Global Bank Equity Specialist, Creative Portfolios

Paul Hollingworth

Global Bank Equity Specialist

Creative Portfolios

Equity Bottom-Up

According to our model PH Score™, ICBC seems headed in the right direction.  The valuation variable within the model helps the Score but other variables are broadly benign. Adding technical factors and the low valuation, ICBC ranks in the top quartile globally of our VFM (Valuation, Fundamentals, Momentum) universe. Elsewhere in China, recent bank results show subpar or mixed fundamental momentum and trends. This is not the case with Big Bertha, ICBC. However, it would be strange if this most systemic of banks did not reflect trends elsewhere. And it is with Asset Quality that the bank shows more than a fair share of stress with NCOs and “doubtful loans” plus “loss loan” buckets in particular showing outsized growth, indicating bad asset migration.Elsewhere, on a LTM basis, the bank's PH Score™ of 9 reflects progression in Profitability, in Efficiency, in Capital Adequacy, in Provisioning as well as the valuation variable though  NIM/Spread compressed and Liquidity eroded somewhat. Having said that, the LDR is at a "sweet spot" level. <div class="content-highlight">A FV of 6% and a PBV of 0.47x are not unattractive. These are below thresholds of 10% and 1x, respectively. An Earnings Yield of 24.1%, a Dividend Yield of 7.3%, and a Total Return Ratio of 3.3x underpin the valuation thesis.  </div>Given the current hostile environment, ICBC will come in for greater external scrutiny regarding its numbers. Others will have moved on to sunnier climes - wherever that may be. Whether management "manages" things more than managers elsewhere is a difficult one to decipher but the authorities are clearly on top of the situation and the bank is not turning off the credit spigot. Disclosure was sufficient for such a globally systemic entity. For those who want to lend money to China, the Dividend Yield alone may provide sufficient compensation for systemic risks. Others may balk at the yield on offer and may ask if something might not be quite right.

According to our model PH Score™, ICBC seems headed in the right direction.  The valuation variable within the model helps the Score but other variables are broadly benign. Adding technical factors and the low valuation, ICBC ranks in the top quartile globally of our VFM (Valuation, Fundamentals, Momentum) universe. Elsewhere in China, recent bank results show subpar or mixed fundamental momentum and trends. This is not the case with Big Bertha, ICBC. However, it would be strange if this most systemic of banks did not reflect trends elsewhere. And it is with Asset Quality that the bank shows more than a fair share of stress with NCOs and “doubtful loans” plus “loss loan” buckets in particular showing outsized growth, indicating bad asset migration.Elsewhere, on a LTM basis, the bank's PH Score™ of 9 reflects progression in Profitability, in Efficiency, in Capital Adequacy, in Provisioning as well as the valuation variable though  NIM/Spread compressed and Liquidity eroded somewhat. Having said that, the LDR is at a "sweet spot" level. A FV of 6% and a PBV of 0.47x are not unattractive. These are below thresholds of 10% and 1x, respectively. An Earnings Yield of 24.1%, a Dividend Yield of 7.3%, and a Total Return Ratio of 3.3x underpin the valuation thesis.  Given the current hostile environment, ICBC will come in for greater external scrutiny regarding its numbers. Others will have moved on to sunnier climes - wherever that may be. Whether management "manages" things more than managers elsewhere is a difficult one to decipher but the authorities are clearly on top of the situation and the bank is not turning off the credit spigot. Disclosure was sufficient for such a globally systemic entity. For those who want to lend money to China, the Dividend Yield alone may provide sufficient compensation for systemic risks. Others may balk at the yield on offer and may ask if something might not be quite right.

ICBC: Model Says "Yes" Though the Market Says "No".

