Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

China Suntien Green Energy / Event-Driven

<div>
<p>Several weeks ago, I gave the warning H/A spreads had moved tighter - too far too fast. The next week, spreads widened, they bounced back with a vengeance, then slightly wider in the short week at the start of Chinese New Year, and bouncing back in the post-CNY week.</p>
<p>They have started to move wider again, and given the global form in risk and higher volatility right now, I would not be surprised if they continued a bit wider.</p>
</div><div>
<p>Last week, in the first full week after the end of all the Chinese New Year festivities, all but one sector saw average spreads widen, and market-wide, spreads had their worst week in quite a while.</p>
<table class="table table-striped"><tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 198.182px;"><p>Sector</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 103.636px;"><p>Last Week</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 135.455px;"><p>Previous Week</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 100px;"><p>3wks Ago</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 102.727px;"><p>4wks Ago</p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 198.182px;"><p>Consumer</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 103.636px;"><p>-  1.65%</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 135.455px;"><p>-  1.20%</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 100px;"><p>+ 2.55%</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 102.727px;"><p>+ 2.32%</p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 198.182px;"><p>Energy</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 103.636px;"><p>+ 0.67%</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 135.455px;"><p>+ 1.43%</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 100px;"><p>-  1.64%</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 102.727px;"><p>+ 1.98%</p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 198.182px;"><p>Financials &amp; Real Estate</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 103.636px;"><p>-  1.12%</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 135.455px;"><p>+ 0.10%</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 100px;"><p>+ 0.29%</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 102.727px;"><p>+ 0.62%</p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 198.182px;"><p>Health Care &amp; Info Tech</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 103.636px;"><p>-  2.86%</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 135.455px;"><p>+ 1.45%</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 100px;"><p>-  1.52%</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 102.727px;"><p>+ 2.29%</p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 198.182px;"><p>Industrials</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 103.636px;"><p>-  1.20%</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 135.455px;"><p>+ 0.26%</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 100px;"><p>-  0.62%</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 102.727px;"><p>+ 2.48%</p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 198.182px;"><p>Materials</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 103.636px;"><p>-  0.84%</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 135.455px;"><p>+ 3.08%</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 100px;"><p>-  0.57%</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 102.727px;"><p>+ 2.66%</p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 198.182px;"><p>Utilities</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 103.636px;"><p>-  0.14%</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 135.455px;"><p>+ 0.99%</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 100px;"><p>+ 0.25%</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 102.727px;"><p>+ 1.06%</p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 198.182px;"><p>Sector Average</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 103.636px;"><p>-  1.02%</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 135.455px;"><p>+ 0.87%</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 100px;"><p>-  0.18%</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 102.727px;"><p>+ 1.92%</p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 198.182px;"><p><strong>All Market Average</strong></p></td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 103.636px;"><p><strong>-  1.22%</strong></p></td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 135.455px;"><p><strong>+ 0.76%</strong></p></td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 100px;"><p><strong>-  0.33%</strong></p></td>
<td style="text-align: right; width: 102.727px;"><p><strong>+ 1.80%</strong></p></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p>Developers saw their Hs rise dramatically on the week on new rules about land sales which would appear to favor large developers over smaller developers, but few have an H/A spread presence.</p>
</div><div><div>
<hr>
<h3>The H/A Spread Market</h3>
</div></div><div>
<p>The past week has seen H-shares come off sharply and spreads widen reasonably dramatically. </p>
<section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/191/379/original/Screenshot+2021-02-28+at+7.50.25+PM.png?1614513037" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="191379"></figure></section>
</div><p>The average discount appears not to want to tighten. </p><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/191/402/original/Screenshot+2021-02-28+at+9.36.30+PM.png?1614519456" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="191402"></figure></section><p></p><h2>Last Week's Recommendations</h2><ul>
<li>There were 78 recommendations last week. </li>
<li>The 33 short recommendations gained an average of 1.70%, outperforming the market as a whole (which saw the average spread widen 1.22%). That is alpha of 48bp.</li>
<li>The 45 long recommendations averaged losses of 76bp during the week, outperforming the market as a whole by 46bp. The combined total package was up 0.27% for the week, with 92bp of alpha on the cross-bias. </li>
</ul><hr><section><div><h2>Consumer Sector</h2></div>
<div><p>The first sector discussed is Consumer, where liquid H/A spreads widened on average 1.65% over the past week, with the sector continuing to see significant bumpiness. </p></div>
<div><ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/byd-co-ltd-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20962:1" rel="noopener">BYD (1211 HK)</a> saw its spread move 2.9% narrower last week after widening 3.1% in the previous two weeks. It is now 3.7% narrower over four weeks.  <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/great-wall-motor-co-ltd-cb302af9-398c-4d2d-ba39-023e43287eef" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:128:1" rel="noopener">Great Wall Motor (2333 HK)</a> narrowed too, but the others in the space widened. </li>
<li>All but one stock in the sector saw its H-share decline in double digit percentages. The average H in the sector moved down 15.9% in the week. Only <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/guangzhou-automobile-group-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11082:1" rel="noopener">Guangzhou Automobile Group (2238 HK)</a> was spared that indignity, seeings its H fall 'only' 9.7%.</li>
<li>Southbound was a net seller of nearly HK$2bn of stock since the 10th of February, purchasing only <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fuyao-glass-industry-group-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:330:1" rel="noopener">Fuyao Glass Industry Group (3606 HK)</a> on a net basis.</li>
</ul></div>
<div><div><div class="content-highlight">
<p>Last week, I recommended staying long the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/great-wall-motor-co-ltd-cb302af9-398c-4d2d-ba39-023e43287eef" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:128:1" rel="noopener">Great Wall Motor (2333 HK)</a>, and short <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/byd-co-ltd-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20962:1" rel="noopener">BYD (1211 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hisense-home-appliances-group-co-ltd-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20107:1" rel="noopener">Hisense Home Appliances Group Co., Ltd. H (921 HK)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fuyao-glass-industry-group-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:330:1" rel="noopener">Fuyao Glass Industry Group (3606 HK)</a> H vs A. </p>
<p>Those four trades gained an average of 3.58% in spread terms on the week.</p>
</div></div></div>
<section><section class="figure"><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/191/384/original/Screenshot+2021-02-28+at+8.09.50+PM.png?1614514204" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="191384"></figure><p></p></section></section></section><section><em>For this week's recommendations on Consumer, and discussion of the Energy, Financials &amp; Real Estate, Health Care, Tech, Industrials, Materials, and Utilities sectors, and all trade recommendations, please read on.</em></section></section>


