China and Hong Kong equity markets tested by a "perfect storm" 

This week saw the markets in China and Hong Kong tested by a perfect storm of risk-off events: geopolitical tensions, rising COVID-19 cases, and regulatory pressures from abroad. Meanwhile, China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) reaffirmed the country’s long-standing commitment to economic stability. In this investment note, Kai Kong Chay, Senior Portfolio Manager, Greater China Equities, presents an update on China and Hong Kong markets, as well as key takeaways from the NPC meeting. He also explains why despite market valuations dipping to historic lows, he sees the structural themes and sector opportunities in China and Hong Kong equities remain intact.

Update on China and Hong Kong markets

On 14 March, China and Hong Kong markets (Shanghai Composite -2.6%, Hang Seng China Enterprise Index HSCEI -7.2% and Hang Seng Index lower -5.0%) pulled back on several key developments:

• A widening COVID-19 outbreak in China: 23 out of 31 mainland provinces have reported confirmed symptomatic cases over the past week. If we include asymptomatic cases, which have been nearly 10,000 new cases overall.¹
• Several cities in China have imposed movement restrictions or lockdowns to contain the outbreak, including Changchun in the north-east of the country, the tech hub of Shenzhen (where many tech giants are based), and the nearby industrial centre of Dongguan, (where many industrials or manufacturers are located).
• Regulatory pressures from abroad: On 10 March, the U.S. securities regulator identified five Chinese companies as being non-compliant with the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act (HFCAA). The American Depository Receipts (ADR) prices of these companies declined in the U.S. market on concerns about possible de-listing.²
• Further geo-political uncertainties with the Russia-Ukraine conflict: Russia reportedly asked China for assistance for military equipment, claims which China subsequently denied.³

The near-term outlook: Hong Kong’s market valuation at a 10-year low

Russia-Ukraine tensions, coupled with China’s COVID-19 restrictions and regulatory risks from abroad created a panic sell-off by investors, driving market valuations to historic lows. The price-to-book multiple (P/B ratio) on Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index (HSI) is now trading almost 0.9 times its book value, which marks a near-term bottom in the past 10 years (historic average 1.26x P/B), and trading 1 standard deviation below this historic average (see Chart 1)⁴.

Chart 1: Hong Kong’s market valuation at historic lows

Despite a near-term dampening investor sentiment, we believe the broad market has overlooked the long-term fundamentals of the Chinese equity market, for the following reasons:

• Aggressive COVID-19 restrictions could slow economic activity or dampen consumption temporarily in major cities like Shanghai or Shenzhen. However, this week’s lockdown in China is expected to last one to two weeks and should contain the virus from spreading to other cities.
• The de-listing risk of Chinese ADRs is not unknown. U.S. regulators currently give the ADRs three years (may be shortened to two years) to meet several requirements before delisting . A lot of negative news seem to have been priced into most of these Chinese ADR-related names (down 30% to 40% since last week’s announcement)⁵. We have long been aware of the regulatory risks associated with Chinese ADRs and expect China and Hong Kong capital market participants (i.e., stock exchanges, investment banks) to be beneficiaries, as more companies return to the China A-share or Hong Kong market for listings.

Longer-term outlook: takeaways from the March plenary meeting

Another event held last week also captures market attention. China concluded its annual National People’s Congress (NPC). The government outlined multi-year plans to develop the nation’s technology and science sectors, as well as reiterated its commitment to reducing energy intensity and ensuring housing prices remain stable.

At the meeting, there were encouraging signs that China is determined to sustain economic growth and social stability. China’s fiscal policy is generally expansionary, with intensive spending coupled with tax refunds and cuts.

In summary, the key messages from the NPC plenary meeting underpin our belief that the Chinese government’s policies are significantly different from those of developed markets. We believe that economic stability remains a top priority for policymakers and that monetary tools remain in place for China’s central bank to support growth. (See Appendix – Key takeaways from NPC meeting)

Structural themes and sector opportunities

In the near term, we expect ongoing market volatility until there is more clarity on the Russia-Ukraine situation, as well as the dust settle around COVID-19 lockdown and regulatory risks from abroad. Nonetheless, the recent sharp sell-off has created some deep valuation discounts that we believe do not reflect long-term fundamentals. Here are some structural themes and sector opportunities amid the current environment:

