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

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<li>
Move Along, No Problems Here: DBS Group Holdings (DBS.SG) [DBS] participated in a competitor conference on January 10, 2022, suggesting that not an ounce of risk is on balance sheet; </li>
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Digital Franchise: Management also focused on digital initiatives, including: DBS Digital Exchange; Digital Custody; and the Partior platform; and</li>
<li>
Deal Risk Remains High: There was no discussion by management of its headlong buying spree of some fairly spicy transactions. And they are not done.</li>
</ul>



Move Along, No Problems Here: DBS Group Holdings (DBS.SG) [DBS] participated in a competitor conference on January 10, 2022, suggesting that not an ounce of risk is on balance sheet; 

Digital Franchise: Management also focused on digital initiatives, including: DBS Digital Exchange; Digital Custody; and the Partior platform; and

Deal Risk Remains High: There was no discussion by management of its headlong buying spree of some fairly spicy transactions. And they are not done.


<ul>
<li>
A50 Challenges:Hong Kong Exchange &amp; Clearing (388.HK) [HKEx] launched the MSCI China A50 Connect (HK A50). This new product competes with 20% of Singapore Exchange’s (SGX.SP) [SGX] PBT; </li>
<li>
Completely Distracted: On top of weaker equity volumes/fees and the HK A50 launch, SGX has made numerous moves which are more of a distraction than they're worth; and </li>
<li>
Time For Massive Strategic Move: SGX must consider significant strategic alternatives if it is to avoid being hollowed out over the longer-term.</li>
</ul>



A50 Challenges:Hong Kong Exchange &amp; Clearing (388.HK) [HKEx] launched the MSCI China A50 Connect (HK A50). This new product competes with 20% of Singapore Exchange’s (SGX.SP) [SGX] PBT; 

Completely Distracted: On top of weaker equity volumes/fees and the HK A50 launch, SGX has made numerous moves which are more of a distraction than they're worth; and 

Time For Massive Strategic Move: SGX must consider significant strategic alternatives if it is to avoid being hollowed out over the longer-term.


*Overstated 3Q21 Result: DBS Group Holdings (DBS.SP) [DBS] reported 3Q21 results of SGD 1.7 bn, flat linked quarter. When one accounts for the unnecessary negative loss provision of SGD 70 mn (down 188.6%) while credit was weaker, DBS’ results would appear to be grossly overstated;*Watch Your Credit: We struggle continue to believe that DBS’ due diligence had actually caught all of LVB’s risk (see discussion below), and remain unconvinced that the moratorium exits are anything more than additional reliance on government schemes and relief programs. DBS has disclosed absolutely nothing about Shenzhen Rural Commercial Bank’s (SRCB) fundamentals. We feel that reserves should be shored up in the neighborhood of SGD 1.1 bn – amounting now to about a half quarter of operating results; and *Deal Distractions Mount:  While SRCB dos not appear to be riddled with problems the way LVB is, no doubt there will be issues to contend with.  DBS apparently isn’t done with its shopping spree, being in the running for parts of Citigroup's (C.US) consumer business in Asia. Frankly, DBS needs to focus on improving its own legacy issues before it starts both taking on those of other financial institutions.

*Overstated 3Q21 Result: DBS Group Holdings (DBS.SP) [DBS] reported 3Q21 results of SGD 1.7 bn, flat linked quarter. When one accounts for the unnecessary negative loss provision of SGD 70 mn (down 188.6%) while credit was weaker, DBS’ results would appear to be grossly overstated;*Watch Your Credit: We struggle continue to believe that DBS’ due diligence had actually caught all of LVB’s risk (see discussion below), and remain unconvinced that the moratorium exits are anything more than additional reliance on government schemes and relief programs. DBS has disclosed absolutely nothing about Shenzhen Rural Commercial Bank’s (SRCB) fundamentals. We feel that reserves should be shored up in the neighborhood of SGD 1.1 bn – amounting now to about a half quarter of operating results; and *Deal Distractions Mount:  While SRCB dos not appear to be riddled with problems the way LVB is, no doubt there will be issues to contend with.  DBS apparently isn’t done with its shopping spree, being in the running for parts of Citigroup's (C.US) consumer business in Asia. Frankly, DBS needs to focus on improving its own legacy issues before it starts both taking on those of other financial institutions.

