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

*Virtual Call Does Little To Quell Concerns: Last week a competitor held a virtual conference with AIA Group (1299.HK) [AIA]. In typical fashion, the management of AIA only discussed the positives neglecting many of the market realities;   *Mainland China Expansion and ASEAN Margins In Focus: According to management, the mainland Chinese expansion is of course progressing well as it plans three regional hubs - Beijing, Shanghai and recently approved Sichuan branch - to act as business centers. As discussed at the latest 3Q20 earnings release and now re-discussed, VONB margins have been increasing in select ASEAN markets; and*Elephants In The Room: Given both the earnings and balance sheet headwinds, who really cares about how many agents were added in mainland China? What was not discussed: negative tax implications for mainland Chinese subsidiaries versus branches; the bogusly rated AAA mainland Chinese bonds; the flailing Hong Kong flagship; and its USD-based investment portfolio.

*Virtual Call Does Little To Quell Concerns: Last week a competitor held a virtual conference with AIA Group (1299.HK) [AIA]. In typical fashion, the management of AIA only discussed the positives neglecting many of the market realities;   *Mainland China Expansion and ASEAN Margins In Focus: According to management, the mainland Chinese expansion is of course progressing well as it plans three regional hubs - Beijing, Shanghai and recently approved Sichuan branch - to act as business centers. As discussed at the latest 3Q20 earnings release and now re-discussed, VONB margins have been increasing in select ASEAN markets; and*Elephants In The Room: Given both the earnings and balance sheet headwinds, who really cares about how many agents were added in mainland China? What was not discussed: negative tax implications for mainland Chinese subsidiaries versus branches; the bogusly rated AAA mainland Chinese bonds; the flailing Hong Kong flagship; and its USD-based investment portfolio.  

*Another Poor Set Of Results Expected: Pre-market on November 11, 2020, AIA Group (1299.HK) [AIA] is set to release its usual limited set of results. By our calculation, AIA’s overall Value of New Business (VONB) is expected to decline 30% YOY on a constant exchange rate basis – remaining flat on a linked quarter basis, however - due largely to weaker volumes and margins; *It’s More Than VONB: AIA’s product mix remains sub-optimal with the single premium product remaining the focus due to the COVID-19 impact on face-to-face agency sales. Equity markets where AIA operates had setbacks: Hong Kong (down 4%); Singapore (down 5%); and Thailand (down 8%). AIA’s EV also suffered an 8% impairment due to an investment portfolio challenges – which is a continued worry for us given the global economic challenges that all corporates and sovereigns are facing; and   *No Hong Kong Rebound In Sight: The focus should remain Hong Kong, where a 60% plus YOY decline in VONB would not be out of the question as its border with mainland China continued to remain closed due to COVID-19 restrictions. This should continue to weigh on results over the next few quarters as well.

*Another Poor Set Of Results Expected: Pre-market on November 11, 2020, AIA Group (1299.HK) [AIA] is set to release its usual limited set of results. By our calculation, AIA’s overall Value of New Business (VONB) is expected to decline 30% YOY on a constant exchange rate basis – remaining flat on a linked quarter basis, however - due largely to weaker volumes and margins; *It’s More Than VONB: AIA’s product mix remains sub-optimal with the single premium product remaining the focus due to the COVID-19 impact on face-to-face agency sales. Equity markets where AIA operates had setbacks: Hong Kong (down 4%); Singapore (down 5%); and Thailand (down 8%). AIA’s EV also suffered an 8% impairment due to an investment portfolio challenges – which is a continued worry for us given the global economic challenges that all corporates and sovereigns are facing; and   *No Hong Kong Rebound In Sight: The focus should remain Hong Kong, where a 60% plus YOY decline in VONB would not be out of the question as its border with mainland China continued to remain closed due to COVID-19 restrictions. This should continue to weigh on results over the next few quarters as well.

AIA Group – 3Q Results Will Remain Very Challenging

* Weak Operational Results: AIA (1299.HK) released an its very abbreviated 1Q20 operating results. Unsurprising, the regional COVID-19 restrictions and social distancing measures had a significant negative impact on Greater China and ASEAN new business sales, and expense overruns – accelerating the decline in the value of new business (VONB), which declined USD 58 mn (6.5%) linked quarter to USD 841 mn which was broadly in-line with consensus.* Delayed Reaction In ASEAN: As COVID-19 restrictions were not put in place until the end of March in most of ASEAN, a delayed reaction to AIA’s results is likely for 2Q20; and* Watch The Investment Portfolio: Yields drive the bottom-line at life insurers. Rates have been reduced to all-time lows in most markets globally, and investment returns at AIA’s bottom-line will continue to be challenged. In addition, ratings agency downgrades are expected to negatively impact AIA solvency margins.

