Global Asset Allocation, Politics & Governance, Ecstrat

John-Paul Smith

Global Asset Allocation, Politics & Governance

Ecstrat

Ecstrat is a consultancy advising on asset allocation between global equity markets, with a focus on the intersection of governments, geopolitics, governance and markets.
 
Over the past few years and more especially since the Great Financial Crisis (GFC), investors have become more focused on short-term market movements and real-time returns and have consequently neglected the analysis of the underlying structural themes that underpin longer term performance.
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More specifically we believe that the evolution of governance-based relationships between investors, controlling shareholders, labour and the state is one of the primary determinants of both relative and absolute performance between individual equity markets.
 
We will endeavour to provide investors with some of the context surrounding governance-related issues which encompass many different disciplines including history, economics and political science, as well as the financial metrics which are the most obvious manifestation of the structural characteristics of each market.
 
We will pay particular attention to the shifts and potential inflection points for governance in individual markets as these are often the best lead indicators for both economic and market performance.

Cross Asset Strategy

Our bearish outlook for 2016 predicated on the rising risk of a “sudden stop” for China and uncontrolled FX depreciation across EM is unfortunately starting to play out; although markets currently feel very oversold and could rally sharply over the short term, we believe that there is further downside for EM equities in absolute and relative terms over the remainder of the year.

Our bearish outlook for 2016 predicated on the rising risk of a “sudden stop” for China and uncontrolled FX depreciation across EM is unfortunately starting to play out; although markets currently feel very oversold and could rally sharply over the short term, we believe that there is further downside for EM equities in absolute and relative terms over the remainder of the year.

Transport Sector, China and Asia-focused Research

Charles De Trenck

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

My father, an old school broker, banker and adviser for over 40 years, used to tell me as a child that one of the most important relationships to follow was the triangular relationship between the dollar, gold and oil. I always kept the lesson close to heart, and it has been my go to for market reality tests again and again. Over the years I have added equities to the relationship. Perhaps also because they mean a little more today. I don’t know. It was this constant triangulation of price and value that got me into the EUR around 2000 and out again a few years back. And for better or worse, that has kept my equity exposure low in recent years. In 2010-11, however the triangulation led to some insights on gold versus equities which panned out clearly enough. But the analysis now shows something just as volatile if not more.I mapped out some of the relationships in two easy charts going back to the 1960s in order to view the big swings. ... Added at the end are some quick updates on credit watch names making their way into equities. TK Group companies just got a high profile lashing from Morgan Stanley (despite an embarrassing target price change!)

My father, an old school broker, banker and adviser for over 40 years, used to tell me as a child that one of the most important relationships to follow was the triangular relationship between the dollar, gold and oil. I always kept the lesson close to heart, and it has been my go to for market reality tests again and again. Over the years I have added equities to the relationship. Perhaps also because they mean a little more today. I don’t know. It was this constant triangulation of price and value that got me into the EUR around 2000 and out again a few years back. And for better or worse, that has kept my equity exposure low in recent years. In 2010-11, however the triangulation led to some insights on gold versus equities which panned out clearly enough. But the analysis now shows something just as volatile if not more.I mapped out some of the relationships in two easy charts going back to the 1960s in order to view the big swings. ... Added at the end are some quick updates on credit watch names making their way into equities. TK Group companies just got a high profile lashing from Morgan Stanley (despite an embarrassing target price change!)

Triangulating Oil Back to 60s (And Shipping Credit Watch Updates...)

Information Technology Consultant

Ishita Jain

In today's digitized world, everything is connected and&nbsp;&nbsp;'smart' - our phones are packed with ever more functionality, we can surf the net directly from our TVs and our fitness trackers can dish out tons of metrics regarding our habits. Internet of things takes this one step further; by attaching sensors to every day and typically non-digital things, it promises&nbsp;to make everything around us 'smart'. This insight is an overview of the industry, its market potential and some thoughts on how to invest in it.

