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

RL Commercial REIT / Equity Capital Markets

RL Commercial REIT (RREIT), sponsored by Robinsons Land Corporation (RLC), aims to raise up to US$491m in its Philippines listing.  It will be a 100% secondary shares offering, where the Sponsor will be selling part of its stake. RREIT is a commercial REIT and its initial portfolio will consist of 14 PEZA-accredited commercial real estate properties located in CBDs across Metro Manila and key cities outside Metro Manila, namely, Naga, Tarlac, Cebu and Davao. The properties will have a total GLA of 425,315 sqm, and are valued at PHP73.9bn as of Jun 21. They are majority Grade A commercial assets, leased primarily for office purposes. The portfolio had an occupancy of 99% and WALE of 4.3 years as of Jun 21.RREIT has weathered the COVID-19 pandemic well. Despite some assets posting weaker occupancies in FY20, the overall occupancy has received to near full occupancy. Although, not all assets have been doing well.

RL Commercial REIT (RREIT), sponsored by Robinsons Land Corporation (RLC), aims to raise up to US$491m in its Philippines listing.  It will be a 100% secondary shares offering, where the Sponsor will be selling part of its stake. RREIT is a commercial REIT and its initial portfolio will consist of 14 PEZA-accredited commercial real estate properties located in CBDs across Metro Manila and key cities outside Metro Manila, namely, Naga, Tarlac, Cebu and Davao. The properties will have a total GLA of 425,315 sqm, and are valued at PHP73.9bn as of Jun 21. They are majority Grade A commercial assets, leased primarily for office purposes. The portfolio had an occupancy of 99% and WALE of 4.3 years as of Jun 21.RREIT has weathered the COVID-19 pandemic well. Despite some assets posting weaker occupancies in FY20, the overall occupancy has received to near full occupancy. Although, not all assets have been doing well.

RL Commercial REIT Pre-IPO - Motley Crew of Assets Has Weathered COVID Well

Financials Credit Analyst

Hank Calenti, CFA

CreditContinuum

Credit

Executive Summary:  A flattening US interest rate yield curve changed the dynamics for credit investors for most of the month of April, in complete contrast to how interest rates behaved in March. The narrative changed to one that was Treasury bond supportive, and this supported shorter-duration securities. Meanwhile yield curve flattening pushed credit spreads in the opposite direction longer out the curve.The sweet spot for total return investors moved dramatically. Investors that were positioned in higher duration bonds witnessed underperformance on a total return basis. Meanwhile, investors in lower duration bonds outperformed on a total return basis. However, as the month ended, we began to witness a return of the reflation trade with US interest rates ending the month on an upswing. May could see a repeat of March’s carry-trade performance.From a pure credit spread perspective, ignoring movements in the risk-free rate, Asia’s bank bonds had a mixed performance with one-third of the +100 bonds that we track widening during the month. Vaccine versus virus concerns led to lower economic growth projections by the market than seen in the prior month. Expectations for an unsynchronized global recovery also factored. Taken together, this would delay the much needed catch-up in credit fundamentals to match the monetary accommodation driven spread compression over the last year. As such, bond spread tightening was less ebullient while widening lessened the amount of fundamental performance needed to justify lofty spread levels.

Executive Summary:  A flattening US interest rate yield curve changed the dynamics for credit investors for most of the month of April, in complete contrast to how interest rates behaved in March. The narrative changed to one that was Treasury bond supportive, and this supported shorter-duration securities. Meanwhile yield curve flattening pushed credit spreads in the opposite direction longer out the curve.The sweet spot for total return investors moved dramatically. Investors that were positioned in higher duration bonds witnessed underperformance on a total return basis. Meanwhile, investors in lower duration bonds outperformed on a total return basis. However, as the month ended, we began to witness a return of the reflation trade with US interest rates ending the month on an upswing. May could see a repeat of March’s carry-trade performance.From a pure credit spread perspective, ignoring movements in the risk-free rate, Asia’s bank bonds had a mixed performance with one-third of the +100 bonds that we track widening during the month. Vaccine versus virus concerns led to lower economic growth projections by the market than seen in the prior month. Expectations for an unsynchronized global recovery also factored. Taken together, this would delay the much needed catch-up in credit fundamentals to match the monetary accommodation driven spread compression over the last year. As such, bond spread tightening was less ebullient while widening lessened the amount of fundamental performance needed to justify lofty spread levels.

