Head of Research, IPOs & Placements, Aequitas Research

Sumeet Singh

Head of Research, IPOs & Placements

IPOs and Placements coverage across Asia Pacific

Aequitas Research

We cover all listing across the Asia Pacific along with follow-up placements. As of Dec 2020, our team had covered 539 IPOs with a hit rate of 73.5% and 685 placements with a hit rate of 66.8%.

We combine fundamental bottom-up views with our proprietary quantitative framework to provide a holistic coverage across new listings and placements. Our coverage includes pre-IPO notes before the deal is launched, follow-up analysis once the deal is live and post-listing trading analysis as well.

Equity Capital Markets

<div><p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lufax-holdings" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29690:1" rel="noopener">Lufax Holdings (LU US)</a> (Lufax) aims to raise around US$3bn via its US listing. The company is backed by <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ping-an-insurance-grp-co-of-china-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12880:1" rel="noopener">Ping An Insurance (H) (2318 HK)</a> (Ping An).</p></div><div><p>Lufax is a technology-empowered personal financial services platform in China. The company aims to address the demand for personal lending among small business owners, as well as salaried workers in China. It also provides wealth management solutions to China’s middle class and affluent population.</p></div><div>
<p>I covered the positive aspects of the deal in my earlier note, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/lufax-pre-ipo-the-positives-able-to-grow-despite-the-headwinds" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lufax Pre-IPO - The Positives - Able to Grow Despite the Headwinds</a> and the negative aspects in<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/lufax-pre-ipo-the-negatives-remains-in-flux" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Lufax Pre-IPO - The Negatives - Remains in Flux.</a></p>
<p>In this insight, I'll undertake a peer comparison.</p>
</div>

Lufax Holdings (LU US) (Lufax) aims to raise around US$3bn via its US listing. The company is backed by Ping An Insurance (H) (2318 HK) (Ping An).Lufax is a technology-empowered personal financial services platform in China. The company aims to address the demand for personal lending among small business owners, as well as salaried workers in China. It also provides wealth management solutions to China’s middle class and affluent population.
I covered the positive aspects of the deal in my earlier note, Lufax Pre-IPO - The Positives - Able to Grow Despite the Headwinds and the negative aspects in Lufax Pre-IPO - The Negatives - Remains in Flux.
In this insight, I'll undertake a peer comparison.


Lufax Pre-IPO - Peer Review - Bigger than Ant’s CreditTech, in Revenue

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

<p> <strong><em>*Way Too Early Provision Reduction: </em></strong>Ping An Bank (000001.CH) [PAB], the Ping An Insurance (2318.HK) [Ping An] banking subsidiary, reported 3Q20 net income of CNY 8.7 bn – increasing CNY 3.6 bn or 70% linked quarter. One factor, and one factor alone, was responsible for the increase  - provisions were pre-emptively reduced CNY 6.7 bn (29.5%) over the period despite a true decrease in credit risk; </p><p> <strong><em>*Credit Is WEAKER: </em></strong>Net new NPLs have increased CNY 23.0 bn linked quarter or a massive 223.1% on an annualized basis. Assuming the credit break in the PAB portfolio holds – which it likely will given the economic weakness attributed to COVID-19 – reserves would appear light by CNY 178 bn if we assume a 2x NPL ratio. This shortfall represents 62% of stated equity; and</p><p> <em><strong>*Fundamentally Challenged Still:</strong></em> Despite the Investor Day cheerleading session, Ping An P&amp;C operating profits declined CNY 2.6 bn (29.2%) HOH in 1H20, as the overall combined ratio eroded 1.5% to 98.1% due primarily to continued weakness within the credit insurance unit where the combined ratio came in at 125.6% (up 32.4%). The credit insurance segment reported a CNY 3.5 bn underwriting loss, due to defaults on underlying loans. </p>

