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

China Pacific Insurance / Equity Bottom-Up

*Weak 2H20 Results: China Pacific Insurance (2601.HK) (CPIC) reported full year 2020 results of CNY 31.1 bn, increasing CNY 3.2 bn (11.5%) YOY. On a HOH basis, however, CPIC’s results continue to exhibit challenges as 2H20 results declined CNY 3.7 bn (21.3%) – amounting to just CNY 13.7 bn. Profitability was hurt by both the Life and P&amp;C units; and*Get A Life: During 2H20, first year premium (FYP) agent per month declined by 48.6% HOH to CNY 1,648 due largely to CPIC relying on online channels to conduct new sales during the COVID-19 outbreak along with expanded the short-term policy sales. In addition, CPIC Life appears to have culled its salesforce over the period to 17,000 (2.2%) which now will impact future VONB. Life VONB declined 41.1%, largely as expected, due to COVID-19 volume drop and a VONB margin decline of 10%.

*Weak 2H20 Results: China Pacific Insurance (2601.HK) (CPIC) reported full year 2020 results of CNY 31.1 bn, increasing CNY 3.2 bn (11.5%) YOY. On a HOH basis, however, CPIC’s results continue to exhibit challenges as 2H20 results declined CNY 3.7 bn (21.3%) – amounting to just CNY 13.7 bn. Profitability was hurt by both the Life and P&amp;C units; and*Get A Life: During 2H20, first year premium (FYP) agent per month declined by 48.6% HOH to CNY 1,648 due largely to CPIC relying on online channels to conduct new sales during the COVID-19 outbreak along with expanded the short-term policy sales. In addition, CPIC Life appears to have culled its salesforce over the period to 17,000 (2.2%) which now will impact future VONB. Life VONB declined 41.1%, largely as expected, due to COVID-19 volume drop and a VONB margin decline of 10%.  

China Pacific Insurance – No Sign Of Life

ZhongAn Online P&C Insurance C / Equity Bottom-Up

*First Year Of Profitability: ZhongAn Online P&amp;C Insurance (6060.HK) [ZhongAn] reported full year 2020 bottom-line results of CNY 554 mn, an increase of CNY 1.0 bn over losses of CNY 454 mn in 2019. Much of the turnaround in what amounts to ZhongAn’s first year of profitability can be attributed to the YOY volume growth in net earned premium of CNY 3.4 bn (26.7%) to CNY 16.7 bn; and *Credit Insurance &amp; Investment Concerns: The YOY combined ratio improvement of 10.8% to 102.5%, in pur view, is due largely to the improvement in credit insurance whose loss ratio declined from 97% in 2019 to 63%. We have a difficult time believing that little old ZhongAn has figured out the secret sauce to credit insurance risk. With value challenges ahead in ZhongAn’s illiquid securities portfolio (Challenged Tier 2/3 bank negotiable CDs and alternatives) and the CBIRC’s enabling of insurers to increase their concentration in equities, we question solvency margins and future ZhongAn dividends.

*First Year Of Profitability: ZhongAn Online P&amp;C Insurance (6060.HK) [ZhongAn] reported full year 2020 bottom-line results of CNY 554 mn, an increase of CNY 1.0 bn over losses of CNY 454 mn in 2019. Much of the turnaround in what amounts to ZhongAn’s first year of profitability can be attributed to the YOY volume growth in net earned premium of CNY 3.4 bn (26.7%) to CNY 16.7 bn; and *Credit Insurance &amp; Investment Concerns: The YOY combined ratio improvement of 10.8% to 102.5%, in pur view, is due largely to the improvement in credit insurance whose loss ratio declined from 97% in 2019 to 63%. We have a difficult time believing that little old ZhongAn has figured out the secret sauce to credit insurance risk. With value challenges ahead in ZhongAn’s illiquid securities portfolio (Challenged Tier 2/3 bank negotiable CDs and alternatives) and the CBIRC’s enabling of insurers to increase their concentration in equities, we question solvency margins and future ZhongAn dividends.

