汉思集团控股：An investment target owning a franchised bus operator (Citybus)-20250220

Investment Rating - The report does not provide a specific investment rating for Hans Group Holdings (00554.HK) [5] Core Insights - Hans Group Holdings acquired a 54.44% stake in BTHL for HKD 2.7 billion, increasing its ownership to 70% [2][12] - The fare adjustment of 7.5% for Citybus is expected to facilitate a financial turnaround and potential dividend distributions [3][91] - The merger between Citybus and NWFB is anticipated to create economies of scale and operational synergies [4][96] Business Overview - Hans Group Holdings primarily provides integrated facilities for petroleum and liquid chemicals, including terminal storage and trading services [52] - BTHL, a subsidiary of Hans, specializes in public bus services in Hong Kong, operating under the Citybus brand [14][18] - The acquisition of BTHL is valued at approximately HKD 5.0 billion, with a structured payment plan [12] Financial Performance - BTHL generated HKD 3.49 billion in revenue in 2023, accounting for 78.6% of the Group's total revenue [91] - The fare revenue from BTHL increased by 35.1% year-on-year, reaching HKD 3.0 billion in 2023 [24][45] - The Group's market capitalization is approximately HKD 1 billion, with potential dividend returns estimated at 6% - 7% based on net profit [3][91] Industry Overview - The franchised bus industry in Hong Kong is valued at HKD 10.6 billion, with BTHL holding a 27.9% market share [87] - The number of franchised bus routes increased from 670 in 2018 to 750 in 2023, with Citybus operating 233 routes [61][62] - The number of franchised bus passengers rebounded to 1.34 billion in 2023, although still below pre-pandemic levels [66] Investment Thesis - The anticipated fare adjustment is expected to positively impact Citybus's financial performance and facilitate dividend distributions [91] - The merger with NWFB is projected to enhance operational efficiency and reduce costs through resource sharing [96][98] - The Group's reliance on Citybus as its primary revenue stream positions it favorably for future growth [91]