Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One, Periscope Analytics

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

Event-Driven

Hang Seng China Enterprises Index / Event-Driven

The announcement of 2020 full year results is bringing some certainty to the HSCEI 2021 dividend index points. With <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bank-of-communications-co-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:659:1" rel="noopener">Bank Of Communications Co H (3328 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ind-comm-bk-of-china-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1119:1" rel="noopener">ICBC (H) (1398 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-construction-bank-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:45:1" rel="noopener">China Construction Bank H (939 HK)</a> announcing results (and dividends) today, and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/postal-savings-bank-of-china" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22848:1" rel="noopener">Postal Savings Bank of China (1658 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/agricultural-bank-of-china-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1120:1" rel="noopener">Agricultural Bank Of China (1288 HK)</a> and <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 Ltd (H) (3988 HK)</a> announcing on Monday and Tuesday next week, over 85% of the 2021 dividend index points will be known by end of the month.With <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/baidu-inc-a55ca720-5968-48f0-8194-ac94390d065c" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:32212:1" rel="noopener">Baidu (9888 HK)</a> included in the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hang-seng-china-enterprises-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22900:1" rel="noopener">Hang Seng China Enterprises Index (HSCEI INDEX)</a> at the close of trading on 8 April, potential changes to the index at the June review that will be implemented at the close on 4 June, and capping changes that will be implemented at 8% of the index weight for all stocks at the June review, the dividend ex-date for the stocks (and banks in particular) will play a big role in determining the fair value of the 2021 dividend futures.With the SEC pushing forward with the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, US listed Chinese stocks could look to bring forward their plans to Secondary List on the <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>. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bilibili-inc-83a27302-cd7d-4e6a-a1de-bcf93eb022c3" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:32215:1" rel="noopener">Bilibili Inc (9626 HK)</a> lists on Monday and media indicates that other Chinese companies are evaluating listing in Hong Kong. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jd-logistics" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:31500:1" rel="noopener">JD Logistics (JDL HK)</a> has already filed papers to list in Hong Kong. Then there are companies like <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/didi-chuxing-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27467:1" rel="noopener">DiDi Chuxing (1284375D CH)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bytedance-technology" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27936:1" rel="noopener">ByteDance (1460967D CH)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ant-group-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24240:1" rel="noopener">Ant Financial Services Group (6688 HK)</a> that could primary list in Hong Kong in the near future. While this will have minimal impact on the 2021 dividends, the impact on the 2022 and later dividend futures would be a lot higher.We see little downside from the current market on the HSCEI 2021 dividend futures, but believe that the HSCEI 2021/22 dividend steepener is trading too high. Potential changes to the index constituents should put downward pressure on the 2022 dividends with low dividend yield or zero dividend paying companies joining the index at high index weights, and high dividend paying companies being deleted from the index.

The announcement of 2020 full year results is bringing some certainty to the HSCEI 2021 dividend index points. With Bank Of Communications Co H (3328 HK), ICBC (H) (1398 HK) and China Construction Bank H (939 HK) announcing results (and dividends) today, and Postal Savings Bank of China (1658 HK), Agricultural Bank Of China (1288 HK) and Bank Of China Ltd (H) (3988 HK) announcing on Monday and Tuesday next week, over 85% of the 2021 dividend index points will be known by end of the month.With Baidu (9888 HK) included in the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index (HSCEI INDEX) at the close of trading on 8 April, potential changes to the index at the June review that will be implemented at the close on 4 June, and capping changes that will be implemented at 8% of the index weight for all stocks at the June review, the dividend ex-date for the stocks (and banks in particular) will play a big role in determining the fair value of the 2021 dividend futures.With the SEC pushing forward with the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, US listed Chinese stocks could look to bring forward their plans to Secondary List on the HKEX (388 HK). Bilibili Inc (9626 HK) lists on Monday and media indicates that other Chinese companies are evaluating listing in Hong Kong. JD Logistics (JDL HK) has already filed papers to list in Hong Kong. Then there are companies like DiDi Chuxing (1284375D CH), ByteDance (1460967D CH) and Ant Financial Services Group (6688 HK) that could primary list in Hong Kong in the near future. While this will have minimal impact on the 2021 dividends, the impact on the 2022 and later dividend futures would be a lot higher.We see little downside from the current market on the HSCEI 2021 dividend futures, but believe that the HSCEI 2021/22 dividend steepener is trading too high. Potential changes to the index constituents should put downward pressure on the 2022 dividends with low dividend yield or zero dividend paying companies joining the index at high index weights, and high dividend paying companies being deleted from the index.

