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

*Solid Number Appear Sustainable: Shriram Transport Finance (SHTF.IN) [Shriram] reported FY 2Q21 profits of INR 6.8 bn, increasing 113.9% linked quarter. Bottom-line improvement was attributed to two factors: 1) a net interest income improvement of INR 2.0 bn (11.0%) primarily as a result of NIM improvement - on the back of lower funding costs – of 61 bp to 7.24%; and 2) wouldn’t you know it, an INR 4.1 bn (38.4%) decline in loss provisions as net new NPL growth turned negative; and*Very Encouraging Credit Trends:  Most encouraging, and in contravention to sector trends that we have seen thus far, we note that Shriram’s level of net new NPLs linked quarter actually declined INR 2.2 bn or negative 10.0% on an annualized basis.

*Solid Number Appear Sustainable: Shriram Transport Finance (SHTF.IN) [Shriram] reported FY 2Q21 profits of INR 6.8 bn, increasing 113.9% linked quarter. Bottom-line improvement was attributed to two factors: 1) a net interest income improvement of INR 2.0 bn (11.0%) primarily as a result of NIM improvement - on the back of lower funding costs – of 61 bp to 7.24%; and 2) wouldn’t you know it, an INR 4.1 bn (38.4%) decline in loss provisions as net new NPL growth turned negative; and*Very Encouraging Credit Trends:  Most encouraging, and in contravention to sector trends that we have seen thus far, we note that Shriram’s level of net new NPLs linked quarter actually declined INR 2.2 bn or negative 10.0% on an annualized basis.

Shriram Transport Finance – Frightening Glory

*Better – But Not Good: Bank of Baroda (BOB.IN) [BOB] reported FY 2Q21 results of INR 16.8bn, quite a reversal of fortune from the losses of INR 8.6 bn in FY 1Q21. Several factors drove BOB’s outperformance: a) net interest income improvement of INR 7.5 bn (11.0%) linked quarter driven solely by NIM expansion of 31 bp to 2.86% while the loan book contracted 1.8%; b) fee revenue improvement of INR 2.6 bn (22.2%) on the back of higher loan processing fees as retail loan disbursements increased; and c) most importantly, an INR 26.3 bn (46.7%) reduction in loss provisions as annualized net new NPL creation dropped precipitously to just 2.0%;*Poor Reserve Cover: Excluding the September 2016 Supreme Court standstill on NPL classification, BOB’s NPLs still would have declined INR 19.9 bn (2.9%) and the NPL ratio would have been 9.30% - still improving 10 bp over the previous quarter. Anything over 8% suggest institutions are insolvent. By our calculation, however, BOB’s reserves still remain light by INR 245 bn or nearly ten quarters of pre-tax earnings – this prior to its merger with Vijaya and Dena Banks; and       *Capital Raise A Real Challenge: Merger-related challenges leading to growth slowdown, higher NPLs on portfolio alignment, and continued deterioration in the international business. Equity dilution is BOB’s single largest risk.

*Better – But Not Good: Bank of Baroda (BOB.IN) [BOB] reported FY 2Q21 results of INR 16.8bn, quite a reversal of fortune from the losses of INR 8.6 bn in FY 1Q21. Several factors drove BOB’s outperformance: a) net interest income improvement of INR 7.5 bn (11.0%) linked quarter driven solely by NIM expansion of 31 bp to 2.86% while the loan book contracted 1.8%; b) fee revenue improvement of INR 2.6 bn (22.2%) on the back of higher loan processing fees as retail loan disbursements increased; and c) most importantly, an INR 26.3 bn (46.7%) reduction in loss provisions as annualized net new NPL creation dropped precipitously to just 2.0%;*Poor Reserve Cover: Excluding the September 2016 Supreme Court standstill on NPL classification, BOB’s NPLs still would have declined INR 19.9 bn (2.9%) and the NPL ratio would have been 9.30% - still improving 10 bp over the previous quarter. Anything over 8% suggest institutions are insolvent. By our calculation, however, BOB’s reserves still remain light by INR 245 bn or nearly ten quarters of pre-tax earnings – this prior to its merger with Vijaya and Dena Banks; and       *Capital Raise A Real Challenge: Merger-related challenges leading to growth slowdown, higher NPLs on portfolio alignment, and continued deterioration in the international business. Equity dilution is BOB’s single largest risk.