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

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

Event-Driven

The upcoming rebalances for the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hong-kong-hang-seng-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22899:1" rel="noopener">Hong Kong Hang Seng Index (HSI INDEX)</a>, <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> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hang-seng-tech-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31367:1" rel="noopener">Hang Seng Tech Index (HSTECH INDEX)</a> will be implemented at the close of trading on 3 September. The rebalance will use data from todays close to cap the stocks in the index at a maximum of 8% of the index weight.In this Insight, we show the flows after capping stocks using the close on 30 August. The final numbers will be marginally different based on todays closing prices.For the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hong-kong-hang-seng-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22899:1" rel="noopener">Hong Kong Hang Seng Index (HSI INDEX)</a> there are 3 inclusions - <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/xinyi-glass-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11940:1" rel="noopener">Xinyi Glass Holdings (868 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/li-ning-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6047:1" rel="noopener">Li Ning Co Ltd (2331 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-merchants-bank-co-ltd-3388a037-4214-4997-b45d-520518cfdb57" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10987:1" rel="noopener">China Merchants Bank H (3968 HK)</a> and 1 exclusion - <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bank-of-communications-co-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:659:1" rel="noopener">Bank Of Communications Co H (3328 HK)</a>.For the <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>, the inclusions are <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jd-logistics" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31500:1" rel="noopener">JD Logistics (2618 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/li-ning-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6047:1" rel="noopener">Li Ning Co Ltd (2331 HK)</a> while the deletions are <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shimao-property-holdings-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8375:1" rel="noopener">Shimao Property Holdings (813 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/anhui-conch-cement-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:159:1" rel="noopener">Anhui Conch Cement (914 HK)</a>.For the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hang-seng-tech-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31367:1" rel="noopener">Hang Seng Tech Index (HSTECH INDEX)</a> there is one set of changes with Trip.com (9961 HK) / <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/trip-com-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:180:1" rel="noopener">Trip.com (TCOM US)</a> replacing <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/koolearn-technology-holding" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27796:1" rel="noopener">Koolearn (1797 HK)</a>.<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alibaba-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28434:1" rel="noopener">Alibaba Group (9988 HK)</a>'s weight in all 3 indices is higher than 8% following the increase in the number of index shares at the July monthly rebalance. The stock will have the largest passive selling due to capping back to 8%.Capping and float changes will lead to passive buying on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26:1" rel="noopener">Tencent (700 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/meituan-dianping" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26970:1" rel="noopener">Meituan (3690 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/beijing-kuaishou-technology-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29725:1" rel="noopener">Kuaishou Technology (1024 HK)</a>, while there will be passive selling on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hsbc-holdings-plc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:516:1" rel="noopener">HSBC Holdings (5 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/aia-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14895:1" rel="noopener">AIA Group Ltd (1299 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-construction-bank-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:45:1" rel="noopener">China Construction Bank H (939 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/xiaomi-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24409:1" rel="noopener">Xiaomi Corp (1810 HK)</a> and <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>.There will be selling on a lot of the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hong-kong-hang-seng-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22899:1" rel="noopener">Hong Kong Hang Seng Index (HSI INDEX)</a> constituents due to funding flows.

The upcoming rebalances for the Hong Kong Hang Seng Index (HSI INDEX), Hang Seng China Enterprises Index (HSCEI INDEX) and Hang Seng Tech Index (HSTECH INDEX) will be implemented at the close of trading on 3 September. The rebalance will use data from todays close to cap the stocks in the index at a maximum of 8% of the index weight.In this Insight, we show the flows after capping stocks using the close on 30 August. The final numbers will be marginally different based on todays closing prices.For the Hong Kong Hang Seng Index (HSI INDEX) there are 3 inclusions - Xinyi Glass Holdings (868 HK), Li Ning Co Ltd (2331 HK) and China Merchants Bank H (3968 HK) and 1 exclusion - Bank Of Communications Co H (3328 HK).For the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index (HSCEI INDEX), the inclusions are JD Logistics (2618 HK) and Li Ning Co Ltd (2331 HK) while the deletions are Shimao Property Holdings (813 HK) and Anhui Conch Cement (914 HK).For the Hang Seng Tech Index (HSTECH INDEX) there is one set of changes with Trip.com (9961 HK) / Trip.com (TCOM US) replacing Koolearn (1797 HK).Alibaba Group (9988 HK)'s weight in all 3 indices is higher than 8% following the increase in the number of index shares at the July monthly rebalance. The stock will have the largest passive selling due to capping back to 8%.Capping and float changes will lead to passive buying on Tencent (700 HK), Meituan (3690 HK) and Kuaishou Technology (1024 HK), while there will be passive selling on HSBC Holdings (5 HK), AIA Group Ltd (1299 HK), China Construction Bank H (939 HK), Xiaomi Corp (1810 HK) and HKEX (388 HK).There will be selling on a lot of the Hong Kong Hang Seng Index (HSI INDEX) constituents due to funding flows.

