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)

<ul>
<li>Credit growth is persistently weak in Australia, and this is as good of a sign as any, of weak demand or / and worsening credit metrics. </li>
<li>Many other figures at the macro level point to weakness ahead (and now) for Australia's banks even if credit costs appear low.</li>
<li>WBC data on stressed corporate exposures shows all too well how migration can impact bad loans. BEN shows this too, with mortgage loans.</li>
</ul>


Credit growth is persistently weak in Australia, and this is as good of a sign as any, of weak demand or / and worsening credit metrics. 
Many other figures at the macro level point to weakness ahead (and now) for Australia's banks even if credit costs appear low.
WBC data on stressed corporate exposures shows all too well how migration can impact bad loans. BEN shows this too, with mortgage loans.


Australia Banks - Loan Growth Flat Line, Negative Building Approvals, WBC Credit Metrics Concerning

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

Commonwealth Bank of Australia / Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Australia's ASIC releases the aggregated short position data four business days after the reporting day. Data in this insight is up to 31st August, published on the 4th September.</li>
<li>The largest industry net increase in the past week was A$1.2bn into "Banks"; the largest industry net decrease was A$0.9bn out of "Gold". Net shorts declined A$0.9bn week-on-week.</li>
<li>Companies mentioned in this regular weekly report include: <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/commonwealth-bank-of-australia" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14:1" rel="noopener">Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA AU)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/national-australia-bank-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15:1" rel="noopener">National Australia Bank (NAB AU)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/transurban-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:593:1" rel="noopener">Transurban (TCL AU)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/westpac-banking-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:444:1" rel="noopener">Westpac Banking (WBC AU)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bhp-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:147:1" rel="noopener">BHP (BHP AU)</a>.</li>
</ul>


Australia's ASIC releases the aggregated short position data four business days after the reporting day. Data in this insight is up to 31st August, published on the 4th September.
The largest industry net increase in the past week was A$1.2bn into "Banks"; the largest industry net decrease was A$0.9bn out of "Gold". Net shorts declined A$0.9bn week-on-week.
Companies mentioned in this regular weekly report include: Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA AU), National Australia Bank (NAB AU), Transurban (TCL AU), Westpac Banking (WBC AU), and BHP (BHP AU).


Aussie Shorts [31 Aug 2026]: CBA, NAB, Transurban, Westpac, BHP

<ul>
<li>Australia domestic credit growth is now at -2.2% YoY in January 2024, the worst figure since August 2021. </li>
<li>There are negative implications for the delta of net interest income for Australia's banks as loan growth moves negative.</li>
<li>Risk of rising credit costs is higher, not only from worsening insolvencies with corporates, but also with rising mortgage bad loans. </li>
</ul>


Australia domestic credit growth is now at -2.2% YoY in January 2024, the worst figure since August 2021. 
There are negative implications for the delta of net interest income for Australia's banks as loan growth moves negative.
Risk of rising credit costs is higher, not only from worsening insolvencies with corporates, but also with rising mortgage bad loans. 


Australia Banks - Negative Loan Growth Reaches August 2021 Levels

Derivatives and Quantitative Strategist

Gaudenz Schneider

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>
Context: This Insight follows up on previously highlighted relative value opportunities, using a statistical methodology based on mean-reversion to identify opportunities in paired securities.</li>
<li>
Highlights: Currently eight pair trade opportunities persist across four markets and three sectors.
</li>
<li>
Why read: Statistical analysis offers a unique perspective on relative value. Gain insights into actionable statistical pair trade opportunities and monitor performance of previously highlighted pairs.</li>
</ul>



Context: This Insight follows up on previously highlighted relative value opportunities, using a statistical methodology based on mean-reversion to identify opportunities in paired securities.

Highlights: Currently eight pair trade opportunities persist across four markets and three sectors.


Why read: Statistical analysis offers a unique perspective on relative value. Gain insights into actionable statistical pair trade opportunities and monitor performance of previously highlighted pairs.


