Financials Credit Analyst

Hank Calenti, CFA

CreditContinuum

Credit

Goldilocks may morph into a market wolf if the US Senate changes leadership while 100 mask wearing days haunts of Jimmy Carter-like sentiment. This is not priced in and these changes may limit the annual January bounce.Also, there is a risk that the market has gotten ahead of itself as bank management’s loss expectations are yet to be tested. US bank earnings announcements at mid-month will be watched for signs of management concern as well as dividend expectations. January’s top 10 performers could have distinctively lower risk profiles.Idiosyncratic plus vaccine impact expectations drove December performance. As such, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bank-of-east-asia-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:341:1" rel="noopener">Bank of East Asia (23 HK)</a> and Thai Bank Additional Tier 1 (AT1) securities outperformed in Asia, albeit for differing reasons.While Thai bank bonds rode the wave of enthusiasm following announcements of Coronavirus vaccines, Bank of East Asia’s notes gained on credit technical reasons. Similarly, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/vietnam-prosperity-jsc-bank" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26914:1" rel="noopener">Vietnam Prosperity's (VPB VN)</a> bond rose on vaccine developments while Ardshindbank and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-minsheng-banking-a" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:655:1" rel="noopener">China Minsheng  (600016 CH)</a> gained as their respective credit situations improved.Bank of East Asia’s decision to retire its December callable Additional Tier 1 bonds woke the market to our insight several months earlier that this debt is inefficient capital. Please see <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/bank-of-east-asia-buy-the-inefficient-capital-securities" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:42753" rel="noopener">Buy the Inefficient Capital Securities</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/bank-of-east-asia-move-to-overweight-the-capital-inefficient-securities-from-buy" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:45652" rel="noopener">Move to Overweight the Capital Inefficient Securities from Buy</a> for more details.<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yes-bank-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:767:1" rel="noopener">YES Bank (YES IN)</a> led spread widening. Having hit par at one point during December, investors followed our recommendation to lighten exposure. Please see: <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/yes-bank-par-is-plenty-move-to-underweight" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:46120" rel="noopener">Par Is Plenty- Move to Underweight</a> for more details.In a positive sign from a vaccine momentum perspective, the positive spread movement amongst Thailand’s AT1 bonds continued throughout December. Nonetheless, we see this as a cognitive dissonance trade which ignores vaccine distribution and time extension risks. Rolling lockdowns do not improve consumer confidence and lower Q1 economic output in Europe and the US may ensue. This could impact Asia asset values and our preference would be to fade the rally in Thai bank AT1.

Goldilocks may morph into a market wolf if the US Senate changes leadership while 100 mask wearing days haunts of Jimmy Carter-like sentiment. This is not priced in and these changes may limit the annual January bounce.Also, there is a risk that the market has gotten ahead of itself as bank management’s loss expectations are yet to be tested. US bank earnings announcements at mid-month will be watched for signs of management concern as well as dividend expectations. January’s top 10 performers could have distinctively lower risk profiles.Idiosyncratic plus vaccine impact expectations drove December performance. As such, Bank of East Asia (23 HK) and Thai Bank Additional Tier 1 (AT1) securities outperformed in Asia, albeit for differing reasons.While Thai bank bonds rode the wave of enthusiasm following announcements of Coronavirus vaccines, Bank of East Asia’s notes gained on credit technical reasons. Similarly, Vietnam Prosperity's (VPB VN) bond rose on vaccine developments while Ardshindbank and China Minsheng  (600016 CH) gained as their respective credit situations improved.Bank of East Asia’s decision to retire its December callable Additional Tier 1 bonds woke the market to our insight several months earlier that this debt is inefficient capital. Please see Buy the Inefficient Capital Securities and Move to Overweight the Capital Inefficient Securities from Buy for more details.YES Bank (YES IN) led spread widening. Having hit par at one point during December, investors followed our recommendation to lighten exposure. Please see: Par Is Plenty- Move to Underweight for more details.In a positive sign from a vaccine momentum perspective, the positive spread movement amongst Thailand’s AT1 bonds continued throughout December. Nonetheless, we see this as a cognitive dissonance trade which ignores vaccine distribution and time extension risks. Rolling lockdowns do not improve consumer confidence and lower Q1 economic output in Europe and the US may ensue. This could impact Asia asset values and our preference would be to fade the rally in Thai bank AT1.