HSI, HSCEI, HSTECH: September Rebalance Flows Post Capping

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

*Weaker Quarter: Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (1398.HK) [ICBC] reported 2Q21 bottom-line results of CNY 77.7 bn, decreasing CNY 8.0 bn or 9.3% linked quarter. The linked quarter weakness, in our view, can be attributed to negative operating jaws as costs increased CNY 9.4 bn (14.8%) and revenues declined CNY 589 mn (0.3%); and*Credit Risk Continues to Rise: The level of net new NPLs increased 46.4% on annualized basis and remains elevated. When one considers the break-down in credit quality, reserves would appear to be light – in the neighborhood of CNY 86.1 bn, amounting to about one quarter of pre-tax results at ICBC.

*Weaker Quarter: Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (1398.HK) [ICBC] reported 2Q21 bottom-line results of CNY 77.7 bn, decreasing CNY 8.0 bn or 9.3% linked quarter. The linked quarter weakness, in our view, can be attributed to negative operating jaws as costs increased CNY 9.4 bn (14.8%) and revenues declined CNY 589 mn (0.3%); and*Credit Risk Continues to Rise: The level of net new NPLs increased 46.4% on annualized basis and remains elevated. When one considers the break-down in credit quality, reserves would appear to be light – in the neighborhood of CNY 86.1 bn, amounting to about one quarter of pre-tax results at ICBC.   

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China – Negative Jaws Pressure Results

*Bank Results Decline Linked Quarter: Ping An Bank (000001.CH) [PAB], the Ping An Insurance (2318.HK) [Ping An] banking subsidiary, continues to feel the challenges of a slowing mainland Chinese economy. For 2Q21, PAB reported results of CNY 7.5 bn – decreasing CNY 2.7 bn (26.4%) linked quarter. From our vantage point, higher loss provisions and weaker net interest income weighed heavily on results; and*Negative Credit Delta Could Accelerate Capital Raise: By our analysis, we find that credit remains incredibly challenged as net new NPLs have accelerated 102.2% annualized - up from 53.6% in 1Q21. Assuming the accelerated credit break in the PAB portfolio continues to remain at its current level, we find that PAB’s reserves still remain quite light by CNY 16 bn. This shortfall represents about two quarter of pre-tax earnings.

*Bank Results Decline Linked Quarter: Ping An Bank (000001.CH) [PAB], the Ping An Insurance (2318.HK) [Ping An] banking subsidiary, continues to feel the challenges of a slowing mainland Chinese economy. For 2Q21, PAB reported results of CNY 7.5 bn – decreasing CNY 2.7 bn (26.4%) linked quarter. From our vantage point, higher loss provisions and weaker net interest income weighed heavily on results; and*Negative Credit Delta Could Accelerate Capital Raise: By our analysis, we find that credit remains incredibly challenged as net new NPLs have accelerated 102.2% annualized - up from 53.6% in 1Q21. Assuming the accelerated credit break in the PAB portfolio continues to remain at its current level, we find that PAB’s reserves still remain quite light by CNY 16 bn. This shortfall represents about two quarter of pre-tax earnings.   

