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

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>
Default: Kaisa Group Holdings (1638.HK) [Kaisa] allegedly failed to pay its USD 400 mn bond;</li>
<li>
Obfuscation On F/S: Part of the problem with Kaisa is how the financial statements broken out, which, in our view, obfuscated the true nature of liquidity at Kaisa; and</li>
<li>
Other Creditors: In addition to offshore bondholders, Kaisa’s main banks include: Bank of China (3988.HK); ICBC (1398.HK); Ping An Bank (000001.CH); China Minsheng Bank (1988.HK); and China CITIC Bank (998.HK).</li>
</ul>



Default: Kaisa Group Holdings (1638.HK) [Kaisa] allegedly failed to pay its USD 400 mn bond;

Obfuscation On F/S: Part of the problem with Kaisa is how the financial statements broken out, which, in our view, obfuscated the true nature of liquidity at Kaisa; and

Other Creditors: In addition to offshore bondholders, Kaisa’s main banks include: Bank of China (3988.HK); ICBC (1398.HK); Ping An Bank (000001.CH); China Minsheng Bank (1988.HK); and China CITIC Bank (998.HK).


Kaisa Group Holdings – Second Domino Falls

<ul>
<li>
Default: On December 6, 2021, several investors appear to have confirmed that China Evergrande Group (3333.HK) [Evergrande] does not have the financial wherewithal to cover grace period payments;</li>
<li>
Fire Brigade Called: Evergrande established a risk-management committee (RMC) to assist in "mitigating and eliminating the future risks", in addition to Guangdong Province disseminating a team to Evergrande; and</li>
<li>
Intensified Bank Risk: Shenjing Bank (2066.HK) has CNY 129.4 bn exposure to Evergrande, implying stated NPLs of 24.4%. Other bank creditors: China Minsheng, China Zheshang, Shanghai Pudong, and Citic Trust.</li>
</ul>



Default: On December 6, 2021, several investors appear to have confirmed that China Evergrande Group (3333.HK) [Evergrande] does not have the financial wherewithal to cover grace period payments;

Fire Brigade Called: Evergrande established a risk-management committee (RMC) to assist in "mitigating and eliminating the future risks", in addition to Guangdong Province disseminating a team to Evergrande; and

Intensified Bank Risk: Shenjing Bank (2066.HK) has CNY 129.4 bn exposure to Evergrande, implying stated NPLs of 24.4%. Other bank creditors: China Minsheng, China Zheshang, Shanghai Pudong, and Citic Trust.


<ul>
<li>
Management Shake-up: Alibaba Group Holding (BABA.US) [Alibaba] announced that long-time CFO Maggie Wu will be stepping down in April 2022;</li>
<li>
Restructure: Alibaba also announced that it will be reorganizing its international and domestic e-commerce businesses; and</li>
<li>
Further Pressure:Just last month, Alibaba reduced its revenue growth forecast. The formation of a financial holding company will cause earnings to compress while capital requirements increase.</li>
</ul>



Management Shake-up: Alibaba Group Holding (BABA.US) [Alibaba] announced that long-time CFO Maggie Wu will be stepping down in April 2022;

Restructure: Alibaba also announced that it will be reorganizing its international and domestic e-commerce businesses; and

Further Pressure:Just last month, Alibaba reduced its revenue growth forecast. The formation of a financial holding company will cause earnings to compress while capital requirements increase.


Alibaba Group Holding – Palace Intrigue

<ul>
<li>
Surprise Exchange Filing: In a surprise exchange filing, China Evergrande Group (3333.HK) [Evergrande] is planning to “actively engage” with offshore creditors on a restructuring plan; </li>
<li>
Ending Grace Period:Another Evergrande test comes on December 6, 2021, when the 30-day grace period ends on two USD bond coupon payments; and</li>
<li>
Kaisa Risk:Kaisa Group Holdings (1638.HK) faces a potential USD 400 mn default a day after the Evergrande payments are due. </li>
</ul>



Surprise Exchange Filing: In a surprise exchange filing, China Evergrande Group (3333.HK) [Evergrande] is planning to “actively engage” with offshore creditors on a restructuring plan; 

Ending Grace Period:Another Evergrande test comes on December 6, 2021, when the 30-day grace period ends on two USD bond coupon payments; and

Kaisa Risk:Kaisa Group Holdings (1638.HK) faces a potential USD 400 mn default a day after the Evergrande payments are due. 


<ul>
<li>
Another Weak Number: Waterdrop (WDH.US) reported a third set of losses since its IPO, coming in at a negative CNY 477 mn  - improving CNY 227 mn (32.5%) QOQ; </li>
<li>
High Cumulative Losses: Cumulative losses since its IPO are over CNY 1.5 bn, and represent about 57% of IPO funds raised. Challenges come from weaker revenues and excessive costs; and    </li>
<li>
Notice” To Online Insurers: The CBIRC's roll out of the internet insurance revision plan aims to scrutinize mainland China’s insurance technology platforms. </li>
</ul>



Another Weak Number: Waterdrop (WDH.US) reported a third set of losses since its IPO, coming in at a negative CNY 477 mn  - improving CNY 227 mn (32.5%) QOQ; 

High Cumulative Losses: Cumulative losses since its IPO are over CNY 1.5 bn, and represent about 57% of IPO funds raised. Challenges come from weaker revenues and excessive costs; and    

Notice” To Online Insurers: The CBIRC's roll out of the internet insurance revision plan aims to scrutinize mainland China’s insurance technology platforms. 


China

iShares FTSE A50 China Index ETF is an exchanged-traded fund established in Hong Kong. The investment objective of the iShares FTSE A50 China Index ETF is to provide investment results that, before fees and expenses, closely correspond to the performance of A50 Index.

iShares FTSE/Xinhua A50 China (2823 HK)

Kaisa Group Holdings – Second Domino Falls

KAISA: Kaisa allegedly failed to pay its USD 400 mn bond. Part of the problem with Kaisa is how the financial statements broken out, which, in our...

Thomas J. Monaco

China Evergrande Group – Fire Sale

EVERGRANDE: Several investors appear to have confirmed that Evergrande failed to cover grace period payments. Shenjing Bank has CNY 129.4 bn...

Thomas J. Monaco

Alibaba Group Holding – Palace Intrigue

ALIBABA: Alibaba announced that long-time CFO Maggie Wu will be stepping down in April 2022, and that it will be reorganizing its international and...

Thomas J. Monaco

China Evergrande – Pre-Announcement?

EVERGRANDE: In an exchange filing, Evergrande is planning to “actively engage” with offshore creditors on a restructuring plan. A 30-day grace...

Thomas J. Monaco

Waterdrop – Still Bleeding

WATERDROP: Waterdrop reported losses of CNY 477 mn - improving CNY 227 mn or 32.5% linked quarter and bringing cumulative losses since its IPO to...

Thomas J. Monaco