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

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

*Gaming Caught In The Crosshairs: Mainland China indicated that changes are afoot to gaming regulations, including the appointment of government officials to supervise the companies - just as Macau's lucrative gaming licenses come up for re-bidding in 2022; and*Financials Likely Next: There appears to be a genuine timeline for each sector in mainland China to be taken out to the woodshed. Now that the gaming industry is now being placed under firm control, it would appear to only be a matter of time when the financial sector will be re-configured to suit mainland China’s vision – likely ahead of the national elections in 2022.

*Gaming Caught In The Crosshairs: Mainland China indicated that changes are afoot to gaming regulations, including the appointment of government officials to supervise the companies - just as Macau's lucrative gaming licenses come up for re-bidding in 2022; and*Financials Likely Next: There appears to be a genuine timeline for each sector in mainland China to be taken out to the woodshed. Now that the gaming industry is now being placed under firm control, it would appear to only be a matter of time when the financial sector will be re-configured to suit mainland China’s vision – likely ahead of the national elections in 2022.

Mainland China – Here Comes The Rein Again

Equity Bottom-Up

*New Product Line: Hong Kong Exchanges &amp; Clearing (388.HK) [HKEX] has published a consultation paper seeking feedback on offering Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPAC) by October 31, 2021; and    *Not A Panacea: We do not believe that SPACs are the panacea which will resolve HKEX’s weakened revenue stream. Further, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued accounting guidance for SPACs, calling warrant issuance by SPACs liabilities rather than equity instruments. This could disrupt new SPAC filings, and certainly throw a wrench into HKEX’s SPAC plans.

*New Product Line: Hong Kong Exchanges &amp; Clearing (388.HK) [HKEX] has published a consultation paper seeking feedback on offering Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPAC) by October 31, 2021; and    *Not A Panacea: We do not believe that SPACs are the panacea which will resolve HKEX’s weakened revenue stream. Further, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued accounting guidance for SPACs, calling warrant issuance by SPACs liabilities rather than equity instruments. This could disrupt new SPAC filings, and certainly throw a wrench into HKEX’s SPAC plans.

Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing – SPAC Time

*It Keeps Getting Worse: Between China Evergrande Group’s (3333.HK) [Evergrande] operational and liquidity troubles, large property price discounts, the precipitous drop in the value of its non-property-related development business, and a more challenging industry outlook, we would expect that Evergrande’s corporate restructure to be riddled with challenges; and *Authorities Finally Stepping In: The China Financial Stability and Development Committee (CFSDC) has signed off on Evergrande’s proposal to renegotiate debt payment deadlines with banks and other creditors, after the company missed interest and principal payments on several loans and delayed payments to suppliers amid difficulties accessing new financing – signaling that Evergrande has been greenlighted to re-negotiate funding terms with creditors.

*It Keeps Getting Worse: Between China Evergrande Group’s (3333.HK) [Evergrande] operational and liquidity troubles, large property price discounts, the precipitous drop in the value of its non-property-related development business, and a more challenging industry outlook, we would expect that Evergrande’s corporate restructure to be riddled with challenges; and *Authorities Finally Stepping In: The China Financial Stability and Development Committee (CFSDC) has signed off on Evergrande’s proposal to renegotiate debt payment deadlines with banks and other creditors, after the company missed interest and principal payments on several loans and delayed payments to suppliers amid difficulties accessing new financing – signaling that Evergrande has been greenlighted to re-negotiate funding terms with creditors.

China Evergrande Group – Not Likely A Smooth Restructure

*Being “Seriously Dealt” With: No sooner than Tencent Holdings’ (700.HK) [Tencent] virtual call ended with a competitor dismissing new gaming restrictions did the mainland Chinese regulator haul in gaming industry executives for a complete dressing down. It’s probably fair to say, Tencent’s recent hubris was their Jack Ma moment. It kind of makes one wonder what the authorities have planned next for Tencent. As the screws continue to tighten, the question becomes whether or not Tencent can narrow the regulatory discount, or whether these issues will remain a persistent overhang?; *As We’ve Just Learned - Ignoring It, Doesn’t Make It Go Away: Mainland China's crackdown on capital markets activities has rapidly expanded under the broad narrative of "financial stability". There remains no doubt, in our view, that Tencent will follow Alibaba Group (BABA.US) [Alibaba] in the formation of a financial holding company. It’s pretty surprising that Tencent refuses to discuss this matter when financial services are the largest component of earnings and growth; and *Prior To The War On Gaming, Results Have Already Deteriorated: Tencent’s 2Q21 GAAP net income declined CNY 5.2 bn (10.8%) linked quarter – and were of poor quality. Results were challenged by: cost of revenue increase; operating expense increase; losses in associates; higher impairment charges; and weaker online games. Were it not for the artificially lower tax rate, results would have been even more challenged.

