Asia Fixed Income Analyst

Derek Silva

Credit

<p>Since their introduction less than a decade ago, there has been much discussion and little evidence about the enforceability of the ‘keepwell’ deed in many Chinese USD corporate bonds. And, given that the biggest issuer of keepwell bonds in 2020 is Evergrande’s Hengda Real Estate, it remains as relevant as ever. Until recently, the structure had yet to be put to the test in any prominent distressed cases.  </p><p>A high-profile case in 2020 seemed to have changed that. In recent months, investors and analysts have closely followed the situation with PKFounder, a distressed issuer with a keepwell bond. And it didn’t look good for keepwell bondholders: The<a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/china-bond-keepwell/administrator-for-chinas-pufg-rejects-keepwell-deed-for-300-mln-bond-redd-idINL4N2FP01J" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> judgement rejected the bondholders' claims</a>, seemingly solidifying the argument for those who said the structure was little more than a gentleman’s agreement and provided a false sense of security.  </p><p>But now there’s been a new legal decision from a smaller case that contradicts the PKFounder decision. Which brings to mind something important to remember: the concept of <em>legal precedent</em> is not as powerful in China as it is elsewhere. In the other case, Mainland company CEFC had an offshore subsidiary which also issued keepwell bonds and, this month, the Shanghai Financial Court ordered the company to pay a bondholder on account of the keepwell deed. </p><p>In the following sections, we take a closer look at the specifics. And, while there is no firm conclusion about the enforceability of a keepwell deed, the latest news shows that the situation is not cut-and-dry and the keepwell feature in bonds might not be worthless after all.</p><section class="figure"><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/171/416/original/Screenshot%202020-11-14%20at%2011.21.07.png?1605330171" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="171416"></figure><div class="content-caption">Source: https://events.debtwire.com/apchart-of-the-week-keepwells-back-19-of-chinese-hy-bonds-ytd-while-pkfounder-cefc-bring-structure-on-focus</div></section><p></p></section>

Since their introduction less than a decade ago, there has been much discussion and little evidence about the enforceability of the ‘keepwell’ deed in many Chinese USD corporate bonds. And, given that the biggest issuer of keepwell bonds in 2020 is Evergrande’s Hengda Real Estate, it remains as relevant as ever. Until recently, the structure had yet to be put to the test in any prominent distressed cases.  A high-profile case in 2020 seemed to have changed that. In recent months, investors and analysts have closely followed the situation with PKFounder, a distressed issuer with a keepwell bond. And it didn’t look good for keepwell bondholders: The judgement rejected the bondholders' claims, seemingly solidifying the argument for those who said the structure was little more than a gentleman’s agreement and provided a false sense of security.  But now there’s been a new legal decision from a smaller case that contradicts the PKFounder decision. Which brings to mind something important to remember: the concept of legal precedent is not as powerful in China as it is elsewhere. In the other case, Mainland company CEFC had an offshore subsidiary which also issued keepwell bonds and, this month, the Shanghai Financial Court ordered the company to pay a bondholder on account of the keepwell deed. In the following sections, we take a closer look at the specifics. And, while there is no firm conclusion about the enforceability of a keepwell deed, the latest news shows that the situation is not cut-and-dry and the keepwell feature in bonds might not be worthless after all.Source: https://events.debtwire.com/apchart-of-the-week-keepwells-back-19-of-chinese-hy-bonds-ytd-while-pkfounder-cefc-bring-structure-on-focus

Keepwells: Not Dead Yet - There Might Be Some Protection After All?

Senior Credit Analyst, Lucror Analytics

Leonard Law, CFA

Senior Credit Analyst

High Yield Experts

Lucror Analytics

Lucror Analytics is a leading credit and ESG research specialist and a provider of technology solutions for differentiated fixed income strategies. Our roots are in bottom-up fundamental credit analysis with a specialization in high yield corporate credits from Europe, Asia and Latin America. We are one of few research specialists integrating ESG considerations with fundamental credit research through a dedicated ESG platform. Our ESG assessment covers five key criteria: Disclosure, E,S, & G Pillars, Controversies, ESG Impact on Credit and ESG Momentum.

Recognizing the importance and value-add of Factor Investing in fixed income, Lucror developed the Smart Quant Navigator (SQN), an intuitive platform that helps clients devise and implement factor-based strategies ranging from pure quant to active fundamental, with integrated ESG.

Our company has been at the forefront of developments in the fixed income markets, identifying opportunities and consistently delivering new products and value-adding solutions to clients. Lucror has close relationships with the largest and most reputable asset managers, family offices, hedge funds, investment and wealth managers globally.