ZhongAn Online P&C Insurance – Don’t Believe The Hype

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

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

Quantitative Analysis

<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.</div><div>Hong Kong saw shorts rise on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/xinyi-solar-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:318:1" rel="noopener">Xinyi Solar Holdings (968 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lenovo-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13359:1" rel="noopener">Lenovo (992 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jd-health-international-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29677:1" rel="noopener">JD Health (6618 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> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alibaba-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28434:1" rel="noopener">Alibaba Group (9988 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/xiaomi-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24409:1" rel="noopener">Xiaomi Corp (1810 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-pacific-insurance-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6177:1" rel="noopener">China Pacific Insurance (2601 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sunny-optical-tech" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13363:1" rel="noopener">Sunny Optical (2382 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/cspc-pharmaceutical-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:229:1" rel="noopener">CSPC Pharmaceutical Group (1093 HK)</a>. Shorts increased in Consumer Discretionary, Consumer Staples, Health Care and Information Technology, while shorts decreased in Communication Services, Financials, Real Estate and Industrials.</div><div>In Japan, stocks that saw the most shorts were <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/eneos-holdings-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:638:1" rel="noopener">ENEOS Holdings (5020 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mitsubishi-ufj-financial-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:218:1" rel="noopener">Mitsubishi UFJ Financial (MUFG) (8306 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>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mitsubishi-ufj-lease-finance" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1467:1" rel="noopener">Mitsubishi UFJ Lease &amp; Finance (8593 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nsk-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6309:1" rel="noopener">NSK Ltd (6471 JP)</a> while shorts decreased on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/toshiba-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:637:1" rel="noopener">Toshiba Corp (6502 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/asics-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16287:1" rel="noopener">ASICS Corp (7936 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/haseko-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:748:1" rel="noopener">Haseko Corp (1808 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/cyberagent-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8197:1" rel="noopener">CyberAgent Inc (4751 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/idemitsu-kosan-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:109:1" rel="noopener">Idemitsu Kosan (5019 JP)</a>. Shorts increased in Financials, Energy, Health Care and Information Technology sectors, and decreased in the Industrials sector.</div><div>In Korea, short increased on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/amorepacific-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20854:1" rel="noopener">Amorepacific Corp (090430 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/korea-united-pharm-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5207:1" rel="noopener">Korea United Pharm (033270 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lg-chem-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3583:1" rel="noopener">LG Chem Ltd (051910 KS)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/korea-electric-power-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16:1" rel="noopener">Korea Electric Power (015760 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/doosan-infracore-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3982:1" rel="noopener">Doosan Infracore (042670 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/sk-hynix-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16955:1" rel="noopener">SK Hynix (000660 KS)</a>. </div><div>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/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/yulon-motor-company" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18249:1" rel="noopener">Yulon Motor Company (2201 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/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/yageo-corporation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13212:1" rel="noopener">Yageo Corporation (2327 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/au-optronics-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6704:1" rel="noopener">AU Optronics (2409 TT)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/acer-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15726:1" rel="noopener">Acer Inc (2353 TT)</a>. </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 Xinyi Solar Holdings (968 HK), Lenovo (992 HK), JD Health (6618 HK), BYD (1211 HK) and Alibaba Group (9988 HK) while there was short covering on Tencent Holdings (700 HK), Xiaomi Corp (1810 HK), China Pacific Insurance (2601 HK), Sunny Optical (2382 HK) and CSPC Pharmaceutical Group (1093 HK). Shorts increased in Consumer Discretionary, Consumer Staples, Health Care and Information Technology, while shorts decreased in Communication Services, Financials, Real Estate and Industrials.In Japan, stocks that saw the most shorts were ENEOS Holdings (5020 JP), Mitsubishi UFJ Financial (MUFG) (8306 JP), Resona Holdings (8308 JP), Mitsubishi UFJ Lease &amp; Finance (8593 JP) and NSK Ltd (6471 JP) while shorts decreased on Toshiba Corp (6502 JP), ASICS Corp (7936 JP), Haseko Corp (1808 JP), CyberAgent Inc (4751 JP) and Idemitsu Kosan (5019 JP). Shorts increased in Financials, Energy, Health Care and Information Technology sectors, and decreased in the Industrials sector.In Korea, short increased on Amorepacific Corp (090430 KS), Korea United Pharm (033270 KS), LG Chem Ltd (051910 KS) and Korea Electric Power (015760 KS) while shorts decreased on Samsung Electronics (005930 KS), Doosan Infracore (042670 KS), Naver Corp (035420 KS) and SK Hynix (000660 KS). Stocks in Taiwan that saw the highest increase in shorts were Pegatron Corp (4938 TT), Unimicron Technology (3037 TT), Yulon Motor Company (2201 TT) and United Microelectronics Corp (2303 TT) while shorts were covered on TSMC (2330 TT), Yageo Corporation (2327 TT), AU Optronics (2409 TT) and Acer Inc (2353 TT). 

