Alpha-Centric ESG Research

Kyle Rudden

<p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/asia-exchanges-lead-in-esg-hkex-jpx-sgx" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:34447" rel="noopener">Asia Exchanges Lead in ESG: HKEX, JPX, SGX</a>, I assessed and benchmarked the world's financial exchanges on their contributions to sustainable/ESG investing and finance, and general Corporate Social Responsibility performance. Much has transpired, so it is time for an update... of sorts.</p><p>"Of sorts," because this version focuses exclusively on <em>listed</em> Asian exchange stocks, employs a more robust assessment/benchmarking model, and incorporates additional (previously-unavailable) data points. In short, it is more targeted, substantive, and actionable. Less breadth, more depth.</p><p>The first analysis was based more on aspirations than on accomplishments because few exchanges had accomplished anything at that point. This version reflects real-world progress, and the results are significantly more insightful. The "downside," however, is information-overload.</p><p>Therefore, this Insight addresses methodology and overall results (scores, rankings), and I will dive deeper into specific subjects (e.g., ESG derivatives) and exchanges separately. The Asian exchanges herein are: <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/asx-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:552:1" rel="noopener">ASX Limited (ASX AU)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bombay-stock-exchange" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23694:1" rel="noopener">BSE Limited (BSE IN)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bursa-malaysia-bhd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:17112:1" rel="noopener">Bursa Malaysia (BURSA MK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hong-kong-exchanges-clearing" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:490:1" rel="noopener">HKEX (388 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/japan-exchange-group-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11266:1" rel="noopener">Japan Exchange Group (8697 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nzx-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10696:1" rel="noopener">NZX Limited (NZX NZ)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/singapore-exchange-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1047:1" rel="noopener">Singapore Exchange (SGX SP)</a>.</p>

In Asia Exchanges Lead in ESG: HKEX, JPX, SGX, I assessed and benchmarked the world's financial exchanges on their contributions to sustainable/ESG investing and finance, and general Corporate Social Responsibility performance. Much has transpired, so it is time for an update... of sorts."Of sorts," because this version focuses exclusively on listed Asian exchange stocks, employs a more robust assessment/benchmarking model, and incorporates additional (previously-unavailable) data points. In short, it is more targeted, substantive, and actionable. Less breadth, more depth.The first analysis was based more on aspirations than on accomplishments because few exchanges had accomplished anything at that point. This version reflects real-world progress, and the results are significantly more insightful. The "downside," however, is information-overload.Therefore, this Insight addresses methodology and overall results (scores, rankings), and I will dive deeper into specific subjects (e.g., ESG derivatives) and exchanges separately. The Asian exchanges herein are: ASX Limited (ASX AU), BSE Limited (BSE IN), Bursa Malaysia (BURSA MK), HKEX (388 HK), Japan Exchange Group (8697 JP), NZX Limited (NZX NZ), and Singapore Exchange (SGX SP).

Sustainable Stock Exchanges: SGX, HKEX Are Shaping the Future of Sustainable/ESG Investing in Asia

'Quantamental' Japan Specialist, LightStream Research

Campbell Gunn

'Quantamental' Japan Specialist

Long-Short Analysis on Japan, Asia and the World

LightStream Research

LightStream conducts quantitatively rigorous and data-driven analysis with a focus on Japan and Asia.

We consistently cover the Tech, Consumer and Industrial sectors, and provide ECM and Events coverage more broadly.

We supplement traditional qualitative insights from company relationships with a robust quantitative foundation that examines as much historical data as is available.
We further refine the accuracy of our insights and calls through the use of alternative data to flesh out current trends, and through a valuation framework that emphasises non-superficial peer group selection and a proper attempt to understand the metrics and changes that have driven security valuations in the past.

