Head of Research, IPOs & Placements, Aequitas Research

Sumeet Singh

Head of Research, IPOs & Placements

IPOs and Placements coverage across Asia Pacific

Aequitas Research

We cover all listing across the Asia Pacific along with follow-up placements. As of Dec 2020, our team had covered 539 IPOs with a hit rate of 73.5% and 685 placements with a hit rate of 66.8%.

We combine fundamental bottom-up views with our proprietary quantitative framework to provide a holistic coverage across new listings and placements. Our coverage includes pre-IPO notes before the deal is launched, follow-up analysis once the deal is live and post-listing trading analysis as well.

Equity Capital Markets

Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC / Equity Capital Markets

Aditya Birla Sun Life Asset Management Company’s (ABSL) shareholders aim to raise around US$369m via reducing their stake in the company’s Indian IPO. ABSL is the largest non-bank affiliated asset management company (AMC) in India by quarterly average assets under management (QAAUM) and the fourth largest AMC in India. according to CRISIL.ABSL managed total AUM of INR2.9tn across mutual funds, portfolio management services, offshore and real estate offerings, as of Jun 21.ABSL enjoys a strong brand name in the country. However, unlike other AMC’s it lacks a strong parent, i.e. a bank for it to piggyback on its network. Therefore, the company has lagged its larger peers in terms of equity AUM exposure, which flows down to it having lower profitability as well.We have covered various aspects of the deal in our previous note, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/aditya-birla-sun-life-amc-pre-ipo-strong-profit-growth-but-it-s-losing-market-share" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC Pre-IPO - Strong profit growth but it’s losing market share</a>.In this note, we will talk about valuations.

Aditya Birla Sun Life Asset Management Company’s (ABSL) shareholders aim to raise around US$369m via reducing their stake in the company’s Indian IPO. ABSL is the largest non-bank affiliated asset management company (AMC) in India by quarterly average assets under management (QAAUM) and the fourth largest AMC in India. according to CRISIL.ABSL managed total AUM of INR2.9tn across mutual funds, portfolio management services, offshore and real estate offerings, as of Jun 21.ABSL enjoys a strong brand name in the country. However, unlike other AMC’s it lacks a strong parent, i.e. a bank for it to piggyback on its network. Therefore, the company has lagged its larger peers in terms of equity AUM exposure, which flows down to it having lower profitability as well.We have covered various aspects of the deal in our previous note, Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC Pre-IPO - Strong profit growth but it’s losing market share.In this note, we will talk about valuations.  

Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC IPO - At a Slight Discount but There’s No Compelling Reason to Buy

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

*No Substance: HDFC Bank (HDFCB.IN) [HDFCB] provided an investor update for FY 1Q22 ahead of its official scheduled July 17, 2021 earnings release. Many of the highlights related to growth of lending and deposits; and*Where Have All The Flowers Gone: Nothing was discussed regarding HDFCB’s abysmal credit quality nor its quite suspect insider transaction with HDFC ERGO General Insurance (ERGO). For FY 4Q21, net new NPLs actually increased INR 49.2 bn or 130.4% on an annualized basis which is quite worrisome.  We would also be more comfortable if HDFCB was a bit more aggressive with its provisions. By our calculation, reserves are currently short by nearly INR 242 bn or nearly a half year of core operating results.

*No Substance: HDFC Bank (HDFCB.IN) [HDFCB] provided an investor update for FY 1Q22 ahead of its official scheduled July 17, 2021 earnings release. Many of the highlights related to growth of lending and deposits; and*Where Have All The Flowers Gone: Nothing was discussed regarding HDFCB’s abysmal credit quality nor its quite suspect insider transaction with HDFC ERGO General Insurance (ERGO). For FY 4Q21, net new NPLs actually increased INR 49.2 bn or 130.4% on an annualized basis which is quite worrisome.  We would also be more comfortable if HDFCB was a bit more aggressive with its provisions. By our calculation, reserves are currently short by nearly INR 242 bn or nearly a half year of core operating results. 

