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

Sberbank of Russia PJSC / Equity Bottom-Up

*Russia Military Raises Threat Level: After years of an uneasy stalemate, Russia’s Southern Military Theater recently concluded major exercises in March. Despite their conclusion, 3-4 thousand Russian troops allegedly remain just 30 miles from Ukraine's southern border. On March 27th, Russia indicated its displeasure with the lack of progress on ceasefire negotiations while the Ukrainian Parliament announced that the July ceasefire had broken down with continued skirmishes and border incursions;  *Ukranian Bank Already Under Pressure: SberBank of Russia PJSC (SBER.RM) [Sberbank] has been operating its wholly-owned Ukraine subsidiary, AO Sberbank (AO), since 2007. AO has been operating profitably following improved cost efficiencies and lowered loss provisions despite being constrained by a high level of problem loans and exposure to COVID-19 affected sectors. Further, AO, along with most other Ukranian banks, has substantial government bond holdings whose ratings are already challenged; and   * New Sanctions Likely Coming: We would any new additional sanctions to include: the Nord Stream II Pipeline, which is close to allowing the transshipment of natural gas under the Baltic Sea to Germany (bypassing Ukraine); further sanctions on the Russian financial sector which could exacerbate problems for the already challenged AO; and a ban on Russian sovereign debt as an investment.

*Russia Military Raises Threat Level: After years of an uneasy stalemate, Russia’s Southern Military Theater recently concluded major exercises in March. Despite their conclusion, 3-4 thousand Russian troops allegedly remain just 30 miles from Ukraine's southern border. On March 27th, Russia indicated its displeasure with the lack of progress on ceasefire negotiations while the Ukrainian Parliament announced that the July ceasefire had broken down with continued skirmishes and border incursions;  *Ukranian Bank Already Under Pressure: SberBank of Russia PJSC (SBER.RM) [Sberbank] has been operating its wholly-owned Ukraine subsidiary, AO Sberbank (AO), since 2007. AO has been operating profitably following improved cost efficiencies and lowered loss provisions despite being constrained by a high level of problem loans and exposure to COVID-19 affected sectors. Further, AO, along with most other Ukranian banks, has substantial government bond holdings whose ratings are already challenged; and   * New Sanctions Likely Coming: We would any new additional sanctions to include: the Nord Stream II Pipeline, which is close to allowing the transshipment of natural gas under the Baltic Sea to Germany (bypassing Ukraine); further sanctions on the Russian financial sector which could exacerbate problems for the already challenged AO; and a ban on Russian sovereign debt as an investment.  

Sberbank of Russia – Ukraine Risks Rising

*Taking It On The Chin…Again:Having finally seen enough of this feckless global investment bank, S&amp;P Global Ratings has finally come around (took you long enough) and downgraded its outlook on all Credit Suisse entities to negative from stable. Putting S&amp;P over the edge was Credit Suisse’ exposure to Archegos Capital Management (Archegos) share liquidation as a result of margin calls whereby the bank is amongst the most exposed;  and*Ratings Agency Concerns: While Credit Suisse seems to be in competition with Deutsche Bank (DBK.GY) as the world’s most poorly managed bank, we find it incredulous that its actually S&amp;P calling out Credit Suisse for risk management. There are too many market participants have very little discipline, and to make matters worse, central banks have been all too happy to remove the moral hazard involved with excessive risk taking. In our view, the credit ratings agency model is permanently broken as waterfall risks in various corporates, rated pools and tranches have become increasingly significant with the markets unable to self-regulate and regulators either unable to regulate (or told not to regulate).

*Taking It On The Chin…Again:Having finally seen enough of this feckless global investment bank, S&amp;P Global Ratings has finally come around (took you long enough) and downgraded its outlook on all Credit Suisse entities to negative from stable. Putting S&amp;P over the edge was Credit Suisse’ exposure to Archegos Capital Management (Archegos) share liquidation as a result of margin calls whereby the bank is amongst the most exposed;  and*Ratings Agency Concerns: While Credit Suisse seems to be in competition with Deutsche Bank (DBK.GY) as the world’s most poorly managed bank, we find it incredulous that its actually S&amp;P calling out Credit Suisse for risk management. There are too many market participants have very little discipline, and to make matters worse, central banks have been all too happy to remove the moral hazard involved with excessive risk taking. In our view, the credit ratings agency model is permanently broken as waterfall risks in various corporates, rated pools and tranches have become increasingly significant with the markets unable to self-regulate and regulators either unable to regulate (or told not to regulate). 