Bank Credit Compass: Regime Change May Limit the Annual January Bounce

Asia’s Additional Tier 1 (AT1), Subordinated and high yield Senior Unsecured bonds outperformed higher rated Senior Unsecured notes over the holiday shortened week. Hong Kong-based AT1 issuers led for a second week in a row. Nonetheless, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/indiabulls-housing-finance-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13086:1" rel="noopener">Indiabulls Housing Finance's (IHFL IN)</a> 6 3/8% coupon 2022 maturity note led overall performance by tightening 56 basis points. This bond continues to trade almost 1300bps over its benchmark bond and is relatively illiquid. Amongst more liquid notes, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bank-of-east-asia-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:341:1" rel="noopener">Bank of East Asia's  (23 HK)</a> 2024 callable AT1 outperformed while <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/siam-commercial-bank-pub-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:214:1" rel="noopener">Siam Commercial Bank's (SCB TB)</a> 2023 Senior Unsecured bond underperformed. Thailand-based bank issuers dragged high grade Senior Unsecured returns lower.Thin markets were directionless over the last week, so we focus on bond performance in this note. For our views on likely Brexit, stimulus, and virus impacts, please see last week’s Bank Credit Weekly: <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/bank-credit-weekly-fed-spikes-while-the-ecb-sweetens-the-punch-bowl" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:46524" rel="noopener">Fed Spikes While the ECB Sweetens the Punch Bowl</a>.Market Outlook: Brexit and eventual US stimulus is largely priced into US Treasury and credit markets. Reduced economic activity over the near term from increased virus-related lockdowns may not be fully reflected in asset prices. As such, thin markets may exacerbate price moves over the next two weeks. This may confuse noise for signals. We think it better to fade a further market rally. At the same time, we would avoid extending into any year-end decline.

Asia’s Additional Tier 1 (AT1), Subordinated and high yield Senior Unsecured bonds outperformed higher rated Senior Unsecured notes over the holiday shortened week. Hong Kong-based AT1 issuers led for a second week in a row. Nonetheless, Indiabulls Housing Finance's (IHFL IN) 6 3/8% coupon 2022 maturity note led overall performance by tightening 56 basis points. This bond continues to trade almost 1300bps over its benchmark bond and is relatively illiquid. Amongst more liquid notes, Bank of East Asia's  (23 HK) 2024 callable AT1 outperformed while Siam Commercial Bank's (SCB TB) 2023 Senior Unsecured bond underperformed. Thailand-based bank issuers dragged high grade Senior Unsecured returns lower.Thin markets were directionless over the last week, so we focus on bond performance in this note. For our views on likely Brexit, stimulus, and virus impacts, please see last week’s Bank Credit Weekly: Fed Spikes While the ECB Sweetens the Punch Bowl.Market Outlook: Brexit and eventual US stimulus is largely priced into US Treasury and credit markets. Reduced economic activity over the near term from increased virus-related lockdowns may not be fully reflected in asset prices. As such, thin markets may exacerbate price moves over the next two weeks. This may confuse noise for signals. We think it better to fade a further market rally. At the same time, we would avoid extending into any year-end decline.

