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

*NIM Driven Bottom-line: L&amp;T Finance Holdings (LTFH.IN) [LTFH] reported FY 3Q21 operating results of INR 2.9 bn, increasing INR 260 mn (9.8%) linked quarter. Much of LTFH’s strength during the quarter was attributed to net interest income growth of INR 2.1 bn (15.8%) associated with improving cost of funds (down 72 bp linked quarter) on liquidity improvement.*Credit Risk Challenges: While LTFH would like to have the investment community believe that it has turned the corner with credit, that notion is patently false. Inclusive of INR 12.8 mn in NCOs, we calculate a continued acceleration of net new NPL growth to 101% on an annualized basis – which is troubling. We calculate that reserves need a boost close to INR 80 bn or nearly five years of pre-tax earnings; and   *Banking License May Be Out of Reach: LTFH's Tier-1 ratio was 17.8% at FY 3Q21. However, if our reserve shortfall analysis is correct, LTFH’s stated Tier 1 capital ratio will be quite challenged, leaving it short of the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) plan for larger NBFCs to become banks.

*NIM Driven Bottom-line: L&amp;T Finance Holdings (LTFH.IN) [LTFH] reported FY 3Q21 operating results of INR 2.9 bn, increasing INR 260 mn (9.8%) linked quarter. Much of LTFH’s strength during the quarter was attributed to net interest income growth of INR 2.1 bn (15.8%) associated with improving cost of funds (down 72 bp linked quarter) on liquidity improvement.*Credit Risk Challenges: While LTFH would like to have the investment community believe that it has turned the corner with credit, that notion is patently false. Inclusive of INR 12.8 mn in NCOs, we calculate a continued acceleration of net new NPL growth to 101% on an annualized basis – which is troubling. We calculate that reserves need a boost close to INR 80 bn or nearly five years of pre-tax earnings; and   *Banking License May Be Out of Reach: LTFH's Tier-1 ratio was 17.8% at FY 3Q21. However, if our reserve shortfall analysis is correct, LTFH’s stated Tier 1 capital ratio will be quite challenged, leaving it short of the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) plan for larger NBFCs to become banks.

L&T Finance Holdings – Credit Risk Jeopardizes Bank License

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

*Bracing For Even Tougher Times: According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), India’s financial sector needs to prepare for even more challenging times given the continued risk of credit deterioration, which remains heightened due to this unrelenting pandemic; and*Open Your Wallets, Indian Financials Need Money: Given the economic uncertainty posed by COVID-19, credit quality in the Indian financial system is likely to present continued economic challenges in 2021. If the RBI is correct, and we believe that it is – although its forecasts appear quite light, FY 2022 will see continued losses and massive levels of capital raised.

*Bracing For Even Tougher Times: According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), India’s financial sector needs to prepare for even more challenging times given the continued risk of credit deterioration, which remains heightened due to this unrelenting pandemic; and*Open Your Wallets, Indian Financials Need Money: Given the economic uncertainty posed by COVID-19, credit quality in the Indian financial system is likely to present continued economic challenges in 2021. If the RBI is correct, and we believe that it is – although its forecasts appear quite light, FY 2022 will see continued losses and massive levels of capital raised.   

Reserve Bank of India – Continued Bank Waterboarding

*RBI Fines Bajaj: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) fined Bajaj Finance (BAF.IN) [Bajaj] INR 25 mn for failing to ensure that its debt recovery agents were following the appropriate guidelines; and*Credit Costs Pressured: While the Bajaj penalty is not material, the more intense level of regulatory scrutiny could negatively impact near-term retail loan collection efficiency and raise concerns over the cost of risk and the revival of loan growth. This recent action on recovery methods on top of already high bounce rates could potentially lead to a slowdown in the collection efficiencies and higher loss provisions.

*RBI Fines Bajaj: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) fined Bajaj Finance (BAF.IN) [Bajaj] INR 25 mn for failing to ensure that its debt recovery agents were following the appropriate guidelines; and*Credit Costs Pressured: While the Bajaj penalty is not material, the more intense level of regulatory scrutiny could negatively impact near-term retail loan collection efficiency and raise concerns over the cost of risk and the revival of loan growth. This recent action on recovery methods on top of already high bounce rates could potentially lead to a slowdown in the collection efficiencies and higher loss provisions. 

