PICC P&C’s 1H25 results were a strong beat with 32% earnings growth, mainly supported by a 1.4ppt yoy CoR improvement and 27% higher investment income amid a strong equity market performance. Interim dividend rose 15% yoy, aligning with the company’s progressive dividend policy. We believe the reduced natural disaster loss and upcoming non-auto regulatory commission reforms will continue to support further CoR enhancement. Maintain BUY. Target price: HK$21.00.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS Strategy Market Strategy “Anti-involution” is now a policy focus after President Xi Jinping vowed to manage “disorderly competition” during the CFEAC meeting in July. The concept covers a broader area than the 2016-17 supply-side reform, but we expect the government to address excess supply issues and encourage competition through quality and technology upgrades rather than price-cutting. Sector leaders with scale and R&D depth will consolidate their market shares and emerge win...
GREATER CHINA Results China Mengniu Dairy (2319 HK/BUY/HK$15.84/Target: HK$21.70) 1H25: Revenue slightly misses but operating profit beats; expect mid-to-high single-digit revenue decline for 2025. China Resources Gas (1193 HK/BUY/HK$19.05/Target: HK$22.60) 1H25: In line; from earnings drag to guidance-driven re-rating; upgrade to BUY. ECARX Holdings Inc (ECX US/BUY/US$1.60/Target: US$3.40) 2Q25: Net loss widens; recovery expected in 2H25. Maintain...
Trade deal in focus. Notwithstanding the 90-day truce on tariff escalation, it is still a 50/50 if there will be a “Big Beautiful Deal” between the US and China. The US is steadfast in wanting to cap China’s growth and restricting her access to the latest technology, while China is making a firm stand on its economic rights. We expect that higher US tariffs on Chinese goods are unavoidable, likely closer to the 60% mark, if Trump were to be seen making a credible move to onshore production in ...
China regulators have introduced several measures, allowing insurers to further raise their equity investment allocations. We estimate that insurers could reallocate Rmb900b to equities, supported by these regulatory tailwinds. However, insurers are likely to remain cautious due to earnings volatility and solvency headwinds from a declining long-term yield. Maintain MARKET WEIGHT. Top picks: Prudential and PICC P&C.
GREATER CHINA Sector Insurance Weighing the risks and returns. Update Sunny Optical (2382 HK/BUY/HK$65.15/Target: HK$100.00) Takeaways from 2025 Investor Day. Maintain BUY. INDONESIA Strategy Challenging Macro Environment Adds To Case For Rate Cut Our top picks are BBCA, BBRI, ANTM, AMRT, ICBP, CMRY and ERAA. MALAYSIA Sector Automobile ...
PICC P&C registered a 92.7% yoy earnings growth in 1Q25 on impressive COR enhancement and investment yield hikes. Total premium grew 3.7% yoy with balanced growth across the auto and non-auto segments. The company is confident about achieving its 2025 CoR target, supported by regulatory tailwinds on non-auto commission control and EVs’ improving CoR. PICC P&C also targets its total premium to outgrow GDP in 2025. Upgrade to BUY. Target price: HK$15.80.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS Economics PMI: A sharp contraction in overseas demand. Sector Healthcare: Drug innovators continue to drive market growth. Macau Gaming: Apr 25 GGR beat expectations; May Day Golden Week visitor arrivals expected to grow 4% yoy. Results ASMPT (522 HK/BUY/HK$52.20/Target: HK$68.00): 1Q25: Earnings disappoint; mainstream tools recovering in 2025 but visibility remains low. Maintain BUY. China Tourism Group Duty Free (601888 CH/BUY/Rmb63.40/Target: Rmb70.80): 1Q25: Core net profit...
GREATER CHINA Sector Macau Gaming: Apr 25 GGR beat expectations; May Day Golden Week visitor arrivals expected to grow 4% yoy. Results ASMPT (522 HK/BUY/HK$52.20/Target: HK$68.00): 1Q25: Earnings disappoint; mainstream tools recovering in 2025 but visibility remains low. Maintain BUY. China Tourism Group Duty Free (601888 CH/BUY/Rmb63.40/Target: Rmb70.80): 1Q25: Core net profit down 16% yoy; sequential improvement in Hainan duty-free sales. Ganfeng Lithium (1772 HK/BUY/HK$18.94/Target: HK$30.00)...
PICC P&C’s 2024 earnings growth of 30.9% yoy landed at the mid-point of the profit alert, mainly due to solid investment income growth. The underwriting results were below our expectations, dragged by CoR deterioration in non-auto lines. DPS rose 10% but payout ratio fell to 37% as the insurer intends to maintain a more stable dividend growth. Downgrade to HOLD despite a more optimistic CoR outlook in 2025 as its valuation is relatively rich with a modest yield of 3.7%. Target price: HK$14.70.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS Results China Construction Bank (939 HK/BUY/HK$6.70/Target: HK$7.50) CCB’s 2024 earnings (+0.9% yoy) were above our expectation, mainly driven by its resilient NIM on better deposit cost management, strong trading gains and lower impairment. Asset quality remains solid but pressure on the retail segment is increasing. MoF will inject Rmb105b of new capital into CCB which will result in a 4.3% equity dilution and 50bp boost in CET1 ratio. We expect a largely neutral market reacti...
