Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Equity Bottom-Up

<p>On the 25 October 2013, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/chong-hing-bank-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:344:1" rel="noopener">Chong Hing Bank (1111 HK)</a> ("CHB") <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2013/1025/ltn20131025786.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> an agreement with Yue Xiu (the investment arm of the Guangzhou municipal government) to acquire a maximum of 75% of the bank for a consideration of HK$11.5bn (HK$35.7/share, a 2.1x P/B).  The deal was subject to approval from the HKMA. It was Yue Xiu's intention to maintain the bank's listing.</p>
<p>That Offer was widely seen as supportive for the remaining family-owned banks in Hong Kong such as <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bank-of-east-asia-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:341:1" rel="noopener">Bank of East Asia (23 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/dah-sing-banking-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:342:1" rel="noopener">Dah Sing Banking (2356 HK)</a>, and Wing Hang Bank, the latter of which was taken out by <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/oversea-chinese-banking-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:114:1" rel="noopener">OCBC (OCBC SP)</a> in 2014 at 1.81x P/B in a <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2014/0629/ltn20140629025.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US$4.9bn deal</a>.</p>
<p>The partial Offer for CHB closed on the <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2014/0205/ltn201402051310.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">5 February 2014</a>. Shares closed yesterday at HK$10.56/share (and 0.4x P/B), down ~70% from the Partial Offer Price. BEA and DSB have similarly languished, down 33% and 42% respectively in the last five years.</p>
<h3>The New News</h3>
<p>CHB was suspended at <a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2021/0506/2021050600453.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">10.45am</a> this morning, but not before gaining 30% to close at HK$13.76/share. That's worth a second look.</p>
<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/204/617/original/image_68039818121620283783177.png?1620283785" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="204617"></figure>

On the 25 October 2013, Chong Hing Bank (1111 HK) ("CHB") announced an agreement with Yue Xiu (the investment arm of the Guangzhou municipal government) to acquire a maximum of 75% of the bank for a consideration of HK$11.5bn (HK$35.7/share, a 2.1x P/B).  The deal was subject to approval from the HKMA. It was Yue Xiu's intention to maintain the bank's listing.
That Offer was widely seen as supportive for the remaining family-owned banks in Hong Kong such as Bank of East Asia (23 HK), Dah Sing Banking (2356 HK), and Wing Hang Bank, the latter of which was taken out by OCBC (OCBC SP) in 2014 at 1.81x P/B in a US$4.9bn deal.
The partial Offer for CHB closed on the 5 February 2014. Shares closed yesterday at HK$10.56/share (and 0.4x P/B), down ~70% from the Partial Offer Price. BEA and DSB have similarly languished, down 33% and 42% respectively in the last five years.
The New News
CHB was suspended at 10.45am this morning, but not before gaining 30% to close at HK$13.76/share. That's worth a second look.


Chong Hing Bank (1111 HK): Takeover Talk As Shares Pop

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

<p><strong><em>*Unbelievable: </em></strong>DBS Group Holdings (DBS.SP) [DBS] reported 1Q21 results of SGD 2.0 bn, increasing SGD 997 mn (98.5%) on a linked quarter basis. Results were driven primarily by two factors: a) loss provisions declined SGD 567 mn (98.3%) which is bizarre in light of its troubled Indian acquisition, Lakshmi Vilas Bank (LVB), risk is not controlled; and b) fee revenue growth of SGD 604 mn (52.8%) which includes an undisclosed level of non-operating gains;</p><p><strong><em>*Watch Your Credit: </em></strong>We struggle continue to believe that DBS’ due diligence had actually caught all of LVB’s risk (see discussion below), and remain unconvinced that the moratorium exits are anything more than additional reliance on government schemes and relief programs. DBS has disclosed absolutely nothing about Shenzhen Rural Commercial Bank’s (SRCB) fundamentals. Net new NPLs continue to increase – up SGD 85 mn or increasing 5.6% on an annualized basis. Reserves should be shored up in the neighborhood of SGD 2.5bn to reflect this risk; and</p><p>*<em><strong>*Deal Distractions Mount: </strong></em> While SRCB dos not appear to be riddled with problems the way LVB is, no doubt there will be issues to contend with.  DBS apparently isn’t done with its shopping spree, being in the running for parts of Citigroup's (C.US) consumer business in Asia. Frankly, DBS needs to focus on improving its own legacy issues before it starts both taking on those of other financial institutions.</p>

*Unbelievable: DBS Group Holdings (DBS.SP) [DBS] reported 1Q21 results of SGD 2.0 bn, increasing SGD 997 mn (98.5%) on a linked quarter basis. Results were driven primarily by two factors: a) loss provisions declined SGD 567 mn (98.3%) which is bizarre in light of its troubled Indian acquisition, Lakshmi Vilas Bank (LVB), risk is not controlled; and b) fee revenue growth of SGD 604 mn (52.8%) which includes an undisclosed level of non-operating gains;*Watch Your Credit: We struggle continue to believe that DBS’ due diligence had actually caught all of LVB’s risk (see discussion below), and remain unconvinced that the moratorium exits are anything more than additional reliance on government schemes and relief programs. DBS has disclosed absolutely nothing about Shenzhen Rural Commercial Bank’s (SRCB) fundamentals. Net new NPLs continue to increase – up SGD 85 mn or increasing 5.6% on an annualized basis. Reserves should be shored up in the neighborhood of SGD 2.5bn to reflect this risk; and**Deal Distractions Mount:  While SRCB dos not appear to be riddled with problems the way LVB is, no doubt there will be issues to contend with.  DBS apparently isn’t done with its shopping spree, being in the running for parts of Citigroup's (C.US) consumer business in Asia. Frankly, DBS needs to focus on improving its own legacy issues before it starts both taking on those of other financial institutions.

