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

National Australia Bank / Equity Bottom-Up

*AML/CTF Violations: National Australia Bank (NAB.AU) [NAB] announced that it was informed by the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) that it had identified “potential serious and on-going non-compliance” with NAB's compliance with the Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-Terrorism Financing (CTF) Act 2006, and the AML/CFT Rules 2007; and*Fundamental Challenges Too: AML/CTF is not NAB’s only challenge. NAB's 1H21 NIM declined another 3 bp HOH to 1.74%, and will remain challenged from this low rate environment, competitive pressures, and higher mortgage concentrations well into FY 2022. In addition, NAB’s loans 90+ days past due loans increased over 30% HOH due to challenges from Australian mortgage customers exiting loan deferrals.

*AML/CTF Violations: National Australia Bank (NAB.AU) [NAB] announced that it was informed by the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) that it had identified “potential serious and on-going non-compliance” with NAB's compliance with the Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-Terrorism Financing (CTF) Act 2006, and the AML/CFT Rules 2007; and*Fundamental Challenges Too: AML/CTF is not NAB’s only challenge. NAB's 1H21 NIM declined another 3 bp HOH to 1.74%, and will remain challenged from this low rate environment, competitive pressures, and higher mortgage concentrations well into FY 2022. In addition, NAB’s loans 90+ days past due loans increased over 30% HOH due to challenges from Australian mortgage customers exiting loan deferrals.

Genworth Financial Inc Cl A / Equity Bottom-Up

*Aussie Business Weakens Again: Genworth Mortgage Insurance Australia (GMA.AU) [GMA] reported a FY 2H20 bottom-line loss of AUD 17.6 mn. Despite the loss, the level was an improvement of AUD 72.4 mn over the AUD 90.0 mn loss posted in FY 1H20. You simply cannot earn money if your combined ratio is 137.7% - albeit an improvement over the 215.0% posted during the previous half. Despite the expense ratio improvement of 127.4% to 20.5%, the claims ratio increase of 50.1% to 117.1% acted as quite the offset and drove the loss as the 4Q20 refinement of reserving due to COVID-19 related factors was the primary culprit; and*Genworth Still Waiting To Clear That Chinese Wall: China Oceanwide (715.HK) still does not have the money to consummate the Genworth Financial (GNW.US) [Genworth] transaction – missing its merger agreement deadline for the 17th time on December 31, 2020.  While the merger agreement still remains in effect, management does “not believe a closing can occur in the near-term”, as Genworth (with no other option) continued to play this same old tired game with China Oceanwide by extending its merger agreement deadline.

*Aussie Business Weakens Again: Genworth Mortgage Insurance Australia (GMA.AU) [GMA] reported a FY 2H20 bottom-line loss of AUD 17.6 mn. Despite the loss, the level was an improvement of AUD 72.4 mn over the AUD 90.0 mn loss posted in FY 1H20. You simply cannot earn money if your combined ratio is 137.7% - albeit an improvement over the 215.0% posted during the previous half. Despite the expense ratio improvement of 127.4% to 20.5%, the claims ratio increase of 50.1% to 117.1% acted as quite the offset and drove the loss as the 4Q20 refinement of reserving due to COVID-19 related factors was the primary culprit; and*Genworth Still Waiting To Clear That Chinese Wall: China Oceanwide (715.HK) still does not have the money to consummate the Genworth Financial (GNW.US) [Genworth] transaction – missing its merger agreement deadline for the 17th time on December 31, 2020.  While the merger agreement still remains in effect, management does “not believe a closing can occur in the near-term”, as Genworth (with no other option) continued to play this same old tired game with China Oceanwide by extending its merger agreement deadline.

Genworth Financial – Wrong Time For An Aussie Fail

*Interesting Strategic Move: On December 23, 2020, Challenger (CGF.AU) announced its intention to acquire MyLifeMyFinance (MLMF), an Australian savings &amp; loan (S&amp;L) for AUD 35 mn from MyLifeMyMoney Superannuation Fund (known as “Catholic Super”). Following the acquisition, Challenger will hold an Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) authorized deposit-taking institution (ADI) license. Unlike traditional Australian banks, Challenger will relay far less on home lending an rather focus its asset generation on existing investment activities;  and*But A Pricey Deal: While this is an interesting strategic transaction for Challenger, it was not cheap. Challenger paid 2.4x P/BV for MLMF based on 3Q20 figures – well above the commercial bank average in Australia. We infer from Challenger’s guidance for FY 2021 that MLMF generates approximately AUD 2 mn per annum – implying a P/E of 17.5x. Taking its 60 bp cover of stated loans, we are confident that MLMF is actually understating its full cost by between AUD 2-3 mn. It’s a good thing the absolute dollar value was tiny.

