Silver Point

Thomas J. Monaco

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

<ul>
<li>
An NDR About Nothing: A competitor held a non-deal roadshow for Tencent Holdings (700.HK) [Tencent]. Management only addressed matters discussed at its challenged 3Q21 results; </li>
<li>
Elephant In The Room:Management continues to avoid any serious discussion of  mainland China’s broad restrictions on FinTech – which represents a growing 30.4% of revenue; and </li>
<li>
Stop The Spin Doctoring:No matter Tencent’s spin, a financial holding company represents significant downside risks as earnings will compress and capital requirements increase.</li>
</ul>



An NDR About Nothing: A competitor held a non-deal roadshow for Tencent Holdings (700.HK) [Tencent]. Management only addressed matters discussed at its challenged 3Q21 results; 

Elephant In The Room:Management continues to avoid any serious discussion of  mainland China’s broad restrictions on FinTech – which represents a growing 30.4% of revenue; and 

Stop The Spin Doctoring:No matter Tencent’s spin, a financial holding company represents significant downside risks as earnings will compress and capital requirements increase.


Tencent Holdings – Seinfeld-Ian Roadshow

<ul>
<li>
Better, But Off A Low Base: AIA Group's (1299.HK) [AIA] limited set of 3Q21 results, where VONB declined 3.5% on a linked quarter basis due weaker new sales volume; </li>
<li>
Many Deal Distractions:AIA has gone on a deal-making spree in 2021, announcing six separate transactions to date; and  </li>
<li>
Suffocating Hong Kong Business: AIA’s core Hong Kong business has been an unmitigated disaster during COVID-19, struggling with mainland Chinese visitors. Further, there is limited clarity on AIA’s legacy agents. </li>
</ul>



Better, But Off A Low Base: AIA Group's (1299.HK) [AIA] limited set of 3Q21 results, where VONB declined 3.5% on a linked quarter basis due weaker new sales volume; 

Many Deal Distractions:AIA has gone on a deal-making spree in 2021, announcing six separate transactions to date; and  

Suffocating Hong Kong Business: AIA’s core Hong Kong business has been an unmitigated disaster during COVID-19, struggling with mainland Chinese visitors. Further, there is limited clarity on AIA’s legacy agents. 


AIA Group – No Word On Massive Deal Risk

<ul>
<li>
USD Bond Payments Continue:  China Evergrande Group (3333.HK) [Evergrande] magically made another set of 11th hour interest payments of USD 148 mn to bondholders on Wednesday, November 10, 2021;</li>
<li>
Trial Balloon Not a Panacea: Mainland Chinese authorities hinted a readiness to loosen their grip on the issuance of CNY-denominated bonds by real estate companies; and</li>
<li>
Watch Your Bank Risk: Evergrande has already been in contact with lenders for loan extensions. Main bank, Shenjang Bank is on the verge of announcing 20% plus NPLs. </li>
</ul>



USD Bond Payments Continue:  China Evergrande Group (3333.HK) [Evergrande] magically made another set of 11th hour interest payments of USD 148 mn to bondholders on Wednesday, November 10, 2021;

Trial Balloon Not a Panacea: Mainland Chinese authorities hinted a readiness to loosen their grip on the issuance of CNY-denominated bonds by real estate companies; and

Watch Your Bank Risk: Evergrande has already been in contact with lenders for loan extensions. Main bank, Shenjang Bank is on the verge of announcing 20% plus NPLs. 


China Evergrande Group – Making Those Payments

<ul>
<li>
Results Weaker: Tencent Holdings’ (700.HK) [Tencent] 3Q21 GAAP net income declined another CNY 5.2 bn (6.7%) on a linked quarter basis. </li>
<li>
Challenges: Results were challenged by a cost of revenue increase; operating expense increase; increased losses in associates; higher impairment charges; a higher tax rate and weaker online advertising; and    </li>
<li>
Elephant In Room: China's crackdown on capital markets has rapidly expanded under the broad narrative of "financial stability". Tencent is following Alibaba in its formation of a financial holding company. </li>
</ul>



Results Weaker: Tencent Holdings’ (700.HK) [Tencent] 3Q21 GAAP net income declined another CNY 5.2 bn (6.7%) on a linked quarter basis. 

Challenges: Results were challenged by a cost of revenue increase; operating expense increase; increased losses in associates; higher impairment charges; a higher tax rate and weaker online advertising; and    

Elephant In Room: China's crackdown on capital markets has rapidly expanded under the broad narrative of "financial stability". Tencent is following Alibaba in its formation of a financial holding company. 


* New Transaction In Australia: On November 7, 2021, Link REIT (823.HK) [Link] announced a proposed acquisition of a 50% stake three shopping malls in Sydney for AUD 538 mn or HKD 3.3 bn, in a deal where it has no control of the properties;  * Limited Disclosure Raises Eyebrows: Link did not disclose the annual income on the properties, nor the projected tenant lease expiry and changes in foot traffic between pre and post COVID-19; and  *Hong Kong Pressures Are Very Apparent: This transaction so far away from Link REIT’s core competency that it speaks volumes as to where it believes its core Hong Kong retail business is heading. This doesn’t seem like smart diversification and smells more of panic leverage when one considers the thre price and location of this deal.

 * New Transaction In Australia: On November 7, 2021, Link REIT (823.HK) [Link] announced a proposed acquisition of a 50% stake three shopping malls in Sydney for AUD 538 mn or HKD 3.3 bn, in a deal where it has no control of the properties;  * Limited Disclosure Raises Eyebrows: Link did not disclose the annual income on the properties, nor the projected tenant lease expiry and changes in foot traffic between pre and post COVID-19; and  *Hong Kong Pressures Are Very Apparent: This transaction so far away from Link REIT’s core competency that it speaks volumes as to where it believes its core Hong Kong retail business is heading. This doesn’t seem like smart diversification and smells more of panic leverage when one considers the thre price and location of this deal. 

Hong Kong

CSOP FTSE China A50 ETF is an exchange-traded fund incorporated in Hong Kong. The Fund seeks to track the performance of the FTSE China A50 Index. The Fund invests most of its total assets in the equities of member companies of the FTSE China A50 Index. This is a RQFII fund.

CSOP FTSE China A50 (HKD) (2822 HK)

Tencent Holdings – Seinfeld-Ian Roadshow

TENCENT: Tencent addressed matters it had already discussed at its challenged 3Q21 results. Unfortunately there was no serious discussion of...

Thomas J. Monaco

AIA Group – No Word On Massive Deal Risk

AIA: AIA reported a limited set of 3Q21 results, where VONB declined 3.5% on a linked quarter basis due weaker new sales volume. No word on AIA's...

Thomas J. Monaco

China Evergrande Group – Making Those Payments

EVERGRANDE: Evergrande magically made another set of 11th hour interest payments of USD 148 mn to bondholders on Wednesday, November 10, 2021 -...

Thomas J. Monaco

Tencent Holdings – Increasing Risk

TENCENT: Tencent's 3Q21 GAAP net income declined 6.7% QOQ, and were challenged by increases in cost of revenue, operating expenses, losses in...

Thomas J. Monaco

Link REIT – Another Odd Deal

LINK REIT: Link announced a proposed acquisition of a 50% stake three shopping malls in Sydney for HKD 3.3 bn, in a deal where it has no control of...

Thomas J. Monaco