DBS Group Holdings – Not Sure Whether To Laugh Or Cry

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One, Periscope Analytics

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

Quantitative Analysis

<div><p>In this Insight, we look at Asian financial pairs that normally trade in a tight band versus each other and are now trading at levels that are close to an extreme, making it likely that there could be a short term reversal. We also recap our earlier ideas and recommend exiting a position where there are gains and the price ratio is near a turning point.</p></div><div><p>These are all large cap financials that trade in excess of US$20m a day, so implementing the strategy should be possible using stock borrow or single stock futures.</p></div><div>
<p>These ideas are based purely off the stock price history and we recommend investors use a fundamental overlay to determine if the price action is reflective of changes in the sector that benefit one company at the expense of the other, or benefit one company more than the other.</p>
<p>Over the last couple of months, our pair trades have returned 2.54% on average.</p>
</div>

In this Insight, we look at Asian financial pairs that normally trade in a tight band versus each other and are now trading at levels that are close to an extreme, making it likely that there could be a short term reversal. We also recap our earlier ideas and recommend exiting a position where there are gains and the price ratio is near a turning point.These are all large cap financials that trade in excess of US$20m a day, so implementing the strategy should be possible using stock borrow or single stock futures.
These ideas are based purely off the stock price history and we recommend investors use a fundamental overlay to determine if the price action is reflective of changes in the sector that benefit one company at the expense of the other, or benefit one company more than the other.
Over the last couple of months, our pair trades have returned 2.54% on average.


<p><strong><em>*Stake Purchase In Mainland Bank: </em></strong>DBS Group Holdings (DBS.SP) [DBS] for the second time in five months announced a transaction. The latest being its intention to acquire a 13% stake in the privately-held Shenzhen Rural Commercial Bank (SRCB) for CNY 5.29 bn (USD 814.3 mn), in a move that will accelerate its Greater Bay Area expansion strategy;</p><p><strong><em>*Very Expensive Transaction: </em></strong>DBS did disclose that this stake will be priced at a stated P/BV of 1.01x. By our calculation, the post-money P/BV amounts to 0.92x – which is still 41.5% (USD 338 mn) higher than the average valuation (0.65x P/BV) for a mainland Chinese bank; and</p><p><strong><em>*Deal Distractions Mount: </em></strong>On November 17, 2020, the RBI also announced a draft scheme to merge LVB with DBS Bank India Limited, the 100%-owned subsidiary of DBS Bank Holdings (DBS.SP), which will infuse INR 25 bn into its subsidiary to absorb and recapitalize LVB. While SRCB dos not appear to be riddled with problems the way LVB is, no doubt there will be issues to contend with.  DBS apparently isn’t done with its shopping spree, being in the running for parts of Citigroup's (C.US) consumer business in Asia. Frankly, DBS needs to focus on improving its own legacy issues before it starts both taking on that of other financial institutions.</p>

*Stake Purchase In Mainland Bank: DBS Group Holdings (DBS.SP) [DBS] for the second time in five months announced a transaction. The latest being its intention to acquire a 13% stake in the privately-held Shenzhen Rural Commercial Bank (SRCB) for CNY 5.29 bn (USD 814.3 mn), in a move that will accelerate its Greater Bay Area expansion strategy;*Very Expensive Transaction: DBS did disclose that this stake will be priced at a stated P/BV of 1.01x. By our calculation, the post-money P/BV amounts to 0.92x – which is still 41.5% (USD 338 mn) higher than the average valuation (0.65x P/BV) for a mainland Chinese bank; and*Deal Distractions Mount: On November 17, 2020, the RBI also announced a draft scheme to merge LVB with DBS Bank India Limited, the 100%-owned subsidiary of DBS Bank Holdings (DBS.SP), which will infuse INR 25 bn into its subsidiary to absorb and recapitalize LVB. While SRCB dos not appear to be riddled with problems the way LVB is, no doubt there will be issues to contend with.  DBS apparently isn’t done with its shopping spree, being in the running for parts of Citigroup's (C.US) consumer business in Asia. Frankly, DBS needs to focus on improving its own legacy issues before it starts both taking on that of other financial institutions.

Head of Research, IPOs & Placements, Aequitas Research

Sumeet Singh

Head of Research, IPOs & Placements

IPOs and Placements coverage across Asia Pacific

Aequitas Research

We cover all listing across the Asia Pacific along with follow-up placements. As of Dec 2020, our team had covered 539 IPOs with a hit rate of 73.5% and 685 placements with a hit rate of 66.8%.

