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AnalysisAsia

How to ride on China’s structural trends with thematic ETFs

Global prospects remain highly uncertain more than one year into the pandemic as economic recoveries diverge across countries and sectors. But admidst global economic uncertainty, investors continue to be on the lookout for investments that exhibit potential for growth.

In this article we will look at the structural trends developing in China and how an investor can apply thematic investing in promising sectors as the country continues to undergo its transformation into a first world nation, and its plans and initiatives for the future.

Urbanization and the continued rise of China’s middle class

In 2010, China’s percentage share of middle-class population was 5%. In 2020, China’s middle class is estimated to account 48% of the total population. Likewise, the nation’s urban population also reached 60% of its total population in 2019, from just 16% of its total population in 1960.

China’s urban population as percentage of total population. Source: World Bank

According to an article by the China Daily, studies show that China’s urbanization rate is expected to reach 70% by 2035. The growth in the middle class will continue to drive consumerism and domestic consumption in China, leading to growth opportunities for companies that successfully serve the massive Chinese market.

Transition to a technology-focused economy

Forty years ago, China was largely an agricultural economy. However, the last four decades have seen China transit towards a manufacturing and labor-intensive industry. Today, the nation is now planning to take another leap forward — by aiming to become a technological and innovation-driven economy.

Backed by the nation’s investment in research and development, technology stands out as one of the key drivers of China’s future economic growth. In 2019, China’s gross domestic spending on research and development was approximately US$515 million – second only to the U.S. when compared among OECD countries all over the world.

Gross domestic spending on R&D among OECD countries. Source: OECD

Chinese officials have also stated that China is aiming for tech independence as relations between China and the U.S. become increasingly strained. The future could see many new, innovative companies emerge from China as it seeks to become a hotbed of invention and technology.

Ageing population

China is the world’s most populous country with a population of over 1.4 billion. But it is aging fast. Due to its one-child policy in the past, China faces a ‘demographic cliff’ where 39% of its population will be over retirement age by 2050. This partly explains the country’s push toward technology to replace labour productivity to sustain growth as the population ages.

Source: ChinaPower

With an ageing population, healthcare needs will expand. The topic of healthcare was covered in China’s recent Five-Year Plan – a development agenda published by the Chinese government that includes detailed guidelines and themes aimed at driving the Chinese economy forward every five years.

In light of COVID-19, the Chinese government plans to build a network of new healthcare institutions over the next five years, with a focus on tackling infectious disease outbreaks. China’s other initiatives include building more hospitals in regional and local areas to lighten the load on healthcare facilities in China’s big cities, building new hospitals to integrate the use of western and traditional Chinese medicine, and providing more facilities to address the needs of the ageing population.

Going green

In its 14th Five-Year Plan, China stated its aim to increase the share of non-fossil energy in total energy consumption to 20% by 2025 (up from 15.8% in 2020) and become carbon neutral by 2060. This is an ambitious target as the nation is currently the largest coal consumer in the world and is responsible for 28% of total global emissions. However, China is cognisant that ecological and environmental sustainability is crucial for its continued growth.

The key to China ‘de-carbonising’ and reducing its reliance on coal and other fossil fuels is to invest in areas like renewable energy, electric vehicles, and battery storage. Already, China is the world’s leading consumer and producer of solar power; China has 254 gigawatts of cumulative installed solar capacity (more than three times the U.S.) and produces three-quarters of the world’s supply of solar panels.

In 2020, China doubled its construction of new wind and solar power plants from a year earlier, and continues to build more wind, solar, and hydro capacity every year.

Source

It’s too early to tell whether China can reach its goal of becoming carbon neutral in 40 years’ time; the country also continues to build thermal (coal and gas) power plants alongside its renewable initiatives. However, the fact that carbon emission and climate policy were key topics of recent China’s Five-Year Plan bodes well for the country’s renewable future.

Thematic China ETFs

From the structural trends described above, an investor can consider exploring the following investment themes.

