Qantas could be next in line for investment from cash-rich Chinese companies, says Credit Suisse Group.
Recent Chinese-led investment in Virgin Australia could spur more acquisition activity in Qantas to gain a foothold on routes linking Australia and China, Credit Suisse analysts said.
There is about 5% of Qantas available to a foreign investor before it reaches the 49% cap on foreign ownership under Australian law.
Credit Suisse analyst Paul Butler cited China Eastern Airlines and China Southern Airlines as the most likely suitors.
The Qantas share price is a ‘compelling strategic and value opportunity,’ for a Chinese carrier, Butler wrote.
Qantas has a strategic alliance with China Eastern on routes to China from Australia and has a codeshare agreement with China Southern.
In the last two weeks both HNA Group and Nanshan Group have invested heavily in rival Virgin Australia and now about a third of Virgin’s stock is Chinese owned.