HSCEI Dividend Futures: June Index Review, Bank Divs, HFCAA - Sell the 2021/22 Steepener

Quantitative Analysis

<div>In this Insight, we look at Asian financial pairs that normally trade in a tight band versus each other and are now trading at levels that are close to an extreme, making it likely that there could be a short term reversal. We also recap our earlier ideas and recommend exiting a few positions, especially where there are gains and the price ratios are at turning points.</div><div>
These are all large cap financials that trade in excess of US$20m a day, so implementing the strategy should be possible using stock borrow or single stock futures.
These ideas are based purely off the stock price history and we recommend investors use a fundamental overlay to determine if the price action is reflective of changes in the sector that benefit one company at the expense of the other, or benefit one company more than the other.
</div>

In this Insight, we look at Asian financial pairs that normally trade in a tight band versus each other and are now trading at levels that are close to an extreme, making it likely that there could be a short term reversal. We also recap our earlier ideas and recommend exiting a few positions, especially where there are gains and the price ratios are at turning points.
These are all large cap financials that trade in excess of US$20m a day, so implementing the strategy should be possible using stock borrow or single stock futures.
These ideas are based purely off the stock price history and we recommend investors use a fundamental overlay to determine if the price action is reflective of changes in the sector that benefit one company at the expense of the other, or benefit one company more than the other.


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

*DOJ Going Overboard:The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has begun investigating Visa (V.US) [Visa] over anticompetitive practices again. This time for alleged restrictions of merchants from routing in-store and online debit-card transactions through less expensive card networks, which is in contravention to the 2010 Durbin Amendment; and*Here Is Where We Think The DOJ Is Wrong: With Visa’s termination of its upstart Plaid acquisition, Visa’s alleged attempt to monopolize the online debit business has already been thwarted. Further, the combination of mix shift toward covered transactions coupled with declining yields has acted as a headwind for Visa's debit interchange fees. That Mastercard (MA.US) has convinced numerous US banks to switch their debit-card portfolios away from Visa evidences competitive pricing pressures. Lastly, there may actually be precedence for Visa’s stance given the recent outcome of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) v. Qualcomm (QCOM.US) case.

*DOJ Going Overboard:The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has begun investigating Visa (V.US) [Visa] over anticompetitive practices again. This time for alleged restrictions of merchants from routing in-store and online debit-card transactions through less expensive card networks, which is in contravention to the 2010 Durbin Amendment; and*Here Is Where We Think The DOJ Is Wrong: With Visa’s termination of its upstart Plaid acquisition, Visa’s alleged attempt to monopolize the online debit business has already been thwarted. Further, the combination of mix shift toward covered transactions coupled with declining yields has acted as a headwind for Visa's debit interchange fees. That Mastercard (MA.US) has convinced numerous US banks to switch their debit-card portfolios away from Visa evidences competitive pricing pressures. Lastly, there may actually be precedence for Visa’s stance given the recent outcome of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) v. Qualcomm (QCOM.US) case.

Visa Inc – Noise Creates Buying Opportunity

China Merchants Bank H / Equity Bottom-Up

*Weak 4Q20 Bottom-Line: China Merchants Bank (3968.HK) [CMB] pre-announced a poor set of 4Q20 results. On March 19, 2020, the finals were disclosed and the results were even uglier than anticipated. While its true that net profit declined CNY 6.1 bn (22.7%) on a linked quarter basis to CNY 20.9 bn –despite having its tax rate decline 790 bp to 15.6% over the period, core operating results came in at just CNY 13.9 bn – declining CNY 9.3 bn or 40.0% linked quarter;  and *Best Retail Franchise Hitting Credit Wall: While CMB has the best retail franchise in mainland China, credit risk has substantially increased in 4Q20. More worrisome is the net new NPL increase of CNY 14.8 bn, representing an annualized increase in net new NPLs of 104.7%. Provided (and its not a stretch) that the net new NPL ratio trajectory holds, reserve cover of NPLs will drop to 213% - suggesting even the mighty are falling.

