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

*Earnings Miss: HDFC Bank (HDFCB.IN) [HDFCB] released another disappointing set of results, as its FY 1Q22 bottom-line result declined another INR 4.6 bn (5.6%) to INR 77.3 bn on a linked quarter basis. The earnings disappointment came from a net interest income decline, a loss provision increase, and fee revenue weakness; and*Credit Challenged Still: We calculate that net new NPLs actually increased a whopping INR 57.6 bn or 152.8% on an annualized basis – accelerating from the INR 49.2 bn or 130.4% increase posted in FY 4Q20. By our calculation, reserves are massively short by nearly INR 316 bn or nearly an entire year of core operating results.

*Earnings Miss: HDFC Bank (HDFCB.IN) [HDFCB] released another disappointing set of results, as its FY 1Q22 bottom-line result declined another INR 4.6 bn (5.6%) to INR 77.3 bn on a linked quarter basis. The earnings disappointment came from a net interest income decline, a loss provision increase, and fee revenue weakness; and*Credit Challenged Still: We calculate that net new NPLs actually increased a whopping INR 57.6 bn or 152.8% on an annualized basis – accelerating from the INR 49.2 bn or 130.4% increase posted in FY 4Q20. By our calculation, reserves are massively short by nearly INR 316 bn or nearly an entire year of core operating results. 

HDFC Bank – Is This Really India’s Best Bank?

*Results Down, Credibility Continues To Decrease: L&amp;T Finance Holdings (LTFH.IN) [LTFH] reported FY 1Q22 bottom-line results of 1.8 bn, declining INR 890 mn (33.3%) linked quarter. Results were weaker across the board;  and  *Accelerating Negative Credit Delta: Inclusive of NCOs of INR 8.5 bn or 3.62% annualized total loans, we note that net new NPLs skyrocketed INR 12.0 bn or increasing an eye popping 106.7% on an annualized basis during the period. By our calculation, if the large blip in credit continues, LTFH  management ought to think about adding another INR 69 bn plus to the reserve. A hit this large represents over seven years of PBT or 6.3x average equity.

*Results Down, Credibility Continues To Decrease: L&amp;T Finance Holdings (LTFH.IN) [LTFH] reported FY 1Q22 bottom-line results of 1.8 bn, declining INR 890 mn (33.3%) linked quarter. Results were weaker across the board;  and  *Accelerating Negative Credit Delta: Inclusive of NCOs of INR 8.5 bn or 3.62% annualized total loans, we note that net new NPLs skyrocketed INR 12.0 bn or increasing an eye popping 106.7% on an annualized basis during the period. By our calculation, if the large blip in credit continues, LTFH  management ought to think about adding another INR 69 bn plus to the reserve. A hit this large represents over seven years of PBT or 6.3x average equity.  

L&T Finance Holdings – Struggling To Survive

*Balance Sheet Contraction: Federal Bank (FB.IN) [Federal] provided an investor update for FY 1Q22 ahead of its detailed financial results due sometime later this month. Like HDFC Bank (HDFCB.IN), the highlights related to growth metrics in lending and deposits – both of which are contracting. In our view, this is likely a sign that management has come to the view that it must preserve capital; and*Credit Risk Likely Increased. No information was disclosed about credit quality. Given the acceleration in the increase of net new problem loans increase of 78.4% on an annualized basis at FY 4Q21 (from 67.4% during FY 3Q21) coupled with the challenges of India’s second COVID-19 wave and negative loan growth, it’s a pretty fair bet that credit has worsened. We also found that reserve cover is increasingly light by close to INR 84.5 bn  – nearly five years of bottom-line performance. Perhaps management will do the right thing in FY 1Q22 and reverse the loss provision decline.

*Balance Sheet Contraction: Federal Bank (FB.IN) [Federal] provided an investor update for FY 1Q22 ahead of its detailed financial results due sometime later this month. Like HDFC Bank (HDFCB.IN), the highlights related to growth metrics in lending and deposits – both of which are contracting. In our view, this is likely a sign that management has come to the view that it must preserve capital; and*Credit Risk Likely Increased. No information was disclosed about credit quality. Given the acceleration in the increase of net new problem loans increase of 78.4% on an annualized basis at FY 4Q21 (from 67.4% during FY 3Q21) coupled with the challenges of India’s second COVID-19 wave and negative loan growth, it’s a pretty fair bet that credit has worsened. We also found that reserve cover is increasingly light by close to INR 84.5 bn  – nearly five years of bottom-line performance. Perhaps management will do the right thing in FY 1Q22 and reverse the loss provision decline.

