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

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing / Equity Bottom-Up

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (388 HK)

*Poor Quarter: Hong Kong Exchanges &amp; Clearing (388.HK) [HKEX] reported 4Q20 earnings of HKD 2.9 bn, declining HKD 522 mn (15.6%) linked quarter. Results were challenged on many fronts, as evidenced by HKEX’ negative operating jaws during the period, whereby revenues declined HKD 210 mn (4.0%) whilst expenses jumped HKD 187 mn (13.2%)– pushing its C/I ratio higher by 480 bp to 31.4%; and*Stamp Dutied: Despite the poor showing during 4Q20, the real story for HKEX is the issue of the stamp duty which likely will impact earnings and market sentiment for the foreseeable future. Given the financial stress of the pandemic on the finances of the Hong Kong government,  on February 24, 2021 it was announced that there would be a 3 bp or 30% increase in the stamp duty to help offset the government budget deficit.

*Poor Quarter: Hong Kong Exchanges &amp; Clearing (388.HK) [HKEX] reported 4Q20 earnings of HKD 2.9 bn, declining HKD 522 mn (15.6%) linked quarter. Results were challenged on many fronts, as evidenced by HKEX’ negative operating jaws during the period, whereby revenues declined HKD 210 mn (4.0%) whilst expenses jumped HKD 187 mn (13.2%)– pushing its C/I ratio higher by 480 bp to 31.4%; and*Stamp Dutied: Despite the poor showing during 4Q20, the real story for HKEX is the issue of the stamp duty which likely will impact earnings and market sentiment for the foreseeable future. Given the financial stress of the pandemic on the finances of the Hong Kong government,  on February 24, 2021 it was announced that there would be a 3 bp or 30% increase in the stamp duty to help offset the government budget deficit.

Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing – Hitting The Wall

*New Household Investors For HKEX:  SAFE is likely to make various changes to the current regulations which to allow greater individual participation in stock incentive schemes of overseas listed companies with the removal of quotas on F/X purchases. Enabling greater participation by mainland Chinese in outbound investments could be highly  supportive Hong Kong Exchanges &amp; Clearing (388.HK) [HKEX] trading volume going forward; and  *New CEO Should Focus On Mainland China: We are hopeful that the new appointed CEO Nicolas Aguzin (effective May 24, 2021) doesn’t allow himself to get distracted by his former swashbuckling colleagues from J.P. Morgan Chase &amp; Co. (JPM.US) at HKEX and their absurd deal making and that he can just focus on meeting both near and long-term targets.

*New Household Investors For HKEX:  SAFE is likely to make various changes to the current regulations which to allow greater individual participation in stock incentive schemes of overseas listed companies with the removal of quotas on F/X purchases. Enabling greater participation by mainland Chinese in outbound investments could be highly  supportive Hong Kong Exchanges &amp; Clearing (388.HK) [HKEX] trading volume going forward; and  *New CEO Should Focus On Mainland China: We are hopeful that the new appointed CEO Nicolas Aguzin (effective May 24, 2021) doesn’t allow himself to get distracted by his former swashbuckling colleagues from J.P. Morgan Chase &amp; Co. (JPM.US) at HKEX and their absurd deal making and that he can just focus on meeting both near and long-term targets.

Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing – China, Not Deals Are Way Forward

*Poor Results See No Signs Of Near-Term Abatement: Singapore Exchange (SGX.SP) [SGX] reported FY 1H21 results of SGD 240.4 mn, declining SGD 18.2 mn (7.0%) HOH. Excluding the SGD 15.6 mn in gains primarily attributed to non-cash fair value on its BidFX acquisition, SGX’core operating result would have declined SGD 33.9 mn (13.1%) over the period; and*Derivatives Challenges Led By Taiwan: The largest semi-annual results delta was attributed to derivatives, which declined SGD 33.6 mn or 12.2%. SGX ceased trading of MSCI Taiwan futures contracts on October 30, 2020 with their move to the Hong Kong Exchanges &amp; Clearing (388.HK) [HKEx]. Until recently, 99.8% of the Taiwan index futures volumes has were held by SGX, but its dominant market share position is beginning to crack. As time passes, we will get an idea of how much volume of the Taiwan index futures will remain with MSCI indices and move to HKEx which has significant implications for SGX's lucrative A50 contract.

*Poor Results See No Signs Of Near-Term Abatement: Singapore Exchange (SGX.SP) [SGX] reported FY 1H21 results of SGD 240.4 mn, declining SGD 18.2 mn (7.0%) HOH. Excluding the SGD 15.6 mn in gains primarily attributed to non-cash fair value on its BidFX acquisition, SGX’core operating result would have declined SGD 33.9 mn (13.1%) over the period; and*Derivatives Challenges Led By Taiwan: The largest semi-annual results delta was attributed to derivatives, which declined SGD 33.6 mn or 12.2%. SGX ceased trading of MSCI Taiwan futures contracts on October 30, 2020 with their move to the Hong Kong Exchanges &amp; Clearing (388.HK) [HKEx]. Until recently, 99.8% of the Taiwan index futures volumes has were held by SGX, but its dominant market share position is beginning to crack. As time passes, we will get an idea of how much volume of the Taiwan index futures will remain with MSCI indices and move to HKEx which has significant implications for SGX's lucrative A50 contract.

