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.

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

Do not be lulled by a false sense of security with high NPL coverage. The figures can decline quickly and China is the quintessential example. &nbsp;Differences in NPL coverage trends, can help frame where banks are in their NPL cycle or how well prepared they are making themselves. Or both.&nbsp;The stand out is China.

Do not be lulled by a false sense of security with high NPL coverage. The figures can decline quickly and China is the quintessential example. &nbsp;Differences in NPL coverage trends, can help frame where banks are in their NPL cycle or how well prepared they are making themselves. Or both.&nbsp;The stand out is China.

Beware of NPL Coverage Trends Across Asia

Leading Independent Investment Research, Morningstar, Inc.

Morningstar

Leading Independent Investment Research

Morningstar, Inc.

Morningstar, Inc. is a leading provider of independent investment research in North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. We offer an extensive line of products and services for individual investors, financial advisors, asset managers, and retirement plan providers and sponsors. 

Morningstar provides data on more than 500,000 investment offerings, including stocks, mutual funds, and similar vehicles, along with real-time global market data on more than 16 million equities, indexes, futures, options, commodities, and precious metals, in addition to foreign exchange and Treasury markets. Morningstar also offers investment management services through its investment advisory subsidiaries, with more than $180 billion in assets under advisement or management as of June 30, 2015. We have operations in 27 countries.

Download the Morningstar Fact Sheet : http://corporate.morningstar.com/US/documents/MarketingFactSheets/AboutMorningstarFactsheet.pdf

<ul><li>Balance sheet strength, management acuity, and regulatory systems matter more for financial services firms than other stock sectors.</li><li>Financial crises are rarely driven by economic shocks alone. Nonmacro factors embedded in the regulatory, competitive, political, and economic environments are bigger contributors to banking crises.</li><li>Leverage can be moat-destructive. Given the hefty amounts of financial and operating leverage in the business models of Financial Services firms, it is critical to focus on firms with stable management teams, consistent business strategies, and selective mergers and acquisitions policies.</li><li>Transformative deals are rarely moat-enhancing. With relationships, reputations and business culture all being critical contributors to business success, it is rare to see a firm pull off a "transformative" deal that does not disrupt one of these pillars, which is why most acquisitions fall short of their original intent.</li></ul>Analyst: Greggory Warren, CFA

Balance sheet strength, management acuity, and regulatory systems matter more for financial services firms than other stock sectors.Financial crises are rarely driven by economic shocks alone. Nonmacro factors embedded in the regulatory, competitive, political, and economic environments are bigger contributors to banking crises.Leverage can be moat-destructive. Given the hefty amounts of financial and operating leverage in the business models of Financial Services firms, it is critical to focus on firms with stable management teams, consistent business strategies, and selective mergers and acquisitions policies.Transformative deals are rarely moat-enhancing. With relationships, reputations and business culture all being critical contributors to business success, it is rare to see a firm pull off a "transformative" deal that does not disrupt one of these pillars, which is why most acquisitions fall short of their original intent.Analyst: Greggory Warren, CFA

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Australia's ASIC releases the aggregated short position data four business days after the reporting day. Data in this insight is up to 23rd March, published ~9AM on the 27th March.</li>
<li>The largest industry net increase in the past week was into "Healthcare Distributors"; the largest industry net decrease was out of "Diversified Metals &amp; Mining". Net shorts declined A$2.3bn week-on-week.</li>
<li>Companies mentioned in this regular weekly report include: <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pilbara-minerals-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7460:1" rel="noopener">Pilbara Minerals (PLS AU)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sigma-healthcare-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15966:1" rel="noopener">Sigma Healthcare (SIG AU)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yancoal-australia-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4145:1" rel="noopener">Yancoal Australia (YAL AU)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lotus-resources-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13978:1" rel="noopener">Lotus Resources (LOT AU)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/treasury-wine-estates-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:710:1" rel="noopener">Treasury Wine Estates (TWE AU)</a>.</li>
</ul>


Australia's ASIC releases the aggregated short position data four business days after the reporting day. Data in this insight is up to 23rd March, published ~9AM on the 27th March.
The largest industry net increase in the past week was into "Healthcare Distributors"; the largest industry net decrease was out of "Diversified Metals &amp; Mining". Net shorts declined A$2.3bn week-on-week.
Companies mentioned in this regular weekly report include: Pilbara Minerals (PLS AU), Sigma Healthcare (SIG AU), Yancoal Australia (YAL AU), Lotus Resources (LOT AU), and Treasury Wine Estates (TWE AU).


Aussie Shorts (23rd Mar 2026): Pilbara Minerals, Sigma Healthcare, Yancoal, Treasury Wine Estates

Derivatives and Quantitative Strategist

Gaudenz Schneider

Equity Bottom-Up

Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance / Equity Bottom-Up

Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance (000810 KS)

<ul>
<li>
Context: This Insight follows up on previously highlighted relative value opportunities, using a statistical methodology based on mean-reversion to identify opportunities in paired securities.</li>
<li>
Highlights: Currently eleven pair trade opportunities persist across five markets and six sectors.</li>
<li>
Why read: Statistical analysis offers a unique perspective on relative value. Gain insights into actionable statistical pair trade opportunities and monitor performance of previously highlighted pairs.</li>
</ul>



Context: This Insight follows up on previously highlighted relative value opportunities, using a statistical methodology based on mean-reversion to identify opportunities in paired securities.

