Financials Credit Analyst

Hank Calenti, CFA

CreditContinuum

Credit

Asia’s Additional Tier 1 bonds underperformed as investors shifted into High Yield and X-over rated Senior Unsecured notes. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/evergrande-real-estate-group-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:479:1" rel="noopener">China Evergrande Group's (3333 HK)</a> attempts to restore investor confidence disappointed and negatively impacted risk sentiment. China’s US$6 billion in issuance also likely absorbed excess US$ liquidity, despite the low yields on offer.   US high yield markets continued to outperform Asia’s, and the relative outperformance of the US versus Asia resulted in continued high yield index spread decompression. Asia’s recent index widening appears to be Evergrande driven and a reduction in this company’s financial distress could have a materially positive impact on Asia’s HY index.In rate markets, US Treasury curve steepening paused as investors digested negative stimulus, vaccine, and Covid-19 news in Europe. US Treasury Secretary Mnuchin affirmed market sentiment that a stimulus package was unlikely to be agreed before the November 3 election. The reaction was limited by expectations that a stimulus agreement will be agreed at some point before the end of the winter. Nonetheless, short-term interest rate futures fell slightly as expectations of increased near-term monetary accommodation combined with limited near-term stimulus growth to lower rising rate expectations.In US equity markets, November futures on the Chicago Board of Options Exchange Volatility Index (VIX) were unchanged week-on-week as election result outcomes continued to point to a less contentious result than anticipated a few weeks ago. Meanwhile the spot VIX Index rose 2 index points on slightly higher perceived downside risks from rising Coronavirus cases in Europe as well as setbacks in stimulus and vaccine developments.Emerging market capital inflows were essentially unchanged during the week as US dollar safe-haven strength returned to the market on weaker economic expectations in Europe and as Brexit negotiations continued to disappoint. Over the near term, the more certain the market is of an uncontested election outcome, the greater the potential for US dollar weakness on concerns that more fiscal spending will widen U.S. trade and budget deficits. More immediately, the Evergrande situation, Brexit negotiation uncertainty and Coronavirus resurgence may offset dollar weakness in safe-haven dollar flight. This may limit EM inflows.Financial institutions issued over US$16 billion in USD and Euros. Amongst Asia-headquartered banks, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bank-of-east-asia-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:341:1" rel="noopener">Bank of East Asia (BNKEA)</a> issued an Additional Tier 1 bond while the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/agricultural-bank-of-china-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1120:1" rel="noopener">Agricultural Bank of China (1288 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bank-of-china-ltd-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:656:1" rel="noopener">Bank of China Ltd (H) (3988 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-minsheng-banking-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8983:1" rel="noopener">China Minsheng Bank (1988 HK)</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 PM)</a> brought Senior Unsecured bonds of various maturities. Please see <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/bank-of-east-asia-s-new-at1-likely-coupon-and-curve-impact" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:44112" rel="noopener">Bank of East Asia’s New AT1 – Likely Coupon and Curve Impact</a> for our pre-issuance valuation thoughts on BNKEA's new AT1 bond.  Concurrently, China saw interest of over US$27 billion for its bonds. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hsbc-holdings-plc-a723bd63-0890-486f-aaa0-3bb9ad2b95ce" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:21976:1" rel="noopener">HSBC Holdings (HSBA LN)</a> was left off the list of banks arranging China’s sovereign dollar debt sale for the first time since the nation returned with big annual deals in 2017, according to Bloomberg.Market Outlook Time to separate the signals from the noise for bank investors. A sweep of the Senate, House and Presidency by the Democratic Party may be met with higher long-term interest rates on spending concerns. Although stimulus may be positive for US risk assets, higher long-term rates may not be emerging market friendly. However, a rise in long-term rates may be tempered by the return of US Treasuries as a favored carry-trade option and by more targeted Federal Reserve asset purchase program operations. Eventual reflation is bank credit and equity positive, getting to reflation is not.

