Senior Credit Analyst, Lucror Analytics

Leonard Law, CFA

Senior Credit Analyst

High Yield Experts

Lucror Analytics

Lucror Analytics is a leading credit and ESG research specialist and a provider of technology solutions for differentiated fixed income strategies. Our roots are in bottom-up fundamental credit analysis with a specialization in high yield corporate credits from Europe, Asia and Latin America. We are one of few research specialists integrating ESG considerations with fundamental credit research through a dedicated ESG platform. Our ESG assessment covers five key criteria: Disclosure, E,S, & G Pillars, Controversies, ESG Impact on Credit and ESG Momentum.

Recognizing the importance and value-add of Factor Investing in fixed income, Lucror developed the Smart Quant Navigator (SQN), an intuitive platform that helps clients devise and implement factor-based strategies ranging from pure quant to active fundamental, with integrated ESG.

Our company has been at the forefront of developments in the fixed income markets, identifying opportunities and consistently delivering new products and value-adding solutions to clients. Lucror has close relationships with the largest and most reputable asset managers, family offices, hedge funds, investment and wealth managers globally.

Credit

Lucror Analytics Morning Views comprise our fundamental credit analysis, opinions and trade recommendations on high yield issuers in the region, based on key company-specific developments in the past 24 hours. Our Morning Views include a section with a brief market commentary, key market indicators and a macroeconomic and corporate event calendar.<ul><li><a href='#lucror-entity-472'>MGM China Holdings</a></li><li><a href='#lucror-entity-315'>Softbank Group</a></li><li><a href='#lucror-entity-13363'>Sunny Optical Technology Group</a></li></ul>

Lucror Analytics Morning Views comprise our fundamental credit analysis, opinions and trade recommendations on high yield issuers in the region, based on key company-specific developments in the past 24 hours. Our Morning Views include a section with a brief market commentary, key market indicators and a macroeconomic and corporate event calendar.MGM China HoldingsSoftbank GroupSunny Optical Technology Group

Morning Views Asia: MGM China Holdings, Softbank Group, Sunny Optical Technology Group

Asian Hedge Fund Manager, Long Short Equity, Macro

David Mudd

Cross Asset Strategy

<ul>
<li>Hong Kong market showed defensiveness during early August selloff and the overall breadth of the market continues to improve.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/j-t-global-express-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:36819:1" rel="noopener">J&amp;T Global Express (1519 HK)</a> received upgrades after reporting strong 2Q24 results.  Its SEA and China business showed growth in revenue and profitability.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/galaxy-entertainment-group-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:806:1" rel="noopener">Galaxy Entertainment Group (27 HK)</a> received an upgrade after revenue and EBITDA approached pre-COVID levels.  <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fit-hon-teng-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22868:1" rel="noopener">FIT Hon Teng (6088 HK)</a> is seeing improvement in AI server, AirPod, and EV segments.</li>
</ul>


Hong Kong market showed defensiveness during early August selloff and the overall breadth of the market continues to improve.

J&amp;T Global Express (1519 HK) received upgrades after reporting strong 2Q24 results.  Its SEA and China business showed growth in revenue and profitability.

Galaxy Entertainment Group (27 HK) received an upgrade after revenue and EBITDA approached pre-COVID levels.  FIT Hon Teng (6088 HK) is seeing improvement in AI server, AirPod, and EV segments.


BUY/SELL/HOLD: Hong Kong Stock Updates (August 21)

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>Macau's mass GGR in 3Q23, including slots, was down just 6.7% on 3Q19 levels, but up 11.1% quarter-on-quarter.</li>
<li>The shifting regulatory sands across the gaming landscape has resulted in VIP baccarat revenue accounting for 24% of GGR in 3Q23, down from 43.8% in 3Q19, and 64.6% in 3Q13.</li>
<li>All concessionaires have been impacted by the collapse of the junket industry. But those who relied less on VIP flow have fared better on a comparative basis.</li>
</ul>


Macau's mass GGR in 3Q23, including slots, was down just 6.7% on 3Q19 levels, but up 11.1% quarter-on-quarter.
The shifting regulatory sands across the gaming landscape has resulted in VIP baccarat revenue accounting for 24% of GGR in 3Q23, down from 43.8% in 3Q19, and 64.6% in 3Q13.
All concessionaires have been impacted by the collapse of the junket industry. But those who relied less on VIP flow have fared better on a comparative basis.