*Ford Deal Vanishes: Ford Motor Company (F.US) [Ford] and Mahindra &amp; Mahindra (MM.IN) [M&amp;M] entered into a definitive agreement to establish a joint venture (JV) in October 2019 to develop, market, and distribute Ford-branded vehicles in India and other emerging markets. Unfortunately for M&amp;M, Ford has decided to end the relationship on December 31, 2021 - prior to it even getting off the ground; and   *Ssangyong Bankruptcy Likely Cause Of JV Collapse: Purchased by M&amp;M in 2011, the 74.7%-owned SsangYong Motor Company (003620.KS) [Ssangyong] in South Korea filed an application for commencement of the rehabilitation procedure with the Seoul Bankruptcy Court. The agreement between M&amp;M and Ford appears to have legally expired in October yet the actual decision to terminate precariously comes on the heals of the Ssangyong petition where M&amp;M is on the hook with a guarantee which likely will challenge it financially going forward.

*Ford Deal Vanishes: Ford Motor Company (F.US) [Ford] and Mahindra &amp; Mahindra (MM.IN) [M&amp;M] entered into a definitive agreement to establish a joint venture (JV) in October 2019 to develop, market, and distribute Ford-branded vehicles in India and other emerging markets. Unfortunately for M&amp;M, Ford has decided to end the relationship on December 31, 2021 - prior to it even getting off the ground; and   *Ssangyong Bankruptcy Likely Cause Of JV Collapse: Purchased by M&amp;M in 2011, the 74.7%-owned SsangYong Motor Company (003620.KS) [Ssangyong] in South Korea filed an application for commencement of the rehabilitation procedure with the Seoul Bankruptcy Court. The agreement between M&amp;M and Ford appears to have legally expired in October yet the actual decision to terminate precariously comes on the heals of the Ssangyong petition where M&amp;M is on the hook with a guarantee which likely will challenge it financially going forward.

Mahindra & Mahindra – Found On Road Dead

Chief Economist & Political Strategist, CrossASEAN Research

Prasenjit K. Basu

Chief Economist & Political Strategist

CrossASEAN Research

At CrossASEAN Research we strive to produce unbiased and differentiated on the ground insights on companies across South East Asia. Our Research is produced for the most part after face to face meetings and conversations with company management to dig deep into the long term vision and strategy of the companies we cover. We seek to deliver investable and actionable themes on sectors and markets across SE Asia, often in collaboration with other Insight Providers across the region, pooling the vast experience of the analysts within the Smartkarma Ecosystem. We also offer bespoke work and tailor made trips for our clients. 

Insights across South East Asia

Macroeconomics

India offers new manufacturing units an effective corporate tax rate of 17%, a completely flexible labour market (with new employees taken on fixed-term contracts that needn't be renewed upon expiry), and production-linked incentives to encourage export-oriented industry, which will induce a strong investment revival. Base effects will help growth (with real GDP likely growing over 12% YoY) in FY2021/22 and inflation (likely falling below 4% YoY in Apr-Jun 2021), allowing further RBI rate cuts that help strengthen growth, with privatization (including large-ticket strategic sales) substantially boosting the fiscal balance.  Real GDP growth should average 10% annually in the decade ahead. Stay Overweight India, as growth will boost EPS and hence improve valuations.The  BoP current account surplus (2.1% of GDP in Jan-Sep 2020, after the latest surplus for the Jul-Sep 2020 quarter of 2.4% of GDP) provides ample room to boost domestic demand in 2021 without significantly affecting the external balances. Although the fiscal deficit soared by 40.3% YoY in April-September (the first half of FY2020/21) while the economy was largely shut down and revenues slumped, public expenditure also was restrained (declining 0.6% YoY in Apr-Sep20, and still up only 4.7% YoY in Apr-Nov20 after a good recovery in Oct-Nov20). In October 2020, gross tax revenue expanded 16.9% YoY, accelerating to 23% YoY in November 2020, and the fiscal deficit for April-November 2020 was up a more modest 33.1% YoY. Despite the improved revenue in the second half of the fiscal year, there will be scant room for fiscal manoeuvre in FY2021/22. But this year's economic reforms will provide a massive medium-term boost to the economy. The most significant are the labour reforms, which have simplified 44 codes into four simple ones (easing compliance) and allowed all new employees to be taken on fixed-term contracts. This neatly gets around the biggest problem in India's labour market (the difficulty of firing workers, which inhibits hiring), and makes India's labour market incredibly flexible. When combined with a corporate tax rate of 17% for new manufacturing units (as low as any in Asia), and production-linked incentives (PLI) for specific export-oriented sectors, India is likely to attract large inflows of FDI and domestic investment into manufacturing in 2021, as global value chains also begin shifting to India (as ASEAN and India already have an FTA, as does India have with neighbours Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal). Real GDP growth is likely to be +3% YoY in the current quarter, +7% in Jan-Mar 2021, +25% YoY in Apr-Jun 2021 (still leaving that quarter's GDP 4% below Apr-Jun 2019), 10% YoY in Jul-Sep 2021, and 8% YoY in Oct21-Mar22 -- enabling real GDP to grow over 12.5% YoY in FY2021/22. This year's structural reforms (including a diluted version of the farm reforms) will provide a medium-term boost to productivity and employment across a broad swathe of the economy, enabling real GDP to sustainably move toward 10% annual growth for the decade.  Stay Overweight India, despite the seemingly stretched valuations (which will result in a short-term correction early in 2021).

