Alpha-Centric ESG Research

Kyle Rudden

In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/delisting-deceitful-chinese-companies-act-not-a-slam-dunk-and-has-more-bark-than-bite-if-it-passes" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:40025" rel="noopener">"Delisting Deceitful Chinese Companies Act" Not a Slam Dunk and Has More Bark Than Bite if It Passes</a>, I made three "predictions." First, the U.S. House of Representatives would not get around to voting on the "delisting act" before the end of the Congressional session. Second, if the House does vote, it would likely pass the bill. Third, if the bill passes, it would have more bark than bite.As a bloke called Meat Loaf once sung, "two out of three ain't bad."On Wednesday, the House voted and passed Senate Bill 945, titled the "Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act." That the House managed to vote amidst the dual chaos of a raging pandemic and an unhinged President – so close to adjourning this 116th Congress – is a surprise. That it voted to pass S945 is not at all surprising, however, given widespread bi-partisan support for the bill.The real epiphany comes from additional details provided during House testimony just prior to the vote. Not many, but those details that were disclosed (plus the tone in which they were articulated) shed light on how S945 will be implemented and enforced by the SEC, and why foreign issuers and investors should duly-cautious but not overly-concerned. And why this "delisting bill" is ...... more bark than bite.This Insight presents an updated analysis of S945 (general and China/Hong Kong-specific aspects), shares new details provided by Representative Brad Sherman, offers an opinion on the SEC's likely approach to writing and enforcing S945 rules, analyses China/Hong Kong stocks most at risk under S945, and stocks affected by the France/Belgium angle (similar to China/Hong Kong).

In "Delisting Deceitful Chinese Companies Act" Not a Slam Dunk and Has More Bark Than Bite if It Passes, I made three "predictions." First, the U.S. House of Representatives would not get around to voting on the "delisting act" before the end of the Congressional session. Second, if the House does vote, it would likely pass the bill. Third, if the bill passes, it would have more bark than bite.As a bloke called Meat Loaf once sung, "two out of three ain't bad."On Wednesday, the House voted and passed Senate Bill 945, titled the "Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act." That the House managed to vote amidst the dual chaos of a raging pandemic and an unhinged President – so close to adjourning this 116th Congress – is a surprise. That it voted to pass S945 is not at all surprising, however, given widespread bi-partisan support for the bill.The real epiphany comes from additional details provided during House testimony just prior to the vote. Not many, but those details that were disclosed (plus the tone in which they were articulated) shed light on how S945 will be implemented and enforced by the SEC, and why foreign issuers and investors should duly-cautious but not overly-concerned. And why this "delisting bill" is ...... more bark than bite.This Insight presents an updated analysis of S945 (general and China/Hong Kong-specific aspects), shares new details provided by Representative Brad Sherman, offers an opinion on the SEC's likely approach to writing and enforcing S945 rules, analyses China/Hong Kong stocks most at risk under S945, and stocks affected by the France/Belgium angle (similar to China/Hong Kong).

House Passes "Delisting Act" Giving SEC 90 Days to Write Its Rules (And Yes, More Bark Than Bite)

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

Necessity is the mother of financial innovation. The non-traditional listings of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/spotify-technology-sa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26772:1" rel="noopener">Spotify Technology SA (SPOT US)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/slack-technologies-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27904:1" rel="noopener">Slack Technologies Inc (WORK US)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/palantir-technologies-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27728:1" rel="noopener">Palantir Technologies Inc (PLTR US)</a> exhibit an increasing trend toward direct listings, in place of traditional IPOs incorporating lock-up agreements and dysfunctional pricing and allocation process.
This week Airbnb announced plans to go public next year joining the ranks of companies like Spotify and Slack that have used a direct listing to go public.
Is this IPO shortcut route appropriate for all companies? What are the pros and cons? And closer to home, which exchanges are open these virtual IPOs?
In this insight, I address the questions above, discuss various discussions with exchanges in the Asia-Pac regions, and also analyse alternative IPO routes such as special purpose acquisition company (SPACs).
<div class="content-highlight">
<h2>What's Original?</h2>
This insight explores the process, benefits, and track record to date of direct listings in equity markets, through to the current developments in Asia.
</div>

Necessity is the mother of financial innovation. The non-traditional listings of Spotify Technology SA (SPOT US), Slack Technologies Inc (WORK US) and Palantir Technologies Inc (PLTR US) exhibit an increasing trend toward direct listings, in place of traditional IPOs incorporating lock-up agreements and dysfunctional pricing and allocation process.
This week Airbnb announced plans to go public next year joining the ranks of companies like Spotify and Slack that have used a direct listing to go public.
Is this IPO shortcut route appropriate for all companies? What are the pros and cons? And closer to home, which exchanges are open these virtual IPOs?
In this insight, I address the questions above, discuss various discussions with exchanges in the Asia-Pac regions, and also analyse alternative IPO routes such as special purpose acquisition company (SPACs).

