Investing In China Via US Public Markets

Investors are hoping for a turnaround in 2009, butoutlets.
considering the pain that has continued for more than aVisionChina is flexible in its dealings with local TV
year, they are reluctant to bet on it. The overall outlookstations. The company signs exclusive agency
for U.S. companies for 2009 is not good either, withagreements in tier-1 cities to take advantage of
negative GDP growth expected during the year. Thealready lucrative advertising markets and forms joint
economists' median forecast calls for U.S. grossventures in tier-2 cities to lock in future growth
domestic product to fall by 1.5% in the first quarter ofpotential.
2009 and GDP growth of 0.2% is expected in theThe Company generated $29 million in revenue for
second quarter. The outlook for US companies andFY2007 with blistering growth of 266% to $106 million
consumers is bleak to say the least.estimated for FY2008 and further growth of 30-40%
The real question for investors, is where can they findexpected in 2009. The Company's recent net margins
growth in an environment such as the one we are inare 40%+, including net profit of almost $49 million
now?expected in FY2008. At $7.17 per share as of January
If economists believe that in 2009 the US economy will5th, VisionChina currently trades at an estimated PEG
be a repeat of 2008, then how can investors find aratio of only 0.7x.
way to make money via the markets?VisionChina's growth drivers include: 1) sustainable
Since the overall outlook for U.S. companies for 2009growth in China's advertising market, 2) increasing
is overwhelmingly negative, the lone bright spot in theadvertising rates, 3) increasing viewership through
U.S. markets will be for China-based companies listedimproving content, 4) increasing utilization rates, 5)
on the exchanges. While the U.S. economy isgenerating more revenue from direct sales and 6)
expected to decline in 2009, the economy in China issales of program sponsorships. New drivers include
expected to grow by 8.5%. This trend is not about toexpansion into new cities and properties, potential
go away either - the growth disparity is enduring andM&A opportunites, and potential new business
has been for some time (see below). In fact the U.S.models.
economy has not delivered economic growth aboveVisionChina's reliable revenue streams should ensure
3% since 2004. In 2007, a few short years ago,attractive equity value appreciation in 2009.
America's economy grew at 2%, while China's grewHead of the Class: New Oriental is the largest provider
at a staggering 11.9%. With the consistent lacklusterof private educational services in China. The
performance of U.S. stocks, it should come as noCompany's selection of educational services includes
surprise to investors that US companies are not ableEnglish and other foreign language training, standard
to provide solid growth quarter over quarter.test preparation courses, as well as development and
US companies currently are unable to offer investorsdistribution of education content, software and online
the type of growth that is going on in China. Theeducation. The Company's revenues grew 50% to
Chinese Government has been and is continuing to$202 million during FY2008 and are still projected to
drive China to become a world leader in almost everygrow 40% in FY2009. The Company's net margins
sector. With the current fiscal measures they haveare consistently 20+%, including net profit of $49 million
taken to assure this, we see China as a greatin FY2008. At $55.38 per share as of January 5th,
investment for American investors for at least theNew Oriental currently trades at an estimated PEG
next decade.ratio of only 0.9x.
So how can our members learn to profit from theNew Oriental is the dominant player in its core
fastest growing economy in the World? Believe it orbusinesses, with 55-60% market share in overseas
not, it's not as hard as you think. Many Chinesetest prep, over 10% share of the domestic test prep,
companies have decided to tap into the US economyand 2-3% market share of the highly fragmented
by going public on a US exchange. The ChineseEnglish language training market.
realized that there is a lot of money here and byNew Oriental is poised to take further market share in
taking their companies public on a US exchange, theythe large and growing English language training and test
can raise millions of dollars in fresh capital.prep markets. It has the most extensive program
With many Chinese companies growing at 30% peroffering targeting students from ages 5-35+, with the
quarter, and trading at similar PE's to their USlargest student enrollment and with the broadest
counterparts, the opportunity for US investors to profitgeographic coverage. As the dominant player in the
from this is unprecedented. Now you have the ability tomarket, New Oriental enjoys sustainable advantages
buy stock in a Chinese company, just as easy as youthat are difficult for competitors to replicate:o Premium
can buy stock in a company like Microsoft.brand - Established in 1993, the Company is the most
China is a preferred market for global investors inwell known private education brand in China. The
2009 because for one, the central government has aCompany differentiates itself with a strong corporate
healthy fiscal balance sheet and has the option toculture and unique teaching style.o Largest nationwide
adopt aggressive fiscal and monetary stimulusnetwork - New Oriental's 43 schools and 179 learning
measures to support growth. Unlike Russia, Brazil andcenters span 40+ cities across China. The Company
India, China will benefit significantly from a collapse inplans to continue to expand both geographically and by
commodity prices.more deeply penetrating existing cities.o Unrivalled
China has committed to spend $400 billion on newscale in China - Since its inception, New Oriental has
infrastructure projects over the next five to seveneducated over 5 million students, with annual enrollment
years. That $400 billion will turn into more than $2.8topping 1.5 million entering CY2009. This large active
trillion of economic production by the time it multipliesstudent and alumni base induces viral marketing and
throughout the banking system.promulgates network effects, allowing the company to
With a population of 1.3b and an ever growingleverage this large student base to introduce more
middle-class, the consumer spending estimates are offproducts and services.
