Financials Credit Analyst

Hank Calenti, CFA

CreditContinuum

Credit

Executive Summary: A Goldilocks scenario outcome whereby President Trump loses the election, but Joe Biden does not win a mandate led to material US High Yield (HY) index spread tightening, driven by Caa-rated entities.Markets were overpricing a Blue Democratic Party sweep prior to the US election, as we predicted. Now they are overpricing an inhibited tax and regulatory agenda under a Biden Presidency and Republican Senate. The run-off for two Senate seats in Georgia could see Republicans’ lose the Senate. As such, the amount of potential fiscal stimulus under the new administration remains difficult to handicap. Plus, regulatory changes are now largely driven by Executive Orders.In Asia, despite improving Purchasing Managers Index results and an unexpected acceleration in China’s October exports, Asia’s HY market underperformed the US on global economic growth concerns. Increasing Coronavirus cases in Europe and a pre-Christmas lock-down are a headwind for Asia’s export growth and tourism over the near term. Concurrently, Biden’s Coronavirus plan also adds to uncertainty. Furthermore, expectations that Joe Biden may be less confrontational than President Trump with China may prove wrong as the new President would focus on mid-term elections and the need to prove himself where he won narrowly. However, despite these potential negatives, Asia’s HY index looks oversold particularly relative to US Caa-rated index levels.The suspension of Ant Financial’s (<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ant-financial-services-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24240:1" rel="noopener">Ant Group (6688 HK)</a> )initial public offering (IPO) in China and Hong Kong also negatively affected Asia’s risk sentiment and raised serious questions on China’s regulatory due process. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hsbc-holdings-plc-a723bd63-0890-486f-aaa0-3bb9ad2b95ce" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:21976:1" rel="noopener">HSBC's (HSBA LN)</a> shares sold-off following the Ant Financial announcement despite the firm not waiving interest charges on margin borrowing for the suspended IPO. With a China-centric growth strategy, HSBC’s business model is increasingly caught in the middle of a developing bi-polar world.Nonetheless, never missing an opportunity to test the market, HSBC Holdings was the only financial institution to issue debt in the global capital markets this week. We assess the attractiveness of these Euro-denominated bonds within. In Asia, primary US$-bond sales plunged to just US$0.9b from US$6.8 billion in the prior week as borrowers awaited the U.S presidential election outcome. With interest rates diving lower, we anticipate additional issuance over the next few weeks as issuers fill 2021 borrowing needs early.Against this background, Asia’s lower duration Senior Unsecured bonds outperformed Tier 2 and Additional Tier 1 securities, in concert with concerns surrounding global economic growth potential over the near term. The top performing and underperforming bonds were short- and long-duration in nature, respectively.  Market Outlook: A less expansionary US fiscal policy should reduce upward pressure on U.S. rates and is likely to support yield-seeking, including Emerging Markets (EM) fixed income securities over time. In the near term, risk asset and bank valuations may remain volatile through the year-end as large levels of cash remain on the sidelines.

Executive Summary: A Goldilocks scenario outcome whereby President Trump loses the election, but Joe Biden does not win a mandate led to material US High Yield (HY) index spread tightening, driven by Caa-rated entities.Markets were overpricing a Blue Democratic Party sweep prior to the US election, as we predicted. Now they are overpricing an inhibited tax and regulatory agenda under a Biden Presidency and Republican Senate. The run-off for two Senate seats in Georgia could see Republicans’ lose the Senate. As such, the amount of potential fiscal stimulus under the new administration remains difficult to handicap. Plus, regulatory changes are now largely driven by Executive Orders.In Asia, despite improving Purchasing Managers Index results and an unexpected acceleration in China’s October exports, Asia’s HY market underperformed the US on global economic growth concerns. Increasing Coronavirus cases in Europe and a pre-Christmas lock-down are a headwind for Asia’s export growth and tourism over the near term. Concurrently, Biden’s Coronavirus plan also adds to uncertainty. Furthermore, expectations that Joe Biden may be less confrontational than President Trump with China may prove wrong as the new President would focus on mid-term elections and the need to prove himself where he won narrowly. However, despite these potential negatives, Asia’s HY index looks oversold particularly relative to US Caa-rated index levels.The suspension of Ant Financial’s (Ant Group (6688 HK) )initial public offering (IPO) in China and Hong Kong also negatively affected Asia’s risk sentiment and raised serious questions on China’s regulatory due process. HSBC's (HSBA LN) shares sold-off following the Ant Financial announcement despite the firm not waiving interest charges on margin borrowing for the suspended IPO. With a China-centric growth strategy, HSBC’s business model is increasingly caught in the middle of a developing bi-polar world.Nonetheless, never missing an opportunity to test the market, HSBC Holdings was the only financial institution to issue debt in the global capital markets this week. We assess the attractiveness of these Euro-denominated bonds within. In Asia, primary US$-bond sales plunged to just US$0.9b from US$6.8 billion in the prior week as borrowers awaited the U.S presidential election outcome. With interest rates diving lower, we anticipate additional issuance over the next few weeks as issuers fill 2021 borrowing needs early.Against this background, Asia’s lower duration Senior Unsecured bonds outperformed Tier 2 and Additional Tier 1 securities, in concert with concerns surrounding global economic growth potential over the near term. The top performing and underperforming bonds were short- and long-duration in nature, respectively.  Market Outlook: A less expansionary US fiscal policy should reduce upward pressure on U.S. rates and is likely to support yield-seeking, including Emerging Markets (EM) fixed income securities over time. In the near term, risk asset and bank valuations may remain volatile through the year-end as large levels of cash remain on the sidelines.

