Chief Economist & Political Strategist, CrossASEAN Research

Prasenjit K. Basu

Chief Economist & Political Strategist

CrossASEAN Research

At CrossASEAN Research we strive to produce unbiased and differentiated on the ground insights on companies across South East Asia. Our Research is produced for the most part after face to face meetings and conversations with company management to dig deep into the long term vision and strategy of the companies we cover. We seek to deliver investable and actionable themes on sectors and markets across SE Asia, often in collaboration with other Insight Providers across the region, pooling the vast experience of the analysts within the Smartkarma Ecosystem. We also offer bespoke work and tailor made trips for our clients. 

Insights across South East Asia

Macroeconomics

While the Economic Survey garnered headlines for its bold call for aggressive fiscal spending in the period ahead, one remarkable fact was lost in the noise: India's fiscal deficit declined 12.7% YoY in October-December 2020, and was consequently up only 24.3% YoY in Apr-Dec 2020 despite a severe economic recession. This was made possible by ensuring that net tax revenues actually increased 6.35% YoY in Apr-Dec 2020, despite the economic contraction during the period. It was only after it was clear that tax revenues were recovering in Q3 of the fiscal year that government spending began to be ramped up (having declined marginally in Apr-Sep20). In a fuel-scarce economy, consumers of petrol and diesel have borne the brunt of fiscal restraint in a difficult year. Excise duty revenues were up 54% YoY in April-December 2020, almost entirely because of petroleum-related excise duties. Personal income tax revenue soared 25.5% YoY in 3Q (Oct-Dec 2020) and corporate tax revenue increased 34.8% YoY that quarter -- pointing to a clear rebound in middle-class incomes and corporate profits in the last quarter -- which are likely to continue in the Jan-Mar 2021 quarter, especially given that March is usually the biggest month for production, income and government tax revenue -- but March 2020 was when the lockdown began. We continue to expect that the government's forecast of a contraction in real GDP of 7.7% in FY2020/21 is too low: the rebound in the second half of the fiscal year will be substantially positive (not a contraction as the Survey conservatively estimates). Incredible fiscal restraint during the recession has now prepared the way for a powerful rebound in government spending -- permitted by a rebound in tax revenue as the economy recovers. More importantly, privatization revenues (which have performed very poorly again this FY) are likely to play a very big part in the period ahead. Given the strength of equity markets, it is a shame that the government did not make more progress with privatisation in 2020, but that is likely to be a big and genuine theme in the year ahead. We remain bullish on India.

While the Economic Survey garnered headlines for its bold call for aggressive fiscal spending in the period ahead, one remarkable fact was lost in the noise: India's fiscal deficit declined 12.7% YoY in October-December 2020, and was consequently up only 24.3% YoY in Apr-Dec 2020 despite a severe economic recession. This was made possible by ensuring that net tax revenues actually increased 6.35% YoY in Apr-Dec 2020, despite the economic contraction during the period. It was only after it was clear that tax revenues were recovering in Q3 of the fiscal year that government spending began to be ramped up (having declined marginally in Apr-Sep20). In a fuel-scarce economy, consumers of petrol and diesel have borne the brunt of fiscal restraint in a difficult year. Excise duty revenues were up 54% YoY in April-December 2020, almost entirely because of petroleum-related excise duties. Personal income tax revenue soared 25.5% YoY in 3Q (Oct-Dec 2020) and corporate tax revenue increased 34.8% YoY that quarter -- pointing to a clear rebound in middle-class incomes and corporate profits in the last quarter -- which are likely to continue in the Jan-Mar 2021 quarter, especially given that March is usually the biggest month for production, income and government tax revenue -- but March 2020 was when the lockdown began. We continue to expect that the government's forecast of a contraction in real GDP of 7.7% in FY2020/21 is too low: the rebound in the second half of the fiscal year will be substantially positive (not a contraction as the Survey conservatively estimates). Incredible fiscal restraint during the recession has now prepared the way for a powerful rebound in government spending -- permitted by a rebound in tax revenue as the economy recovers. More importantly, privatization revenues (which have performed very poorly again this FY) are likely to play a very big part in the period ahead. Given the strength of equity markets, it is a shame that the government did not make more progress with privatisation in 2020, but that is likely to be a big and genuine theme in the year ahead. We remain bullish on India.  