*Weak 4Q20 Bottom-Line: China Merchants Bank (3968.HK) [CMB] pre-announced a poor set of 4Q20 results. On March 19, 2020, the finals were disclosed and the results were even uglier than anticipated. While its true that net profit declined CNY 6.1 bn (22.7%) on a linked quarter basis to CNY 20.9 bn –despite having its tax rate decline 790 bp to 15.6% over the period, core operating results came in at just CNY 13.9 bn – declining CNY 9.3 bn or 40.0% linked quarter;  and *Best Retail Franchise Hitting Credit Wall: While CMB has the best retail franchise in mainland China, credit risk has substantially increased in 4Q20. More worrisome is the net new NPL increase of CNY 14.8 bn, representing an annualized increase in net new NPLs of 104.7%. Provided (and its not a stretch) that the net new NPL ratio trajectory holds, reserve cover of NPLs will drop to 213% - suggesting even the mighty are falling. 

China Merchants Bank – Pulling On All Levers

Financials Credit Analyst

Hank Calenti, CFA

CreditContinuum

Credit

It is difficult to make a truly bullish argument on behalf of US Treasuries now. The bottom line is it is still not time to buy duration. Risk yes. Duration no. Emerging Markets? It depends.The Fed re-anchored short-term, front-end, interest rate expectations via the Dot Plot, the Chairman’s comments, and actions to aid the overnight rate market. Overall, it was a better-than-expected communique from the Fed. With a spike of inflation next on the horizon, it may be a hard act to follow.Inflation can hide a host of sins. It can benefit financials and borrowers, but not the vulnerable in society, as inflation is a regressive tax. From a financial market perspective, it is difficult to envision a near-term spike in inflation as being credit positive. Market interest rates may overshoot as insurance against out-of-control inflation expectations. Risk assets, in particular Emerging Market assets, could over-react while the Fed under-reacts.The risk is that US policy makers are “fighting the last war.” Rather than continued curve steepening, we may see a period of consolidation, as short-end interest rate expectations rise at a faster rate,  essentially flattening the yield curve. We expect the Fed to be on watch for this.For financials, we anticipate improved net interest income levels during Q2 as both volume and yields rise. This would also result in higher non-interest income revenues as fee income soars from increased transactions. However, trading activity may see some institutions off-sides in terms of mistiming the market. We believe that it is better to be in banks with solid core operating revenues, rather than firms that have rediscovered and become over-reliant, once again, on trading activity.The recent back-up in US interest rates may be an opportunity to reload in some Emerging Markets (EM), just not in Turkey. Central bank independence is shattered once again by the firing of the Central Bank Governor. Only four months into the role, the former Governor is being replaced by an interest rate dove. We expect a large correction in Turkish bank bond as the markets digest this implausible reality next week. It may be better to focus on opportunities off the radar. EM high yield, but low duration, sovereign and more frontier bonds may be the answer. We cite a few inside.In terms of recent performance, in Asia, short duration and long risk bank bonds kept pace with Treasury weakness to end the week unchanged on a total return basis. Meanwhile, longer-dated European bank Contingent Capital (CoCos) managed to keep pace with Treasury market weakness to end the week unchanged on a total return basis. Each Additional Tier 1 bond callable in 2030 and 2031 tightened by 10 basis points. Given the simultaneous tightening, we ascribe this performance as due a restart of the AstraZeneca shot across the lagging EU’s vaccine effort. A third round of lockdowns may unwind these gains next week. Market Outlook: The US economy may run very hot before we see a change in Fed policy regarding short-term interest rates and the US dollar should remain stronger than analysts forecasted at year-end. Broadly, this is not Emerging Market friendly; however, a strong US economic rebound should benefit EM and European financials. First, we may need to get past the upcoming inflation spike.

