Alpha-Centric ESG Research

Kyle Rudden

In a recently published report (<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/cop26-u-n-climate-conference-to-address-mitigation-financing-and-carbon-pricing" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:59779" rel="noopener">COP26: U.N. Climate Conference to Address Mitigation, Financing, and Carbon Pricing</a>) I mentioned how the COP26 international climate conference (31 October to 12 November) will have far-reaching implications for global capital markets and investing.That Insight was largely about the COP26 conference itself – background, objectives, three critical agenda items with trillions of dollars at stake, and that will influence global financial markets from today (headlines coming out of the conference) through the end of this century.That report was necessary context for this Insight and others that will follow; successively deeper dives into country-specific climate action plans, and investment themes and trading ideas around the COP26 conference and climate change in general. This is the first of those follow-up reports.Herein, I present a brief overview of investment themes and angles directly linked to the three key COP26 agenda items: 1) mitigation of global warming, 2) climate finance, and 3) the development of international carbon markets and pricing mechanisms. Themes and subthemes such as:<ul>
<li>
Climate Transition: "Green" utilities, renewable energy, cleantech, electric vehicles and other areas of smart mobility, green buildings, and related. The "buy solar, sell coal" kinds of stuff.</li>
<li>
Climate Financing: Financial sector stocks poised to benefit from climate change mitigation, reduced risk from portfolio debarbonisation, and new inflows into sustainable/ESG funds.</li>
<li>
Carbon Markets: Pure-play (or close thereto) carbon capture and storage/sequestration (CCS) stocks, plus a few financial sector overlaps (e.g., related to carbon markets, futures, etc.)</li>
</ul>

In a recently published report (COP26: U.N. Climate Conference to Address Mitigation, Financing, and Carbon Pricing) I mentioned how the COP26 international climate conference (31 October to 12 November) will have far-reaching implications for global capital markets and investing.That Insight was largely about the COP26 conference itself – background, objectives, three critical agenda items with trillions of dollars at stake, and that will influence global financial markets from today (headlines coming out of the conference) through the end of this century.That report was necessary context for this Insight and others that will follow; successively deeper dives into country-specific climate action plans, and investment themes and trading ideas around the COP26 conference and climate change in general. This is the first of those follow-up reports.Herein, I present a brief overview of investment themes and angles directly linked to the three key COP26 agenda items: 1) mitigation of global warming, 2) climate finance, and 3) the development of international carbon markets and pricing mechanisms. Themes and subthemes such as:

Climate Transition: "Green" utilities, renewable energy, cleantech, electric vehicles and other areas of smart mobility, green buildings, and related. The "buy solar, sell coal" kinds of stuff.

Climate Financing: Financial sector stocks poised to benefit from climate change mitigation, reduced risk from portfolio debarbonisation, and new inflows into sustainable/ESG funds.

Carbon Markets: Pure-play (or close thereto) carbon capture and storage/sequestration (CCS) stocks, plus a few financial sector overlaps (e.g., related to carbon markets, futures, etc.)


COP26: An Overview of Investment Themes and Catalysts Related to COP26 Conference

Technical Analyst, Vermilion Research

Joe Jasper

Technical Analyst

Technical and Quantitative Research

Vermilion Research

Vermilion’s objective is to deliver timely, actionable, and unique technical research to professional investors through the application of our various technical indicators.

Our research strategists seek to highlight securities which we believe are at major inflection points, based on our various technical and quantitative indicators, and offer asymmetric risk/return profiles. Our unique research methodology, centered on relative strength, enables our strategists to deliver superior investment recommendations.

Our process begins by organizing the universe of actively traded stocks into discrete sectors, then into industry groups. We then apply our technical and quantitative tools to identify developing price trends. Once attractive trends are identified within a selected sector or group, we screen for individual stocks which we believe offer the best risk/reward profile. We provide a historical perspective that often reveals, through our long-term charts, how price patterns often repeat themselves over time.