Bank Credit Weekly: Election Goldilocks Priced-In as Growth Concerns Increase

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One, Periscope Analytics

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

Index Rebalance

With one week left to go for Hang Seng Indexes (HSIL) to announce the changes to the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hang-seng-china-enterprises-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22900:1" rel="noopener">Hang Seng China Enterprises Index (HSCEI INDEX)</a> constituents as part of the December 2020 index review, we take a look at the performance of the expected inclusions and exclusions and try to formulate some trades.HSIL will make the index review announcement after the close of trading on 13 November, with all changes becoming effective after the close of trading on 4 December. There are 15 trading days between the announcement of the index review and the implementation date.The suspension of the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ant-financial-services-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24240:1" rel="noopener">Ant Group (6688 HK)</a> means that we are back our original expectation of 9 inclusions and 9 exclusions at the upcoming review.<div>
We see a high probability of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-overseas-land-invest" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:419:1" rel="noopener">China Overseas Land &amp; Investment Ltd (688 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jd-com-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29043:1" rel="noopener">JD.com (HK) (9618 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alibaba-health-information-technology-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:453:1" rel="noopener">Alibaba Health Information Technology (241 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/haidilao-international-holding-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27044:1" rel="noopener">Haidilao (6862 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-feihe-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24413:1" rel="noopener">China Feihe (6186 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/semiconductor-manufacturing" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14231:1" rel="noopener">Semiconductor Manufacturing (981 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/evergrande-real-estate-group-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:479:1" rel="noopener">Evergrande Real Estate Group (3333 HK)</a> being included in the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hang-seng-china-enterprises-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22900:1" rel="noopener">Hang Seng China Enterprises Index (HSCEI INDEX)</a>, and of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-taiping-insurance-hldgs-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:489:1" rel="noopener">China Taiping Insurance Hldgs (966 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-telecom-corp-ltd-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1015:1" rel="noopener">China Telecom Corp Ltd (H) (728 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-minsheng-banking-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8983:1" rel="noopener">China Minsheng Banking H (1988 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-vanke-co-ltd-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18368:1" rel="noopener">China Vanke Co Ltd (H) (2202 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fosun-international-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:433:1" rel="noopener">Fosun International (656 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-citic-bank-corp-ltd-ea6c25fd-4b20-45cb-a4a6-df7a60136f03" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:653:1" rel="noopener">China Citic Bank Corp Ltd H (998 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-shenhua-energy-co-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:382:1" rel="noopener">China Shenhua Energy Co H (1088 HK)</a> being deleted from the index.
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/netease" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29030:1" rel="noopener">NetEase (9999 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hansoh-pharmaceutical-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23675:1" rel="noopener">Hansoh Pharmaceutical (3692 HK)</a> are very close to the buffer zone and could be included in the index, which would see <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/want-want-china-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:355:1" rel="noopener">Want Want (151 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/picc-property-casualty-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:350:1" rel="noopener">PICC Property &amp; Casualty H (2328 HK)</a> being deleted.
In this Insight, we take a look at the updated short interest, the recent performance on the stocks and stocks that could see positions being built up in the week to announcement.
</div>

