Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bank-of-kyoto" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5248:1" rel="noopener">Bank of Kyoto (8369 JP)</a> has been on a relative tear recently. This is a bit surprising.  On a static equity-portfolio discount measure, it has outperformed regional banks.</li>
<li>On a static regional bank PBR basis, it has outperformed its equity portfolio and the discount to the After Tax Equity Portfolio Value (ATEPV) is the smallest in eight years.</li>
<li>Is there a sea change? There is a possibility, however remote, that domestic investor disappointment rears its voting head. That's the dream scenario. But I don't see it coming soon.</li>
</ul>



Bank of Kyoto (8369 JP) has been on a relative tear recently. This is a bit surprising.  On a static equity-portfolio discount measure, it has outperformed regional banks.
On a static regional bank PBR basis, it has outperformed its equity portfolio and the discount to the After Tax Equity Portfolio Value (ATEPV) is the smallest in eight years.
Is there a sea change? There is a possibility, however remote, that domestic investor disappointment rears its voting head. That's the dream scenario. But I don't see it coming soon.


Hokkoku Financial Holdings / Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Yesterday <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hokkoku-financial-holdings" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5110:1" rel="noopener">Hokkoku Financial Holdings (7381 JP)</a> came out with an odd decision to delay earnings from 28 April to 8 May. Volume traded. </li>
<li>Today, despite not reporting earnings, the Kanazawa-based regional bank announced a BIG buyback with subsequent share cancellation.  This was not unexpected. They have an aggressive policy which started last year.</li>
<li>Hokkoku Bank policy introduced last year is special. It has worked. They are pursuing it. Expect more policy action like this as banks report. </li>
</ul>


Yesterday Hokkoku Financial Holdings (7381 JP) came out with an odd decision to delay earnings from 28 April to 8 May. Volume traded. 
Today, despite not reporting earnings, the Kanazawa-based regional bank announced a BIG buyback with subsequent share cancellation.  This was not unexpected. They have an aggressive policy which started last year.
Hokkoku Bank policy introduced last year is special. It has worked. They are pursuing it. Expect more policy action like this as banks report. 


Hokkoku Financial (7381) Earnings Report Delay But HUGE Buyback. Again.

Pan-Asia Index Flows & Special Situations, Quiddity Advisors

Janaghan Jeyakumar, CFA

Pan-Asia Index Flows & Special Situations

<ul>
<li>The TOPIX liquidity factor removal names (upweights) for April 2023 were announced after the close on Friday 7th April 2023 as expected.</li>
<li>According to the announcement, 22 names will see their Liquidity Factors removed and experience index inflows later this month. </li>
<li>Today was the first day of trading post-announcement and the 22 names gained +1.1% (+0.47% vs the TOPIX Index). I feel there could be more upside for some names.</li>
</ul>


The TOPIX liquidity factor removal names (upweights) for April 2023 were announced after the close on Friday 7th April 2023 as expected.
According to the announcement, 22 names will see their Liquidity Factors removed and experience index inflows later this month. 
Today was the first day of trading post-announcement and the 22 names gained +1.1% (+0.47% vs the TOPIX Index). I feel there could be more upside for some names.


TOPIX Big April Basket 23: 100% Hit Rate for High Conviction Basket; Focus on Surprises Next

Senior Bank Analyst - Japanese Banks, Windamee Research

J. Brian Waterhouse

Senior Bank Analyst - Japanese Banks

Windamee Research

Japanese Banks

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

On Friday 1 October 2020, three new regional bank holding companies will be created and listed the same day on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.  The establishment of a regional bank holding company in Japan is not new news, but these three will in future set up entirely non-financial subsidiaries as a means of broadening group revenues and profitability.  This is a notable change in bank thinking.Japanese financial authorities have been keen to encourage regional banks to merge in the belief that a reduction in the number of banks will lead to greater efficiencies and a greater willingness to lend, but this has had very mixed results.  What the financial authorities have so far failed to do has been to encourage the banks to adopt a radically differentiated business model, or seriously address the issue of proper risk asset pricing, or improve operating margins, or enhance shareholder returns.  This may be about to change. The kiki-kan  危機感 or ‘sense of crisis’ that appears to be the necessary catalyst to get Japanese banks to abandon their habitual ‘business as usual’ approach and take decisive action, may be finally emerging among the Japanese regional banking fraternity.It’s about time.

On Friday 1 October 2020, three new regional bank holding companies will be created and listed the same day on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.  The establishment of a regional bank holding company in Japan is not new news, but these three will in future set up entirely non-financial subsidiaries as a means of broadening group revenues and profitability.  This is a notable change in bank thinking.Japanese financial authorities have been keen to encourage regional banks to merge in the belief that a reduction in the number of banks will lead to greater efficiencies and a greater willingness to lend, but this has had very mixed results.  What the financial authorities have so far failed to do has been to encourage the banks to adopt a radically differentiated business model, or seriously address the issue of proper risk asset pricing, or improve operating margins, or enhance shareholder returns.  This may be about to change. The kiki-kan  危機感 or ‘sense of crisis’ that appears to be the necessary catalyst to get Japanese banks to abandon their habitual ‘business as usual’ approach and take decisive action, may be finally emerging among the Japanese regional banking fraternity.It’s about time.

Japanese Regional Banks:  Dancing On Their Own

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.

Equity Bottom-Up

The Bank of Japan (BOJ) is trying to incentive mergers amongst the countries many regional banks. To do this, it will exempt some banks from receiving the currently negative interest rate on deposits with the BOJ. With significant liquidity, exceptionally low margins, and ROA, a move from -0.1% interest rates to +0.1% interest rates even on a small pool of assets, can be meaningful for Japan’s regional banks.

The Bank of Japan (BOJ) is trying to incentive mergers amongst the countries many regional banks. To do this, it will exempt some banks from receiving the currently negative interest rate on deposits with the BOJ. With significant liquidity, exceptionally low margins, and ROA, a move from -0.1% interest rates to +0.1% interest rates even on a small pool of assets, can be meaningful for Japan’s regional banks.

Japan Banks – Surplus Money, Higher Rates

Japan

The Hokkoku Bank, Ltd. is a regional bank based in Ishikawa prefecture.  The Bank provides banking services such as deposits, loans, and foreign exchange transactions.  Hokkoku Bank also provides other financial services including securities brokerage, letter of credit, lease, credit cards, and real estate services.

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Hokkoku Financial Holdings (7381 JP)

Bank of Kyoto (8369) - Too Far Too Fast

Bank of Kyoto (8369) has a 50% payout but its shareholder base isn’t that supportive of activism need to monetise the value of the equity...

Travis Lundy

Hokkoku Financial (7381) Earnings Report Delay But HUGE Buyback. Again.

Hokkoku Financial announced a new Strategic Shareholding Policy and Shareholder Return Policy last year with a big buyback. That continues. BIGLY....

Travis Lundy

TOPIX Big April Basket 23: 100% Hit Rate for High Conviction Basket; Focus on Surprises Next

There could be around US$450mn of flows and an average of 12 days of ADV to buy for the 13 names which I identify as "surprise" names. I expect...

Janaghan Jeyakumar, CFA

Japanese Regional Banks: Dancing On Their Own

The ‘sense of crisis’ that Japanese banks need to abandon their habitual ‘business as usual’ approach and take decisive action may be finally...

J. Brian Waterhouse

Japan Banks – Surplus Money, Higher Rates

The Bank of Japan (BOJ) is trying to incentive mergers amongst the countries many regional banks. It will exempt some banks from receiving its...

Daniel Tabbush

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