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>• BEST &amp; WORST • </strong></p><p>Our best and worst mega-cap pair from Thursday's 135 results and 64 forecasts/revisions announcements is <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/japan-exchange-group-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11266:1" rel="noopener">Japan Exchange (8697 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tokyo-electron-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:280:1" rel="noopener">Tokyo Electron (8035 JP)</a>. Amongst large caps, our picks are <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/paltac-corporation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20014:1" rel="noopener">Paltac (8283 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fancl-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15862:1" rel="noopener">Fancl (4921 JP)</a>. 69% of companies had improved Results Scores, and 68% of annual revisions scored positively.  Only 10% of companies posted quarterly losses.</p><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/185/303/original/2021-01-29_05-38-04.png?1611866299" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="185303"></figure></section><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/185/304/original/2021-01-29_05-38-53.png?1611866346" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="185304"></figure></section><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/185/305/original/2021-01-29_05-39-46.png?1611866397" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="185305"></figure></section><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/185/306/original/2021-01-29_05-42-15.png?1611866547" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="185306"></figure></section><div class="content-caption">   Source for all charts &amp; tables: Japan Analytics</div>

• BEST &amp; WORST • Our best and worst mega-cap pair from Thursday's 135 results and 64 forecasts/revisions announcements is Japan Exchange (8697 JP) and Tokyo Electron (8035 JP). Amongst large caps, our picks are Paltac (8283 JP) and Fancl (4921 JP). 69% of companies had improved Results Scores, and 68% of annual revisions scored positively.  Only 10% of companies posted quarterly losses.   Source for all charts &amp; tables: Japan Analytics

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​01/​​​​​​​​​​​​28 JPX, TEL, Fancl...

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

<p><strong><em>*Poor Results See No Signs Of Near-Term Abatement: </em></strong>Singapore Exchange (SGX.SP) [SGX] reported FY 1H21 results of SGD 240.4 mn, declining SGD 18.2 mn (7.0%) HOH. Excluding the SGD 15.6 mn in gains primarily attributed to non-cash fair value on its BidFX acquisition, SGX’core operating result would have declined SGD 33.9 mn (13.1%) over the period; and</p><p>*<strong><em>Derivatives Challenges Led By Taiwan: </em></strong>The largest semi-annual results delta was attributed to derivatives, which declined SGD 33.6 mn or 12.2%. SGX ceased trading of MSCI Taiwan futures contracts on October 30, 2020 with their move to the Hong Kong Exchanges &amp; Clearing (388.HK) [HKEx]. Until recently, 99.8% of the Taiwan index futures volumes has were held by SGX, but its dominant market share position is beginning to crack. As time passes, we will get an idea of how much volume of the Taiwan index futures will remain with MSCI indices and move to HKEx which has significant implications for SGX's lucrative A50 contract.</p>

*Poor Results See No Signs Of Near-Term Abatement: Singapore Exchange (SGX.SP) [SGX] reported FY 1H21 results of SGD 240.4 mn, declining SGD 18.2 mn (7.0%) HOH. Excluding the SGD 15.6 mn in gains primarily attributed to non-cash fair value on its BidFX acquisition, SGX’core operating result would have declined SGD 33.9 mn (13.1%) over the period; and*Derivatives Challenges Led By Taiwan: The largest semi-annual results delta was attributed to derivatives, which declined SGD 33.6 mn or 12.2%. SGX ceased trading of MSCI Taiwan futures contracts on October 30, 2020 with their move to the Hong Kong Exchanges &amp; Clearing (388.HK) [HKEx]. Until recently, 99.8% of the Taiwan index futures volumes has were held by SGX, but its dominant market share position is beginning to crack. As time passes, we will get an idea of how much volume of the Taiwan index futures will remain with MSCI indices and move to HKEx which has significant implications for SGX's lucrative A50 contract.

