China: false start or turning point?

May 20, 2024

Our EM Equity team has visited China four times in the last year, but on this trip we were interested to see that sentiment has improved notably.

A recent pan-Asia conference we went to in Hong Kong was very well attended, and the buzzing restaurants and streets brought back memories of a time before the pandemic. Moving on to mainland China, our on-the-ground due diligence included:

  • A visit to a shopping centre owned by China Resources Land in Shenzhen. The company’s investment portfolio, which includes shopping centres and offices that it leases and manages, is growing rapidly.
  • A meeting with DaShenLin, a pharmaceutical group in Guangzhou, where we toured its headquarters, distribution centre, and a local pharmacy store.
  • A tour of Shenzhen Mindray, which manufactures patient monitoring, imaging and in-vitro equipment for hospitals. The company now generates 40% of its sales from overseas and continues to take global market share.
  • A visit to Shenzhen Inovance, which is exposed to the factory automation theme in China. Although its direct exports are limited, its sales have proven robust as many of its customers are export manufacturers.

Reflecting on our trip, we are left with an impression that investors had become too negative on the Chinese market. We’ve recently seen a strong rebound in Chinese stocks, valuations are still cheap, and we see a number of high return companies in China that we believe remain attractive over the longer term.

China does still have a number of long-term challenges, notably the ‘four Ds’ of debt, deflation, decoupling and demographics, which we discuss in our piece, as well as on the geopolitical front. However, should we see an improvement in some of these factors, we are hopeful that this isn’t just another short-lived relief rally for the market.

Sign up for insights by email

Subscribe now to receive the latest investment and economic insights from our experts, sent straight to your inbox.

This document is a marketing communication and it may be produced and issued by the following entities: in the European Economic Area (EEA), by BlueBay Funds Management Company S.A. (BBFM S.A.), which is regulated by the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF). In Germany, Italy, Spain and Netherlands the BBFM S.A is operating under a branch passport pursuant to the Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities Directive (2009/65/EC) and the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (2011/61/EU). In the United Kingdom (UK) by RBC Global Asset Management (UK) Limited (RBC GAM UK), which is authorised and regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), registered with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and a member of the National Futures Association (NFA) as authorised by the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). In Switzerland, by BlueBay Asset Management AG where the Representative and Paying Agent is BNP Paribas Securities Services, Paris, succursale de Zurich, Selnaustrasse 16, 8002 Zurich, Switzerland. The place of performance is at the registered office of the Representative. The courts at the registered office of the Swiss representative or at the registered office or place of residence of the investor shall have jurisdiction pertaining to claims in connection with the offering and/or advertising of shares in Switzerland. The Prospectus, the Key Investor Information Documents (KIIDs), the Packaged Retail and Insurance-based Investment Products - Key Information Documents (PRIIPs KID), where applicable, the Articles of Incorporation and any other document required, such as the Annual and Semi-Annual Reports, may be obtained free of charge from the Representative in Switzerland. In Japan, by BlueBay Asset Management International Limited which is registered with the Kanto Local Finance Bureau of Ministry of Finance, Japan. In Asia, by RBC Global Asset Management (Asia) Limited, which is registered with the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) in Hong Kong. In Australia, RBC GAM UK is exempt from the requirement to hold an Australian financial services license under the Corporations Act in respect of financial services as it is regulated by the FCA under the laws of the UK which differ from Australian laws. In Canada, by RBC Global Asset Management Inc. (including PH&N Institutional) which is regulated by each provincial and territorial securities commission with which it is registered. RBC GAM UK is not registered under securities laws and is relying on the international dealer exemption under applicable provincial securities legislation, which permits RBC GAM UK to carry out certain specified dealer activities for those Canadian residents that qualify as "a Canadian permitted client”, as such term is defined under applicable securities legislation. In the United States, by RBC Global Asset Management (U.S.) Inc. ("RBC GAM-US"), an SEC registered investment adviser. The entities noted above are collectively referred to as “RBC BlueBay” within this document. The registrations and memberships noted should not be interpreted as an endorsement or approval of RBC BlueBay by the respective licensing or registering authorities. Not all products, services or investments described herein are available in all jurisdictions and some are available on a limited basis only, due to local regulatory and legal requirements.

This document is intended only for “Professional Clients” and “Eligible Counterparties” (as defined by the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (“MiFID”) or the FCA); or in Switzerland for “Qualified Investors”, as defined in Article 10 of the Swiss Collective Investment Schemes Act and its implementing ordinance, or in the US by “Accredited Investors” (as defined in the Securities Act of 1933) or “Qualified Purchasers” (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940) as applicable and should not be relied upon by any other category of customer.

Unless otherwise stated, all data has been sourced by RBC BlueBay. To the best of RBC BlueBay’s knowledge and belief this document is true and accurate at the date hereof. RBC BlueBay makes no express or implied warranties or representations with respect to the information contained in this document and hereby expressly disclaim all warranties of accuracy, completeness or fitness for a particular purpose. Opinions and estimates constitute our judgment and are subject to change without notice. RBC BlueBay does not provide investment or other advice and nothing in this document constitutes any advice, nor should be interpreted as such. This document does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to purchase any security or investment product in any jurisdiction and is for information purposes only.

No part of this document may be reproduced, redistributed or passed on, directly or indirectly, to any other person or published, in whole or in part, for any purpose in any manner without the prior written permission of RBC BlueBay. Copyright 2023 © RBC BlueBay. RBC Global Asset Management (RBC GAM) is the asset management division of Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) which includes RBC Global Asset Management (U.S.) Inc. (RBC GAM-US), RBC Global Asset Management Inc., RBC Global Asset Management (UK) Limited and RBC Global Asset Management (Asia) Limited, which are separate, but affiliated corporate entities. ® / Registered trademark(s) of Royal Bank of Canada and BlueBay Asset Management (Services) Ltd. Used under licence. BlueBay Funds Management Company S.A., registered office 4, Boulevard Royal L-2449 Luxembourg, company registered in Luxembourg number B88445. RBC Global Asset Management (UK) Limited, registered office 100 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4AA, registered in England and Wales number 03647343. All rights reserved.

Sign up for insights by email

Subscribe now to receive the latest investment and economic insights from our experts, sent straight to your inbox.