Investment Rating - The report assigns a stock rating of NR (Not Rated) for Hans Group Holdings Limited (00554.HK) [6] Core Insights - The acquisition of 54.44% of BTHL by Hans Group for HKD 2.7 billion increases its stake to 70%, with BTHL valued at approximately HKD 5 billion [4][15] - A fare adjustment of 7.5% for Citybus routes is expected to help the company return to profitability by increasing revenue without significantly impacting demand [5][90] - The potential for dividend distribution exists if Citybus achieves net profit, with a possible yield of 6% to 7% based on a 95% payout ratio [5][90] Business Overview - BTHL provides public bus services under the Citybus brand, including advertising and tourism services [4][15] - The company operates a fleet of 1,495 buses across 233 routes, with a significant increase in passenger numbers post-pandemic [25][26][68] Financial Performance - BTHL reported total revenue of HKD 34.9 billion in 2023, a 35.1% increase year-on-year, with ticket revenue contributing 87.3% of total income [26][46] - The company aims to improve operational efficiency and reduce costs through the merger with NWFB, which is expected to optimize routes and enhance resource utilization [7][97] Industry Overview - The Hong Kong franchised bus industry is dominated by four operators, with Citybus being the sole operator for routes on Hong Kong Island [58] - The industry faced challenges during the pandemic but is recovering, with a projected market size of HKD 10.6 billion in 2023 [86] Investment Thesis - The anticipated fare increase and potential for dividend distribution are key factors for investment consideration, as Citybus is the main revenue source for Hans Group [90] - The merger with NWFB is expected to create synergies and improve financial performance through cost savings and operational efficiencies [97]
汉思集团控股：拥有特许经营公交运营商（Citybus）的投资目标-20250220