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

*More Transformation To Come: What a magnificent amazing six months this has been for Tencent Holding’s (700.HK) [Tencent] Afterpay Touch (APT.AU) [Afterpay]. Afterpay provided positive commentary at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) where the next six months look to be even more transformational with operations beginning in the European Union, launches of banking products, and potentially the launch of the business in Asia (likely under the tutelage of Tencent); and*More Magic Fairy Dust: Tencent continues to hit it out of the park with its Afterpay stake. In addition to a superb return on investment of 394% over the past five plus months since the stake announcement, this alliance with Australia’s premier financial technology Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) company is paying dividends to Tencent in numerous other ways.

*More Transformation To Come: What a magnificent amazing six months this has been for Tencent Holding’s (700.HK) [Tencent] Afterpay Touch (APT.AU) [Afterpay]. Afterpay provided positive commentary at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) where the next six months look to be even more transformational with operations beginning in the European Union, launches of banking products, and potentially the launch of the business in Asia (likely under the tutelage of Tencent); and*More Magic Fairy Dust: Tencent continues to hit it out of the park with its Afterpay stake. In addition to a superb return on investment of 394% over the past five plus months since the stake announcement, this alliance with Australia’s premier financial technology Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) company is paying dividends to Tencent in numerous other ways.

*Another Positive Update Ahead of AGM: The Australia Securities &amp; Investments Commission (ASIC) recently released its second report on the Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) space, and the findings appear to be similar to its first report. This is quite positive for the shares of Afterpay Touch (APT.AU) [Afterpay], where Tencent Holdings (700.HK) [Tencent] holds what is likely to be a growing 5% stake. The AGM for Afterpay is on November 17th; and  *More Magic Fairy Dust: Tencent continues to hit it out of the park with its Afterpay stake. In addition to a superb return on investment of 394% over the past five plus months since the stake announcement, this alliance with Australia’s premier financial technology BNPL company is paying dividends to Tencent in numerous other ways.

*Another Positive Update Ahead of AGM: The Australia Securities &amp; Investments Commission (ASIC) recently released its second report on the Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) space, and the findings appear to be similar to its first report. This is quite positive for the shares of Afterpay Touch (APT.AU) [Afterpay], where Tencent Holdings (700.HK) [Tencent] holds what is likely to be a growing 5% stake. The AGM for Afterpay is on November 17th; and  *More Magic Fairy Dust: Tencent continues to hit it out of the park with its Afterpay stake. In addition to a superb return on investment of 394% over the past five plus months since the stake announcement, this alliance with Australia’s premier financial technology BNPL company is paying dividends to Tencent in numerous other ways. 

Tencent – This Deal Keeps Rolling Along

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

*Yongcheng Coal Default: According to Shanghai Clearing House, Yongcheng Coal and Electricity (YCE) in Henan Province failed to repay a CNY 1 bn (USD 151 mn) short-term bond despite being given the highest rating by one of mainland China’s awful domestic credit ratings agencies; and*Watch Your Banks: The yield on benchmark five-year “AAA” rated mainland Chinese corporates was 3.99% - up over 100 bp from their April 2020 low. Investor flight is pushing financing costs higher and squeezing local corporate funding in a market which is just barely recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Concerns remain over higher problem loans as debt service risk is heightened over higher rates, unreliable financial statements and ratings agency reports, and now an inability to refinance public debt with a number of bond sales being canceled. Further, the degradation of corporate bond values is limiting their usage as collateral.

*Yongcheng Coal Default: According to Shanghai Clearing House, Yongcheng Coal and Electricity (YCE) in Henan Province failed to repay a CNY 1 bn (USD 151 mn) short-term bond despite being given the highest rating by one of mainland China’s awful domestic credit ratings agencies; and*Watch Your Banks: The yield on benchmark five-year “AAA” rated mainland Chinese corporates was 3.99% - up over 100 bp from their April 2020 low. Investor flight is pushing financing costs higher and squeezing local corporate funding in a market which is just barely recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Concerns remain over higher problem loans as debt service risk is heightened over higher rates, unreliable financial statements and ratings agency reports, and now an inability to refinance public debt with a number of bond sales being canceled. Further, the degradation of corporate bond values is limiting their usage as collateral.