Technical Analysis

Market dynamics remain healthy which suggests a new broad-based bull market is not far off. With that said, we are still waiting for confirmation in the form of breakouts or bullish price inflections on the broad global indexes (ACWI-US, ACWX-US, EFA-US, and EEM-US) in order to turn bullish.<ul type="disc">
<li>
Actionable Theme: Major Autos/Auto Parts. Global automobile stocks display bullish price and RS inflections with many breaking out to new highs -- add exposure... see pages 3 and 5-6.</li>
<li>
Actionable Theme: Financials. There continues to be a plethora of attractive Financial stocks globally, ranging from banks and insurance to financial services -- add exposure... see pages 4 and 6-14.</li>
</ul>

Market dynamics remain healthy which suggests a new broad-based bull market is not far off. With that said, we are still waiting for confirmation in the form of breakouts or bullish price inflections on the broad global indexes (ACWI-US, ACWX-US, EFA-US, and EEM-US) in order to turn bullish.

Actionable Theme: Major Autos/Auto Parts. Global automobile stocks display bullish price and RS inflections with many breaking out to new highs -- add exposure... see pages 3 and 5-6.

Actionable Theme: Financials. There continues to be a plethora of attractive Financial stocks globally, ranging from banks and insurance to financial services -- add exposure... see pages 4 and 6-14.


Buying Global Financials & Autos/Auto Parts

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

*Unnecessary Credit Leverage: Kotak Mahindra Bank (KMB.IN) [KMB] reported FY 2Q22 results of INR 20.3 bn, improving INR 3.9 bn (23.8%) linked quarter. Results were primarily driven by an INR 2.8 bn (39.8%) decline in loss provisions despite credit weakness; and*Credit Delta Less Intense, But Reserves Weak: By our calculation, we find that both net new stressed loans  amounted to an accelerating INR 5.5 bn at FY 2Q22 and aggregate an annualized growth rate of 26.1% - improving throughout the year. Given the weaker credit metrics and current weak reserve cover, we find that reserves at FY 2Q22 fall short by INR 61 bn - about three quarters of stated PBT.

*Unnecessary Credit Leverage: Kotak Mahindra Bank (KMB.IN) [KMB] reported FY 2Q22 results of INR 20.3 bn, improving INR 3.9 bn (23.8%) linked quarter. Results were primarily driven by an INR 2.8 bn (39.8%) decline in loss provisions despite credit weakness; and*Credit Delta Less Intense, But Reserves Weak: By our calculation, we find that both net new stressed loans  amounted to an accelerating INR 5.5 bn at FY 2Q22 and aggregate an annualized growth rate of 26.1% - improving throughout the year. Given the weaker credit metrics and current weak reserve cover, we find that reserves at FY 2Q22 fall short by INR 61 bn - about three quarters of stated PBT. 

Kotak Mahindra Bank – Watch Your Costs Too

*Solid Result, But Challenges Ahead: Bank Central Asia (BBCA.IJ) [BCA] reported 3Q21 results of IDR 8.7 tn, improving IDR 1.3 tn (17.9%) on a linked quarter basis. BCA’s positive operating performance was highlighted by a loss provision cut of 66.5%, a slightly reduced tax rate, and a modest decline in costs; and*Credit Challenges Abating: By our calculation, we find that 3Q21 net new NPLs amounted to IDR 942 bn for an annualized rate of increase of 27.2%, and comparing very favorably to the 92.4% rate in 2Q21. Despite the significant deceleration in net new NPL formation, we calculate that loss reserves are likely right where they need to be.

*Solid Result, But Challenges Ahead: Bank Central Asia (BBCA.IJ) [BCA] reported 3Q21 results of IDR 8.7 tn, improving IDR 1.3 tn (17.9%) on a linked quarter basis. BCA’s positive operating performance was highlighted by a loss provision cut of 66.5%, a slightly reduced tax rate, and a modest decline in costs; and*Credit Challenges Abating: By our calculation, we find that 3Q21 net new NPLs amounted to IDR 942 bn for an annualized rate of increase of 27.2%, and comparing very favorably to the 92.4% rate in 2Q21. Despite the significant deceleration in net new NPL formation, we calculate that loss reserves are likely right where they need to be.

