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November 22, 2021—Following the conclusion of the most recent Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Central Committee plenum on November 11, it now seems almost certain that Xi Jinping, currently 68 years old, will remain ruler for the rest of his life. Moreover, it seems that Xi will persist in pursuing his political and socio-economic policies, including the “common prosperity” business interventions he ordered in 2021. Xi recognizes that the “socialist market economy” fostered by several previous CCP leaders has helped lift many out of deep poverty but also sees that it has permitted the emergence of private monopolies, concentrated wealth accumulation, and increased public corruption. He views these capitalist “excesses” as ideological problems for a party founded to represent working-class interests. Consequently, in 2021 Xi ordered state agencies to engage in a series of business interventions to try to control these perceived excesses, which have had a profound adverse impact on Chinese stock performance, especially relative to global stocks (see chart). Therefore, this Wilmington Wire poses two questions: Can we expect Chinese stocks to continue to underperform? And a follow-up question: Even if Chinese stocks continue to underperform, which kinds of Chinese stocks might still offer investors alpha opportunities?

Excess returns of Chinese stocks since Xi took power in 2013

MSCI China NTR minus MSCI ACWI NTR

Data as of November 16, 2021. Source: Bloomberg.

To consolidate power, Xi Jinping puts his spin on CCP history

George Orwell, in his 1948 dystopian novel 1984, wrote that the slogan of the future authoritarian ruling party would be: “Who controls the past, controls the future: who controls the present, controls the past.” At the November Central Committee plenum, Xi Jinping submitted a “historical resolution” conveying his personal interpretation of the CCP’s ideological development over the last century, one that, not surprisingly, casts his rule in a very positive light. Only two prior leaders have written such Party histories: Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping. Xi’s history culminates with his claim to be the CCP’s “core,” a term previously claimed only by Mao, Deng, and Jiang Zemin. The resolution sets the stage for next fall’s 20th Party Congress to reappoint Xi as president either for an unprecedented third term or even for the remainder of his life. There’s even a third possibility. Xi could give up his official positions and rule from behind the scenes. There is precedent: Deng remained de facto ruler until his death, 10 years after yielding his formal positions.

The historical resolution also places great emphasis on Xi’s political philosophy, referred to as “Xi Jinping Thought,” which he first formally presented in 2017. While Xi casts his philosophy as a natural next step from those of his line of predecessors, it is fair to say that Xi Jinping Thought more closely resembles Deng’s vision of “socialism with Chinese characteristics” than it does that of Jiang, who promoted a more capitalistic vision of a “socialist market economy” and who was even willing to welcome wealthy capitalists as party members.

When he first became leader in 2013, Xi’s first action was to purge the Party of officials he deemed as corrupt or lacking in ideological discipline. This action foreshadowed the 2017 elaboration of Xi’s philosophy. While Xi Jinping Thought does not contemplate abolishing private enterprise, it does re-assert Party leadership over all aspects of the economy, emphasizes egalitarian objectives, and promises to crack down further on public corruption and enforce ideological discipline.

Xi waited until early 2021 to deploy state agencies to impose his philosophy on the largest private-sector enterprises, many of which are publicly listed. The CCP has required the mega-cap internet platforms to pledge enormous donations to CCP-approved charities. It has forced some firms to terminate profitable business lines it deems to be undermining equality of opportunity, personal discipline, or moral probity, especially for the country’s young people. The CCP has made clear that the only permissible monopolies would be state enterprises. It also ordered private-sector monopolies to adjust their business models to remove competitive moats, potentially reducing prices for consumers but also impairing the profitability and earnings prospects of firms. It has even stopped IPOs for some firms and forced some firms to increase wages for their lowest-paid employees. Finally, the CCP has refused to extend a lifeline to property developers confronting debt-servicing problems, instead compelling their multi-billionaire owners to recycle their own wealth back into their companies, sell off non-core assets, and to seek a restructuring of their bonds and bank loans. Collectively, these CCP actions have soured China’s investment climate and have contributed to the country’s bear market.

Additionally, Xi Jinping Thought, as well as the historical resolution, speaks to an increasingly powerful China, one that pursues the development of advanced technologies, enforces greater political control over Hong Kong, enjoys increasing military optionality with respect to Taiwan and the South China Sea, and can stand up to potential global and regional adversaries. These issues have caused stress between China and the United States and its allies. They have already resulted in U.S. sanctions against specific companies and individuals, as well as the possibility that Chinese stocks may be de-listed from U.S. exchanges. The recent Xi-Biden video summit was an effort by both sides to try to manage conflicts.   

Will Chinese stocks continue to underperform while Xi remains in power?

If one simply extrapolates from Xi’s track record over the last nine years, especially his actions during 2021, the answer is yes, Chinese stocks will likely continue to underperform global stocks while Xi remains in power. Persistent geopolitical tensions with the U.S. and its allies, and particularly serious missteps involving Taiwan, may also serve to further depress China’s relative performance.

There are several more optimistic scenarios under which Chinese stocks might recover 2021 losses:

  • One scenario is that, once Xi is firmly entrenched in power, he will dial back his “common prosperity” drive and allow large private-sector businesses to go back to business as usual. In this instance, there would likely be a sharp recovery in valuations.
  • A second scenario is that common prosperity may improve the country’s socio-economic stability as Xi intends, which could lead to an improved economic environment, and possibly also translate into improved investment returns.

Which kinds of Chinese stocks might still offer alpha opportunities?