Ping An Insurance – Credit Mixed, But Still Worrisome

Index Rebalance

<div>The Hang Seng Indexes Company Limited (HSIL) announced the results of its review of the Hang Seng Family of Indexes post market close on 20 August. The constituent changes will be effective after the close of trading on 3 September.</div><div>
For the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hong-kong-hang-seng-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22899:1" rel="noopener">Hong Kong Hang Seng Index (HSI INDEX)</a> there are 3 inclusions - <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/xinyi-glass-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11940:1" rel="noopener">Xinyi Glass Holdings (868 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/li-ning-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6047:1" rel="noopener">Li Ning Co Ltd (2331 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-merchants-bank-co-ltd-3388a037-4214-4997-b45d-520518cfdb57" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10987:1" rel="noopener">China Merchants Bank H (3968 HK)</a> and 1 exclusion - <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bank-of-communications-co-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:659:1" rel="noopener">Bank Of Communications Co H (3328 HK)</a>. This takes the number of index constituents to 60.
Following an increase in the index shares and no change in the capping factor at the July monthly rebalance, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alibaba-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28434:1" rel="noopener">Alibaba Group (9988 HK)</a>'s weight will be capped at 8% leading to outflows from the stock. 
One-way turnover is estimated at 6.82% and will result in a one-way trade of HK$13.77bn.
There are only 10 trading days to implementation of the changes. We expect all inclusions to open higher on Monday. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/li-ning-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6047:1" rel="noopener">Li Ning Co Ltd (2331 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-merchants-bank-co-ltd-3388a037-4214-4997-b45d-520518cfdb57" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10987:1" rel="noopener">China Merchants Bank H (3968 HK)</a> are surprise inclusions while <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bank-of-communications-co-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:659:1" rel="noopener">Bank Of Communications Co H (3328 HK)</a> is a surprise deletion. The largest passive impact will be on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bank-of-communications-co-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:659:1" rel="noopener">Bank Of Communications Co H (3328 HK)</a> where there will be over 7 days of ADV to sell. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/li-ning-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6047:1" rel="noopener">Li Ning Co Ltd (2331 HK)</a>has been announced as an inclusion to the <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> as well.
Big Tech is conspicuous by its absence among the inclusions in the review. HSIL seems to have consciously avoided the stocks due to the constantly changing regulatory landscape in China. HSIL is also taking its time in moving towards it goal of reaching 80 index constituents by mid-2022. That leaves 20 stocks to be included at the next 3 index reviews.
</div>

The Hang Seng Indexes Company Limited (HSIL) announced the results of its review of the Hang Seng Family of Indexes post market close on 20 August. The constituent changes will be effective after the close of trading on 3 September.
For the Hong Kong Hang Seng Index (HSI INDEX) there are 3 inclusions - Xinyi Glass Holdings (868 HK), Li Ning Co Ltd (2331 HK) and China Merchants Bank H (3968 HK) and 1 exclusion - Bank Of Communications Co H (3328 HK). This takes the number of index constituents to 60.
Following an increase in the index shares and no change in the capping factor at the July monthly rebalance, Alibaba Group (9988 HK)'s weight will be capped at 8% leading to outflows from the stock. 
One-way turnover is estimated at 6.82% and will result in a one-way trade of HK$13.77bn.
There are only 10 trading days to implementation of the changes. We expect all inclusions to open higher on Monday. Li Ning Co Ltd (2331 HK) and China Merchants Bank H (3968 HK) are surprise inclusions while Bank Of Communications Co H (3328 HK) is a surprise deletion. The largest passive impact will be on Bank Of Communications Co H (3328 HK) where there will be over 7 days of ADV to sell. Li Ning Co Ltd (2331 HK)has been announced as an inclusion to the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index (HSCEI INDEX) as well.
Big Tech is conspicuous by its absence among the inclusions in the review. HSIL seems to have consciously avoided the stocks due to the constantly changing regulatory landscape in China. HSIL is also taking its time in moving towards it goal of reaching 80 index constituents by mid-2022. That leaves 20 stocks to be included at the next 3 index reviews.


HSI Index Rebalance: Big Tech Avoided; Few Changes Now Means More Changes Later

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.

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ICBC (H) (1398 HK)

ICBC: Model Says "Yes" Though the Market Says "No".

Our models (PH Score and VFM) have a positive reading for ICBC. However, the market seems to have turned away. Who will be right?

Paul Hollingworth

HSI, HSCEI, HSTECH: September Rebalance Flows Post Capping

There are some pretty large flows across the HSI, HSCEI and HSTECH at the September rebalance due to name/float/capping changes. Impact on some...

Brian Freitas

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China – Negative Jaws Pressure Results

ICBC: ICBC reported a QOQ 2Q21 bottom-line decline of 9.3% due to negative operating jaws. The level of net new NPLs increased 46.4% annualized...

Thomas J. Monaco

Ping An Insurance – Credit Mixed, But Still Worrisome

PING AN INSURANCE: Ping An Bank reported a 26.4% QOQ results decline for 2Q21 reflecting higher provisions. Credit is challenged as net new NPLs...

Thomas J. Monaco

HSI Index Rebalance: Big Tech Avoided; Few Changes Now Means More Changes Later

Hang Seng Indexes has avoided adding Big Tech and included Li Ning, Xinyi Glass and CM Bank while deleting BoComm. Tencent will be capped higher,...

Brian Freitas

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