Bank Credit Weekly: Asia’s Higher Risk Notes Outperform in Thin Markets

There is a healthy concern that the Fed is spiking this holiday season’s punch bowl while the ECB is sweetening the brew with additional TLTROs and less collateral. US federal stimulus may add the moonshine. These actions will impact Asia’s risk assets. Thin markets could see outsized moves as year-end event deadlines approach. Risk remains to the downside as positive outcomes are already priced in. Nonetheless, the Fed continues to underwrite this market although the longevity is open to debate despite recent announcements. Credit investors cannot fight the Fed, but you can fight the urge to overindulge.Two days after the Fed announcement to extend the longevity, but not alter the duration, of its bond purchases, FOMC members openly began to qualify this decision. The announcement is tantamount to spiking the punch bowl. Price discovery is already distorted in the credit markets and excessive risk taking is already encouraged. With economic recovery priced-into risk assets but mispriced in risk-free assets due to central bank policies, the ability to hedge market downturns may be impaired. This could exacerbate a market correction. This risk remains some time off, but it may approach at some point in 2021 and begin to get priced in much earlier.The failure of the Fed to alter the duration of its bond purchases should embolden the market to break the psychological 1% barrier on the 10-year Treasury bond, especially if we see a US federal stimulus package over the weekend. This would be beneficial to bank securities over the short term, especially if it occurs in tandem with continued bear steepening from the short end of the curve. Concurrently, higher rates would raise the real effective rate and could be dollar negative. Asia and EM securities could follow, then retrace positive moves.Work through the weekend to agree additional US federal stimulus may bear fruit as a compromise on ending the Fed’s emergency lending programs is reached. A limited agreement is priced-in, but downside may also be limited as the early January Senate run-off race in Georgia will become the focus irrespective of the current stimulus bill. The run-off race outcome could deliver even more stimulus shorter thereafter.In Europe, fishing rights are damming the works towards a Brexit deal. This disagreement could be bridged. Meanwhile, Christmas is effectively cancelled in London due to the virus while other US and European jurisdictions continue to see increased economic impacts. Rolling lockdowns do not improve consumer confidence and Q1 2021 economic contractions may ensue. This could impact Asia asset values.In Asia itself, China-centric risk assets continue to perform, although these still have a long way to catchup with the recent US rally. Positive sentiment that China’s economy will continue to outperform are tempered with caution regarding the potential for increased defaults. Vaccine expectations continue to power other markets in Asia in a cognitive dissonance trade which ignores vaccine distribution and time extension risks.Market Outlook: Positive stimulus or Brexit news could lead to a strong start in Asia as the week begins. However, a buy the rumor, sell the fact tactical trade could then ensue. Thin markets may exacerbate price moves over the next two to three weeks. This may confuse noise for signals. We think it better to fade a further market rally. At the same time, we would avoid extending into any year-end decline.

There is a healthy concern that the Fed is spiking this holiday season’s punch bowl while the ECB is sweetening the brew with additional TLTROs and less collateral. US federal stimulus may add the moonshine. These actions will impact Asia’s risk assets. Thin markets could see outsized moves as year-end event deadlines approach. Risk remains to the downside as positive outcomes are already priced in. Nonetheless, the Fed continues to underwrite this market although the longevity is open to debate despite recent announcements. Credit investors cannot fight the Fed, but you can fight the urge to overindulge.Two days after the Fed announcement to extend the longevity, but not alter the duration, of its bond purchases, FOMC members openly began to qualify this decision. The announcement is tantamount to spiking the punch bowl. Price discovery is already distorted in the credit markets and excessive risk taking is already encouraged. With economic recovery priced-into risk assets but mispriced in risk-free assets due to central bank policies, the ability to hedge market downturns may be impaired. This could exacerbate a market correction. This risk remains some time off, but it may approach at some point in 2021 and begin to get priced in much earlier.The failure of the Fed to alter the duration of its bond purchases should embolden the market to break the psychological 1% barrier on the 10-year Treasury bond, especially if we see a US federal stimulus package over the weekend. This would be beneficial to bank securities over the short term, especially if it occurs in tandem with continued bear steepening from the short end of the curve. Concurrently, higher rates would raise the real effective rate and could be dollar negative. Asia and EM securities could follow, then retrace positive moves.Work through the weekend to agree additional US federal stimulus may bear fruit as a compromise on ending the Fed’s emergency lending programs is reached. A limited agreement is priced-in, but downside may also be limited as the early January Senate run-off race in Georgia will become the focus irrespective of the current stimulus bill. The run-off race outcome could deliver even more stimulus shorter thereafter.In Europe, fishing rights are damming the works towards a Brexit deal. This disagreement could be bridged. Meanwhile, Christmas is effectively cancelled in London due to the virus while other US and European jurisdictions continue to see increased economic impacts. Rolling lockdowns do not improve consumer confidence and Q1 2021 economic contractions may ensue. This could impact Asia asset values.In Asia itself, China-centric risk assets continue to perform, although these still have a long way to catchup with the recent US rally. Positive sentiment that China’s economy will continue to outperform are tempered with caution regarding the potential for increased defaults. Vaccine expectations continue to power other markets in Asia in a cognitive dissonance trade which ignores vaccine distribution and time extension risks.Market Outlook: Positive stimulus or Brexit news could lead to a strong start in Asia as the week begins. However, a buy the rumor, sell the fact tactical trade could then ensue. Thin markets may exacerbate price moves over the next two to three weeks. This may confuse noise for signals. We think it better to fade a further market rally. At the same time, we would avoid extending into any year-end decline.

