Global Special Situations & Strategy, SR Services Ltd

David Lepper

Global Special Situations & Strategy

SR Services Ltd

SR Services provides Strategic Knowledge and Solutions services for Family Offices and Corporate Business. 

We deliver this via advisory services, strategic planning, opportunity analysis/sourcing, as well as solution implementation. 

Whilst, we create intellectual discipline and operational leverage for your projects or daily activities, our ultimate objective is to empower whilst enhancing your decision making. 

Strategic Knowledge and Solutions

Cross Asset Strategy

Time to remove the upper market cap limit as risk increases.<ul>
<li>
Our screen from this quarter onwards is for all stocks<a href="applewebdata://17FB2464-550F-48C5-BBBA-E248B1412D29#_ftn1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">[1]</a> above a market capitalisation of US$500m as we now encounter possibly one of the riskier periods in our market history. With this in mind, we have removed our Small-Mid Cap focus (US$500m-US$10bn market capitalisation) from our screens. </li>
<li>
21 stocks appear in our Q3 2020 screen. The average stock rank in our list has maintained a ranking of 63.5 points compared to 68 in Q2 2020 placing the stocks lower in the second quartile of the market, suggesting deteriorating fundamentals and a strong possibility of lagging performance.</li>
<li>
As we highlighted in Q1, watch for the risk of deteriorating credit metrics over 2020: In Q3, the Altman Z score is at a market-cap-weighted 1.44 times, versus 1.31 in Q2. Whilst marginally improved, since earnings continue to be adjusted by analysts and there is limited visibility of their bottoming, the potential for a lower Z score in Q4 2020 and H1 2021is increased.</li>
</ul>

Time to remove the upper market cap limit as risk increases.

Our screen from this quarter onwards is for all stocks[1] above a market capitalisation of US$500m as we now encounter possibly one of the riskier periods in our market history. With this in mind, we have removed our Small-Mid Cap focus (US$500m-US$10bn market capitalisation) from our screens. 

21 stocks appear in our Q3 2020 screen. The average stock rank in our list has maintained a ranking of 63.5 points compared to 68 in Q2 2020 placing the stocks lower in the second quartile of the market, suggesting deteriorating fundamentals and a strong possibility of lagging performance.

As we highlighted in Q1, watch for the risk of deteriorating credit metrics over 2020: In Q3, the Altman Z score is at a market-cap-weighted 1.44 times, versus 1.31 in Q2. Whilst marginally improved, since earnings continue to be adjusted by analysts and there is limited visibility of their bottoming, the potential for a lower Z score in Q4 2020 and H1 2021is increased.


Screening the Silk Road: Q3 2020 High Risk Names to Avoid

<ul>
<li>
Deteriorating credit metrics continue to support our view that the level of risk is increasing within the small-mid cap universe. </li>
<li>
Our screen looks for high valuation multiples presented by candidates with significant earnings growth forecasts, as well as financial indicators that suggest balance sheet distress. Therefore, with the credit markets pointing towards high yield stress, this screen becomes highly relevant.</li>
<li>
15 stocks appear in our Q2 2020 screen. The average stock rank in our list has decreased to 67.5 from 72.1 points since early March 2019. The reduction reflects some of the continued bearish moves in recent weeks within the Asian Universe. We, therefore, feel, as highlighted in other recent commentary, that the market is currently undergoing a defined separation of Quality, Value and relative Momentum.</li>
</ul>



Deteriorating credit metrics continue to support our view that the level of risk is increasing within the small-mid cap universe. 

Our screen looks for high valuation multiples presented by candidates with significant earnings growth forecasts, as well as financial indicators that suggest balance sheet distress. Therefore, with the credit markets pointing towards high yield stress, this screen becomes highly relevant.

15 stocks appear in our Q2 2020 screen. The average stock rank in our list has decreased to 67.5 from 72.1 points since early March 2019. The reduction reflects some of the continued bearish moves in recent weeks within the Asian Universe. We, therefore, feel, as highlighted in other recent commentary, that the market is currently undergoing a defined separation of Quality, Value and relative Momentum.


Screening the Silk Road: Q2 2020 Small-Mid Cap High Risk Names to Avoid

Asia Pac ECM and Index Rebal, Shenton Research

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

Asia Pac ECM and Index Rebal

Asia Pac IPO & Placement Research, China Biotech

DZT Research

DZT Research is an independent Asia Pacific equity specialist. Our quantitative research covers index rebalancing flows, alongside exchange data analytics accross Asia Pacific. On the equity capital markets side, we focus on Asia Pacific ECM, especially biotech and TMT. Our lead analyst is frequently cited by international media.

Quantitative Analysis

<ul>
<li>We analyzed the changes in short interest of ASX Stocks as of Apr 17th (reported today). The aggregated short interest was USD44.8bn.</li>
<li>We tabulate league tables for top short by value and short as multiple of ADT, as well as weekly increases &amp; decreases in short value, short as multiple of ADT.</li>
<li>We highlight short interest changes in Amcor, 4Dmedical Ltd, Telstra, Coles, Telix Pharmaceuticals.</li>
</ul>


We analyzed the changes in short interest of ASX Stocks as of Apr 17th (reported today). The aggregated short interest was USD44.8bn.
We tabulate league tables for top short by value and short as multiple of ADT, as well as weekly increases &amp; decreases in short value, short as multiple of ADT.
We highlight short interest changes in Amcor, 4Dmedical Ltd, Telstra, Coles, Telix Pharmaceuticals.