*Interesting Strategic Move: On December 23, 2020, Challenger (CGF.AU) announced its intention to acquire MyLifeMyFinance (MLMF), an Australian savings &amp; loan (S&amp;L) for AUD 35 mn from MyLifeMyMoney Superannuation Fund (known as “Catholic Super”). Following the acquisition, Challenger will hold an Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) authorized deposit-taking institution (ADI) license. Unlike traditional Australian banks, Challenger will relay far less on home lending an rather focus its asset generation on existing investment activities;  and*But A Pricey Deal: While this is an interesting strategic transaction for Challenger, it was not cheap. Challenger paid 2.4x P/BV for MLMF based on 3Q20 figures – well above the commercial bank average in Australia. We infer from Challenger’s guidance for FY 2021 that MLMF generates approximately AUD 2 mn per annum – implying a P/E of 17.5x. Taking its 60 bp cover of stated loans, we are confident that MLMF is actually understating its full cost by between AUD 2-3 mn. It’s a good thing the absolute dollar value was tiny. 

*Near-Term Pain: The Australian Prudential Regulatory Authority (APRA) completed its review of WestPac’s risk governance program and Westpac is now likely to enter into enforcement action and remediation. In addition, APRA has also announced that it had taken action against Westpac New Zealand due to the subsidiary’s breach of liquidity requirements; and*Small Gain: Management announced the widely anticipated sale of its general insurance business to Allianz (ALV.GR) in addition to an exclusive 20-year agreement to distribute general insurance products to Westpac customers for AUD 725 mn.

*Near-Term Pain: The Australian Prudential Regulatory Authority (APRA) completed its review of WestPac’s risk governance program and Westpac is now likely to enter into enforcement action and remediation. In addition, APRA has also announced that it had taken action against Westpac New Zealand due to the subsidiary’s breach of liquidity requirements; and*Small Gain: Management announced the widely anticipated sale of its general insurance business to Allianz (ALV.GR) in addition to an exclusive 20-year agreement to distribute general insurance products to Westpac customers for AUD 725 mn.

WestPac Banking – One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

*Weaker Futures Activity Continues: ASX Limited (ASX.AU) [ASX] remains a among the better listed exchanges globally, earnings fundamentals are likely to remain under pressure for the foreseeable future. During the September 2020 update, stronger capital markets activity was a positive surprise and velocity is tracking well. However, the weaker trend in futures activity continues its downward trend whilst costs continue to rise as ASX continues to invest in technology; and*Expect Consensus To Take Hatchet To EPS:  New revenue initiatives are also unlikely to add materially to growth in FY 2021. In our view, consensus forecasts remain beyond what is rational and significant EPS downgrades are inevitable.  In light of these headwinds, it’s pretty difficult to justify a P/E of 38x FY 2022 consensus forecasts.

*Weaker Futures Activity Continues: ASX Limited (ASX.AU) [ASX] remains a among the better listed exchanges globally, earnings fundamentals are likely to remain under pressure for the foreseeable future. During the September 2020 update, stronger capital markets activity was a positive surprise and velocity is tracking well. However, the weaker trend in futures activity continues its downward trend whilst costs continue to rise as ASX continues to invest in technology; and*Expect Consensus To Take Hatchet To EPS:  New revenue initiatives are also unlikely to add materially to growth in FY 2021. In our view, consensus forecasts remain beyond what is rational and significant EPS downgrades are inevitable.  In light of these headwinds, it’s pretty difficult to justify a P/E of 38x FY 2022 consensus forecasts.

ASX Limited – Softening Trends Continue

Australia

iShares MSCI Australia ETF is an exchange-traded fund incorporated in the USA. The ETF tracks the performance of the MSCI Australia Index. The ETF holds predominantly large-cap stocks from Australian companies. The ETF weights the holdings using a market capitalization methodology and rebalances quarterly.

iShares MSCI Australia (EWA US)

National Australia Bank - Nabbed

NATIONAL AUSTRALIA BANK: NAB was informed by AUSTRAC that it had identified “potential serious and on-going non-compliance” with NAB's compliance...

Thomas J. Monaco

Genworth Financial – Wrong Time For An Aussie Fail

GENWORTH FINANCIAL: Genworth Mortgage Insurance Australia reported a FY 2H20 bottom-line loss as its combined ratio was 137.7%. China Oceanwide...

Thomas J. Monaco

Challenger - Big Opportunity

CHALLENGER LTD: Challenger announced its intention to acquire MyLifeMyFinance . This deal, while small, was not cheap - but no doubt will be...

Thomas J. Monaco

WestPac Banking – One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

WESTPAC BANKING: APRA Hits Westpac With Remediation For Risk Governance And New Zealand Liquidity Charges, While Allianz Buys Insurance Unit.

Thomas J. Monaco

ASX Limited – Softening Trends Continue

*Weaker Futures Activity Continues: ASX Limited (ASX.AU) [ASX] remains a among the better listed exchanges globally, earnings fundamentals are...

Thomas J. Monaco