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

Equity Bottom-Up

China Pacific Insurance / Equity Bottom-Up

*Weak 2H20 Results: China Pacific Insurance (2601.HK) (CPIC) reported full year 2020 results of CNY 31.1 bn, increasing CNY 3.2 bn (11.5%) YOY. On a HOH basis, however, CPIC’s results continue to exhibit challenges as 2H20 results declined CNY 3.7 bn (21.3%) – amounting to just CNY 13.7 bn. Profitability was hurt by both the Life and P&amp;C units; and*Get A Life: During 2H20, first year premium (FYP) agent per month declined by 48.6% HOH to CNY 1,648 due largely to CPIC relying on online channels to conduct new sales during the COVID-19 outbreak along with expanded the short-term policy sales. In addition, CPIC Life appears to have culled its salesforce over the period to 17,000 (2.2%) which now will impact future VONB. Life VONB declined 41.1%, largely as expected, due to COVID-19 volume drop and a VONB margin decline of 10%.

*Weak 2H20 Results: China Pacific Insurance (2601.HK) (CPIC) reported full year 2020 results of CNY 31.1 bn, increasing CNY 3.2 bn (11.5%) YOY. On a HOH basis, however, CPIC’s results continue to exhibit challenges as 2H20 results declined CNY 3.7 bn (21.3%) – amounting to just CNY 13.7 bn. Profitability was hurt by both the Life and P&amp;C units; and*Get A Life: During 2H20, first year premium (FYP) agent per month declined by 48.6% HOH to CNY 1,648 due largely to CPIC relying on online channels to conduct new sales during the COVID-19 outbreak along with expanded the short-term policy sales. In addition, CPIC Life appears to have culled its salesforce over the period to 17,000 (2.2%) which now will impact future VONB. Life VONB declined 41.1%, largely as expected, due to COVID-19 volume drop and a VONB margin decline of 10%.  

China Pacific Insurance – No Sign Of Life

ZhongAn Online P&C Insurance C / Equity Bottom-Up

*First Year Of Profitability: ZhongAn Online P&amp;C Insurance (6060.HK) [ZhongAn] reported full year 2020 bottom-line results of CNY 554 mn, an increase of CNY 1.0 bn over losses of CNY 454 mn in 2019. Much of the turnaround in what amounts to ZhongAn’s first year of profitability can be attributed to the YOY volume growth in net earned premium of CNY 3.4 bn (26.7%) to CNY 16.7 bn; and *Credit Insurance &amp; Investment Concerns: The YOY combined ratio improvement of 10.8% to 102.5%, in pur view, is due largely to the improvement in credit insurance whose loss ratio declined from 97% in 2019 to 63%. We have a difficult time believing that little old ZhongAn has figured out the secret sauce to credit insurance risk. With value challenges ahead in ZhongAn’s illiquid securities portfolio (Challenged Tier 2/3 bank negotiable CDs and alternatives) and the CBIRC’s enabling of insurers to increase their concentration in equities, we question solvency margins and future ZhongAn dividends.

*First Year Of Profitability: ZhongAn Online P&amp;C Insurance (6060.HK) [ZhongAn] reported full year 2020 bottom-line results of CNY 554 mn, an increase of CNY 1.0 bn over losses of CNY 454 mn in 2019. Much of the turnaround in what amounts to ZhongAn’s first year of profitability can be attributed to the YOY volume growth in net earned premium of CNY 3.4 bn (26.7%) to CNY 16.7 bn; and *Credit Insurance &amp; Investment Concerns: The YOY combined ratio improvement of 10.8% to 102.5%, in pur view, is due largely to the improvement in credit insurance whose loss ratio declined from 97% in 2019 to 63%. We have a difficult time believing that little old ZhongAn has figured out the secret sauce to credit insurance risk. With value challenges ahead in ZhongAn’s illiquid securities portfolio (Challenged Tier 2/3 bank negotiable CDs and alternatives) and the CBIRC’s enabling of insurers to increase their concentration in equities, we question solvency margins and future ZhongAn dividends.

ZhongAn Online P&C Insurance – Don’t Believe The Hype

PICC Property & Casualty H / Equity Bottom-Up

*Weaker 2H20 Results: PICC P&amp;C (2328.HK) [PICC P&amp;C] reported 2H20 earnings of CNY 7.7 bn, which declined CNY 5.5 bn or 41.7% HOH.  PICC P&amp;C reported an underwriting loss during of CNY 1.2 bn in 2H20;*Credit Insurance Remains A Trouble Spot: Credit insurance line reported the largest deterioration in underwriting results, posting a CNY 2.2 bn underwriting loss. This is most likely attributed to policies sold in 2019, in our view. Credit insurance also reported an astronomical combined ratio of 157.2%; and*Auto Enjoying Having No One On The Road: It’s unfortunate but the auto combined ratio did worsen 350 bp HOH to 98.3% - although still better than the 101.6% reported by that of Ping An P&amp;C (2318.HK).Although the combined ratio worsened, underwriting profits can be attributed to the social distancing measures implemented during 1H20, which has significantly reduced vehicle use - especially commercial vehicles (which tends to have higher claims). We view this as temporary, given how quickly mainland China is turning the page with COVID-19.