Relative Value Opportunities in Asia-Pac, Pair Trade Roundup (7 Sep 2026)

Asia Pac ECM and Index Rebal, Shenton Research

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

Asia Pac ECM and Index Rebal

Asia Pac IPO & Placement Research, China Biotech

Shenton Research

Shenton Research is an independent Asia Pacific equity specialist. Our quantitative research covers index rebalancing flows, alongside exchange data analytics accross Asia Pacific. On the equity capital markets side, we focus on Asia Pacific ECM, especially biotech and TMT. Our lead analyst is frequently cited by international media.

Quantitative Analysis

<ul>
<li>We analyzed the changes in short interest of ASX Stocks as of Aug 28th (reported today). The aggregated short interest was USD50.8bn.</li>
<li>We tabulate league tables for top short by value and short as multiple of ADT, as well as weekly increases &amp; decreases in short value, short as multiple of ADT.</li>
<li>We highlight short interest changes in Steadfast, Brambles, Worley, Transurban, Charter Hall.</li>
</ul>


We analyzed the changes in short interest of ASX Stocks as of Aug 28th (reported today). The aggregated short interest was USD50.8bn.
We tabulate league tables for top short by value and short as multiple of ADT, as well as weekly increases &amp; decreases in short value, short as multiple of ADT.
We highlight short interest changes in Steadfast, Brambles, Worley, Transurban, Charter Hall.


ASX Short Interest Weekly (Aug 28th): Steadfast, Brambles, Worley, Transurban, Charter Hall

Australia

Westpac Banking Corporation offers general and savings banking services.  The Company provides investment portfolio management and advice, insurance services,  consumer finance, and money market services among other services.  Westpac Banking Corp. serves individuals, businesses, and corporations worldwide.

Price Gauge
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Westpac Banking Corp Sp Adr (WBK US)

Australia Banks - Loan Growth Flat Line, Negative Building Approvals, WBC Credit Metrics Concerning

Loan growth flat lining for a long time in Australia, with highly negative growth rates for building approvals, and WBC and BEN showing weakening...

Daniel Tabbush

Aussie Shorts [31 Aug 2026]: CBA, NAB, Transurban, Westpac, BHP

The largest industry net increase in the past week was A$1.2bn into "Banks"; the largest industry net decrease was A$0.9bn out of "Gold". Net...

David Blennerhassett

Australia Banks - Negative Loan Growth Reaches August 2021 Levels

With NAB results and peers, it is worthwhile keeping in mind this HFD on insolvencies, which has been for some time, pointing to worsening credit...

Daniel Tabbush

Relative Value Opportunities in Asia-Pac, Pair Trade Roundup (7 Sep 2026)

Discover eight pair trade opportunities across four markets and three sectors using statistical mean-reversion methodology for actionable insights.

Gaudenz Schneider

ASX Short Interest Weekly (Aug 28th): Steadfast, Brambles, Worley, Transurban, Charter Hall

We analyzed ASX short interest report for the past week and highlight short interest changes in Steadfast, Brambles, Worley, Transurban, Charter Hall.

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Australia Banks - Loan Growth Flat Line, Negative Building Approvals, WBC Credit Metrics Concerning

Loan growth flat lining for a long time in Australia, with highly negative growth rates for building approvals, and WBC and BEN showing weakening...

Daniel Tabbush

Aussie Shorts [31 Aug 2026]: CBA, NAB, Transurban, Westpac, BHP

The largest industry net increase in the past week was A$1.2bn into "Banks"; the largest industry net decrease was A$0.9bn out of "Gold". Net...

David Blennerhassett

Australia Banks - Negative Loan Growth Reaches August 2021 Levels

With NAB results and peers, it is worthwhile keeping in mind this HFD on insolvencies, which has been for some time, pointing to worsening credit...

Daniel Tabbush

Relative Value Opportunities in Asia-Pac, Pair Trade Roundup (7 Sep 2026)

​Discover eight pair trade opportunities across four markets and three sectors using statistical mean-reversion methodology for actionable insights.

Gaudenz Schneider

ASX Short Interest Weekly (Aug 28th): Steadfast, Brambles, Worley, Transurban, Charter Hall

We analyzed ASX short interest report for the past week and highlight short interest changes in Steadfast, Brambles, Worley, Transurban, Charter Hall.

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

Discover eight pair trade opportunities across four markets and three sectors using statistical mean-reversion methodology for actionable insights.