In today's digitized world, everything is connected and&nbsp;&nbsp;'smart' - our phones are packed with ever more functionality, we can surf the net directly from our TVs and our fitness trackers can dish out tons of metrics regarding our habits. Internet of things takes this one step further; by attaching sensors to every day and typically non-digital things, it promises&nbsp;to make everything around us 'smart'. This insight is an overview of the industry, its market potential and some thoughts on how to invest in it.

Investing in the Internet of Things (IoT)

China, land of coal and smog, is now increasing the generation of electricity from renewable sources faster than any other country, with more than 100 GWs a year of installed generating capacity from wind, a third of the world&rsquo;s total. Generating capacity is up tenfold in the last decade and three of the world&rsquo;s top ten turbine manufacturers are Chinese. Xinjiang&nbsp;Goldwind, the world&rsquo;s second largest wind turbine maker, seems poised to continue its growth story and be instrumental in shaping the Chinese wind energy market.

China, land of coal and smog, is now increasing the generation of electricity from renewable sources faster than any other country, with more than 100 GWs a year of installed generating capacity from wind, a third of the world&rsquo;s total. Generating capacity is up tenfold in the last decade and three of the world&rsquo;s top ten turbine manufacturers are Chinese. Xinjiang&nbsp;Goldwind, the world&rsquo;s second largest wind turbine maker, seems poised to continue its growth story and be instrumental in shaping the Chinese wind energy market.

Flying along China's wind of change: Goldwind

Yes there are a few good China companies out there. In general a company like China Merchants has a good long term theme going for it (see April notes). But in shipping there are more badly run companies than good ones.&nbsp; What follows is an update on a piece I did for a specialized shipping publication following a long line of pieces I have put out delving into COSCO and CSCL corporate governance nightmares over the years. The truth is investors were ripped off on valuations from day one, with bankers helping as a result of shoddy work. Seasoned investors of course are not surprised to find this out. But what still amazes after so many years is the extent of mis-deeds and quite often the lack of interest to delve further into the problems. Feedback I've gotten so far are industry insiders agreeing with the extent of the corruption, and an expression of frustration they could not discuss more openly (although I think the spirit of Xi Jinping's exhortations would support further examination. ... recently Reuters and others did look into new facets of breakdowns at CSCL and COSCO).

Yes there are a few good China companies out there. In general a company like China Merchants has a good long term theme going for it (see April notes). But in shipping there are more badly run companies than good ones.&nbsp; What follows is an update on a piece I did for a specialized shipping publication following a long line of pieces I have put out delving into COSCO and CSCL corporate governance nightmares over the years. The truth is investors were ripped off on valuations from day one, with bankers helping as a result of shoddy work. Seasoned investors of course are not surprised to find this out. But what still amazes after so many years is the extent of mis-deeds and quite often the lack of interest to delve further into the problems. Feedback I've gotten so far are industry insiders agreeing with the extent of the corruption, and an expression of frustration they could not discuss more openly (although I think the spirit of Xi Jinping's exhortations would support further examination. ... recently Reuters and others did look into new facets of breakdowns at CSCL and COSCO).

A Brief History of Corporate Governance Nightmares at China's Flagship Shipping Companies

China

China Southern Airlines Company Limited provides commercial airline services throughout China, Southeast Asia and other parts of the world.  The Company also provides other airline related services including aircraft maintenance and air catering.

China Eastern Airlines Corporation Limited, together with its subsidiaries, operates in the civil aviation industry. It offers passenger, cargo, mail delivery, ground, cargo handling, and other extended transportation services.

Air China Limited provides passenger, cargo, and airline-related services in China.  The Company is primarily based in Beijing and a major hub for domestic and international air transportation.  Air China's airline-related services include aircraft maintenance, repair, overhaul service, ground services, and in-flight catering services.

Hainan Airlines Co., Ltd. provides passenger and freight air transportation. The Company also provides charter flight services. 

Spring Airlines Co., Ltd. offers air transportation services. The Company provides domestic air transportation, international air transportation, cargo transportation, and other services. Spring Airlines also offers ticket home delivery, insurance transaction, and other services.

