Asian Insight Provider - Actionable ideas, CrossASEAN Research

Henry Soediarko

Asian Insight Provider - Actionable ideas

CrossASEAN Research

At CrossASEAN Research we strive to produce unbiased and differentiated on the ground insights on companies across South East Asia. Our Research is produced for the most part after face to face meetings and conversations with company management to dig deep into the long term vision and strategy of the companies we cover. We seek to deliver investable and actionable themes on sectors and markets across SE Asia, often in collaboration with other Insight Providers across the region, pooling the vast experience of the analysts within the Smartkarma Ecosystem. We also offer bespoke work and tailor made trips for our clients. 

Insights across South East Asia

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>The share price of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener">Guangdong Investment (270 HK)</a> has outperformed <a target="_blank" rel="noopener">the Hang Seng Index (HSI INDEX)</a> over the last 12 months. </li>
<li>The company recently divested one of its retail assets, which is highly cyclical and has thin margins, to focus on higher-margin, more consistent water infrastructure assets. </li>
<li>The divestment results in a marginal net income increment that helps to provide stability for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/guangdong-investment-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12109:1" rel="noopener">Guangdong Investment (270 HK)</a> share price. </li>
</ul>


The share price of Guangdong Investment (270 HK) has outperformed the Hang Seng Index (HSI INDEX) over the last 12 months. 
The company recently divested one of its retail assets, which is highly cyclical and has thin margins, to focus on higher-margin, more consistent water infrastructure assets. 
The divestment results in a marginal net income increment that helps to provide stability for Guangdong Investment (270 HK) share price. 


Guangdong Investments (270): Retail to Utility

Alpha-Centric ESG Research

Kyle Rudden

Sometimes, the "ESG stuff" can really alter the outcome of an IPO. The <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/saudi-aramco" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27317:1" rel="noopener">Saudi Aramco (ARAMCO AB)</a> debut was curbed by Environmental concerns. WeWork's failed IPO is a case study in founder-led Governance risk. Palantir quashed its "adjustable voting power for founders" after an uproar.
ESG impacts IPOs. But not Ant's IPO.
Ant's ESG profile is strong. There a few skeletons in the closet if you look hard enough, but they are bygone and irrelevant . Current ESG blemishes are minor. There isn't much dirt for ESG idealists to wallow in. If they are even looking at all; as a "China deal," ESG has a different relevance for Ant.
Ant's IPO is a momentous ESG event, but not in the traditional and obvious way.
This is not about ESG impacting Ant's IPO. This is about Ant's IPO impacting ESG.
Looking at Ant through a typical ESG lens will make one's head spin. But step back and look again, and it becomes clear that Ant is a strategically-integrated masterpiece at the vanguard of a critical crossroads – the intersection of Fintech, financial inclusion, green finance, and sustainability.
It is all a matter of perspective.
Seeing the forest for the trees.

Sometimes, the "ESG stuff" can really alter the outcome of an IPO. The Saudi Aramco (ARAMCO AB) debut was curbed by Environmental concerns. WeWork's failed IPO is a case study in founder-led Governance risk. Palantir quashed its "adjustable voting power for founders" after an uproar.
ESG impacts IPOs. But not Ant's IPO.
Ant's ESG profile is strong. There a few skeletons in the closet if you look hard enough, but they are bygone and irrelevant . Current ESG blemishes are minor. There isn't much dirt for ESG idealists to wallow in. If they are even looking at all; as a "China deal," ESG has a different relevance for Ant.
Ant's IPO is a momentous ESG event, but not in the traditional and obvious way.
This is not about ESG impacting Ant's IPO. This is about Ant's IPO impacting ESG.
Looking at Ant through a typical ESG lens will make one's head spin. But step back and look again, and it becomes clear that Ant is a strategically-integrated masterpiece at the vanguard of a critical crossroads – the intersection of Fintech, financial inclusion, green finance, and sustainability.
It is all a matter of perspective.
Seeing the forest for the trees.

Ant Group Pre-IPO ESG Assessment: Seeing the Forest for the Trees

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

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

*Export Restrictions On SMIC: The US Commerce Department has reportedly imposed export restrictions on mainland China’s SMIC (largest semiconductor firm), with American US firms being required to apply for a license in order to export certain products to SMIC. These restrictions were reportedly implemented due to "an unacceptable risk of diversion to a military end use" and confirmed the recent market speculation of US action against SMIC;*Unreliable Entity List: Mainland China’s Ministry of Commerce finally issued regulations for its “unreliable entity” list aimed at foreign companies that it deems endanger national sovereignty, security, or development interests. Companies which end up on the list could be banned from importing/exporting from/to mainland China, and may be barred from investing in the country; and*Taiwan Flashpoint Coming: Rhetoric between is also being ramped up militarily between both sides over Taiwan, as the US government is contemplating providing Taiwan with an advanced defensive system and provocations of more "high-level official visits to Taiwan" by U.S. officials.

*Export Restrictions On SMIC: The US Commerce Department has reportedly imposed export restrictions on mainland China’s SMIC (largest semiconductor firm), with American US firms being required to apply for a license in order to export certain products to SMIC. These restrictions were reportedly implemented due to "an unacceptable risk of diversion to a military end use" and confirmed the recent market speculation of US action against SMIC;*Unreliable Entity List: Mainland China’s Ministry of Commerce finally issued regulations for its “unreliable entity” list aimed at foreign companies that it deems endanger national sovereignty, security, or development interests. Companies which end up on the list could be banned from importing/exporting from/to mainland China, and may be barred from investing in the country; and*Taiwan Flashpoint Coming: Rhetoric between is also being ramped up militarily between both sides over Taiwan, as the US government is contemplating providing Taiwan with an advanced defensive system and provocations of more "high-level official visits to Taiwan" by U.S. officials.

