Asia Economist and CEO, Centennial Asia Advisors

Manu Bhaskaran

Asia Economist and CEO

Centennial Asia Advisors

At Centennial Asia Advisors, we tell it like it is. We have no vested interests, no need for a China wall, and no reason to skew our outlook any other way. With over 30 years experience covering Asia’s political economy, you can be sure our conclusions and analyses are based on the unadulterated facts. Through years of fine-tuning our research methodologies, we deliver a quality of macroeconomic analysis few other houses can match.

Centennial Asia Advisors is an independent research and advisory firm that works with governments, multilateral institutions, financial firms and leading MNCs.

Economic Policy and Strategic Advisors

Macroeconomics

Highlights:&nbsp;Domestic risks rising in the Philippines<ul><li>The strength of the US Dollar has hit the growth of remittances from non-USD labour markets, as seen by the sharp contractions in both Europe and Asia's remittances growth rates. Given that remittances are pivotal to consumption in the Philippines, this deceleration could mean softer consumer spending.</li><li>President Aquino&rsquo;s loss of popularity, which could make him a lameduck president, could also impact the impending 2016 elections as candidates aligned to Aquino and his party could be undermined by such negative sentiments.</li><li>However, in the medium and longer term, we still see the Philippines outperforming its peers, due to a confluence of positives including favourable demographics, stable macroeconomic framework and stronger corporate governance in the country.</li></ul>Fed policy: markets may well be disappointed<ul><li>While the latest statements from the Federal Reserve Bank of the US signalled a more cautious approach to monetary normalisation than financial markets feared, we believe that the underlying US economy is robust and likely to accelerate in coming quarters to the point where monetary tightening will take place at a faster pace than markets now expect.</li></ul>

Highlights:&nbsp;Domestic risks rising in the PhilippinesThe strength of the US Dollar has hit the growth of remittances from non-USD labour markets, as seen by the sharp contractions in both Europe and Asia's remittances growth rates. Given that remittances are pivotal to consumption in the Philippines, this deceleration could mean softer consumer spending.President Aquino&rsquo;s loss of popularity, which could make him a lameduck president, could also impact the impending 2016 elections as candidates aligned to Aquino and his party could be undermined by such negative sentiments.However, in the medium and longer term, we still see the Philippines outperforming its peers, due to a confluence of positives including favourable demographics, stable macroeconomic framework and stronger corporate governance in the country.Fed policy: markets may well be disappointedWhile the latest statements from the Federal Reserve Bank of the US signalled a more cautious approach to monetary normalisation than financial markets feared, we believe that the underlying US economy is robust and likely to accelerate in coming quarters to the point where monetary tightening will take place at a faster pace than markets now expect.

Domestic risks rising in the Philippines. Is the Fed really deferring monetary normalization? 

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.

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

PNB has seen its NPLs collapse. Its capital is higher than domestic peers - and most in Asia. &nbsp;Yet it's market capitalization is 50-75% lower than peers in Philippines. This will not last as credit costs narrow, costs come in, and fee income improves.&nbsp;

PNB has seen its NPLs collapse. Its capital is higher than domestic peers - and most in Asia. &nbsp;Yet it's market capitalization is 50-75% lower than peers in Philippines. This will not last as credit costs narrow, costs come in, and fee income improves.&nbsp;

PNB is over looked by most, but better capitalized, and with turnaround features

<ul><li>A likely Russian credit and currency crisis, the weakening Euro and ineptitude of BoJ &nbsp;combine to create a world of worry in markets and bank stocks in particular. The way this usually plays out is first with liquidity.&nbsp; </li><li>Banks pull credit lines from weaker banks (and weaker companies).&nbsp; </li><li>If a bank has a loan to deposit ratio (LDR) above 100%, it is often difficult to repay the redeemed credit line, as it means disposing of an asset, a loan – immediately. &nbsp; </li></ul>

A likely Russian credit and currency crisis, the weakening Euro and ineptitude of BoJ &nbsp;combine to create a world of worry in markets and bank stocks in particular. The way this usually plays out is first with liquidity.&nbsp; Banks pull credit lines from weaker banks (and weaker companies).&nbsp; If a bank has a loan to deposit ratio (LDR) above 100%, it is often difficult to repay the redeemed credit line, as it means disposing of an asset, a loan – immediately. &nbsp; 

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

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

Periscope Analytics

Periscope Analytics focuses on event-driven trades across Asia Pacific and provides comprehensive, timely and systematic coverage of index changes to major Asia Pacific indices in a structured manner.

The analysis includes forecasted inclusions and exclusions to all major Asian indices that have significant amount of tracking assets, including estimates of passive buy/sell flow on the stocks. The service also provides commentary and impact of market consultations, ground rule changes, and other events (IPOs, spin-offs, M&A) that could lead to index changes and passive flow.