Several weeks ago, I gave the warning H/A spreads had moved tighter - too far too fast. The next week, spreads widened, they bounced back with a vengeance, then slightly wider in the short week at the start of Chinese New Year, and bouncing back in the post-CNY week.
They have started to move wider again, and given the global form in risk and higher volatility right now, I would not be surprised if they continued a bit wider.

Last week, in the first full week after the end of all the Chinese New Year festivities, all but one sector saw average spreads widen, and market-wide, spreads had their worst week in quite a while.


Sector
Last Week
Previous Week
3wks Ago
4wks Ago


Consumer
-  1.65%
-  1.20%
+ 2.55%
+ 2.32%


Energy
+ 0.67%
+ 1.43%
-  1.64%
+ 1.98%


Financials &amp; Real Estate
-  1.12%
+ 0.10%
+ 0.29%
+ 0.62%


Health Care &amp; Info Tech
-  2.86%
+ 1.45%
-  1.52%
+ 2.29%


Industrials
-  1.20%
+ 0.26%
-  0.62%
+ 2.48%


Materials
-  0.84%
+ 3.08%
-  0.57%
+ 2.66%


Utilities
-  0.14%
+ 0.99%
+ 0.25%
+ 1.06%


Sector Average
-  1.02%
+ 0.87%
-  0.18%
+ 1.92%


All Market Average
-  1.22%
+ 0.76%
-  0.33%
+ 1.80%


Developers saw their Hs rise dramatically on the week on new rules about land sales which would appear to favor large developers over smaller developers, but few have an H/A spread presence.