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<p>Just over two years ago, the FSA and TSE set themselves on a journey to "Review" and then revise the "TSE's Cash Equity Market Structure".</p><p>There was a Council of Experts on the change in market structure, there were proposals for public comment, leaks of ideas in the papers and business magazines, a scandal where a major domestic broker got non-public info about the situation and told its clients, a delay, hints at corporate governance code changes, changes of plans, changes to the TSE Listing Criteria announced last summer and implemented on 1 November 2020, then in December 2020, the JPX and FSA announced the Outline of The Second Revision and put it out for public comment. </p><p>The most recent Revision sets out the names of the new Market Segments (which have basically been known or imagined for two years and are irrelevant anyway), the details of the listing requirements (which were basically known from spring 2020), the details of the transition process (which were roughly laid out in 2019), and the grandfathering rules (which were insinuated in other announcements in previous council recommendations. What's new? It's all in one place. </p><p>This process has been discussed at some length for Smartkarma readers because it promises significant changes to the major benchmark index for public equities in Japan. That would affect futures markets, options markets, ETFs, passive funds which track the major domestic indices, and not least, a bunch of companies. </p><table class="table table-striped"><tbody>
<tr><td colspan="2" style="width: 104.8px;"><h2>Insights on the Topic</h2></td></tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 104.8px;"><strong>Date</strong></td>
<td style="width: 599.2px;"><strong>Title</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 104.8px;">4 Jan 2019</td>
<td style="width: 599.2px;">
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/big-trouble-in-little-stocks-maybe-tse-mulls-changing-topix" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:27039" rel="noopener">Big Trouble in Little Stocks? Maybe TSE Mulls Changing TOPIX</a> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 104.8px;">30 Jan 2019</td>
<td style="width: 599.2px;"><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/comments-on-tse-review-of-cash-equity-market-structure" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Comments On TSE Review Of Cash Equity Market Structure</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 104.8px;">3 Apr 2019</td>
<td style="width: 599.2px;"><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/tse-s-market-structure-review-public-comments-as-expected-but-miss-the-mark" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TSE’s Market Structure Review: Public Comments As Expected, But Miss The Mark</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 104.8px;">31 May 2019</td>
<td style="width: 599.2px;"><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/tse-market-structure-review-back-to-the-drawing-board" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TSE Market Structure Review - Back to the Drawing Board</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 104.8px;">21 Nov 2019</td>
<td style="width: 599.2px;"><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/tse-fsa-think-prime-the-world-yawns" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TSE &amp; FSA Think “Prime” - The World Yawns</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 104.8px;">5 Jan 2020</td>
<td style="width: 599.2px;"><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/much-ado-about-nothing-the-fsa-s-big-market-restructuring" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Much Ado About Nothing: The FSA’s BIG Market Restructuring?</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 104.8px;">11 Sep 2020</td>
<td style="width: 599.2px;"><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/the-tse-s-listing-criteria-revisions-part-i" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The TSE’s Listing Criteria Revisions - Part I</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 104.8px;">29 Nov 2020</td>
<td style="width: 599.2px;"><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/topix-inclusions-new-regulations-who-is-ready-2-0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TOPIX Inclusions:  New Regulations! Who Is READY? 2.0</a></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table><p>Unfortunately, there has been little new, and things have progressed quite slowly. Building consensus among people who have received guidance on what the results of their "study" should be seems to take longer than it should. And the fact that there has been no Official Japan effort to accelerate the content of the revisions to the Corporate Governance Code, or accelerate consideration of what might happen to hundreds of smallcap stocks which will be affected seems odd. </p><p>The big picture - that there are three major market segments with one for blue chips, one for pre-profit growth stocks, and one for everyone else - has been known since the start.</p><p>The market cap cutoff was mooted in the paper 2+yrs ago and it is the least impactful change among the possible cutoffs proposed. The fact that everyone would be grandfathered in has been known. And the campaign by corporates against radical change has been known since the first comments because nobody wants to cause pain to the hundreds (or thousands) of small caps which should not be in a major benchmark index with global aspirations in the first place. </p><p>So what's new? Now we have a timeline. This new timeline and the comments which come out of the Public Comment Period for the Second Revision will make waves in Japan. Most foreign investors will ignore the whole thing, as they should. But people who care about impact on benchmarks should pay attention to the details. </p><p>Below the fold, we have details.</p>