1. Technology. Technology often leads to redistribution of interests with future tech revolutions expected to lead China’s next-stage growth. Some of these revolutions include artificial intelligence, 5G, big data, future mobility, robotics, and advanced manufacturing.

The recent China tech crash may also present a timely opportunity for investors looking for exposure in this sector. Investors seeking to leverage upon the technology theme in China can explore the iShares Hang Seng Tech ETF or Krane Shares CSI China Internet ETF.

2. Real estate. China’s rapid urbanisation rate is expected to support the demand for housing. According to a recent press release by the National Bureau of Statistics of China, China’s investment in real estate development in the first four months of 2021 was RMB4,024 billion, up 21.6% year on year. This was 17.6% higher than that from January to April in 2019 before the pandemic.

Investors who wish to ride upon the urbanisation theme can consider the Global X MSCI China Real Estate ETF.

3. Healthcare. China’s policy makers introduced the ‘Healthy China 2030’ policy outlining China’s plans to upgrade the standards and quality of service in primary care institutions. According to the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), China will be deploying the equivalent of RMB200-300 billion into improving its public health system.

Investors seeking exposure to China’s healthcare sector can consider the Global X MSCI China Health Care ETF or KraneShares MSCI All China Health Care ETF.

4. Renewable energy. Climate change and environmental protection has been gaining more attention in recent years as policymakers in China acknowledge that that air and soil pollution, and water shortages have increased as a consequence of rapid growth over the past 40 years.

Investors who wish to access Chinese companies contributing towards a low carbon renewable future can find out more about the Global X China Clean Energy ETF or KraneShares MSCI China Clean Technology Index ETF.

For overall exposure to China’s equity market (large and mid-cap companies listed in and outside mainland China), investors can consider the iShares Core MSCI China ETF which tracks the performance of the MSCI China Index.

Note: Although ETFs are naturally diversified, it’s still important to conduct your due diligence and limit your risk exposure to a level that you’re comfortable with.

The fifth perspective

According to IMF’s World Economic Outlook (April 2021), China was the only economy that registered positive real GDP growth of 2.3% during the pandemic in 2020. The country is also forecasted to have the second highest growth among advanced and emerging economies in 2021 and 2022.

Investors may find interesting thematic opportunities presented by Chinese markets for growth and diversification. Thematic investing allows an investor to focus on specific sectors that exhibit potential growth. At the same time, an investor must be aware of any major structural changes that could affect their selected sector or industry.

If you’re interested to invest in ETFs and gain exposure to the China stock market, you can consider Futu Singapore and invest via their moomoo app. They offer one of the most competitive trading fees in the industry for Hong Kong and China stocks at HKD18.00 and CNH18.00 minimum per trade respectively. In addition, Futu Singapore also offers low-cost access to the Singapore and U.S. stock markets.

When you successfully register for your moomoo account, you will get to enjoy 180 days of unlimited commission-free trading for the U.S., Hong Kong, and Singapore stock markets (platform fees still apply). During the 180-day period, you also gain free access to Level 2 market data for the U.S. stock market; Level 1 market data for the Singapore stock market; and for this month, Level 1 market data for China A Shares. Futu Singapore is currently the only brokerage to offer this market data bundle for free in Singapore.

It gets even better. From now until 30 September 2021, when you deposit SGD2,700 and trade five times on moomoo, you receive a cash coupon of SGD88 and one FREE Apple (AAPL) share. (This is worth around USD150 now.) But this is limited to only the first 15,000 redemptions!

Investment products available through the moomoo app are offered by Futu Singapore Pte. Ltd., a capital markets services licence holder regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Futu Singapore’s parent company, Futu Holdings Limited, is backed by world-class investors which include venture capital affiliates of Tencent, Sequoia Capital and Matrix Partners.

Open you FUTU SG securities account today with the moomoo app here.

This article was written in collaboration with Futu.

Julian Kay

Julian graduated with a Bachelor of Business honours degree in banking and wealth management from the University of College Dublin. He possesses CFA Level I and IBF Level 1 Fund Management qualifications, and was previously in the investor relations industry.

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