India offers new manufacturing units an effective corporate tax rate of 17%, a completely flexible labour market (with new employees taken on fixed-term contracts that needn't be renewed upon expiry), and production-linked incentives to encourage export-oriented industry, which will induce a strong investment revival. Base effects will help growth (with real GDP likely growing over 12% YoY) in FY2021/22 and inflation (likely falling below 4% YoY in Apr-Jun 2021), allowing further RBI rate cuts that help strengthen growth, with privatization (including large-ticket strategic sales) substantially boosting the fiscal balance.  Real GDP growth should average 10% annually in the decade ahead. Stay Overweight India, as growth will boost EPS and hence improve valuations.The  BoP current account surplus (2.1% of GDP in Jan-Sep 2020, after the latest surplus for the Jul-Sep 2020 quarter of 2.4% of GDP) provides ample room to boost domestic demand in 2021 without significantly affecting the external balances. Although the fiscal deficit soared by 40.3% YoY in April-September (the first half of FY2020/21) while the economy was largely shut down and revenues slumped, public expenditure also was restrained (declining 0.6% YoY in Apr-Sep20, and still up only 4.7% YoY in Apr-Nov20 after a good recovery in Oct-Nov20). In October 2020, gross tax revenue expanded 16.9% YoY, accelerating to 23% YoY in November 2020, and the fiscal deficit for April-November 2020 was up a more modest 33.1% YoY. Despite the improved revenue in the second half of the fiscal year, there will be scant room for fiscal manoeuvre in FY2021/22. But this year's economic reforms will provide a massive medium-term boost to the economy. The most significant are the labour reforms, which have simplified 44 codes into four simple ones (easing compliance) and allowed all new employees to be taken on fixed-term contracts. This neatly gets around the biggest problem in India's labour market (the difficulty of firing workers, which inhibits hiring), and makes India's labour market incredibly flexible. When combined with a corporate tax rate of 17% for new manufacturing units (as low as any in Asia), and production-linked incentives (PLI) for specific export-oriented sectors, India is likely to attract large inflows of FDI and domestic investment into manufacturing in 2021, as global value chains also begin shifting to India (as ASEAN and India already have an FTA, as does India have with neighbours Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal). Real GDP growth is likely to be +3% YoY in the current quarter, +7% in Jan-Mar 2021, +25% YoY in Apr-Jun 2021 (still leaving that quarter's GDP 4% below Apr-Jun 2019), 10% YoY in Jul-Sep 2021, and 8% YoY in Oct21-Mar22 -- enabling real GDP to grow over 12.5% YoY in FY2021/22. This year's structural reforms (including a diluted version of the farm reforms) will provide a medium-term boost to productivity and employment across a broad swathe of the economy, enabling real GDP to sustainably move toward 10% annual growth for the decade.  Stay Overweight India, despite the seemingly stretched valuations (which will result in a short-term correction early in 2021). 

India's 2020 Reforms Will Usher in a Decade of Spectacular Growth from 2021 On

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)

L&T Finance Holdings – Credit Risk Jeopardizes Bank License

L&T FINANCE: LTFH reported a FY 3Q21 result increase of 9.8% linked quarter. Continued acceleration of net new NPL growth and a reserve shortfall...

Thomas J. Monaco

Reserve Bank of India – Continued Bank Waterboarding

RESERVE BANK OF INDIA: India’s financial sector needs to prepare for even more challenging times. If the RBI is correct, FY 2022 will see continued...

Thomas J. Monaco

Bajaj Finance – Smack

BAJAJ FINANCE: RBI fined Bajaj Finance INR 25 mn for failing to ensure that its debt recovery agents were following the appropriate guidelines....

Thomas J. Monaco

Mahindra & Mahindra – Found On Road Dead

MAHINDRA & MAHINDRA: Ford and M&M entered into a JV in 2019. Unfortunately Ford has decided to end the relationship. The Ssangyong bankruptcy and...

Thomas J. Monaco

India's 2020 Reforms Will Usher in a Decade of Spectacular Growth from 2021 On

17% corporate tax rate, an ultra-flexible labour market and performance-linked incentives to exporters will give a big fillip to investment & boost...

Prasenjit K. Basu