With one week left to go for Hang Seng Indexes (HSIL) to announce the changes to the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index (HSCEI INDEX) constituents as part of the December 2020 index review, we take a look at the performance of the expected inclusions and exclusions and try to formulate some trades.HSIL will make the index review announcement after the close of trading on 13 November, with all changes becoming effective after the close of trading on 4 December. There are 15 trading days between the announcement of the index review and the implementation date.The suspension of the Ant Group (6688 HK) means that we are back our original expectation of 9 inclusions and 9 exclusions at the upcoming review.
We see a high probability of China Overseas Land &amp; Investment Ltd (688 HK), JD.com (HK) (9618 HK), Alibaba Health Information Technology (241 HK), Haidilao (6862 HK), China Feihe (6186 HK), Semiconductor Manufacturing (981 HK) and Evergrande Real Estate Group (3333 HK) being included in the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index (HSCEI INDEX), and of China Taiping Insurance Hldgs (966 HK), China Telecom Corp Ltd (H) (728 HK), China Minsheng Banking H (1988 HK), China Vanke Co Ltd (H) (2202 HK), Fosun International (656 HK), China Citic Bank Corp Ltd H (998 HK) and China Shenhua Energy Co H (1088 HK) being deleted from the index.
NetEase (9999 HK) and Hansoh Pharmaceutical (3692 HK) are very close to the buffer zone and could be included in the index, which would see Want Want (151 HK) and PICC Property &amp; Casualty H (2328 HK) being deleted.
In this Insight, we take a look at the updated short interest, the recent performance on the stocks and stocks that could see positions being built up in the week to announcement.


HSCEI Dec20 Index Rebalance Preview: One Week to Announcement

Equity Analyst, LightStream Research

Supun Walpola

Equity Analyst

Long-Short Analysis on Japan, Asia and the World

LightStream Research

LightStream conducts quantitatively rigorous and data-driven analysis with a focus on Japan and Asia.

We consistently cover the Tech, Consumer and Industrial sectors, and provide ECM and Events coverage more broadly.

We supplement traditional qualitative insights from company relationships with a robust quantitative foundation that examines as much historical data as is available.
We further refine the accuracy of our insights and calls through the use of alternative data to flesh out current trends, and through a valuation framework that emphasises non-superficial peer group selection and a proper attempt to understand the metrics and changes that have driven security valuations in the past.

Equity Capital Markets

The best move for Ant currently seems to be to negotiate with the authorities to get the suspended IPO up and running as soon as possible. However, given the nature of the provisions of the newly proposed regulations on online lending, we believe that this alone might not be sufficient to make Ant attractive again in the eyes of investors. Ant will also need to find a way to fight off the incoming regulations if it wants to continue to leverage the Chinese consumer credit boom.

The best move for Ant currently seems to be to negotiate with the authorities to get the suspended IPO up and running as soon as possible. However, given the nature of the provisions of the newly proposed regulations on online lending, we believe that this alone might not be sufficient to make Ant attractive again in the eyes of investors. Ant will also need to find a way to fight off the incoming regulations if it wants to continue to leverage the Chinese consumer credit boom.

Ant Group: A Suspended IPO Could Be Only the Start of Ant’s Woes

Financials & FinTech research, Galliano’s Financials Research

Victor Galliano

Financials & FinTech research

Financials & FinTech, EM & Developed Markets

Galliano’s Financials Research

Galliano's Financials Research provides fundamental research in Emerging Markets financials, including FinTech, as well as financials in select Developed Markets.

The investment style applied is generally value oriented, although Growth At Reasonable Price (GARP) strategies can also be used where appropriate. 

Our investment research approach aim is often contrarian, looking to capitalise on overly sceptical or optimistic consensus views. In terms of valuation techniques, the focus is on PBV ratio to ROE, PE multiples and dividend yield, as well as the application of PEG ratios and, where appropriate, Sum of the Parts (SOTP) valuations.

