Founder of Antler Capital

Stanley Tsai, CFA

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

In the spirit of the long-awaited UEFA Euro 2020, we present our inaugural "China Financials: Silver Linings Playbook", which summarizes our views on the names that are best positioned to navigate an environment of progressively slower credit growth, tighter liquidity and rising defaults. 
Our screen consists of 100+ stocks in the A/H share universe, as well as a select number of international / non-traditional names that have significant exposures to China's financial system. We have a preference for larger-cap and liquid names, which are then filtered by our opinions on their fundamentals, value, momentum and recent trading volumes. We also try to make our selections versatile and less vulnerable to single-factor movements.
Each player's position on the pitch and the team formation itself convey incremental information about our thoughts on the sector's performance over a three to six-month horizon. To the extent possible, we intend to update our ideas on a periodic basis. This provides a feedback loop with our other ongoing research on the industry.
However, our team selections are not investment recommendations. Instead, they are meant to give structure to our analysis. The playbook allows us to articulate our views on the sector in a timely, concise manner. Our objective is to ensure we don't throw the baby out with the bathwater as sentiments on the sector remain bleak.
With that out of the way, the following is our starting XI. We will dive deeper into our rationale for our selections in the remainder of this insight (Exhibit 1).
<table class="table table-striped">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 726.047px;">Exhibit 1: China Financials | Silver Linings Playbook</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 726.047px;">
<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/213/768/original/image_768460236451623962508577.png?1623962508" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="213768"></figure>

Source: Our analysis
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
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In the spirit of the long-awaited UEFA Euro 2020, we present our inaugural "China Financials: Silver Linings Playbook", which summarizes our views on the names that are best positioned to navigate an environment of progressively slower credit growth, tighter liquidity and rising defaults. 
Our screen consists of 100+ stocks in the A/H share universe, as well as a select number of international / non-traditional names that have significant exposures to China's financial system. We have a preference for larger-cap and liquid names, which are then filtered by our opinions on their fundamentals, value, momentum and recent trading volumes. We also try to make our selections versatile and less vulnerable to single-factor movements.
Each player's position on the pitch and the team formation itself convey incremental information about our thoughts on the sector's performance over a three to six-month horizon. To the extent possible, we intend to update our ideas on a periodic basis. This provides a feedback loop with our other ongoing research on the industry.
However, our team selections are not investment recommendations. Instead, they are meant to give structure to our analysis. The playbook allows us to articulate our views on the sector in a timely, concise manner. Our objective is to ensure we don't throw the baby out with the bathwater as sentiments on the sector remain bleak.
With that out of the way, the following is our starting XI. We will dive deeper into our rationale for our selections in the remainder of this insight (Exhibit 1).



Exhibit 1: China Financials | Silver Linings Playbook





Source: Our analysis




Related Insights
China Macro: Consumers Remain on the Sidelines, as Their Home Equity Grows 
Glut and Famine: We Might See Snow in China This Summer 
China Macro: PPI Peaks, while CPI Eases Tightening Fears 
China Macro: Exports Disappoint, but It's Still Early in the Game 
Glut and Famine: China's Monetary Conditions a Notch Tighter in May 
ICBC: The Bond Identity | A Zero-Growth Dividend Discount Story 
BOC Aviation (2588 HK): The Stars Don't Look Bigger, but They Do Look Brighter

China Financials: Silver Linings Playbook

China and US Equity Analyst

Roger Xie

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>In his second day on the job, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hong-kong-exchanges-clearing" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:490:1" rel="noopener">HKEX (388 HK)</a> new chief executive Nicolas Aguzin expressed his confidence in Hong Kong's outlook as a continued gateway to China, and vowed to promote HKEx role in the connectivity. Although his carefully prepared speech did not outline more detail actions and strategic plan, investors still applauded his stance as new CEO and more diversified management at <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hong-kong-exchanges-clearing" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:490:1" rel="noopener">HKEX (388 HK), </a>the 2nd large exchange in Asia. </li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hong-kong-exchanges-clearing" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:490:1" rel="noopener">HKEX (388 HK)</a> May ADT (Average Daily Turnover) continue to stay at high growth, delivering amazing 33% year-over-year growth in the month (but growth rate slowed from April). The outperformance is partially helped by the easy comparable from last year. For first 5 months of year 2021, HKEx ADT has delivered the year-over-year growth rate to 70%. IPO market remains robust. Total raised fund has reached HK$184 billion, almost 7x the IPO size in same period last year.</li>
<li>HKEx also disclosed its latest listing rule change for main board. The profitability requirement has been raised first time in 26 years, but is much lower than the original proposal.  We believe the original proposal has met with strong opposition from smaller companies and sponsors for listings. HKEx aims to improve listing companies quality and governance, which will be long term positive for HKEx. We remain bullish on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hong-kong-exchanges-clearing" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:490:1" rel="noopener">HKEX (388 HK)</a>  and have TP HKD 550. </li>
</ul>