*Weaker 2H20 Results: PICC P&amp;C (2328.HK) [PICC P&amp;C] reported 2H20 earnings of CNY 7.7 bn, which declined CNY 5.5 bn or 41.7% HOH.  PICC P&amp;C reported an underwriting loss during of CNY 1.2 bn in 2H20;*Credit Insurance Remains A Trouble Spot: Credit insurance line reported the largest deterioration in underwriting results, posting a CNY 2.2 bn underwriting loss. This is most likely attributed to policies sold in 2019, in our view. Credit insurance also reported an astronomical combined ratio of 157.2%; and*Auto Enjoying Having No One On The Road: It’s unfortunate but the auto combined ratio did worsen 350 bp HOH to 98.3% - although still better than the 101.6% reported by that of Ping An P&amp;C (2318.HK).Although the combined ratio worsened, underwriting profits can be attributed to the social distancing measures implemented during 1H20, which has significantly reduced vehicle use - especially commercial vehicles (which tends to have higher claims). We view this as temporary, given how quickly mainland China is turning the page with COVID-19.   

*BEA Life Deal: In an effort to reinforce its Greater China franchise, AIA Group (1299.HK) [AIA] has entered into an agreement to purchase Bank of East Asia’s (23.HK) [BEA] wholly-owned life insurance unit, BEA Life, and entered into an exclusive 15-year bancassurance relationship with BEA for HKD 5.07 bn (USD 653 mn) covering Hong Kong and mainland China; and *Lost Focus: Acquiring a fledgling Hong Kong insurance franchise at a premium when you’re the dominant player and unemployment remains excessive, suggests that AIA is more concerned with growth metrics rather than addressing the risks that AIA is facing in mainland China, Hong Kong, and in its investment portfolio.

*BEA Life Deal: In an effort to reinforce its Greater China franchise, AIA Group (1299.HK) [AIA] has entered into an agreement to purchase Bank of East Asia’s (23.HK) [BEA] wholly-owned life insurance unit, BEA Life, and entered into an exclusive 15-year bancassurance relationship with BEA for HKD 5.07 bn (USD 653 mn) covering Hong Kong and mainland China; and *Lost Focus: Acquiring a fledgling Hong Kong insurance franchise at a premium when you’re the dominant player and unemployment remains excessive, suggests that AIA is more concerned with growth metrics rather than addressing the risks that AIA is facing in mainland China, Hong Kong, and in its investment portfolio. 

AIA Group – Confirming No Organic Growth On Horizon

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

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This update is the latest in a series dating back to <a href="https://skr.ma/c7hcH" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Legend's Conversion of Domestic Shares</a> in June 2018.
To date, 20 companies have sought approval to convert their domestic shares into H shares, which would then be eligible to be listed and traded on Hong Kong's stock exchange.
13 companies have now been given CSRC and Hong Kong listing approval to convert such shares. Only two of those have seen any noticeable movement in the converted shares.
In the past four months, two companies have withdrawn their application to convert their domestic shares, citing further improvement in the rules and regulations of the domestic capital market, among other factors.  
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As always, more below the fold. 
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This update is the latest in a series dating back to Legend's Conversion of Domestic Shares in June 2018.
To date, 20 companies have sought approval to convert their domestic shares into H shares, which would then be eligible to be listed and traded on Hong Kong's stock exchange.
13 companies have now been given CSRC and Hong Kong listing approval to convert such shares. Only two of those have seen any noticeable movement in the converted shares.
In the past four months, two companies have withdrawn their application to convert their domestic shares, citing further improvement in the rules and regulations of the domestic capital market, among other factors.  


As always, more below the fold. 


Full Circulation Of H-Shares: January 2021 Update

China

ZhongAn Online P & C Insurance Co., Ltd. operates as an insurance company. The Company develops and sells health, airline, and automotive insurance, and other products. ZhongAn Online P & C Insurance also offers online consumer finance services.

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ZhongAn Online P&C Insurance C (6060 HK)

China Pacific Insurance – No Sign Of Life

CHINA PACIFIC INSURANCE: CPIC HOH results continue to exhibit challenges, declining 21.3%. Profitability was hurt by both the Life and P&C units.

Thomas J. Monaco

ZhongAn Online P&C Insurance – Don’t Believe The Hype

ZHONGAN ONLINE P&C INSURANCE: ZhongAn reported full year 2020 bottom-line results of CNY 554 mn. We have a difficult time believing that ZhongAn...

Thomas J. Monaco

PICC P&C – Poor Overall Results

PICC P&C: PICC P&C reported a 2H20 earnings decline 41.7% HOH. Credit insurance remains a trouble spot while auto is enjoying a temporary COVID...

Thomas J. Monaco

AIA Group – Confirming No Organic Growth On Horizon

AIA GROUP: AIA entered into an agreement to acquire BEA Life, and entered into a bancassurance relationship with BEA. Acquiring a fledgling Hong...

Thomas J. Monaco

Full Circulation Of H-Shares: January 2021 Update

To date, 20 companies have sought approval to convert their domestic shares into H shares, 13 of which have now been given CSRC and Hong Kong...

David Blennerhassett

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

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