Asia’s Additional Tier 1 bonds underperformed as investors shifted into High Yield and X-over rated Senior Unsecured notes. China Evergrande Group's (3333 HK) attempts to restore investor confidence disappointed and negatively impacted risk sentiment. China’s US$6 billion in issuance also likely absorbed excess US$ liquidity, despite the low yields on offer.   US high yield markets continued to outperform Asia’s, and the relative outperformance of the US versus Asia resulted in continued high yield index spread decompression. Asia’s recent index widening appears to be Evergrande driven and a reduction in this company’s financial distress could have a materially positive impact on Asia’s HY index.In rate markets, US Treasury curve steepening paused as investors digested negative stimulus, vaccine, and Covid-19 news in Europe. US Treasury Secretary Mnuchin affirmed market sentiment that a stimulus package was unlikely to be agreed before the November 3 election. The reaction was limited by expectations that a stimulus agreement will be agreed at some point before the end of the winter. Nonetheless, short-term interest rate futures fell slightly as expectations of increased near-term monetary accommodation combined with limited near-term stimulus growth to lower rising rate expectations.In US equity markets, November futures on the Chicago Board of Options Exchange Volatility Index (VIX) were unchanged week-on-week as election result outcomes continued to point to a less contentious result than anticipated a few weeks ago. Meanwhile the spot VIX Index rose 2 index points on slightly higher perceived downside risks from rising Coronavirus cases in Europe as well as setbacks in stimulus and vaccine developments.Emerging market capital inflows were essentially unchanged during the week as US dollar safe-haven strength returned to the market on weaker economic expectations in Europe and as Brexit negotiations continued to disappoint. Over the near term, the more certain the market is of an uncontested election outcome, the greater the potential for US dollar weakness on concerns that more fiscal spending will widen U.S. trade and budget deficits. More immediately, the Evergrande situation, Brexit negotiation uncertainty and Coronavirus resurgence may offset dollar weakness in safe-haven dollar flight. This may limit EM inflows.Financial institutions issued over US$16 billion in USD and Euros. Amongst Asia-headquartered banks, Bank of East Asia (BNKEA) issued an Additional Tier 1 bond while the Agricultural Bank of China (1288 HK), Bank of China Ltd (H) (3988 HK), China Minsheng Bank (1988 HK), and UnionBank of the Philippines (UBP PM) brought Senior Unsecured bonds of various maturities. Please see Bank of East Asia’s New AT1 – Likely Coupon and Curve Impact for our pre-issuance valuation thoughts on BNKEA's new AT1 bond.  Concurrently, China saw interest of over US$27 billion for its bonds. HSBC Holdings (HSBA LN) was left off the list of banks arranging China’s sovereign dollar debt sale for the first time since the nation returned with big annual deals in 2017, according to Bloomberg.Market Outlook Time to separate the signals from the noise for bank investors. A sweep of the Senate, House and Presidency by the Democratic Party may be met with higher long-term interest rates on spending concerns. Although stimulus may be positive for US risk assets, higher long-term rates may not be emerging market friendly. However, a rise in long-term rates may be tempered by the return of US Treasuries as a favored carry-trade option and by more targeted Federal Reserve asset purchase program operations. Eventual reflation is bank credit and equity positive, getting to reflation is not.

Bank Credit Weekly: Risk Pause as China Evergrande Impacts Asia Sentiment

Silver Point

Thomas J. Monaco

Independent Insight Provider

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

*First Out Of The Gate: J.P, Morgan &amp; Co. (JPM.US) [JPM] reported 3Q20 results of USD 9.3 bn or USD 2.92 per share – well ahead of consensus of USD 2.22 per share. Results improvement was led primarily by JPM’s USD 9.9 bn (94.2%) reduction in loss provisions on a linked quarter basis. Offsetting the stellar bottom-line performance, we note several troubling trends: a) net interest income declined on the back of NIM compression and loan portfolio contraction; b) a significant decline in capital markets related revenues; and c) expenses increases;    *Credit Weakness Decelerates: Despite calculating that NCOs were actually a negative USD 1.4 bn, we find that net new NPLs linked quarter amounted to a positive USD 184 mn or 7.0% on an annualized basis. While still weakening, the pace of increase has decelerated from the 26% posted in 2Q20; and* CAPM and Cost Pressure: Volatile capital markets-related revenues took a bit of a digger – declining USD 3.9 bn (26.7%) linked quarter - representing a declining 66.9% of total revenues at 3Q20 (down from the 77.0% posted at 2Q20). When we exclude compensation costs which have a large variable component, we note that the more fixed expenses increased. Comp/revenue, despite the overall bottom-line improvement, worsened to 53.5% - up 3.8% during the period while JPM’s efficiency ratio worsened to 57.9% versus 51.4% in 2Q20.