*KC And The Mark Up Band At It Again: HDFC Bank’s (HDFCB.IN) [HDFCB] and HDFC Ltd’s (HDFC.IN) [HDFC] Boards of Directors each approved HDFCB’s purchase of a 4.99% stake in HDFC ERGO General Insurance (ERGO) in a related party transaction at a purchase price of INR 19.1 bn. HDFC’s stake in ERGO on closing will decline to 44.9%, and a gain of INR 16.0 bn will be booked; and*A Stretch: No doubt that HDFC likely will use these one-time gains to boost loss provisioning efforts. Nevertheless, this ERGO deal could ultimately pave the way for an even greater alignment of interests between HDFCB, HDFC, and HDFC Life.

*KC And The Mark Up Band At It Again: HDFC Bank’s (HDFCB.IN) [HDFCB] and HDFC Ltd’s (HDFC.IN) [HDFC] Boards of Directors each approved HDFCB’s purchase of a 4.99% stake in HDFC ERGO General Insurance (ERGO) in a related party transaction at a purchase price of INR 19.1 bn. HDFC’s stake in ERGO on closing will decline to 44.9%, and a gain of INR 16.0 bn will be booked; and*A Stretch: No doubt that HDFC likely will use these one-time gains to boost loss provisioning efforts. Nevertheless, this ERGO deal could ultimately pave the way for an even greater alignment of interests between HDFCB, HDFC, and HDFC Life.

Consumer Analyst / Channel Surveillance Specialist, Trudence Capital Advisors

Pranav Bhavsar

Consumer Analyst / Channel Surveillance Specialist

Trudence Capital Advisors

Trudence Capital Advisors Private Limited is a SEBI-registered Research Analyst, holding SEBI registration number INH000015747. Our firm is dedicated to providing independent and unbiased research on Indian mid to large-cap companies. Trudence Capital is known for its counter-consensus views, with a focus on forensic research and on-ground primary investigations. Our research approach is thorough, involving detailed analysis of accounting practices and governance, alongside extensive channel checks.

Independent & Unbiased Research

We have had a bullish stance for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/titan-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12630:1" rel="noopener">Titan Co Ltd (TTAN IN)</a> for over two years now, where channel interactions led us to believe that growth may beat consensus highlighted in our insights <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/titan-co-ltd-ttan-in-channel-checks-suggest-revenue-growth-might-beat-consensus" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:26200" rel="noopener">Titan Co Ltd (TTAN IN) | Channel Checks Suggest Revenue Growth Might Beat Consensus</a> , <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/titan-ttan-in-jewellery-margins-surprise" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:36351" rel="noopener">Titan (TTAN IN) | Jewellery Margins Surprise</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/asian-jewellery-retailers-titan-vs-chow-tai-fook" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:40289" rel="noopener">Asian Jewellery Retailers | Titan Vs Chow Tai Fook</a> which was done during the pandemic.
Till now,  we expected TTAN to emerge stronger - with a higher market share as the most trusted and the safest player in the market. 
However, Q3 performance indicates that the "Strong might not be getting Stronger", with the COVID tailwinds of trust and safety fading and consensus still upgrading revenues, we believe that a potential disappointment lies ahead.

We have had a bullish stance for Titan Co Ltd (TTAN IN) for over two years now, where channel interactions led us to believe that growth may beat consensus highlighted in our insights Titan Co Ltd (TTAN IN) | Channel Checks Suggest Revenue Growth Might Beat Consensus , Titan (TTAN IN) | Jewellery Margins Surprise and Asian Jewellery Retailers | Titan Vs Chow Tai Fook which was done during the pandemic.
Till now,  we expected TTAN to emerge stronger - with a higher market share as the most trusted and the safest player in the market. 
However, Q3 performance indicates that the "Strong might not be getting Stronger", with the COVID tailwinds of trust and safety fading and consensus still upgrading revenues, we believe that a potential disappointment lies ahead. 