Federal Bank – Capital Preservation Mode

*No Substance: HDFC Bank (HDFCB.IN) [HDFCB] provided an investor update for FY 1Q22 ahead of its official scheduled July 17, 2021 earnings release. Many of the highlights related to growth of lending and deposits; and*Where Have All The Flowers Gone: Nothing was discussed regarding HDFCB’s abysmal credit quality nor its quite suspect insider transaction with HDFC ERGO General Insurance (ERGO). For FY 4Q21, net new NPLs actually increased INR 49.2 bn or 130.4% on an annualized basis which is quite worrisome.  We would also be more comfortable if HDFCB was a bit more aggressive with its provisions. By our calculation, reserves are currently short by nearly INR 242 bn or nearly a half year of core operating results.

*No Substance: HDFC Bank (HDFCB.IN) [HDFCB] provided an investor update for FY 1Q22 ahead of its official scheduled July 17, 2021 earnings release. Many of the highlights related to growth of lending and deposits; and*Where Have All The Flowers Gone: Nothing was discussed regarding HDFCB’s abysmal credit quality nor its quite suspect insider transaction with HDFC ERGO General Insurance (ERGO). For FY 4Q21, net new NPLs actually increased INR 49.2 bn or 130.4% on an annualized basis which is quite worrisome.  We would also be more comfortable if HDFCB was a bit more aggressive with its provisions. By our calculation, reserves are currently short by nearly INR 242 bn or nearly a half year of core operating results. 

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

*Not So Stable: According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), gross NPLS are not anticipated to be as bad as originally believed. In addition, the RBI retains its cautious outlook on MSME credit risk; and
* Rose Colored Glasses: As we have highlighted in numerous individual Indian bank notes, credit quality continued to deteriorate at an accelerated pace prior to the second wave of COVID-19. While many financials are already considered technically insolvent, the reality is that there has been absolutely no let up in the breakdown of credit quality.

*Not So Stable: According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), gross NPLS are not anticipated to be as bad as originally believed. In addition, the RBI retains its cautious outlook on MSME credit risk; and
* Rose Colored Glasses: As we have highlighted in numerous individual Indian bank notes, credit quality continued to deteriorate at an accelerated pace prior to the second wave of COVID-19. While many financials are already considered technically insolvent, the reality is that there has been absolutely no let up in the breakdown of credit quality.

Reserve Bank Of India – FSR Is Very Unrealistic

India

iShares MSCI India ETF is an exchange-traded fund incorporated in the USA. The ETF seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI India Index.

iShares MSCI India ETF (INDA US)

HDFC Bank – Is This Really India’s Best Bank?

HDFC Bank: HDFCB QOQ results declined 5.6% due to a net interest income and fee revenue along with a loss provision increase. Reserves appear...

Thomas J. Monaco

L&T Finance Holdings – Struggling To Survive

L&T Finance Holdings: LTFH reported FY 1Q22 bottom-line declined 33.3% QOQ. Results were weak across the board. LTFH's reserve is short INR 69 bn...

Thomas J. Monaco

Federal Bank – Capital Preservation Mode

FEDERAL BANK: Federal recently highlighted FY 1Q22 growth metrics in lending and deposits – both of which are contracting. In our view, it appears...

Thomas J. Monaco

HDFC Bank – Spigots Are Now Off

HDFC BANK: HDFCB provided an investor update for FY 1Q22 ahead of its official scheduled July 17, 2021 earnings release. Highlights related to...

Thomas J. Monaco

Reserve Bank Of India – FSR Is Very Unrealistic

RESERVE BANK OF INDIA: According to the RBI, NPLS are not anticipated to be as bad. This couldn't be further from the truth. NPLs continue to...

Thomas J. Monaco