*First Out Of The Gate: J.P, Morgan &amp; Co. (JPM.US) [JPM] reported 3Q20 results of USD 9.3 bn or USD 2.92 per share – well ahead of consensus of USD 2.22 per share. Results improvement was led primarily by JPM’s USD 9.9 bn (94.2%) reduction in loss provisions on a linked quarter basis. Offsetting the stellar bottom-line performance, we note several troubling trends: a) net interest income declined on the back of NIM compression and loan portfolio contraction; b) a significant decline in capital markets related revenues; and c) expenses increases;    *Credit Weakness Decelerates: Despite calculating that NCOs were actually a negative USD 1.4 bn, we find that net new NPLs linked quarter amounted to a positive USD 184 mn or 7.0% on an annualized basis. While still weakening, the pace of increase has decelerated from the 26% posted in 2Q20; and* CAPM and Cost Pressure: Volatile capital markets-related revenues took a bit of a digger – declining USD 3.9 bn (26.7%) linked quarter - representing a declining 66.9% of total revenues at 3Q20 (down from the 77.0% posted at 2Q20). When we exclude compensation costs which have a large variable component, we note that the more fixed expenses increased. Comp/revenue, despite the overall bottom-line improvement, worsened to 53.5% - up 3.8% during the period while JPM’s efficiency ratio worsened to 57.9% versus 51.4% in 2Q20.

JP Morgan & Co. – Good Credit Omen For US and Global Banks

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

Weihai City Commercial Bank / Equity Capital Markets

<div><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/weihai-city-commercial-bank-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29181:1" rel="noopener">Weihai City Commercial Bank (WECCBZ CH)</a> (WCCB) raised around US$370 via its Hong Kong listing. </div><div>WCCB is the third largest city commercial bank headquartered in Shandong Province, in terms of total assets, deposits and loans, as of Jun 2019. It is headquartered in Weihai City in Shandong Province. Its principal business includes corporate banking, retail banking and financial markets.</div><div>Over FY17-19, WCCB’s loans grew at 17.9% CAGR, while total income growth, at 12.5% CAGR, and pre-provision operating profit expanded at 18.8% CAGR. While WCCB has registered decent asset and earnings growth, the bank seems to be in the middle of a makeover, with investment book falling and loan book growing, deposit mix shifting etc. </div><div>I looked at some of the above points in my previous note, links to which are below. In this note, I’ll talk about the subscription levels and provide a table with implied valuation at different share price levels.</div><div>Our previous coverage of the IPO:</div><div><ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/weihai-city-commercial-bank-pre-ipo-more-of-an-asset-manager-rather-than-a-lender" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Weihai City Commercial Bank Pre-IPO - More of an asset manager rather than a lender</a></li>
<li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/weihai-city-commercial-bank-ipo-needs-to-trade-30-50-lower-to-be-in-line-with-peers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Weihai City Commercial Bank IPO - Needs to Trade 30-50% Lower to Be In-Line with Peers</a></li>
</ul></div>

Weihai City Commercial Bank (WECCBZ CH) (WCCB) raised around US$370 via its Hong Kong listing. WCCB is the third largest city commercial bank headquartered in Shandong Province, in terms of total assets, deposits and loans, as of Jun 2019. It is headquartered in Weihai City in Shandong Province. Its principal business includes corporate banking, retail banking and financial markets.Over FY17-19, WCCB’s loans grew at 17.9% CAGR, while total income growth, at 12.5% CAGR, and pre-provision operating profit expanded at 18.8% CAGR. While WCCB has registered decent asset and earnings growth, the bank seems to be in the middle of a makeover, with investment book falling and loan book growing, deposit mix shifting etc. I looked at some of the above points in my previous note, links to which are below. In this note, I’ll talk about the subscription levels and provide a table with implied valuation at different share price levels.Our previous coverage of the IPO:
Weihai City Commercial Bank Pre-IPO - More of an asset manager rather than a lender
Weihai City Commercial Bank IPO - Needs to Trade 30-50% Lower to Be In-Line with Peers


Weihai City Commercial Bank IPO Trading - Lacks Demand but Tightly Allocated

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)

There is a major difference in risk profile of China and US banks. We have discussed at length in our recent report, the significantly higher level of reserves at US banks during 1H20. For China's banks newly accumulated loan loss reserves (LLR) in the 1H20 is almost zero. US banks have seen a doubling of LLR and the ratio of LLR/loans has increased dramatically. This is wholly different to China banks. And this is not the only concern: China's banks have been lending more aggressively than most all others in Asia, while their hybrid capital is increasing as a proportion of total capital.