Bank Credit Weekly: Fed Spikes While the ECB Sweetens the Punch Bowl

The worse the economic news, the greater the expectation of US federal stimulus, the more the market rallies. Investors may be surprised to find that recent federal stimulus discussions are more appearance than substance. The balance of the US Senate is at stake and this posturing plays right into that election.Despite the overall improved risk tone, emerging market capital inflows flattened to remain at their highest levels since mid-February. This is surprising as almost everyone expects a weakening dollar next year. This is not a good sign. So long as yields are rising due to economic growth expectations, all is good; however, if yields are rising due to increasing inflation expectations, then a market correction is inevitable as investors re-assess policymaker’s commitment. Much depends on what and how the Fed communicates. Signs of wavering from overshooting inflation targets could spark a mini-taper tantrum.While global risk sentiment strengthened, Asia’s high yield markets outperformed the US indexes. Asia’s outperformance was likely due to more encouraging news from the region in terms of November’s PMIs which went down well with increased US federal stimulus expectations. Nonetheless, Asia’s HY index still has considerable room to catch-up with the US index. This difference was at its widest level in over 10-years recently and had hit a low of 1.45pp three months ago. This volatility seems overdone. We believe this to be due to US market irrational exuberance although increased concerns on the health of China’s debt issuers also played a part. Rising expectations for the Fed to take bond-supportive policy steps and the potential for another round of fiscal stimulus also play in the market dynamics. However, the Fed may not move before knowing the outcome of the Senate elections and federal stimulus discussions may be a false dawn. As such, we continue to suggest positioning for spread compression between the US and Asia HY indexes via the US Caa-rated index level.Within this environment, Asia’s High Yield bank bonds continued to outperform, although almost all bank bond prices rose on increased risk sentiment. Asia’s lowest rated bank bonds led in terms of spread outperformance. However, a Fed-influenced cap on US longer-term rates may not be bank friendly. We caution bank investors that Fed programs are forever, so be careful what you wish for. Remember when Quantitative Easing ended?Market Outlook: The question now is whether the federal stimulus discussion is about economic or political reality. We hope that our US federal stimulus cynicism is proven incorrect. Assuming we are incorrect, tension between longer-term optimism from vaccine driven economies and the shorter-term reality of increasing Coronavirus lockdowns may then weigh on the market. The recent surge in bullish sentiment raises the question of whether it is sustainable or if a correction may be around the corner, possibly due to the lack of Fed action in its asset purchase program. We are now more deeply set-up for buy-the-rumor, sell-the-fact profit taking.

The worse the economic news, the greater the expectation of US federal stimulus, the more the market rallies. Investors may be surprised to find that recent federal stimulus discussions are more appearance than substance. The balance of the US Senate is at stake and this posturing plays right into that election.Despite the overall improved risk tone, emerging market capital inflows flattened to remain at their highest levels since mid-February. This is surprising as almost everyone expects a weakening dollar next year. This is not a good sign. So long as yields are rising due to economic growth expectations, all is good; however, if yields are rising due to increasing inflation expectations, then a market correction is inevitable as investors re-assess policymaker’s commitment. Much depends on what and how the Fed communicates. Signs of wavering from overshooting inflation targets could spark a mini-taper tantrum.While global risk sentiment strengthened, Asia’s high yield markets outperformed the US indexes. Asia’s outperformance was likely due to more encouraging news from the region in terms of November’s PMIs which went down well with increased US federal stimulus expectations. Nonetheless, Asia’s HY index still has considerable room to catch-up with the US index. This difference was at its widest level in over 10-years recently and had hit a low of 1.45pp three months ago. This volatility seems overdone. We believe this to be due to US market irrational exuberance although increased concerns on the health of China’s debt issuers also played a part. Rising expectations for the Fed to take bond-supportive policy steps and the potential for another round of fiscal stimulus also play in the market dynamics. However, the Fed may not move before knowing the outcome of the Senate elections and federal stimulus discussions may be a false dawn. As such, we continue to suggest positioning for spread compression between the US and Asia HY indexes via the US Caa-rated index level.Within this environment, Asia’s High Yield bank bonds continued to outperform, although almost all bank bond prices rose on increased risk sentiment. Asia’s lowest rated bank bonds led in terms of spread outperformance. However, a Fed-influenced cap on US longer-term rates may not be bank friendly. We caution bank investors that Fed programs are forever, so be careful what you wish for. Remember when Quantitative Easing ended?Market Outlook: The question now is whether the federal stimulus discussion is about economic or political reality. We hope that our US federal stimulus cynicism is proven incorrect. Assuming we are incorrect, tension between longer-term optimism from vaccine driven economies and the shorter-term reality of increasing Coronavirus lockdowns may then weigh on the market. The recent surge in bullish sentiment raises the question of whether it is sustainable or if a correction may be around the corner, possibly due to the lack of Fed action in its asset purchase program. We are now more deeply set-up for buy-the-rumor, sell-the-fact profit taking.

