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

*Third Indian Bank Failure In 15 Months: For the third time in 15 months, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) took over a failing regional bank - announcing that it would limit deposit withdrawals and replace the board of directors at Lakshm Vilas Bank (LVB.IN) due to a "serious deterioration" in its finances. After the failure of Punjab and Maharashtra Co-operative Bank and Yes Bank (YES.IN); and 12 consecutive quarters of posting losses it should come as no surprise that the RBI placed LVB under moratorium through December 16, 2020; and*Not Letting Cash Burn A Hole In Its Pocket: On Novenber 17, 2020, the RBI also announced a draft scheme to merge LVB with DBS Bank India Limited, the 100%-owned subsidiary of DBS Bank Holdings (DBS.SP), which will infuse INR 25 bn into its subsidiary to absorb and recapitalize LVB. This transaction is riddled with problems and will certainly cost DBS far greater than its initial investment.

*Third Indian Bank Failure In 15 Months: For the third time in 15 months, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) took over a failing regional bank - announcing that it would limit deposit withdrawals and replace the board of directors at Lakshm Vilas Bank (LVB.IN) due to a "serious deterioration" in its finances. After the failure of Punjab and Maharashtra Co-operative Bank and Yes Bank (YES.IN); and 12 consecutive quarters of posting losses it should come as no surprise that the RBI placed LVB under moratorium through December 16, 2020; and*Not Letting Cash Burn A Hole In Its Pocket: On Novenber 17, 2020, the RBI also announced a draft scheme to merge LVB with DBS Bank India Limited, the 100%-owned subsidiary of DBS Bank Holdings (DBS.SP), which will infuse INR 25 bn into its subsidiary to absorb and recapitalize LVB. This transaction is riddled with problems and will certainly cost DBS far greater than its initial investment.  

*More Transformation To Come: What a magnificent amazing six months this has been for Tencent Holding’s (700.HK) [Tencent] Afterpay Touch (APT.AU) [Afterpay]. Afterpay provided positive commentary at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) where the next six months look to be even more transformational with operations beginning in the European Union, launches of banking products, and potentially the launch of the business in Asia (likely under the tutelage of Tencent); and*More Magic Fairy Dust: Tencent continues to hit it out of the park with its Afterpay stake. In addition to a superb return on investment of 394% over the past five plus months since the stake announcement, this alliance with Australia’s premier financial technology Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) company is paying dividends to Tencent in numerous other ways.

*More Transformation To Come: What a magnificent amazing six months this has been for Tencent Holding’s (700.HK) [Tencent] Afterpay Touch (APT.AU) [Afterpay]. Afterpay provided positive commentary at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) where the next six months look to be even more transformational with operations beginning in the European Union, launches of banking products, and potentially the launch of the business in Asia (likely under the tutelage of Tencent); and*More Magic Fairy Dust: Tencent continues to hit it out of the park with its Afterpay stake. In addition to a superb return on investment of 394% over the past five plus months since the stake announcement, this alliance with Australia’s premier financial technology Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) company is paying dividends to Tencent in numerous other ways.

*Another Positive Update Ahead of AGM: The Australia Securities &amp; Investments Commission (ASIC) recently released its second report on the Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) space, and the findings appear to be similar to its first report. This is quite positive for the shares of Afterpay Touch (APT.AU) [Afterpay], where Tencent Holdings (700.HK) [Tencent] holds what is likely to be a growing 5% stake. The AGM for Afterpay is on November 17th; and  *More Magic Fairy Dust: Tencent continues to hit it out of the park with its Afterpay stake. In addition to a superb return on investment of 394% over the past five plus months since the stake announcement, this alliance with Australia’s premier financial technology BNPL company is paying dividends to Tencent in numerous other ways.

*Another Positive Update Ahead of AGM: The Australia Securities &amp; Investments Commission (ASIC) recently released its second report on the Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) space, and the findings appear to be similar to its first report. This is quite positive for the shares of Afterpay Touch (APT.AU) [Afterpay], where Tencent Holdings (700.HK) [Tencent] holds what is likely to be a growing 5% stake. The AGM for Afterpay is on November 17th; and  *More Magic Fairy Dust: Tencent continues to hit it out of the park with its Afterpay stake. In addition to a superb return on investment of 394% over the past five plus months since the stake announcement, this alliance with Australia’s premier financial technology BNPL company is paying dividends to Tencent in numerous other ways. 

