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

*PRA Changes Its Tune On Dividends: The United Kingdom’s (UK) Prudential Regulatory Authority (PRA) recommended last week that the that UK banks can resume paying dividends subject to FY 2020 results. Linking dividends to the recent success of profitability mirrors Federal Reserve Board policy for the large US banks; and *HSBC Should Stand Pat On The Dividend: While its true that HSBC North America (HSBCNA) doesn’t contribute to the bottom-line, it has weighed down Group results through 3Q20 with losses of USD 963 mn. This thing simply needs to go. With this kind of uncertainty along with risks in France and Asia – again exacerbated by COVID-19 – HSBC Holdings Plc (HSBA/LN/5.HK) should be conserving capital especially if the weak HSBCNA is considered a takeunder candidate.

*PRA Changes Its Tune On Dividends: The United Kingdom’s (UK) Prudential Regulatory Authority (PRA) recommended last week that the that UK banks can resume paying dividends subject to FY 2020 results. Linking dividends to the recent success of profitability mirrors Federal Reserve Board policy for the large US banks; and *HSBC Should Stand Pat On The Dividend: While its true that HSBC North America (HSBCNA) doesn’t contribute to the bottom-line, it has weighed down Group results through 3Q20 with losses of USD 963 mn. This thing simply needs to go. With this kind of uncertainty along with risks in France and Asia – again exacerbated by COVID-19 – HSBC Holdings Plc (HSBA/LN/5.HK) should be conserving capital especially if the weak HSBCNA is considered a takeunder candidate.

HSBC Holdings Plc – PRA Says Yes, But Management Should Say No

*Follow-On To Poor 3Q20 Results Announcement: In a follow-on to Citigroup’s (C.US) [Citi] poor 3Q20 results announcement as discussed in our “Citigroup – Watch The Negative Jaws” note dated October 18, 2020, management held a competitor conference call to discuss its improved outlook. According to management, Citi is likely to see reserve releases given the recovery, as loss rates are expected to be lower than in 3Q20; and*Operating Performance Not Addressed: Outside of releasing reserves going forward, Citi said little to dissuade us from believing that negative operating jaws are here to stay.

*Follow-On To Poor 3Q20 Results Announcement: In a follow-on to Citigroup’s (C.US) [Citi] poor 3Q20 results announcement as discussed in our “Citigroup – Watch The Negative Jaws” note dated October 18, 2020, management held a competitor conference call to discuss its improved outlook. According to management, Citi is likely to see reserve releases given the recovery, as loss rates are expected to be lower than in 3Q20; and*Operating Performance Not Addressed: Outside of releasing reserves going forward, Citi said little to dissuade us from believing that negative operating jaws are here to stay.  

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.

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

We know that data can be valuable and is what analysts will turn to for research. The S&amp;P deal to spend USD44bn to buy IHS Markit is breathtaking, and indicative of the value of data. This is one reason that we have for some time now focused on recovery for economies and banks. Data related to the C19 virus simply does not support the continuation of insane government policies. There are important implications for economies, banks and profit recovery.

We know that data can be valuable and is what analysts will turn to for research. The S&amp;P deal to spend USD44bn to buy IHS Markit is breathtaking, and indicative of the value of data. This is one reason that we have for some time now focused on recovery for economies and banks. Data related to the C19 virus simply does not support the continuation of insane government policies. There are important implications for economies, banks and profit recovery. 

Banks – Recovery Data Is Real, Valuable

*We Anxiously Await HSBC’s US Departure: According the Financial Times on November 28, 2020, HSBC is considering offloading its entire US retail network - although a full exit from other businesses in the US is unlikely. The recommendation of a US exit is expected to be presented to the board as early as this week, although the Group is scheduled to provide an update on its plans for its French and US businesses in February 2021; *HSBCNA Should Be Sold: HSBCNA is a chronic mess, and there is absolutely no need for HSBC to maintain a full commercial/retail banking presence in the US. It cannot earn a positive return under its current structure; credit is again about to fall off a cliff; does not earning; NIMs are among the lowest in the USA; and capital is shortly about to fall below regulatory guidance. Further, the bad acquisitions and regulatory headaches should spur management to cut and run in the US. Knowing HSBC management as we do, they will continue making the same mistakes over and over again; and    *Hong Kong Tax Rate Continues To Mask Management’s Global Mistakes: When your core subsidiary in Hong Kong has a statutory corporate tax rate of 16.5% and the organization is not subject to global taxation, low taxes can mask the many mistakes that HSBC makes.

