Equity L/S Analyst | Forensic Accounting | India, Yellowstone Equity

Ankit Agrawal, CFA

Equity L/S Analyst | Forensic Accounting | India

Equity Bottom-Up

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lic-housing-finance-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15667:1" rel="noopener">LIC Housing Finance (LICHF IN)</a> reported its Q3FY21 earnings last week. Below we discuss key updates relating to the same and also share our outlook going forward. Note that we had been bullish on LICHF since our initiation note - <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/2020-high-conviction-lic-housing-finance-a-growth-compounder-ripe-for-re-rating" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:35482" rel="noopener">2020 High Conviction: LIC Housing Finance: A Growth Compounder Ripe for Re-Rating</a> -  in Dec 2019, when we pitched it as a high conviction idea for 2020. Due to COVID disruptions, our thesis got derailed and delayed by a year. However, all the stars seem to be aligning now in favor of LICHF. We believe that from here on, LICHF presents an attractive risk/reward (50%+ upside potential) with visible catalysts.

LIC Housing Finance (LICHF IN) reported its Q3FY21 earnings last week. Below we discuss key updates relating to the same and also share our outlook going forward. Note that we had been bullish on LICHF since our initiation note - 2020 High Conviction: LIC Housing Finance: A Growth Compounder Ripe for Re-Rating -  in Dec 2019, when we pitched it as a high conviction idea for 2020. Due to COVID disruptions, our thesis got derailed and delayed by a year. However, all the stars seem to be aligning now in favor of LICHF. We believe that from here on, LICHF presents an attractive risk/reward (50%+ upside potential) with visible catalysts.

LIC Housing Finance | Earnings Update & Outlook - All Stars Are Aligning!

Last year, around the same time i.e. in Feb 2020, there were <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/stocks/news/lic-housing-cracks-12-as-reports-suggest-merger-with-idbi-bank-on-fast-track/articleshow/74168757.cms?from=mdr" target="_blank" rel="noopener">rumors</a> floating in the market regarding possible merger of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lic-housing-finance-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15667:1" rel="noopener">LIC Housing Finance (LICHF IN)</a>  and IDBI Bank as LIC geared up for its IPO. With clarifications in the Budget speech regarding privatization of IDBI Bank, any such rumors are now clear and should no longer pose a overhang for LICHF's stock.

Last year, around the same time i.e. in Feb 2020, there were rumors floating in the market regarding possible merger of LIC Housing Finance (LICHF IN)  and IDBI Bank as LIC geared up for its IPO. With clarifications in the Budget speech regarding privatization of IDBI Bank, any such rumors are now clear and should no longer pose a overhang for LICHF's stock.

Budget Impact | LIC Housing Finance - Removal of a Key Risk

Head of Research, IPOs & Placements, Aequitas Research

Sumeet Singh

Head of Research, IPOs & Placements

IPOs and Placements coverage across Asia Pacific

Aequitas Research

We cover all listing across the Asia Pacific along with follow-up placements. As of Dec 2020, our team had covered 539 IPOs with a hit rate of 73.5% and 685 placements with a hit rate of 66.8%.

We combine fundamental bottom-up views with our proprietary quantitative framework to provide a holistic coverage across new listings and placements. Our coverage includes pre-IPO notes before the deal is launched, follow-up analysis once the deal is live and post-listing trading analysis as well.

Equity Capital Markets

HomeFirst Finance / Equity Capital Markets

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Home First Finance (HFF), an affordable housing finance company targeting first time home buyers in low and middle-income groups, raised around US$160m in its India IPO. It is backed by True North, GIC and Bessemer and has recently obtained an investment from Warburg Pincus as well.
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I have covered various aspects of the deal in my earlier notes,  <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/home-first-finance-pre-ipo-riding-on-affordable-housing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Home First Finance Pre-IPO - Riding on affordable housing</a>,  <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/home-first-finance-pre-ipo-earnings-not-showing-the-covid-strain-but-other-metrics-are" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Home First Finance Pre-IPO - Earnings not showing the COVID strain but other metrics are</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/home-first-finance-ipo-it-s-not-really-cheap-banking-on-momentum" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Home First Finance IPO - It’s Not Really Cheap, Banking on Momentum</a>.
In this note, I'll talk about deal updates and provide a table with implied valuations at different share price levels.
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Home First Finance (HFF), an affordable housing finance company targeting first time home buyers in low and middle-income groups, raised around US$160m in its India IPO. It is backed by True North, GIC and Bessemer and has recently obtained an investment from Warburg Pincus as well.


I have covered various aspects of the deal in my earlier notes,  Home First Finance Pre-IPO - Riding on affordable housing,  Home First Finance Pre-IPO - Earnings not showing the COVID strain but other metrics are and Home First Finance IPO - It’s Not Really Cheap, Banking on Momentum.
In this note, I'll talk about deal updates and provide a table with implied valuations at different share price levels.