*Being “Seriously Dealt” With: No sooner than Tencent Holdings’ (700.HK) [Tencent] virtual call ended with a competitor dismissing new gaming restrictions did the mainland Chinese regulator haul in gaming industry executives for a complete dressing down. It’s probably fair to say, Tencent’s recent hubris was their Jack Ma moment. It kind of makes one wonder what the authorities have planned next for Tencent. As the screws continue to tighten, the question becomes whether or not Tencent can narrow the regulatory discount, or whether these issues will remain a persistent overhang?; *As We’ve Just Learned - Ignoring It, Doesn’t Make It Go Away: Mainland China's crackdown on capital markets activities has rapidly expanded under the broad narrative of "financial stability". There remains no doubt, in our view, that Tencent will follow Alibaba Group (BABA.US) [Alibaba] in the formation of a financial holding company. It’s pretty surprising that Tencent refuses to discuss this matter when financial services are the largest component of earnings and growth; and *Prior To The War On Gaming, Results Have Already Deteriorated: Tencent’s 2Q21 GAAP net income declined CNY 5.2 bn (10.8%) linked quarter – and were of poor quality. Results were challenged by: cost of revenue increase; operating expense increase; losses in associates; higher impairment charges; and weaker online games. Were it not for the artificially lower tax rate, results would have been even more challenged.    

Tencent Holdings – Modern Day Opium War

*Another Weak Number: Waterdrop, Inc. (WDH.US) [Waterdrop] reported its second set of earnings results since its IPO, coming in at a negative CNY 656 mn  - declining CNY 286 mn or 77.3% linked quarter bringing cumulative losses since the IPO to over CNY 1.0 bn or about 38% of IPO funds raised. Challenges came from overall cost growth of CNY 411 mn (30.6%) due primarily to sales and marketing spend; and    *”Notice” To Online Insurers: The China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission’s (CBIRC) roll out of the internet insurance revision plan “Notice on Carrying out Special Rectification of Internet Insurance Disorders”, aims to scrutinize mainland China’s insurance technology platforms, ordering firms and agencies to end improper marketing and pricing practices, and improve privacy protections. This will be a direct challenge for Waterdrop and other mainland Chinese insurers.

*Another Weak Number: Waterdrop, Inc. (WDH.US) [Waterdrop] reported its second set of earnings results since its IPO, coming in at a negative CNY 656 mn  - declining CNY 286 mn or 77.3% linked quarter bringing cumulative losses since the IPO to over CNY 1.0 bn or about 38% of IPO funds raised. Challenges came from overall cost growth of CNY 411 mn (30.6%) due primarily to sales and marketing spend; and    *”Notice” To Online Insurers: The China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission’s (CBIRC) roll out of the internet insurance revision plan “Notice on Carrying out Special Rectification of Internet Insurance Disorders”, aims to scrutinize mainland China’s insurance technology platforms, ordering firms and agencies to end improper marketing and pricing practices, and improve privacy protections. This will be a direct challenge for Waterdrop and other mainland Chinese insurers. 

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)

Mainland China – Here Comes The Rein Again

FINANCIALS IN CROSSHAIRS: Mainland China is appointing government officials to supervise the gaming companies. There appears to be a genuine...

Thomas J. Monaco

Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing – SPAC Time

HKEX: HKEX is seeking feedback on offering SPACs. We do not believe that SPACs are the panacea which will resolve HKEX’s weakened revenue stream.

Thomas J. Monaco

China Evergrande Group – Not Likely A Smooth Restructure

CHINA EVERGRANDE: Evergrande’s operational and liquidity troubles continue, and the CFSDC has signed off on Evergrande’s proposal to renegotiate...

Thomas J. Monaco

Tencent Holdings – Modern Day Opium War

TENCENT HOLDINGS: The mainland Chinese regulator hauled in gaming industry executives for a complete dressing down over the recent August gaming...

Thomas J. Monaco

Waterdrop – Someone Plug The Dike

WATERDROP: WDH reported its second set of earnings since the IPO, coming in at a negative CNY 656 mn - declining 77.3% QOQ bringing cumulative...

Thomas J. Monaco