Hutchison Port Holdings Trust: FY20 results and DPU smash expectations
FY20 net profit of HK$831m (+57% y-o-y) was 54% above our expectations as throughput volumes were very strong in 4Q20. DPU of 12 HKcts was also 33% above our expectations
We believe HPHT can sustain this level of higher profitability given its lower cost base and debt levels
Room for DPU to be increased given HPHT’s higher level of earnings and much lower gearing
The figures released by the China Ports and Harbors Association show a huge recovery, underscoring the bounce back in both production and demand for exports.The container volume at eight major Chinese ports increased 73% in early February and 48% in mid-February. Export container volume increased 65.5% while the domestic container volume increased 43%
The growth rate of Shenzhen port exceeded 100% while the port of Shanghai posted nearly 90% growth rate on container volume.Cargo throughput at major coastal Chinese ports increased 24.2% year-on-year while the international trade cargo volume increased 22.7%.Crude oil shipments at major coastal ports increased 22.2% year-on-year, among which the port of Dalian, Rizhao and Yantai posted a growth rate of over 30%
China has urged other members to ratify the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement as soon as possible, after Beijing rubber stamped the deal around three months ahead of schedule. The 15 members trade deal was signed in mid-November, and China is already accelerating the technical preparations to implement the treaty and ensure processes around tariff reductions and certificates of origin for trade goods are “quite smooth”.“The sooner the agreement enters into force, the sooner the people of the member countries will benefit,” Commerce Minister Wang Wentao