Chinese Telcos saw service revenue return to mid-single digits growth in 4Q24. Despite a blip in EBITDA trend, the industry ended 2024 with 6% earnings growth which translated to higher dividend payouts (CM: 73%, CT: 72%, CU: 60%).
In a separate note published last week we introduced the NSR GEM-Top 8. However, many of the stocks in that list are not liquid and so, given the tailwinds we now see in the Telco industry we introduce a second list – the GEM Telco & Towers Liquid Compounders; large cap, well-managed telcos in attractive markets at cheap valuations that are likely to generate market-beating returns over time. These are the best large cap investments in the Global EM Telco & Towers space we think.
Bloomberg has reported that China Mobile is mulling the acquisition of HKBN (HK: 1310) from TPG and MBK Partners for at least HK$5 per share. This implies an equity valuation of at least HK$6.56bn (US$ 853m) and represents 16% upside from today's share price. Our brief thoughts below.
Service revenue trend kept steady relative to Q2, albeit being slower than before due to macro headwinds. Yet earnings momentum continued to trend in the mid-single digits overall as we saw good cost control by China Telecom again (acceleration in EBITDA) while peers were cushioned by lower D&A costs (back by easing capex).
Despite the slowdown in service revenue trend from softer macro, Chinese operators still delivered a strong earnings growth. Interim dividends rose by 7-22% YoY as all three raised payout ratios. Despite the share prices already roughly doubling, we remain bullish on exposure to China’s structural enterprise theme, improving capital intensity and improved shareholder remuneration.
China Telecom was the clear outperformer for service revenue growth this quarter and for the full year too, driven by an acceleration in Enterprise. Industry EBITDA trend was less upbeat in Q4 as China Mobile and Unicom declined. Both capex and dividend guidance were bullish; industry capex expected to lower by 5% while payout is expected to trend above 75% over the next three years (by 2026) for China Mobile and China Telecom.
EM Telcos top line growth slowed somewhat in Q1 driven by price increases in India lapping. However, other markets stayed strong and simple average revenue growth was 9%. Our thesis remains that EM telcos are set to grow sustainably at GDP+ rates.
Chinese telcos reported high-single digit service revenue growth again, driven by Enterprise and a better mobile performance. However, EBITDA growth and margin saw some pressure, attributed to higher personnel, marketing costs and Enterprise-related technical costs.
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Over the last year we have become increasingly bullish on the top line outlook for EM Telcos and in particular on their Enterprise segment, as we believe Enterprise revenues for EM Telcos are set to exceed expectations based on our view that Enterprise penetration is following an S-curve.
In a separate note published today we analyse the Data Centre opportunity for EM Telcos globally which shows that the best value opportunity for those that can invest is probably in China. The 3 Chinese Telcos are each among the top 6 providers of co-location DC capacity globally, and generate 3-9% of group revenues from IDC.
We have written numerous notes now on our view that EM Telcos are in a bull market. And in a bull market it is likely that the best performers will double. In this note, we pick out the 9 EM Telcos we think are most likely to do that on a 2-3 year time horizon. Investors who focus on these stocks we think are likely to generate outsized returns well ahead of the broader market.
The independent financial analyst theScreener just slightly lowered the general evaluation of CHINA UNICOM (HK.) LTD. (HK), active in the Mobile Telecommunications industry. The title has lost a star(s) at the fundamental level and now shows 3 out of 4 stars. Its exposure to market risk remains nonetheless the same and can be still described as defensive. theScreener slightly downgrades the general evaluation to Slightly Positive for the title on account of the lost star(s). As of the analysis d...
2021 saw revenue growth improve materially for the telcos largely driven by Enterprise. With Enterprise penetration still in the twenties, we expect this process to continue, leading to reduced margin pressure and accelerating profit growth. Share price response to better trends was disappointing in 2021, but 2022 has started well, with a $12.6bn buyback from China Mobile, and aggressive profit targets from China Unicom.
CHINA MOBILE (HK), a company active in the Mobile Telecommunications industry, is favoured by a more supportive environment. The independent financial analyst theScreener has confirmed the fundamental rating of the title, which shows 4 out of 4 stars, as well as its unchanged, defensive market behaviour. The title leverages a more favourable environment and raises its general evaluation to Positive. As of the analysis date January 7, 2022, the closing price was HKD 49.70 and its potential was es...
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