Forensic Analyst

Jason Yap, CFA

Forensic Accounting

Macau's top gaming stocks <a href="https://www.straitstimes.com/business/companies-markets/macau-casinos-see-188-billion-wipeout-as-china-tightens-control" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lost</a> a record USD18 billion in combined market value on 15 September 2021 after the Macau administration <a href="https://www.ggrasia.com/public-consultation-re-gaming-law-review-from-sept-15/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a><a href="https://www.ggrasia.com/macau-may-end-casino-sub-concessions-directly-monitor-ops/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"></a> a 45 day public consultation period to discuss revisions to Gaming Laws, which comes as the June 2022 expiration deadline for existing gaming concessions loomed. Amongst others, the abolishment of the sub-concession framework (which could reduce current 6 operators to 3 operators), restriction on distribution of dividend, and Macau government's direct supervision of casino operations drew the most consternation from investors and analysts. The sweeping revisions compound the woes of Macau's casino operators, such as <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/wynn-macau-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:473:1" rel="noopener">Wynn Macau Ltd (1128 HK) </a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sands-china-ltd-088dbd12-a0e9-4516-a68f-6a3cf8aa065d" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28515:1" rel="noopener">Sands China Ltd (SCHYY US)</a>, which had already been badly affected by pandemic driven travel restrictions, and which obliterated their gaming revenues.While there were some improvements due to easing of travel restrictions for Mainland travelers in September 2020, gross gaming revenues (GGR) remain a shadow of its past.  The daily average of visitors to Macau during October's Golden Week was <a href="https://www.ggrasia.com/macau-oct-golden-week-daily-average-visits-dip-93pct-y-o-y/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">down 93.7%</a> on daily average in 2020. The decline coincided with new COVID-19 cases confirmed in Macau around the same period. Amongst its peers, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/wynn-macau-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:473:1" rel="noopener">Wynn Macau Ltd (1128 HK)</a>  is the most highly levered and had already dodged a bullet by securing covenant waivers in April 2020 at the peak of the pandemic.In this Insight, we discuss the impact of the proposed revisions and subdued GGR recovery on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/wynn-macau-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:473:1" rel="noopener">Wynn Macau Ltd (1128 HK)</a>'s cash reserves, debt servicing ability, and whether there may be potential breaches of its financial covenants.

Macau's top gaming stocks lost a record USD18 billion in combined market value on 15 September 2021 after the Macau administration announced a 45 day public consultation period to discuss revisions to Gaming Laws, which comes as the June 2022 expiration deadline for existing gaming concessions loomed. Amongst others, the abolishment of the sub-concession framework (which could reduce current 6 operators to 3 operators), restriction on distribution of dividend, and Macau government's direct supervision of casino operations drew the most consternation from investors and analysts. The sweeping revisions compound the woes of Macau's casino operators, such as Wynn Macau Ltd (1128 HK)  and Sands China Ltd (SCHYY US), which had already been badly affected by pandemic driven travel restrictions, and which obliterated their gaming revenues.While there were some improvements due to easing of travel restrictions for Mainland travelers in September 2020, gross gaming revenues (GGR) remain a shadow of its past.  The daily average of visitors to Macau during October's Golden Week was down 93.7% on daily average in 2020. The decline coincided with new COVID-19 cases confirmed in Macau around the same period. Amongst its peers, Wynn Macau Ltd (1128 HK)  is the most highly levered and had already dodged a bullet by securing covenant waivers in April 2020 at the peak of the pandemic.In this Insight, we discuss the impact of the proposed revisions and subdued GGR recovery on Wynn Macau Ltd (1128 HK)'s cash reserves, debt servicing ability, and whether there may be potential breaches of its financial covenants.

Wynn Macau (1128 HK) - Gaming Law Revisions and Impact on Financial Covenants

<ul>
<li>Wide dispersion of returns has meant that industry sector investing  was a major performance contributor in Hong Kong</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lygend-resources-technology" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:36493:1" rel="noopener">Lygend Resources &amp; Technology (2245 HK)</a> brokeout after Indonesia announced a moratorium on new nickel mining permits.  <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sino-biopharmaceutical" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:230:1" rel="noopener">Sino Biopharmaceutical (1177 HK)</a> broke its falling wedge pattern after announcing results.
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/wynn-macau-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:473:1" rel="noopener">Wynn Macau Ltd (1128 HK)</a> broke to a new low after announcing a disappointing 2Q EBITDA.  The sector is also affected by a crackdown on illegal money exchange operations.
</li>
</ul>


Wide dispersion of returns has meant that industry sector investing  was a major performance contributor in Hong Kong

Lygend Resources &amp; Technology (2245 HK) brokeout after Indonesia announced a moratorium on new nickel mining permits.  Sino Biopharmaceutical (1177 HK) broke its falling wedge pattern after announcing results.


Wynn Macau Ltd (1128 HK) broke to a new low after announcing a disappointing 2Q EBITDA.  The sector is also affected by a crackdown on illegal money exchange operations.



Technically Speaking, Breakouts and Breakdowns: HONG KONG (AUGUST 15)

Hong Kong

MGM China Holdings Ltd. owns a luxury resort, hotel, and casino located in Macau. The Company is also exploring other casino gaming development opportunities in Macau.

Price Gauge
52-week Range	0.00 - 0.00
Market Cap (USDm)	0.00
P/E	0.00
Dividend (Yield)	0.00

MGM China Holdings (2282 HK)

Morning Views Asia: MGM China Holdings, Softbank Group, Sunny Optical Technology Group

Lucror Analytics Morning Views comprise our fundamental credit analysis, opinions and trade recommendations on high yield issuers in the region,...

Lucror Analytics

BUY/SELL/HOLD: Hong Kong Stock Updates (August 21)

The Hong Kong market breadth continues to improve as the market has shown defensive qualities during recent selloff. J&T Global, Galaxy and FIT...

David Mudd

Macau Casinos: MGM China Looks Solid

MGM China continued to outperform the market amid of industry recovery. I'd be inclined to long MGM China outright here, or hedge against SJM.

David Blennerhassett

Wynn Macau (1128 HK) - Gaming Law Revisions and Impact on Financial Covenants

Macau's gaming stocks lost USD18 billion in market value after the Macau administration announced proposed revisions to Gaming Laws. We discuss the...

Jason Yap, CFA

Technically Speaking, Breakouts and Breakdowns: HONG KONG (AUGUST 15)

Successful returns in Hong Kong has meant getting the industry right! Lygend benefits from moratorium on new nickel mine permits. Sino Bio RX...

David Mudd

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)