India: Incredible Fiscal Responsibility Amid the Economic Devastation of Covid

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

*Results Down, Credibility Continues To Increase: We applaud for LIC Housing Finance (LICHF.IN) [LIC] for having the fortitude to properly manage its balance sheet during this difficult pandemic period. Its now paying off with respect to credit quality, with credit leverage fully anticipated in FY 4Q21.  As for the actual bottom-line, LIC reported FY 3Q21 INR 721.1 crs - declining INR 68.6 crs (8.7%) linked quarter. We fully anticipate bottom-line improvement in FY 4Q21; and*Credit Continues To Mend:  We note that net new NPLs at LIC were negative again as well – declining INR 47.3 crs for an annualized rate of NPL decline of 3.2% (versus a decline of 4.0% in the previous quarter). Reserves are likely where they need to be unlike most other Indian financials who have massive shortfalls.

*Results Down, Credibility Continues To Increase: We applaud for LIC Housing Finance (LICHF.IN) [LIC] for having the fortitude to properly manage its balance sheet during this difficult pandemic period. Its now paying off with respect to credit quality, with credit leverage fully anticipated in FY 4Q21.  As for the actual bottom-line, LIC reported FY 3Q21 INR 721.1 crs - declining INR 68.6 crs (8.7%) linked quarter. We fully anticipate bottom-line improvement in FY 4Q21; and*Credit Continues To Mend:  We note that net new NPLs at LIC were negative again as well – declining INR 47.3 crs for an annualized rate of NPL decline of 3.2% (versus a decline of 4.0% in the previous quarter). Reserves are likely where they need to be unlike most other Indian financials who have massive shortfalls.

LIC Housing Finance – This Is How It Should Be Done

*Bottom-line Worse Than It Looks: Axis Bank (AXSB.IN) [Axis] reported FY 3Q21 results of INR 11.2 bn, declining INR 5.7 bn (33.8%) on a linked quarter basis. Given the hefty increase in net new NPLs, results would appear to be incredibly overstated. The largest delta during the quarter was an INR 8.2 bn (19.3%) increase in operating expenses, led by a compensation increase of 18.9% and an other opex increase of 19.6%; and *Poor Provisions: Without accounting for the linked quarter increase in restructured loans, we find that Axis’ net new NPL growth is extremely elevated at 84.5% - which is troubling even for an Indian bank. We would like to see Axis add INR 321 bn or 146% to loss reserves. Instead of overstating profit figures, Axis needs to begin taking the requisite losses in order to buttress reserves. Axis reserve shortfall, in our view, represents over five years of PBT and 25% plus of stated equity.

 *Bottom-line Worse Than It Looks: Axis Bank (AXSB.IN) [Axis] reported FY 3Q21 results of INR 11.2 bn, declining INR 5.7 bn (33.8%) on a linked quarter basis. Given the hefty increase in net new NPLs, results would appear to be incredibly overstated. The largest delta during the quarter was an INR 8.2 bn (19.3%) increase in operating expenses, led by a compensation increase of 18.9% and an other opex increase of 19.6%; and *Poor Provisions: Without accounting for the linked quarter increase in restructured loans, we find that Axis’ net new NPL growth is extremely elevated at 84.5% - which is troubling even for an Indian bank. We would like to see Axis add INR 321 bn or 146% to loss reserves. Instead of overstating profit figures, Axis needs to begin taking the requisite losses in order to buttress reserves. Axis reserve shortfall, in our view, represents over five years of PBT and 25% plus of stated equity.  

*Weakened Results: Kotak Mahindra Bank (KMB.IN) [KMB] reported FY 3Q21 results of INR 18.5 bn, declining INR 3.3 bn (15.2%) linked quarter. Results were challenged by two factors: a) an INR 2.3 bn (62.5%) increase in loss provisions which still appears light given the continued and accelerated breakdown in credit quality; and b) an INR 1.9 bn (9.2%) increase in costs led by a 14.0% increase in other operating expenses; and*Credit Risks Substantially Increasing: While KMB’s metrics were not nearly as ugly as Yes Bank’s (YES.IN), KMB’s credit break is tracking the financial sector - which is not exhibiting any sign of recovery. By our calculation, we find that both net new NPLs and impaired loans increased excessively with annualized growth rates of 122.8% and 143.2%, respectively. Given the worsening of KMB’s credit metrics and current weak reserve cover, we find that reserves at FY 3Q21 fall short by INR 78 bn - about three quarter of stated PBT.

