fbpx

Type to search

China 2023 Earnings Forecasts Lifted by Reopening Boost Hopes

Analysts predict a consumption rise as lockdown savings are spent following three years of economically suffocating Covid restrictions


People in China are reluctant to spend because Covid lockdowns have sapped public confidence, leaving the central bank facing a liquidity trap.
People shop at the Sanya International Duty-Free Shopping Complex on Hainan Island in this file photo from late 2020 by Tingshu Wang, Reuters

 

Chinese corporate earnings forecasts for 2023 have been boosted with analysts predicting its economy will benefit from stimulus measures and the easing of Covid-19 restrictions.

Forward 12-month earnings of companies on the MSCI China index were raised by 2% in November, data from IBES estimates showed. Analysts had earlier cut forward 12-month earnings by 15% between January and October this year on concerns over slowing growth.

Refinitiv data also showed that earnings of Chinese large and mid-cap companies, with market capitalisation of at least $1 billion, are expected to rise 17.3% in 2023 on average, the second-highest after India.

 

Also on AF: Truckers Strike Has Cost S Korea $1.2bn in Lost Shipments

 

“We expect significant easing in Covid-19 restrictions in the second quarter. We forecast earnings growth of 15%-20% for MSCI China, which would be underpinned by lower commodity prices, improved economic growth and lower asset write-downs,” said James Wong, strategist at UBS.

“This could drive a total shareholder return of 25%-30% for the market next year,” he added.

China’s Covid-19 cases remain near record highs. Still, some optimism has emerged as major cities, including Guangzhou, have lifted their lockdowns in recent days, with Vice Premier Sun Chunlan saying the ability of the virus to cause disease was weakening.

Among sectors, the consumer discretionary and consumer staples sector led the earnings projections for next year, expecting net profit growth of about 35% each, according to IBES data.

Consumption remains the most significant area of opportunity for China equities in 2023, as consumers increased savings in light of the uncertain macro environment in the last few years, said UBS’s Wong.

 

US-China Audits Row Hopes

Industrials and tech firms are also estimated to post a growth of 30% and 23%, respectively, the IBES data shows.

Analysts expect the resumption of online game licence approvals, potential resolution of a dispute over US authorities access to Chinese audits, and conclusion of cybersecurity investigations to boost tech sector earnings.

Shares of video game developers rallied this month after China’s regulator granted publishing licences to 70 online games, including titles belonging to major internet firms Tencent Holdings Ltd and NetEast Inc

In real estate, a recent slew of support measures, including loan repayment extensions is expected to prop up the sector, which is estimated to post nearly a 10% growth next year.

Regulators lifted a ban on equity refinancing for listed property firms this week.

The MSCI China has fallen 29.3% this year, and its forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio stood at 9.55, much lower than the 10-year average of 11.29.

 

  • Reuters with additional editing by Sean O’Meara

 

Read more:

China Rolls Back Covid-19 Curbs in Beijing, Shenzhen

US Moves to Drop Charges Against Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou

 

 

Sean O'Meara

Sean O'Meara is an Editor at Asia Financial. He has been a newspaper man for more than 30 years, working at local, regional and national titles in the UK as a writer, sub-editor, page designer and print editor. A football, cricket and rugby fan, he has a particular interest in sports finance.