Credit Suisse Group – Hit Parade Continues

Research and consultancy, Tabbush Report

Daniel Tabbush

Research and consultancy

Tabbush Report

We provide research and consultancy on Asian banks. Our focus is on what we call “Asian bank research, without the noise.” We are interested in the most critical swing-factors for banks, the NPL and credit cycle, and where we believe there is a gap between perception and reality. We often focus on the less studied components of bank financial statements.  Our research is highly thematic, sometimes examining unlisted banks and companies as a window on mainstream banks. 

Being independent allows us to look at smaller banks, often overlooked by others. Analysis of BIS bank guidelines in the context of Asia, is also a focal point, while we also analyze global banks operating in the region. We use what we believe is the most comprehensive, reliable financials database, SNL Financial. S&P Capital IQ augments our database, with corporate data and CEIC, with economics. 

Asian bank research, without the noise.

The giant German bank indicates that the quarter will be strong, that analysts’ estimates are far too high on credit costs and that investment banking income will be up sharply. The quarter can be a blow out in profit terms, potentially setting the tone for how analysts view banks in the year.

The giant German bank indicates that the quarter will be strong, that analysts’ estimates are far too high on credit costs and that investment banking income will be up sharply. The quarter can be a blow out in profit terms, potentially setting the tone for how analysts view banks in the year. 

Deutsche Bank – Blow Out First Quarter, A Harbinger For Others?

Asian Equities Analyst, Logistics & Transport, Tracking Traffic

Daniel Hellberg

Asian Equities Analyst, Logistics & Transport

Tracking Traffic

Focusing on Asian logistics, transportation, and travel companies

Equity Capital Markets

ZIM Integrated Shipping Services / Equity Capital Markets

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Israel's ZIM Integrated Shipping Services (proposed ticker ZIM US) has filed documents to launch an IPO in the US. Media reports have speculated the container shipping company hopes to raise at least US$100 mn in the deal; some reports say ZIM could try to raise US$300 mn or more.
The objective of this note is to provide some context for the company and the global container shipping industry. After all, it has been over two decades since a global container ship operator has traded in the US (<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/matson-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6335:1" rel="noopener">Matson Inc (MATX US)</a> focuses on niche domestic US markets, generally).
ZIM is a small player in global container shipping, and contrary to its claims the company mainly operates in highly competitive segments. Its "asset-light" model is unusual, but it represents a double-edged sword: chartering in the majority of its capacity offers flexibility, but it also means operating costs may rise in tandem with freight rates over the cycle, limiting margin expansion. 
Fortunately, Europe and Asia offer several direct comps for ZIM, including <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ap-moeller-maersk-a-s" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22428:1" rel="noopener">AP Moeller - Maersk A/S (MAERSKB DC)</a> of Denmark and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/evergreen-marine-corp-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15428:1" rel="noopener">Evergreen Marine Corp (2603 TT)</a> of Taiwan. These two companies -- both of them far larger than ZIM, and more profitable over the cycle -- will serve as useful benchmarks once ZIM and its bankers announce details regarding deal size and pricing.




Israel's ZIM Integrated Shipping Services (proposed ticker ZIM US) has filed documents to launch an IPO in the US. Media reports have speculated the container shipping company hopes to raise at least US$100 mn in the deal; some reports say ZIM could try to raise US$300 mn or more.
The objective of this note is to provide some context for the company and the global container shipping industry. After all, it has been over two decades since a global container ship operator has traded in the US (Matson Inc (MATX US) focuses on niche domestic US markets, generally).
ZIM is a small player in global container shipping, and contrary to its claims the company mainly operates in highly competitive segments. Its "asset-light" model is unusual, but it represents a double-edged sword: chartering in the majority of its capacity offers flexibility, but it also means operating costs may rise in tandem with freight rates over the cycle, limiting margin expansion. 
Fortunately, Europe and Asia offer several direct comps for ZIM, including AP Moeller - Maersk A/S (MAERSKB DC) of Denmark and Evergreen Marine Corp (2603 TT) of Taiwan. These two companies -- both of them far larger than ZIM, and more profitable over the cycle -- will serve as useful benchmarks once ZIM and its bankers announce details regarding deal size and pricing. 