In his second day on the job, HKEX (388 HK) new chief executive Nicolas Aguzin expressed his confidence in Hong Kong's outlook as a continued gateway to China, and vowed to promote HKEx role in the connectivity. Although his carefully prepared speech did not outline more detail actions and strategic plan, investors still applauded his stance as new CEO and more diversified management at HKEX (388 HK), the 2nd large exchange in Asia. 

HKEX (388 HK) May ADT (Average Daily Turnover) continue to stay at high growth, delivering amazing 33% year-over-year growth in the month (but growth rate slowed from April). The outperformance is partially helped by the easy comparable from last year. For first 5 months of year 2021, HKEx ADT has delivered the year-over-year growth rate to 70%. IPO market remains robust. Total raised fund has reached HK$184 billion, almost 7x the IPO size in same period last year.
HKEx also disclosed its latest listing rule change for main board. The profitability requirement has been raised first time in 26 years, but is much lower than the original proposal.  We believe the original proposal has met with strong opposition from smaller companies and sponsors for listings. HKEx aims to improve listing companies quality and governance, which will be long term positive for HKEx. We remain bullish on HKEX (388 HK)  and have TP HKD 550. 


HKEx(388.HK): A Key Exchange to Connect China and the World, New CEO Said

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

*Analysts’ Day Reveals More Scrambling: Singapore Exchange (SGX.SG) [SGX] held an Analysts’ Day on June 11, 2021, where Acquisitions; Equities; FICC; and ESG were discussed. We were left with the impression that management is scrambling to offset revenue losses which appear to have been taking place in nearly every aspect of its business; and*This Kind Of Hope Is Not A Strategy: Hoping for near-term revenue strength from higher equity market volatility which helps SGX's derivatives business volumes, and a further delay in HKEX's launch of MSCI China A index futures are not sustainable long-term strategies. SGX needs a long-term plan, which should include the government recognizing that this national champion might actually have to be sold.

*Analysts’ Day Reveals More Scrambling: Singapore Exchange (SGX.SG) [SGX] held an Analysts’ Day on June 11, 2021, where Acquisitions; Equities; FICC; and ESG were discussed. We were left with the impression that management is scrambling to offset revenue losses which appear to have been taking place in nearly every aspect of its business; and*This Kind Of Hope Is Not A Strategy: Hoping for near-term revenue strength from higher equity market volatility which helps SGX's derivatives business volumes, and a further delay in HKEX's launch of MSCI China A index futures are not sustainable long-term strategies. SGX needs a long-term plan, which should include the government recognizing that this national champion might actually have to be sold.

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

Alibaba Group Holding  / Equity Capital Markets

<div>
On 27th May 2021, U.S. Senators Marco Rubio and Bob Casey introduced the No IPOs for Unaccountable Actors Act, which aims to prohibit IPO on U.S. exchanges for Chinese companies. 
The act is a follow up on the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act which was signed by Trump on 18th Dec 2020 and which seeks to stop China ADRs from being traded on the US exchanges.
</div><div>We have looked at the ADRs in the past, in our previous notes:</div><div>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/china-adrs-secondary-listing-deep-dive-yin-and-yang" target="_blank" rel="noopener">China ADRs Secondary Listing Deep-Dive: Yin and Yang,</a> published in Feb 2020,  we looked at the background and rules around undertaking a secondary listing in Hong Kong and then came up with a short-list of companies that might undertake a secondary listing. </li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/china-adrs-secondary-listing-covid-19-has-increased-the-tension-but-narrowed-the-short-list" target="_blank" rel="noopener">In China ADRs Secondary Listing: COVID-19 Has Increased the Tension but Narrowed the Short List</a> published in May 2020, we looked at the recent developments and provided an revised short-list</li>
<li>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/china-adrs-secondary-listing-holding-foreign-companies-accountable-act-i-m-coming-home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">China ADRs Secondary Listing - Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act - I’m Coming Home</a>, published in May 2020, we spoke about the implication of the act which had made its way through the senate.</li>
<li>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/china-adrs-secondary-listing-pipeline-looks-rich-have-three-years-to-move" target="_blank" rel="noopener">China ADRs Secondary Listing - Pipeline Looks Rich, Have Three Years to Move</a>, published in Feb 2021 we looked at the ADR pipeline and spoke about the updates from the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act becoming law and the updates at Hong Kong end as well. </li>
<li>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/china-adrs-sec-notice-instead-of-three-probably-have-four-years-till-2025-correction-overdone" target="_blank" rel="noopener">China ADRs - SEC Notice - Instead of Three, Probably Have Four Years till 2025 - Correction Overdone, </a> we spoke about the new SEC notice and its implications. </li>
</ul>
In this note, we'll talk about the new act and its possible timelines and implications.
</div>