The H/A Spread Market

The past week has seen H-shares come off sharply and spreads widen reasonably dramatically. 

The average discount appears not to want to tighten. Last Week's Recommendations
There were 78 recommendations last week. 
The 33 short recommendations gained an average of 1.70%, outperforming the market as a whole (which saw the average spread widen 1.22%). That is alpha of 48bp.
The 45 long recommendations averaged losses of 76bp during the week, outperforming the market as a whole by 46bp. The combined total package was up 0.27% for the week, with 92bp of alpha on the cross-bias. 
Consumer Sector
The first sector discussed is Consumer, where liquid H/A spreads widened on average 1.65% over the past week, with the sector continuing to see significant bumpiness. 


BYD (1211 HK) saw its spread move 2.9% narrower last week after widening 3.1% in the previous two weeks. It is now 3.7% narrower over four weeks.  Great Wall Motor (2333 HK) narrowed too, but the others in the space widened. 
All but one stock in the sector saw its H-share decline in double digit percentages. The average H in the sector moved down 15.9% in the week. Only Guangzhou Automobile Group (2238 HK) was spared that indignity, seeings its H fall 'only' 9.7%.
Southbound was a net seller of nearly HK$2bn of stock since the 10th of February, purchasing only Fuyao Glass Industry Group (3606 HK) on a net basis.


Last week, I recommended staying long the Great Wall Motor (2333 HK), and short BYD (1211 HK), Hisense Home Appliances Group Co., Ltd. H (921 HK), and Fuyao Glass Industry Group (3606 HK) H vs A. 
Those four trades gained an average of 3.58% in spread terms on the week.

For this week's recommendations on Consumer, and discussion of the Energy, Financials &amp; Real Estate, Health Care, Tech, Industrials, Materials, and Utilities sectors, and all trade recommendations, please read on.

Quiddity Weekly H/A: Strong Dispersion, Strong Alpha; Brokers Beat Banks

Financials Credit Analyst

Hank Calenti, CFA

CreditContinuum

Credit

<p>Asia headquartered banks fared well despite the global tantrum without taper in the Treasury markets. Asia headquartered bond prices fell by less than their benchmark Treasury market notes, resulting in a bout of credit outperformance. Almost all bonds tightened in credit spread terms as investors remained anchored to banks as an economic recovery play. Moderate duration, lower risk, bonds continued to outperform, although there were pockets of outperformance in China-headquartered Additional Tier 1 bonds.</p><p>Bonds in the belly of the curve, that is those maturing or callable in five-years, outperformed longer dated notes. Moderate duration bonds led as investors lost faith in an inflation free economic recovery which would cap market rate rises. This is the opposite of last weeks’ performance, wherein even longer-duration note outperformed. That seemed odd given policymakers repeated statements that they would let the US economy run hot at the risk of stoking inflation. The rapid sell-off in US Treasuries during the week is evidence of market jitters regarding eventual inflation expectations.</p><p>The pressure on U.S. Treasuries is largely in-line with what we have been cautioning on since the Senate run-off results in Georgia last month. Friday’s correction at the long end may be tested again.</p><p>Admittedly, however, we are surprised by the credit strength of Asia-headquartered financials during the global rates rout. We attribute this to two items. First, China is further along the Covid-19 curve in recovery and will clearly benefit as the rest of the world catches-up. Second, financials are a leverage play on the global recovery. Taken together, Asia financials overall are well placed to continue outperforming other markets over the near term.</p><p>Given the rate of change over the last two weeks, things are moving fast. We identify potential opportunities within. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/state-bank-of-india" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:160:1" rel="noopener">State Bank of India (SBIN IN)</a> represents one credit curve where better opportunities exist in shorter duration bonds, however, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bank-mandiri-persero-tbk-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:441:1" rel="noopener">Bank Mandiri (BMRI IJ)</a> may offer even better values, as we note within.</p><p><strong>Market Outlook</strong>: This week’s Treasury market tantrum was not induced by Fed tapering, but it is a reminder of what it may look like when the Fed does dial back its asset purchases. Combined with the strength of the risk-on moves, this makes us uneasy. Financial repression creates a market, which in its nature, is always a one-sided bet with the Fed / ECB/ BOJ.  There is limited price discover as the market is simply sentiment driven. Credit value should remain driven by larger market forces. However, we may be fast approaching a point where the market outpaces the rate of expected economic recovery, and / or the market outpaces the rate that can be achieved without incurring substantial financial stability concerns. Our preference is for lower duration bonds, preferably in the belly of the curve. Please see our recent <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/bank-macro-manifest-risk-rally-gathers-steam-as-bad-news-more-stimulus" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bank Macro Manifest</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/bank-credit-strategy-melt-up-before-meltdown-where-to-position" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bank Credit Strategy</a> notes for more details.</p>