the charts and one of the primary engines for growthA summary of New Oriental's product offerings is as
in major economies is consumer spending.follows:
In China the growth in disposable income andThe Company's profit margins are expected to
consumer expenditures has outpaced and will continueexpand further as capacity utilization improves at the 6
to outpace that in the U.S. by a wide margin. Forschools and 71 learning centers New Oriental
example, consumer expenditures in China grew byaggressively rolled out in FY2008. 4-5 more new
14% in 2008 vs. only 1% for the U.S. The results inschools (cities) and 40-50 new learning centers are
coming years will be similar as U.S. consumers begin toanticipated in FY2009, as New Oriental continues to
pay off consumer debt and reverse a trend ofextend service to China's larger cities. The result will be
essentially negative savings rates. Meanwhile Chinesehigh potential for stock appreciation.
consumers maintain savings rates of 50% and haveAiming for the Sky: AirMedia is China's largest digital
virtually no consumer debt. There is no question whereout-of-home media company focusing on air travel
the bulk of future growth from consumer spending willadvertising with a network covering 50+ airports and 9
come from.major airlines, with over 2,000 airport screens and the
Chinese companies listed on U.S. exchanges will deliverright to display ads on 16,000 airplane screens. The
growth in revenue and profits that cannot be matchedCompany has secured most of its partnerships (50%+
by most U.S. companies, especially in this economy.for airports and 80%+ for airlines) exclusively, with all
Unlike the U.S., China has high foreign reserves, abut one of concession contracts lasting until 2010.
healthy fiscal balance, a high savings ratio and a lowThe Company produced $42 million in revenue for
government debt level, which enables policymakers toFY2007 with staggering growth of 196% to $123 million
adopt aggressive fiscal stimulus measures to boostestimated for FY2008 and further growth of over
economic growth. Also, after the recent collapse in40% expected in 2009. The Company's recent net
commodity prices, the CPI is now under control.margins are well over 20%, with net profit of over $33
Policymakers have the option to loosen the monetarymillion expected in FY2008. At $5.76 per share as of
policy aggressively to support growth without riskingJanuary 5th, Airmedia currently trades at a miniscule
future inflation.estimated PEG ratio of 0.3x.
China is no longer the Forbidden City and the GreatThe Chinese Civil Aviation Administration forecasts air
Wall... it has become a country of bustling cosmopolitanpassenger rates will grow 14% annually from 2005 to
cities, massive construction, manufacturing, shopping2010. For the corresponding period, the total number of
malls, Internet and cell phone users, Wal-Mart, andcommercial aircrafts is expected to increase to 1,580
Starbucks. Today's smart investors are looking beyondfrom 863. The Chinese government will also invest
their own borders for high growth opportunities. Many$17.4 billion in infrastructure construction, and expects
are focusing on China's ever-expanding economic pie.the total number of airports will rise to 180 in 2010 from
Consider these facts:o 100 cities with over 1 million142 in 2005.
people (only 9 in the U.S.)o 300 million people under ageOn December 29, 2008, AirMedia's board approved a
14o #1 market for mobile phones with 461 million usersbuyback of up to $50 million of its outstanding
(larger than the entire U.S. population)o #2 market forAmerican Depositary shares, providing further support
Internet users at 137 millionto stock price appreciation in 2009.
Now given the recent declines in the stocks ofConclusion: The three companies mentioned above will
Chinese companies listed on U.S. markets during 2008,benefit disproportionately from the positive trends of
there are plenty of bargains to be found to generateconsumer spending and economic growth in the
outstanding returns in 2009. Three stocks to focus onChinese economy that cannot be found in the U.S.
include VisionChina Media, Inc. (NasdaqGM: VISN), Neweconomy. And since they are all listed on U.S.
Oriental Education & Technology Group, Inc.exchanges, they can be bought just as easily as any
(NYSE: EDU), and AirMedia Group, Inc. (NasdaqGM:other U.S. stock with prospects that are not nearly as
AMCN).bright. The strong economic fundamentals supporting
An Eye on the Future: VisionChina is China's leadingthese companies and their attractive valuations ensure
national, real-time, digital mobile TV platform, coveringlittle downside risk with plenty of upside potential that
14 cities and more than 25,000 buses with over 50,000simply cannot be found among most U.S. companies.
panels. Its key business is selling advertising timeslotsAs an investor, it is your job to find investments that
on its mobile TV platform. VisionChina's cooperationhave the highest possibility of providing the largest
with local TV stations makes the company uniquereturn on investment. As you just learned, US
among China's publicly listed media companies, allowingcompanies are unable to produce the types of returns
for a live broadcasting network, the provision ofan emerging growth country like China can.
content, and license ownership through partnershipsThese opportunities are the ones every investor
with local stations. VisionChina's long-term exclusiveshould research and look for when planning their
agency contracts and joint ventures with local TVinvestments.
stations set a high entry barrier for competitors, as theKeep an eye out for future reports from China
company has exclusive usage rights to bus mediaResearch Group!
resources, mobile TV licenses, and mobile broadcasting