What's Original?
This insight explores the process, benefits, and track record to date of direct listings in equity markets, through to the current developments in Asia.


Virtual IPOs/Direct Listings: Uninhibited Price Discovery

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

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

Periscope Analytics

Periscope Analytics focuses on event-driven trades across Asia Pacific and provides comprehensive, timely and systematic coverage of index changes to major Asia Pacific indices in a structured manner.

The analysis includes forecasted inclusions and exclusions to all major Asian indices that have significant amount of tracking assets, including estimates of passive buy/sell flow on the stocks. The service also provides commentary and impact of market consultations, ground rule changes, and other events (IPOs, spin-offs, M&A) that could lead to index changes and passive flow.

Periscope Analytics works with multi-strategy hedge funds, proprietary trading firms, stat arb trading groups and long-only investors that invest and trade in the Asia Pacific region with the data being used to trade index rebalances, avoid pre-positioning and passive flow, and to time entry into and exit from stocks.

Event-Driven Trades Across Asia Pacific

Index Rebalance

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/netease-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29030:1" rel="noopener">NetEase (9999 HK)</a> becomes dual-primary listed on the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hong-kong-exchanges-clearing-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:490:1" rel="noopener">Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (388 HK)</a> from the start of trading on 30 June.</li>
<li>There will be small buying from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hong-kong-hang-seng-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22899:1" rel="noopener">Hang Seng Index (HSI INDEX)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hang-seng-china-enterprises-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22900:1" rel="noopener">Hang Seng China Enterprises Index (HSCEI INDEX)</a> trackers in June.</li>
<li>More importantly, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/netease-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29030:1" rel="noopener">NetEase (9999 HK)</a> should be added to Southbound Stock Connect from the open of trading on 8 September and should bring a lot of mainland flows.</li>
</ul>



NetEase (9999 HK) becomes dual-primary listed on the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (388 HK) from the start of trading on 30 June.
There will be small buying from Hang Seng Index (HSI INDEX) and Hang Seng China Enterprises Index (HSCEI INDEX) trackers in June.
More importantly, NetEase (9999 HK) should be added to Southbound Stock Connect from the open of trading on 8 September and should bring a lot of mainland flows.


Netease (9999 HK): Becomes Dual-Primary Listed Next Week; Implications

Asset Allocation & Fund Positioning, Copley Fund Research

Steven Holden

Asset Allocation & Fund Positioning

Copley Fund Research

Copley Fund Research provide research and data on asset allocation among Global and Emerging Market equity funds.  The analysis details absolute and relative positioning across countries, sectors and industries together with highly granular data on single stock and single fund allocations.  The data is updated monthly with time series going back to January 2011.

Global Research - Analysis of 165 prominent Global equity funds, combined AUM $335bn
GEM Research - Analysis of 127 prominent global EM equity funds, combined AUM $250bn

Asset Allocation - Global and GEM Equity

<ul>
<li>Allocations in Asian Financials stocks have fallen to all-time lows in Asia Ex-Japan active portfolios this year.</li>
<li>Fund managers move to underweight following $3bn in net outflows.</li>
<li>Managers exit ASEAN banks, weights drop in China banks. </li>
<li>On a stock level, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/icici-bank-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:547:1" rel="noopener">ICICI Bank Ltd (ICICIBC IN)</a> ,  <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bank-rakyat-indonesia-persero" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:484:1" rel="noopener">Bank Rakyat Indonesia Persero (BBRI IJ)</a> (-7.2%) and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/indusind-bank-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1558:1" rel="noopener">Indusind Bank (IIB IN)</a> are the hardest hit.</li>
</ul>


Allocations in Asian Financials stocks have fallen to all-time lows in Asia Ex-Japan active portfolios this year.
Fund managers move to underweight following $3bn in net outflows.
Managers exit ASEAN banks, weights drop in China banks. 
On a stock level, ICICI Bank Ltd (ICICIBC IN) ,  Bank Rakyat Indonesia Persero (BBRI IJ) (-7.2%) and Indusind Bank (IIB IN) are the hardest hit.