 *Way Too Early Provision Reduction: Ping An Bank (000001.CH) [PAB], the Ping An Insurance (2318.HK) [Ping An] banking subsidiary, reported 3Q20 net income of CNY 8.7 bn – increasing CNY 3.6 bn or 70% linked quarter. One factor, and one factor alone, was responsible for the increase  - provisions were pre-emptively reduced CNY 6.7 bn (29.5%) over the period despite a true decrease in credit risk;  *Credit Is WEAKER: Net new NPLs have increased CNY 23.0 bn linked quarter or a massive 223.1% on an annualized basis. Assuming the credit break in the PAB portfolio holds – which it likely will given the economic weakness attributed to COVID-19 – reserves would appear light by CNY 178 bn if we assume a 2x NPL ratio. This shortfall represents 62% of stated equity; and *Fundamentally Challenged Still: Despite the Investor Day cheerleading session, Ping An P&amp;C operating profits declined CNY 2.6 bn (29.2%) HOH in 1H20, as the overall combined ratio eroded 1.5% to 98.1% due primarily to continued weakness within the credit insurance unit where the combined ratio came in at 125.6% (up 32.4%). The credit insurance segment reported a CNY 3.5 bn underwriting loss, due to defaults on underlying loans. 

Ping An Insurance – Bank Fundamentals Worsening

Financials & FinTech research, Galliano’s Financials Research

Victor Galliano

Financials & FinTech research

Financials & FinTech, EM & Developed Markets

Galliano’s Financials Research

Galliano's Financials Research provides fundamental research in Emerging Markets financials, including FinTech, as well as financials in select Developed Markets.

The investment style applied is generally value oriented, although Growth At Reasonable Price (GARP) strategies can also be used where appropriate. 

Our investment research approach aim is often contrarian, looking to capitalise on overly sceptical or optimistic consensus views. In terms of valuation techniques, the focus is on PBV ratio to ROE, PE multiples and dividend yield, as well as the application of PEG ratios and, where appropriate, Sum of the Parts (SOTP) valuations.

<ul>
<li>We revisit our Ant Group SOTP valuation from August in this report, updating the changes in the market valuations of comparable entities, in each of Ant’s key divisions</li>
<li>We also change our valuation comparables for Ant’s CreditTech division to other Chinese CreditTechs, from the commercial banks previously used in the August report</li>
<li>The breakdown of divisional valuations, relative to our August valuation, has resulted in a shift away from Payments and InvestmentTech, and is now more in favour of CreditTech, where we see “Big Data” enhancing its value</li>
<li>Our SOTP post-money equity valuations, under three scenarios, range from a conservative USD215bn to an ambitious USD300bn, with a base case valuation of USD260bn</li>
<li>The SOTP valuations “sanity check” versus our earnings forecasts are reassuring, with attractive valuations for the base case versus global payments companies and China MegaTechs</li>
<li>Risks to our constructive view on the Ant Group valuation scenarios include increased US-China geo-political tensions leading to increased government action against Chinese payments apps and these tensions adversely impacting the appetite of US based funds at IPO, especially public sector pension funds</li>
</ul>


We revisit our Ant Group SOTP valuation from August in this report, updating the changes in the market valuations of comparable entities, in each of Ant’s key divisions
We also change our valuation comparables for Ant’s CreditTech division to other Chinese CreditTechs, from the commercial banks previously used in the August report
The breakdown of divisional valuations, relative to our August valuation, has resulted in a shift away from Payments and InvestmentTech, and is now more in favour of CreditTech, where we see “Big Data” enhancing its value
Our SOTP post-money equity valuations, under three scenarios, range from a conservative USD215bn to an ambitious USD300bn, with a base case valuation of USD260bn
The SOTP valuations “sanity check” versus our earnings forecasts are reassuring, with attractive valuations for the base case versus global payments companies and China MegaTechs
Risks to our constructive view on the Ant Group valuation scenarios include increased US-China geo-political tensions leading to increased government action against Chinese payments apps and these tensions adversely impacting the appetite of US based funds at IPO, especially public sector pension funds