Bank Credit Compass: Total Return Sweet Spot Moves, but May Rebound

<div>Monde Nissin (MNC), a food manufacturer in the Philippines, aims to raise around US$1bn in its Philippines IPO.</div><div>It has two main businesses: Asia-Pacific Branded Food and Beverage Business (BFB), which sells instant noodles, biscuits and other products, and meat alternative (MA) business which includes Quorn and Cauldron meat alternatives brands.</div><div>MNC has a high market share in the Philippines in the instant noodles and biscuits segment along with a few other categories as well. Quorn as well has a strong lead over its next largest peers in the Chicken alternative meat segment in the grocery channel. </div><div>In our previous notes, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/monde-nissin-pre-ipo-the-positives-high-market-share" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Monde Nissin Pre-IPO - The Positives - High Market Share</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/monde-nissin-pre-ipo-the-negatives-high-debt-div-payments-floundering-ma" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Monde Nissin Pre-IPO - The Negatives - High Debt, Div Payments, Floundering MA</a> we spoke about the company background and its past performance. In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/monde-nissin-pre-ipo-peer-comparison-for-food-business" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Monde Nissin Pre-IPO - Peer Comparison for Food Business</a> we compared the food business with regional and local peers.</div><div>In this note, we’ll compare its Meat Alterative division with its global rivals.</div>

Monde Nissin (MNC), a food manufacturer in the Philippines, aims to raise around US$1bn in its Philippines IPO.It has two main businesses: Asia-Pacific Branded Food and Beverage Business (BFB), which sells instant noodles, biscuits and other products, and meat alternative (MA) business which includes Quorn and Cauldron meat alternatives brands.MNC has a high market share in the Philippines in the instant noodles and biscuits segment along with a few other categories as well. Quorn as well has a strong lead over its next largest peers in the Chicken alternative meat segment in the grocery channel. In our previous notes, Monde Nissin Pre-IPO - The Positives - High Market Share, and Monde Nissin Pre-IPO - The Negatives - High Debt, Div Payments, Floundering MA we spoke about the company background and its past performance. In Monde Nissin Pre-IPO - Peer Comparison for Food Business we compared the food business with regional and local peers.In this note, we’ll compare its Meat Alterative division with its global rivals.

