Year: 2007

Categories
Business China

Jinjiang Inn Hook up with Expedia

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Last Updated on February 4, 2007 by stlplace

Zhao Huan Yan published his January report for China domestic hotels industry. I am interested to learn some update on the economy chain such as Jinjiang Inns. I noticed Expedia, the leading US online travel consolidator, is establishing partnership with Jinjiang Inn. It seems foreigners can use expedia to book the Jinjiang Inn soon.

(Update 04Feb07) I looked up expedia, it appears you can book many 2.5 stars (and up) hotels in Shanghai right now, some of them are belong to Jinjiang group (such as the famous Peace Hotel in Nanjing Rd Bund). Have not seen Jinjiang Inn (or Jinjiang Stars yet).

I vaguely remember the foreigners make up about 7 to 8% of guests for Jinjiang and Home Inns (Rujia). This includes the foreigners already in China. In other words, I don’t expect Expedia Jinjiang partnership to give Jinjiang Inn a huge leg up in this “foreigners market”.

jin jiang Inn

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Categories
Fun Saint Louis

Asics Running Shoes Sales at Sports Authority

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Last Updated on February 3, 2007 by stlplace

It’s not on the web. But I found some deals at the local stores (Brentwood). Obviously it’s not just the online stores such as Zappos (or Amazon Endless) gives discount for shoes. 

For instance this one ASICS GEL Kayano® XII Stability Running Shoe is $89.99 at SA. Amazon asks for $99.99 and  Zappos asks for $138.95.  

Categories
China Stocks

Old Ladies in Kansas and Shanghai Housewives

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Last Updated on February 2, 2007 by stlplace

It seems the “irrational exuberrance” in Chinese domestic stock market finally got a reality check. Here is an excellent article from MarketWatch. Again quoted from the article:

“There was a story on the front page of The Wall Street Journal about a group of little old ladies in the Midwest who soured on their boring portfolio as they watched dot-com investors get rich. The good ladies had traded their utilities for the shares of technology firms.

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Categories
Business Stocks

When to Sell Heelys HLYS

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Last Updated on February 2, 2007 by stlplace

We all know it’s a fad. But here is the one million dollar question: when shall we take profit (or loss) for the Heelys stocks (HLYS)? From the IBD article today, it seems Heelys still got room to grow. The following is quoted from IBD:

“For one thing, there’s still plenty of room to grow sales in parts of the country between the coasts, he says. And overseas sales offer lots of potential, especially in Europe.

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Categories
China

Promotions of China Economy Hotels

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Last Updated on February 1, 2007 by stlplace

I noticed they usually offer some discount during Chinese New Year. Because by tradition majority of people will stay with families (at home). Here are some promotions:

Jinjiang Inn

Home Inns

English reservation pages:

Jinjiang Inn

Motel 168

Surprisingly Rujia doesn’t have English for reservation, although I did see foreigners when I stayed there. I think telephone is more common used (compared to web) for reservation in China.

Categories
Business

Why I Prefer Crocs over Under Armour

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Last Updated on February 3, 2007 by stlplace

I bought some Crocs stocks (CROX) a while ago; actually I looked at Under Armour (UA) at the same time and I am glad I made the correct decision (so far). Besides the difference of PE ratio, CROX is 42, UA is 76 (supposedly the lower PE means the price is cheaper). I made this decision more based on the business prospects.

From my observation, Crocs are sold in a lot more stores than Under Armour, which are only sold in Sporting Good stores. In other words, Crocs have a wider distribution channel. This is very important for consumer goods. By the same token, I found Crocs have a wider appeal to consumers, especially kids. Under Armour has made efforts to reach women and kids but they are not there yet.

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Categories
Business China

Chatea Got 2nd Round VC Fund

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Last Updated on February 11, 2023 by stlplace

I wrote about Chatea, a Chinese fast food company a while ago. I have been there in my China trip last year. Apparently they are expanding all these years and they just announced a new round of funding. GGV (together with IDGVC, SIG, Neil Shen, TECO and FMCG) invested $10.68 m for 20% stake. Note Neil Shen (co-founder of Ctrip and Home Inns) is on the list again. As suggested in the article, once the estimated market capital reaches $100 m, they will go for IPO (most likely 2008). So stay tuned.

This is another good play for “emergence of Chinese middle class consumers”.

IMG_3974

(Update 02-11-2023) It looks like all Chatea restaurants are closed now.

Categories
Business China

Mindray MR Secondary Offering

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Last Updated on February 1, 2007 by stlplace

It appears that Mindray started new offering today. I read its SEC filings here. The insiders will sell 9,827,220 shares and the underwriter will have option to buy additional 1,474,083 shares from selling share holders. That alone won’t have dilution effect.

Separately, the company filed S1 form for stock options registration. That will dilute the stocks if option being excercised.

One thing I am not 100% sure is the difference between secondary offering and insider selling after lock up period (usually 180 days after IPO). I think this one belong to “secondary” because it’s not 180 days after its IPO yet (Sept 26, 2006).

(Update 01Feb07) FinanceAsia has more details about this selling.

Categories
Business China

Huiyuan Juice IPO in HKSE

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Last Updated on March 22, 2009 by stlplace

From The Standard:

“China Huiyuan Juice Group, the mainland’s largest fruit juice maker, is forecast to post 222 million yuan (HK$223.08 million) in net profit in 2006, up 106 percent over a year ago. The company recorded 108 million yuan in net profit in 2005, up 486 percent from the previous year.

Huiyuan is seeking to raise US$250 million (HK$1.95 billion) through an initial public offering next month as it seeks capital for expansion.

…Its peers, milk producer China Mengniu Dairy (2319) and Tingyi Holdings (0322), are trading at 33.8 times and 36.7 times 2007 earnings respectively.”

Comments: like everything else in China, the growth is astonishing. Don’t expect to make quick money on this one though. The expectation will be reflected on the price when it debuts…

huiyuan juice

The ticker symbol is 1886.HK.

Categories
Business Stocks

Amazon Endless New Promotion

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Last Updated on January 31, 2007 by stlplace

I saw this when I was doing some research on Amazon (AMZN). They are giving away $5 for overnight shipping. This is very ineresting because normally the online merchants will do free shipping. But Amazon is always innovative.

On serious note, I think Amazon is interesting because people usually think Google is the king of the Internet, while regard Amazon as nothing more than an online retailer. This could change because Amazon has invested heavily on technology (software) in those years. They are providing technology services to other customers (including retailers). Also from my observation, the Amazon Marketplace, where individuals can list items to sell (similar to eBay), is getting momentum. So don’t think Amazon is nothing more than the online “Wal-Mart”…