Trump Administration Continues to Ratchet Up The Pressure

* ICIJ Points Fingers Post-Swedbank Fiasco: The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) reviewed over 2,100 suspicious activity reports (SARs), which were filed with the US Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FINCEN). The report suggests that there was about USD 2 tn in questionable transactions between 1999-2017, which were flagged by the sector’s internal compliance officers from over 90 financial institutions;  and*Expect An Active DOJ Under Biden/Harris: If Biden/Harris win, Deutsche and Turkey’s Halkbank (HALKB.TI) would appear to be most as risk with a more proactive Department of Justice (DOJ). However, not far behind are others including: HSBC Holdings (5.HK/HSBA/LN) and Standard Chartered (2888.HK/STAN.LN). In addition, when mainland Chinese-US relations materially deteriorate under a Biden administration, we would fully anticipate the entire mainland Chinese financial system to be under a magnifying glass.

* ICIJ Points Fingers Post-Swedbank Fiasco: The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) reviewed over 2,100 suspicious activity reports (SARs), which were filed with the US Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FINCEN). The report suggests that there was about USD 2 tn in questionable transactions between 1999-2017, which were flagged by the sector’s internal compliance officers from over 90 financial institutions;  and*Expect An Active DOJ Under Biden/Harris: If Biden/Harris win, Deutsche and Turkey’s Halkbank (HALKB.TI) would appear to be most as risk with a more proactive Department of Justice (DOJ). However, not far behind are others including: HSBC Holdings (5.HK/HSBA/LN) and Standard Chartered (2888.HK/STAN.LN). In addition, when mainland Chinese-US relations materially deteriorate under a Biden administration, we would fully anticipate the entire mainland Chinese financial system to be under a magnifying glass.

Asia Banks – Watch Your Anti-Money Laundering Risk Again

Research and consultancy, Tabbush Report

Daniel Tabbush

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.

We have seen with many European and US banks, a sharp reduction of credit costs during 2Q20 compared with 1Q20.  Even in Japan some banks have taken exceptionally high credit costs during the March quarter, suggesting there can be a major reduction during 1Q21 ending in June. There is an altogether different concern from some of Latin America’s largest banks. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/itau-unibanco-holding-sa-9d47d196-e503-471b-a84e-ca4401033062" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24550:1" rel="noopener">Itau Unibanco Holding Sa (ITUB4 BZ)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/banco-santander-mexico-sa-in" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27672:1" rel="noopener">Banco Santander Mexico-B (BSMXB MM)</a> are two that stand out, with incredibly low provision expenses during 1Q20 relative to FY19. This can mean a sharp rise during 2Q20. We have already seen this with some LatAm peers.

We have seen with many European and US banks, a sharp reduction of credit costs during 2Q20 compared with 1Q20.  Even in Japan some banks have taken exceptionally high credit costs during the March quarter, suggesting there can be a major reduction during 1Q21 ending in June. There is an altogether different concern from some of Latin America’s largest banks. Itau Unibanco Holding Sa (ITUB4 BZ) and Banco Santander Mexico-B (BSMXB MM) are two that stand out, with incredibly low provision expenses during 1Q20 relative to FY19. This can mean a sharp rise during 2Q20. We have already seen this with some LatAm peers. 

LatAm Banks – Late Bloomers On Credit Costs?

United Kingdom

HSBC Holdings Plc is a British universal bank and financial services group operating worldwide. It offers a wide range of services including retail and personal banking, wealth management, commercial banking, global banking, and markets and securities services. The company was founded in British Hong Kong in 1865 and is headquartered in London, England.

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HSBC (HSBA LN)

Guangdong Investments (270): Retail to Utility

Guangdong Investment's divesting cyclical retail asset for focus on higher-margin water infrastructure assets, resulting in stability and marginal...

Henry Soediarko

Ant Group Pre-IPO ESG Assessment: Seeing the Forest for the Trees

xxxx Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim...

Kyle Rudden

Trump Administration Continues to Ratchet Up The Pressure

*Export Restrictions On SMIC: The US Commerce Department has reportedly imposed export restrictions on mainland China’s SMIC (largest semiconductor...

Thomas J. Monaco

Asia Banks – Watch Your Anti-Money Laundering Risk Again

* ICIJ Points Fingers Post-Swedbank Fiasco: The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) reviewed over 2,100 suspicious...

Thomas J. Monaco

LatAm Banks – Late Bloomers On Credit Costs?

We have seen with many European and US banks, a sharp reduction of credit costs during 2Q20 compared with 1Q20. Even in Japan some banks have...

Daniel Tabbush

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Guangdong Investments (270): Retail to Utility

​Guangdong Investment's divesting cyclical retail asset for focus on higher-margin water infrastructure assets, resulting in stability and marginal...

Henry Soediarko

Ant Group Pre-IPO ESG Assessment: Seeing the Forest for the Trees

xxxx Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim...

Kyle Rudden

Trump Administration Continues to Ratchet Up The Pressure

*Export Restrictions On SMIC: The US Commerce Department has reportedly imposed export restrictions on mainland China’s SMIC (largest semiconductor...

Thomas J. Monaco

Asia Banks – Watch Your Anti-Money Laundering Risk Again

* ICIJ Points Fingers Post-Swedbank Fiasco: The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) reviewed over 2,100 suspicious...

Thomas J. Monaco

LatAm Banks – Late Bloomers On Credit Costs?

We have seen with many European and US banks, a sharp reduction of credit costs during 2Q20 compared with 1Q20. Even in Japan some banks have...

Daniel Tabbush

Guangdong Investment's divesting cyclical retail asset for focus on higher-margin water infrastructure assets, resulting in stability and marginal...