valuations of selective retailers could potentially consolidate to reemerge<br />
for better share price performance in <strong>the</strong> medium-term.<br />
After <strong>the</strong> disappointing 2Q09 results and <strong>the</strong> pull back of Baltic Dry Index again, we expect <strong>the</strong><br />
sector rally upside should be capped at <strong>the</strong> mid-cycle valuation level. We are looking for <strong>the</strong><br />
possible second dips of <strong>the</strong> sector’s performance after <strong>the</strong> technical rebound in 2Q09. Looking<br />
forward, <strong>the</strong> high level of iron ore inventory and <strong>the</strong> possible cut of domestic steel output will<br />
probably give pressure to freight rates in 2H09. We recommend investors to Sell <strong>the</strong> overvalued<br />
dry bulk shipping companies like China COSCO and China Shipping Development, but hold Pacific<br />
Basin Shipping for pair-trade given its stronger internal management. For <strong>the</strong> container shipping<br />
counters, a short-term rally may arise from <strong>the</strong> seasonal recovery of freight rates and higher<br />
season demand in 3Q09. Never<strong>the</strong>less, as <strong>the</strong> recovery is unlikely to be sustainable due to <strong>the</strong> high<br />
level of idle vessels. We maintain Sell on CSCL, but recommend investors to buy OOIL on<br />
weakness, given its attractive hidden value from properties in China.<br />
China Yurun (1068)<br />
China Mengniu<br />
(2319)<br />
Gome (493)<br />
OOIL (316)<br />
Industrial<br />
Transportation - Toll<br />
Road<br />
Positive<br />
We have become more confident of <strong>the</strong> sector given its high correlation to <strong>the</strong> macro economy in<br />
anticipation of a full-scale economic recovery from 4Q09 onward. Our top picks are Sichuan<br />
Expressway (BUY, TP HK$4.26) and Jiangsu Expressway (BUY, TP HK$8.07). Sichuan Expressway<br />
has good acquisition opportunities and at <strong>the</strong> same time enjoys higher traffic growth than its<br />
peers. Jiangsu Expressway has quality road assets linking metropolises Nanjing and Shanghai,<br />
which provides <strong>the</strong> Group with strong cash flow and resilient traffic growth. In addition, we<br />
upgraded Shenzhen Expressway recently (BUY, TP HK$ 4.43), in anticipation of stronger recovery<br />
of export in <strong>the</strong> Pearl River Delta.<br />
Sichuan Expressway<br />
(107)<br />
Jiangsu Expressway<br />
(177)<br />
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