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

*Low Quality Beat: Siam Commercial Bank (SCB.TB) [SCB] reported an unimpressive 4Q20 result of THB 4.6 bn – up just THB 54 mn (1.2%) linked quarter. Were it not for strong linked quarter fee and commission growth of THB 2.8 bn (33.3%) which was primarily driven by the recognition of performance-linked compensation on bancassurance and wealth management bonus, 4Q20 results would have been an unmitigated disaster at SCB; and 
*Poor Credit and Consistently Higher Provisions To Persist: Credit trends at SCB are in complete contravention to Kasikornbank (KBANK.TB), as provisions actually increased THB 1.3 bn (9.9%) on weakened credit.SCB’s annualized net new NPLs during the period remained at an accelerated level of 63.2%. By our calculation, we find that SCB’s loss reserves are light in the neighborhood of THB 28 bn or 18 months of bottom-line results.

*Low Quality Beat: Siam Commercial Bank (SCB.TB) [SCB] reported an unimpressive 4Q20 result of THB 4.6 bn – up just THB 54 mn (1.2%) linked quarter. Were it not for strong linked quarter fee and commission growth of THB 2.8 bn (33.3%) which was primarily driven by the recognition of performance-linked compensation on bancassurance and wealth management bonus, 4Q20 results would have been an unmitigated disaster at SCB; and 
*Poor Credit and Consistently Higher Provisions To Persist: Credit trends at SCB are in complete contravention to Kasikornbank (KBANK.TB), as provisions actually increased THB 1.3 bn (9.9%) on weakened credit.SCB’s annualized net new NPLs during the period remained at an accelerated level of 63.2%. By our calculation, we find that SCB’s loss reserves are light in the neighborhood of THB 28 bn or 18 months of bottom-line results.

Siam Commercial Bank – B'assurance Masks Troubles

*Big Quarter: Kasikornbank (KBANK.TB) (KBank) reported an impressive 4Q20 result of  THB 13.3 bn, increasing THB 6.7 bn (98.5%) linked quarter. Excluding gains, core operating results still improved THB 3.7 bn or 63.8% linked quarter to THB 9.5 bn. The sole driver to this stellar bottom-line performance at KBank was a massive THB 10.1 bn (93.8%) reduction in its loan loss provision – better than 3Q20 guidance;   *Credit Improvement, But KBank Hyper Aggressive On Lower Provisions: The real story for KBank is that its loans under moratorium declined from THB 71.0 bn (40% of outstandings) to THB 46.3 bn (19% of outstandings) on a linked quarter basis. With recoveries of THB 3.4 bn during 4Q20, we find that KBank’s net new NPLs during the period substantially decelerated from 22.3% at 2Q20 to 3.5%. By our calculation, we find that reserve cover remains short by close to THB 13.0 bn (about one quarter of bottom-line performance) – suggesting that the current provision reduction came a quarter too early; and*Negative Operating Jaws: KBank actually posted negative operating jaws during the quarter with linked quarter operating revenues declining THB 532 mn (1.5%) and operating expenses increasing THB 3.8 bn (23.2%) - the C/I ratio 11.5% higher to 57.3%.  Management intends to manage expenses better going forward, but no specifics have as yet been given.

*Big Quarter: Kasikornbank (KBANK.TB) (KBank) reported an impressive 4Q20 result of  THB 13.3 bn, increasing THB 6.7 bn (98.5%) linked quarter. Excluding gains, core operating results still improved THB 3.7 bn or 63.8% linked quarter to THB 9.5 bn. The sole driver to this stellar bottom-line performance at KBank was a massive THB 10.1 bn (93.8%) reduction in its loan loss provision – better than 3Q20 guidance;   *Credit Improvement, But KBank Hyper Aggressive On Lower Provisions: The real story for KBank is that its loans under moratorium declined from THB 71.0 bn (40% of outstandings) to THB 46.3 bn (19% of outstandings) on a linked quarter basis. With recoveries of THB 3.4 bn during 4Q20, we find that KBank’s net new NPLs during the period substantially decelerated from 22.3% at 2Q20 to 3.5%. By our calculation, we find that reserve cover remains short by close to THB 13.0 bn (about one quarter of bottom-line performance) – suggesting that the current provision reduction came a quarter too early; and*Negative Operating Jaws: KBank actually posted negative operating jaws during the quarter with linked quarter operating revenues declining THB 532 mn (1.5%) and operating expenses increasing THB 3.8 bn (23.2%) - the C/I ratio 11.5% higher to 57.3%.  Management intends to manage expenses better going forward, but no specifics have as yet been given. 

