Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

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This week in StubWorld ...
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Following Yue Xiu's privatization Offer for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/chong-hing-bank-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:344:1" rel="noopener">Chong Hing Bank (1111 HK)</a>, Hong Kong's remaining  "family"-owned banks, such as <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bank-of-east-asia-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:341:1" rel="noopener">Bank of East Asia (23 HK)</a> (BEA), are back in focus. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/guoco-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5290:1" rel="noopener">Guoco Group Ltd (53 HK)</a> is trading cheap to its historical NAV discount range, and the 14.94% holding in BEA accounts for 15% of its NAV.
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Preceding my comments on Guoco are the weekly setup/unwind tables for Asia-Pacific Holdcos.
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These relationships trade with a minimum liquidity threshold of US$1mn on a 90-day moving average, and a % market capitalisation threshold - the $ value of the holding/opco held, over the parent’s market capitalisation, expressed in percent - of at least 20%.
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This week in StubWorld ...



Following Yue Xiu's privatization Offer for Chong Hing Bank (1111 HK), Hong Kong's remaining  "family"-owned banks, such as Bank of East Asia (23 HK) (BEA), are back in focus. Guoco Group Ltd (53 HK) is trading cheap to its historical NAV discount range, and the 14.94% holding in BEA accounts for 15% of its NAV.



Preceding my comments on Guoco are the weekly setup/unwind tables for Asia-Pacific Holdcos.


These relationships trade with a minimum liquidity threshold of US$1mn on a 90-day moving average, and a % market capitalisation threshold - the $ value of the holding/opco held, over the parent’s market capitalisation, expressed in percent - of at least 20%.


StubWorld: Guoco/BEA Into Focus Post Chong Hing Bank Bid

0.9x P/B. That's the only number that matters here.
Yue Xiu (the investment arm of the Guangzhou municipal government) has made an Offer, by way of a Scheme, for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/chong-hing-bank-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:344:1" rel="noopener">Chong Hing Bank (1111 HK)</a> shares not owned, at HK$20.80/share, a 51.2% premium to last close, and a 97% premium to the day preceding the last trading day.
The Cancellation Price, which is a 10.1% discount to the NAV, will NOT be increased.
Standard Scheme conditions apply. Chong Hing is Hong Kong-incorporated, therefore there is no headcount test.
Despite the impressive premium, the P/B multiple is less than half the average P/B multiple for Hong Kong banks over the past twenty years, and less than half the most recent takeover multiple of Wing Hang Bank, which was taken out by <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/oversea-chinese-banking-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:114:1" rel="noopener">OCBC (OCBC SP)</a> in 2014 at 1.81x P/B in a <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2014/0629/ltn20140629025.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US$4.9bn deal</a>.
More below the fold.

0.9x P/B. That's the only number that matters here.
Yue Xiu (the investment arm of the Guangzhou municipal government) has made an Offer, by way of a Scheme, for Chong Hing Bank (1111 HK) shares not owned, at HK$20.80/share, a 51.2% premium to last close, and a 97% premium to the day preceding the last trading day.
The Cancellation Price, which is a 10.1% discount to the NAV, will NOT be increased.
Standard Scheme conditions apply. Chong Hing is Hong Kong-incorporated, therefore there is no headcount test.
Despite the impressive premium, the P/B multiple is less than half the average P/B multiple for Hong Kong banks over the past twenty years, and less than half the most recent takeover multiple of Wing Hang Bank, which was taken out by OCBC (OCBC SP) in 2014 at 1.81x P/B in a US$4.9bn deal.
More below the fold.

Chong Hing Bank (1111 HK): Yue Xiu's Offer Is Light

IPOs and Catalysts/Events, Global Equity Research Ltd

Arun George

IPOs and Catalysts/Events

Uncompromised, Independent, Conflict-Free Research

Global Equity Research Ltd

Global Equity Research was started in 2017 by a group of experienced research professionals. It was founded on a passionate belief in the importance and the need for uncompromised, independent, conflict-free research. We aim to provide differentiated and actionable primary and bottom up fundamental research.