On 27th May 2021, U.S. Senators Marco Rubio and Bob Casey introduced the No IPOs for Unaccountable Actors Act, which aims to prohibit IPO on U.S. exchanges for Chinese companies. 
The act is a follow up on the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act which was signed by Trump on 18th Dec 2020 and which seeks to stop China ADRs from being traded on the US exchanges.
We have looked at the ADRs in the past, in our previous notes:


China ADRs Secondary Listing Deep-Dive: Yin and Yang, published in Feb 2020,  we looked at the background and rules around undertaking a secondary listing in Hong Kong and then came up with a short-list of companies that might undertake a secondary listing. 

In China ADRs Secondary Listing: COVID-19 Has Increased the Tension but Narrowed the Short List published in May 2020, we looked at the recent developments and provided an revised short-list
In China ADRs Secondary Listing - Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act - I’m Coming Home, published in May 2020, we spoke about the implication of the act which had made its way through the senate.
In China ADRs Secondary Listing - Pipeline Looks Rich, Have Three Years to Move, published in Feb 2021 we looked at the ADR pipeline and spoke about the updates from the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act becoming law and the updates at Hong Kong end as well. 
In China ADRs - SEC Notice - Instead of Three, Probably Have Four Years till 2025 - Correction Overdone,  we spoke about the new SEC notice and its implications. 

In this note, we'll talk about the new act and its possible timelines and implications.


China ADRs - A New Act Aims to Put an End to China ADR IPOs

*Expecting Poor 1H21 Operating Result: Sun Hung Kai &amp; Co. (86.HK) [SHK] announced that unaudited results for 4M21 approximated HKD 1.1 bn. Like the 2H20 result, 4M21 numbers appear to be driven by low quality and non-core MTM gains from its investment management business, and lower credit-related loss provisions. No discussion was had on both the type of non-cash gains nor if credit risk/quality has actually improved; and      *FOF Focus Not An Historical Winner: SHK does, however, remain focused on investment management, with its newly established funds management platform, called Sun Hung Kai Capital Partners. According to management, SHK has a strong pipeline of potential partnerships and fund launches planned for 2H21.

*Expecting Poor 1H21 Operating Result: Sun Hung Kai &amp; Co. (86.HK) [SHK] announced that unaudited results for 4M21 approximated HKD 1.1 bn. Like the 2H20 result, 4M21 numbers appear to be driven by low quality and non-core MTM gains from its investment management business, and lower credit-related loss provisions. No discussion was had on both the type of non-cash gains nor if credit risk/quality has actually improved; and      *FOF Focus Not An Historical Winner: SHK does, however, remain focused on investment management, with its newly established funds management platform, called Sun Hung Kai Capital Partners. According to management, SHK has a strong pipeline of potential partnerships and fund launches planned for 2H21.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing Limited owns and operates the stock exchange, futures exchange, and their related clearing houses in Hong Kong.  The Company provides the trading platforms for a range of cash and derivatives products and the facilities for processing trades.

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HKEX (388 HK)

China Financials: Silver Linings Playbook

Our Silver Linings Playbook outlines our views on the China financials names that are most likely to remain resilient in the face of macro...

Stanley Tsai, CFA

HKEx(388.HK): A Key Exchange to Connect China and the World, New CEO Said

HKEX (388 HK) first 5 months ADT has grown 70% year-over-year, and IPO market remains robust. Total raised fund has reached HK$184 billion, almost...

Roger Xie

Singapore Exchange – Peripatetic

SINGAPORE EXCHANGE: SGX held an Analysts’ Day which discussed various aspects of its business. Management appears to be scrambling to offset...

Thomas J. Monaco

China ADRs - A New Act Aims to Put an End to China ADR IPOs

On 27th May 2021, U.S. Senators Marco Rubio and Bob Casey introduced the No IPOs for Unaccountable Actors Act, which aims to prohibit IPO on U.S....

Sumeet Singh

Sun Hung Kai & Co. – Blowing Smoke

SUN HUNG KAI & CO: SHK announced unaudited results for 4M21 of HKD 1.1 bn, which appear to be driven by low quality MTM gains from investment...

Thomas J. Monaco

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