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

*Bank Call Reveals Nothing: A competitor held a conference call with Ping An Bank (000001.CH) [PAB]. According to management, the market has over-reacted to risks associated with China Evergrande Group (3333.HK) [Evergrande] and certain other developers. Further, PAB believes that policymakers in Beijing are likely to maintain stable growth within the property sector and coordinate the completion of housing projects – and this “should contain” any spillover effect;  *What Wasn’t Addressed: The Group has real estate-related exposure which represents 24.3% of Ping An Insurance’ (2318.HK) [Ping An] stated equity – more so depending which insurance subsidiary (likely Ping An Life [PAL] given the shortfall in 1H21 earnings) this risk is attributed to. There was no mention of Ping An remaining a source of strength to PAB given the PAL stress, nor if PAB participates in real estate financings led by Ping An - normal practice for conglomerates in mainland China; and  *Negative Credit Delta Could Accelerate Capital Raise: By our analysis, we find that PAB credit remains incredibly challenged as net new NPLs have accelerated 102.2% annualized at 2Q21 - up from 53.6% in 1Q21. Assuming the accelerated credit break in the PAB portfolio continues to remain at the current level, we find that PAB’s reserves still remain quite light by CNY 16 bn - representing about two quarters of pre-tax earnings.

*Bank Call Reveals Nothing: A competitor held a conference call with Ping An Bank (000001.CH) [PAB]. According to management, the market has over-reacted to risks associated with China Evergrande Group (3333.HK) [Evergrande] and certain other developers. Further, PAB believes that policymakers in Beijing are likely to maintain stable growth within the property sector and coordinate the completion of housing projects – and this “should contain” any spillover effect;  *What Wasn’t Addressed: The Group has real estate-related exposure which represents 24.3% of Ping An Insurance’ (2318.HK) [Ping An] stated equity – more so depending which insurance subsidiary (likely Ping An Life [PAL] given the shortfall in 1H21 earnings) this risk is attributed to. There was no mention of Ping An remaining a source of strength to PAB given the PAL stress, nor if PAB participates in real estate financings led by Ping An - normal practice for conglomerates in mainland China; and  *Negative Credit Delta Could Accelerate Capital Raise: By our analysis, we find that PAB credit remains incredibly challenged as net new NPLs have accelerated 102.2% annualized at 2Q21 - up from 53.6% in 1Q21. Assuming the accelerated credit break in the PAB portfolio continues to remain at the current level, we find that PAB’s reserves still remain quite light by CNY 16 bn - representing about two quarters of pre-tax earnings.   

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

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

Index Rebalance

Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL) / Index Rebalance

<div>The <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shanghai-shenzhen-csi-300-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22906:1" rel="noopener">Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 Index (SHSZ300 INDEX)</a> consists of stocks from the Shanghai Stock Exchange and the Shenzhen Stock Exchange and is one of the most widely tracked A-share indices with passive tracking products listed in multiple markets globally. There are CFFEX listed futures that trade actively as well.</div><div>
China Securities Index Co (CSI) will announce the changes for the December rebalance at the end of  November or beginning December and the changes will be effective after the close of trading on 10 December.
Half way through the review period that runs from May to October, we see 26 changes at the upcoming December 2021 review. Estimated one-way turnover at the rebalance is 9.24% and will result in a one-way trade of just shy of US$3bn.
The Information Technology and Materials sectors gain 4 spots each in the index while Financials are the biggest losers with 7 spots gone.
The potential inclusions have outperformed the potential exclusions and the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shanghai-shenzhen-csi-300-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22906:1" rel="noopener">Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 Index (SHSZ300 INDEX)</a> by a wide margin on a year to date basis. We recommend building up positions gradually and scaling in on a correction.
</div>

The Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 Index (SHSZ300 INDEX) consists of stocks from the Shanghai Stock Exchange and the Shenzhen Stock Exchange and is one of the most widely tracked A-share indices with passive tracking products listed in multiple markets globally. There are CFFEX listed futures that trade actively as well.
China Securities Index Co (CSI) will announce the changes for the December rebalance at the end of  November or beginning December and the changes will be effective after the close of trading on 10 December.
Half way through the review period that runs from May to October, we see 26 changes at the upcoming December 2021 review. Estimated one-way turnover at the rebalance is 9.24% and will result in a one-way trade of just shy of US$3bn.
The Information Technology and Materials sectors gain 4 spots each in the index while Financials are the biggest losers with 7 spots gone.
The potential inclusions have outperformed the potential exclusions and the Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 Index (SHSZ300 INDEX) by a wide margin on a year to date basis. We recommend building up positions gradually and scaling in on a correction.