Home First Finance IPO Trading - Hot Space but Limited Discount

Silver Point

Thomas J. Monaco

Silver Point is a boutique research firm that focuses on the broader financial services sector, with a particular focus on troubled institutions globally. 

Asia Ex Japan

*Poor Quality Result: ICICI Bank (ICICIBC.IN) [ICICI] reported FY 3Q21 earnings of INR 49.4 bn, increasing INR 6.9 bn (16.2%) linked quarter. Excluding gains, FY 3Q21 core operating results increased INR 4.6 bn (12.5%) over the same period. In our view, ICICI’s results were of poor quality; and*Increasing Credit Losses Ahead: With NCOs of INR 16.9 bn, we find that net new NPLs actually continued to increase  - up INR 44.1 bn linked quarter or 43.7% on an annualized basis. Despite to continued increase in NPLs, reserve cover declined in both instances. We find that ICICI –is short on reserves to the tune of INR 286 bn or five quarters of PBT.

*Poor Quality Result: ICICI Bank (ICICIBC.IN) [ICICI] reported FY 3Q21 earnings of INR 49.4 bn, increasing INR 6.9 bn (16.2%) linked quarter. Excluding gains, FY 3Q21 core operating results increased INR 4.6 bn (12.5%) over the same period. In our view, ICICI’s results were of poor quality; and*Increasing Credit Losses Ahead: With NCOs of INR 16.9 bn, we find that net new NPLs actually continued to increase  - up INR 44.1 bn linked quarter or 43.7% on an annualized basis. Despite to continued increase in NPLs, reserve cover declined in both instances. We find that ICICI –is short on reserves to the tune of INR 286 bn or five quarters of PBT.

ICICI Bank – Lower Provision Despite Increasing Credit Risk

*Results Down, Credibility Continues To Increase: We applaud for LIC Housing Finance (LICHF.IN) [LIC] for having the fortitude to properly manage its balance sheet during this difficult pandemic period. Its now paying off with respect to credit quality, with credit leverage fully anticipated in FY 4Q21.  As for the actual bottom-line, LIC reported FY 3Q21 INR 721.1 crs - declining INR 68.6 crs (8.7%) linked quarter. We fully anticipate bottom-line improvement in FY 4Q21; and*Credit Continues To Mend:  We note that net new NPLs at LIC were negative again as well – declining INR 47.3 crs for an annualized rate of NPL decline of 3.2% (versus a decline of 4.0% in the previous quarter). Reserves are likely where they need to be unlike most other Indian financials who have massive shortfalls.

*Results Down, Credibility Continues To Increase: We applaud for LIC Housing Finance (LICHF.IN) [LIC] for having the fortitude to properly manage its balance sheet during this difficult pandemic period. Its now paying off with respect to credit quality, with credit leverage fully anticipated in FY 4Q21.  As for the actual bottom-line, LIC reported FY 3Q21 INR 721.1 crs - declining INR 68.6 crs (8.7%) linked quarter. We fully anticipate bottom-line improvement in FY 4Q21; and*Credit Continues To Mend:  We note that net new NPLs at LIC were negative again as well – declining INR 47.3 crs for an annualized rate of NPL decline of 3.2% (versus a decline of 4.0% in the previous quarter). Reserves are likely where they need to be unlike most other Indian financials who have massive shortfalls.

LIC Housing Finance – This Is How It Should Be Done

India

LIC Housing Finance is a major Indian housing finance company that provides long-term financing for the purchase, construction, repair, and renovation of residential properties for individuals and corporate entities. The company offers a diverse product portfolio including home loans, plot loans, home improvement loans, and loans against property. It was founded in 1989 and is headquartered in Mumbai, India.

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LIC Housing Finance (LICHF IN)

LIC Housing Finance | Earnings Update & Outlook - All Stars Are Aligning!

We pitched LICHF as a high conviction idea for 2020. Due to COVID disruptions, our thesis got derailed and delayed by a year. However, all stars...

Ankit Agrawal, CFA

Budget Impact | LIC Housing Finance - Removal of a Key Risk

With clarifications in the Budget speech regarding privatization of IDBI Bank, a key risk for LICHF's shareholders is now removed.

Ankit Agrawal, CFA

Home First Finance IPO Trading - Hot Space but Limited Discount

Home First Finance, an affordable housing finance company targeting first time home buyers in low and middle-income groups, raised around US$160m...

Sumeet Singh

ICICI Bank – Lower Provision Despite Increasing Credit Risk

ICICI BANK: ICICI had a linked quarter FY 3Q21 poor quality earnings increase of 16.2%. Net new NPLs increased 43.7% on an annualized basis, and a...

Thomas J. Monaco

LIC Housing Finance – This Is How It Should Be Done

LIC HOUSING FINANCE: We applaud for LIC for properly managing its balance sheet. FY 3Q21 results declined 8.7% linked quarter but expect bottom...

Thomas J. Monaco

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