Periscope Analytics works with multi-strategy hedge funds, proprietary trading firms, stat arb trading groups and long-only investors that invest and trade in the Asia Pacific region with the data being used to trade index rebalances, avoid pre-positioning and passive flow, and to time entry into and exit from stocks.

Event-Driven Trades Across Asia Pacific

Index Rebalance

<ul>
<li>As forecast, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/dmci-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8026:1" rel="noopener">DMCI Holdings (DMC)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/unionbank-of-the-philippines" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23192:1" rel="noopener">UnionBank of the Philippines (UBP)</a> will replace <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/megaworld-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8746:1" rel="noopener">Megaworld Corp (MEG)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/robinsons-land-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8831:1" rel="noopener">Robinsons Land Co (RLC)</a> at the close on 3 February.</li>
<li>The PSE is using float higher than 20% for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/san-miguel-corporation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22728:1" rel="noopener">San Miguel (SMC PM)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/emperador-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3485:1" rel="noopener">Emperador (EMP PM)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ac-energy-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23188:1" rel="noopener">AC Energy Corp (ACEN)</a> - there will be passive buying on the stocks.</li>
<li>Historically, the inclusions have outperformed the exclusions and there has been a big move in the stocks the day after announcement. Square off existing pre-positions by mid-week.</li>
</ul>


As forecast, DMCI Holdings (DMC) and UnionBank of the Philippines (UBP) will replace Megaworld Corp (MEG) and Robinsons Land Co (RLC) at the close on 3 February.
The PSE is using float higher than 20% for San Miguel (SMC PM), Emperador (EMP PM) and AC Energy Corp (ACEN) - there will be passive buying on the stocks.
Historically, the inclusions have outperformed the exclusions and there has been a big move in the stocks the day after announcement. Square off existing pre-positions by mid-week.


PCOMP Index Rebalance: DMC, UBP to Replace MEG, RLC

<ul>
<li>Some creative float increases for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ac-energy-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23188:1" rel="noopener">AC Energy Corp (ACEN)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/san-miguel-corporation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22728:1" rel="noopener">San Miguel (SMC PM)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/emperador-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3485:1" rel="noopener">Emperador (EMP PM)</a> should result in the stocks remaining in the index and getting passive inflows.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/dmci-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8026:1" rel="noopener">DMCI Holdings (DMC PM)</a> should replace <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/megaworld-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8746:1" rel="noopener">Megaworld Corp (MEG PM)</a>, while <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/unionbank-of-the-philippines" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23192:1" rel="noopener">UnionBank of the Philippines (UBP PM)</a>'s inclusion should result in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/robinsons-land-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8831:1" rel="noopener">Robinsons Land Co (RLC PM)</a>'s deletion from the index. </li>
<li>There will be a big impact on the additions, deletions and stocks with float changes. The stocks have already started to move ahead of the passive flows.</li>
</ul>


Some creative float increases for AC Energy Corp (ACEN), San Miguel (SMC PM) and Emperador (EMP PM) should result in the stocks remaining in the index and getting passive inflows.

DMCI Holdings (DMC PM) should replace Megaworld Corp (MEG PM), while UnionBank of the Philippines (UBP PM)'s inclusion should result in Robinsons Land Co (RLC PM)'s deletion from the index. 
There will be a big impact on the additions, deletions and stocks with float changes. The stocks have already started to move ahead of the passive flows.


PCOMP Index Rebalance Preview Feb 23: Float Increases to Drive Changes & Flow

Philippines

Security Bank Corporation is one of the Philippines' leading universal banks, offering a comprehensive suite of financial products and services through its core businesses: Retail Banking, Business (MSME) Banking, Wholesale (Corporate, Commercial, and Investment) Banking, and Financial Markets. Its offerings include deposits, lending, transaction banking, treasury, investment banking, wealth management, and foreign exchange. The company is headquartered in Makati, Philippines, and was established on June 18, 1951.

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Security Bank (SECB PM)

Domestic risks rising in the Philippines. Is the Fed really deferring monetary normalization?

Highlights: Domestic risks rising in the Philippines The strength of the US Dollar has hit the growth of remittances from non-USD labour markets,...

Manu Bhaskaran

PNB is over looked by most, but better capitalized, and with turnaround features

PNB has seen its NPLs collapse. Its capital is higher than domestic peers - and most in Asia. Yet it's market capitalization is 50-75% lower than...

Daniel Tabbush

Be Wary of High LDR Banks at Present

A likely Russian credit and currency crisis, the weakening Euro and ineptitude of BoJ combine to create a world of worry in markets and bank...

Daniel Tabbush

PCOMP Index Rebalance: DMC, UBP to Replace MEG, RLC

As forecast, DMC & UBP will replace MEG & RLC in the PCOMP at the close on 3 February. There are only 5 days to implementation and there is a large...

Brian Freitas

PCOMP Index Rebalance Preview Feb 23: Float Increases to Drive Changes & Flow

There could be 1 or 2 changes in Feb with high impact of passive trading. Creative increases in float will result in high impact passive buying....

Brian Freitas

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