China and US Equity Analyst

Roger Xie

Cross Asset Strategy

<ul>
<li>China securities watchdog revealed the latest reform on QFII/RQFII (Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor) scheme to further open up China domestic capital market. The new rule will become effective on Nov. 1, 2020. This is another milestone for China capital market reform and will boost up foreign fund inflow in the long-run. We have written the reform measures early this year: <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/china-a-share-strategy-r-qfii-quota-removal-to-offer-more-attractive-channel-to-invest-in-china" target="_blank" rel="noopener">China A-Share Strategy: R/​QFII Quota Removal to Offer More Attractive Channel to Invest In China</a>
</li>
<li>The most significant changes are the additional investment products that foreign fund managers can participate: 1) non-hedging purpose investments in index futures/options, 2) margin financing and securities lending for short-selling purpose, 3) private investment funds, 4) FICC derivatives in commodity exchanges and inter-bank market. We believe these reforms could offer comprehensive investment solutions to sophisticated institutional investors.</li>
<li>Foreign Funds' China A-share positions have accounted about 4% of A-share total market-cap, or 9% of A-share free-float market-cap by the end of 1H 2020. Nowadays, foreign investors have multiple channels to deploy their capital into China A-share market: QFII scheme, RMB-QFII scheme, or stock connect program via Hong Kong exchange (<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hong-kong-exchanges-clearing" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:490:1" rel="noopener">HKEX (388 HK)</a>).  Given the increasing weight of China A-share in global benchmark indices, we believe foreign funds' China A-share positions will continue to rise and will reach 10% of A-share total market-cap in next 10 years.</li>
</ul>


China securities watchdog revealed the latest reform on QFII/RQFII (Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor) scheme to further open up China domestic capital market. The new rule will become effective on Nov. 1, 2020. This is another milestone for China capital market reform and will boost up foreign fund inflow in the long-run. We have written the reform measures early this year: China A-Share Strategy: R/​QFII Quota Removal to Offer More Attractive Channel to Invest In China

The most significant changes are the additional investment products that foreign fund managers can participate: 1) non-hedging purpose investments in index futures/options, 2) margin financing and securities lending for short-selling purpose, 3) private investment funds, 4) FICC derivatives in commodity exchanges and inter-bank market. We believe these reforms could offer comprehensive investment solutions to sophisticated institutional investors.
Foreign Funds' China A-share positions have accounted about 4% of A-share total market-cap, or 9% of A-share free-float market-cap by the end of 1H 2020. Nowadays, foreign investors have multiple channels to deploy their capital into China A-share market: QFII scheme, RMB-QFII scheme, or stock connect program via Hong Kong exchange (HKEX (388 HK)).  Given the increasing weight of China A-share in global benchmark indices, we believe foreign funds' China A-share positions will continue to rise and will reach 10% of A-share total market-cap in next 10 years.


China A-Share Strategy: Deregulation in QFII/RQFII Scheme to Boost up Foreign Fund Inflow

Hong Kong

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) operates a range of equity, commodity, fixed income, and currency markets, providing listing, trading, clearing, and settlement services for securities and derivatives. It also functions as a frontline regulator for companies listed in Hong Kong. HKEX was formally established on March 6, 2000, and is headquartered in Exchange Square, Central, Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (388 HK)

Price Gauge
52-week Range	0.00 - 0.00
Market Cap (USDm)	0.00
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Dividend (Yield)	0.00

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (388 HK)

House Passes "Delisting Act" Giving SEC 90 Days to Write Its Rules (And Yes, More Bark Than Bite)

The U.S. House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 945, the "Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act." New details support the notion that S945...

Kyle Rudden

Virtual IPOs/Direct Listings: Uninhibited Price Discovery

There’s no cookie-cutter approach that should be employed for every company seeking to go public. But late-stage, venture-backed technology...

David Blennerhassett

Netease (9999 HK): Becomes Dual-Primary Listed Next Week; Implications

As expected, Netease will be added to Southbound Stock Connect from the open of trading on 30 June. The stock is up 10% over the last 2 trading...

Brian Freitas

Asia Ex-Japan Financials: Long Drop

Allocations in Financial stocks drop to all-time lows in Asia Ex-Japan active funds. Financials now key underweight holding, led by selling in the...

Steven Holden

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

House Passes "Delisting Act" Giving SEC 90 Days to Write Its Rules (And Yes, More Bark Than Bite)

The U.S. House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 945, the "Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act." New details support the notion that S945...

Kyle Rudden

Virtual IPOs/Direct Listings: Uninhibited Price Discovery

There’s no cookie-cutter approach that should be employed for every company seeking to go public. But late-stage, venture-backed technology...

David Blennerhassett

Netease (9999 HK): Becomes Dual-Primary Listed Next Week; Implications

As expected, Netease will be added to Southbound Stock Connect from the open of trading on 30 June. The stock is up 10% over the last 2 trading...

Brian Freitas

Asia Ex-Japan Financials: Long Drop

Allocations in Financial stocks drop to all-time lows in Asia Ex-Japan active funds. Financials now key underweight holding, led by selling in the...

Steven Holden

China A-Share Strategy: Deregulation in QFII/RQFII Scheme to Boost up Foreign Fund Inflow

We believe foreign funds' China A-share positions will continue to rise and will reach 10% of A-share total market-cap in next 10 years.

Roger Xie