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/chong-hing-bank-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:344:1" rel="noopener">Chong Hing Bank (1111 HK)</a>/CHB provides banking and related financial services in Hong Kong and the Mainland. It has 34 branches in Hong Kong, 10 branches and sub-branches in Mainland China and one branch in Macau.On Wednesday, CHB announced a privatisation offer from Yuexiu Holdings, the largest shareholder which holds 74.97% of outstanding shares. The offeror will offer HK$20.80 per scheme share less a possible dividend adjustment. The offer price is a juicy premium of 97.0% to the last full trading day price of HK$10.56 per share (5 May prior to the trading halt). <div class="content-highlight">The key condition is the scheme approved by at least 75% disinterested shareholders (&lt;10% disinterested shareholders rejection). Yuexiu Holdings acquired 326.3 million CHB shares (75.0% of outstanding shares at that time) through a partial offer at HK$35.69 per share in 2014. While the current offer price is materially below the previous partial offer price, we think that the substantial premium of the current offer price to long-term average share prices and P/B multiples makes it likely to be a done deal. </div>

Chong Hing Bank (1111 HK)/CHB provides banking and related financial services in Hong Kong and the Mainland. It has 34 branches in Hong Kong, 10 branches and sub-branches in Mainland China and one branch in Macau.On Wednesday, CHB announced a privatisation offer from Yuexiu Holdings, the largest shareholder which holds 74.97% of outstanding shares. The offeror will offer HK$20.80 per scheme share less a possible dividend adjustment. The offer price is a juicy premium of 97.0% to the last full trading day price of HK$10.56 per share (5 May prior to the trading halt). The key condition is the scheme approved by at least 75% disinterested shareholders (&lt;10% disinterested shareholders rejection). Yuexiu Holdings acquired 326.3 million CHB shares (75.0% of outstanding shares at that time) through a partial offer at HK$35.69 per share in 2014. While the current offer price is materially below the previous partial offer price, we think that the substantial premium of the current offer price to long-term average share prices and P/B multiples makes it likely to be a done deal. 

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

*Good Number:  Oversea Chinese Banking Corp. (OCBC.SP) [OCBC] reported 1Q21 net profit of SGD 1.5 bn, a SGD 271 mn (24.0%) increase on a linked quarter basis. OCBC’s bottom-line improvement was primarily attributable to two factors: SGD 125 mn (43.7%) reduction in the loss provision, which may actually be justified given the deceleration in net new NPL growth; and a SGD 274 mn (139.8%) increase in attributable Great Eastern (GE.SP) earnings, much of which came from unrepeatable non-operating gains;*Credit Improving In Reality: We remain optimistic. By our calculation, we find that net new NPL growth while reversing course from being a negative SGD 78 mn or 8.0% on an annualized basis in 4Q20 only increased SGD 40 mn or 3.6% on an annualized basis for 1Q21 – which remains incredibly low. We continue to find that reserves are now where they need to be, which is a far cry from where currently DBS Group Holdings (DBS.SP) is; and*Insurance One-Off: Great Eastern reported bottom-line results of SGD 438 mn, an increase over the SGD 341m reported at 4Q20 due to SGD 241 mn of non-recurring gains. The NBEV margin was stronger at 47.5% versus 45.3% in 4Q20.

*Good Number:  Oversea Chinese Banking Corp. (OCBC.SP) [OCBC] reported 1Q21 net profit of SGD 1.5 bn, a SGD 271 mn (24.0%) increase on a linked quarter basis. OCBC’s bottom-line improvement was primarily attributable to two factors: SGD 125 mn (43.7%) reduction in the loss provision, which may actually be justified given the deceleration in net new NPL growth; and a SGD 274 mn (139.8%) increase in attributable Great Eastern (GE.SP) earnings, much of which came from unrepeatable non-operating gains;*Credit Improving In Reality: We remain optimistic. By our calculation, we find that net new NPL growth while reversing course from being a negative SGD 78 mn or 8.0% on an annualized basis in 4Q20 only increased SGD 40 mn or 3.6% on an annualized basis for 1Q21 – which remains incredibly low. We continue to find that reserves are now where they need to be, which is a far cry from where currently DBS Group Holdings (DBS.SP) is; and*Insurance One-Off: Great Eastern reported bottom-line results of SGD 438 mn, an increase over the SGD 341m reported at 4Q20 due to SGD 241 mn of non-recurring gains. The NBEV margin was stronger at 47.5% versus 45.3% in 4Q20. 

