Derivatives and Quantitative Strategist

Gaudenz Schneider

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>
Context: The <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> vs. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/vaneck-vectors-australian-ba" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:442:1" rel="noopener">VanEck Australian Banks (MVB AU) </a>price-ratio has deviated more than two standard deviations from its one-year average.</li>
<li>
Highlights: The dislocation highlights the recent outperformance of Westpac vs. some of its peers, pointing to a potential underweight in a portfolio context.</li>
<li>
Why Read: Essential for quantitative traders seeking mean-reversion opportunities, with detailed execution framework, risk management protocols, and historical simulation showing the statistical basis for this relative value play.</li>
</ul>



Context: The Westpac Banking (WBC AU) vs. VanEck Australian Banks (MVB AU) price-ratio has deviated more than two standard deviations from its one-year average.

Highlights: The dislocation highlights the recent outperformance of Westpac vs. some of its peers, pointing to a potential underweight in a portfolio context.

Why Read: Essential for quantitative traders seeking mean-reversion opportunities, with detailed execution framework, risk management protocols, and historical simulation showing the statistical basis for this relative value play.


Statistical Arbitrage in Focus as Westpac (WBC AU) Runs Ahead of Peers

Asia Pac IPO & Placement Research, China biotech, Aequitas Research

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

Asia Pac IPO & Placement Research, China biotech

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.

Quantitative Analysis

<ul>
<li>We analyzed the changes in short interest of ASX Stocks as of Dec 12th (reported today). The aggregated short interest was USD29.2bn.</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 JB Hi-Fi, National Australia Bank, Bluescope Steel, Scentre, Metcash.</li>
</ul>


We analyzed the changes in short interest of ASX Stocks as of Dec 12th (reported today). The aggregated short interest was USD29.2bn.
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 JB Hi-Fi, National Australia Bank, Bluescope Steel, Scentre, Metcash.


ASX Short Interest Weekly (Dec 12th): JB Hi-Fi, National Australia Bank, Bluescope Steel, Scentre

Equity Derivatives

<ul>
<li>
<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> is set to announce its 2025 First Quarter Trading Update on 17 February. </li>
<li>Options expiring 20 February can provide an indication of the size of the move expected on the day, as well as directional bias.</li>
<li>The options market expects a 2.1% to 2.6% move in either direction until 20 February, in-line with historic moves. Peers have so far performed positively on reporting days this month.</li>
</ul>



Westpac Banking (WBC AU) is set to announce its 2025 First Quarter Trading Update on 17 February. 
Options expiring 20 February can provide an indication of the size of the move expected on the day, as well as directional bias.
The options market expects a 2.1% to 2.6% move in either direction until 20 February, in-line with historic moves. Peers have so far performed positively on reporting days this month.


EQD | Westpac Banking (WBC AU) - Expected Move on Profit Announcement and Option Insights

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.

<ul>
<li>AMP released 1H23 numbers with 24-26% underlying NPAT growth in 2 key divisions</li>
<li>AUD610m of returned capital in past 12 months will see AUD140m added by October</li>
<li>AMP Bank is unlike peers, which is deposit-funded, small, focused on mortgages</li>
</ul>


AMP released 1H23 numbers with 24-26% underlying NPAT growth in 2 key divisions
AUD610m of returned capital in past 12 months will see AUD140m added by October
AMP Bank is unlike peers, which is deposit-funded, small, focused on mortgages


AMP - Strong Numbers Released,, Returning Capital, Paying Down Debt, Deposit Funded, Mortgage Bank

<ul>
<li>There is no refuting the strong net interest income figures at DBS, although it seems toppy</li>
<li>DBS took credit costs/assets at 4bps in 2Q23 vs 13bps average during FY18, FY19 quarterly</li>
<li>There are not many banks that we can turn too with over 50% QoQ decline in credit costs</li>
</ul>


There is no refuting the strong net interest income figures at DBS, although it seems toppy
DBS took credit costs/assets at 4bps in 2Q23 vs 13bps average during FY18, FY19 quarterly
There are not many banks that we can turn too with over 50% QoQ decline in credit costs


DBS - Is This the Time To Take Provision Expenses at 70% Lower than Average?

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.

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Westpac Banking (WBC AU)

Statistical Arbitrage in Focus as Westpac (WBC AU) Runs Ahead of Peers

Westpac’s 6.3% post-Q3 surge leaves it ahead of its peers. Mean reversion signals a tactical underweight — or a pair trade against the VanEck...

Gaudenz Schneider

ASX Short Interest Weekly (Dec 12th): JB Hi-Fi, National Australia Bank, Bluescope Steel, Scentre

We analyzed ASX short interest report for the past week and highlight short interest changes in JB Hi-Fi, National Australia Bank, Bluescope Steel,...

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

EQD | Westpac Banking (WBC AU) - Expected Move on Profit Announcement and Option Insights

Westpac Banking (WBC AU) to announce 2025 Q1 Trading Update on 17 Feb. Peers have seen positive performance on reporting days this month. Options...

Gaudenz Schneider

AMP - Strong Numbers Released,, Returning Capital, Paying Down Debt, Deposit Funded, Mortgage Bank

AMP is now launching an online bank, and this is a real concern. A the same time, its margin pressure at its AMP Bank is not strong, new guidance...

Daniel Tabbush

DBS - Is This the Time To Take Provision Expenses at 70% Lower than Average?

With July domestic credit growth turning negative at -3% YoY this is a new development, and the delta in Singapore credit growth downward has been...

Daniel Tabbush

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Statistical Arbitrage in Focus as Westpac (WBC AU) Runs Ahead of Peers

Westpac’s 6.3% post-Q3 surge leaves it ahead of its peers. Mean reversion signals a tactical underweight — or a pair trade against the VanEck...

Gaudenz Schneider

ASX Short Interest Weekly (Dec 12th): JB Hi-Fi, National Australia Bank, Bluescope Steel, Scentre

We analyzed ASX short interest report for the past week and highlight short interest changes in JB Hi-Fi, National Australia Bank, Bluescope Steel,...

Ke Yan, CFA, FRM

EQD | Westpac Banking (WBC AU) - Expected Move on Profit Announcement and Option Insights

​Westpac Banking (WBC AU) to announce 2025 Q1 Trading Update on 17 Feb. Peers have seen positive performance on reporting days this month. Options...

Gaudenz Schneider

AMP - Strong Numbers Released,, Returning Capital, Paying Down Debt, Deposit Funded, Mortgage Bank

AMP is now launching an online bank, and this is a real concern. A the same time, its margin pressure at its AMP Bank is not strong, new guidance...

Daniel Tabbush

DBS - Is This the Time To Take Provision Expenses at 70% Lower than Average?

With July domestic credit growth turning negative at -3% YoY this is a new development, and the delta in Singapore credit growth downward has been...

Daniel Tabbush

Westpac Banking (WBC AU) to announce 2025 Q1 Trading Update on 17 Feb. Peers have seen positive performance on reporting days this month. Options...