Bank Credit Weekly: New Equation Is Bad News = Buy

Risk-on sentiment resulted in more spread tightening than widening in Asia’s US$-denominated bank bonds (x-Japan) during the month of November. In fact, only 4 securities widened in G-Spread terms out of the 100 bonds that we track in the region. Meanwhile, the largest widening was only 15 basis points (bps) month-on-month.India-headquartered bank bonds led in terms of spread tightening over November and dominate our top 10 list. Amongst the India-headquartered banks, several non-bank finance companies (NBFCs) led advances. Relative to year-end spread levels, there is limited upside remaining amongst the top 10 performers of November.In a positive sign, from a momentum perspective, the positive spread movement amongst India’s NBFCs was continuous throughout November. Coronavirus vaccine news, a Goldilocks US election outcome, and the Janet Yellen effect propelled riskier asset prices higher in most markets and India was no exception.   While the trend is your friend, ordinarily thin trading markets could meet concerns that economic recovery is fully priced, and profit-taking may ensue during December. In addition, there is the risk that the market has gotten ahead of itself as bank management’s loss expectations are yet to be tested. Post-COVID-19, India’s operating environment starts from an already high level of non-performing assets and each bank’s loan loss predictive ability has significant room for improvement. The same could be said for the other outperforming bank bonds in our top 10 list.

Risk-on sentiment resulted in more spread tightening than widening in Asia’s US$-denominated bank bonds (x-Japan) during the month of November. In fact, only 4 securities widened in G-Spread terms out of the 100 bonds that we track in the region. Meanwhile, the largest widening was only 15 basis points (bps) month-on-month.India-headquartered bank bonds led in terms of spread tightening over November and dominate our top 10 list. Amongst the India-headquartered banks, several non-bank finance companies (NBFCs) led advances. Relative to year-end spread levels, there is limited upside remaining amongst the top 10 performers of November.In a positive sign, from a momentum perspective, the positive spread movement amongst India’s NBFCs was continuous throughout November. Coronavirus vaccine news, a Goldilocks US election outcome, and the Janet Yellen effect propelled riskier asset prices higher in most markets and India was no exception.   While the trend is your friend, ordinarily thin trading markets could meet concerns that economic recovery is fully priced, and profit-taking may ensue during December. In addition, there is the risk that the market has gotten ahead of itself as bank management’s loss expectations are yet to be tested. Post-COVID-19, India’s operating environment starts from an already high level of non-performing assets and each bank’s loan loss predictive ability has significant room for improvement. The same could be said for the other outperforming bank bonds in our top 10 list.

Bank Credit Compass: Asia’s November Performance and December Expectations

India

IIFL Finance Limited is an Indian diversified financial services company providing a comprehensive range of secured and unsecured lending products, including home loans, gold loans, business loans, and microfinance. The company serves retail, SME, and corporate clients across India. It was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in Mumbai, India.

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IIFL Finance (IIFL IN)

Bank Credit Compass: Regime Change May Limit the Annual January Bounce

Goldilocks may morph into a market wolf if the US Senate changes hands while 100 mask wearing days haunts of Carter-like sentiment. This is not...

Hank Calenti, CFA

Bank Credit Weekly: Asia’s Higher Risk Notes Outperform in Thin Markets

Asia’s AT1, Subordinated and high yield Senior Unsecured bonds outperformed over the holiday shortened week. Thin markets were directionless, so we...

Hank Calenti, CFA

Bank Credit Weekly: Fed Spikes While the ECB Sweetens the Punch Bowl

The Fed spikes while the ECB sweetens the seasonal punch bowl. US stimulus may add the moonshine. This could be a festive week for bank securities....

Hank Calenti, CFA

Bank Credit Weekly: New Equation Is Bad News = Buy

The worse the economic news, the greater the expectation of US federal stimulus, the more the market rallies. We are now more set-up for buy-the...

Hank Calenti, CFA

Bank Credit Compass: Asia’s November Performance and December Expectations

India-headquartered bank bonds led spread tightening over November. Ordinarily thin markets could meet concerns that economic recovery is fully...

Hank Calenti, CFA

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