There is a major difference in risk profile of China and US banks. We have discussed at length in our recent report, the significantly higher level of reserves at US banks during 1H20. For China's banks newly accumulated loan loss reserves (LLR) in the 1H20 is almost zero. US banks have seen a doubling of LLR and the ratio of LLR/loans has increased dramatically. This is wholly different to China banks. And this is not the only concern: China's banks have been lending more aggressively than most all others in Asia, while their hybrid capital is increasing as a proportion of total capital. 

China Banks – Subtle Risk Deterioration

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/weihai-city-commercial-bank-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29181:1" rel="noopener">Weihai City Commercial Bank (WECCBZ CH)</a> (WCCB) aims to raise around US$397 via its Hong Kong listing. This is around half the size of what was being reported earlier in the media. WCCB is the third largest city commercial bank headquartered in Shandong Province, in terms of total assets, deposits and loans, as of Jun 2019. It is headquartered in Weihai City in Shandong Province. Its principal business includes corporate banking, retail banking and financial markets.Over FY17-19, WCCB’s loans grew at 17.9% CAGR, while total income growth, at 12.5% CAGR, and pre-provision operating profit expanded at 18.8% CAGR. While WCCB has registered decent asset and earnings growth, the bank seems to be in the middle of a makeover, with investment book falling and loan book growing, deposit mix shifting etc. I looked at some of the above points in my previous note, link to which is below. In this note, I’ll talk about the deal dynamics and the update since then.Our previous coverage of the IPO:<ul><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/weihai-city-commercial-bank-pre-ipo-more-of-an-asset-manager-rather-than-a-lender" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Weihai City Commercial Bank Pre-IPO - More of an asset manager rather than a lender</a></li></ul>

Weihai City Commercial Bank (WECCBZ CH) (WCCB) aims to raise around US$397 via its Hong Kong listing. This is around half the size of what was being reported earlier in the media. WCCB is the third largest city commercial bank headquartered in Shandong Province, in terms of total assets, deposits and loans, as of Jun 2019. It is headquartered in Weihai City in Shandong Province. Its principal business includes corporate banking, retail banking and financial markets.Over FY17-19, WCCB’s loans grew at 17.9% CAGR, while total income growth, at 12.5% CAGR, and pre-provision operating profit expanded at 18.8% CAGR. While WCCB has registered decent asset and earnings growth, the bank seems to be in the middle of a makeover, with investment book falling and loan book growing, deposit mix shifting etc. I looked at some of the above points in my previous note, link to which is below. In this note, I’ll talk about the deal dynamics and the update since then.Our previous coverage of the IPO:Weihai City Commercial Bank Pre-IPO - More of an asset manager rather than a lender

Weihai City Commercial Bank IPO - Needs to Trade 30-50% Lower to Be In-Line with Peers

China

Agricultural Bank of China Limited provides a full range of commercial banking services. The Banks services includes RMB and foreign currency deposit, loan, international and domestic settlement, bill discount, currency trading, bank guarantee, and treasury bill underwriting.

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Agricultural Bank Of China (1288 HK)

Bank Credit Weekly: Risk Pause as China Evergrande Impacts Asia Sentiment

A must-read on US$-risk sentiment derived from high yield and equity markets, interest rates, dollar levels, capital flows and issuance to frame...

Hank Calenti, CFA

JP Morgan & Co. – Good Credit Omen For US and Global Banks

JPM Results, A Good Credit Omen For US and Global Banks. Reserve Reversals Likely To Be A Trend For 4Q20 Results Season -Although Issues Persist

Thomas J. Monaco

Weihai City Commercial Bank IPO Trading - Lacks Demand but Tightly Allocated

Weihai City Commercial Bank (WECCBZ CH) (WCCB) aims to raise around US$397 via its Hong Kong listing. This is around half the size of what was...

Sumeet Singh

China Banks – Subtle Risk Deterioration

There is a major difference in risk profile of China and US banks. Here we are specifically referring to the degree of accumulated loan loss...

Daniel Tabbush

Weihai City Commercial Bank IPO - Needs to Trade 30-50% Lower to Be In-Line with Peers

Weihai City Commercial Bank (WECCBZ CH) (WCCB) aims to raise around US$397 via its Hong Kong listing. This is around half the size of what was...

Sumeet Singh

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