Asia headquartered banks fared well despite the global tantrum without taper in the Treasury markets. Asia headquartered bond prices fell by less than their benchmark Treasury market notes, resulting in a bout of credit outperformance. Almost all bonds tightened in credit spread terms as investors remained anchored to banks as an economic recovery play. Moderate duration, lower risk, bonds continued to outperform, although there were pockets of outperformance in China-headquartered Additional Tier 1 bonds.Bonds in the belly of the curve, that is those maturing or callable in five-years, outperformed longer dated notes. Moderate duration bonds led as investors lost faith in an inflation free economic recovery which would cap market rate rises. This is the opposite of last weeks’ performance, wherein even longer-duration note outperformed. That seemed odd given policymakers repeated statements that they would let the US economy run hot at the risk of stoking inflation. The rapid sell-off in US Treasuries during the week is evidence of market jitters regarding eventual inflation expectations.The pressure on U.S. Treasuries is largely in-line with what we have been cautioning on since the Senate run-off results in Georgia last month. Friday’s correction at the long end may be tested again.Admittedly, however, we are surprised by the credit strength of Asia-headquartered financials during the global rates rout. We attribute this to two items. First, China is further along the Covid-19 curve in recovery and will clearly benefit as the rest of the world catches-up. Second, financials are a leverage play on the global recovery. Taken together, Asia financials overall are well placed to continue outperforming other markets over the near term.Given the rate of change over the last two weeks, things are moving fast. We identify potential opportunities within. State Bank of India (SBIN IN) represents one credit curve where better opportunities exist in shorter duration bonds, however, Bank Mandiri (BMRI IJ) may offer even better values, as we note within.Market Outlook: This week’s Treasury market tantrum was not induced by Fed tapering, but it is a reminder of what it may look like when the Fed does dial back its asset purchases. Combined with the strength of the risk-on moves, this makes us uneasy. Financial repression creates a market, which in its nature, is always a one-sided bet with the Fed / ECB/ BOJ.  There is limited price discover as the market is simply sentiment driven. Credit value should remain driven by larger market forces. However, we may be fast approaching a point where the market outpaces the rate of expected economic recovery, and / or the market outpaces the rate that can be achieved without incurring substantial financial stability concerns. Our preference is for lower duration bonds, preferably in the belly of the curve. Please see our recent Bank Macro Manifest and Bank Credit Strategy notes for more details.