* Weak Operational Results: AIA (1299.HK) released an its very abbreviated 1Q20 operating results. Unsurprising, the regional COVID-19 restrictions and social distancing measures had a significant negative impact on Greater China and ASEAN new business sales, and expense overruns – accelerating the decline in the value of new business (VONB), which declined USD 58 mn (6.5%) linked quarter to USD 841 mn which was broadly in-line with consensus.* Delayed Reaction In ASEAN: As COVID-19 restrictions were not put in place until the end of March in most of ASEAN, a delayed reaction to AIA’s results is likely for 2Q20; and* Watch The Investment Portfolio: Yields drive the bottom-line at life insurers. Rates have been reduced to all-time lows in most markets globally, and investment returns at AIA’s bottom-line will continue to be challenged. In addition, ratings agency downgrades are expected to negatively impact AIA solvency margins.

AIA Group – It’s About Balance Sheet, Not Growth

Asia's Leading Online Property Group, PropertyGuru

Bjorn Sprengers

Asia's Leading Online Property Group

PropertyGuru

PropertyGuru Pte Ltd owns and operates a real estate property information website. The Company offers facilities to search for condominiums, apartments, Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats, serviced apartments, houses, and commercial properties to rent and buy in Singapore.

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

While the popular view remains that Iskandar's development is largely being driven by investments from Singapore households into the residential market, however, the actual dynamics are quite different.&nbsp;Over 60% of the cumulative investments have been from Malaysia while residential property makes up only 24% of the total investments.&nbsp;Thus, waning demand for residential assets is unlikely to derail the Iskandar express.

While the popular view remains that Iskandar's development is largely being driven by investments from Singapore households into the residential market, however, the actual dynamics are quite different.&nbsp;Over 60% of the cumulative investments have been from Malaysia while residential property makes up only 24% of the total investments.&nbsp;Thus, waning demand for residential assets is unlikely to derail the Iskandar express.

Can Iskandar Malaysia succeed without Singapore?

Malaysia&rsquo;s government recently rolled out the new Goods &amp; Services Tax (GST) on 1 April 2015. But many people are still unsure as to its full impact on the country&rsquo;s property market, especially the housing sector.To help prospective buyers, PropertyGuru Malaysia has compared the new tax regime with the old one to give consumers an idea of its potential effects.

Malaysia&rsquo;s government recently rolled out the new Goods &amp; Services Tax (GST) on 1 April 2015. But many people are still unsure as to its full impact on the country&rsquo;s property market, especially the housing sector.To help prospective buyers, PropertyGuru Malaysia has compared the new tax regime with the old one to give consumers an idea of its potential effects.

Malaysia

Manulife Holdings Bhd. underwrites and markets life insurance and general insurance through home service and agency operations. The Company also provides money lending, hire purchase, property rental and management, computer consultancy, and nominee services.

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Manulife Holdings (MHBS MK)

AIA Group – Let’s Get Real

AIA GROUP: AIA Must Not Believe Its Investor Base Cares About Anything But China Growth. It Expects Everyone To Ignore Hong Kong, Negative Tax...

Thomas J. Monaco

AIA Group – 3Q Results Will Remain Very Challenging

AIA GROUP: Previewing 3Q Results, We Note VONB Challenges And Other Risks - Hong Kong Not Rebounding, Weak Equity Markets, and Further Investment...

Thomas J. Monaco

AIA Group – It’s About Balance Sheet, Not Growth

* Weak Operational Results: AIA (1299.HK) released an its very abbreviated 1Q20 operating results. Unsurprising, the regional COVID-19 restrictions...

Thomas J. Monaco

Can Iskandar Malaysia succeed without Singapore?

While the popular view remains that Iskandar's development is largely being driven by investments from Singapore households into the residential...

PropertyGuru

How will GST impact Malaysia property?

Malaysia’s government recently rolled out the new Goods & Services Tax (GST) on 1 April 2015. But many people are still unsure as to its full...

PropertyGuru

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