<p>Lucror Analytics Morning Views comprise our fundamental credit analysis, opinions and trade recommendations on high yield issuers in the region, based on key company-specific developments in the past 24 hours. Our Morning Views include a section with a brief market commentary, key market indicators and a macroeconomic and corporate event calendar.</p><ul><li><a href='#lucror-entity-713'>Evergrande Auto</a></li></ul>

Lucror Analytics Morning Views comprise our fundamental credit analysis, opinions and trade recommendations on high yield issuers in the region, based on key company-specific developments in the past 24 hours. Our Morning Views include a section with a brief market commentary, key market indicators and a macroeconomic and corporate event calendar.Evergrande Auto

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<p>As every good IR person knows, if you want to put news that won't get read out on the tape, you do it late at night on a day when people don't trade. Friday night has always been preferable. </p>
<p>Putting a statement out on a Sunday night makes one wonder. </p>
<p>Last night, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/evergrande-real-estate-group-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:479:1" rel="noopener">Evergrande Real Estate Group (3333 HK)</a> released a statement to the Hong Kong Exchange noting that it had terminated a restructuring plan with Shenzhen Special Economic Zone Real Estate &amp; Properties - what was meant to be a backdoor listing of the largest part of Evergrande's business through an injection of its Hengda Real Estate unit. </p>
<p>This closes the door on one angle, but it leaves a question to be asked about what might happen going forward. </p>

As every good IR person knows, if you want to put news that won't get read out on the tape, you do it late at night on a day when people don't trade. Friday night has always been preferable. 
Putting a statement out on a Sunday night makes one wonder. 
Last night, Evergrande Real Estate Group (3333 HK) released a statement to the Hong Kong Exchange noting that it had terminated a restructuring plan with Shenzhen Special Economic Zone Real Estate &amp; Properties - what was meant to be a backdoor listing of the largest part of Evergrande's business through an injection of its Hengda Real Estate unit. 
This closes the door on one angle, but it leaves a question to be asked about what might happen going forward. 

Evergrande Terminates Hengda Backdoor Listing

<p>Lucror Analytics Morning Views comprise our fundamental credit analysis, opinions and trade recommendations on high yield issuers in the region, based on key company-specific developments in the past 24 hours. Our Morning Views include a section with a brief market commentary, key market indicators and a macroeconomic and corporate event calendar.</p><ul><li><a href='#lucror-entity-28953'>Central China New Life</a></li><li><a href='#lucror-entity-713'>Evergrande Auto</a></li><li><a href='#lucror-entity-18387'>CIFI Holdings</a></li><li><a href='#lucror-entity-14882'>Seazen (Formerly Future Land)</a></li><li><a href='#lucror-entity-29239'>Sunac Services Holdings</a></li><li><a href='#lucror-entity-473'>Wynn Macau Ltd</a></li></ul>

Lucror Analytics Morning Views comprise our fundamental credit analysis, opinions and trade recommendations on high yield issuers in the region, based on key company-specific developments in the past 24 hours. Our Morning Views include a section with a brief market commentary, key market indicators and a macroeconomic and corporate event calendar.Central China New LifeEvergrande AutoCIFI HoldingsSeazen (Formerly Future Land)Sunac Services HoldingsWynn Macau Ltd

Morning Views Asia: Central China New Life, Evergrande Auto, CIFI Holdings

David Blennerhassett

Last Week in Event SPACE: Prosus/Naspers, GMO Internet, CK Hutchison, AviChina, Ant Group, Tonly

China

China Evergrande Group is an integrated residential property developer. The Company, through its subsidiaries, operates in property development, investment, management, finance, internet, health, culture, and tourism markets.

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Evergrande (3333 HK)

Keepwells: Not Dead Yet - There Might Be Some Protection After All?

Investors increasingly believe Keepwell deeds are worthless after the PKFounder legal decision this year. But a more recent case seems to...

Derek Silva

Morning Views Asia: Evergrande Auto

Lucror Analytics Morning Views comprise our fundamental credit analysis, opinions and trade recommendations on high yield issuers in the region,...

Lucror Analytics

Evergrande Terminates Hengda Backdoor Listing

Evergrande announced the termination of its four-year effort to backdoor list main property unit Hengda Real Estate through Shenzhen SEZ. This is...

Travis Lundy

Morning Views Asia: Central China New Life, Evergrande Auto, CIFI Holdings

Lucror Analytics Morning Views comprise our fundamental credit analysis, opinions and trade recommendations on high yield issuers in the region,...

Lucror Analytics

Last Week in Event SPACE: Prosus/Naspers, GMO Internet, CK Hutchison, AviChina, Ant Group, Tonly

The weekend is here! Pour yourself a coffee, grab a comfortable seat, and sift through a brief summary of insights on various events discussed...

David Blennerhassett

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