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

*Don’t Be Fooled: Citigroup (C.US) [Citi] reported 3Q20 earnings of USD 3.2 bn (EPS of USD 1.40) – increasing USD 1.9 bn (145.4%) on a linked quarter basis and coming in well head of consensus of USD 0.89 per share. Core operating results were even more impressive at Citi, improving USD 2.3 bn or 3.6x linked quarter. Citi cut its loss provisioning effort by USD 5.6 bn (71.4%) during the period despite net new NPLs remaining on an aggressive upswing;*Getting Squeezed From Every Angle: Citi’s operating revenues declined driven by both the decline in principal transactions revenue of USD 1.6 bn (39.7%) and NIM pressures. Expenses were problematic for Citi as well, increasing USD 589 mn (5.7%) over the same period and pushed its C&amp;I ratio higher by 10.1% to 64.4%; and  *Consent Order: On October 7, 2020, Citi announced a Consent Order with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York  and the Office of the Comptroller to take action to improve its risk management, data governance, and internal controls. There was also a USD 400 mn penalty.

*Don’t Be Fooled: Citigroup (C.US) [Citi] reported 3Q20 earnings of USD 3.2 bn (EPS of USD 1.40) – increasing USD 1.9 bn (145.4%) on a linked quarter basis and coming in well head of consensus of USD 0.89 per share. Core operating results were even more impressive at Citi, improving USD 2.3 bn or 3.6x linked quarter. Citi cut its loss provisioning effort by USD 5.6 bn (71.4%) during the period despite net new NPLs remaining on an aggressive upswing;*Getting Squeezed From Every Angle: Citi’s operating revenues declined driven by both the decline in principal transactions revenue of USD 1.6 bn (39.7%) and NIM pressures. Expenses were problematic for Citi as well, increasing USD 589 mn (5.7%) over the same period and pushed its C&amp;I ratio higher by 10.1% to 64.4%; and  *Consent Order: On October 7, 2020, Citi announced a Consent Order with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York  and the Office of the Comptroller to take action to improve its risk management, data governance, and internal controls. There was also a USD 400 mn penalty.

Bank Negara Indonesia Persero / Equity Bottom-Up

*Islamic Banking Merger In Indonesia: Bank Rakyat Indonesia’s (BBRI.IJ) Islamic banking subsidiary, Bank BRI Syariah (BRIS.IJ) announced that it had signed a conditional merger agreement related to the proposed merger with two other Indonesian state bank Islamic banking subsidiaries including Bank Mandiri Syah (BMRI.IJ) [BSM] and Bank BNI Syariah (BBNI.IJ) [BNIS]; and*National Champion To Compete Globally: Sharia-compliance is regarded as the foundation of Islamic banking. With the largest Muslim population globally at 228 mn, it would make sense that Indonesia should have a national champion which is sharia-compliant. In the case of Indonesia, there are currently 14 sharia-compliant commercial bank with IDR 353 tn (USD 24 bn) in assets or about 4.2% of system-wide assets.  The proposed merger would create a new entity with over INR 200 bn – which could place it amongst the world’s largest global competitors for Islamic finance. We’d also anticipate the development global sukuk (Islamic debt) underwriting for local Indonesian companies.

*Islamic Banking Merger In Indonesia: Bank Rakyat Indonesia’s (BBRI.IJ) Islamic banking subsidiary, Bank BRI Syariah (BRIS.IJ) announced that it had signed a conditional merger agreement related to the proposed merger with two other Indonesian state bank Islamic banking subsidiaries including Bank Mandiri Syah (BMRI.IJ) [BSM] and Bank BNI Syariah (BBNI.IJ) [BNIS]; and*National Champion To Compete Globally: Sharia-compliance is regarded as the foundation of Islamic banking. With the largest Muslim population globally at 228 mn, it would make sense that Indonesia should have a national champion which is sharia-compliant. In the case of Indonesia, there are currently 14 sharia-compliant commercial bank with IDR 353 tn (USD 24 bn) in assets or about 4.2% of system-wide assets.  The proposed merger would create a new entity with over INR 200 bn – which could place it amongst the world’s largest global competitors for Islamic finance. We’d also anticipate the development global sukuk (Islamic debt) underwriting for local Indonesian companies. 