CSI300 Index Rebalance Preview: Large Turnover as Potential Inclusions Keep Rallying

Founder of Antler Capital

Stanley Tsai, CFA

ICBC <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ind-comm-bk-of-china-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1119:1" rel="noopener">(1398 HK</a> | <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ind-comm-bk-of-china-a" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:494:1" rel="noopener">601398 CH)</a> 
The market rout since April has taken ICBC-H <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ind-comm-bk-of-china-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1119:1" rel="noopener">(1398 HK)</a> back to HKD5.00/share. The stock is now trading at historically low forward P/B and P/E multiples and offers a hefty yield of 7%. Investors are pricing the shares exactly as if the bank is a dividend stock with no perpetual growth.
A perpetual bond may just be what the bank is. The market-implied NPL ratio of over 8% is not out of the realm of possibility. We forecast cumulative loan write-offs of CNY1 trillion (USD155 billion) over the next five years. It doesn't take another global crisis for us to get there. Asset quality concerns will continue to weigh heavily on the stock and the lack of catalysts will limit re-rating potential, in our view.
A multi-year ROE compression story is taking shape. Even the most bullish forecasts see the bank's ROE trending lower as impairment charges eat into interest and fee income. A strong provision level helps to an extent. But we expect the bank to burn down its reserve cover considerably in 2021E to 2025E just to maintain its dividends. 
Asset quality will likely get worse, but the mortgage book provides a glimmer of hope. ICBC continues to be a major funding source of China's capital-intensive recovery. The bank's infrastructure book has grown by CNY1.6 trillion (USD247 billion) since 2016. Indirect exposures to local government finances have also been on the rise. On a more positive note, the mortgage book has been a star. Even if NPLs tick up moderately as the portfolio seasons, homeowners are paying most of the bank's shareholder dividends.
We are underweight ICBC-H against MSCI China <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/msci-china-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22895:1" rel="noopener">(MXCN INDEX)</a> and would look to build a net short position if the stock edges past HKD6.00/share. The bank's dividend capacity puts a floor on the stock, but offers limited room for capital appreciation. The key risks to our call are macro-related. Rising tides lift all boats and any unexpected form of monetary easing by the PBOC will drive the shares higher.
(Attachment: Financial Summary)

ICBC (1398 HK | 601398 CH) 
The market rout since April has taken ICBC-H (1398 HK) back to HKD5.00/share. The stock is now trading at historically low forward P/B and P/E multiples and offers a hefty yield of 7%. Investors are pricing the shares exactly as if the bank is a dividend stock with no perpetual growth.
A perpetual bond may just be what the bank is. The market-implied NPL ratio of over 8% is not out of the realm of possibility. We forecast cumulative loan write-offs of CNY1 trillion (USD155 billion) over the next five years. It doesn't take another global crisis for us to get there. Asset quality concerns will continue to weigh heavily on the stock and the lack of catalysts will limit re-rating potential, in our view.
A multi-year ROE compression story is taking shape. Even the most bullish forecasts see the bank's ROE trending lower as impairment charges eat into interest and fee income. A strong provision level helps to an extent. But we expect the bank to burn down its reserve cover considerably in 2021E to 2025E just to maintain its dividends. 
Asset quality will likely get worse, but the mortgage book provides a glimmer of hope. ICBC continues to be a major funding source of China's capital-intensive recovery. The bank's infrastructure book has grown by CNY1.6 trillion (USD247 billion) since 2016. Indirect exposures to local government finances have also been on the rise. On a more positive note, the mortgage book has been a star. Even if NPLs tick up moderately as the portfolio seasons, homeowners are paying most of the bank's shareholder dividends.
We are underweight ICBC-H against MSCI China (MXCN INDEX) and would look to build a net short position if the stock edges past HKD6.00/share. The bank's dividend capacity puts a floor on the stock, but offers limited room for capital appreciation. The key risks to our call are macro-related. Rising tides lift all boats and any unexpected form of monetary easing by the PBOC will drive the shares higher.
(Attachment: Financial Summary)

ICBC: The Bond Identity | A Zero-Growth Dividend Discount Story

Beijing Kingsoft Office Softwa / Index Rebalance

We are nearly 95% through the review period for the June review of the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shanghai-shenzhen-csi-300-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22906:1" rel="noopener">Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 Index (SHSZ300 INDEX)</a>. With a large AUM in ETFs tracking the index, large open interest on the CFFEX listed futures, and volatile stocks, it could pay to look at the potential changes to the index.China Securities Index Co (CSI) will announce the changes end May/beginning June and the changes will be effective after the close of trading on 11 June.We expect 30 changes at the upcoming June 2021 index review - this is the maximum number of changes that are permitted at a single review. Estimated one-way turnover is 4.08% and will result in a one-way trade of CNY 10.8bn.The expected inclusions have outperformed the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shanghai-shenzhen-csi-300-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22906:1" rel="noopener">Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 Index (SHSZ300 INDEX)</a> on a year to date basis even post the momentum selloff that started in February. Buying the inclusion basket vs selling the CSI300 futures as a hedge could provide good market neutral returns over the next few weeks.