Financials Credit Analyst

Hank Calenti, CFA

CreditContinuum

Credit

Executive Summary: We noted last weekend that Treasury yields could gap down as True-Blue election sweep expectations declined and that bank valuations would follow. Both outcomes took place during the first part of the week. President Trump has gained enough in polls for traders with bearish positions in long-dated Treasuries to start unwinding them.  If Republicans’ retain the Senate, then fiscal stimulus may be lower than currently expected.  The December VIX future may also underprice the risk of a contested election result while thin markets keep volatility elevated.On Wednesday, most US stock indices posted their biggest single-day drop since June while European shares met five-month lows. As such, implied equity volatility jumped to its highest readings in 6 weeks. The US dollar and commodities also exhibited risk-off behaviour. Soaring Coronavirus cases in the US and Europe added to market jitters on the eventual time to a US federal stimulus package. The lack of a strong bullish reaction in Treasuries while equities sold-off reinforced concerns that low yields significantly reduce hedging protection. Within this background, Asia’s Additional Tier 1 (AT1) bonds underperformed Tier 2 and Senior Unsecured securities, in concert with developed market risk-off sentiment. The top performing bonds were overwhelmingly short maturity Senior Unsecured in nature. Asia’s HY markets slightly outperformed the US’ as both indexes widened during the week. The relative outperformance of Asia versus the US resulted in slight spread compression between the two indexes, although the remain wide of last year’s average and this years’ tights.Financial institutions only issued US$4.5 billion in USD and Euros. Amongst Asia-headquartered banks, the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/industrial-bank-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19515:1" rel="noopener">Industrial Bank Co Ltd A (601166 CH)</a> and Kookmin Bank (<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kb-financial-group-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:718:1" rel="noopener">KB Financial Group (105560 KS))</a> were the only financial institutions to access global capital market during the week. The primary market issuance window may be closing very early this year.In terms of potential mergers and acquisitions, Bloomberg reported that <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kotak-mahindra-bank-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:126:1" rel="noopener">Kotak Mahindra Bank (KMB IN)</a> is considering an offer for IndusInd Bank, which IndusInd subsequently denied. Please see <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/kotak-indusind-happy-indusind-bondholders-move-to-overweight" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:44542" rel="noopener">Kotak + IndusInd = Happy IndusInd Bondholders; Move to Overweight</a> for more details. On Friday, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/indusind-bank-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1558:1" rel="noopener">Indusind Bank (IIB IN)</a> reported a 53% year-on-year decline in second quarter net profit that missed average analyst estimates. Despite the earnings miss and acquisition dismissal, IndusInd’s 3 7/8% coupon bond rose in price during the week.Market Outlook: Market reactions to soaring Coronavirus contagion, underpriced election outcome risks and sidelined treasury investors may augment market illiquidity and impact bank valuation over the near term.

Executive Summary: We noted last weekend that Treasury yields could gap down as True-Blue election sweep expectations declined and that bank valuations would follow. Both outcomes took place during the first part of the week. President Trump has gained enough in polls for traders with bearish positions in long-dated Treasuries to start unwinding them.  If Republicans’ retain the Senate, then fiscal stimulus may be lower than currently expected.  The December VIX future may also underprice the risk of a contested election result while thin markets keep volatility elevated.On Wednesday, most US stock indices posted their biggest single-day drop since June while European shares met five-month lows. As such, implied equity volatility jumped to its highest readings in 6 weeks. The US dollar and commodities also exhibited risk-off behaviour. Soaring Coronavirus cases in the US and Europe added to market jitters on the eventual time to a US federal stimulus package. The lack of a strong bullish reaction in Treasuries while equities sold-off reinforced concerns that low yields significantly reduce hedging protection. Within this background, Asia’s Additional Tier 1 (AT1) bonds underperformed Tier 2 and Senior Unsecured securities, in concert with developed market risk-off sentiment. The top performing bonds were overwhelmingly short maturity Senior Unsecured in nature. Asia’s HY markets slightly outperformed the US’ as both indexes widened during the week. The relative outperformance of Asia versus the US resulted in slight spread compression between the two indexes, although the remain wide of last year’s average and this years’ tights.Financial institutions only issued US$4.5 billion in USD and Euros. Amongst Asia-headquartered banks, the Industrial Bank Co Ltd A (601166 CH) and Kookmin Bank (KB Financial Group (105560 KS)) were the only financial institutions to access global capital market during the week. The primary market issuance window may be closing very early this year.In terms of potential mergers and acquisitions, Bloomberg reported that Kotak Mahindra Bank (KMB IN) is considering an offer for IndusInd Bank, which IndusInd subsequently denied. Please see Kotak + IndusInd = Happy IndusInd Bondholders; Move to Overweight for more details. On Friday, Indusind Bank (IIB IN) reported a 53% year-on-year decline in second quarter net profit that missed average analyst estimates. Despite the earnings miss and acquisition dismissal, IndusInd’s 3 7/8% coupon bond rose in price during the week.Market Outlook: Market reactions to soaring Coronavirus contagion, underpriced election outcome risks and sidelined treasury investors may augment market illiquidity and impact bank valuation over the near term.