ASX Short Interest Weekly (Apr 17th): Amcor, 4Dmedical Ltd, Telstra, Coles, Telix Pharmaceuticals

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Australia's ASIC releases the aggregated short position data four business days after the reporting day. Data in this insight is up to 13th April, published ~9AM on the 17th April.</li>
<li>The largest industry net increase in the past week was A$1.3bn into "Diversified Banks"; the largest industry net decrease was A$144mn out of "Oil&amp;Gas". Net shorts increased A$5.3bn week-on-week.</li>
<li>Companies mentioned in this regular weekly report include: <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/commonwealth-bank-of-australia" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14:1" rel="noopener">Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA AU)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/woodside-energy-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13190:1" rel="noopener">Woodside Energy (WDS AU)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/droneshield-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:30509:1" rel="noopener">DroneShield (DRO AU)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/straits-resources-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12080:1" rel="noopener">Aeris Resources (AIS AU)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mcmillan-shakespeare-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3023:1" rel="noopener">Mcmillan Shakespeare (MMS AU)</a>.</li>
</ul>


Australia's ASIC releases the aggregated short position data four business days after the reporting day. Data in this insight is up to 13th April, published ~9AM on the 17th April.
The largest industry net increase in the past week was A$1.3bn into "Diversified Banks"; the largest industry net decrease was A$144mn out of "Oil&amp;Gas". Net shorts increased A$5.3bn week-on-week.
Companies mentioned in this regular weekly report include: Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA AU), Woodside Energy (WDS AU), DroneShield (DRO AU), Aeris Resources (AIS AU), and Mcmillan Shakespeare (MMS AU).


Aussie Shorts [13th Apr]: CBA, Woodside Energy, DroneShield, Aeris Res., Mcmillan Shakespeare

Founder Evidente. Top rated quantitative analyst, Evidente

Sam Ferraro

Founder Evidente. Top rated quantitative analyst

Evidente

Evidente is an independent financial education firm that delivers innovative financial advice to wholesale investors, including active long only funds, hedge funds, pension funds, and sovereign wealth funds, in Australia and globally.  Drawing on academic research in asset pricing, behavioural finance and portfolio construction, Evidente provides wholesale investors with commercial solutions to stock selection and asset allocation decisions across equities and other asset classes.

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul><li>In the past week, two bottom up developments have dominated the financial market news flow in Australia: the belated announcement of CEO succession at Woolworths and renewed concerns that Australian banks represent a 'big short' thanks to rumours of the imminent collapse of residential house prices. </li><li>The losses announced by Woolworths in its home improvement division this week and decision to exit the business altogether serves as a timely and powerful signal to other companies about the dangers associated with investing for growth in the current environment of deficient demand.  Corporate Australia has already taken heed, with the economy on the precipice of a capex cliff.  The recently released ABS survey of capex intentions points to a 20% slide in business investment in the current financial year, which would represent the largest annual decline in over 25 years.</li><li>Any bubble talk around housing discounts the important role that dwelling investment and household consumption still has to play to support the outlook while the economy is on the precipice of a capex cliff.  Against the backdrop that interest rates will remain low for an extended period (and likely move lower from here), if there is a bubble in Australian housing it might well persist.  To take a cue from John Maynard Keynes, hedge funds seeking to capitalise on Australia's 'big short' will probably need an abundance of patience (and capital).</li></ul>

In the past week, two bottom up developments have dominated the financial market news flow in Australia: the belated announcement of CEO succession at Woolworths and renewed concerns that Australian banks represent a 'big short' thanks to rumours of the imminent collapse of residential house prices. The losses announced by Woolworths in its home improvement division this week and decision to exit the business altogether serves as a timely and powerful signal to other companies about the dangers associated with investing for growth in the current environment of deficient demand.  Corporate Australia has already taken heed, with the economy on the precipice of a capex cliff.  The recently released ABS survey of capex intentions points to a 20% slide in business investment in the current financial year, which would represent the largest annual decline in over 25 years.Any bubble talk around housing discounts the important role that dwelling investment and household consumption still has to play to support the outlook while the economy is on the precipice of a capex cliff.  Against the backdrop that interest rates will remain low for an extended period (and likely move lower from here), if there is a bubble in Australian housing it might well persist.  To take a cue from John Maynard Keynes, hedge funds seeking to capitalise on Australia's 'big short' will probably need an abundance of patience (and capital).

What the Capex Cliff Means for Australia's 'Big Short'

Australia

EML Payments Limited is a financial services company that specializes in pre-paid financial cards.

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EML Payments Limited (EML AU)

Screening the Silk Road: Q3 2020 High Risk Names to Avoid

Time to remove the upper market cap limit as risk increases. Our screen from this quarter onwards is for all stocks[1] above a market...

David Lepper

Screening the Silk Road: Q2 2020 Small-Mid Cap High Risk Names to Avoid

Deteriorating credit metrics continue to support our view that the level of risk is increasing within the small-mid cap universe. Our screen...

David Lepper

ASX Short Interest Weekly (Apr 17th): Amcor, 4Dmedical Ltd, Telstra, Coles, Telix Pharmaceuticals

We analyzed ASX short interest report for the past week and highlight short interest changes in Amcor, 4Dmedical Ltd, Telstra, Coles, Telix...

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

Aussie Shorts [13th Apr]: CBA, Woodside Energy, DroneShield, Aeris Res., Mcmillan Shakespeare

Companies mentioned in this regular weekly report include CBA (CBA AU), Woodside Energy (WDS AU), DroneShield (DRO AU), Aeris Resources (AIS AU),...

David Blennerhassett

What the Capex Cliff Means for Australia's 'Big Short'

In the past week, two bottom up developments have dominated the financial market news flow in Australia: the belated announcement of CEO...

Sam Ferraro

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52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

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