Highlights: Currently eleven pair trade opportunities persist across five markets and six sectors.

Why read: Statistical analysis offers a unique perspective on relative value. Gain insights into actionable statistical pair trade opportunities and monitor performance of previously highlighted pairs.


Relative Value Opportunities in Asia-Pac, Pair Trade Roundup (30 Mar 2026)

Asia Pac ECM and Index Rebal, Shenton Research

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

Asia Pac ECM and Index Rebal

Asia Pac IPO & Placement Research, China Biotech

DZT Research

DZT Research is an independent Asia Pacific equity specialist. Our quantitative research covers index rebalancing flows, alongside exchange data analytics accross Asia Pacific. On the equity capital markets side, we focus on Asia Pacific ECM, especially biotech and TMT. Our lead analyst is frequently cited by international media.

Quantitative Analysis

<ul>
<li>We analyzed the changes in short interest of ASX Stocks as of Mar 20th (reported today). The aggregated short interest was USD36.7bn.</li>
<li>We tabulate league tables for top short by value and short as multiple of ADT, as well as weekly increases &amp; decreases in short value, short as multiple of ADT.</li>
<li>We highlight short interest changes in Evolution Mining, 4Dmedical Ltd, Sigma Pharmaceuticals, Insurance Australia, Coles.</li>
</ul>


We analyzed the changes in short interest of ASX Stocks as of Mar 20th (reported today). The aggregated short interest was USD36.7bn.
We tabulate league tables for top short by value and short as multiple of ADT, as well as weekly increases &amp; decreases in short value, short as multiple of ADT.
We highlight short interest changes in Evolution Mining, 4Dmedical Ltd, Sigma Pharmaceuticals, Insurance Australia, Coles.


ASX Short Interest Weekly (Mar 20th): Evolution Mining, 4Dmedical Ltd, Sigma Pharmaceuticals

Australia

Insurance Australia Group Limited (IAG) is an Australian-based international general insurance group with operations in Australia, New Zealand, and Asia. The Group provides a range of personal and commercial insurance products, primarily motor vehicle and home insurance.

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

Insurance Australia (IAG AU)

Beware of NPL Coverage Trends Across Asia

Do not be lulled by a false sense of security with high NPL coverage. The figures can decline quickly and China is the quintessential example....

Daniel Tabbush

Breaking the Bank

Balance sheet strength, management acuity, and regulatory systems matter more for financial services firms than other stock sectors. Financial...

Morningstar, Inc.

Aussie Shorts (23rd Mar 2026): Pilbara Minerals, Sigma Healthcare, Yancoal, Treasury Wine Estates

As at the 23rd March 2026, total shares short amounted to ~A$52.2bn down~A$2.3bn in the past week. The largest industry net increase in the past...

David Blennerhassett

Relative Value Opportunities in Asia-Pac, Pair Trade Roundup (30 Mar 2026)

Discover eleven pair trade opportunities across five markets and six sectors using statistical mean-reversion methodology for actionable insights.

Gaudenz Schneider

ASX Short Interest Weekly (Mar 20th): Evolution Mining, 4Dmedical Ltd, Sigma Pharmaceuticals

We analyzed ASX short interest report for the past week and highlight short interest changes in Evolution Mining, 4Dmedical Ltd, Sigma...

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Beware of NPL Coverage Trends Across Asia

Do not be lulled by a false sense of security with high NPL coverage. The figures can decline quickly and China is the quintessential example....

Daniel Tabbush

Breaking the Bank

Balance sheet strength, management acuity, and regulatory systems matter more for financial services firms than other stock sectors. Financial...

Morningstar, Inc.

Aussie Shorts (23rd Mar 2026): Pilbara Minerals, Sigma Healthcare, Yancoal, Treasury Wine Estates

As at the 23rd March 2026, total shares short amounted to ~A$52.2bn down~A$2.3bn in the past week. The largest industry net increase in the past...

David Blennerhassett

Relative Value Opportunities in Asia-Pac, Pair Trade Roundup (30 Mar 2026)

​Discover eleven pair trade opportunities across five markets and six sectors using statistical mean-reversion methodology for actionable insights.

Gaudenz Schneider

ASX Short Interest Weekly (Mar 20th): Evolution Mining, 4Dmedical Ltd, Sigma Pharmaceuticals

We analyzed ASX short interest report for the past week and highlight short interest changes in Evolution Mining, 4Dmedical Ltd, Sigma...

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

Discover eleven pair trade opportunities across five markets and six sectors using statistical mean-reversion methodology for actionable insights.