Juneyao Airlines Co. Ltd. supplies air transportation services. The Company provides domestic and international routes for passengers and cargoes. Juneyao Airlines also offers ticket home delivery and electronic ticketing services.

China Express Airlines Co., Ltd. provides air transportation services. The Company offers passenger and freight air transportation, aviation equipment maintenance and aircraft leasing, ticket and hotel booking, consulting, and other services. China Express Airlines serves customers worldwide.

China Express Airlines Co Ltd (002928 CH)

COSCO SHIPPING Holdings Co., Ltd offers marine freight transportation services.  The Company offers container shipping, dry bulk shipping, logistics services, freight forwarding, and terminal and container leasing services internationally.  COSCO SHIPPING Holdings Co., Ltd operates container ships and terminals, and manufactures shipping containers.

S.F. Holding Co., Ltd operates as a holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, provides logistics, order tracking, supply chain management, and warehousing services. S.F. Holding operates worldwide.

Daqin Railway Co., Ltd. mainly provides coal transportation service in Northern China. It also operates passenger transportation business.

Singapore Airlines Limited provides air transportation, engineering, pilot training, air charter, and tour wholesaling services. The Company's airline operation covers Asia, Europe, the Americas, South West Pacific, and Africa.

ANA Holdings Inc provides a variety of air transportation-related services. The Company offers scheduled & unscheduled air passenger services and air courier services. ANA sells aircraft parts and provides travel arrangement & reservation services as well.

United Airlines Holdings Inc is an airline holding company.  The Company owns and operates airlines that transports persons, property and mail throughout the United States and abroad.

Southwest Airlines Co. is a domestic airline that provides primarily short-haul, high-frequency, point-to-point service.  The Company offers flights throughout the United States.

International Consolidated Airlines Group S.A. provides transportation services. The Company offers international and domestic air passenger and cargo transportation services. International Consolidated Airlines Group serves customers worldwide.

International Consolidated Airlines Group (IAG LN)

International Consolidated Airlines Group

LATAM Airlines Group S.A. is an airline that provides both domestic and international flight services.  The Company provides passenger and cargo services to destinations in Chile, South America, the Caribbean, Europe, North America, and the Pacific.  LATAM Airlines operates passenger aircraft and cargo freighters.

InterGlobe Aviation Limited provides passenger airlines services. The Company offers ground management, air transportation, terminal maintenance, and other services. InterGlobe Aviation conducts its business globally.

Turk Hava Yollari Anonim Ortakligi (THY), also known as Turkish Airlines, provides passenger and cargo air transportation services. The Company serves all domestic destinations as well as the Middle East, North America, Europe, Asia, North Africa and South Africa.

Cathay Pacific Airways Limited operates scheduled airline services. The Company also provides related services, including airline catering, aircraft handling, and engineering.

Qantas Airways Limited provides transportation of passengers through two airlines including Qantas (full service carrier) and Jetstar (low cost carrier), operating international, domestic and regional services. The Company also includes Qantas Frequent Flyer and Qantas Freight which generates diverse revenue streams and adds value for customers and investors.

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Air China Ltd (A) (601111 CH)

China and the EM Ugly Contest

Our bearish outlook for 2016 predicated on the rising risk of a “sudden stop” for China and uncontrolled FX depreciation across EM is unfortunately...

John-Paul Smith

Triangulating Oil Back to 60s (And Shipping Credit Watch Updates...)

My father, an old school broker, banker and adviser for over 40 years, used to tell me as a child that one of the most important relationships to...

Charles De Trenck

Investing in the Internet of Things (IoT)

In today's digitized world, everything is connected and 'smart' - our phones are packed with ever more functionality, we can surf the net directly...

Ishita Jain

Flying along China's wind of change: Goldwind

China, land of coal and smog, is now increasing the generation of electricity from renewable sources faster than any other country, with more than...

Ishita Jain

A Brief History of Corporate Governance Nightmares at China's Flagship Shipping Companies

Yes there are a few good China companies out there. In general a company like China Merchants has a good long term theme going for it (see April...

Charles De Trenck

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