Ant Group: SOTP Valuation Scenarios Revisited

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

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

Quantitative Analysis

<div><p>The Asia Short Interest weekly looks at moves in market wide short interest and highlights movements in stock specific short interest across Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Taiwan using the last available data published by the relevant authorities.</p></div><div><p>Hong Kong saw shorts rise on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jd-com-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29043:1" rel="noopener">JD.com (HK) (9618 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/xiaomi-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24409:1" rel="noopener">Xiaomi Corp (1810 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/idreamsky-technology-holdings" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5570:1" rel="noopener">iDreamsky Technology Limited (1119 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/galaxy-entertainment-group-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:806:1" rel="noopener">Galaxy Entertainment Group (27 HK)</a> while there was short covering on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alibaba-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28434:1" rel="noopener">Alibaba Group (9988 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26:1" rel="noopener">Tencent Holdings (700 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ping-an-insurance-grp-co-of-china-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12880:1" rel="noopener">Ping An Insurance (H) (2318 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ping-an-healthcare-and-technology-company-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27008:1" rel="noopener">Ping An Healthcare and Technology Company Limited (1833 HK)</a> . Shorts increased in Real Estate, Energy and Consumer Staples and decreased in Financials, Consumer Discretionary, Health Care and Communication Services.</p></div><div>
<p>There was a lot of short covering in Japan during the week. Stocks that saw the most shorts covered were <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fast-retailing-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:751:1" rel="noopener">Fast Retailing (9983 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/asahi-group-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10482:1" rel="noopener">Asahi Group Holdings (2502 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/toshiba-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:637:1" rel="noopener">Toshiba Corp (6502 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/taiyo-yuden-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9924:1" rel="noopener">Taiyo Yuden (6976 JP)</a>, while shorts increased on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nihon-m-a-center-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:17616:1" rel="noopener">Nihon M&amp;A Center (2127 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yamato-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2:1" rel="noopener">Yamato Holdings (9064 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/canon-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1:1" rel="noopener">Canon Inc (7751 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mitsubishi-ufj-financial-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:218:1" rel="noopener">Mitsubishi UFJ Financial (MUFG) (8306 JP)</a>. Sectorally, the most shorts were covered in Consumer Staples, Information Technology, Consumer Discretionary and Financials.</p>
<p>Stocks in Korea that saw an increase in shorts were <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kakao-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15002:1" rel="noopener">Kakao Corp (035720 KS)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/celltrion-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:991:1" rel="noopener">Celltrion Inc (068270 KS)</a> while stocks that saw the most short covering were <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/doosan-infracore-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3982:1" rel="noopener">Doosan Infracore (042670 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lg-display-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7145:1" rel="noopener">LG Display (034220 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/netmarble-corporation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22839:1" rel="noopener">Netmarble Corporation (251270 KS)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lg-household-health-care" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6501:1" rel="noopener">LG Household &amp; Health Care (051900 KS)</a>.</p>
</div><div><p>Stocks in Taiwan that saw the highest increase in shorts were <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/largan-precision-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9126:1" rel="noopener">Largan Precision (3008 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/taiwan-semiconductor-manufacturing-company" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11230:1" rel="noopener">TSMC (2330 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/genius-electronic-optical-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9632:1" rel="noopener">Genius Electronic Optical (3406 TT)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hon-hai-precision-industry-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:745:1" rel="noopener">Hon Hai Precision Industry (2317 TT)</a> while shorts were covered on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yageo-corporation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13212:1" rel="noopener">Yageo Corporation (2327 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/novatek-microelectronics-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10904:1" rel="noopener">Novatek Microelectronics Corp (3034 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/united-microelectronics-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6450:1" rel="noopener">United Microelectronics Corp (2303 TT)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ase-technology-holding-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27270:1" rel="noopener">ASE Technology Holding Co Ltd (3711 TT)</a>. </p></div>