PICC P&C’s 9M24 earnings growth of 38% yoy was at the upper end of the profit alert (20-40%) mainly due to a 70% surge in investment income from the stock market rally. Rmb1.2b of underwriting losses were recorded in 3Q24 as natural disaster losses weighed on non-auto CoR (+2.5ppt yoy). However, management is still confident on achieving its auto/non-auto CoR targets of
KEY HIGHLIGHTS Results ASMPT (522 HK/BUY/HK$87.00/Target: HK$104.50) ASMPT’s Semi solution business registered better-than-expected revenue and margins in 3Q24 thanks to robust advanced packaging demand, which led to a 10% beat vs our operating profit estimates, although reported net profit ended up below expectations due to forex loss. ASMPT will remain a key beneficiary of the AI investment trend, and we recommend accumulating after its recent share price correction. Maintain BUY. Target p...
GREATER CHINA Results ASMPT (522 HK/BUY/HK$87.00/Target: HK$104.50): 3Q24: Reported earnings miss expectations on forex loss but core business recovery picking up; maintain BUY. BYD Company (1211 HK/HOLD/HK$295.00/Target: HK$260.00): 3Q24: Earnings up 12% yoy, in line with estimates. Maintain HOLD. China Construction Bank (939 HK/BUY/HK$5.97/Target: HK$6.70): 3Q24: Earnings growth returns to positive territory on lower credit cost. Foxconn Industrial Internet (601138 CH/BUY/Rmb24.84/Target: Rmb...
GREATER CHINA Strategy Alpha Picks: September Conviction Calls: We expect an improving operating performance among selected companies in September, and add AIA, COLI, Desay SV, Galaxy Entertainment, Meituan, Ping An and TUL to our BUY list and add Li Auto as a SELL. INDONESIA Strategy Alpha Picks: Trailing The JCI’s Strong Performance In Aug 24: Our picks are ICBP, TOWR, BBNI, BMRI, BBRI, EXCL, CTRA, BBTN, CMRY, SIDO and JSMR. MALAYSIA Strategy Alpha Picks: Adapting To A Bipolar Market: Our Al...
PICC P&C delivered strong 1H24 results, with earnings decline narrowing to 8.7%, thanks to solid top-line growth and improved underwriting results. Investment income remained the key drag with a 7.8% decline due to falling interest rates and weaker mutual fund performance. Interim DPS of Rmb0.208 was declared, implying a 25% payout ratio. We expect further CoR improvement, leading to a strong earnings rebound in 2H24 against a relatively low base. Maintain BUY. Target price: HK$12.40.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS Results Baosteel (600019 CH/BUY/Rmb5.85/Target: Rmb7.90) Baosteel reported 1H24 earnings of Rmb4,554.6m (-0.2% yoy), representing 34% of our full-year estimate and below expectations. Steel products’ gross margin rose to 3.7% (+0.7ppt yoy). Differentiated products’ sales volume increased to Rmb15.09m (+17.2% yoy), remaining as the key earnings contributor during the industry downcycle. Steel products’ export volume grew to 3.05m (+2% yoy), on track to achieve the annual target...
GREATER CHINA Results BYD Electronic (285 HK/BUY/HK$27.65/Target: HK$42.50) 1H24: Results missed on margins. Expect peak season to bolster profitability in 2H24. China Feihe (6186 HK/BUY/HK$4.04/Target: HK$5.22) 1H24: Steady profit growth; accelerated revenue expansion in 2H24. China Longyuan Power (916 HK/HOLD/HK$6.16/Target: HK$6.10) 1H24: Below expectations; power generation dragged by low wind speed. ...
In our base case, we expect the MSCI China index to range trade for the rest of 2024 due to uncertainties over the duration of economic adjustment. Upside risk comes from the start of the Fed’s easing cycle as it opens the way for further monetary easing in China. But this should be complemented by demand-side policies for greater impact. In the meantime, we have a barbell strategy, preferring TMT, tech hardware and defensives like banks, communication services and utilities. Pricing in slowe...
GREATER CHINA Strategy Alpha Picks: August Conviction Calls: We expect stimulus to be announced in August and add COSCO Shipping Ports, Haier Smart Home, and KE Holdings to our BUY list and add SELL call on WuXi Bio, and XPeng. INDONESIA Strategy Alpha Picks: Underperformance in Jul 24: Our picks are BBNI, BMRI, BBRI, EXCL, CTRA, BBTN, CMRY, SIDO and JSMR. MALAYSIA Strategy Alpha Picks: Raising The M&A And Monetisation Bets: Our Alpha Picks marginally beat the KLCI. Jul 24 picks: Ekovest, Gamu...
Unfortunately, this report is not available for the investor type or country you selected.
Report is subscription only.
Thank you, your report is ready.
Thank you, your report is ready.