Bank Central Asia – Substantial Credit Delta Improvement

*Credibility Gap Continues To Widen: LIC Housing Finance (LICHF.IN) [LIC] reported FY 2Q22 bottom-line results of INR 2.5 bn, increasing INR 945 mn (61.6%) linked quarter. Results were simply odd, and driven by a loss provision cut of nearly INR 2.0 bn (23.4%) whilst problem loans continued to modestly tick higher. The oddness, in our view, came from now zero NCOs during FY 2Q22; and*Lack Of Clarity On Credit Delta: Despite the lack of NCOs, net new NPLs at LIC still increased 2.4% annualized versus 190.3% at FY 1Q21. By our calculation, LIC management ought to think about adding another INR 144 bn to the reserve.

*Credibility Gap Continues To Widen: LIC Housing Finance (LICHF.IN) [LIC] reported FY 2Q22 bottom-line results of INR 2.5 bn, increasing INR 945 mn (61.6%) linked quarter. Results were simply odd, and driven by a loss provision cut of nearly INR 2.0 bn (23.4%) whilst problem loans continued to modestly tick higher. The oddness, in our view, came from now zero NCOs during FY 2Q22; and*Lack Of Clarity On Credit Delta: Despite the lack of NCOs, net new NPLs at LIC still increased 2.4% annualized versus 190.3% at FY 1Q21. By our calculation, LIC management ought to think about adding another INR 144 bn to the reserve.

LIC Housing Finance – No NCOs Whatsoever?

Singapore

DBS Group Holdings Limited and its subsidiaries provide a variety of financial services.  The Company offers services including mortgage financing, lease and hire purchase financing, nominee and trustee, funds management, corporate advisory and brokerage .  DBS Group also acts as the primary dealer in Singapore government securities.

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DBS (DBS SP)

Buying Global Financials & Autos/Auto Parts

Global automobile stocks display bullish price and RS inflections with many breaking out to new highs. Financials are attractive globally, ranging...

Vermilion Research

Kotak Mahindra Bank – Watch Your Costs Too

KOTAK MAHINDRA BANK: KMB reported a QOQ FY 2Q22 operating result increase of 12.1%, driven by an unnecessary 40% reduction in provisions. Stressed...

Thomas J. Monaco

Bank Central Asia – Substantial Credit Delta Improvement

BANK CENTRAL ASIA : BCA reported a 3Q21 QOQ results increase of 17.9%, driven by justifiable credit leverage. 3Q21 net new NPLs decelerated from...

Thomas J. Monaco

LIC Housing Finance – No NCOs Whatsoever?

LIC HOUSING: LIC reported a QOQ FY 2Q22 bottom-line increase of 61.6%, driven by a loss provision cut. Oddly, LIC had zero NCOs and negative loan...

Thomas J. Monaco

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52-week Range

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COP26: An Overview of Investment Themes and Catalysts Related to COP26 Conference

COP26, the climate conference happening now, will impact global capital markets. Perhaps over the next two weeks, depending on headlines, but...

Kyle Rudden

Buying Global Financials & Autos/Auto Parts

Global automobile stocks display bullish price and RS inflections with many breaking out to new highs. Financials are attractive globally, ranging...

Vermilion Research

Kotak Mahindra Bank – Watch Your Costs Too

KOTAK MAHINDRA BANK: KMB reported a QOQ FY 2Q22 operating result increase of 12.1%, driven by an unnecessary 40% reduction in provisions. Stressed...

Thomas J. Monaco

Bank Central Asia – Substantial Credit Delta Improvement

BANK CENTRAL ASIA : BCA reported a 3Q21 QOQ results increase of 17.9%, driven by justifiable credit leverage. 3Q21 net new NPLs decelerated from...

Thomas J. Monaco

LIC Housing Finance – No NCOs Whatsoever?

LIC HOUSING: LIC reported a QOQ FY 2Q22 bottom-line increase of 61.6%, driven by a loss provision cut. Oddly, LIC had zero NCOs and negative loan...

Thomas J. Monaco