Oversea Chinese Banking Corp. – The Credit Turn Is Official

*Better, But Off A Low Base: AIA Group (1299.HK) [AIA] will report 1Q21 operating metrics on May 14, 2021. We anticipate a low base YOY rebound in VONB to USD 950 mn (15%). Mainland China and Malaysia should be this quarter’s standouts, whilst Hong Kong likely exhibits yet another decline in 1Q21 due to the border closure with mainland China;  and * China And Hong Kong Risks Still Need To Be Addressed: Concerned about weakening organic growth, AIA has gone on a deal-making spree: Bank of East Asia’s (23.HK) [BEA] wholly-owned life insurance unit, BEA Life; an exclusive 15-year bancassurance relationship with BEA; acquisition of Blue Cross (Asia-Pacific) Insurance’s underwritten closed life insurance; a strategic digital partnership with ZhongAn Online P&amp;C Insurance’ (6060.HK) [ZhongAn]; and received CBIRC approval to restructure its Shanghai-based life insurance branch into a wholly-owned subsidiary. In addition to the massive managerial distractions with so many deals at one time, there are negative tax implications for mainland Chinese subsidiaries versus branches; challenges of bogusly rated AAA mainland Chinese bonds; no end in sight with its flailing Hong Kong flagship; and getting the BEA Life team on the same with AIA Hong Kong.

*Better, But Off A Low Base: AIA Group (1299.HK) [AIA] will report 1Q21 operating metrics on May 14, 2021. We anticipate a low base YOY rebound in VONB to USD 950 mn (15%). Mainland China and Malaysia should be this quarter’s standouts, whilst Hong Kong likely exhibits yet another decline in 1Q21 due to the border closure with mainland China;  and * China And Hong Kong Risks Still Need To Be Addressed: Concerned about weakening organic growth, AIA has gone on a deal-making spree: Bank of East Asia’s (23.HK) [BEA] wholly-owned life insurance unit, BEA Life; an exclusive 15-year bancassurance relationship with BEA; acquisition of Blue Cross (Asia-Pacific) Insurance’s underwritten closed life insurance; a strategic digital partnership with ZhongAn Online P&amp;C Insurance’ (6060.HK) [ZhongAn]; and received CBIRC approval to restructure its Shanghai-based life insurance branch into a wholly-owned subsidiary. In addition to the massive managerial distractions with so many deals at one time, there are negative tax implications for mainland Chinese subsidiaries versus branches; challenges of bogusly rated AAA mainland Chinese bonds; no end in sight with its flailing Hong Kong flagship; and getting the BEA Life team on the same with AIA Hong Kong. 

AIA Group – 1Q21 Preview; Better But Off Low Base

Hong Kong

The Bank of East Asia, Limited and its subsidiaries provide general banking, related financial, business corporate, and investor services.

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Bank of East Asia (23 HK)

StubWorld: Guoco/BEA Into Focus Post Chong Hing Bank Bid

Following the privatization Offer for Chong Hing, Bank of East Asia is back in focus. Guoco is trading cheap to its historical NAV discount range,...

David Blennerhassett

Chong Hing Bank (1111 HK): Yue Xiu's Offer Is Light

I think this is being done too cheaply. Yet, no other suitor will emerge. Ultimately, this is where long-suffering shareholders cash out. Assuming...

David Blennerhassett

Chong Hing’s Privatisation Bid

CHB announced a privatisation offer at HK$20.80 per scheme share less a possible dividend adjustment. We think that the substantial premium of the...

Arun George

Oversea Chinese Banking Corp. – The Credit Turn Is Official

OVERSEA CHINESE BANKING: OCBC reported 1Q21 QOQ net profit growth of 24.0% driven by a provision reduction and one-time gain at Great Eastern. We...

Thomas J. Monaco

AIA Group – 1Q21 Preview; Better But Off Low Base

AIA GROUP: AIA reports 1Q21 metrics on May 14. We expect a low base YOY rebound in VONB of 15%. With weaker organic growth, AIA went on a deal...

Thomas J. Monaco

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