• In general, we remain selective and continue to favour sectors that should benefit from China’s 14^th Five-Year Plan (FYP). Preferred themes that could benefit from the FYP include consumption upgrades, research & development (R&D) and innovation, renewable energy, and energy transition, as well as new infrastructure.
• In our view, companies with dual-primary listings and eligible for China-Hong Kong southbound trading are in a more favourable position (i.e., improved trading and liquidity). The further expansion of southbound-trading eligible stocks remains a medium-term catalyst.
• Energy and materials are favoured sectors from a medium to long-term perspective as near-term performance is mostly driven by spot-price movements. However, oil supply and demand may remain tight (on top of geopolitical factors) and companies that have sufficient pricing power may benefit.
• Domestic-oriented (those with revenues derived in Hong Kong) companies, such as Hong Kong banks and insurance companies will be key beneficiaries of U.S. interest rate hikes.
• We believe electric vehicle companies may be able to pass on higher input costs. These businesses could be potential beneficiaries as China's government outlined long-term plans to support renewable energy at the NPC.
• We may see further monetary easing in China as we enter the third and fourth quarter of 2022. The technology sector is sensitive to consumption spending, and we are paying attention to the re-acceleration of growth. We maintain a positive view on China’s semiconductor sector due to the nation’s self-sufficiency and domestic demand.

Conclusion: China moves “countercyclical” to slower global growth

With Asian equity markets in a broadly risk-off mode, we expect continued volatility until there is more clarity on the Russia-Ukraine situation.

While a broad market correction affects risk assets, we believe the overall impact on Chinese equities will likely be contained should the sharp risk-off episode subside: the fundamental implications for China are less prominent relative to Europe and the Western world.

In our view, China’s economy will continue to power ahead, despite global macro uncertainty, moving almost countercyclically to other emerging economies and a slower global economy. The China A-share market is typically less correlated to global geopolitical incidents and may provide a diversification opportunity to international investors.

In the near term, global inflationary concerns may heighten given elevated energy prices. For China, inflation is expected to be manageable in the near term as the government can control energy prices via a cap on the coal price. Thus, we believe China’s central bank has the monetary tools to support growth.

From a tactical perspective, as China decouples from the U.S., its equities provide alternatives to global investors who would like to diversify from the US Federal Reserve’s policy moves.

Appendix: Key takeaways from NPC meeting

China held its annual National People’s Congress (NPC) on 5 March to 11 March. Investors paid close attention for indications of the country’s key economic targets and fiscal plans. Below are some of the key takeaways from the meeting.

• Primary economic targets for 2022

While China’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth target of around 5.5% (from 6% in 2021 – see Chart 2), is the lowest in more than three decades, it is still above consensus that forecast closer to 5% and higher than the International Monetary Fund’s projection of 4.8%. For inflation, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) target is set at about 3% (the same as 2021).

• Fiscal policy

China’s fiscal policy is generally expansionary, with intensive spending coupled with tax refunds and cuts. Fiscal spending will increase by 8.4% in 2022, with a more than 7% rise in China’s defence budget. The administration also announced a CNY2.5 trillion tax cut, about half of which is new and led by value-added tax (VAT) refunds for excess VAT input credits.

Chart 2: NPC’s key economic targets⁶

• Consumption

The administration outlined policies to support the use of new-energy vehicles and facilitate local governments to roll out green smart-home appliances to rural areas and encourage the trading in of old appliances.

• Property

China plans to set up a financial stability fund and adopt measures to keep housing prices stable as policymakers ramp up efforts to prevent systemic risks.⁷

Chinese leaders called on the property sector to help address rising demand from homebuyers. It was the first time non-subsidised housing was mentioned in the key report since 2014.

• Renewables

China’s Ministry of Finance said it would work to address funding shortfalls in the subsidies for renewable power after years of rising debt from inadequate payments, which we believe could be positive for wind or solar farm operators.⁸

At the meeting, the government also indicated that China would remain committed to its five-year goal of reducing energy intensity by 13.5% from 2021 to 2025. The country will continue to develop massive wind and solar power bases in desert regions and improve electricity grids.

• Innovation

To support the long-term development of the nation's science and technology sector, the government presented a ten-year plan to enhance basic research in those areas and a three-year plan to reform the scientific and technological systems. There may also be policies to promote the development of venture capital, as well as new financial products and services.

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1 Bloomberg, 14 March 2022.

2 Bloomberg, 10 March 2022.

3 Reuters, 15 March 2022.

4 Bloomberg, 15 March 2022.

5 Bloomberg, 15 March 2022.

6 Bloomberg, 5 March 2022

7 Bloomberg, 5 March 2022

8 Bloomberg, 7 March 2022.