Bank Credit Weekly: Asia Credit Outperforms Despite Treasury Tantrum

<p>Lower risk tolerance, as evidenced by the rating preferences, combined with duration desires to drive performance in February. Global monetary accommodation is in large part responsible for recent outperformance. Credit fundamentals have yet to catch-up with spreads in bonds which continue to outperform. Continued performance, however, cannot be ruled out as credit tourists crowd-in and markets melt-up.</p><p>Asia’s US$-denominated bank bonds (x-Japan) had an outstanding month with each of the +100 bonds that we track tightening during the month of February, in Z-spread terms. The return of the economic reflation trade, with rising long-term rates on increased economic growth expectations, and short-term levels anchored by central banks globally, pushed investors to grab low risk, high duration securities. This could unwind spectacularly when real inflation concerns appear.</p><p>Short duration, non-investment grade bond lagged with lower rated bonds at the bottom in terms of performance. Fundamental concerns remain regarding the weakest financial credits in Asia and these remain concentrated in India. At the same time, extension risk concerns may be overdone amongst the callable bonds which underperformed in February.</p><p>In addition to identifying the bonds which out- and under-performed in February, we dive deeper into the Philippine banks which outperformed, despite starting at already tight spread levels, and we consider if extension risk being priced into the short-callable, China-centric, bonds is appropriate.</p>

Lower risk tolerance, as evidenced by the rating preferences, combined with duration desires to drive performance in February. Global monetary accommodation is in large part responsible for recent outperformance. Credit fundamentals have yet to catch-up with spreads in bonds which continue to outperform. Continued performance, however, cannot be ruled out as credit tourists crowd-in and markets melt-up.Asia’s US$-denominated bank bonds (x-Japan) had an outstanding month with each of the +100 bonds that we track tightening during the month of February, in Z-spread terms. The return of the economic reflation trade, with rising long-term rates on increased economic growth expectations, and short-term levels anchored by central banks globally, pushed investors to grab low risk, high duration securities. This could unwind spectacularly when real inflation concerns appear.Short duration, non-investment grade bond lagged with lower rated bonds at the bottom in terms of performance. Fundamental concerns remain regarding the weakest financial credits in Asia and these remain concentrated in India. At the same time, extension risk concerns may be overdone amongst the callable bonds which underperformed in February.In addition to identifying the bonds which out- and under-performed in February, we dive deeper into the Philippine banks which outperformed, despite starting at already tight spread levels, and we consider if extension risk being priced into the short-callable, China-centric, bonds is appropriate.

Bank Credit Compass: High Duration, Low Risk Notes Outperform in Feb.