Asia Short Interest: Xinyi Solar, Alibaba, Tencent, ENEOS, Resona, Toshiba, Samsung, TSMC, Yageo

PICC Property & Casualty H / Equity Bottom-Up

*Weaker 2H20 Results: PICC P&amp;C (2328.HK) [PICC P&amp;C] reported 2H20 earnings of CNY 7.7 bn, which declined CNY 5.5 bn or 41.7% HOH.  PICC P&amp;C reported an underwriting loss during of CNY 1.2 bn in 2H20;*Credit Insurance Remains A Trouble Spot: Credit insurance line reported the largest deterioration in underwriting results, posting a CNY 2.2 bn underwriting loss. This is most likely attributed to policies sold in 2019, in our view. Credit insurance also reported an astronomical combined ratio of 157.2%; and*Auto Enjoying Having No One On The Road: It’s unfortunate but the auto combined ratio did worsen 350 bp HOH to 98.3% - although still better than the 101.6% reported by that of Ping An P&amp;C (2318.HK).Although the combined ratio worsened, underwriting profits can be attributed to the social distancing measures implemented during 1H20, which has significantly reduced vehicle use - especially commercial vehicles (which tends to have higher claims). We view this as temporary, given how quickly mainland China is turning the page with COVID-19.

*Weaker 2H20 Results: PICC P&amp;C (2328.HK) [PICC P&amp;C] reported 2H20 earnings of CNY 7.7 bn, which declined CNY 5.5 bn or 41.7% HOH.  PICC P&amp;C reported an underwriting loss during of CNY 1.2 bn in 2H20;*Credit Insurance Remains A Trouble Spot: Credit insurance line reported the largest deterioration in underwriting results, posting a CNY 2.2 bn underwriting loss. This is most likely attributed to policies sold in 2019, in our view. Credit insurance also reported an astronomical combined ratio of 157.2%; and*Auto Enjoying Having No One On The Road: It’s unfortunate but the auto combined ratio did worsen 350 bp HOH to 98.3% - although still better than the 101.6% reported by that of Ping An P&amp;C (2318.HK).Although the combined ratio worsened, underwriting profits can be attributed to the social distancing measures implemented during 1H20, which has significantly reduced vehicle use - especially commercial vehicles (which tends to have higher claims). We view this as temporary, given how quickly mainland China is turning the page with COVID-19.   

*BEA Life Deal: In an effort to reinforce its Greater China franchise, AIA Group (1299.HK) [AIA] has entered into an agreement to purchase Bank of East Asia’s (23.HK) [BEA] wholly-owned life insurance unit, BEA Life, and entered into an exclusive 15-year bancassurance relationship with BEA for HKD 5.07 bn (USD 653 mn) covering Hong Kong and mainland China; and *Lost Focus: Acquiring a fledgling Hong Kong insurance franchise at a premium when you’re the dominant player and unemployment remains excessive, suggests that AIA is more concerned with growth metrics rather than addressing the risks that AIA is facing in mainland China, Hong Kong, and in its investment portfolio.

*BEA Life Deal: In an effort to reinforce its Greater China franchise, AIA Group (1299.HK) [AIA] has entered into an agreement to purchase Bank of East Asia’s (23.HK) [BEA] wholly-owned life insurance unit, BEA Life, and entered into an exclusive 15-year bancassurance relationship with BEA for HKD 5.07 bn (USD 653 mn) covering Hong Kong and mainland China; and *Lost Focus: Acquiring a fledgling Hong Kong insurance franchise at a premium when you’re the dominant player and unemployment remains excessive, suggests that AIA is more concerned with growth metrics rather than addressing the risks that AIA is facing in mainland China, Hong Kong, and in its investment portfolio. 

AIA Group – Confirming No Organic Growth On Horizon

China

China Pacific Insurance (Group) Company, Ltd. is an integrated insurance services provider. The Company offers life and property insurance products through its subsidiaries.

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China Pacific Insurance (2601 HK)

China Pacific Insurance – No Sign Of Life

CHINA PACIFIC INSURANCE: CPIC HOH results continue to exhibit challenges, declining 21.3%. Profitability was hurt by both the Life and P&C units.

Thomas J. Monaco

ZhongAn Online P&C Insurance – Don’t Believe The Hype

ZHONGAN ONLINE P&C INSURANCE: ZhongAn reported full year 2020 bottom-line results of CNY 554 mn. We have a difficult time believing that ZhongAn...

Thomas J. Monaco

Asia Short Interest: Xinyi Solar, Alibaba, Tencent, ENEOS, Resona, Toshiba, Samsung, TSMC, Yageo

The Insight looks at large short interest movements across HK, Japan, Korea and Taiwan stocks and highlights large increases/decreases in shorts to...

Brian Freitas

PICC P&C – Poor Overall Results

PICC P&C: PICC P&C reported a 2H20 earnings decline 41.7% HOH. Credit insurance remains a trouble spot while auto is enjoying a temporary COVID...

Thomas J. Monaco

AIA Group – Confirming No Organic Growth On Horizon

AIA GROUP: AIA entered into an agreement to acquire BEA Life, and entered into a bancassurance relationship with BEA. Acquiring a fledgling Hong...

Thomas J. Monaco

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