*We Anxiously Await HSBC’s US Departure: According the Financial Times on November 28, 2020, HSBC is considering offloading its entire US retail network - although a full exit from other businesses in the US is unlikely. The recommendation of a US exit is expected to be presented to the board as early as this week, although the Group is scheduled to provide an update on its plans for its French and US businesses in February 2021; *HSBCNA Should Be Sold: HSBCNA is a chronic mess, and there is absolutely no need for HSBC to maintain a full commercial/retail banking presence in the US. It cannot earn a positive return under its current structure; credit is again about to fall off a cliff; does not earning; NIMs are among the lowest in the USA; and capital is shortly about to fall below regulatory guidance. Further, the bad acquisitions and regulatory headaches should spur management to cut and run in the US. Knowing HSBC management as we do, they will continue making the same mistakes over and over again; and    *Hong Kong Tax Rate Continues To Mask Management’s Global Mistakes: When your core subsidiary in Hong Kong has a statutory corporate tax rate of 16.5% and the organization is not subject to global taxation, low taxes can mask the many mistakes that HSBC makes. 

HSBC Holdings Plc – Act Now, You’ll Never See These Prices Again

Financials Credit Analyst

Hank Calenti, CFA

CreditContinuum

Credit

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bank-of-communications-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24562:1" rel="noopener">Bank of Communications' (BOCOM)</a> recently issued Additional Tier 1 bond appears fully priced. Trading just behind <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bank-of-china-ltd-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:656:1" rel="noopener">Bank of China (BCHINA)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ind-comm-bk-of-china-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1119:1" rel="noopener">Industrial &amp; Commercial Bank of China (ICBC)</a>, we see little upside and despite moderate exposure to typically problematic exposures, we are not convinced that BOCOM is a flight to quality bank. We see better value elsewhere.

Bank of Communications' (BOCOM) recently issued Additional Tier 1 bond appears fully priced. Trading just behind Bank of China (BCHINA) and Industrial &amp; Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), we see little upside and despite moderate exposure to typically problematic exposures, we are not convinced that BOCOM is a flight to quality bank. We see better value elsewhere.

Bank of Communications: Recent AT1 Is Fully Priced; Look Elsewhere for Value

United Kingdom

HSBC Holdings plc is the holding company for the HSBC Group. The Company provides a variety of international banking and financial services, including retail and corporate banking, trade, trusteeship, securities, custody, capital markets, treasury, private and investment banking, and insurance. HSBC Holdings operates worldwide.

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HSBC Holdings (HSBC US)

HSBC Holdings Plc – PRA Says Yes, But Management Should Say No

HSBC HOLDINGS: PRA Allowing UK Banks To Dividend But Is Restrictive. HSBC Should Stay Away From Cash Dividends Given The High Degree Of Balance...

Thomas J. Monaco

Citigroup – Reserve Releases Coming

CITIGROUP: Call Reveals Reserve Releases To Buttress Results Going Forward, But No Word On Improving Negative Operating Jaws

Thomas J. Monaco

Banks – Recovery Data Is Real, Valuable

Data related to the C19 virus simply does not support the continuation of insane government policies. We see economies remaining open, and leading...

Daniel Tabbush

HSBC Holdings Plc – Act Now, You’ll Never See These Prices Again

HSBC HOLDINGS PLC: Financial Times Suggesting Board Will Be Presented With Options On US Franchise This Week. This Was A Long Time In Coming.

Thomas J. Monaco

Bank of Communications: Recent AT1 Is Fully Priced; Look Elsewhere for Value

Bank of Communications' recently issued Additional Tier 1 bond appears fully priced. We see little upside despite moderate exposure to typically...

Hank Calenti, CFA

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