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One, Periscope Analytics

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

Quantitative Analysis

<div><p>The Asia Short Interest weekly looks at moves in market wide short interest and highlights movements in stock specific short interest across Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Taiwan using the last available data published by the relevant authorities.</p></div><div><p>Hong Kong saw shorts rise on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ping-an-insurance-grp-co-of-china-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12880:1" rel="noopener">Ping An Insurance (H) (2318 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/beijing-kuaishou-technology-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29725:1" rel="noopener">Kuaishou Technology (1024 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/byd-co-ltd-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20962:1" rel="noopener">BYD (1211 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-merchants-bank-co-ltd-3388a037-4214-4997-b45d-520518cfdb57" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10987:1" rel="noopener">China Merchants Bank H (3968 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lenovo-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13359:1" rel="noopener">Lenovo (992 HK)</a> while there was short covering on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26:1" rel="noopener">Tencent Holdings (700 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/netease" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29030:1" rel="noopener">NetEase (9999 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/meituan-dianping" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26970:1" rel="noopener">Meituan (3690 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/aia-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14895:1" rel="noopener">AIA Group Ltd (1299 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/galaxy-entertainment-group-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:806:1" rel="noopener">Galaxy Entertainment Group (27 HK)</a>. Shorts increased on Financials, Information Technology and Real Estate, while decreasing on Communication Services, Consumer Discretionary and Health Care.</p></div><div><p>In Japan, stocks that saw the most shorts were <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pan-pacific-international-holdings-corporation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13475:1" rel="noopener">Pan Pacific International Holdings (7532 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sharp-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:391:1" rel="noopener">Sharp Corp (6753 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/resona-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6841:1" rel="noopener">Resona Holdings (8308 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/toyo-tire-corporation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15064:1" rel="noopener">Toyo Tire Corporation (5105 JP)</a> while shorts decreased on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/itochu-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18448:1" rel="noopener">Itochu Corp (8001 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/casio-computer-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18338:1" rel="noopener">Casio Computer (6952 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/toshiba-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:637:1" rel="noopener">Toshiba Corp (6502 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/monex-group-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:14211:1" rel="noopener">Monex Group Inc (8698 JP)</a>. Sectorally, shorts increased marginally in Consumer Discretionary, Financials and Materials, and decreased in Industrials.</p></div><div><p>In Korea, short increased on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hyundai-motor-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:155:1" rel="noopener">Hyundai Motor Co (005380 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/celltrion-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:991:1" rel="noopener">Celltrion Inc (068270 KS)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hanmi-pharm-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12476:1" rel="noopener">Hanmi Pharm (128940 KS)</a> while shorts decreased on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/samsung-electronics-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:191:1" rel="noopener">Samsung Electronics (005930 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sk-hynix-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16955:1" rel="noopener">SK Hynix (000660 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/naver-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16029:1" rel="noopener">Naver Corp (035420 KS)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hana-tour-service-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:4852:1" rel="noopener">Hana Tour Service (039130 KS)</a>. </p></div><div><p>Stocks in Taiwan that saw the highest increase in shorts were <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pegatron-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12852:1" rel="noopener">Pegatron Corp (4938 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yageo-corporation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13212:1" rel="noopener">Yageo Corporation (2327 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/largan-precision-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9126:1" rel="noopener">Largan Precision (3008 TT)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/united-microelectronics-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6450:1" rel="noopener">United Microelectronics Corp (2303 TT)</a> while shorts were covered on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/unimicron-technology-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18778:1" rel="noopener">Unimicron Technology (3037 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/taiwan-semiconductor-manufacturing-company" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11230:1" rel="noopener">TSMC (2330 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alchip-technologies-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20219:1" rel="noopener">Alchip Technologies (3661 TT)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/winbond-electronics-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9177:1" rel="noopener">Winbond Electronics (2344 TT)</a>.</p></div>

The Asia Short Interest weekly looks at moves in market wide short interest and highlights movements in stock specific short interest across Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Taiwan using the last available data published by the relevant authorities.Hong Kong saw shorts rise on Ping An Insurance (H) (2318 HK), Kuaishou Technology (1024 HK), BYD (1211 HK), China Merchants Bank H (3968 HK) and Lenovo (992 HK) while there was short covering on Tencent Holdings (700 HK), NetEase (9999 HK), Meituan (3690 HK), AIA Group Ltd (1299 HK) and Galaxy Entertainment Group (27 HK). Shorts increased on Financials, Information Technology and Real Estate, while decreasing on Communication Services, Consumer Discretionary and Health Care.In Japan, stocks that saw the most shorts were Pan Pacific International Holdings (7532 JP), Sharp Corp (6753 JP), Resona Holdings (8308 JP) and Toyo Tire Corporation (5105 JP) while shorts decreased on Itochu Corp (8001 JP), Casio Computer (6952 JP), Toshiba Corp (6502 JP) and Monex Group Inc (8698 JP). Sectorally, shorts increased marginally in Consumer Discretionary, Financials and Materials, and decreased in Industrials.In Korea, short increased on Hyundai Motor Co (005380 KS), Celltrion Inc (068270 KS) and Hanmi Pharm (128940 KS) while shorts decreased on Samsung Electronics (005930 KS), SK Hynix (000660 KS), Naver Corp (035420 KS) and Hana Tour Service (039130 KS). Stocks in Taiwan that saw the highest increase in shorts were Pegatron Corp (4938 TT), Yageo Corporation (2327 TT), Largan Precision (3008 TT) and United Microelectronics Corp (2303 TT) while shorts were covered on Unimicron Technology (3037 TT), TSMC (2330 TT), Alchip Technologies (3661 TT) and Winbond Electronics (2344 TT).

