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

*Weaker Result Across Almost All Geographic Segments: Citigroup (C.US) [Citi] reported 2Q21 bottom-line results of USD 6.2 bn, decreasing USD 1.7 bn (22.0%) linked quarter. On operating basis, Citi posted results of USD 6.0 bn, USD 1.5 bn (93.3%) ahead of 1Q21 numbers. Negative operating jaws (revenues down 8.7% and costs up 1.1%) and weakness in both Global Consumer and Institutional businesses broke Citi this quarter; and*Credit Weaker But Coverage Strong:  In light of NCOs, net new NPLs amount to USD 616 mn or increasing at the same exact pace as 1Q21 at 48.0% on an annualized basis – although not nearly as bad as JPM’s 177% increase. While reserve cover remains strong in aggregate, credit degradation appears to still be on the rise going forward at Citi. That being said, despite the elevated increase, Citi still appears likely to continue down the road of reserve releases.

*Weaker Result Across Almost All Geographic Segments: Citigroup (C.US) [Citi] reported 2Q21 bottom-line results of USD 6.2 bn, decreasing USD 1.7 bn (22.0%) linked quarter. On operating basis, Citi posted results of USD 6.0 bn, USD 1.5 bn (93.3%) ahead of 1Q21 numbers. Negative operating jaws (revenues down 8.7% and costs up 1.1%) and weakness in both Global Consumer and Institutional businesses broke Citi this quarter; and*Credit Weaker But Coverage Strong:  In light of NCOs, net new NPLs amount to USD 616 mn or increasing at the same exact pace as 1Q21 at 48.0% on an annualized basis – although not nearly as bad as JPM’s 177% increase. While reserve cover remains strong in aggregate, credit degradation appears to still be on the rise going forward at Citi. That being said, despite the elevated increase, Citi still appears likely to continue down the road of reserve releases.

*Troubling Result: J.P. Morgan Chase &amp; Co (JPM.US) [JPM] reported 2Q21 bottom-line results of USD 11.9 bn, declining USD 2.4 bn (16.4%) linked quarter, as four out of five business units posted bottom-line declines pushing overall revenues lower USD 1.6 bn (5.0%). On a core operating basis, JPM’s results declined somewhat less – down USD 2.2 bn or 15.3% over the period. Results were weak almost across the board; and*Credit Quality Reversing Previous Gains: We calculate that net new NPLs linked quarter grew USD 4.9 bn bn or 177.3% on an annualized basis – a far cry from the 22.2% and 0.2% increase at 1Q21 and 4Q20, respectively. While JPM would appear on its face to be well-provided for, provision releases now appear to be coming to an end. If the current uptick in net new NPLs is here to stay, JPM would appear light on reserves in the neighborhood of USD 7.0 bn or 50% of quarterly PBT.

*Troubling Result: J.P. Morgan Chase &amp; Co (JPM.US) [JPM] reported 2Q21 bottom-line results of USD 11.9 bn, declining USD 2.4 bn (16.4%) linked quarter, as four out of five business units posted bottom-line declines pushing overall revenues lower USD 1.6 bn (5.0%). On a core operating basis, JPM’s results declined somewhat less – down USD 2.2 bn or 15.3% over the period. Results were weak almost across the board; and*Credit Quality Reversing Previous Gains: We calculate that net new NPLs linked quarter grew USD 4.9 bn bn or 177.3% on an annualized basis – a far cry from the 22.2% and 0.2% increase at 1Q21 and 4Q20, respectively. While JPM would appear on its face to be well-provided for, provision releases now appear to be coming to an end. If the current uptick in net new NPLs is here to stay, JPM would appear light on reserves in the neighborhood of USD 7.0 bn or 50% of quarterly PBT. 

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

*Document 15: Recently the China Bank and Insurance Regulatory Commission (CBIRC) issued guidance to both banks and insurers on implicit debt of local government financing vehicles (LGFV) via Document 15 – tightening the screws even further;  and*No Let Up In Sight: Coupled with the structural reforms of an increase in risk-based capital minimums for certain state banks, the partial bank Wealth Management Product (WMP) resolution, and the recent reserve requirement ratio (RRR) reduction, these tightening measures should act to contain some of the out of control financial risk within the mainland Chinese financial system.

*Document 15: Recently the China Bank and Insurance Regulatory Commission (CBIRC) issued guidance to both banks and insurers on implicit debt of local government financing vehicles (LGFV) via Document 15 – tightening the screws even further;  and*No Let Up In Sight: Coupled with the structural reforms of an increase in risk-based capital minimums for certain state banks, the partial bank Wealth Management Product (WMP) resolution, and the recent reserve requirement ratio (RRR) reduction, these tightening measures should act to contain some of the out of control financial risk within the mainland Chinese financial system.

Founder of Antler Capital

Stanley Tsai, CFA

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).
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<td style="width: 726.047px;">Exhibit 1: China Financials | Silver Linings Playbook</td>
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Source: Our analysis
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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 Huarong Asset Management / Equity Bottom-Up

*Legacy Risks Strangling China Huarong: The issue appears to be China Huarong Asset Management’s (Huarong) legacy exposure associated with the misdeeds of its former Chairman, which still need to be addressed. Since our last note, Huarong still continues to teeter on the edge of insolvency and ongoing silence from Beijing has materially impacted funding costs. Huarong has until August 2021 to finally release its 2020 financial statements; and *Too Big Too Fail:  None of what is occurring should come as a surprise given mainland China's rapidly increasing debt position since the financial crisis - along with the same at its SOEs which are perceived to be too-big-to-fail and wield enormous political clout. A funding backstop from state-owned banks has been ordered by the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission (CBIRC), and the mainland Chinese government is likely to again blink and make good on Huarong's significant debt obligations. Distressed investors should consider picking away at Huarong’s debt; we’ll believe it when see Beijing imposing losses on investors in SOEs.

*Legacy Risks Strangling China Huarong: The issue appears to be China Huarong Asset Management’s (Huarong) legacy exposure associated with the misdeeds of its former Chairman, which still need to be addressed. Since our last note, Huarong still continues to teeter on the edge of insolvency and ongoing silence from Beijing has materially impacted funding costs. Huarong has until August 2021 to finally release its 2020 financial statements; and *Too Big Too Fail:  None of what is occurring should come as a surprise given mainland China's rapidly increasing debt position since the financial crisis - along with the same at its SOEs which are perceived to be too-big-to-fail and wield enormous political clout. A funding backstop from state-owned banks has been ordered by the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission (CBIRC), and the mainland Chinese government is likely to again blink and make good on Huarong's significant debt obligations. Distressed investors should consider picking away at Huarong’s debt; we’ll believe it when see Beijing imposing losses on investors in SOEs.

China Huarong Asset Management – Silence Is Golden

China

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited provides banking services. The Company offers deposits, loans, fund underwriting, foreign currency settlement, and other services. Industrial and Commercial Bank of China provides its services to individuals, enterprises, and other clients.

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ICBC (H) (1398 HK)

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Thomas J. Monaco

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