It is difficult to make a truly bullish argument on behalf of US Treasuries now. The bottom line is it is still not time to buy duration. Risk yes. Duration no. Emerging Markets? It depends.The Fed re-anchored short-term, front-end, interest rate expectations via the Dot Plot, the Chairman’s comments, and actions to aid the overnight rate market. Overall, it was a better-than-expected communique from the Fed. With a spike of inflation next on the horizon, it may be a hard act to follow.Inflation can hide a host of sins. It can benefit financials and borrowers, but not the vulnerable in society, as inflation is a regressive tax. From a financial market perspective, it is difficult to envision a near-term spike in inflation as being credit positive. Market interest rates may overshoot as insurance against out-of-control inflation expectations. Risk assets, in particular Emerging Market assets, could over-react while the Fed under-reacts.The risk is that US policy makers are “fighting the last war.” Rather than continued curve steepening, we may see a period of consolidation, as short-end interest rate expectations rise at a faster rate,  essentially flattening the yield curve. We expect the Fed to be on watch for this.For financials, we anticipate improved net interest income levels during Q2 as both volume and yields rise. This would also result in higher non-interest income revenues as fee income soars from increased transactions. However, trading activity may see some institutions off-sides in terms of mistiming the market. We believe that it is better to be in banks with solid core operating revenues, rather than firms that have rediscovered and become over-reliant, once again, on trading activity.The recent back-up in US interest rates may be an opportunity to reload in some Emerging Markets (EM), just not in Turkey. Central bank independence is shattered once again by the firing of the Central Bank Governor. Only four months into the role, the former Governor is being replaced by an interest rate dove. We expect a large correction in Turkish bank bond as the markets digest this implausible reality next week. It may be better to focus on opportunities off the radar. EM high yield, but low duration, sovereign and more frontier bonds may be the answer. We cite a few inside.In terms of recent performance, in Asia, short duration and long risk bank bonds kept pace with Treasury weakness to end the week unchanged on a total return basis. Meanwhile, longer-dated European bank Contingent Capital (CoCos) managed to keep pace with Treasury market weakness to end the week unchanged on a total return basis. Each Additional Tier 1 bond callable in 2030 and 2031 tightened by 10 basis points. Given the simultaneous tightening, we ascribe this performance as due a restart of the AstraZeneca shot across the lagging EU’s vaccine effort. A third round of lockdowns may unwind these gains next week. Market Outlook: The US economy may run very hot before we see a change in Fed policy regarding short-term interest rates and the US dollar should remain stronger than analysts forecasted at year-end. Broadly, this is not Emerging Market friendly; however, a strong US economic rebound should benefit EM and European financials. First, we may need to get past the upcoming inflation spike.

Bank Credit Weekly: Inflation, the Next Market Challenge or Opportunity?

China

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Ltd provides a broad range of personal and corporate commercial banking services all over China.  The Bank's businesses include deposit, loan, credit card, fund underwriting and trust, and foreign currency settlement and trading.

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Ind & Comm Bk Of China (A) (601398 CH)

HSCEI Dividend Futures: June Index Review, Bank Divs, HFCAA - Sell the 2021/22 Steepener

While the HSCEI 2021 dividend futures are trading near our estimated fair, the HSCEI 2021/22 div steepener is not. We recommend selling the...

Brian Freitas

Pair Trading Ideas - Asian Financials

Pair trades on large cap Asian financials that trade in excess of US$20m a day. These pairs trade in bands versus each other and currently offer...

Brian Freitas

Visa Inc – Noise Creates Buying Opportunity

VISA: The DOJ has again begun investigating Visa over anticompetitive practices due to alleged merchant restrictions to rout online debit-card...

Thomas J. Monaco

China Merchants Bank – Pulling On All Levers

CHINA MERCHANTS BANK: CMB's core operating results came in at just CNY 13.9 bn – declining 40.0% linked quarter. Negative operating jaws, and net...

Thomas J. Monaco

Bank Credit Weekly: Inflation, the Next Market Challenge or Opportunity?

The recent back-up in US rates may be an opportunity to reload in some Emerging Markets. A US inflation spike is the next hurdle. EM High Yield,...

Hank Calenti, CFA

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