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ant-financial-services-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24240:1" rel="noopener">Ant Group (6688 HK)</a> was due to start trading on Shanghai Stock Exchange’s STAR board and on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on 5th November</li>
<li>Shanghai Stock Exchange has temporarily suspended the listing, and the H shares listing on HKEX has also been halted</li>
<li>At an interview on Monday with regulators, Ant’s senior executives were informed that the Group may not meet Shanghai Stock Exchange’s listing or disclosure requirements, and also stressed important changes in the fintech regulatory environment</li>
<li>The Chinese regulators are justifying their actions by emphasizing the importance of financial stability, ahead of innovation; yet we believe that the timing  of this move by the authorities is intended to send a message to Ant chairman Jack Ma</li>
<li>The message implies that regulatory requirements for Ant Group are tightening, and that the most obvious constraint and revision to its business model would be in the credit (CreditTech) division, where we expect the regulator could impose higher capital requirements</li>
<li>In addition, we also believe that there is a “big data” angle to the confrontation between state and Ant Group, given that the PBoC is trialling its own central bank digital currency</li>
<li>Potential IPO Investors will be looking for clearer regulatory guidelines, especially in the credit operations, to have a greater degree of comfort and confidence in the group’s profitability and growth prospects, and this may require comprehensive revisions to the prospectus</li>
<li>The risks to the Ant Group IPO’s success and its fundamental are largely regulatory, along with a worsening of geo-political tensions and any potential worsening of the Chinese macro-economic outlook</li>
</ul>



Ant Group (6688 HK) was due to start trading on Shanghai Stock Exchange’s STAR board and on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on 5th November
Shanghai Stock Exchange has temporarily suspended the listing, and the H shares listing on HKEX has also been halted
At an interview on Monday with regulators, Ant’s senior executives were informed that the Group may not meet Shanghai Stock Exchange’s listing or disclosure requirements, and also stressed important changes in the fintech regulatory environment
The Chinese regulators are justifying their actions by emphasizing the importance of financial stability, ahead of innovation; yet we believe that the timing  of this move by the authorities is intended to send a message to Ant chairman Jack Ma
The message implies that regulatory requirements for Ant Group are tightening, and that the most obvious constraint and revision to its business model would be in the credit (CreditTech) division, where we expect the regulator could impose higher capital requirements
In addition, we also believe that there is a “big data” angle to the confrontation between state and Ant Group, given that the PBoC is trialling its own central bank digital currency
Potential IPO Investors will be looking for clearer regulatory guidelines, especially in the credit operations, to have a greater degree of comfort and confidence in the group’s profitability and growth prospects, and this may require comprehensive revisions to the prospectus
The risks to the Ant Group IPO’s success and its fundamental are largely regulatory, along with a worsening of geo-political tensions and any potential worsening of the Chinese macro-economic outlook


Ant Group: IPO Suspension and the Big Data Angle

Overseas Chinese Equities, Aequitas Research

Ming Lu

Overseas Chinese Equities

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.

<ul>
<li>Shanghai Stock Exchange postponed Ant Group’s IPO.</li>
<li>Four financial authorities warned Ant Group.</li>
<li>We believe Jack Ma’s speech offended the Financial Working Committee.</li>
<li>We also believe it is hard to reach a compromise between Ant Group and the authoritiies.</li>
</ul>


Shanghai Stock Exchange postponed Ant Group’s IPO.
Four financial authorities warned Ant Group.
We believe Jack Ma’s speech offended the Financial Working Committee.
We also believe it is hard to reach a compromise between Ant Group and the authoritiies.


Ant Group (蚂蚁集团): Facing Hostile Authorities After Jack Ma's Speech

China

Ant Group Co., Ltd. develops online payment platforms. The Company produces credit system and financial services platforms which provide consumers and small businesses with safe and convenient inclusive financial services globally. Ant Group provides its services worldwide.

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Ant Group (6688 HK)

Bank Credit Weekly: Election Goldilocks Priced-In as Growth Concerns Increase

A Goldilocks outcome resulted in excessive Caa-spread tightening. Markets are now overpricing an inhibited regulatory and China agenda. Asia’s...

Hank Calenti, CFA

HSCEI Dec20 Index Rebalance Preview: One Week to Announcement

With 6 trading days to go to the announcement of the HSCEI December index review, we take a look at the performance of the expected inclusions/...

Brian Freitas

Ant Group: A Suspended IPO Could Be Only the Start of Ant’s Woes

On the back of Ant's IPO suspension, we take a look at how potential regulatory changes could materially affect Ant’s business.

Supun Walpola

Ant Group: IPO Suspension and the Big Data Angle

Ant Group's suspension is a reminder to Jack Ma that the Chinese authorities can exert regulatory power; expect higher capital ratios for credit,...

Victor Galliano

Ant Group (蚂蚁集团): Facing Hostile Authorities After Jack Ma's Speech

Shanghai Stock Exchange postponed Ant Group’s IPO, because four financial authorities warned Ant Group. We believe Jack Ma’s speech offended the...

Ming Lu

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