Monde Nissin Pre-IPO - Peer Comparison for Meat Alternative Business

Stronger than expected US employment data combined with uncertainty surrounding the Fed’s next steps to drive broader credit markets wider by weekend, although financials remained better bid. Taperless tantrums may be repeated over the near term but financials may be less impacted.While US CCC-rated bonds and Asia High Yield sold-off, almost all European contingent capital and Asia High Yield bonds tightened in credit spread terms as investors remained anchored to banks as an economic recovery play. Investors grabbed longer duration Additional Tier 1 (AT1) bonds as the week progressed, on economic strength expectations, while lower duration Senior Unsecured bonds outperformed on rising interest rate expectations. Friday’s non-farm report generated concerns on European growth in a rising rate environment. Queue central bank assurances that they will respond to rising rates over the next few weeks.Despite higher spreads available in more moderate duration AT1 notes, Europe's outperformers were almost exclusively long duration bonds. This outperformance is a very bullish signal. However, we are not convinced that this should apply to each of these institutions.  Please see <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/credit-suisse-greensill-sows-reputation-risks-underweight-cs-bonds" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:48839" rel="noopener">Credit Suisse: Greensill Sows Reputation Risks, Underweight CS Bonds</a> for further details.Financials remain the sweet spot in Asia credit. Levered to the economy and rising rates, this is the place to be at this point in the market cycle.  Performance attributes varied amongst the various bank credit classes in Asia. Risk-on sentiment drove higher risk AT1 and less subordinated Tier 2 bonds tighter. Meanwhile duration concerns drove investors to target higher spreads per unit of duration in BBB-rated and High Yield Senior Unsecured notes. Taken together, this performance outcome is likely evidence of the melt-up in spreads that we anticipated several weeks ago. Please see <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/bank-credit-strategy-melt-up-before-meltdown-where-to-position" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:48133" rel="noopener">Bank Credit Strategy: Melt-Up Before Meltdown, Where to Position</a> for more details.Admittedly, however, we are surprised by the credit strength of Asia-headquartered financials during the global rates rout. We attribute this to two items. First, China is further along the Covid-19 curve in recovery and will clearly benefit as the rest of the world catches-up. Second, financials are a leverage play on the global recovery. Taken together, Asia financials overall are well placed to continue outperforming other markets over the near term.Market Outlook: The Fed will likely Twist before it Tapers, but the timing of both remain uncertain as real long term interest rates remain negative. In the interim, global treasury markets may remain unsettled. The US economy may run very hot before we see a change in Fed policy regarding short-term interest rates and the US dollar should remain stronger than analysts forecasted at year-end. Broadly, this is not Emerging Market IEM) friendly; however, a strong US economic rebound should benefit EM and European financials. Short duration in investment grade financials combined with high credit spreads in High Yield financials and more subordinated debt may remain the way forward.

Stronger than expected US employment data combined with uncertainty surrounding the Fed’s next steps to drive broader credit markets wider by weekend, although financials remained better bid. Taperless tantrums may be repeated over the near term but financials may be less impacted.While US CCC-rated bonds and Asia High Yield sold-off, almost all European contingent capital and Asia High Yield bonds tightened in credit spread terms as investors remained anchored to banks as an economic recovery play. Investors grabbed longer duration Additional Tier 1 (AT1) bonds as the week progressed, on economic strength expectations, while lower duration Senior Unsecured bonds outperformed on rising interest rate expectations. Friday’s non-farm report generated concerns on European growth in a rising rate environment. Queue central bank assurances that they will respond to rising rates over the next few weeks.Despite higher spreads available in more moderate duration AT1 notes, Europe's outperformers were almost exclusively long duration bonds. This outperformance is a very bullish signal. However, we are not convinced that this should apply to each of these institutions.  Please see Credit Suisse: Greensill Sows Reputation Risks, Underweight CS Bonds for further details.Financials remain the sweet spot in Asia credit. Levered to the economy and rising rates, this is the place to be at this point in the market cycle.  Performance attributes varied amongst the various bank credit classes in Asia. Risk-on sentiment drove higher risk AT1 and less subordinated Tier 2 bonds tighter. Meanwhile duration concerns drove investors to target higher spreads per unit of duration in BBB-rated and High Yield Senior Unsecured notes. Taken together, this performance outcome is likely evidence of the melt-up in spreads that we anticipated several weeks ago. Please see Bank Credit Strategy: Melt-Up Before Meltdown, Where to Position for more details.Admittedly, however, we are surprised by the credit strength of Asia-headquartered financials during the global rates rout. We attribute this to two items. First, China is further along the Covid-19 curve in recovery and will clearly benefit as the rest of the world catches-up. Second, financials are a leverage play on the global recovery. Taken together, Asia financials overall are well placed to continue outperforming other markets over the near term.Market Outlook: The Fed will likely Twist before it Tapers, but the timing of both remain uncertain as real long term interest rates remain negative. In the interim, global treasury markets may remain unsettled. The US economy may run very hot before we see a change in Fed policy regarding short-term interest rates and the US dollar should remain stronger than analysts forecasted at year-end. Broadly, this is not Emerging Market IEM) friendly; however, a strong US economic rebound should benefit EM and European financials. Short duration in investment grade financials combined with high credit spreads in High Yield financials and more subordinated debt may remain the way forward.