We are nearly 95% through the review period for the June review of the Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 Index (SHSZ300 INDEX). With a large AUM in ETFs tracking the index, large open interest on the CFFEX listed futures, and volatile stocks, it could pay to look at the potential changes to the index.China Securities Index Co (CSI) will announce the changes end May/beginning June and the changes will be effective after the close of trading on 11 June.We expect 30 changes at the upcoming June 2021 index review - this is the maximum number of changes that are permitted at a single review. Estimated one-way turnover is 4.08% and will result in a one-way trade of CNY 10.8bn.The expected inclusions have outperformed the Shanghai Shenzhen CSI 300 Index (SHSZ300 INDEX) on a year to date basis even post the momentum selloff that started in February. Buying the inclusion basket vs selling the CSI300 futures as a hedge could provide good market neutral returns over the next few weeks.

CSI300 Index Rebalance Preview: Recovering from the Growth Sell-Off

Financials Credit Analyst

Hank Calenti, CFA

CreditContinuum

Credit

Lower risk tolerance, as evidenced by the rating preferences, combined with duration desires to drive performance in February. Global monetary accommodation is in large part responsible for recent outperformance. Credit fundamentals have yet to catch-up with spreads in bonds which continue to outperform. Continued performance, however, cannot be ruled out as credit tourists crowd-in and markets melt-up.Asia’s US$-denominated bank bonds (x-Japan) had an outstanding month with each of the +100 bonds that we track tightening during the month of February, in Z-spread terms. The return of the economic reflation trade, with rising long-term rates on increased economic growth expectations, and short-term levels anchored by central banks globally, pushed investors to grab low risk, high duration securities. This could unwind spectacularly when real inflation concerns appear.Short duration, non-investment grade bond lagged with lower rated bonds at the bottom in terms of performance. Fundamental concerns remain regarding the weakest financial credits in Asia and these remain concentrated in India. At the same time, extension risk concerns may be overdone amongst the callable bonds which underperformed in February.In addition to identifying the bonds which out- and under-performed in February, we dive deeper into the Philippine banks which outperformed, despite starting at already tight spread levels, and we consider if extension risk being priced into the short-callable, China-centric, bonds is appropriate.

Lower risk tolerance, as evidenced by the rating preferences, combined with duration desires to drive performance in February. Global monetary accommodation is in large part responsible for recent outperformance. Credit fundamentals have yet to catch-up with spreads in bonds which continue to outperform. Continued performance, however, cannot be ruled out as credit tourists crowd-in and markets melt-up.Asia’s US$-denominated bank bonds (x-Japan) had an outstanding month with each of the +100 bonds that we track tightening during the month of February, in Z-spread terms. The return of the economic reflation trade, with rising long-term rates on increased economic growth expectations, and short-term levels anchored by central banks globally, pushed investors to grab low risk, high duration securities. This could unwind spectacularly when real inflation concerns appear.Short duration, non-investment grade bond lagged with lower rated bonds at the bottom in terms of performance. Fundamental concerns remain regarding the weakest financial credits in Asia and these remain concentrated in India. At the same time, extension risk concerns may be overdone amongst the callable bonds which underperformed in February.In addition to identifying the bonds which out- and under-performed in February, we dive deeper into the Philippine banks which outperformed, despite starting at already tight spread levels, and we consider if extension risk being priced into the short-callable, China-centric, bonds is appropriate.

Bank Credit Compass: High Duration, Low Risk Notes Outperform in Feb.

China

China Fortune Land Development Company Limited conducts property development, infrastructure investment and management of industrial parks, as well as sales of building and furnishing materials.

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China Fortune Land (600340 CH)

Ping An Insurance – Don’t Bank On It

PING AN: Competitor conference call with PAB reveals nonchalant management. The Group has enormous real estate-related exposure, and questions of...

Thomas J. Monaco

CSI300 Index Rebalance Preview: Large Turnover as Potential Inclusions Keep Rallying

Half way through the review period, we see 26 changes to the CSI300 Index. Estimated one-way turnover is 9%+ & would result in a one way trade of...

Brian Freitas

ICBC: The Bond Identity | A Zero-Growth Dividend Discount Story

ICBC-H offers a hefty yield of 7% and is trading precisely as a zero-growth dividend-paying stock. But we are not buyers just yet and there is a...

Stanley Tsai, CFA

CSI300 Index Rebalance Preview: Recovering from the Growth Sell-Off

We forecast 30 changes to the CSI300 Index at the June review that will be announced at the end of May and effective 11 June. The expected...

Brian Freitas

Bank Credit Compass: High Duration, Low Risk Notes Outperform in Feb.

Lower risk tolerance combined with duration desires to drive performance in Feb. Continued performance cannot be ruled out as credit tourists crowd...

Hank Calenti, CFA

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