Asian Insight Provider - Actionable ideas, CrossASEAN Research

Henry Soediarko

Asian Insight Provider - Actionable ideas

CrossASEAN Research

At CrossASEAN Research we strive to produce unbiased and differentiated on the ground insights on companies across South East Asia. Our Research is produced for the most part after face to face meetings and conversations with company management to dig deep into the long term vision and strategy of the companies we cover. We seek to deliver investable and actionable themes on sectors and markets across SE Asia, often in collaboration with other Insight Providers across the region, pooling the vast experience of the analysts within the Smartkarma Ecosystem. We also offer bespoke work and tailor made trips for our clients. 

Insights across South East Asia

Equity Bottom-Up

Crowds at the workplace have started to come back, and vaccination centers are empty, both indicating that the vaccination drive has reached its peak and while outbreak cases are springing up, the Multi Ministry Task Force of the Singapore government has not issued a cautious note for a lockdown again or preference to work-from-home. 
At SGD 1.6/share, Comfortdelgro's share price is still 20% away from the lows in 2018 and 37% away from the pre-COVID-19 level. The recent earnings indicated that it has reached slightly more than 50% of the pre-COVID-19 level and with the reopening on scheduled, it is almost certain that the company's net earnings can go back to the pre-COVID-19 level. The bigger question is when- will it be another quarter or another half year?
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For the long term, bargain hunters long-term investors, and at the risk of sounding like a broken record, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/comfortdelgro-corp-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:497:1" rel="noopener">Comfortdelgro Corp (CD SP)</a> provides the best exposure for ground transport reopening theme especially when Singapore's vaccination rate is one of the highest globally. 
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Crowds at the workplace have started to come back, and vaccination centers are empty, both indicating that the vaccination drive has reached its peak and while outbreak cases are springing up, the Multi Ministry Task Force of the Singapore government has not issued a cautious note for a lockdown again or preference to work-from-home. 
At SGD 1.6/share, Comfortdelgro's share price is still 20% away from the lows in 2018 and 37% away from the pre-COVID-19 level. The recent earnings indicated that it has reached slightly more than 50% of the pre-COVID-19 level and with the reopening on scheduled, it is almost certain that the company's net earnings can go back to the pre-COVID-19 level. The bigger question is when- will it be another quarter or another half year?

For the long term, bargain hunters long-term investors, and at the risk of sounding like a broken record, Comfortdelgro Corp (CD SP) provides the best exposure for ground transport reopening theme especially when Singapore's vaccination rate is one of the highest globally. 


Latest News from the World’s Leading Innovators

Granite Bay Capital

An innovation focussed investment company

Granite Bay Capital is an innovation focussed investment company with a deep focus on the companies at the leading edge of innovation across major themes such as AI, ubiquitous computing, sustainability, automation and longevity.

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<h2>Headline Developments</h2>Steam, the video game distribution platform owned by Valve (private) , has released the long-rumoured handheld gaming device the Steam Deck; available from December (although big delays are expected with the premium $649 512GB version not available until 3Q22!).

Headline DevelopmentsSteam, the video game distribution platform owned by Valve (private) , has released the long-rumoured handheld gaming device the Steam Deck; available from December (although big delays are expected with the premium $649 512GB version not available until 3Q22!).

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

*Tax Loss Carryforwards Drive Bottom Line: Bank of America (BAC.US) [BAC] reported 2Q21 bottom-line results of USD 9.0 bn, increasing USD 1.4 bn (18.6%) linked quarter. The USD 1.2 bn usage of tax loss carryforwards was the sole reason BAC’s 2Q21 bottom-line exceeded that of 1Q21. If BAC were taxed at the 1Q21 rate, the bottom-line result would have been closer to USD 7.1 bn or USD 500 mn (6.6%) lower on a linked quarter basis; and*BAC’s Credit Quality Best Of Money Centers: We note that net new NPLs decelerated to USD 184 mn or 13.9% on an annualized basis – far better than the USD 957 mn or 74.8% posted in 1Q21. To put this result into perspective, JPM and Citigroup each reported large increases net new NPLs on a linked quarter basis of 177% and 48%, respectively. BAC would appear to have a very comfortable reserve cushion given the run rate in net new NPLs.

*Tax Loss Carryforwards Drive Bottom Line: Bank of America (BAC.US) [BAC] reported 2Q21 bottom-line results of USD 9.0 bn, increasing USD 1.4 bn (18.6%) linked quarter. The USD 1.2 bn usage of tax loss carryforwards was the sole reason BAC’s 2Q21 bottom-line exceeded that of 1Q21. If BAC were taxed at the 1Q21 rate, the bottom-line result would have been closer to USD 7.1 bn or USD 500 mn (6.6%) lower on a linked quarter basis; and*BAC’s Credit Quality Best Of Money Centers: We note that net new NPLs decelerated to USD 184 mn or 13.9% on an annualized basis – far better than the USD 957 mn or 74.8% posted in 1Q21. To put this result into perspective, JPM and Citigroup each reported large increases net new NPLs on a linked quarter basis of 177% and 48%, respectively. BAC would appear to have a very comfortable reserve cushion given the run rate in net new NPLs.  