Bank Credit Weekly: Risk Reduction on Election and Virus Uncertainty

Asset Allocation & Fund Positioning, Copley Fund Research

Steven Holden

Asset Allocation & Fund Positioning

Copley Fund Research

Copley Fund Research provide research and data on asset allocation among Global and Emerging Market equity funds.  The analysis details absolute and relative positioning across countries, sectors and industries together with highly granular data on single stock and single fund allocations.  The data is updated monthly with time series going back to January 2011.

Global Research - Analysis of 165 prominent Global equity funds, combined AUM $335bn
GEM Research - Analysis of 127 prominent global EM equity funds, combined AUM $250bn

Asset Allocation - Global and GEM Equity

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>Allocations in Asian Financials stocks have fallen to all-time lows in Asia Ex-Japan active portfolios this year.</li>
<li>Fund managers move to underweight following $3bn in net outflows.</li>
<li>Managers exit ASEAN banks, weights drop in China banks. </li>
<li>On a stock level, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/icici-bank-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:547:1" rel="noopener">ICICI Bank Ltd (ICICIBC IN)</a> ,  <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bank-rakyat-indonesia-persero" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:484:1" rel="noopener">Bank Rakyat Indonesia Persero (BBRI IJ)</a> (-7.2%) and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/indusind-bank-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1558:1" rel="noopener">Indusind Bank (IIB IN)</a> are the hardest hit.</li>
</ul>


Allocations in Asian Financials stocks have fallen to all-time lows in Asia Ex-Japan active portfolios this year.
Fund managers move to underweight following $3bn in net outflows.
Managers exit ASEAN banks, weights drop in China banks. 
On a stock level, ICICI Bank Ltd (ICICIBC IN) ,  Bank Rakyat Indonesia Persero (BBRI IJ) (-7.2%) and Indusind Bank (IIB IN) are the hardest hit.


*Solid Results In FY 2Q21: Kotak Mahindra Bank (KMB.IN) [Kotak] reported a fairly stellar FY 2Q21 earnings result of INR 21.8 bn – exceeding FY 1Q21 results by INR 9.3 bn or 75.5% - a high quality beat of consensus as well; and*Strong Credit Metrics Across The Board: Gross NPLs were flattish linked quarter, while net new NPLs increased just INR 1.1 bn or 7.6% on an annualized basis. Further, despite the loss provisioning decline of INR 5.9 bn (61.7%), loss reserves at KMB increased INR 2.8 bn (7.4%) as NCOs continue to decelerate.

*Solid Results In FY 2Q21: Kotak Mahindra Bank (KMB.IN) [Kotak] reported a fairly stellar FY 2Q21 earnings result of INR 21.8 bn – exceeding FY 1Q21 results by INR 9.3 bn or 75.5% - a high quality beat of consensus as well; and*Strong Credit Metrics Across The Board: Gross NPLs were flattish linked quarter, while net new NPLs increased just INR 1.1 bn or 7.6% on an annualized basis. Further, despite the loss provisioning decline of INR 5.9 bn (61.7%), loss reserves at KMB increased INR 2.8 bn (7.4%) as NCOs continue to decelerate. 

Kotak Mahindra Bank – Surprisingly Strong Performance

India

IndusInd Bank Limited is a Mumbai-based Indian new generation bank established in 1994. The Bank provides a range of banking and financial services including  wholesale banking, credit monitoring, risk management, tele-banking, investment banking and commercial lending. IndusInd Bank operates branches throughout India as well as an office in Dubai and London.

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Indusind Bank (IIB IN)

Shriram Transport Finance – Frightening Glory

SHRIRAM TRANSPORT FINANCE: Shriram Is Exhibiting Early Signs of Positive Credit Deltas, And Likely Exits This COVID Crisis Earlier Than Peer.

Thomas J. Monaco

Bank of Baroda – Scary On Halloween

BANK OF BARODA: Manufactured Profits Ahead Of Capital Raise. BOB Already Appears Insolvent With 9.3% NPLs and 10 Quarter Reserve Shortfall

Thomas J. Monaco

Bank Credit Weekly: Risk Reduction on Election and Virus Uncertainty

Market reactions to soaring Coronavirus contagion, underpriced election outcome risks and sidelined treasury investors may augment market...

Hank Calenti, CFA

Asia Ex-Japan Financials: Long Drop

Allocations in Financial stocks drop to all-time lows in Asia Ex-Japan active funds. Financials now key underweight holding, led by selling in the...

Steven Holden

Kotak Mahindra Bank – Surprisingly Strong Performance

KOTAK MAHINDRA BANK: Surprise, Surprise, Surprise. Both Credit Metrics and Ne Interest Income Improves As Risk Substantially Declines

Thomas J. Monaco

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