*Joint Announcement For Stock Connect Expansion: Just when we thought that Hong Kong Exchanges &amp; Clearing (388.HK) [KKEx] had no other rabbits to pull out of its hat in 2020, the HKEx, Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE), and Shenzhen Stock Exchange (SZSE) jointly announced further scope for Stock Connect expansion in early 2021 on November 27, 2020 regarding the STAR Market and biotech companies;  *Solid Quarter: Hong Kong Exchanges &amp; Clearing (388.HK) [HKEX] reported 3Q20 earnings of HKD 3.3 bn, improving HKD 376 mn (12.7%) linked quarter. Results were even more impressive when we exclude investment income (declined HKD 206 mn or 23.2% linked quarter) – increasing HKD 582 mn (28.0%) to HKD 2.7 bn; and*Peak Value: So much value has been derived on hope for the shares of HKEx, which included that on: southbound connect, futures markets,  structural reforms, and the change in CEO. As such, we have witnessed HKEx’s 2020 share performance of 44.4% that has resulted in a global exchange leading valuation of 10.4x P/BV.

*Joint Announcement For Stock Connect Expansion: Just when we thought that Hong Kong Exchanges &amp; Clearing (388.HK) [KKEx] had no other rabbits to pull out of its hat in 2020, the HKEx, Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE), and Shenzhen Stock Exchange (SZSE) jointly announced further scope for Stock Connect expansion in early 2021 on November 27, 2020 regarding the STAR Market and biotech companies;  *Solid Quarter: Hong Kong Exchanges &amp; Clearing (388.HK) [HKEX] reported 3Q20 earnings of HKD 3.3 bn, improving HKD 376 mn (12.7%) linked quarter. Results were even more impressive when we exclude investment income (declined HKD 206 mn or 23.2% linked quarter) – increasing HKD 582 mn (28.0%) to HKD 2.7 bn; and*Peak Value: So much value has been derived on hope for the shares of HKEx, which included that on: southbound connect, futures markets,  structural reforms, and the change in CEO. As such, we have witnessed HKEx’s 2020 share performance of 44.4% that has resulted in a global exchange leading valuation of 10.4x P/BV. 

Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing – Making Another Connection

*Solid Quarter: Hong Kong Exchanges &amp; Clearing (388.HK) [HKEX] reported 3Q20 earnings of HKD 3.3 bn, improving HKD 376 mn (12.7%) linked quarter. Results were even more impressive when we exclude investment income (declined HKD 206 mn or 23.2% linked quarter) – increasing HKD 582 mn (28.0%) to HKD 2.7 bn; and** Peak Value: So much value has been derived on hope for the shares of HKEx, which included that on: southbound connect, futures markets,  structural reforms, and the change in CEO. As such, we have witnessed HKEx’s 2020 share performance of 44.4% that has resulted in a global exchange leading valuation of 10.4x P/BV.

*Solid Quarter: Hong Kong Exchanges &amp; Clearing (388.HK) [HKEX] reported 3Q20 earnings of HKD 3.3 bn, improving HKD 376 mn (12.7%) linked quarter. Results were even more impressive when we exclude investment income (declined HKD 206 mn or 23.2% linked quarter) – increasing HKD 582 mn (28.0%) to HKD 2.7 bn; and** Peak Value: So much value has been derived on hope for the shares of HKEx, which included that on: southbound connect, futures markets,  structural reforms, and the change in CEO. As such, we have witnessed HKEx’s 2020 share performance of 44.4% that has resulted in a global exchange leading valuation of 10.4x P/BV.

Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing – Strong Quarter, But Can It Continue?

United States

CME Group Inc. operates a derivatives exchange that trades futures contracts and options on futures, interest rates, stock indexes, foreign exchange and commodities.  The Exchange brings together buyers and sellers of derivatives products on its trading floors, electronic trading platform, and through privately negotiated transactions that it clears.

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CME Group (CME US)

Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing – Hitting The Wall

HONG KONG EXCHANGES & CLEARING: HKEX reported a 15.6% QOQ decline in 4Q20 earnings, given the period's negative operating jaws. The story is the...

Thomas J. Monaco

Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing – China, Not Deals Are Way Forward

HONG KONG EXCHANGES & CLEARING: SAFE is making changes to regulations and allow greater individual participation in stock incentive schemes. We...

Thomas J. Monaco

Singapore Exchange - Going South

SINGAPORE EXCHANGE: SGX FY 1H21 results declined 7.0% HOH. Excluding the BidFX gain, SGX’ core operating result would have declined 13.1%. SGX...

Thomas J. Monaco

Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing – Making Another Connection

HONG KONG EXCHANGES & CLEARING: The Three Exchanges Have Added To The Stock Connect With STAR Market and Biotech Additions

Thomas J. Monaco

Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing – Strong Quarter, But Can It Continue?

HONG KONG EXCHANGES & CLEARING: HKEX Results Were Great And We've Just Witnessed Vaccine Euphoria. How Much Higher Than 10.4x P/BV Can HKEX...

Thomas J. Monaco

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