*Weaker Result Across Almost All Geographic Segments: Citigroup (C.US) [Citi] reported 2Q21 bottom-line results of USD 6.2 bn, decreasing USD 1.7 bn (22.0%) linked quarter. On operating basis, Citi posted results of USD 6.0 bn, USD 1.5 bn (93.3%) ahead of 1Q21 numbers. Negative operating jaws (revenues down 8.7% and costs up 1.1%) and weakness in both Global Consumer and Institutional businesses broke Citi this quarter; and*Credit Weaker But Coverage Strong:  In light of NCOs, net new NPLs amount to USD 616 mn or increasing at the same exact pace as 1Q21 at 48.0% on an annualized basis – although not nearly as bad as JPM’s 177% increase. While reserve cover remains strong in aggregate, credit degradation appears to still be on the rise going forward at Citi. That being said, despite the elevated increase, Citi still appears likely to continue down the road of reserve releases.

*Weaker Result Across Almost All Geographic Segments: Citigroup (C.US) [Citi] reported 2Q21 bottom-line results of USD 6.2 bn, decreasing USD 1.7 bn (22.0%) linked quarter. On operating basis, Citi posted results of USD 6.0 bn, USD 1.5 bn (93.3%) ahead of 1Q21 numbers. Negative operating jaws (revenues down 8.7% and costs up 1.1%) and weakness in both Global Consumer and Institutional businesses broke Citi this quarter; and*Credit Weaker But Coverage Strong:  In light of NCOs, net new NPLs amount to USD 616 mn or increasing at the same exact pace as 1Q21 at 48.0% on an annualized basis – although not nearly as bad as JPM’s 177% increase. While reserve cover remains strong in aggregate, credit degradation appears to still be on the rise going forward at Citi. That being said, despite the elevated increase, Citi still appears likely to continue down the road of reserve releases.

*Troubling Result: J.P. Morgan Chase &amp; Co (JPM.US) [JPM] reported 2Q21 bottom-line results of USD 11.9 bn, declining USD 2.4 bn (16.4%) linked quarter, as four out of five business units posted bottom-line declines pushing overall revenues lower USD 1.6 bn (5.0%). On a core operating basis, JPM’s results declined somewhat less – down USD 2.2 bn or 15.3% over the period. Results were weak almost across the board; and*Credit Quality Reversing Previous Gains: We calculate that net new NPLs linked quarter grew USD 4.9 bn bn or 177.3% on an annualized basis – a far cry from the 22.2% and 0.2% increase at 1Q21 and 4Q20, respectively. While JPM would appear on its face to be well-provided for, provision releases now appear to be coming to an end. If the current uptick in net new NPLs is here to stay, JPM would appear light on reserves in the neighborhood of USD 7.0 bn or 50% of quarterly PBT.

*Troubling Result: J.P. Morgan Chase &amp; Co (JPM.US) [JPM] reported 2Q21 bottom-line results of USD 11.9 bn, declining USD 2.4 bn (16.4%) linked quarter, as four out of five business units posted bottom-line declines pushing overall revenues lower USD 1.6 bn (5.0%). On a core operating basis, JPM’s results declined somewhat less – down USD 2.2 bn or 15.3% over the period. Results were weak almost across the board; and*Credit Quality Reversing Previous Gains: We calculate that net new NPLs linked quarter grew USD 4.9 bn bn or 177.3% on an annualized basis – a far cry from the 22.2% and 0.2% increase at 1Q21 and 4Q20, respectively. While JPM would appear on its face to be well-provided for, provision releases now appear to be coming to an end. If the current uptick in net new NPLs is here to stay, JPM would appear light on reserves in the neighborhood of USD 7.0 bn or 50% of quarterly PBT. 

United States

Citigroup Inc. is a diversified financial services holding company that provides a broad range of financial services to consumer and corporate customers. The Company services include investment banking, retail brokerage, corporate banking, and cash management products and services. Citigroup serves customers globally.

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Citigroup Inc (C US)

Comfortdelgro (CD): On-The-Ground Survey

it is almost certain that the company's net earnings can go back to pre-COVID-19 level; the question is when? Will it take another quarter or...

Henry Soediarko

Weekly Innovation Review (WIRE) #41

Headline Developments: Steam , the video game distribution platform owned by Valve (private), has released the long-rumoured handheld gaming device...

Granite Bay Capital

Bank of America - Brian’s Song

Bank of America: USD 1.2 bn usage of tax loss carryforwards was the sole reason BAC’s 2Q21 results exceeded 1Q21. Net new NPLs decelerated from...

Thomas J. Monaco

Citigroup – Janes’ Pain

Citigroup: Citi reported a 22.0% QOQ 2Q21 bottom-line decline from negative operating jaws and weakness in Global Consumer and Institutional. Net...

Thomas J. Monaco

J.P. Morgan & Co. – Not Good Jamie

J.P. Morgan: JPM reported a QOQ decline in 2Q21 in bottom-line of 16.4%. Previous credit quality gains have reversed, leading us to question...

Thomas J. Monaco

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