*Weakened Results: Kotak Mahindra Bank (KMB.IN) [KMB] reported FY 3Q21 results of INR 18.5 bn, declining INR 3.3 bn (15.2%) linked quarter. Results were challenged by two factors: a) an INR 2.3 bn (62.5%) increase in loss provisions which still appears light given the continued and accelerated breakdown in credit quality; and b) an INR 1.9 bn (9.2%) increase in costs led by a 14.0% increase in other operating expenses; and*Credit Risks Substantially Increasing: While KMB’s metrics were not nearly as ugly as Yes Bank’s (YES.IN), KMB’s credit break is tracking the financial sector - which is not exhibiting any sign of recovery. By our calculation, we find that both net new NPLs and impaired loans increased excessively with annualized growth rates of 122.8% and 143.2%, respectively. Given the worsening of KMB’s credit metrics and current weak reserve cover, we find that reserves at FY 3Q21 fall short by INR 78 bn - about three quarter of stated PBT.

Kotak Mahindra Bank – Credit Falling Off Of A Cliff

*Result Beat On Unwarranted Provision Reduction: Federal Bank (FB.IN) posted FY 3Q21 bottom-line results of INR 4.0 bn, exhibiting linked quarter improvement of INR 965 mn (31.4%). Two factors drove the bottom-line – one legitimate, the latter simply ridiculous: a) net interest income improved INR 571 mn (4.1%) tracking both loan growth of INR 26.0 bn (2.1%) and NIM improvement of 10 bp to 3.00%; and b) a drop of INR 1.7 bn (29.0%) in its loss provision despite an annualized net new problem loan increase of over 67%; and*Reserve Cover Is Shallow: If we look at coverage of total problem loans, which includes the restructured book, coverage amounts to just 59.0% versus 57.7% at FY 2Q21. Although we are encouraged by the linked quarter improvement, we do feel that reserve cover is quite light by close to INR 50.0 bn – nearly three years of bottom-line performance.

*Result Beat On Unwarranted Provision Reduction: Federal Bank (FB.IN) posted FY 3Q21 bottom-line results of INR 4.0 bn, exhibiting linked quarter improvement of INR 965 mn (31.4%). Two factors drove the bottom-line – one legitimate, the latter simply ridiculous: a) net interest income improved INR 571 mn (4.1%) tracking both loan growth of INR 26.0 bn (2.1%) and NIM improvement of 10 bp to 3.00%; and b) a drop of INR 1.7 bn (29.0%) in its loss provision despite an annualized net new problem loan increase of over 67%; and*Reserve Cover Is Shallow: If we look at coverage of total problem loans, which includes the restructured book, coverage amounts to just 59.0% versus 57.7% at FY 2Q21. Although we are encouraged by the linked quarter improvement, we do feel that reserve cover is quite light by close to INR 50.0 bn – nearly three years of bottom-line performance.    

India

iShares MSCI India ETF is an exchange-traded fund incorporated in the USA. The ETF seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI India Index.

iShares MSCI India ETF (INDA US)

India: Incredible Fiscal Responsibility Amid the Economic Devastation of Covid

Excise duty (mainly petrol) was up 54%YoY in Apr-Dec 2020, but rebounding income (+25%YoY) and corporate tax (+35%YoY) revenues in Oct-Dec2020...

Prasenjit K. Basu

LIC Housing Finance – This Is How It Should Be Done

LIC HOUSING FINANCE: We applaud for LIC for properly managing its balance sheet. FY 3Q21 results declined 8.7% linked quarter but expect bottom...

Thomas J. Monaco

Axis Bank – Evil Result

AXIS BANK: Axis reported a 33.8% decline in linked quarter FY 3Q21 results. Given the hefty increase in net new NPLs, results make little sense....

Thomas J. Monaco

Kotak Mahindra Bank – Credit Falling Off Of A Cliff

KOTAK MAHINDRA BANK: KMB reported FY 3Q21 linked quarter results decline of 15.2%, driven primarily by a 62.5% increase in provisions which still...

Thomas J. Monaco

Federal Bank – Deserving No Credit

FEDERAL BANK: FB FY 3Q21 bottom-line results improved 31.4% linked quarter, as it dropped its provision 29.0% despite its annualized net new...

Thomas J. Monaco