Planned ZIM IPO: Opportunistic Listing Near Cycle Peak for Minor Industry Player

Financials Credit Analyst

Hank Calenti, CFA

CreditContinuum

Credit

Potential returns from investing along <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hsbc-holdings-plc-a723bd63-0890-486f-aaa0-3bb9ad2b95ce" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:21976:1" rel="noopener">HSBC Holdings (HSBA LN)</a> Additional Tier 1 (AT1) curve vary considerably between its Euro, Sterling, Singapore- and US- dollar bonds; however, this difference is not entirely driven by the choice of currency. The Singapore-dollar denominated securities offer the highest yield-to-call at current price levels; however, the question is whether you will get what you pay for in yield terms.At the other end of the yield spectrum, HSBC’s Euro-denominated AT1 securities offer significantly less yield-to-call. The question here is whether HSBC’s credit risk is appropriately priced in these securities.Yields available on the Sterling and US dollar denominated securities are somewhere between that available on the Singapore-dollar and Euro-denominated bonds, and they generally trend upwards over time. However, that does not necessarily equate with value for money.We examine these securities from a credit and extension risk perspective towards determining which bonds may ultimately provide a higher return over time.

Potential returns from investing along HSBC Holdings (HSBA LN) Additional Tier 1 (AT1) curve vary considerably between its Euro, Sterling, Singapore- and US- dollar bonds; however, this difference is not entirely driven by the choice of currency. The Singapore-dollar denominated securities offer the highest yield-to-call at current price levels; however, the question is whether you will get what you pay for in yield terms.At the other end of the yield spectrum, HSBC’s Euro-denominated AT1 securities offer significantly less yield-to-call. The question here is whether HSBC’s credit risk is appropriately priced in these securities.Yields available on the Sterling and US dollar denominated securities are somewhere between that available on the Singapore-dollar and Euro-denominated bonds, and they generally trend upwards over time. However, that does not necessarily equate with value for money.We examine these securities from a credit and extension risk perspective towards determining which bonds may ultimately provide a higher return over time.

HSBC’s AT1 Curve: Where Is the Cross-Currency Value?

United Kingdom

Deutsche Bank AG is a global financial service provider delivering commercial, investment, private, and retail banking. The Bank offers debt, foreign exchange, derivatives, commodities, money markets, repo and securitization, cash equities, research, equity prime services, loans, convertibles, advice on M&A and IPO's, trade finance, retail banking, asset management, and corporate investments.

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Deutsche Bank AG (DBK1 LI)

Sberbank of Russia – Ukraine Risks Rising

SBERBANK: After an uneasy stalemate, Russia recently concluded major exercises. Ceasefire negotiations have broken down. SberBank's Ukraine...

Thomas J. Monaco

Credit Suisse Group – Hit Parade Continues

CREDIT SUISSE GROUP: S&P Global Ratings has finally downgraded its outlook on all Credit Suisse entities to negative resultant over its exposure to...

Thomas J. Monaco

Deutsche Bank – Blow Out First Quarter, A Harbinger For Others?

1Q21 profit can be a blow out setting the tone for other banks. The bank's comments suggest that investment banking revenue and credit costs will...

Daniel Tabbush

Planned ZIM IPO: Opportunistic Listing Near Cycle Peak for Minor Industry Player

ZIM is pursuing an IPO in the US as the container shipping cycle is approaching a peak. In this note we attempt to give investors context that...

Tracking Traffic

HSBC’s AT1 Curve: Where Is the Cross-Currency Value?

Potential returns from investing along HSBC’s Additional Tier 1 curve vary considerably between its Euro, Sterling, Singapore- and US- dollar...

Hank Calenti, CFA

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