Asia Short Interest: Kuaishou, BYD, Galaxy, Sharp, Resona, Toshiba, Celltrion, Naver, Pegatron, TSMC

<p>Four weeks ago, I gave the warning that H/A spreads had moved tighter - too far too fast. The next week, spreads widened, they bounced back with a vengeance, then slightly wider in the short week at the start of Chinese New Year, and bouncing back in the post-CNY week.</p><p>In the two weeks from before to after Chinese New Year, the average sector spread moved about 70bp tighter, but the average spread moved only 42bp tighter.</p><table class="table table-striped"><tbody>
<tr>
<td><p>Sector</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"><p>Last<br>Week</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"><p>Previous<br>Week</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"><p>3wks<br>Ago</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"><p>4wks<br>Ago</p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><p>Consumer</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"><p>-  1.20%</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"><p>+ 2.55%</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"><p>+ 2.32%</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"><p>-  2.62%</p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><p>Energy</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"><p>+ 1.43%</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"><p>-  1.64%</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"><p>+ 1.98%</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"><p>-  0.59%</p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><p>Financials &amp; Real Estate</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"><p>+ 0.10%</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"><p>+ 0.29%</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"><p>+ 0.62%</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"><p>-  1.73%</p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><p>Health Care &amp; Info Tech</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"><p>+ 1.45%</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"><p>-  1.52%</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"><p>+ 2.29%</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"><p>-  0.27%</p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><p>Industrials</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"><p>+ 0.26%</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"><p>-  0.62%</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"><p>+ 2.48%</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"><p>-  1.30%</p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><p>Materials</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"><p>+ 3.08%</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"><p>-  0.57%</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"><p>+ 2.66%</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"><p>-  0.95%</p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><p>Utilities</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"><p>+ 0.99%</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"><p>+ 0.25%</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"><p>+ 1.06%</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"><p>-  2.45%</p></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><p>Sector Average</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"><p>+ 0.87%</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"><p>-  0.18%</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"><p>+ 1.92%</p></td>
<td style="text-align: right;"><p>-  1.41%</p></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table><p>This week, the data is a bit cut short as the China Securities Depository and Clearing has not reported Southbound position data since the 10th as far as I can tell. </p><div class="content-highlight"><p>There were 75 recommendations last week.  The 32 short recommendations lost an average of 48bp, slightly underperforming the market as a whole. The 43 long recommendations averaged gains of 50bp over the two weeks, outperforming the market as a whole. The combined total package was up 0.084% over the two weeks. </p></div><div><div><h3>The H/A Spread Market</h3></div></div><div>
<p>The past two weeks straddling Chinese New Year saw mixed movement in H/A spreads, with 63 of 98 liquid spreads (64%) narrowing an average of 42bp. They are on average 92bp tighter over four weeks. </p>
<section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/189/832/original/Screenshot+2021-02-20+at+5.17.17+PM.png?1613812651" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="189832"></figure></section><hr>
</div><div><div><h3>Consumer Sector</h3></div></div><div>
<p>The first sector discussed is Consumer, where liquid H/A spreads narrowed on average 1.35% over the two weeks, but with some bumpiness. </p>
<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/byd-co-ltd-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20962:1" rel="noopener">BYD (1211 HK)</a> saw its spread move 3.1% wider over the two weeks and is now 7.1% wider over four weeks and it is no longer the narrowest liquid H/A spread in the sector, with <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fuyao-glass-industry-group-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:330:1" rel="noopener">Fuyao Glass Industry Group (3606 HK)</a> taking its place moving 2.4% in the two weeks and 10.7% in four.</p>
</div><div class="content-highlight">
<p>Two weeks ago, I recommended staying long the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/great-wall-motor-co-ltd-cb302af9-398c-4d2d-ba39-023e43287eef" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:128:1" rel="noopener">Great Wall Motor (2333 HK)</a>, and short <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/byd-co-ltd-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20962:1" rel="noopener">BYD (1211 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hisense-home-appliances-group-co-ltd-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20107:1" rel="noopener">Hisense Home Appliances Group Co., Ltd. H (921 HK)</a>, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fuyao-glass-industry-group-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:330:1" rel="noopener">Fuyao Glass Industry Group (3606 HK)</a> H vs A. </p>
<p>Those four trades gained an average of 1.67% in spread terms on the week.</p>
</div><section class="figure"><figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/189/833/original/Screenshot+2021-02-20+at+5.28.45+PM.png?1613813350" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="189833"></figure></section><p>For this week's recommendations on Consumer, and discussion of the Energy, Financials &amp; Real Estate, Health Care, Tech, Industrials, Materials, and Utilities sectors, and all trade recommendations, please read on.</p>

