Asian bank research and consultancy, Tabbush Report

Daniel Tabbush

Asian bank research and consultancy

Tabbush Report

We provide research and consultancy on Asian banks. Our focus is on what we call “Asian bank research, without the noise.” We are interested in the most critical swing-factors for banks, the NPL and credit cycle, and where we believe there is a gap between perception and reality. We often focus on the less studied components of bank financial statements.  Our research is highly thematic, sometimes examining unlisted banks and companies as a window on mainstream banks. 

Being independent allows us to look at smaller banks, often overlooked by others. Analysis of BIS bank guidelines in the context of Asia, is also a focal point, while we also analyze global banks operating in the region. We use what we believe is the most comprehensive, reliable financials database, SNL Financial. S&P Capital IQ augments our database, with corporate data and CEIC, with economics. 

Asian bank research, without the noise.

Equity Bottom-Up

Dai Ichi Life Insurance / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/dai-ichi-life-insurance" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1109:1" rel="noopener">Dai Ichi Life Insurance (8750 JP)</a> has seen rebounding net profit at a strong rate of growth for the past four quarters. </li>
<li>ROE has moved from a dismal 3.4% to 11.8% from 2Q23 to 2Q24, where a single US bank impairment should now drop out of the numbers</li>
<li>New business annual premiums are up from JPY97bn to JPY122bn from 2Q23 to 2Q24 with a high solvency ratio of 654% </li>
</ul>



Dai Ichi Life Insurance (8750 JP) has seen rebounding net profit at a strong rate of growth for the past four quarters. 
ROE has moved from a dismal 3.4% to 11.8% from 2Q23 to 2Q24, where a single US bank impairment should now drop out of the numbers
New business annual premiums are up from JPY97bn to JPY122bn from 2Q23 to 2Q24 with a high solvency ratio of 654% 


Dai-Ichi Life Holdings - 4 Quarters Strongly Rising Profit, ROE: 3% to 12%, A Profit Upgrade?

Fintech & EM-focused Analyst, KT Capital Group

Alec Tseung

Fintech & EM-focused Analyst

Lifenet Insurance Company / Equity Bottom-Up

Lifenet's management has successfully turned around the company's new business from stalling, and more initiatives are currently underway to drive its future growth.The company is still only trading at 0.8x P/EV. Although its valuation multiple is richer than the traditional life insurers in Japan, we view that it doesn't make sense for Lifenet, which had significant new business growth compared to those traditional life insurers, to trade below its EV.  The management announced its new embedded value target in the medium term. Our calculations showed a base case IRR of 21%if the company can achieve the target in 5 years.Key concerns centered around Lifenet's tech capability and profitability.

Lifenet's management has successfully turned around the company's new business from stalling, and more initiatives are currently underway to drive its future growth.The company is still only trading at 0.8x P/EV. Although its valuation multiple is richer than the traditional life insurers in Japan, we view that it doesn't make sense for Lifenet, which had significant new business growth compared to those traditional life insurers, to trade below its EV.  The management announced its new embedded value target in the medium term. Our calculations showed a base case IRR of 21%if the company can achieve the target in 5 years.Key concerns centered around Lifenet's tech capability and profitability.

Lifenet: A Rejuvenated InsurTech Story in Japan

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Today, the day before the previously extended <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/m3-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13316:1" rel="noopener">M3 Inc (2413 JP)</a> Partial Tender Offer for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/benefit-one-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14502:1" rel="noopener">Benefit One Inc (2412 JP)</a> was due to expire, M3 extended it another 20 days.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/dai-ichi-life-insurance" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1109:1" rel="noopener">Dai Ichi Life Insurance (8750 JP)</a> several days ago extended their expected start date by weeks - from mid-January to early February. </li>
<li>The wording in the new <a href="https://corporate.m3.com/assets.ctfassets.net/1pwj74siywcy/4uecKStlttjhRmZYyPSB6C/944bc5119e67c0b1780c24aac8936476/Public_E_20240116.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">document</a> from M3 is curious. It bears examination. As does the strategy positioning and choice of each of the participants. </li>
</ul>


Today, the day before the previously extended M3 Inc (2413 JP) Partial Tender Offer for Benefit One Inc (2412 JP) was due to expire, M3 extended it another 20 days.