Research and consultancy, Tabbush Report

Daniel Tabbush

Research and consultancy

Tabbush Report

We provide research and consultancy on Asian banks. Our focus is on what we call “Asian bank research, without the noise.” We are interested in the most critical swing-factors for banks, the NPL and credit cycle, and where we believe there is a gap between perception and reality. We often focus on the less studied components of bank financial statements.  Our research is highly thematic, sometimes examining unlisted banks and companies as a window on mainstream banks. 

Being independent allows us to look at smaller banks, often overlooked by others. Analysis of BIS bank guidelines in the context of Asia, is also a focal point, while we also analyze global banks operating in the region. We use what we believe is the most comprehensive, reliable financials database, SNL Financial. S&P Capital IQ augments our database, with corporate data and CEIC, with economics. 

Asian bank research, without the noise.

The credit card company came out with results that do not appear to support its surge in valuations during November and December. This may partly explain the sharp contraction over the past week, but it’s not likely done.

The credit card company came out with results that do not appear to support its surge in valuations during November and December. This may partly explain the sharp contraction over the past week, but it’s not likely done. 

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One, Periscope Analytics

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

Event-Driven

The SET50 Index is one of the very few indices that is still weighted by full market cap. Stocks need to have a minimum free float of 20% to be eligible for index inclusion but the free float is not used to determine the weight of the stock in the index.This had led to stocks with low free floats having an inordinately high weight in the index. The most recent case in point was <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/delta-electronics-thai-pcl" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20912:1" rel="noopener">Delta Electronics Thai (DELTA TB)</a> - the stock was an inclusion in the SET50 index at the December review. DELTA is now the third largest stock in the index with a 6.07% weighting, even though the SET free float of the stock is only 22.35%. The stock has jumped 1000% over the last year.Media reports now indicate that there are changes brewing that could result in the SET revising the calculation methodology to more accurately determine the free float of stocks, and a change to the calculation methodology of the SET50 Index that would see it move from a full market cap weighted index to a free float market cap weighted index.In this Insight, we take a look at the stocks that would be affected by the changes and the impact of passive fund trading on the stocks.

The SET50 Index is one of the very few indices that is still weighted by full market cap. Stocks need to have a minimum free float of 20% to be eligible for index inclusion but the free float is not used to determine the weight of the stock in the index.This had led to stocks with low free floats having an inordinately high weight in the index. The most recent case in point was Delta Electronics Thai (DELTA TB) - the stock was an inclusion in the SET50 index at the December review. DELTA is now the third largest stock in the index with a 6.07% weighting, even though the SET free float of the stock is only 22.35%. The stock has jumped 1000% over the last year.Media reports now indicate that there are changes brewing that could result in the SET revising the calculation methodology to more accurately determine the free float of stocks, and a change to the calculation methodology of the SET50 Index that would see it move from a full market cap weighted index to a free float market cap weighted index.In this Insight, we take a look at the stocks that would be affected by the changes and the impact of passive fund trading on the stocks.

SET50 Index: Change to Free Float Weighting In the Works?

For Thailand’s bank that had taken the most credit costs during the year and which is most exposed to SMEs - more likely those companies in struggling sectors - the most recent quarterly credit cost reduction makes sense. We continue to see this as a theme through FY21, but where top line also improves.

For Thailand’s bank that had taken the most credit costs during the year and which is most exposed to SMEs - more likely those companies in struggling sectors - the most recent quarterly credit cost reduction makes sense. We continue to see this as a theme through FY21, but where top line also improves. 

Thailand

Kasikornbank Public Company Limited provides commercial banking services including personal and commercial banking, international trade, as well as investment banking services, to its customers throughout Thailand.  The Bank has foreign branches in Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Cayman Islands, and Shenzhen; and representative offices in Shanghai, Beijing, and Kunmin.

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Kasikornbank (KBANK-R TB)

Siam Commercial Bank – B'assurance Masks Troubles

SIAM COMMERCIAL BANK: SCB reported an unimpressive 4Q20 result – up just 1.2% linked quarter. Were it not for strong bancassurance growth, 4Q20...

Thomas J. Monaco

Kasikornbank – Less Is More

KASIKORNBANK: KBank reported an impressive 4Q20 result - driven by a 93.8% reduction in provisions, as moratorium loans declined from 40% to 19%....

Thomas J. Monaco

KTC – Disconnect Remains

KTC came out with results that do not appear to support its surge in valuations during November and December. We see a disconnect with market...

Daniel Tabbush

SET50 Index: Change to Free Float Weighting In the Works?

There is a strong possibility that the SET revises the calculation methodology to more accurately determine the free float of stocks, and changes...

Brian Freitas

KBANK – 94% Lower Provisions

KBANK saw credit costs collapse in the quarter, understandably so, given its high level of charges during the first three quarters of the year. We...

Daniel Tabbush

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