Just over two years ago, the FSA and TSE set themselves on a journey to "Review" and then revise the "TSE's Cash Equity Market Structure".There was a Council of Experts on the change in market structure, there were proposals for public comment, leaks of ideas in the papers and business magazines, a scandal where a major domestic broker got non-public info about the situation and told its clients, a delay, hints at corporate governance code changes, changes of plans, changes to the TSE Listing Criteria announced last summer and implemented on 1 November 2020, then in December 2020, the JPX and FSA announced the Outline of The Second Revision and put it out for public comment. The most recent Revision sets out the names of the new Market Segments (which have basically been known or imagined for two years and are irrelevant anyway), the details of the listing requirements (which were basically known from spring 2020), the details of the transition process (which were roughly laid out in 2019), and the grandfathering rules (which were insinuated in other announcements in previous council recommendations. What's new? It's all in one place. This process has been discussed at some length for Smartkarma readers because it promises significant changes to the major benchmark index for public equities in Japan. That would affect futures markets, options markets, ETFs, passive funds which track the major domestic indices, and not least, a bunch of companies. 
Insights on the Topic

Date
Title


4 Jan 2019

Big Trouble in Little Stocks? Maybe TSE Mulls Changing TOPIX 


30 Jan 2019
Comments On TSE Review Of Cash Equity Market Structure


3 Apr 2019
TSE’s Market Structure Review: Public Comments As Expected, But Miss The Mark


31 May 2019
TSE Market Structure Review - Back to the Drawing Board


21 Nov 2019
TSE &amp; FSA Think “Prime” - The World Yawns


5 Jan 2020
Much Ado About Nothing: The FSA’s BIG Market Restructuring?


11 Sep 2020
The TSE’s Listing Criteria Revisions - Part I


29 Nov 2020
TOPIX Inclusions:  New Regulations! Who Is READY? 2.0

Unfortunately, there has been little new, and things have progressed quite slowly. Building consensus among people who have received guidance on what the results of their "study" should be seems to take longer than it should. And the fact that there has been no Official Japan effort to accelerate the content of the revisions to the Corporate Governance Code, or accelerate consideration of what might happen to hundreds of smallcap stocks which will be affected seems odd. The big picture - that there are three major market segments with one for blue chips, one for pre-profit growth stocks, and one for everyone else - has been known since the start.The market cap cutoff was mooted in the paper 2+yrs ago and it is the least impactful change among the possible cutoffs proposed. The fact that everyone would be grandfathered in has been known. And the campaign by corporates against radical change has been known since the first comments because nobody wants to cause pain to the hundreds (or thousands) of small caps which should not be in a major benchmark index with global aspirations in the first place. So what's new? Now we have a timeline. This new timeline and the comments which come out of the Public Comment Period for the Second Revision will make waves in Japan. Most foreign investors will ignore the whole thing, as they should. But people who care about impact on benchmarks should pay attention to the details. Below the fold, we have details.

TSE Market Structure & Major Index Revision: Still Much Ado About Nothing

<p><em><strong>*Joint Announcement For Stock Connect Expansion: </strong></em>Just when we thought that Hong Kong Exchanges &amp; Clearing (388.HK) [KKEx] had no other rabbits to pull out of its hat in 2020, the HKEx, Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE), and Shenzhen Stock Exchange (SZSE) jointly announced further scope for Stock Connect expansion in early 2021 on November 27, 2020 regarding the STAR Market and biotech companies;  </p><p><em><strong>*Solid Quarter:</strong></em> Hong Kong Exchanges &amp; Clearing (388.HK) [HKEX] reported 3Q20 earnings of HKD 3.3 bn, improving HKD 376 mn (12.7%) linked quarter. Results were even more impressive when we exclude investment income (declined HKD 206 mn or 23.2% linked quarter) – increasing HKD 582 mn (28.0%) to HKD 2.7 bn; and</p><p>*<em><strong>Peak Value: </strong></em>So much value has been derived on hope for the shares of HKEx, which included that on: southbound connect, futures markets,  structural reforms, and the change in CEO. As such, we have witnessed HKEx’s 2020 share performance of 44.4% that has resulted in a global exchange leading valuation of 10.4x P/BV. </p>