We combine fundamental bottom-up views with our proprietary quantitative framework to provide a holistic coverage across new listings and placements. Our coverage includes pre-IPO notes before the deal is launched, follow-up analysis once the deal is live and post-listing trading analysis as well.

Equity Capital Markets

<div><p>Ngern Tid Lor (NTL), a financial service provider based in Thailand, aims to raise around US$1bn via selling a mix of primary and secondary shares in its Thailand IPO. Prior to listing, it was jointly owned by Bank of Ayudhya and CVC Capital Partners. As per Oliver Wyman’s estimates, NTL had a 16% market share in the vehicle lending market in Thailand, as of 2019. </p></div><div><p>NTL provides hire purchase loans for motorcycles and cars, along with new and used trucks. It also provides insurance brokerage services through its branches for non-life and life insurance. It offers motor insurance, compulsory motor insurance, personal accident insurance, cancer insurance, and loan insurance. As of Dec 2020, it had over 730,000 accounts with total outstanding loans of THB51.3bn. In 2020, it generated non-life insurance premium sales of THB4bn. </p></div><div><p>Over 2016-20, NTL’s gross loans grew at 25.1% CAGR, averaging 25%+ per annum over 2017-19 before slowing down to 7% YoY growth in 2020. Its total income has grown at 22.5% CAGR, while PAT did better with a CAGR of 29.1% over 2016-20. Although, asset quality has taken a hit owing to COVID-19 and Bank of Thailand's induced moratorium. </p></div><div>
<p>We have covered various aspects of the deal in our earlier note, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/ngern-tid-lor-pre-ipo-pre-covid-growth-track-record-has-been-very-strong" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ngern Tid Lor Pre-IPO - Pre-COVID growth track record has been very strong</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/ngern-tid-lor-pre-ipo-peer-comparison-playing-catch-up-after-being-left-behind" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ngern Tid Lor Pre-IPO - Peer Comparison - Playing Catch up After Being Left Behind</a>.</p>
<p>In this note we’ll talk about valuation and deal dynamics.</p>
</div>

Ngern Tid Lor (NTL), a financial service provider based in Thailand, aims to raise around US$1bn via selling a mix of primary and secondary shares in its Thailand IPO. Prior to listing, it was jointly owned by Bank of Ayudhya and CVC Capital Partners. As per Oliver Wyman’s estimates, NTL had a 16% market share in the vehicle lending market in Thailand, as of 2019. NTL provides hire purchase loans for motorcycles and cars, along with new and used trucks. It also provides insurance brokerage services through its branches for non-life and life insurance. It offers motor insurance, compulsory motor insurance, personal accident insurance, cancer insurance, and loan insurance. As of Dec 2020, it had over 730,000 accounts with total outstanding loans of THB51.3bn. In 2020, it generated non-life insurance premium sales of THB4bn. Over 2016-20, NTL’s gross loans grew at 25.1% CAGR, averaging 25%+ per annum over 2017-19 before slowing down to 7% YoY growth in 2020. Its total income has grown at 22.5% CAGR, while PAT did better with a CAGR of 29.1% over 2016-20. Although, asset quality has taken a hit owing to COVID-19 and Bank of Thailand's induced moratorium. 
We have covered various aspects of the deal in our earlier note, Ngern Tid Lor Pre-IPO - Pre-COVID growth track record has been very strong and Ngern Tid Lor Pre-IPO - Peer Comparison - Playing Catch up After Being Left Behind.
In this note we’ll talk about valuation and deal dynamics.


Ngern Tid Lor IPO - Not Really at a Large Discount but the Overall Sector Has Been Doing Very Well

Singapore

Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation Limited offers a comprehensive range of financial services.  The Company's services include deposit-taking, corporate, enterprise and personal lending, international trade financing, investment banking, private banking, treasury, stockbroking, insurance, credit cards, cash management, asset management and other financial and related services.

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OCBC (OCBC SP)

Chong Hing Bank (1111 HK): Takeover Talk As Shares Pop

A 30% gain ahead of suspension suggests there is evident news leakage of something big afoot, which would have a positive read-across for the other...

David Blennerhassett

DBS Group Holdings – Not Sure Whether To Laugh Or Cry

DBS GROUP HOLDINGS: DBS reported a 98.5% QOQ 1Q21 results increase due to lower provision and non-operating gains. Given all of these...

Thomas J. Monaco

Pair Trading Ideas - Asian Financials

We highlight potential trades among liquid large cap Asian financial stocks that are correlated and exhibit mean reversion. We recommend closing...

Brian Freitas

DBS Group Holdings – Pricey China Deal

DBS GROUP HOLDINGS: DBS is acquiring a 13% stake in the privately-held SRCB for USD 814.3 mn. P/BV amounts to 0.92x – which is still 41.5% higher...

Thomas J. Monaco

Ngern Tid Lor IPO - Not Really at a Large Discount but the Overall Sector Has Been Doing Very Well

Ngern Tid Lor aims to raise around US$1bn via selling a mix of primary and secondary shares in its Thailand IPO. Prior to listing, it was jointly...

Sumeet Singh

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