*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

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial (MUFG) / Equity Bottom-Up

*Morgan Stanley/Eaton Vance Transaction: Morgan Stanley (MS.US) announced its intention to acquire Eaton Vance for approximately USD 7 bn in a 50/50 cash/stock transaction. According to MS, this transaction is expected to be earnings break-even on deal consummation. We are less optimistic;  *MUFG Should Worry About Dilution: Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (8306.JP) [MUFG] collectively owns 22.6% of the outstanding shares of MS on a fully diluted basis; prior to both the E*Trade Financial and Eaton Vance (EV.US) transactions MS represented an estimated and outsized 25.4% of MUFG's FY (March) 2020 bottom-line - despite MUFG's high reliance on gains.In aggregate, both transactions dilute MUFG's MS stake by 3.57% to 18.99%. Both transactions are anticipated to dilute MUFG's earnings attributable to Morgan Stanley by USD 175 mn or close to 9.0% YOY or 2.2% overall for MUFG in FY 2020 – assuming the status quo on securities gains; and*MUFG Already Has Enough Headaches: Earnings at MUFG remain quite tenuous. Outside of its high reliance on volatile sources of securities trading, impairment losses associated with its ownership stake in Bank Danamon (BNMN.IJ),  earnings pressures from Union Bank in California,  the re-jigging of the systems integration at MUFG NICOS too should continue to weigh on future results.

*Morgan Stanley/Eaton Vance Transaction: Morgan Stanley (MS.US) announced its intention to acquire Eaton Vance for approximately USD 7 bn in a 50/50 cash/stock transaction. According to MS, this transaction is expected to be earnings break-even on deal consummation. We are less optimistic;  *MUFG Should Worry About Dilution: Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (8306.JP) [MUFG] collectively owns 22.6% of the outstanding shares of MS on a fully diluted basis; prior to both the E*Trade Financial and Eaton Vance (EV.US) transactions MS represented an estimated and outsized 25.4% of MUFG's FY (March) 2020 bottom-line - despite MUFG's high reliance on gains.In aggregate, both transactions dilute MUFG's MS stake by 3.57% to 18.99%. Both transactions are anticipated to dilute MUFG's earnings attributable to Morgan Stanley by USD 175 mn or close to 9.0% YOY or 2.2% overall for MUFG in FY 2020 – assuming the status quo on securities gains; and*MUFG Already Has Enough Headaches: Earnings at MUFG remain quite tenuous. Outside of its high reliance on volatile sources of securities trading, impairment losses associated with its ownership stake in Bank Danamon (BNMN.IJ),  earnings pressures from Union Bank in California,  the re-jigging of the systems integration at MUFG NICOS too should continue to weigh on future results. 

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group – MS Continues to Dilute MUFG

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

Last Week in Event SPACE: Vedanta, Evergrande Auto, Cocokara, Leyou, Mitsu Lease/Hitachi Cap

Japan

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. (MUFG) is a holding company established through the merger of Mitsubishi Tokyo Financial Group and UFJ Holdings. As a financial group, the Company provides a variety of financial and investment services including commercial banking, trust banking, international finance, and assets management services.

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial (MUFG) ADR (MUFG US)

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Mitsubishi UFJ Financial (MUFG) ADR (MUFG US)

Citigroup – Watch The Negative Jaws

CITIGROUP: Investors Shouldn't Be Fooled By The EPS Beat Led By A Massive Pre-emptive Provision Cut. Bank Has Negative Operating Jaws, Worsening...

Thomas J. Monaco

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

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group – MS Continues to Dilute MUFG

MUFG Receives Additional Dilution From Morgan Stanley In Another Overpriced US Transaction. Eaton Vance Was The Fourth In a Series of Wealth...

Thomas J. Monaco

Last Week in Event SPACE: Vedanta, Evergrande Auto, Cocokara, Leyou, Mitsu Lease/Hitachi Cap

Last Week in Event SPACE ... Plus, other events, CCASS movements and Mood Spins. (This insight covers specific insights & comments...

David Blennerhassett

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52-week Range

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Citigroup – Watch The Negative Jaws

CITIGROUP: Investors Shouldn't Be Fooled By The EPS Beat Led By A Massive Pre-emptive Provision Cut. Bank Has Negative Operating Jaws, Worsening...

Thomas J. Monaco

Bank BNI – Sharing Sharia

Merger Of Indonesia's SOE Bank Sharia Complaint Subsidiaries Creates National Champion With Designs On Being Globally Competitive

Thomas J. Monaco

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

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group – MS Continues to Dilute MUFG

MUFG Receives Additional Dilution From Morgan Stanley In Another Overpriced US Transaction. Eaton Vance Was The Fourth In a Series of Wealth...

Thomas J. Monaco

Last Week in Event SPACE: Vedanta, Evergrande Auto, Cocokara, Leyou, Mitsu Lease/Hitachi Cap

Last Week in Event SPACE ... Plus, other events, CCASS movements and Mood Spins. (This insight covers specific insights & comments...

David Blennerhassett