Titan Co Ltd (TTAN IN) | Fading Tailwinds, Potential Disappointment Lies Ahead

Edelweiss Financial Services / Equity Bottom-Up

*Negative Operating Performance: Edelweiss Financial Services (EDEL.IN) [Edelweiss] reported yet another consolidated loss of INR 630.0 mn (post minority interest) for FY 3Q21 – declining INR 69.0 mn (12.3%) linked quarter. Excluding the gain on sale of securities, Edelweiss’ core operating results were actually frightening at a loss of INR 4.9 bn – down a further INR 106 mn (2.2%) over the same period. Nothing appears to be going right for Edelweiss, with management now beginning to discuss liquidity metrics; and *Wheels Falling Off The Bus: We are significantly troubled by the enormity of the breakdown in credit, as net new NPLs, by our calculation, increased INR 2.7 bn linked quarter for an annualized rate of growth of 106% - far and away the worst showing of any Indian financial under our coverage. Given the net new NPL increase, we find that loss reserves are light to tune of INR 15.7 bn or 2.3x stated equity of INR 6.9 bn at FY 3Q21.  Negative operating losses coupled with potentially challenged liquidity, and the poor credit cushion could invite regulatory intervention.

*Negative Operating Performance: Edelweiss Financial Services (EDEL.IN) [Edelweiss] reported yet another consolidated loss of INR 630.0 mn (post minority interest) for FY 3Q21 – declining INR 69.0 mn (12.3%) linked quarter. Excluding the gain on sale of securities, Edelweiss’ core operating results were actually frightening at a loss of INR 4.9 bn – down a further INR 106 mn (2.2%) over the same period. Nothing appears to be going right for Edelweiss, with management now beginning to discuss liquidity metrics; and *Wheels Falling Off The Bus: We are significantly troubled by the enormity of the breakdown in credit, as net new NPLs, by our calculation, increased INR 2.7 bn linked quarter for an annualized rate of growth of 106% - far and away the worst showing of any Indian financial under our coverage. Given the net new NPL increase, we find that loss reserves are light to tune of INR 15.7 bn or 2.3x stated equity of INR 6.9 bn at FY 3Q21.  Negative operating losses coupled with potentially challenged liquidity, and the poor credit cushion could invite regulatory intervention. 

Edelweiss Financial Services – The Whole Package

India

HDFC Asset Management Co. Ltd. operates as an investment management firm. The Company offers portfolio management and advisory services to individuals, institutions, trusts, private funds, charitable organizations, and investment companies. HDFC Asset Management serves customers in India.

HDFC Asset Management Co Ltd (HDFCAMC IN)

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HDFC Asset Management Co Ltd (HDFCAMC IN)

Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC IPO - At a Slight Discount but There’s No Compelling Reason to Buy

Aditya Birla Sun Life Asset Management Company’s (ABSL) shareholders aim to raise around US$369m via reducing their stake in the company’s Indian IPO.

Sumeet Singh

HDFC Bank – Spigots Are Now Off

HDFC BANK: HDFCB provided an investor update for FY 1Q22 ahead of its official scheduled July 17, 2021 earnings release. Highlights related to...

Thomas J. Monaco

HDFC Bank – Inside Job

HDFC BANK: HDFCB and HDFC’s Boards HDFCB’s purchase of a 4.99% stake in HDFC ERGO in a related party transaction. HDFC’s stake in ERGO will decline...

Thomas J. Monaco

Titan Co Ltd (TTAN IN) | Fading Tailwinds, Potential Disappointment Lies Ahead

"Strong might not be getting Stronger", COVID tailwinds of trust and safety are fading, with consensus still upgrading revenues, we see a potential...

Pranav Bhavsar

Edelweiss Financial Services – The Whole Package

EDELWEISS FINANCIAL SERVICES: Edelweiss reported another loss. We are troubled by the enormity of the breakdown in credit, light loss reserves at...

Thomas J. Monaco

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