Tencent – This Deal Keeps Rolling Along

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

*Yongcheng Coal Default: According to Shanghai Clearing House, Yongcheng Coal and Electricity (YCE) in Henan Province failed to repay a CNY 1 bn (USD 151 mn) short-term bond despite being given the highest rating by one of mainland China’s awful domestic credit ratings agencies; and*Watch Your Banks: The yield on benchmark five-year “AAA” rated mainland Chinese corporates was 3.99% - up over 100 bp from their April 2020 low. Investor flight is pushing financing costs higher and squeezing local corporate funding in a market which is just barely recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Concerns remain over higher problem loans as debt service risk is heightened over higher rates, unreliable financial statements and ratings agency reports, and now an inability to refinance public debt with a number of bond sales being canceled. Further, the degradation of corporate bond values is limiting their usage as collateral.

*Yongcheng Coal Default: According to Shanghai Clearing House, Yongcheng Coal and Electricity (YCE) in Henan Province failed to repay a CNY 1 bn (USD 151 mn) short-term bond despite being given the highest rating by one of mainland China’s awful domestic credit ratings agencies; and*Watch Your Banks: The yield on benchmark five-year “AAA” rated mainland Chinese corporates was 3.99% - up over 100 bp from their April 2020 low. Investor flight is pushing financing costs higher and squeezing local corporate funding in a market which is just barely recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Concerns remain over higher problem loans as debt service risk is heightened over higher rates, unreliable financial statements and ratings agency reports, and now an inability to refinance public debt with a number of bond sales being canceled. Further, the degradation of corporate bond values is limiting their usage as collateral.

*Potential Deal For Tahoe Life: According to a Bloomberg report, Ping An Insurance (2318.HK) [Ping An] (along with Sunshine Insurance Group in Beijing] is a finalist to acquire Tahoe Life, the Hong Kong-based life insurance subsidiary of Tahoe Investment, for over USD 1 bn; and*Other Goodies May Come Along With Deal: In addition to Tahoe Life, Tahoe Investment is a founding shareholder of Haixia Life Insurance and a major shareholder of Fujian Haixia Bank, Rural Credit Bank of Fuzhou, and Dongxing Securities. Given the financial troubles of Tahoe, we would have to imagine the sale of these businesses would also be on the table for Ping An and Sunshine as well.

*Potential Deal For Tahoe Life: According to a Bloomberg report, Ping An Insurance (2318.HK) [Ping An] (along with Sunshine Insurance Group in Beijing] is a finalist to acquire Tahoe Life, the Hong Kong-based life insurance subsidiary of Tahoe Investment, for over USD 1 bn; and*Other Goodies May Come Along With Deal: In addition to Tahoe Life, Tahoe Investment is a founding shareholder of Haixia Life Insurance and a major shareholder of Fujian Haixia Bank, Rural Credit Bank of Fuzhou, and Dongxing Securities. Given the financial troubles of Tahoe, we would have to imagine the sale of these businesses would also be on the table for Ping An and Sunshine as well.

Ping An Insurance – Where There Is Smoke...

China

CSOP FTSE China A50 ETF is an exchange-traded fund incorporated in Hong Kong. The Fund seeks to track the performance of the FTSE China A50 Index. The Fund invests most of its total assets in the equities of member companies of the FTSE China A50 Index. This is a RQFII fund.

CSOP FTSE China A50 (82822 HK)

DBS Group Holdings – Dumb India Deal

DBS GROUP HOLDINGS: Transaction For Lakshmi Vilas Bank In India At INR 25 BN Is Way Too Pricey For Risk DBS Is Taking On. Price Will Ultimately Be...

Thomas J. Monaco

Tencent Holdings - After The AGM

TENCENT HOLDING: Afterpay Touch AGM Exhibits Strength Of Franchise Post-Tencent Stake. Next Six Months To Be Transformational.

Thomas J. Monaco

Tencent – This Deal Keeps Rolling Along

TENCENT HOLDINGS: ASICs Second Report On The Buy Now Pay Later Space Is Yet Another Positive For Tencent's Afterpay Investment.

Thomas J. Monaco

Another Day, Another Default

MAINLAND CHINA DEFAULT: Yongcheng Coal Defaulted On Its Debt, Leading To Concerns About The Credibility Of AAA Rated Corporates In Mainland China...

Thomas J. Monaco

Ping An Insurance – Where There Is Smoke...

PING AN INSURANCE: Tahoe Life Appears To Be Up For Sale, Given The Financial Troubles Of Tahoe Investment. Ping An Is Likely A Bidder, And Other...

Thomas J. Monaco