Even if Chinese stocks in aggregate continue to underperform global stocks, we believe that there may be two kinds of stocks that offer alpha opportunities for skilled active management:

  • First, we have been recently seeing signs that among the mega-cap internet platforms, a few have begun recovering some lost value, while others haven’t. For example, on November 18, a poor Alibaba earnings report caused its ADR price to fall by greater than 12%, while a good earnings report by JD.com caused its ADR to bounce by greater than 5%. It may be that some of the platforms have found ways to improve their competitive positions as other platforms’ monopolies have been gradually dismantled. Or it may be that some of the platforms have founds ways to preserve profitability even while accommodating the CCP’s common prosperity demands. Or some might just have won greater favor from the CCP.  In any case, evaluation of alpha opportunities requires a case-by-case active management approach.
  • Second, even while imposing common prosperity demands on the mega-cap internet platforms, the CCP has aggressively promoted and subsidized advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, electric and self-driving vehicles, next-generation telecommunications, and renewable energy technologies. Right now, these stocks constitute only a small slice of China’s market cap pie. Active managers have an opportunity to invest alongside the CCP in firms pursuing such technologies. However, active managers will have to be careful to avoid those advanced technology firms that may be exposed to U.S. sanctions. This particularly holds true for firms with ties to the Chinese military.

Core narrative

We currently have a small overweight tactical allocation to emerging markets stocks. This view recognizes that emerging markets economies as a group will likely benefit from global economic recovery as COVID recedes around the world. With respect to China—31% of the index—our continuing emerging markets overweight allows for the possibility that investors might recoup some of their 2021 losses. One possible short-term scenario is that once Xi is firmly entrenched, he may dial back his common prosperity drive and allow large private-sector businesses to go back to business as usual.  In this case, there would likely be a sharp recovery in valuations. A possible medium-term scenario is that common prosperity may improve the country’s socio-economic stability as Xi intends, which could lead to an improved economic environment, and possibly also translate into improved investment returns.

Disclosures

Facts and views presented in this report have not been reviewed by, and may not reflect information known to, professionals in other business areas of Wilmington Trust or M&T Bank who may provide or seek to provide financial services to entities referred to in this report. M&T Bank and Wilmington Trust have established information barriers between their various business groups. As a result, M&T Bank and Wilmington Trust do not disclose certain client relationships with, or compensation received from, such entities in their reports.

The information on Wilmington Wire has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but its accuracy and completeness are not guaranteed. The opinions, estimates, and projections constitute the judgment of Wilmington Trust and are subject to change without notice. This commentary is for informational purposes only and is not intended as an offer or solicitation for the sale of any financial product or service or a recommendation or determination that any investment strategy is suitable for a specific investor. Investors should seek financial advice regarding the suitability of any investment strategy based on the investor’s objectives, financial situation, and particular needs. Diversification does not ensure a profit or guarantee against a loss. There is no assurance that any investment strategy will succeed.

Past performance cannot guarantee future results. Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or a loss.

Indexes are not available for direct investment.

Reference to the company names mentioned in this blog is merely for explaining the market view and should not be construed as investment advice or investment recommendations of those companies. Third party trademarks and brands are the property of their respective owners.

Disclosures:

    • © 2024 M&T Bank and its affiliates and subsidiaries. All rights reserved.
    • Wilmington Trust is a registered service mark used in connection with various fiduciary and non-fiduciary services offered by certain subsidiaries of M&T Bank Corporation including, but not limited to, Manufacturers & Traders Trust Company (M&T Bank), Wilmington Trust Company (WTC) operating in Delaware only, Wilmington Trust, N.A. (WTNA), Wilmington Trust Investment Advisors, Inc. (WTIA), Wilmington Funds Management Corporation (WFMC), Wilmington Trust Asset Management, LLC (WTAM), and Wilmington Trust Investment Management, LLC (WTIM). Such services include trustee, custodial, agency, investment management, and other services. International corporate and institutional services are offered through M&T Bank Corporation’s international subsidiaries. Loans, credit cards, retail and business deposits, and other business and personal banking services and products are offered by M&T Bank. Member, FDIC. 
    • M&T Bank Corporation’s European subsidiaries (Wilmington Trust (UK) Limited, Wilmington Trust (London) Limited, Wilmington Trust SP Services (London) Limited, Wilmington Trust SP Services (Dublin) Limited, Wilmington Trust SP Services (Frankfurt) GmbH and Wilmington Trust SAS) provide international corporate and institutional services.
    • WTIA, WFMC, WTAM, and WTIM are investment advisors registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Registration with the SEC does not imply any level of skill or training. Additional Information about WTIA, WFMC, WTAM, and WTIM is also available on the SEC's website at adviserinfo.sec.gov. 
    • Private Banking is the marketing name for an offering of M&T Bank deposit and loan products and services.
    • M&T Bank  Equal Housing Lender. Bank NMLS #381076. Member FDIC. 
    • Investment and Insurance Products   • Are NOT Deposits  • Are NOT FDIC Insured  • Are NOT Insured By Any Federal Government Agency  • Have NO Bank Guarantee  • May Go Down In Value  
    • Investing involves risks and you may incur a profit or a loss. Past performance cannot guarantee future results. This material is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as an offer or solicitation for the sale of any security or service. It is not designed or intended to provide financial, tax, legal, accounting, or other professional advice since such advice always requires consideration of individual circumstances. There is no assurance that any investment, financial or estate planning strategy will be successful.

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