Four weeks ago, I gave the warning that H/A spreads had moved tighter - too far too fast. The next week, spreads widened, they bounced back with a vengeance, then slightly wider in the short week at the start of Chinese New Year, and bouncing back in the post-CNY week.In the two weeks from before to after Chinese New Year, the average sector spread moved about 70bp tighter, but the average spread moved only 42bp tighter.

Sector
Last Week
Previous Week
3wks Ago
4wks Ago


Consumer
-  1.20%
+ 2.55%
+ 2.32%
-  2.62%


Energy
+ 1.43%
-  1.64%
+ 1.98%
-  0.59%


Financials &amp; Real Estate
+ 0.10%
+ 0.29%
+ 0.62%
-  1.73%


Health Care &amp; Info Tech
+ 1.45%
-  1.52%
+ 2.29%
-  0.27%


Industrials
+ 0.26%
-  0.62%
+ 2.48%
-  1.30%


Materials
+ 3.08%
-  0.57%
+ 2.66%
-  0.95%


Utilities
+ 0.99%
+ 0.25%
+ 1.06%
-  2.45%


Sector Average
+ 0.87%
-  0.18%
+ 1.92%
-  1.41%

This week, the data is a bit cut short as the China Securities Depository and Clearing has not reported Southbound position data since the 10th as far as I can tell. There were 75 recommendations last week.  The 32 short recommendations lost an average of 48bp, slightly underperforming the market as a whole. The 43 long recommendations averaged gains of 50bp over the two weeks, outperforming the market as a whole. The combined total package was up 0.084% over the two weeks. The H/A Spread Market
The past two weeks straddling Chinese New Year saw mixed movement in H/A spreads, with 63 of 98 liquid spreads (64%) narrowing an average of 42bp. They are on average 92bp tighter over four weeks. 

Consumer Sector
The first sector discussed is Consumer, where liquid H/A spreads narrowed on average 1.35% over the two weeks, but with some bumpiness. 
BYD (1211 HK) saw its spread move 3.1% wider over the two weeks and is now 7.1% wider over four weeks and it is no longer the narrowest liquid H/A spread in the sector, with Fuyao Glass Industry Group (3606 HK) taking its place moving 2.4% in the two weeks and 10.7% in four.

Two weeks ago, I recommended staying long the Great Wall Motor (2333 HK), and short BYD (1211 HK), Hisense Home Appliances Group Co., Ltd. H (921 HK), and Fuyao Glass Industry Group (3606 HK) H vs A. 
Those four trades gained an average of 1.67% in spread terms on the week.
For this week's recommendations on Consumer, and discussion of the Energy, Financials &amp; Real Estate, Health Care, Tech, Industrials, Materials, and Utilities sectors, and all trade recommendations, please read on.

Quiddity Weekly H/A: High Volatility in Materials and Industrials and Spreads Over Lunar New Year

China

China Merchants Bank Co., Ltd. operates as a commercial bank. The Company provides deposits, loans, wealth management, asset custody, finance leasing, investment banking, and other banking services. China Merchants Bank conducts businesses domestically and internationally.

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China Merchants Bank A (600036 CH)

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