*Joint Announcement For Stock Connect Expansion: Just when we thought that Hong Kong Exchanges &amp; Clearing (388.HK) [KKEx] had no other rabbits to pull out of its hat in 2020, the HKEx, Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE), and Shenzhen Stock Exchange (SZSE) jointly announced further scope for Stock Connect expansion in early 2021 on November 27, 2020 regarding the STAR Market and biotech companies;  *Solid Quarter: Hong Kong Exchanges &amp; Clearing (388.HK) [HKEX] reported 3Q20 earnings of HKD 3.3 bn, improving HKD 376 mn (12.7%) linked quarter. Results were even more impressive when we exclude investment income (declined HKD 206 mn or 23.2% linked quarter) – increasing HKD 582 mn (28.0%) to HKD 2.7 bn; and*Peak Value: So much value has been derived on hope for the shares of HKEx, which included that on: southbound connect, futures markets,  structural reforms, and the change in CEO. As such, we have witnessed HKEx’s 2020 share performance of 44.4% that has resulted in a global exchange leading valuation of 10.4x P/BV. 

Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing – Making Another Connection

Japan

Japan Exchange Group Inc is the holding company created through the merger of Tokyo Stock Exchange Group, Inc and Osaka Securities Exchange Co., Ltd. The group provides and operates a marketplace for the trading of equities, futures, and options. The Group manages the trading, as well as administers listed stocks and registered members.

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Japan Exchange Group (8697 JP)

Sustainable Stock Exchanges: SGX, HKEX Are Shaping the Future of Sustainable/ESG Investing in Asia

Sustainability is imperative, capital is its cornerstone, and markets move capital. Exchanges, at that vital intersection, are agents of progress...

Kyle Rudden

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 01/28 JPX, TEL, Fancl...

69% of companies had improved Results Scores, and 68% of annual revisions scored positively. Only 10% of companies posted quarterly losses.

Campbell Gunn

Singapore Exchange - Going South

SINGAPORE EXCHANGE: SGX FY 1H21 results declined 7.0% HOH. Excluding the BidFX gain, SGX’ core operating result would have declined 13.1%. SGX...

Thomas J. Monaco

TSE Market Structure & Major Index Revision: Still Much Ado About Nothing

The Great TSE Cash Equity Market Structure Review of 2019-2021 will end up being a dud. It will do little other than organize the TSE internally....

Travis Lundy

Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing – Making Another Connection

HONG KONG EXCHANGES & CLEARING: The Three Exchanges Have Added To The Stock Connect With STAR Market and Biotech Additions

Thomas J. Monaco

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Sustainable Stock Exchanges: SGX, HKEX Are Shaping the Future of Sustainable/ESG Investing in Asia

Sustainability is imperative, capital is its cornerstone, and markets move capital. Exchanges, at that vital intersection, are agents of progress...

Kyle Rudden

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​01/​​​​​​​​​​​​28 JPX, TEL, Fancl...

69% of companies had improved Results Scores, and 68% of annual revisions scored positively. Only 10% of companies posted quarterly losses.

Campbell Gunn

Singapore Exchange - Going South

SINGAPORE EXCHANGE: SGX FY 1H21 results declined 7.0% HOH. Excluding the BidFX gain, SGX’ core operating result would have declined 13.1%. SGX...

Thomas J. Monaco

TSE Market Structure & Major Index Revision: Still Much Ado About Nothing

The Great TSE Cash Equity Market Structure Review of 2019-2021 will end up being a dud. It will do little other than organize the TSE internally....

Travis Lundy

Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing – Making Another Connection

HONG KONG EXCHANGES & CLEARING: The Three Exchanges Have Added To The Stock Connect With STAR Market and Biotech Additions

Thomas J. Monaco

🇯🇵 JAPAN • Results & Revisions 01/28 JPX, TEL, Fancl...