The Asia Short Interest weekly looks at moves in market wide short interest and highlights movements in stock specific short interest across Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Taiwan using the last available data published by the relevant authorities.Hong Kong saw shorts rise on JD.com (HK) (9618 HK), Xiaomi Corp (1810 HK), iDreamsky Technology Limited (1119 HK) and Galaxy Entertainment Group (27 HK) while there was short covering on Alibaba Group (9988 HK), Tencent Holdings (700 HK), Ping An Insurance (H) (2318 HK) and Ping An Healthcare and Technology Company Limited (1833 HK) . Shorts increased in Real Estate, Energy and Consumer Staples and decreased in Financials, Consumer Discretionary, Health Care and Communication Services.
There was a lot of short covering in Japan during the week. Stocks that saw the most shorts covered were Fast Retailing (9983 JP), Asahi Group Holdings (2502 JP), Toshiba Corp (6502 JP) and Taiyo Yuden (6976 JP), while shorts increased on Nihon M&amp;A Center (2127 JP), Yamato Holdings (9064 JP), Canon Inc (7751 JP) and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial (MUFG) (8306 JP). Sectorally, the most shorts were covered in Consumer Staples, Information Technology, Consumer Discretionary and Financials.
Stocks in Korea that saw an increase in shorts were Kakao Corp (035720 KS) and Celltrion Inc (068270 KS) while stocks that saw the most short covering were Doosan Infracore (042670 KS), LG Display (034220 KS), Netmarble Corporation (251270 KS) and LG Household &amp; Health Care (051900 KS).
Stocks in Taiwan that saw the highest increase in shorts were Largan Precision (3008 TT), TSMC (2330 TT), Genius Electronic Optical (3406 TT) and Hon Hai Precision Industry (2317 TT) while shorts were covered on Yageo Corporation (2327 TT), Novatek Microelectronics Corp (3034 TT), United Microelectronics Corp (2303 TT) and ASE Technology Holding Co Ltd (3711 TT). 

Asia Short Interest Weekly: JD, Xiaomi, Nihon M&A, Asahi, Toshiba, Kakao, Netmarble, Largan, Novatek

<div>
<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lufax-holdings" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29690:1" rel="noopener">Lufax Holdings (LU US)</a> (Lufax) aims to raise around US$3bn via its US listing. The company is backed by <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ping-an-insurance-grp-co-of-china-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12880:1" rel="noopener">Ping An Insurance (H) (2318 HK)</a> (Ping An).</p>
</div>
<div>
<p>Lufax is a technology-empowered personal financial services platform in China. The company aims to address the demand for personal lending among small business owners, as well as salaried workers in China. It also provides wealth management solutions to China’s middle class and affluent population.</p>
</div>
<div>
<p>I covered the positive aspects of the deal in my earlier note, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/lufax-pre-ipo-the-positives-able-to-grow-despite-the-headwinds" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lufax Pre-IPO - The Positives - Able to Grow Despite the Headwinds</a>. In this insight, I'll talk about the not so positive aspects of the deal.</p>
</div>


Lufax Holdings (LU US) (Lufax) aims to raise around US$3bn via its US listing. The company is backed by Ping An Insurance (H) (2318 HK) (Ping An).


Lufax is a technology-empowered personal financial services platform in China. The company aims to address the demand for personal lending among small business owners, as well as salaried workers in China. It also provides wealth management solutions to China’s middle class and affluent population.


I covered the positive aspects of the deal in my earlier note, Lufax Pre-IPO - The Positives - Able to Grow Despite the Headwinds. In this insight, I'll talk about the not so positive aspects of the deal.


Lufax Pre-IPO - The Negatives - Remains in Flux

China

Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China Limited provides a variety of insurance service in China.  The Company writes property, casualty, and life insurance.  Ping An Insurance also offers financial services.

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Ping An Insurance (H) (2318 HK)

Lufax Pre-IPO - Peer Review - Bigger than Ant’s CreditTech, in Revenue

Lufax Holdings (LU US) aims to raise around US$3bn via its US listing. The company is backed by Ping An Insurance (2318 HK).

Sumeet Singh

Ping An Insurance – Bank Fundamentals Worsening

PING AN INSURANCE: PING AN BANK Reported A Completely Manufactured 3Q20 Earnings Result, Cutting Provisions Despite Substantially Weaker Credit

Thomas J. Monaco

Ant Group: SOTP Valuation Scenarios Revisited

Our updated SOTP valuation for Ant Group is an essential divisional yardstick by which to assess valuation pre-IPO, with our proprietary estimates...

Victor Galliano

Asia Short Interest Weekly: JD, Xiaomi, Nihon M&A, Asahi, Toshiba, Kakao, Netmarble, Largan, Novatek

Highlighting changes in short interest across stocks in HK, Japan, Korea and Taiwan to pinpoint stocks/sectors that are being shorted or covered...

Brian Freitas

Lufax Pre-IPO - The Negatives - Remains in Flux

Lufax aims to raise around US$3bn via its US listing. The company is backed by Ping An. Lufax is a technology-empowered personal financial...

Sumeet Singh

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