Asia L/S Equity PM/Macro/Thematic Idea Generation

Rikki Malik

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>A stealth bull market is underway in Chinese bank shares </li>
<li>Banks are well positioned to benefit as the economy grows and interest rates rise</li>
<li>Value remains in the sector despite the  move up in share prices</li>
</ul>


A stealth bull market is underway in Chinese bank shares 
Banks are well positioned to benefit as the economy grows and interest rates rise
Value remains in the sector despite the  move up in share prices


Who Is Crazy Enough to Buy a Chinese Bank?

Equity Derivatives and Volatility Specialist, Clifton Derivatives

John Ley

Equity Derivatives and Volatility Specialist

Clifton Derivatives

Independent derivative and volatility research firm focusing on events/catalysts, earnings, relative value and cross asset volatility strategies.

Equity Derivatives

<ul>
<li>A dramatic shift saw stocks surge as market sentiment reversed week over week.</li>
<li>Single stock option volumes were significantly lower vs prior two weeks.</li>
<li>We highlight stocks that have had unusual moves in price, volume and implied volatility.</li>
</ul>


A dramatic shift saw stocks surge as market sentiment reversed week over week.
Single stock option volumes were significantly lower vs prior two weeks.
We highlight stocks that have had unusual moves in price, volume and implied volatility.


Hong Kong Single Stock Options Weekly (March 03 – 07): From Caution to Euphoria as Sentiment Flips

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Gross SOUTHBOUND volumes dropped somewhat but still high. NET buying by SOUTHBOUND was HK$35bn which is still quite strong. Round-tripping volume down 20% week-on-week.</li>
<li>The flows here are still striking. &gt;20% of the top 100 most liquid Southbound eligible stocks saw SOUTHBOUND buy more than 10% of weekly volume. </li>
<li>It feels like there is some common understanding among SOUTHBOUND investors which I do not understand. The numbers are big/growing.</li>
</ul>


Gross SOUTHBOUND volumes dropped somewhat but still high. NET buying by SOUTHBOUND was HK$35bn which is still quite strong. Round-tripping volume down 20% week-on-week.
The flows here are still striking. &gt;20% of the top 100 most liquid Southbound eligible stocks saw SOUTHBOUND buy more than 10% of weekly volume. 
It feels like there is some common understanding among SOUTHBOUND investors which I do not understand. The numbers are big/growing.


HK Connect SOUTHBOUND Flows (To 7 Mar 2025); Big Volumes, Big Net; Tech, Banks, and Telecoms

Derivatives and Quantitative Strategist

Gaudenz Schneider

<ul>
<li>
<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> <strong>put</strong> options show concentrated positioning at the 19,000 and 20,000 strike levels.</li>
<li>Traders continue to establish new positions approximately 15%-20% below current market levels, suggesting protection against major market corrections rather than minor pullbacks. The focus is on near-term risk.</li>
<li>Implied volatility has remained stable at 25-30% over the past two weeks, consistent with a broadly sideways movement in the index itself.</li>
</ul>



Hang Seng Index (HSI INDEX) put options show concentrated positioning at the 19,000 and 20,000 strike levels.
Traders continue to establish new positions approximately 15%-20% below current market levels, suggesting protection against major market corrections rather than minor pullbacks. The focus is on near-term risk.
Implied volatility has remained stable at 25-30% over the past two weeks, consistent with a broadly sideways movement in the index itself.


Hang Seng Index (HSI): Trends in PUT Strikes and Open Interest Visualized in Animation and Charts

<ul>
<li>Market traders of <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> call options maintain significant holdings in lower strikes, with notable concentration at the 20,000 strike level.</li>
<li>Open interest data reveals significant increase in open interest for 25,000 and 26,000 strike calls since late February, reflecting active trading as traders built new positions.</li>
<li>Despite increased trading activity and changes in market positioning, implied volatility has remained stable at 25-30% over the past two weeks, reflecting a consistent market sentiment.</li>
</ul>


Market traders of Hang Seng Index (HSI INDEX) call options maintain significant holdings in lower strikes, with notable concentration at the 20,000 strike level.
Open interest data reveals significant increase in open interest for 25,000 and 26,000 strike calls since late February, reflecting active trading as traders built new positions.
Despite increased trading activity and changes in market positioning, implied volatility has remained stable at 25-30% over the past two weeks, reflecting a consistent market sentiment.


Hang Seng Index (HSI): Trends in CALL Strikes and Open Interest Visualized in Animation and Charts

China

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited provides banking services. The Company offers deposits, loans, fund underwriting, foreign currency settlement, and other services. Industrial and Commercial Bank of China provides its services to individuals, enterprises, and other clients.

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

ICBC (H) (1398 HK)

Who Is Crazy Enough to Buy a Chinese Bank?

Chinese bank shares are experiencing a stealth bull market. Value and drivers still remain in the sector despite the negativity on the economy

Rikki Malik

Hong Kong Single Stock Options Weekly (March 03 – 07): From Caution to Euphoria as Sentiment Flips

Stocks surged as market sentiment reversed, with lower single stock option volumes compared to previous weeks. Unusual moves in price, volume, and...

John Ley

HK Connect SOUTHBOUND Flows (To 7 Mar 2025); Big Volumes, Big Net; Tech, Banks, and Telecoms

HK Connect SOUTHBOUND investors bought another HK$35bn on a net basis while trading high gross volumes again. Tech led, but banks were among the...

Travis Lundy

Hang Seng Index (HSI): Trends in PUT Strikes and Open Interest Visualized in Animation and Charts

Traders are heavily positioned in Hang Seng Index put options at 19,000 and 20,000 strike levels, indicating protection against major market...

Gaudenz Schneider

Hang Seng Index (HSI): Trends in CALL Strikes and Open Interest Visualized in Animation and Charts

Traders of Hang Seng Index call options maintain significant holdings at lower strikes. Increased interest in 25,000 and 26,000 strikes

Gaudenz Schneider

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Who Is Crazy Enough to Buy a Chinese Bank?

​Chinese bank shares are experiencing a stealth bull market. Value and drivers still remain in the sector despite the negativity on the economy

Rikki Malik

Hong Kong Single Stock Options Weekly (March 03 – 07): From Caution to Euphoria as Sentiment Flips

​Stocks surged as market sentiment reversed, with lower single stock option volumes compared to previous weeks. Unusual moves in price, volume, and...

John Ley

HK Connect SOUTHBOUND Flows (To 7 Mar 2025); Big Volumes, Big Net; Tech, Banks, and Telecoms

HK Connect SOUTHBOUND investors bought another HK$35bn on a net basis while trading high gross volumes again. Tech led, but banks were among the...

Travis Lundy

Hang Seng Index (HSI): Trends in PUT Strikes and Open Interest Visualized in Animation and Charts

​Traders are heavily positioned in Hang Seng Index put options at 19,000 and 20,000 strike levels, indicating protection against major market...

Gaudenz Schneider

Hang Seng Index (HSI): Trends in CALL Strikes and Open Interest Visualized in Animation and Charts

Traders of Hang Seng Index call options maintain significant holdings at lower strikes. Increased interest in 25,000 and 26,000 strikes

Gaudenz Schneider

Chinese bank shares are experiencing a stealth bull market. Value and drivers still remain in the sector despite the negativity on the economy

Stocks surged as market sentiment reversed, with lower single stock option volumes compared to previous weeks. Unusual moves in price, volume, and...

Traders are heavily positioned in Hang Seng Index put options at 19,000 and 20,000 strike levels, indicating protection against major market...