DBS Group Holdings – Pushing The Envelope

*Challenging Result: Oversea Chinese Banking Corp. (OCBC.SP) [OCBC] reported 3Q21 net profit of SGD 1.2 bn, a SGD 64 mn (5.5%) increase on a linked quarter basis. OCBC’s bottom-line improvement was primarily attributable to a decrease in loss provisions, as credit risk remains elevated; a tax rate decline; and stronger insurer earnings; and*Credit Breaking Down Again: By our calculation, we find that net new NPL growth has increased again to SGD 448 mn or 44.9% on an annualized basis. Given the increase in net new NPLs, reserve would appear to now be wanting by SGD 2.0 bn plus or just under two quarters of bottom-line results.

*Challenging Result: Oversea Chinese Banking Corp. (OCBC.SP) [OCBC] reported 3Q21 net profit of SGD 1.2 bn, a SGD 64 mn (5.5%) increase on a linked quarter basis. OCBC’s bottom-line improvement was primarily attributable to a decrease in loss provisions, as credit risk remains elevated; a tax rate decline; and stronger insurer earnings; and*Credit Breaking Down Again: By our calculation, we find that net new NPL growth has increased again to SGD 448 mn or 44.9% on an annualized basis. Given the increase in net new NPLs, reserve would appear to now be wanting by SGD 2.0 bn plus or just under two quarters of bottom-line results.

Oversea Chinese Banking Corp.- Negative Jaws & Weaker Credit

*Poor Result: Singapore Exchange (SGX.SP) [SGX] reported a weak FY 2H21 result, declining SGD 35.0 mn (14.6%) on an HOH basis. Higher than expected costs was the primary culprit for the overall disappointing result, increasing SGD 28.7 mn (11.6%) HOH pushing the expense to revenue ratio 410 bp higher to 51.8%. Cost pressures will not end, as SGX gave guidance that costs are due to increase between 9%-11%, as revenue begins to contract; and*Peripatetic: Recently, SGX announced its acquisition of MaxxTrader, its third acquisition after BidFX and Scientific Beta in 2020. Management is also considering getting involved Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs). Significant strategic alternatives are needed at SGX, if it is to avoid being hollowed out by the Hong Kong Exchanges &amp; Clearing (388.HK).

*Poor Result: Singapore Exchange (SGX.SP) [SGX] reported a weak FY 2H21 result, declining SGD 35.0 mn (14.6%) on an HOH basis. Higher than expected costs was the primary culprit for the overall disappointing result, increasing SGD 28.7 mn (11.6%) HOH pushing the expense to revenue ratio 410 bp higher to 51.8%. Cost pressures will not end, as SGX gave guidance that costs are due to increase between 9%-11%, as revenue begins to contract; and*Peripatetic: Recently, SGX announced its acquisition of MaxxTrader, its third acquisition after BidFX and Scientific Beta in 2020. Management is also considering getting involved Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs). Significant strategic alternatives are needed at SGX, if it is to avoid being hollowed out by the Hong Kong Exchanges &amp; Clearing (388.HK).

Singapore Exchange – Completely Distracted

United States

iShares MSCI Singapore ETF is an exchange-traded fund incorporated in the USA. The ETF's objective seeks to provide investment results that correspond to the performance of the Singaporean market, as measured by the MSCI Singapore 25/50 Index. The ETF invests in a representative sample of index stocks using a "portfolio sampling" technique. SGX Trading Name: IS MSCI SIN 100US$

iShares MSCI Singapore ETF (EWS US)

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