Dai Ichi Life Insurance (8750 JP) several days ago extended their expected start date by weeks - from mid-January to early February. 
The wording in the new document from M3 is curious. It bears examination. As does the strategy positioning and choice of each of the participants. 


<ul>
<li>Today, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/dai-ichi-life-insurance" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1109:1" rel="noopener">Dai Ichi Life Insurance (8750 JP)</a>  announced a proposed counter/over-bid for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/benefit-one-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14502:1" rel="noopener">Benefit One Inc (2412 JP)</a>. ¥1800/share for minorities and a better (undefined) outcome for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pasona-group-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15778:1" rel="noopener">Pasona Group (2168 JP)</a>. </li>
<li>This throws the cat amongst the pigeons as it is unsolicited, for 100% not just to get Pasona's stake, and it will require Benefit One recommend or not.</li>
<li>For Pasona, this deal structure would likely increase the net result from the stake sale, possibly substantially so. It's in the details. </li>
</ul>


Today, Dai Ichi Life Insurance (8750 JP)  announced a proposed counter/over-bid for Benefit One Inc (2412 JP). ¥1800/share for minorities and a better (undefined) outcome for Pasona Group (2168 JP). 
This throws the cat amongst the pigeons as it is unsolicited, for 100% not just to get Pasona's stake, and it will require Benefit One recommend or not.
For Pasona, this deal structure would likely increase the net result from the stake sale, possibly substantially so. It's in the details. 


New Deal for Benefit One (2168) Could Mean Lots More Money for Pasona (2168)

<ul>
<li>Today post-close, life insurer <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/dai-ichi-life-insurance" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1109:1" rel="noopener">Dai Ichi Life Insurance (8750 JP)</a> announced plans to launch a Tender Offer to buy out all minorities in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/benefit-one-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14502:1" rel="noopener">Benefit One Inc (2412 JP)</a> at ¥1,800/share. </li>
<li>M3's Partial (55%) Tender at ¥1,600/share ending next week is obviously a question. </li>
<li>This is GREAT news for M&amp;A in Japan. It's good for holders of Benefit One and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pasona-group-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15778:1" rel="noopener">Pasona Group (2168 JP)</a> too.</li>
</ul>


Today post-close, life insurer Dai Ichi Life Insurance (8750 JP) announced plans to launch a Tender Offer to buy out all minorities in Benefit One Inc (2412 JP) at ¥1,800/share. 
M3's Partial (55%) Tender at ¥1,600/share ending next week is obviously a question. 
This is GREAT news for M&amp;A in Japan. It's good for holders of Benefit One and Pasona Group (2168 JP) too.


Dai-Ichi Life (8750) Proposes a Full Takeover of Benefit One (2412), Overbidding M3

Japan

The Dai-ichi Life Insurance Company Ltd. underwrites and sells life, health and annuity insurance to groups and individuals. The Company offers a wide variety of insurance products to suit different needs, ranging from children's school tuition to emergency funds for the elderly.

Dai Ichi Life Insurance (8750 JP)

Dai-Ichi Life Holdings - 4 Quarters Strongly Rising Profit, ROE: 3% to 12%, A Profit Upgrade?

Dai-ichi Life Holdings is a sprawling global insurer and asset manager, with Japan, Australia and US as key markets. Profit is improving strongly,...

Daniel Tabbush

Lifenet: A Rejuvenated InsurTech Story in Japan

Activist investor (Effissimo Capital) has been gradually increasing and building its stake in Lifenet to 18.03% (mid-Oct) and has become the...

Alec Tseung

Benefit One (2412): The Plot Thickens

Dai-Ichi Life extended its "expected Tender launch" by a couple of weeks about 5 days ago. That went past M3's TOB end. BenefitOne asked them to...

Travis Lundy

New Deal for Benefit One (2168) Could Mean Lots More Money for Pasona (2168)

Dai-Ichi Life proposed a full takeout of Benefit One which would lead to a different structured sale by Pasona. The structure of that sale would...

Travis Lundy

Dai-Ichi Life (8750) Proposes a Full Takeover of Benefit One (2412), Overbidding M3

Dai Ichi Life launches a last-minute overbid for all of Benefit One (2412), gazumping the M3 deal. This puts Benefit One's Board in a quandary. But...

Travis Lundy