Bank Credit Weekly: One Size Does Not Fit All

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

*Poor Results: BDO Unibank (BDO.PM)[BDO] reported 4Q20 net income of PHP 11.3bn, a PHP 1.0 bn (8.5%) decline linked quarter. Highlighting the linked quarter result we note that loss provisions increased PHP 5.0 bn (360.8%) reflecting the continued breakdown in credit quality;  Credit Risk Rising: Not including the doubling of restructured loans, the level of net new NPLs increased PHP 17.8 bn or 115.8% on an annualized basis which is alarming considering the 67.9% annualized increase at 2Q20.  By our calculation, BDO’s reserves  - at a minimum  - are light in the neighborhood of PHP 66 bn or six quarters of bottom-line results.   This is particularly disturbing as BDO is amongst the most trusted banks in the Philippines and ASEAN, and this certainly calls into question what competitor loan and securities portfolios look like; and *Capital Raise Potential: Assuming that our provision analytics are correct, we find that BDO’s CET1 ratio would decline 13.2% to under 11.0% - raising concerns of a capital raise given BDO’s unrealized losses at hefty restructured loans, BDO Life, decelerating loan growth, narrowing margins, and trading volatility.

*Poor Results: BDO Unibank (BDO.PM)[BDO] reported 4Q20 net income of PHP 11.3bn, a PHP 1.0 bn (8.5%) decline linked quarter. Highlighting the linked quarter result we note that loss provisions increased PHP 5.0 bn (360.8%) reflecting the continued breakdown in credit quality;  Credit Risk Rising: Not including the doubling of restructured loans, the level of net new NPLs increased PHP 17.8 bn or 115.8% on an annualized basis which is alarming considering the 67.9% annualized increase at 2Q20.  By our calculation, BDO’s reserves  - at a minimum  - are light in the neighborhood of PHP 66 bn or six quarters of bottom-line results.   This is particularly disturbing as BDO is amongst the most trusted banks in the Philippines and ASEAN, and this certainly calls into question what competitor loan and securities portfolios look like; and *Capital Raise Potential: Assuming that our provision analytics are correct, we find that BDO’s CET1 ratio would decline 13.2% to under 11.0% - raising concerns of a capital raise given BDO’s unrealized losses at hefty restructured loans, BDO Life, decelerating loan growth, narrowing margins, and trading volatility.

BDO Unibank – With This Level Of Risk, A Capital Raise Can’t Be Too Far Behind

Philippines

BDO Unibank, Inc. is a full-service universal bank in the Philippines, offering a complete range of industry-leading products and services including corporate and consumer lending, deposit-taking, foreign exchange, brokering, trust and investments, and credit cards. Through its subsidiaries, it also provides investment banking, private banking, leasing and finance, rural banking, and insurance services. The company is headquartered in Makati City, Philippines, and was established in 1968.

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BDO Unibank (BDO PM)

RL Commercial REIT Pre-IPO - Motley Crew of Assets Has Weathered COVID Well

RL Commercial REIT, sponsored by Robinsons Land Corporation, aims to raise up to US$491m in its Philippines listing. It will be a 100% secondary...

Sumeet Singh

Bank Credit Compass: Total Return Sweet Spot Moves, but May Rebound

The sweet spot for total return investors moved dramatically in April. However, as the month ended, the reflation trade returned. May could see a...

Hank Calenti, CFA

Monde Nissin Pre-IPO - Peer Comparison for Meat Alternative Business

Monde Nissin (MNC), a food manufacturer in the Philippines, aims to raise around US$1bn in its Philippines IPO. In this note, we will compare its...

Sumeet Singh

Bank Credit Weekly: One Size Does Not Fit All

Performance attributes varied amongst bank credit classes. Short duration in IG financials combined with high credit spreads in HY and more...

Hank Calenti, CFA

BDO Unibank – With This Level Of Risk, A Capital Raise Can’t Be Too Far Behind

BDO UNIBANK: BDO reported a 4Q20 net income decline of 8.5% linked quarter. The level of net new NPLs increased 116% with reserves light by PHP 66...

Thomas J. Monaco

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