*Potential Deal For Tahoe Life: According to a Bloomberg report, Ping An Insurance (2318.HK) [Ping An] (along with Sunshine Insurance Group in Beijing] is a finalist to acquire Tahoe Life, the Hong Kong-based life insurance subsidiary of Tahoe Investment, for over USD 1 bn; and*Other Goodies May Come Along With Deal: In addition to Tahoe Life, Tahoe Investment is a founding shareholder of Haixia Life Insurance and a major shareholder of Fujian Haixia Bank, Rural Credit Bank of Fuzhou, and Dongxing Securities. Given the financial troubles of Tahoe, we would have to imagine the sale of these businesses would also be on the table for Ping An and Sunshine as well.

*Potential Deal For Tahoe Life: According to a Bloomberg report, Ping An Insurance (2318.HK) [Ping An] (along with Sunshine Insurance Group in Beijing] is a finalist to acquire Tahoe Life, the Hong Kong-based life insurance subsidiary of Tahoe Investment, for over USD 1 bn; and*Other Goodies May Come Along With Deal: In addition to Tahoe Life, Tahoe Investment is a founding shareholder of Haixia Life Insurance and a major shareholder of Fujian Haixia Bank, Rural Credit Bank of Fuzhou, and Dongxing Securities. Given the financial troubles of Tahoe, we would have to imagine the sale of these businesses would also be on the table for Ping An and Sunshine as well.

Ping An Insurance – Where There Is Smoke...

*Solid Quarter: Hong Kong Exchanges &amp; Clearing (388.HK) [HKEX] reported 3Q20 earnings of HKD 3.3 bn, improving HKD 376 mn (12.7%) linked quarter. Results were even more impressive when we exclude investment income (declined HKD 206 mn or 23.2% linked quarter) – increasing HKD 582 mn (28.0%) to HKD 2.7 bn; and** Peak Value: So much value has been derived on hope for the shares of HKEx, which included that on: southbound connect, futures markets,  structural reforms, and the change in CEO. As such, we have witnessed HKEx’s 2020 share performance of 44.4% that has resulted in a global exchange leading valuation of 10.4x P/BV.

*Solid Quarter: Hong Kong Exchanges &amp; Clearing (388.HK) [HKEX] reported 3Q20 earnings of HKD 3.3 bn, improving HKD 376 mn (12.7%) linked quarter. Results were even more impressive when we exclude investment income (declined HKD 206 mn or 23.2% linked quarter) – increasing HKD 582 mn (28.0%) to HKD 2.7 bn; and** Peak Value: So much value has been derived on hope for the shares of HKEx, which included that on: southbound connect, futures markets,  structural reforms, and the change in CEO. As such, we have witnessed HKEx’s 2020 share performance of 44.4% that has resulted in a global exchange leading valuation of 10.4x P/BV.

Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing – Strong Quarter, But Can It Continue?

China

iShares FTSE A50 China Index ETF is an exchanged-traded fund established in Hong Kong. The investment objective of the iShares FTSE A50 China Index ETF is to provide investment results that, before fees and expenses, closely correspond to the performance of A50 Index.

iShares FTSE/Xinhua A50 China (2823 HK)

Tencent Holdings - After The AGM

TENCENT HOLDING: Afterpay Touch AGM Exhibits Strength Of Franchise Post-Tencent Stake. Next Six Months To Be Transformational.

Thomas J. Monaco

Tencent – This Deal Keeps Rolling Along

TENCENT HOLDINGS: ASICs Second Report On The Buy Now Pay Later Space Is Yet Another Positive For Tencent's Afterpay Investment.

Thomas J. Monaco

Another Day, Another Default

MAINLAND CHINA DEFAULT: Yongcheng Coal Defaulted On Its Debt, Leading To Concerns About The Credibility Of AAA Rated Corporates In Mainland China...

Thomas J. Monaco

Ping An Insurance – Where There Is Smoke...

PING AN INSURANCE: Tahoe Life Appears To Be Up For Sale, Given The Financial Troubles Of Tahoe Investment. Ping An Is Likely A Bidder, And Other...

Thomas J. Monaco

Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing – Strong Quarter, But Can It Continue?

HONG KONG EXCHANGES & CLEARING: HKEX Results Were Great And We've Just Witnessed Vaccine Euphoria. How Much Higher Than 10.4x P/BV Can HKEX...

Thomas J. Monaco